Create an online thrift store

The thrift store is a business that collects second-hand clothes to resell them. It is a trendy consumption mode, but not new. Indeed, it popularized in the 19th century, where it become a symbol of diversity and originality, and, the way to be fashionable at low prices. Today, this circular consumption mode, in vogue, is experiencing strong growth. Here is a guide to create your thrift store online.

Legal obligations

First of all, to launch an online thrift store, you will have to respect these legal obligations:

• Declare your activity either as an self-employed person with URSSAF or as a company with the CFE of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of your region

• Keep mandatory a police register or antique dealer register signed by the mayor or a police commissioner in the city of your registered office.

• Take out professional civil liability insurance.

Define a strategy

After conducting a market study, you need to define the business model of your activity: how you will make money. To define your business model, you can rely on the Canva Business Model.

Download for free the model to customize on Canva.

We advise you to choose a color for target segments, here is an example:

For each target segment, you must carry out the following steps:

1- Define target segments

To properly identify target segments, you can identify to whom your service offer is aimed (CSP, age, hobbies, etc.), what issues they encounter, what are their needs, etc.

2- Define the value proposition

It is about determining what solution you want to provide to a problem or what needs you want to satisfy for what target segments.

3- Define channels

You must identify and determine the communication channels:

It is necessary to determine the appropriate communication channels for each target segment among which:

• Social networks

• Website

• TV

• Radio

• Press

• Posters, brochures, flyers and business cards

• Word of mouth

• etc.

You must also determine the distribution channels: physical store, online store.

In the case of an online store, these refer to the delivery methods. There are several delivery methods, you must choose the one or ones that are suitable for your activity:

• Home delivery

• Delivery to a pick-up point

• Collection

4- Define customer relationship

Defining customer relationship consists in determining the customer experience you want to create before, during and after the sale of your items. This way, you can attract new customers, facilitate their decision-making, retain them, and make them your ambassadors.

5- Define the type of thrift store and revenue sources

In fact, according to the ADIE, there are 3 types of thrift store:

• Overstocked clothing : this consists of buying clothes from large retailers and factory stores

• Second-hand clothing : you can buy clothes by weight from wholesalers

• Consignment store : the clothes are purchased from individuals in exchange for a repurchase price that you set, and then resell them

Depending on the type of thrift store you choose, you can determine the revenue sources: what revenue model, what price will be practiced, how customers will pay, etc.

6- Determine key resources

Key resources are everything you have in your possession or need to acquire, which will be essential for developing your activity:

• Human resources

• Financial resources

• Material resources

• Intellectual resources (patents, licenses, etc.)

7- Define main activities

It is about determining and detailing all the activities that will allow the company to function. For example: buying/reselling, creating a website, etc.

8- Identify key potential partners

It is about determining all the socio-economic, political, and cultural actors who will help you create an ecosystem favorable to your development:

• Suppliers

• Delivery partners

• Institutions

• Service providers

• etc.

9- Identify main cost structures

As with any other commercial activity, you will have investments to make to create your thrift store. Online commerce is not exempt from this. It is about determining the main investments, fixed costs, and variable costs:

• Inventory

• Storage space

• Packaging for delivery

• Communication

• Human resources

• Delivery costs, etc.

Acquire inventory

Depending on the type of thrift store you have chosen, you need to acquire a varied and substantial inventory so that your customers have a choice.

Create the online store

After conducting your market study, defining your type of thrift store and your strategy, you can entrust us with the design of your online store for your thrift store.

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