Second-hand luxury goods platform Vestiaire Collective has opened a UK-based product authentication centre, in Gatwick, West Sussex.
The business, which gives luxury retailers and brands a chance to take advantage of the growing second-hand market, said the move would help it serve UK customers better. But senior management have also talked up the green credentials of opening a site in a key market as well as the Brexit red tape it avoids.
Gatwick represents the fourth global centre for Vestiaire Collective, which already operates sites in France, the US and Hong Kong.
Maximilian Bittner, chairman & CEO of Vestiaire, said on LinkedIn: “When Brexit hit us last year all EU products being shipped into the UK and vice versa were hit with 20% VAT, a big hit to our UK buyers and sellers.
“Fast [forward] one year, we have transformed our UK business. The UK local seller to local buyer share went from 20% to 65% of all transactions. This will continue to accelerate with the new authentication centre.”
Lucie Finet, who took on the role of Vestiaire’s head of UK in the autumn, explained how being closer to one of its larger markets will also help reduce the carbon footprint of items with authentication, “helping to make these purchases as sustainable as possible”.
As Vestiaire Collective expands its operations and focus in the UK, it is looking to grow its workforce. The marketplace is currently looking for a senior business analyst to join the UK team, although the role is based in Paris with responsibilities including helping develop Vestiaire’s presence across northern and eastern Europe.
The successful candidate will take responsible for the sales planning and forecasting for the UK market, defining the short and long-term commercial targets and monitoring progress while working closely with Finet and her multifunctional team.
Read more about Vestiaire Collective on Green Retail World
[Image credit: Green Retail World]
