As the peak shopping season slows, many brands are focused on wrapping up their Q4 campaigns and preparing for the year ahead. However, one often overlooked opportunity lies in the post-holiday period, particularly in January. This seemingly quiet month presents an ideal time to launch your own branded resale platform, offering several compelling advantages.
1. Capture the Post-Holiday Return Wave
The holiday season is known for its surge in purchases, but unfortunately, it also leads to a significant number of returns. Shopify reports that nearly 30% of holiday purchases are returned. Rather than sending these items back to the warehouse, offering a branded resale site provides customers with a seamless way to rehome them. This reduces the burden on your supply chain and presents an opportunity to capture a much greater portion of value from returned items.
2. Monetize Excess Inventory
Many brands face the challenge of having excess inventory that went unsold over the Holiday season, often leading to inventory sitting idle or offering evergreen discounts. A branded resale site offers an effective solution to monetize this excess stock. By selling these items through your resale platform, you can get these items off-site and transform excess inventory into a valuable revenue stream.
3. Align with Sustainable Shopping Resolutions
Many of us choose to shop more sustainably as a New Year’s resolution. It’s no surprise that January and February saw some of the biggest secondhand sales numbers on Treet last year. With sustainability at the forefront of every consumer's mind, we fully expect this trend to grow. Launching a branded resale site demonstrates your commitment to sustainability practices, aligning with the values of eco-conscious shoppers and meeting them where they are. This can help attract new customers and strengthen your brand's reputation as a forward-thinking company.
4. Foster Brand Loyalty and Repeat Business
Resale is not just about selling used items; it's also about building customer loyalty. By offering a resale platform, you provide customers with an additional reason to engage with your brand. Returning customers, on average, spend more money, refer friends, and try new products, making them 22X more valuable than non-loyal customers. Resale encourages repeat business and fosters stronger brand connections. For proof, just check out this case study on how Treet helps Rough & Tumble drive loyalty and repeat purchases on their main site.
January is an ideal time to launch your branded resale site and December is the best time to lay the groundwork. With the post-holiday return wave, excess inventory challenges, and the growing emphasis on sustainability, resale offers a unique opportunity to capture value, enhance brand reputation, and drive significant customer loyalty for a successful 2024.
If you're considering venturing into the resale market, now is the perfect time to make your move. Reach out to us here to get started!