Flourishing the Online Second-Hand Textile Market: Important Considerations

Abstract

The second-hand textile industry has witnessed rapid growth in recent years and is predicted to continue flourishing. Online second-hand textile platforms offer great potential in helping expand the second-hand textile market further by eliminating certain consumer barriers and offering consumers a more convenient way of shopping second-hand clothing. However, digitalising the second-hand textile industry introduces its own set of challenges, which are important for second-hand businesses to take into consideration.

This article uses consumer data collected through the Baltic2Hand project, which is funded by the Interreg Central Baltic 2021-2027 programme and partly funded by the European Union, to help identify the important areas of development which are needed to ensure the success of the online second-hand textile market. This article highlights the importance of security, concerning both the practical aspects such as quality insurance, brand legitimacy and the safe transaction of money, but also the feeling of trustworthiness which can be enhanced through transparency, consumer reviews and building a good reputation. Other features including, easy site navigation, effective search filters and the use of clear and marketable pictures were also mentioned.