JCPenney sells secondhand goods at 30 stores

The Plano, Texas–based department-store chain announced that 30 of its 850 JCPenney stores will sell secondhand women’s clothing and handbags from Thredup, the world’s largest online consignment store. Thredup says it resells 35,000 brands on its website  —  ranging from Gap to Gucci  — at up to 90 percent off retail prices. Each Thredup shop at JCPenney will be curated and refreshed weekly.

“With the rise of online resale markets, there’s no doubt that demand for great value on quality brands is at an all-time high,” said Michelle Wlazlo, executive vice president and chief merchant at JCPenney, in a press release. “There’s an emotional thrill that comes with finding one-of-a-kind, secondhand product for much less. While there are more secondhand shoppers than ever before, we’ll continue to test and evaluate how this resonates with customers. We’re excited about the prospect of creating a new in-store experience that makes high-end brands attainable, as well as catering to eco-minded consumers who want more sustainable options in their wardrobe.”

The Thredup assortment, offering a seasonal array of resale handbags and women’s fashions, will be merchandised in a 500-to-1,000-square-foot in-store boutique in select markets, starting this week.

The move comes in the wake of a Penney announcement that its same-store sales declined by 9 percent in the second quarter.