Gently’s shopping aggregator aims to eliminate the friction involved in finding second-hand clothing.

The Rise of Secondhand Shopping: Gently Aims to Revolutionize the Market

A Fragmented Market Calls for a Solution

Samuel Spitz is a self-proclaimed lover of secondhand clothing. However, he soon realized that finding specific items on resale sites was a tedious and time-consuming task. "The market is very fragmented with all of the sites," Spitz told TechCrunch in an interview. "And once I would get on a site, it was really hard to find what I wanted, plus you only see a fraction of what is actually there." He further elaborated that often, the items he was searching for wouldn’t be available immediately, either due to his specific size or target price.

The Birth of Gently

Spitz’s frustration with the current state of secondhand shopping led him to join forces with fellow Rice University graduate Kunal Rai. Together, they co-founded Gently (formerly Wearloom) in March 2021. The company aims to create an "Amazon for secondhand," allowing users to shop across various platforms from a single location.

From Manual Searches to Centralized Platform

Initially, the duo relied on manual searches using forms that customers could fill out with their desired items. Spitz and Rai would then compile the search results and respond via email. This process was time-consuming but effective, as by the end of the first month, they were serving 500-600 people daily.

However, as the user base grew, so did the complexity of manual searches. The pair recognized that this approach wouldn’t scale sustainably, leading them to develop a centralized platform for secondhand shopping online. This platform would enable users to search, filter, and receive alerts from various secondhand clothing sites.

Gently’s Partnerships and Revenue Model

Today, Gently partners with numerous resale platforms, including eBay, ThredUp, Vestiaire Collective, Rebag, Grailed, GOAT, StockX, and TheLuxuryCloset. By integrating these sites into their platform, Gently facilitates a seamless shopping experience for users.

The company generates revenue by taking a percentage of sales driven to partner sites through its platform. This business model is similar to how travel booking platforms like Kayak operate, bringing in new customers and driving sales for partner businesses.

Market Growth and Competitive Landscape

In May 2022, ThredUp’s Resale Report predicted that the global secondhand apparel market would grow by 127% by 2026, outpacing the overall global apparel market. The U.S. alone saw a record growth of 32% in 2021, with forecasts indicating a potential value of $82 billion by 2025.

While Gently faces competition from other marketplaces and startups, such as Depop and Poshmark, Spitz believes that their centralized platform offers a unique advantage. "Our focus is on creating a seamless experience for users, allowing them to discover and purchase secondhand items more easily," he explained.

Investment and Future Prospects

Gently has secured funding to support its growth and development. As the company continues to expand its user base and partner network, it’s poised to revolutionize the secondhand shopping market. With its innovative approach and strong leadership, Gently is well-positioned to capitalize on the growing demand for sustainable fashion.

Key Takeaways

• The secondhand shopping market is fragmented, with users facing challenges in finding specific items across various platforms.
• Gently aims to create an "Amazon for secondhand," offering a centralized platform for users to shop across multiple sites.
• The company’s revenue model involves taking a percentage of sales driven to partner sites through its platform.
• Market growth predictions indicate significant potential for the global secondhand apparel market.

Conclusion

Gently is poised to disrupt the secondhand shopping market with its innovative approach and centralized platform. By addressing the current challenges faced by users, the company has the potential to become a leading player in the industry.