Luxury bags for resale
Luxury resale has become a thriving market popular in Japan. Due to its cultural values and strong economy, Japan has become a prime destination in buying secondhand luxury items. And this isn’t simply a fad - numbers show that the used luxury goods market is growing by at least 12% annually and is currently a 28 billion USD country to date. So what’s the secret?
Why is Luxury Resale Successful in Japan
Many tourists are flocking to Japan to get their hands on secondhand luxury items, the most popular in demand being luxury bags. The terms preloved, used, or secondhand used to be considered shameful, but customers all over the world are now seeing the value of this sustainable and money-saving option. But what makes Japan particularly successful.
Japanese people practice the value of cherishing their belongings. That is why even preloved items can be found in excellent condition. This certainly beats the impression that preloved goods are generally beaten up or unpresentable for use. Many secondhand items can be found in very good condition or even as good as new.
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Japan’s economy is strong, which is why it is home to many stores carrying luxury goods. Pricing is also competitive and can be considered more affordable than Western counterparts. There are also many Japanese stores that particularly purchase pre-owned goods for resale purposes.
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Even in the secondhand industry, Japanese employees exercise high standards of customer services. Customers are well cared for and catered. Many businesses also offer after-care services.
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Customers can be reassured that the products bought are authentic - there are various regulations and authentication processes that give customers confidence in their purchases. In Japan, kaitori or the practice of buying preowned items for resale requires a license - this allows them to participate in auctions that lets them source secondhand luxury goods from all over the world.
Also Read: How to incorporate Japanese street style into your wardrobe
Why Did Secondhand Luxury Become Popular?
The pandemic introduced an incredible strain on both finances and mental wellbeing. As much as many people want to break free from their old items and sell them off, there is an equivalent market born of people who wish to treat themselves after such a painful period. Why do people seek secondhand luxury goods? Let’s find out.
Shop clothes from Japan
People who want to splurge on luxury items but do not necessarily want to spend on brand-new items find relief in buying quality, preloved goods at a reduced cost. This allows them to save money while splurging on what makes them happy. It can also let them buy more items than they originally planned for.
People are realizing the importance of sustainable practices and its impact on the environment. In line with this, people and even businesses began to embrace the secondhand market and started purchasing and selling preowned goods.
Shopping in preloved stores gives buyers the chance to be surprised by rare, unexpected finds. There’s a chance of coming across unique items, eccentric designs, or even products with a story that make them more special.
Celebrities and influencers who adopted the preloved luxury practice are using social media to show off their finds and share their joy with viewers. As a result, viewers are also inclined to do the same thing.
Vintage shopping in Tokyo
Where To Buy Secondhand Luxury Items in Japan?
As a first-world economy, Japan is home to many luxury retailers, including those dealing with preowned items. The most popular products flying off the shelves are luxury bags and jewelry, but there are also many customers looking for pieces like leather goods and outerwear. Gucci, Chanel, and Hermès are among the most sought after.
So where do tourists generally go to find preloved items? These are the most trusted stores to visit:
Vintage shop in Japan Amore Vintage
Based in Aoyama district in Shibuya, Amore Vintage stocks vintage pieces from all over the world. It mainly sells Chanel pieces but also carries stock in Hermès, Gucci, and Louis Vuitton. Amore Vintage prides itself in quality and authenticity - their inhouse professional authenticators ensure that each item is properly verified.
The store sells an assortment of bags, accessories, jewelry, watches, shoes, and even garments. Luxury items can be purchased for as low as $500.
This secondhand boutique in Tokyo carries both classic and avant-garde designer pieces. This store is one of the most expensive but also the most reliable. It offers two floors of tax-free luxury Shopping heaven. Many of their pieces are from the 90s and 2000s and they carry over 2000 items, displayed in their antique cabinets.
Ragtag Omotesando
This Tokyo store offers curated high-end designer pieces. Its first branch appeared in Harajuku in 1985. Since then, it has expanded into multiple branches across the country. The Harajuku branch has recently moved to Cat Street and has rented a two story building that sells products for both men and women. The branch also has a consignment service that offers to buy and sell unwanted items for customers.
This Shibuya-based women’s vintage clothing shop has an extensive lineup of both historical art pieces and luxury clothing. The store features haute couture and carries an assortment of timeless pieces and rare finds.
Brand Off’s antique collections are all over Japan - it has branches based around the country, mainly in Tokyo and Kyoto. It boasts “zero counterfeit goods” thanks to its professional staff. It is also known for its relatively reasonable prices.
What makes this Shimokitazawa store unique is that it mainly sells European vintage clothes and accessories. Some of the pieces go as far as a hundred years old.
Hedy Vintage Shop
Across the pool in Osaka is the Hedy Vintage Shop in Minamihorie. It carries both pre-loved and vintage goods, and most of its staff can fluently communicate in English, Hedy is also well-loved because of its aesthetic interior, which makes shopping a pleasant experience.
Vintage and Luxury Made Accessible
This sustainable practice has allowed more consumers to enjoy luxury goods like clothing, bags, and jewelry. Not only that, there are also many stores who offer these items online, such as Amore and Vintage QOO. This way, even those who cannot visit Japan get the chance for this shopping experience that offers both accessibility and sustainability.
Looking for vintage, designer pieces? ZenMarket offers a wide variety of luxury goods from all around the world. Prefer Japanese vintage? ZenMarket has it, too!
Also Read: HOW TO BUY DEARMYLOVE CLOTHES FROM DREAMS JAPAN
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