Mercari opens first physical store; provides online access to Japanese sellers
Mercari is doubling down on the U.S. market — in brick-and-mortar and online.
The Japan-based online resale marketplace has opened its first physical retail store, on trendy Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles. The "Mercari on Melrose" store offers a curated collection from Japan throughout August, as well as a space for sellers to list items, a dedicated space for DIY classes and events, and a partner pop-up area.
Mercari previously ran a pop-up shop in San Francisco from December 2021 – February 2022.
"We're excited to provide a place for people to experience the magic of Mercari in person," said said John Lagerling, Mercari U.S. CEO. "Our new store on Melrose brings to life what millions of customers love about our marketplace. Our goal is to offer a look at the diverse selection of fashion finds available on Mercari and inspire ideas for what's possible with resale, all through an immersive storefront with friendly and welcoming service."
In addition, the retailer is now offering U.S. shoppers “Mercari x Japan,” an online selection of rare and hard-to-find resale items directly from Japan, including women’s and men’s fashion items, expanded sneaker assortment, designer handbags, toys, electronics from major Japanese brands, and collectibles such as comics and action figures.
Mercari has also simplified the U.S. shipping process, working with international transactions platform The Beenos Group. All items purchased by U.S. buyers from Japan will first be sent to The Beenos Group where they are inspected, prepared for international shipment, and delivered straight to the buyer around two weeks from the seller's shipping date.
[READ MORE: Online marketplace Mercari pilots ChatGPT-based customer service bot]
"This launch is the first time we are connecting our U.S. and Japanese marketplaces, enabling U.S. shoppers to purchase items from millions of sellers in Japan," said Lagerling. "When we thought about the future of resale, cross-border shopping was a natural next step in Mercari's evolution as a truly seamless global marketplace. Interest in Japanese fashion, toys, and collectibles has been steadily increasing in recent years and the strength of the U.S. dollar makes it a great time for our customers to be able to buy directly from Japan.
Mercari was founded in Japan in 2013 and launched in the U.S. in 2014, where it operates an e-commerce site and mobile app.
