New and pre-owned inventory from Aimé Leon Dore, Fear of God, KITH, Supreme, Off-White, Palace and Stone Island are now eligible for the eBay Authenticity Guarantee service.
@Supreme x @Vans Collaboration 2023
eBay Launches Authentication for Streetwear. ‘Authenticity Guarantee’ now covers streetwear items $200+; Eligible brands include Aimé Leon Dore, KITH, Off-White, Stone Island, among others.
eBay, the renowned global commerce leader, has taken a significant step towards enhancing trust and quality in the streetwear market with the introduction of its Authenticity Guarantee for streetwear items priced at $200 and above. The move expands eBay’s existing authentication service, which already covers categories like sneakers, luxury goods, watches, jewelry, handbags, and trading cards. This expansion aims to cater to the growing demand for authenticated streetwear apparel and create a seamless buying and selling experience for streetwear enthusiasts.
%eBay’s move to authenticate streetwear items not only addresses the demand for genuine products but also cultivates a trustworthy marketplace for buyers and sellers alike.
To ensure the authenticity of streetwear items, eBay’s team of professionally trained authenticators will meticulously inspect and verify all eligible items sold in the United States. These experts will conduct a detailed physical inspection, utilizing advanced technical equipment, at eBay’s state-of-the-art facility in New Jersey. By leveraging their expertise, eBay aims to establish a robust verification process that offers buyers peace of mind and safeguards the integrity of the streetwear market on its platform.
Garry Thaniel, Global GM of Sneakers and Streetwear at eBay, expressed the company’s commitment to meeting the demands of the enthusiast community. Thaniel stated, “We’ve heard loud and clear from our enthusiast community that they want to be able to come to eBay to buy and sell apparel in the same seamless way that they can sneakers. With the launch of Authenticity Guarantee for streetwear, we’re delivering on that ask.”
eBay’s Authenticity Guarantee for streetwear introduces a range of renowned brands to its authenticated inventory. At the initial launch, customers can find new and pre-owned streetwear items from Aimé Leon Dore, Fear of God, KITH, Supreme, Off-White, Palace, and Stone Island. By the end of September, the service will expand to include streetwear from additional hype brands like adidas and Nike, as well as luxury brands such as Gucci, Prada, Louis Vuitton, and more.
The process of authentication for streetwear on eBay involves a comprehensive inspection and verification procedure. When a purchase is made, the seller ships the item directly to eBay’s authenticators, who conduct a thorough physical inspection to ensure the item matches the listing details. After the item successfully passes the inspection, it is shipped back to the buyer via expedited shipping, with no additional cost to either the seller or the buyer.
During the inspection process, the authenticators examine various aspects of the garment, including its structure, materials, tags, logos, packaging, and accessories. Each verified streetwear item receives a unique authentication tag with a QR code. The Authenticity Guarantee tag, which is attached to the garment, contains a digital stamp of authenticity and customized product details. This tag not only serves as proof of authentication but also provides easy access to the item’s documentation. Furthermore, the tag simplifies relisting the item for sale in the future.
For sellers who offer returns, eBay’s streetwear authentication program ensures that the exact item initially sold is returned to the seller. The verified returns process involves shipping the item back to the authentication center, where experts authenticate the item once again to ensure its condition before it is returned to the seller.
eBay’s expansion into streetwear authentication is supported by impressive growth numbers in its luxury categories. From Q4 2019 to Q4 2022, these categories have experienced double-digit annualized growth, driven by initiatives like Authenticity Guarantee and Certified by Brand. Additionally, eBay’s acquisition of Certilogo, an AI-powered platform empowering brands to manage garment lifecycles, further establishes eBay as a trusted destination for pre-loved menswear and womenswear.
The inclusion of streetwear authentication on eBay aligns with the growing popularity and demand for streetwear worldwide. Globally, searches for “streetwear” on eBay have increased by approximately 100% year-over-year from April 2022 to April 2023. Top-selling streetwear brands on eBay in 2022 included BAPE, Fear of God, Off-White, Stone Island, and Supreme. Supreme, one of the most sought-after streetwear brands, generated more than 30 searches per minute globally in 2022.
Other brands like A Bathing Ape (BAPE) and KITH have also experienced significant search growth on eBay, with double-digit increases year-over-year from April 2022 to April 2023. Aimé Leon Dore knits witnessed triple-digit search growth during the period from January to April 2023, compared to the same timeframe in 2022. In 2022, the most searched-for streetwear items globally included Fear of God Essentials hoodies, Palace hoodies and shirts, Stone Island hoodies and shirts.
