Kate Spade introduces resale program
A global fashion accessories brand is jumping into a hot trend that encompasses e-commerce and sustainability.
Kate Spade New York, a Tapestry Inc. company, is partnering with online resale platform ThredUp to launch “Pre-Loved,” a new resale program. Kate Spade Pre-Loved allows customers to shop secondhand products directly through a dedicated page on the ThredUp site and resell select fashion items from any eligible brand for Kate Spade shopping credit.
The company is supporting its resale offering with the ThredUp Resale-as-a-Service (RaaS) solution, which delivers scalable, customizable resale offerings for retailers. To participate, customers can generate a prepaid shipping label from the dedicated section of the ThredUp site, fill any shippable box or bag with women’s and kid’s items from any eligible brand, and ship it to ThredUp for free.
For items that sell on ThredUp, customers receive Kate Spade New York shopping credit that can be used both online and in-store. Other fashion-oriented companies that have recently partnered with ThredUp for resale efforts include Francesca's Acquisition LLC, which operates a nationwide chain of Francesca's and Franki by Francesca's stores.
[Read more: Francesca's launches resale program]
“At kate spade new york, we are on a journey to driving progress by giving our products a second life and contributing to meaningful change,” said Kate Spade New York CEO and brand president Liz Fraser. “We continue to identify ways that our brand can show up for our community and help minimize our footprint on the planet. We are thrilled to partner with ThredUp, a company that shares our values, to work towards a more responsible future.”
“Kate spade new york has made itself a household name by offering classic and feminine pieces designed to be timeless,” said James Reinhart, CEO of ThredUp. “We are honored to power kate spade new york “Pre-Loved” through our RaaS platform and support the brand as it embraces resale. Kate Spade is one of the most popular brands in the resale market, making this an exciting opportunity for the brand to attract new and existing customers, drive revenue, and continue its journey towards its sustainability goals.”
Consumers committed to sustainable purchases; intent varies by category
Sixty-five percent of U.S. buyers consider sustainability when making purchases, a 14% increase from a year ago, according to the Global Sustainability Study 2022 by pricing advisory firm Simon-Kucher & Partners.
The shift in consumer behavior coincides with a shift in sentiment toward sustainability during the past year, as 73% of respondents to the survey view environmental sustainability to be 'as important’ or ‘more important’ to them than a year ago, the report said.
In the U.S., 71% of consumers surveyed indicated their purchasing behavior and choices have shifted in at least a modest way towards buying more environmentally sustainable products over the past five years.
Kate Spade New York is a subsidiary of New York-based, multi-national luxury fashion holding company Tapestry, which is also the parent of brands including Coach New York and Stuart Weitzman.