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E-commerce Reseller Shop Hers Goes Global
Shop Hers is a luxury e-commerce resale business that recently went international.
Founded in November 2012, the Santa Monica, Calif.–based consignment marketplace was available only in the United States until July 8, when it became available in 129 countries, said Jaclyn Shanfeld, co-founder of Shop Hers. The company reports that 80,000 people maintain profiles on the site. Shop Hers’ investors include Brian Lee, founder of e-commerce site Shoedazzle; Jeremy Zimmer, chief executive officer of United Talent Agency; and Shana Fisher, managing partner of High Line Venture Partners.
Consignment and resale shops have always been part of the retail landscape. But to succeed, a consignment shop must provide service with a unique point of view, said Christos Garkinos, co-owner of Decades, one of the most prominent luxury consignment shops in Los Angeles.
“It’s about how you segment the marketplace,” Garkinos said of creating a competitive point of difference in a market overflowing with product. “There’s enough stock out there where you can find your way.”
Shop Hers hopes to make good on its claim of offering a unique service by mixing features of popular social and e-commerce sites Etsy, Pinterest and eBay, Shanfeld said.
An individual fashion consumer starts by making a Shop Hers profile with her measurements and style preferences. After filling out the profile, the shopper can connect with like-minded people the site calls “style soulmates.” The consumer can trade information with the style soulmates. The site’s algorithms match the consumer’s preferences with items she is looking for. On Shop Hers profiles, people also can list what items they would like to sell.
If site members choose to sell an item to another member, they have three days to ship it to Shop Hers. The company’s “Sure Shop” team inspects the item to confirm it is in good quality. Inspections also can be confirmed by outside brand experts who appraise the items.
Once an item is given the Sure Shop’s stamp of approval, Shop Hers ships it out to the buyer. They have 14 days to return it. Shop Hers will take an 18 percent transaction fee from the seller. Shanfeld said her business will grow bigger in a world where wardrobe closets are overflowing, and fashion-savvy people will be glad to get rid of excess clothes and exchange them for items they will use frequently.
