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80 new independent boutiques join ASOS Marketplace during COVID-19 lockdown

Lauretta Roberts
28 May 2020

ASOS has experienced a surge in independent brands and boutiques signing up to join its Marketplace platform during the COVID-19 lockdown.

During April and May some 80 new names have joined ASOS Marketplace offering a vital route to market as stores remained closed. This uptake represents a 100% increase year on year.

To help support these boutiques and open up opportunities for small fashion businesses, ASOS Marketplace has also waived its small monthly rental fee for new and existing independent retailers, helping them continue to trade during lockdown.

Among the newcomers to the platform is Truman Markets, the world-famous market situated on London’s vintage hotspot Brick Lane, which has launched a virtual market supporting its fashion traders. More than 20 Truman Markets sellers have now made their products available to purchase through the ASOS Marketplace website.

As well as seeing an increase in boutiques signing up, ASOS says it had witnessed strong growth in customer visits to the Marketplace as well as significant shifts in purchasing behaviour.

There has been surge in demand for loungewear across the country translating to year-on-sales in April increasing dramatically for jumpers (+421%), womenswear hoodies (+119%) and sweatshirts (+166%). Customers have also been taking the opportunity to stock up on socks, particularly trend-led tie-dyed versions, with sales up 1,418% compared to last year.

Jo Hunt, Head of ASOS Marketplace at ASOS, said: "We’ve always strived to use ASOS Marketplace to support and foster young, independent fashion boutiques and talent, helping them grow their businesses and at times even move over to the main ASOS site. Now more than ever, we’re grateful we can use our platform to assist fashion traders and boutiques that would otherwise normally rely on foot traffic, and we’re incredibly excited both to be partnering with the world-famous Truman Markets to bring its sellers onboard and for what the future holds for ASOS Marketplace.”

Launched in 2010, the ASOS Marketplace is now home to 800 boutiques offering 130,000 products, ranging from vintage pieces sourced by its community of expert vintage boutiques to unique fashion designed and created by the latest independent brands.

The main ASOS site offers 85,000 products taking the total offer to more than 215,000 on average at any one time.

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