Websites using Trove Recommerce

Okay, let s break down Trove Recommerce, covering its overview, revenue, alternatives, pricing, and customer care.

Overview of Trove Recommerce

Trove is a technology company that powers branded resale programs for major apparel and footwear brands. They essentially provide the software, logistics, and infrastructure that allows these brands to accept used goods from customers, process them, and then sell them on a dedicated resale platform (often integrated directly within the brand s website).

Here s a breakdown of what they do:

• Platform & Technology: Trove offers a SaaS platform specifically designed for resale. This includes:
  • Intake: Tools for customers to send in their used items (often with prepaid labels).
  • Processing: Logistics and workflows for receiving, inspecting, cleaning, photographing, and grading used items.
  • Inventory Management: Managing the second-hand product catalog and pricing.
  • Ecommerce Integration: Seamless integration with the brand s online store, allowing resale items to be displayed alongside new products.
• Focus on Branded Resale: Trove doesn t operate its own resale marketplace; instead, they partner with brands to create their unique resale experiences, allowing brands to maintain control over their image and customer relationship.
• Sustainability Focus: By powering resale, Trove helps brands extend the lifespan of their products, reduce textile waste, and promote circularity within the fashion industry.
• Customer Experience: They emphasize a smooth customer experience both for those sending in used items and those buying them.

Revenue Model

Trove s revenue model is primarily based on a mix of:

• Platform Fees: Brands pay Trove a fee for using their platform and technology. This can be a subscription model, usage-based fees, or a combination.
• Transaction Fees: Trove likely takes a commission or percentage of the sales generated from the resale items sold through their platform.
• Services Fees: They may also charge for additional services, such as logistics or customer support services they provide on behalf of the brand.

Exact Revenue Figures are Difficult to Obtain Trove is a privately held company, so exact revenue figures are not publicly available. However, given the number of large brands they partner with, they are considered a leader in the branded recommerce space, and that suggests a substantial revenue stream.

Alternatives to Trove

The recommerce space is growing, and Trove faces competition from companies that offer similar solutions or approaches to branded resale. Here are some notable alternatives:

• Archive: Another platform that focuses on powering branded resale experiences. Known for a more tech-first approach with robust tools.
• Recurate: Emphasizes a flexible platform with a variety of integration options.
• ThredUp s RaaS (Resale-as-a-Service): While primarily a marketplace, ThredUp offers a platform for brands to launch their own resale. Often seen as an option for brands that prefer a quick launch.
• Various logistics-focused reverse logistics companies: While these don t necessarily provide a full platform, they offer crucial services such as intake and processing.
• In-House Development: Some larger brands choose to build and manage their own resale programs in-house. This option is usually more resource-intensive.

Key Differences:

• Full-Service vs. Specific Tools: Some platforms focus on the full stack (software, logistics, processing) like Trove and Archive, while others might offer specific tools or services.
• Marketplace vs. Branded Resale: ThredUp has its marketplace and RaaS, while Trove and Archive focus on allowing brands to build their branded resale.
• Technology & Customization: The level of technology sophistication and customization options vary between platforms.

Pricing

Trove s pricing is not publicly available and is likely customized based on the specific needs of each brand partner. Factors influencing pricing can include:

• Brand size and volume: Larger brands with higher volumes of used goods and sales are likely to negotiate different rates.
• Scope of services: The complexity of the program, level of support needed, and specific integrations required will all affect the price.
• Platform Usage: The degree of usage of the technology platform.

Generally Speaking:

• Expect a monthly or annual platform fee.
• Transaction-based fees will likely be a percentage of sales through the resale program.
• Brands may have to negotiate specific fees for additional logistics, customer support, etc.

Customer Care Details

Trove primarily provides customer care directly to its brand partners (i.e., the brands who use the Trove platform). Here are the specifics:

• B2B Support: They focus on providing brands with a dedicated account management team to help them with platform integration, logistics, and the operations of their resale program. This would include:
  • Technical assistance with the platform.
  • Support with program setup and launch.
  • Ongoing management and reporting tools.
• Brand Customer Support: Trove does not typically directly handle customer service issues for the end customers buying or selling items. This is handled by each of the brands individually. The brand will use tools from Trove, but handle customer-facing interactions.
• Indirect Customer Experience: While Trove doesn t interact with end consumers, it is deeply invested in creating a positive experience through the platform it provides to brands. The quality of the platform and the logistical efficiency directly impacts the customer experience.

How to get support as a customer using a brand s Trove-powered resale program:

• Contact the brand directly: If you re a consumer buying or selling on a brand s resale platform, you should contact the brand s customer service team for assistance. Look for contact information on the brand s website.
• Utilize the brand s FAQs: Many brands will have specific FAQs relating to their resale program.

In Summary

Trove is a leading player in the branded recommerce space, offering a platform and services that enable major brands to create and manage their resale programs. Their focus on branded resale, sustainability, and customer experience has been critical to their success. While exact financial information is limited due to the company being private, they are positioned well for the continued growth of recommerce within the fashion and apparel industries.

If you are interested in using a platform like Trove, you would need to evaluate your own needs and research alternatives. If you are a consumer, contact the brand directly with any customer support questions.