American Eagle Outfitters is the latest apparel brand to join the booming secondhand market, partnering with ThredUp’s resale-as-a-service platform to launch RE/AE, an online resale shop featuring gender-neutral jackets and accessories priced between $10 and $40. The shop can be accessed via a “preloved” tab on American Eagle’s website or at ae.thredup.com.

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The retailer has also teamed up with Snapchat for the platform’s first AR pop-up shop. Users can explore a “vintage AE store” and click to get product details as well as information about the sustainability impact of buying secondhand.

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American Eagle is just the latest retailer to offer preowned goods. According to ThredUp and GlobalData, the secondhand market in the U.S. is expected to reach $70 billion by 2027. More than 40 apparel brands have partnered with ThredUp in similar efforts, and Trove and Recurate are also growing their rosters.

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However, research from WD Partners found that brick-and-mortar stores have several operational advantages over e-commerce in the space. Several retailers have also found that offering used goods in a variety of categories boosts traffic and sales at physical locations.

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Sources: https://www.retaildive.com/news/american-eagle-resale-apparel-thredup/647319/