- Huw Hughes
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Major US department store chains JCPenney and Macy’s have both announced
they will debut selling used apparel through partnerships with San
Francisco-based fashion resale company ThredUp.
JCPenney said on Friday that 30 of its stores will start offering
a seasonal array of resale handbags and women’s fashion from the secondhand
apparel company, with the assortment uniquely branded in a 500 to 1,000-square-foot
presentation. To keep things fresh, department store said it will be switching up the
curated assortment of ThredUp items on a weekly basis.
“With the rise of online resale markets, there’s no doubt that demand
for great value on quality brands is at an all-time high. There’s an
emotional thrill that comes with finding one-of-a-kind secondhand product
for much less,” Michelle Wlazlo, executive vice president and chief
merchant for JCPenney, said in a statement.
“While there are more secondhand shoppers than ever before, we’ll
continue to test and evaluate how this resonates with customers. We’re
excited about the prospect of creating a new in-store experience that makes
high-end brands attainable, as well as catering to eco-minded consumers who
want more sustainable options in their wardrobe.”
Resale market continues to attract big fashion names
JCPenney is following in the footsteps of Macy’s, who earlier this
week announced it had been trialling resale services in 40 of its stores
across the US through a ThredUp partnership. The company said the move
would allow it to “reach Millennials and Gen Z who are passionate about
sustainable fashion and shopping resale.”
Macy’s CEO Jeff Gennette said during the company’s second-quarter
conference call: “We know many consumers are passionate about sustainable
fashion and shopping resale. This partnership gives us the opportunity to
reach a new customer and keep them coming back to shop and ever-changing
selection of styles and brands that we don’t typically carry.”
Photo credit: ThredUp, Facebook
