London: Loopi, a new online platform, aims to streamline the second-hand fashion buying and selling process in the UK, promoting sustainability. Co-founders Carl Walker and Sarah Dean highlight the platform’s user-friendly approach and charitable partnership with Cancer Research UK, addressing fast fashion waste concerns.
The UK’s second-hand fashion market is undergoing a significant shift with the introduction of Loopi, a new online platform launched to enhance the buying and selling process of preloved clothing. The launch aims to address the challenges faced by typical resale platforms, making fashion more sustainable by increasing the lifespan of clothing and reducing waste.
Loopi comes amidst a rising interest in second-hand clothing, with existing platforms such as Depop and Vinted gaining traction in the fashion industry. However, selling items on these platforms can often be laborious and frustrating. Loopi seeks to alleviate these issues through its user-friendly interface, enabling sellers to quickly list multiple items without the need for extensive descriptions. Interested sellers simply input the gender, category, and brand of the item, receiving an instant purchase offer that they can choose to accept in cash or store credit. Once the offer is accepted, Loopi takes care of the logistics by providing a shipping label, authenticating the items, and processing payments within a 48-hour window.
Carl Walker, a co-founder of Loopi, elaborated on the platform’s vision, stating: “At Loopi, we’re solving the problem of decluttering wardrobes in a way that’s simple, fast, and impactful. With 1.6 billion items of clothing sitting idle in wardrobes across the UK, we’ve created a platform that helps people turn those forgotten clothes into cash or credit in just a few clicks.” He further emphasised the collaborative aspect of the platform, mentioning their partnership with Cancer Research UK, which allows sellers to support cancer research through their transactions.
The environmental implications of fast fashion are considerable, with a substantial number of garments becoming waste annually. Loopi’s approach aims to mitigate this impact by promoting a circular economy where high-quality clothing remains in circulation rather than being discarded. Co-founder Sarah Dean noted, “Loopi makes it incredibly easy for people to sell to us, and with so many clothes sitting unused in wardrobes across the UK, sourcing them is no problem. We know there’s a strong demand for high-quality second-hand pieces, so once we work our magic to make them look great, selling them on Loopi won’t be an issue.”
Additionally, Loopi offers an innovative charitable dimension; sellers can opt to donate part or all of their earnings to Cancer Research UK. This initiative facilitates a modern approach to charity fundraising, allowing individuals to support critical cancer research effortlessly while decluttering their wardrobes.
The platform is founded by a team of industry veterans, including Carl and Katie Walker, Sarah Dean, and Sam Hunter, who collectively boast over 40 years of experience in the second-hand fashion market. Loopi has received solid financial backing, most notably a significant investment from Mohsin Issa CBE and Victoria Price through their private investment fund, Boulder Investco, which reflects growing investor confidence in its business model.
Looking ahead, Loopi has ambitious plans with a target to sell at least 500,000 items by 2025. By offering a streamlined and efficient alternative to existing resale channels and prioritising sustainability, the platform aims to reshape the face of resale fashion in the UK. With an ongoing shift towards mindful consumption, Loopi could stand out as a practical solution for both sellers looking to extend the lifecycle of their clothing and buyers seeking affordable, high-quality second-hand fashion.
Source: Noah Wire Services
