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How the coronavirus crisis boosted the second-hand market

2020-07-06T22:43:12.596Z


They were already doing well. Since the end of containment, sales of second-hand items have surged. In order to protect the pl


Crisis? What crisis? When he does his accounts, Arnaud Guérin, the co-president of Cash Express, leader in second-hand buying and selling, surely has a smile on his face: whereas, fifteen days after the reopening of his 130 stores on May 11, he expected to see their frequentation return to the level before the coronavirus crisis, in June, sales finally jumped 5% compared to last year.

Jewelry, DVDs, snowshoes, smartphones, tools ... Confined, the French have put away, sorted, emptied and decided to part with all those objects they no longer need. His counterpart of Cash Converters, Ronan Pensec, confirms: at his home, in June, sales took off by 10%. “Brand watches, drills or tennis rackets, there is everything. Since May 11, there has been a growing appetite from customers and I sell 5,000 to 6,000 products per month, ”adds Jean-Paul Oger, the owner of a Leclerc in Avermes (Allier), who opened a Leclerc Occasions in July 2019. .

The 2008 crisis changed the image of the occasion

The success of Vinted or Boncoin already proved it: the second-hand market is on the rise. Certainly, it has always existed thanks to flea markets and other garage sales in particular. "But it was the financial crisis of 2008 that served as the trigger," recalls Pascale Hebel, sociologist at Crédoc, the research center for the study and observation of living conditions.

And in this steadily growing market, the coronavirus has accelerated the pace. "Since this crisis, 38% of respondents, against 35% before, believe that the first concern must be the environment," she continues. However, who says "opportunity" says "circular or sustainable economy", therefore good for the planet. "The Covid was an opportunity for the French to do their self-examination," says sociologist Ronan Chastellier.

Protection of the planet, of course, but also… of the wallet! Because even if the purchasing power of households as a whole only decreased by 2% during confinement, while national wealth fell by 35%, all those who lost income, workers in partial unemployment as well as a good number of employees worried about their future, see the occasion as a way to recover a few euros by selling "old stuff".

"We are strengthening our link with customers"

As proof, the first Carrefour Occasion seems to have a promising start. "And all the major distributors are moving in this direction," confirms a spokesperson for Patatam, which collects and then resells lots of second-hand clothes. Since June 15, even Cdiscount has partnered with Patatam to offer 20,000 second-hand clothes online. Ikea with its Second Life Furniture system or Cyrillus with Second History offer their customers to part with their old furniture or clothes.

Finally, after having organized one-off sales, the Oxybul toy brand is now installing permanent corners dedicated to the occasion in its stores. Doesn't this cannibalize the sales of new products? “It is true, during these operations, our book sales drop by 10%, confirms Catherine de Bleeker, brand director, but in addition we retain our customers and strengthen our link with them. "

Second-hand products, often of very good quality, are no longer the preserve of small budgets. LP / AL  

Because all the brands are convinced that this change of mentality is permanent. "We have passed from the era of property to that of use," says Jean-Paul Oger, of Leclerc. "When you buy a used H & M dress, it is not to gain financially, it is a state of mind", we abound at Patatam.

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However, this state of mind spreads to all strata of society. And the middle classes, even upper, initially absent, are all the more inclined to get started as the sector has moved upmarket, with controlled high-tech products and duly selected clothing. “Before, our clientele was mainly young gamers. From now on, it is their paying parents who arrive! Adds Ronan Pensec of Cash Converters, who points out that "in six years, the average basket has gone from 35 to 60 euros". And that's just the start, he concludes: "People's dormant stocks are still impressive. "

Six brands playing the game

The Trocathlon allows you to buy a bicycle at a lower price with the assurance that it has been checked. REA / J.-MA  

Decathlon (sport)

Individuals can sell Decathlon products to other individuals during Trocathlon, organized on an ad hoc basis in stores. The duration of Trocathlon varies from one day to several months. Décathlon controls the products deposited by the sellers, which are paid in vouchers. To sell, you must register online, then choose your store and drop off the item on a specific date. To buy, you have to choose the item on the site then come and buy it in store. In addition, in some stores, Décathlon takes back old bikes and skis for a purchase voucher. The products must be in good condition and have no visual defects.

Cyrillus (clothes)

The principle? Cyrillus customers contact each other directly through the site to sell or buy branded items. The brand offers this service but does not control the advertisements posted or prices, and does not take any commission on transactions. The seller alone fixes the price of the item he wants to sell, then deposits it in the post once sold. He is paid in cash (classic formula) in his kitty online or via gift cards (valid for two months) with a value of 50% higher than the cash value (for example, 15 euros in vouchers rather than 10 euros in cash). Payment is made via a secure platform (low bank commission).

Ikea (furniture)

Thanks to its Second Life Furniture system, Ikea has taken over tables, sofas or desks since 2014 that its customers no longer want, then resells them in its “Good Finds” space located near the cash desks (with exhibition or damaged furniture) .

To better manage our waste, IKEA helps you give new life to furniture and reduce your impact on the environment with the Second Life service 👉https: //t.co/Tq3AhrilBm #EconomieCirculaire pic.twitter.com/pSttT6Msg5

- IKEA France (@IKEA_France) April 26, 2018

This service is operational in 32 of the 34 Ikea stores in France (except Paris La Madeleine and Vélizy). The seller selects a store on the dedicated site then sends by email a photo of the furniture (which must be in good condition and assembled). He brings his furniture back to the store himself and is paid in the form of a gift card.

Cash Express (high-tech, jewelry, culture, etc.)

Individuals who wish can buy or sell all types of second-hand or refurbished products of all brands (but not furniture or clothing) in one of the 130 stores of this major player in second-hand buy-sell. or on the site. For sellers, a price estimate is negotiated with a Cash Express seller. He is then paid in cash, or by check for purchases over 750 euros or when he sells a piece of gold or silver jewelry. The selling customer can also be paid in voucher. The other heavyweight in the industry, Cash Converters, operates on exactly the same model. Finally, Easy Cash also pays the seller immediately in cash, bearer check or vouchers.

Oxybul awakening and games (toys and books for children)

Created five years ago, the Id Troc service at Oxybul allows customers of the brand to drop off in toys or books in good condition for 0-12 year-olds, which staff take care of selling (no commission). about four times a year. The next Id Troc will take place at the start of the school year, the deposit of the objects being done from August 26th. Since the end of June, Oxybul has also been testing permanent corners in 14 of its 20 stores, especially for second-hand books (except in Grenoble, where you can sell and buy books and toys). Sellers are paid in the form of a gift card.

Cdiscount (books, video games, clothes ...)

On June 15, Cdiscount opened a second-hand fashion space, in partnership with Patatam, which delivered 20,000 pieces of all brands. Customers cannot sell their clothes, just buy the clothes online. Since mid-May, another partnership with Easy Cash has enabled Cdiscount to offer refurbished games and consoles, and since the beginning of June, the brand has been offering in its bookstore a space dedicated to new but also used books.

Source: leparis

All business articles on 2020-07-06

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