What is Depop? An In-Depth Look at the Popular Fashion Resale App
Depop is an online marketplace app that has taken the fashion world by storm. With over 30 million users across 150 countries, Depop has established itself as the go-to platform for buying and selling unique, vintage, and handmade fashion items.
But what exactly is Depop, and why is it so popular among young fashionistas? In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll explore everything you need to know about Depop, from how it works to tips for buying and selling success.
A Brief History of Depop
Depop was founded in 2011 by Simon Beckerman, who sought to create a social shopping app that captured the experience of browsing vintage stores or flea markets. The app launched in Italy at first but quickly expanded to other countries.
In 2019, Depop was acquired by Etsy for $1.6 billion but continues to operate as a separate company. Under Etsy‘s ownership, Depop has seen even faster growth, especially among Gen Z users.
Unlike massive e-commerce sites, Depop maintains its niche focus on unique, secondhand, and handmade fashion items that you can‘t find anywhere else. This curated vibe is a huge part of its appeal.
How Depop Works
Depop operates through a mobile app on iOS and Android devices. The interface resembles a hybrid of Instagram and eBay – you can follow users, browse listings via hashtag or searches, and buy items directly within the app.
As a buyer, Depop makes it easy to find one-of-a-kind items. As a seller, it gives you an outlet to clear out your closet, resell vintage pieces, or even sell handmade fashions.
To open a Depop shop, you need to:
- Create an account
- Set up a PayPal account to receive payments
- Choose a unique username
- Add profile and banner images to brand your shop
You can then start creating listings by uploading photos and descriptions of items. The app provides shipping labels when you make a sale.
Depop takes a 10% service fee from each transaction. Sellers are also responsible for shipping costs. So be sure to factor fees and shipping into your profit calculations when pricing items.
Why Depop is So Popular
Beyond ease of use, several key factors make Depop a go-to platform among Gen Z shoppers and entrepreneurs:
Unique Items: With tons of independent sellers, boutiques, and creators, Depop offers an abundance of items you genuinely won‘t find anywhere else. Everything from upcycled clothing to indie zines to custom jewelry.
Affordability: With primarily secondhand items at thrift store-esque prices, buyers get major bang for their buck. Low prices combined with free shipping on bundles make shopping extra budget-friendly.
Sustainability: Buying secondhand prevents clothing waste from landfills. For eco-conscious shoppers, Depop provides a sustainable alternative to fast fashion‘s impact on the planet.
Community: Between the Explore page and social features, browsing Depop feels more intimate and personal than big e-commerce sites. Users can connect over styles and shop small businesses.
Self-Expression: Depop sellers can curate their shops to match their personal tastes and aesthetics. For buyers, unique vintage pieces provide ample opportunity for self-expression through style.
Entrepreneurship: With low barriers to entry, Depop provides a hugely popular platform for creatives, thrift flippers, and vintage enthusiasts to generate side income. Some sellers even grow to 6-figure shops!
In an era where individuality and sustainability matter to younger generations, it‘s no wonder Depop has skyrocketed in popularity as the fashion marketplace that aligns with those values.
Getting Started Selling on Depop
Interested in earning cash by selling items collecting dust in your closet? Decluttering while making money sounds pretty ideal.
Depop makes the selling process incredibly easy for beginners. All you need is a smartphone and PayPal account. However, to thrive on Depop long-term takes some trial and error.
Here are 10 tips for Depop selling success:
1. Choose the Right Items
Carefully select pieces that will appeal to Depop shoppers – think cool vintage tees, popular brands like Levi‘s or Coach, Y2K trends, indie jewelry, etc. Items should be in good condition without defects. Start by selling extra pieces from your own closet to test the waters!
2. Photograph Pieces Artfully
Great photos are key! Style pieces with fun accessories for a cohesive vibe. Use natural lighting, solid backgrounds, and multiple angles. Avoid clutter and stick to 3-5 clean photos per listing.
