The RealReal, Inc. is a leading online and brick-and-mortar marketplace for authenticated luxury consignment. Founded in 2011 and headquartered in San Francisco, the company specializes in selling pre-owned designer goods through a peer-to-peer consignment platform. Key product categories include women’s and men’s apparel, fine jewelry, watches, handbags, art, and home décor. The RealReal’s platform connects consignors with a broad base of luxury consumers, leveraging an authentication process designed to ensure quality and provenance.
The company’s business model centers on consignment, where sellers submit items to be authenticated and priced by in-house specialists. Upon sale, The RealReal retains a commission that varies based on the item’s final sale price, while consignors receive the remaining proceeds. To support this model, The RealReal operates multiple authentication and fulfillment centers across the United States, as well as nine retail locations in key metropolitan markets. These showrooms offer in-person inspections, private styling appointments, and drop-off services, complementing the company’s digital platform and mobile apps.
Over the years, The RealReal has expanded its geographical footprint beyond the U.S., establishing offices and partnerships in Europe and Canada to tap growing demand for circular luxury. The company collaborates with major fashion brands to develop resale programs that extend the lifecycle of designer merchandise while promoting sustainable consumption. In addition to direct consumer sales, The RealReal offers business-to-business solutions for luxury retailers and corporations seeking to manage inventory and estate sales through its consignment network.
Julie Wainwright, the company’s founder, has served as chief executive officer since inception, steering The RealReal through its 2019 initial public offering and subsequent growth phases. Under her leadership, the company has focused on technological innovation in areas such as machine learning–enhanced pricing, inventory management tools, and digital marketing strategies. As The RealReal continues to evolve, it remains committed to providing a trusted, transparent marketplace for authenticated luxury goods while driving the expansion of the circular economy within the fashion and lifestyle sectors.
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