TikTok is expanding its ecommerce presence with a new marketplace dedicated to second-hand footwear, verified by third-party authenticators.
The social media giant has selected a group of vetted sellers to list pre-owned shoes on TikTok Shop in the US, marking a move into the resale market.
It features popular global footwear brands such as Adidas Sambas and Louis Vuitton Nike Air Force 1.
As part of the process, all second-hand footwear vendors are required to authenticate their services and submit a certificate of authenticity from a third-party authenticator, including Entrupy, Real Authentication, or Legitmark.
The platform aims to offer high-quality merchandise for customers, with vendors required to rate the condition of the footwear as pristine, excellent, very good, or good.
According to the company, merchandise that does not meet the good threshold will not be sold on the online platform.
A TikTok spokesperson said in an email to Chain Store Age: “TikTok Shop is quickly becoming the place for shoppers of all walks of life to discover the best in pre-owned luxury.”
The online platform is becoming a popular destination for younger shoppers, with Americans spending an average of $708 last year, boosted by a breakout holiday season over Black Friday.
The vendors are also required to offer product descriptions based on attributes, footwear types, color and brands, and if the shoebox is included.
TikTok Shop is making a strategic move by tapping into the thrifting market, which is set to soar in the upcoming years.
However, the company’s future in the US still faces uncertainty. In January, the application went offline in the US between January 18 and 19.
Moving forward, President Donald Trump has extended the deadline for TikTok’s Chinese owner to offload its US operations until June 19.
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