2024 & Whatnot: Live Shopping in Focus
Imagine a marketplace where every purchase feels like a celebration, every seller is a storyteller, and every product comes with a narrative that deepens its meaning. Welcome to Whatnot in 2024—where your shows have transformed commerce into something more meaningful: a vibrant tapestry of entertainment, connection, and storytelling woven together in real-time.
As Whatnot’s global community grows, buyers aren’t just browsing—they’re immersing themselves. On average, they spend 80 minutes daily watching livestreams and make 10x more transactions than users of other peer-to-peer marketplaces. In 2024, this engagement reached unprecedented heights: live shows sparked over 1 billion chat interactions between buyers and sellers, and more than 10 million giveaways celebrated buyers across the platform. This isn’t just about transactions—it’s about relationships, trust, and shared experiences.
As we look to 2025, search trends on Whatnot point to key themes shaping the future of your business: authenticated collectibles emerging as alternative assets, storytelling deepening connections, and category lines blurring as live shoppers diversify—from cards to rare plants, vintage fashion to ancient coins.
Before we dive into the trends, let’s celebrate your role in this evolving story. Whether you’re new to selling or a seasoned pro, highlight your 2024 achievements with our ready-to-use Instagram and Instagram Story templates– just add your stats, photos, and personal milestones—then share them to inspire your community. You can also create a short video message to thank your supporters, letting them know their encouragement fueled your success—and that the journey ahead is one you’ll continue together. And don’t forget to use #2024andwhatnot and tag @whatnot in your posts for a chance to be featured on our official page. Visit our Help Center to learn more.
Now, let’s explore our trends report below for insights into what your buyers are into—and where the market is headed:
Changing the Game: Women Athletes Become Collector’s Most Valuable Players
In a world long dominated by male athletes, women are not just stepping onto the court—they're taking over the collectibles arena. WNBA-related shows surged by +1,500% this year, signaling a seismic shift in demand for women’s sports collectibles. The WNBA isn't just playing games; it's changing them.
Women Athletes Break the Glass Display Case
Enter Caitlin Clark, the prodigious talent whose influence transcends the hardwood. Her livestreams aren't just broadcasts; they're events:
Caitlin Clark demand soared by +2,400%, reflecting her meteoric rise as a transcendent women’s basketball star.
WNBA searches increased by +870% year-over-year, highlighting a powerful new force in the collector market.
WNBA autographed cards demand doubled, as collectors snapped up the signatures of the league’s emerging icons.
The Rookie Revolution
Young phenoms are commanding the search spotlight, as fans and collectors race to secure emerging stars:
Paul Skenes soared by +230,000%, as collectors rushed to invest in MLB’s next superstar pitcher.
Victor Wembanyama's queries jumped by +770%, underscoring enormous anticipation for his NBA arrival.
CJ Stroud rose by +210% as the rookie quarterback’s standout performances ignited fresh excitement and investment interest among collectors.
Niche Interests Meet Fandom
Whatnot’s platform brings once-fringe sports into the spotlight, cultivating vibrant collector bases around unconventional categories:
Kaboom card queries doubled, with their comic-inspired aesthetics and ultra-rare allure driving consistent year-over-year growth.
Golf collectibles searches rose by over +30%, reflecting an expanding interest beyond the traditional powerhouses of team sports.
Tennis card demand jumped +200%, turning a formerly niche category into a new terrain for passionate sports card explorers.
Plant Parents Go Premium: From Windowsill to Waitlist
The premium plant market highlights a broader shift toward intentional, high-value collecting. Whether it’s variegated Monstera varieties, Anthuriums or exotic finds, Whatnot’s plant community is setting new benchmarks for plant appreciation and cultivation in 2025.
The Variegation Sensation
In the plant world, variegation is the new black:
Monstera Albo searches increased by +125% this year, cementing its status as a must-have collector's plant.
Thai Monstera searches grew by +35% in the past month, reflecting rising interest in exotic plant varieties.
Pretty in Pink varieties like Black Velvet saw searches climb +95% this year, fueling demand for rare, colorful plants.
Anthurium Allure and Exotic Offerings
Anthuriums remain a collector favorite, celebrated for their striking foliage and rarity:
Searches for Anthurium Clarinervium grew by +85% this year, as collectors sought this iconic heart-shaped plant.
Anthurium Warocqueanum, also known as the "Queen Anthurium," saw searches double, reinforcing its place as a must-have among plant enthusiasts.
Philodendron Pink Princess searches increased by +75% this year, fueled by its stunning pink variegation.
The Technical Revolution
Plant enthusiasts are investing in tools to elevate their collections:
Grow light searches grew +65% since last year, reflecting a commitment to nurturing rare and delicate plants.
Plant care tool interest rose +55% this year, as collectors invest in premium care equipment.
Moss pole searches climbed +50% in recent weeks, demonstrating the community's dedication to perfecting their setups.
The Comfort Conquest: Fashion's New Freedom
In today’s fashion landscape, shoppers demand style on their own terms—favoring brands that deliver comfort, celebrate all body types, and embrace sustainable production.
The Athletic Luxury Boom
Performance wear is dominating, merging comfort and style:
Halara searches jumped +200%, signaling a rising star in dynamic, trend-driven activewear.
Nike demand rose by +180%, blending athletic performance with cultural cachet.
Carhartt interest also grew by +180%, as resilient workwear redefined everyday style.
Inclusivity Leads the Way
The fashion landscape is expanding to embrace all consumers:
Plus-size fashion interest surged by +140%, underscoring the call for genuine inclusivity.
Good American searches doubled, reflecting support for body-positive brands.
Adaptive fashion inquiries rose by +45%, highlighting the need for accessible designs.
