DHL steps into resale business with Reflaunt

DHL Supply Chain is the new logistics service provider for Reflaunt, a technology platform that enables branded fashion resale. The collaboration is illustrative of the growth and potential of recommerce in Europe.

According to DHL and Reflaunt, scalability is the biggest challenge in successfully reselling fashion items. The companies claim to have found a solution to this challenge. From the press release: “Following a successful one-year pilot with DHL Supply Chain in Poland, Reflaunt will now be able to offer their customers a platform that redefines how brands power their resale operations; bringing together scalability, infrastructure, and cost management.”

DHL personnel and facilities

Under the arrangement, brands contract with Reflaunt to manage their resale operations. All products are handled and authenticated by DHL personnel at DHL facilities. The logistics service provider picks up, inspects, grades, and photographs the products before adding them to Reflaunt’s proprietary technology. DHL also manages inventory, storage, fulfillment, and outbound distribution. According to Reflaunt, the partnership will expand its recommerce capabilities and further reshape the dynamics of fashion resale.

‘The deal will reshape the dynamics of fashion resale.’

Reflaunt services Concierge and Takeback are already operational with brands like Altuzarra, Balenciaga, Harvey Nichols, and Net-a-porter. The services are fully integrated into a European DHL Supply Chain warehouse operation. Reflaunt reaches more than thirty platforms for outbound sell-through, including eBay, Rebelle, Saks OFF 5th, Vestiaire Collective, and Yoox.

Maximize sell-through

With its new logistics partner, Reflaunt will be able to maximize the sell-through of items, including returns, providing brands with “a comprehensive solution that mitigates the complexities of the resale market”, the company states. According to CEO Stephanie Crespin, Reflaunt brings circular fashion closer by tearing down walls between 1st and 2nd hand, and between ecommerce and recommerce.

‘Reflaunt tears down walls between 1st and 2nd hand.’

The European recommerce market is booming, with Amazon already booking over a billion euros per year in second-hand shopping revenue. Last week, Wish announced a European trade-in service.