Luxury consignment retailer The RealReal has announced a new partnership with Beckett Collectibles to offer grading services for comic books and trading cards. This collaboration aims to provide The RealReal customers with a streamlined grading process, integrated consignment experience, discounted rates, and the opportunity to earn up to 85% of the final sold price.
Mayank Hajela, Senior Director of Men’s Merchandising at The RealReal, expressed his enthusiasm for expanding into the collectibles sector. He believes that there is tremendous potential and growth opportunities in this category and sees offering grading services as a natural progression for the company.
The RealReal chose to partner with Beckett Collectibles due to their reputation as industry leaders and their innovative approach. Together, they are working on developing a unique grading and authentication experience that will benefit collectors nationwide. Hajela is confident that this partnership will raise the standards of luxury consignment for both companies’ customers.
This collaboration comes after The RealReal successfully launched its collectibles category in 2021, which includes a range of items such as comic books, trading cards, figures, and skate decks. The demand for collectibles has been steadily increasing, with search demand within the category more than doubling in 2022 alone. Consignments have also seen significant growth, increasing by over 48% since the beginning of the year.
Kunal Chopra, CEO of Beckett Collectibles, is excited about partnering with The RealReal and introducing their trusted grading services to a new audience. Both companies prioritize the use of technology and the importance of authentication and verification. Chopra hopes that this partnership is just the beginning and that they will have many more online and in-person activations in the future.
Earlier this year, The RealReal announced their financial strategy, ‘Vision 2025’, which outlines their goals for the next three years. They aim to achieve a gross merchandise value (GMV) of over $5 billion and total revenues of more than $1.5 billion. The partnership with Beckett Collectibles is one of the steps The RealReal is taking to work towards these ambitious goals.
The RealReal is part of a growing trend of digital-first platforms reshaping the resale landscape. Competitor Rebag recently secured $33 million in funding to support their expansion plans. According to a study by ThredUp, the U.S. apparel resale market alone is predicted to reach a value of $77 billion by 2026.
The RealReal’s partnership with Beckett Collectibles to offer grading services for comic books and trading cards is an exciting development for collectors. It demonstrates The RealReal’s commitment to providing a seamless consignment experience and highlights the potential for growth in the collectibles sector.
Links:
1. The RealReal
2. Beckett Collectibles
