Walmart.Com Now Sells Resale Merchandise - Forbes

Walmart.com wants to be a fashion destination in the Post COVID-19 period. On Wednesday May 27, 2020, it introduced resale merchandise from thredUP, a source that sells resale merchandise to diverse companies like Macy’s M , JCPenney JCP , and Urban Outfitters URBN . It is choosing to make its entry into the fashion world with used merchandise.

According to the press release by Walmart, Denise Incandela, who is head of Fashion for Walmart U.S. e-Commerce, Walmart.com has added nearly 1,000 brands to the on-line assortment. It includes national brands like Champion, Jordache, and Levi Strauss. She said that, “The new retail platform for fashion and accessories at mass market prices will allow customers to find nearly 750,000 pre-owned items from thredUP in women’s and children’s clothing as well as accessories, footwear, and handbags”.

Ms. Incandela assured us that items in the assortment have been carefully evaluated by thredUP for sale based on their overall quality and condition. Only pre-owned garments and shoes deemed “new” or “like new” by thredUP will be offered; “gently used” accessories and handbags are also available. Of course, during this time, it will also be important that items were properly sanitized.

thredUP Director of Product Management Jenn Volk claimed that, “from Calvin Klein and Nike NKE to Coach and Michael Kors, this digital partnership enhances Walmart’s fashion offering with fresh brands at amazing prices that customers will love”.

It’s an interesting time for Walmart to do this. For many consumers who have resisted shopping on e-commerce in the past, that move now looks like a necessity. The new on-line shopping behavior they have learned during the pandemic will encourage many to continue to shop on line. It is likely to become the new norm for many shoppers and support this new venture.

There’s also the fact that apparel sales have slowed for all retailers in the past year, and the trend only worsened during the lockdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The category that has been strongest, and where Walmart will concentrate, is lifestyle apparel. That emphasis is correct and should attract young shoppers. New designs will sell well and build the Walmart customer base at the same time.

There is no doubt that Walmart will do good business with thredUP merchandise as customers look for value and save money on quality brands. thredUP claims that 70% of consumers have bought, or are now willing to buy, second-hand merchandise. The country is full of unwanted merchandise since stores were closed, and most stores are looking for outlets to take this unsold, aging product off their hands. thredUP offers retailers the opportunity to get rid of some of the merchandise (still new, though now dated), and that very likely will strengthen the Walmart.com. offering.

I am saddened that Walmart sees the need for second-hand merchandise as part of their DNA. Sam Walton was proud of the national brands he featured in his stores – from Cannon to Wrangler. If a brand was not available for his customers, he created a brand to fill the void and was able to sell a multi-million-dollar amount; just think of brands like George, Faded Glory and Ol’ Roy. The advent of second hand clothes, whether they are “gently used” or “like new” does not hide the fact that the merchandise has been worn before. I have an aversion to stores selling both fresh, new merchandise alongside items that belong in a second-hand store. I think it lowers the expectation of the total fashion assortment.

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