Francesa’s partners with ThredUp on recommerce site
- Francesca’s is the latest retailer to partner with ThredUp.
- The boutique chain will use its resale-as-a-service platform to enter recommerce.
- Customers can send items to ThredUp for in-store credit and buy secondhand Francesca items.
Francesca’s is the latest retailer to partner with ThredUp to launch a banner focused on circular fashion.
The clothing and accessories boutique chain announced its jump into resale, called “forever francesca’s” in a Jan. 31 press release. According to the specialty retailer, the ThredUp partnership will enable customers to purchase secondhand items through its e-commerce platform and sell used items for store credit.
"We are aware of the environmental impact apparel has on our planet, and our work with ThredUp in launching ‘forever francesca's’ is an important first step in doing our part to make a difference," said Jann Parish, francesca's chief marketing officer, in the release.
Francesca’s shoppers can purchase the secondhand clothing from a special website set up for the banner at francescas.thredup.com. Consumers can also use the same website to request a shipping label, so they can fill up a box with women’s and children’s clothing from any brand. When an item sells on ThredUp, consumers get shopping credit for the boutique, which can be redeemed in store and online.
"Our millennial and Gen Z customers value their eco footprint, but they also come to our boutique for a fun opportunity to find something unique – resale is the perfect blend of both of those experiences,” Parish added. “This strategic alignment with ThredUp allows us to innovate how we go to market and offer customers unique product solutions that meet their shifting demands."
Canada Goose, the Toronto-based winter apparel retailer, also this week announced it was entering the recommerce market with its new “Canada Goose Generations” banner, Retail Leader reported. That service uses technology from Trove, which like ThredUp, has powered recommerce efforts for retailers like Patagonia and REI.
ThredUp’s resale-as-a-service (RAaS) platform has powered efforts for numerous retailers, including J. Crew, which announced its recommerce banner “Always” earlier in the month. ThredUp has powered resale for other brands and retailers that include Banana Republic, Gap, Tommy Hilfiger, Madewell, Crocs and Rent the Runway.
The recommerce apparel market has skyrocketed in popularity for both brands and consumers, especially as more purpose-driven shoppers avoid fast fashion in favor of circular fashion. According to ThredUp’s 2022 Resale Report, the secondhand apparel market in North America is growing at a rate eight times higher than the overall apparel market. Growth in the category is expected to more than double over the next few years, outpacing the overall apparel market by 16 times by 2026, according to ThredUp’s report.