3. Write Catchy Titles + Descriptions
Share all relevant details – fabric, flaws, measurements, etc. Use SEO keywords shoppers may search for. Add emojis and personality! Describe pieces in a fun, conversational tone to align your brand.
4. Price Items Strategically
Research similar items on the Explore page to set competitive prices. Factor in fees/shipping to turn a profit. Allow room for offers – many Depop shoppers expect bargaining! Consider bundling and deals to incentivize buyers.
5. Utilize Hashtags
Add popular tags like #vintage, #y2k plus specific brand names (#levi #coach). Mix broad tags for exposure with niche tags targeting buyers specifically seeking certain styles.
6. Follow + Share Listings
Engage daily with the community! Follow users with similar tastes and share their listings. Comment genuine compliments. They‘ll likely reciprocate. This builds relationships with potential customers.
7. Refresh + Relist
Bump stale listings to the top of search feeds using the "Relist" option. Delete and repost Improved photos, details or pricing. Stay active – post new listings weekly, even daily if inventory allows!
8. Offer Free Shipping or Bundles
Incentivize buyers with free shipping on bundle orders over a certain dollar amount. Or try limited Buy One Get One Half Off promotions. Offer special holiday discounts for extra conversion power!
9. Provide Great Customer Service
Ship orders quickly and package items securely. Include thank you notes and free gifts like stickers! Respond promptly if issues arise. This earns 5-star reviews to display on your shop profile.
10. Analyze Metrics + Optimize
Pay attention to what sells fast and for higher prices. Lean into your top categories, styles and price points. Experiment with pricing strategies and refresh rates to maximize profitability over time.
While a Depop shop does require effort, almost anyone can find success with the right system and strategy tailored to their unique niche, inventory, and customers!
Top Tips for Depop Buyers
As a Depop buyer, you gain access to the world‘s best thrifting from the comfort of your couch. No more digging through piles of tattered tees at your local Goodwill!
Here are 8 tips and tricks for scoring secondhand steals on Depop as a savvy shopper:
Search Strategically
Beyond browsing hashtags and Explore, utilize Depop‘s robust search filters. Refine by item type, size, color, brand, price point, seller location and more to pinpoint pieces perfectly matching your wish list.
Ask Questions
If item details or photos leave you with uncertainties about fit, fabric content, included accessories etc, ask the seller before purchasing! Use the in-app messaging system. Most are happy to provide additional info.
Check Shop Reviews
Vet sellers carefully and their average star rating and individual reviews before buying more expensive or fragile items. This minimizes risk of disappointing purchases from unresponsive sellers.
Bundle For Discounts
Many sellers offer 10-20% off bundles of 3, 5 or 10+ items. Build a bundle by favorites items across different shops in your cart, then send bundle requests. Savings add up quick!
Negotiate Offers
Don‘t be shy about submitting reasonable offers on expensive items – especially if they have lots of likes but no purchases. Many sellers allow room to negotiate. The worst they can do is decline or counter.
Follow Fave Shops
Favorite sellers who post items matching your personal style and price range. Follow their shops and turn on notifications so you never miss when they post new stock perfect for your closet!
Share Finds With Friends
Have a BFF who shares your tastes? The "Share" function allows you to easily send listings to friends also on Depop to get input, split bundles or gift special finds. Social shopping made simple!
Claim Coupon Codes
Follow @Depop on Instagram for exclusive promo codes offering 10-20% off all purchases for limited periods. Flash giveaways provide shoppers periodic chances to score Depop credit. Enable notifications so you never miss a code drop or contest!
Implement these buyer strategies, and filling your closet with rare secondhand scores for half the retail prices becomes simple. Happy deal hunting!
Standout Features That Set Depop Apart
Beyond its unique status as the top social shopping marketplace for millennial and Gen Z fashionistas, Depop packs cool features you won‘t find on competitors like Poshmark and Mercari.
