TikTok Shop launches second-hand luxury fashion category in Britain

TikTok Shop is now offering a new section in the UK where people can buy second-hand luxury fashion items. This makes TikTok Shop compete with other platforms such as The RealReal and Depop.

This illustration shows the TikTok cash stuffing trend, videos of people stuffing cash into envelopes as a budgeting method, displayed on a smartphone in Washington, DC, on March 15, 2023. (Photo: OLIVIER DOULIERY/AFP via Getty Images)

Expansion of second-hand luxury fashion into Britain

TikTok Shop’s expansion into the UK with a second-hand luxury fashion category marks a significant step in social commerce.

By introducing this new offering, TechCrunch reported that TikTok is positioning itself as a direct competitor to established platforms such as The RealReal and Depop in the UK market.

This step responds to the growing trend of sustainable fashion and the increasing popularity of second-hand shopping among consumers.

TikTok taps into a market segment that values ​​both luxury and sustainability by providing a platform where users can seamlessly view and purchase pre-owned luxury clothing, designer handbags and accessories.

The inclusion of five UK brands at the launch demonstrates TikTok’s commitment to supporting local businesses and offering a wide range of products to its users.

As more consumers look for eco-friendly shopping options and unique fashion finds, TikTok’s expansion into second-hand luxury fashion is poised to resonate with a wide audience of fashion-conscious individuals in Britain.

Take on challenges

Since its debut in 2022, TikTok Shop has facilitated the sale of approximately $1 billion worth of merchandise. Nevertheless, despite its successes, concerns have arisen about TikTok Shop’s impact on the original essence of the short video sharing app.

Critics claim that the market is flooded with counterfeit and substandard products, causing significant consumer problems. The prevalence of counterfeit goods poses a significant risk to buyers, especially when purchasing second-hand luxury goods online.

This problem extends beyond TikTok Shop and even affects major e-commerce platforms like Amazon and eBay, which are struggling with authenticity issues.

Also read: TikTok launches in-app shopping feature: How the app is expanding from videos to e-commerce

Like other platforms in the resale market, TikTok Shop implements an anti-counterfeit policy to protect buyers. This policy guarantees a full refund in cases where a seller is found to have sold a counterfeit item.

Bloomberg’s recent report revealed talks between TikTok Shop and luxury conglomerate LVMH, signaling joint efforts to combat counterfeiting in the market.

As mandated by the platform, every second-hand brand listed on TikTok Shop in the US must provide certificates from third-party authenticators.

TikTok has partnered with authentication services such as Entrupy and Real Authentication to verify the authenticity of designer handbags on the market.

In Britain, the five brands currently featured on TikTok Shop have their own internal authentication procedures in place, a TikTok spokesperson said.

However, the spokesperson did not announce when the platform would accept additional second-hand brands.

Related article: TikTok Shop Partners with Real Authentication to Verify Luxury Handbags