ThredUP’s president on why he’s “confident and optimistic” about the future of resale
At Web Summit 2021, we caught up with Anthony Marino, president of online consignment and thrift store thredUP, to discuss the secondhand market’s growth, how resale drives sustainability, and how the company is expanding its footprint with its resale as a service offering.
What impact did COVID-19 have on the resale market?
Before the pandemic, people might have been running out the door in the morning, but during lockdowns, they were home all day realizing they had too much stuff and still continued to buy too much stuff.
Nearly one in two consumers we interviewed say they actually care more about value and sustainability than they did before the pandemic. This came as a surprise to us, because you would think that when you’re worried about your finances, your family, and your health, you don’t have time to think about the planet.
How do you convince people that resale’s accelerated growth is here to stay?
The data is clear—COVID-19 accelerated people’s awareness of alternative ways to shop for fashion, where you can save money and be sustainable.