Seamless Social Sharing
Depop allows shoppers to instantly share any listing – a much-requested vintage tee, indie designer dress, or handmade ceramic mug – directly to Snapchat, Pinterest or Whatsapp contacts with a few effortless taps. No screenshotting and switching apps required.
Friends can comment YAY or NAY before you buy and even purchase the item as a gift. This social integration makes online shopping a connected, interactive experience similar to real-life shopping trips with your besties!
Multimedia Marketing
While anyone can create a standard listings for their items, Depop also allows more advanced sellers with a bit of graphic design skill, video editing ability or photography proficiency to showcase products in an attention-grabbing multimedia format.
From stylist videos panning across clothing details timed to music to stop-motion clips modeling pieces to artsy flat lays with themed stickers and doodles, creative marketing content performs exceptionally well by leaving buyers mesmerized to instantly hit that purchase button.
Integrated Payments
No need to juggle multiple payout platforms. Depop offers its own integrated payments system allowing seamless transfers from a connected debit card, credit card, Apple Pay or PayPal account.
Sellers immediately see earnings in their Depop wallet balance. Buyers enjoy smooth one-tap checkout eliminating payment friction.
And the fixed 10% + credit card transaction fees means more profit versus competitors charging 12-20% in various commissions.
The Discover Feed
An algorithm-personalized vertical scroll of listings from accounts you follow and items matching your search history/engagement, the constantly updated Discover feed provides a steady stream fresh inventory catered specifically to your unique style preferences and past purchases.
This eliminates tedious daily search queries, allowing exciting new finds to come directly to you! Simply refresh to uncover seller updates the instant sought after pieces you‘ve favorited get restocked in your size.
Plus Exclusive Collabs!
Depop regularly teams up with mega brands like Guess, FILA, Disney and Mattel plus influencers like Emma Chamberlain for limited-edition capsules only available on Depop, keeping shoppers hyped for can‘t-find-elsewhere exclusives. Past sold out in minutes!
So turn on post notifications and be ready the second new drops go live.
Thanks to features optimizing both convenience and personalization, Depop succeeds not only as a hub for pre-loved goods but also an engaging community fostering connections, creativity and exclusivity you won‘t get on mass retailer websites.
Depop vs. Poshmark vs. eBay
As the booming online consignment industry expands, buyers and sellers find themselves facing more platform options for secondhand shopping and selling. Three major players dominate: Depop, Poshmark and eBay.
But notable differences set each marketplace apart:
Fees & Payouts
- Depop: 10% seller fee per order
- Poshmark: $2.95 shipping flat rate + 20% commission
- eBay: Insertion fees + 10-12% final value commissions
Allowed Merchandise
- Depop: Ideally vintage, handmade or secondhand apparel/accessories (some exceptions for indie designers)
- Poshmark: New and used clothing, shoes, accessories
- eBay: All categories including tech, toys, books, collectibles etc.
Target Audience
- Depop: Gen Z/Millennials seeking unique streetwear and vintage
- Poshmark: Millennial women buying and selling mainstream brands
- eBay: Broad demographic bidding across all item types
Interface Style
- Depop: Instagram-esque social feed
- Poshmark: Story format with sharing focus
- eBay: Traditional marketplace model
The platform best aligning with your target merchandise and audience will optimizing your selling success and buying satisfaction. Choose wisely based on your niche!
The Takeaway: Why Depop Stands Out
In summation, Depop shines bright as the fashion marketplace uniquely positioning itself at the intersection of individuality, affordability and sustainability.
For buyers, it offers access to the world‘s best online thrifting to score one-of-a-kind pieces matching their personal style.
For sellers, it provides a vibrant community encouraging young creatives and entrepreneurs to earn income doing what they love – styling pieces with an expert eye for curation.
With its mission empowering youth to positively impact the fashion industry, Depop harnesses the power of social technology to pave the way for a more conscious, circular future of retail focused on people and the planet.