Nostalgia Meets Sustainability
Vintage fashion is seeing a resurgence, blending cultural nostalgia with eco-conscious choices:
Vintage clothing queries jumped by +55%, as shoppers rediscovered secondhand treasures.
Men’s retro styles climbed by +35%, blending past aesthetics with modern sensibilities.
Designer vintage demand grew by +65%, confirming the allure of timeless, eco-conscious finds.
Storytelling Sells: The Next Chapter in Sneakers
Sneakers aren’t just about brand names—they’re storytelling platforms where nostalgia, innovation, and cultural synergy shape desire.
The Collab Catalyst
High-profile collaborations between celebrities, designers, and heritage brands are fueling unprecedented demand:
Travis Scott collaborations soared by +200% in search volume during key product drops.
A Ma Manière, known for meaningful Nike and Jordan collabs, fueled a +150% increase in recent searches.
Collabs featuring celebrity endorsements climbed +110%, revealing the power of star-driven narratives.
Running into the Future: Performance Footwear Gains Momentum
As consumers seek comfort, innovation, and athletic authenticity, performance-focused running shoes are carving out space in the sneaker landscape:
Hoka queries soared by over +150%, bridging the gap between athletic performance and everyday style.
On Cloud interest climbed by more than +120%, as runners and casual wearers embraced lightweight, cloud-like cushioning.
Mentions of performance running sneakers rose by over +80%, signaling a broader shift toward innovative, comfort-driven silhouettes.
Sustainability Steps Forward
Eco-consciousness is reshaping consumer choices and driving new standards in sneaker design:
Vegan leather sneaker searches rose +70%, reflecting a shift toward cruelty-free materials.
Sustainable sneaker materials overall saw a +90% increase, mirroring eco-conscious consumer priorities.
Mentions of recycled content in product listings climbed +50%, attracting buyers to brands embracing circular design.
Numismatics: Old Money, New Stories
Collectors continue to expand their horizons, embracing not only legacy American coins but also ancient rarities and diverse world currencies, all while precious metals remain cornerstones of the numismatic market.
The Gold and Silver Renaissance
As economic uncertainty fuels interest in tangible assets, precious metals shine brighter than ever:
Gold queries surged by +160% year-over-year, solidifying its role as a go-to investment asset.
Silver bullion interest grew +85% as collectors sought stable, tangible stores of value.
1 oz silver demand skyrocketed by +400%, reflecting growing enthusiasm for standard-weight precious metal pieces.
Ancient Allure Across Civilizations
Beyond national borders, collectors are exploring a world of rich history and cultural narratives through coins:
Greek and Roman coins queries increased by +85%, as these classical-era currencies resonate with those fascinated by ancient empires.
Byzantine gold coins, reflecting the legacy of the Eastern Roman Empire, sparked a +65% jump in searches, revealing heightened intrigue in medieval intrigue and artistry.
World coins, issued by various nations, soared by over +500%, with collectors embracing cross-cultural histories and global design diversity.
Commemoratives, Errors, and Fractional Rarities
Specialty issues and mint anomalies inject excitement, enabling collectors to own distinctive slices of numismatic art:
Error coins, prized for their minting mishaps, soared by +85%, underscoring the appeal of accidental scarcity.
Commemorative coin programs, including U.S. Mint releases honoring events like the Apollo 11 mission, doubled, broadening thematic variety.
Fractional gold pieces, such as 1/10 oz American Gold Eagles, climbed by +60%, offering accessible yet premium-grade additions to collectors’ portfolios.
Graded Growth: The Maturation of Modern Collecting
Collecting has evolved from a casual hobby into a thriving investment market, where authentication, grading, and rarity define value. From trading cards to LEGO, collectibles are being redefined as alternative assets with tangible worth.
Graded Greatness
The growing preference for authenticated items reflects a maturing market:
Graded Pokémon cards searches rose +255%, reflecting a strong move toward investment-grade TCG assets
Graded Magic: The Gathering cards doubled, highlighting that proven rarity and certified condition anchor collector confidence
Authenticated collectibles (including slabbed comics) also doubled, making verified condition and authenticity baseline expectations
The TCG Renaissance
In 2024, trading card games shattered traditional hierarchies, blending nostalgia with innovative storytelling and bridging the gap between longtime fans and a new generation of collectors:
Vintage Pokémon breaks reignited nostalgia, with first-edition holos and classic artwork driving a +180% jump as collectors rediscovered childhood treasures.
Star Wars and Marvel TCG searches each experienced triple-digit growth—over +300%—as collectors embraced iconic narratives transformed into coveted collectibles.
Sorcery TCG debuted with a +200% surge, affirming that fresh concepts still resonate in a landscape dominated by established franchises.
Toys, Funko, & LEGO: Cultural Crossovers
Beloved toys and building sets have ascended to prized collectibles:
Limited-edition LEGO sets grew by +150% in searches, recognized for their investment potential.
Star Wars LEGO collaborations doubled in interest, while Marvel-themed sets saw a +95% increase in searches, cementing their cultural relevance.
Specialized minifigure series, such as those tied to Harry Potter and DC Super Heroes, soared +130%, as collectors chase character-driven exclusives and rare variants.
Shaping Tomorrow’s Commerce
As we move into 2025, trust, storytelling, and diversification are at the forefront. Graded items are essential, storytelling drives deeper engagement, and category lines are blurring as collectors diversify their investments—from Pokémon cards to rare plants and gold collectibles.
The future of commerce is live, connected, and personal. Whatnot leads this transformation, where every sale is a story, and every purchase builds a relationship. Livestream shopping isn’t just redefining retail—it’s shaping what comes next.
