Latest news with #consignment
Khaleej Times
05-07-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Meet the Emirati founders of the UAE marketplace for secondhand luxury goods
From a single Louis Vuitton bag to a thriving resale dynasty, Emirati couple Hadir Soliman and Jamal AlObeidli, founders of The Closet, have spent 15 years influencing how consumers in the region perceive luxury. Their business started not from a boardroom, but from a place of frustration. Hadir, the company's visionary founder, was attempting to sell her own Louis Vuitton bag in an online marketplace. 'I quickly became overwhelmed by the number of inquiries I received: questions about the item's measurements, authenticity, purchase details, and more,' she told KT LUXE. The hassle of answering repetitive questions made her realise there was a significant gap in the market for a professional, hassle-free consignment service. And so, The Closet was born to buy and sell authentic luxury products. While she didn't have a traditional fashion background, Hadir was armed with something equally powerful: an entrepreneurial spirit inherited from her family of business owners. Her professional experience in heavy industry and large-scale organisations provided a strong foundation in operations and management, skills that have proved invaluable. Her husband and co-founder, Jamal AlObeidli, has a similar background, having gained critical insights into logistics and international export from the world's leading aluminium manufacturers. This combined with his early exposure to retail in his father's hotel-based stores created a formidable partnership. Shifting mindsets When The Closet launched in 2010, the cultural landscape was vastly different. 'In the early days, the concept of consignment was not widely accepted,' Hadir explains. 'Many people were hesitant to sell their pre-owned luxury items because they felt it might reflect financial need.' Similarly, buying secondhand goods carried a stigma in a culture where newness was highly valued. Today, that perception has changed. 'There has been a remarkable shift, especially with the rise of younger, more conscious consumers who are deeply aware of sustainability,' Hadir notes. Social media has also played a key role, making consumers more informed and open to preloved luxury as a smart and stylish choice. The question has evolved from, 'Will anyone really buy my used bag?' to a celebration of circular fashion. Sustainability is the very heart of The Closet's business model. By extending the lifecycle of meticulously crafted luxury goods, the company actively reduces the demand for new production and preserves valuable resources. 'Unlike fast fashion, luxury fashion is built to last,' Hadir says. 'By giving these products a second (or even third) life, we're helping to reduce fashion waste and promote more conscious consumption.' Built on trust What sets The Closet apart in an increasingly crowded market? 'The business was born out of personal experience,' Hadir says. 'Every decision is guided by the question: 'What would we expect as customers?'' As a family-run business free from external investors, it remains agile and deeply connected to its clientele. Transparency is a core value, with clear and fair policies. This customer-centric approach is evident in the company's services: flexible 'Buy Now, Pay Later' options, VAT refunds for tourists, free delivery and returns, and the 'White Glove Service', which offers complimentary home pickups for consignors. However, the most significant differentiator is the brand's lifetime authenticity warranty. 'The fear of buying a counterfeit product is one of the biggest barriers [that keeps] customers [away],' says Hadir. To eliminate this concern, The Closet has established a robust, multi-layered authentication process. Every item is first checked by two independent in-house authenticators. This is followed by a final check using advanced artificial intelligence authentication technology, a system approved and recognised by Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism. 'If even the slightest doubt exists, we immediately reject the item,' she says. To deter counterfeit submissions, a penalty of up to Dh5,000 is slapped on sellers if the product is a confirmed fake. This expertise is cultivated in-house. The team has built an extensive internal library of counterfeit case studies, and potential authenticators undergo a rigorous three-year training journey before taking on the role. The future is posh Looking ahead, The Closet continues to innovate. At the start of 2025, it introduced 'The Luxe Society', a curated platform dedicated exclusively to brand-new, hard-to-find luxury pieces. This new venture caters to discerning clients seeking unworn investment items, while still benefiting from The Closet's trusted reputation. The strategy is clear: expand both The Closet and The Luxe Society locally and regionally, while continuously elevating the customer experience. For aspiring entrepreneurs, Hadir's advice is direct: 'Build your business on a real need, not just a trend. Trust is everything. Be honest. Be transparent.' She adds, 'Also, know that this industry is much more than just fashion. You need to understand logistics, operations, tech, and customer psychology. It's not all glamorous, but it's deeply rewarding.'
