Collector Square looking to expand internationally

By

Sarah Ahssen

Published
Dec 3, 2014

Launched in June 2013, online second-hand store Collector Square, which exists in French and English, generates nearly 30% of its sales internationally. A figure that its founders Loïc Bocher, specialist in new technologies, and Nicolas Orlowski, founder of Artcurial, hope to boost in the coming years.

"We currently generate 70% of our sales in France but France only represents 5% of the global luxury market," explained Loïc Bocher, who would particularly like to target the United States and Japan.

But when it comes to the second-hand sector, all markets are different. Indeed, while in France the notion of "vintage" is a popular one, with a slightly weathered look often the rage, the Japanese prefer the brand spanking new aspect. The managers of Collector Square, who are supported by the Dassault Group, are thus aiming at adapted sourcing.

The site that claims 500 sales per month with an average basket of 1,200 euros (£950), also stands out for its LuxPrice-index, a tool developed internally that collects data from auction houses around the world.

A total of 200,000 results from auctions of luxury bags, luggage and watches over the past ten years (continuously updated) which offer amateurs a reference index of the value of second-hand objects.

Thus between 2006 and 2012, the Hermès Kelly bag saw its resale price jump 120% and thus represent 23.32% of the volume of Hermès bags sold at auctions (39.15% in value).
 
Collector Square, which collects a 25% commission, offers leather goods, watches and, since recently, jewellery.