Walmart and thredUP partner - why it makes sense for both

Retail
Written By Rick Watson

Walmart recently partnered with thredUP to offer pre-owned clothing items on its marketplace. I like this move.

Ironically, it throws a dart at eBay in the marketplace wars.

Why do I love it so much?

  • Matches the buyer demographic. Walmart shoppers are value shoppers and thredUP is about value.

  • More exposure for thredUP, why not for them?

  • Quickly expands Walmart selection in an area that could potentially be defensible against both eBay and Amazon. Outside of Poshmark and some of these newer clothing resale marketplaces, eBay is the traditional winner here.

Which makes it all the more ironic as an ex-Walmart exec Jamie Iannone just left, joined eBay. And Walmart making a big move to expand selection in a historically strong category for eBay.

I've said a few times that eBay should rollup selection in a lot of these marketplaces that have sprouted up to take advantage of many eBay missteps.Well, not if Walmart beats them to it.

Congrats Denise Incandela on this move.

Rick Watson

Rick Watson founded RMW Commerce Consulting after spending 20+ years as a technology entrepreneur and operator exclusively in the eCommerce industry with companies like ChannelAdvisor, BarnesandNoble.com, Merchantry, and Pitney Bowes.

Watson’s work today is centered on supporting investors and management teams incubating and growing direct-to-consumer businesses. Most recently, in partnership with WHP Global, Rick was a critical resource in architecting the WHP+ platform, a new turnkey direct to consumer digital e-commerce platform that powers AnneKlein.com and JosephAbboud.com.

Watson also hosts a weekly podcast, Watson Weekly, where he shares an unbiased, unfiltered expert take on the retail sector’s biggest players.

In the past year alone, Rick has spoken at many in-person and virtual events as well as podcasts on topics ranging from retail/ecom to supply chain/logistics and even digital grocery including CommerceNext IRL, ASCM Connect, and Retail Innovation Conference.

https://www.rmwcommerce.com/
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