Check out not just the news story, but the video for Twice that headlines this article.
While Twice is just another player in the fast-growing field of “ship it to us” resale vendors on the Internet, what I find most interesting is
how the word “consignment” is now a POSITIVE
word, rather than a negative. Witness how this company, which does NOT operate in a consignment mode, uses “consignment” to describe its method.
Another example of the word consignment being co-opted for “resale” is how often consumers, and journalists, call buy-outright businesses like Once Upon a Child and Clothes Mentor “consignment” shops.
Investors, apparently, love the word “consignment” too, to the tune of $18.5 million.
Seems like any business which resells previously-experienced consumer goods is now popularly known as “consignment”. I give full credit to my consignment, and buy-outright, and thrift, shopkeeper peers for this change in perception. They are the ones who, after all, made consignment a household word over the past few years!
Yay on you!
What do you think of the usage “consignment” when connected to a buy-outright business model? Does it irk you, help your shop gain attention, or confuse your supplier base? Are you just thrilled that they mention our industry at all? Are you going out there today to find some venture capitalists? Tell us in the comments!
I am a literal person, so if it is a resale store, I believe it is confusing/misleading to use the word “consignment” if it does not possess consigned goods. All it does is confuse consumers.
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I also agree, the word, “consignment” goes a longer way than “thrift”. I do not like stores, however, who use the words “Upscale Consignment”. It could be my area, but the stores around here who pronounce themselves as “Upscale” have the same stuff the other shops have, at double the price.
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