CBS News
21-06-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Consignment shop in Massachusetts gives children's clothes and toys a second life
A children's consignment shop in Holliston, Massachusetts is doing more than just selling nice clothing and toys, as they help others in need and give items a second life. "Secondhand doesn't have to mean that it looks secondhand, right, so that's the beauty of it," said Caitlin Shannon, owner of Fiddle and Find in Holliston. Shannon spent a decade as a nurse in pediatrics and labor and delivery. But a year ago, she left the career she loved to follow a different passion, taking a leap of faith and opening Fiddle and Find. Consignment shop for children's clothes and toys "I've dreamed of owning my own small business, sustainable business," said Shannon. "It's really important to be conscious of our clothing consumption and sustainability and remaining eco-friendly but it doesn't have to be what you initially think it is. Here we curate all the items, we want to sell like new clothing to people and also explain how it can be good for the environment and their wallet." If you want to sell a product, you make an appointment at the store. Shannon closely examines it and decides whether or not she wants to put it on her shelves. "Our biggest thing is just making sure there's no stains, no frays, no rips, no tears, the condition is like new and it's current," said Shannon. If your item sells, you receive a portion of the profit. If it doesn't, the product is donated to Project Just Because in Hopkinton, a nonprofit that provides basic necessities to families in need. "We're keeping clothes out of landfills" "That way, we're keeping clothes out of landfills, everything is getting upcycled," said Shannon. According to Smart Asset, Massachusetts is the most expensive state in the country to raise a child. For a lot of families, every dollar counts and shopping secondhand can help. "I think it's the future," said Shannon. "I think it's the smart way to go and you don't have to sacrifice anything." Fiddle and Find sells clothing from infant to young adult, along with bikes, books, toys and sports gear, including clothing for horseback riding and dance classes. Shannon said she's happy she took the chance on a new career that still connects her with kids and families every day. "It's been a whirlwind but also felt like this giant hug," said Shannon. "I think I am shocked about the outpouring of support from the community."
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
St. Pete consignment shop abruptly closes, thousands of dollars in designer goods missing
The Brief Retreat Consignment store closed without warning. Sellers who had their goods on consignment are now missing. The entire store has been completely cleared out. ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Thousands of dollars' worth of designer goods are missing from a St. Petersburg consignment shop. The store, Retreat Consignment, abruptly closed without any warning and now several sellers want to know where their stuff is and how to get it back. What we know Detectives spoke with one of the sellers on Monday. He's out thousands of dollars in art pieces. Dozens more on social media are missing designer shoes and bags worth thousands. The shop is empty, and the store owners are nowhere to be found. Follow FOX 13 on YouTube Rich Goren has been collecting original art pieces for years. "These are just two of the examples of them, but you can see the high quality," Goren said. He's sold several on consignment at the Retreat consignment shop on Central Avenue in St. Pete. READ: St. Pete man sailing over 5,500 miles for Ronald McDonald House Charities "We would be in the store pretty often and we would see that our stuff was still there," Goren said. Last week he noticed the store was completely empty. His stuff was nowhere to be found. Two art pieces and two pairs of designer shoes worth about $17,000 altogether are now missing. "I hope for the best, maybe sitting in a warehouse and they want to return everything. That's fine. That would be the best case scenario. But the fact that you have a business, people entrusting you with their valuables and you just take off. Come on. That's not great," Goren said. What they're saying The stores yelp page is now filled with reviews from frustrated sellers with similar stories. MORE: St. Pete approves projects to make sewer system more resilient "I am BESIDE myself that they closed their doors and took off with all of my items," one reviewer wrote. "There has been no communication as to how they are going to get their clients items, and money owed, back to them," another reviewer wrote. "One of the employees reached out to me, I won't say her name, but she said, oh my gosh, I feel awful, we all do, we haven't paid, and it was unexpected. We thought they might sell the store, but we also thought they would be transparent about everything. There's no reason for them not to be calling," Goren said. Goren reported it to the St. Pete Police Department on Monday. Detectives are encouraging any other sellers who also had their items taken to reach out. Goren has tried to reach the shop owners multiple times, but his calls and emails have all went unanswered. "It's a civil case if they have it, and they're not returning it quickly enough and so that's where that lands. So I don't know what it is. I just know that we just always try to do right by people and I expect that they seem like really good people to us but this isn't looking good," Goren said. READ: More affordable housing coming to South St. Pete with Habitat for Humanity partnership Timeline The store closed sometime in March. Goren has tried to contact the owners multiple times via email and phone, but his calls went unanswered. Sellers who had items not returned are encouraged to file a report with St. Pete Police. The Source The information in this story was gathered by FOX 13's Jordan Bowen. WATCH FOX 13 NEWS: STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app:Apple |Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter
