How to start a thrift store online and without coding
The thrift store is a business that collects second-hand clothes to resell them. It's a trendy way of consuming, but not new. Indeed, it became popular in the 19th century, where it became a symbol of diversity and originality, and the means to be fashion at low prices. Today, this circular mode of consumption, in vogue, which is experiencing strong growth. Here is a guide to creating your online thrift store.
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Legal obligations
First and foremost, to start an online thrift store, you must comply with these legal obligations :
Declare your activity either as a self-employed person with URSSAF or as a company with the CFE of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in your region
Keep a police register or flea market register signed by the mayor or a police commissioner in the city of your head office.
Take out professional liability insurance.
Define a strategy
After having carried out a market study, you must define the economic model of your activity : the way in which you will earn money.
To define your business model, you can rely on the Business Model Canva. To go further, click here.
We advise you to choose a color by target segments, here is an example :
For each target segment, you must complete the following steps :
1- Define target segments
To properly identify the target segments, you can decide who your service offering is aimed at (CSP, age, hobbies, etc.), what problems they encounter, what their needs, etc.
2- Define the value proposition
It's about determining what solution you want to provide to a problem or what needs you want to meet for which target segments.
3- Define the channels
You must identify and determine the communication channels:
It is necessary to determine the appropriate communication channels for each target segments, among which :
Social networks
Website
TV, radio, press
Displays, brochures, flyers and business cards
Word of mouth
etc.
You also need to determine the distribution channels.
In the case of an online business, the latter designate the delivery methods. There are several delivery methods, you must choose the one or those that are suitable for your activity :
Home delivery
Relay point delivery
Pickup
4- Define the customer relationship
Defining the customer relationship is about determining the customer experience you want to create before, during and after the sale of your items. You will thus be able to attract new customers, facilitate purchasing decision-making, retain them, and make them your ambassadors.
5- Define the type of thrift store and sources of income
In fact, according to ADIE, there are 3 types of thrift store:
Destocked clothes: this involves buying clothes from major brands and factory outlets
Second-hand clothes: you can buy clothes by weight from wholesalers
Deposit-sale: clothes are bought from individuals in exchange for a buy-back price that you set, and then resell them
Depending on the type of thrift store you choose, you can determine the sources of income: what revenue model, what price will be charged, how customers will pay, etc.
6- Identify key resources
Key resources are everything you have or need to acquire that will be essential to grow your business:
Human ressources
Financial ressources
Material resources
Intellectual resources like patents, licenses, etc.
7- Define the main activities
This is to identify and detail all the activities that will allow the business to operate. For example: purchase / resale, website creation, etc.
8- Identify potential key partners
It is a question of determining all the socio-economic, political and cultural actors who will help you create an ecosystem favorable to your development:
Suppliers
Delivery partners
Institutions
Service providers
etc.
9- Identify the main cost structures
As with any other commercial activity, you will have to make investments to create your thrift store. Online commerce is not exempt. This involves determining the main investments, fixed costs and variable costs:
Stock
Storage room
Packing for delivery
Communication
Human ressources
Delivery costs
etc.
Obtain stock of merchandise
Depending on the type of thrift store you have chosen, you must obtain a varied and substantial stock of merchandise so that your customers have a choice.
Create the online store
After having done your market research, defined your type of thrift store and your strategy, you can use the Ecommerce model for your thrift store
Buy the Ecommerce app template
Customize the model and the database
Publish the app