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Secret Sales launches fulfilment service to support brands requiring UK distribution centre

Tom Bottomley
23 May 2022

Secret Sales has launched a fulfilment service to support brands requiring a UK distribution centre, solving logistics problems for those wanting to partner with the fashion marketplace.

Geographical location and technical infrastructure can prevent brands from fulfilling orders directly to consumers in the UK, but Fulfilment by Secret Sales (FBSS) will enable brands without a local warehouse in the UK, or the ability to ship from continental Europe in a commercially viable and timely way, to trade.

Currently over 1,600 brands use the platform’s core business model of digitally connecting non full price inventory, and shipping via their own distribution centres. But FBSS is a fully-managed logistical solution which will allow brands and retailers to ship goods in bulk to Secret Sales’ UK warehouse.

It will then handle picking, packing and direct-to-consumer shipping via 24 and 48 hour tracked services, as well as returns.

Chris Griffin, CEO of Secret Sales, said: “Our premium ecommerce marketplace model, with digitally connected inventory and brand to consumer shipping, is by far the most efficient, sustainable and profitable way for brands and retailers to trade non full price inventory.

“However, we understand the challenges faced by a number of brands unable to fulfil the last piece of the puzzle if their stock is based in continental Europe, or Brexit regulations are making selling directly to UK consumers prohibitively expensive.

“We are simply adding a convenient option that looks after the final step, helping those brands to fulfil orders on the Secret Sales platform.”

Brands pay a small management fee per month, alongside a per parcel pick, pack and ship rate. The management fee is heavily subsidised, compared to typical industry costs, and rates are similar to those which brands would experience if they were fulfilling orders themselves.

Versace 19v69 and jewellery brand Azro Silver are among those who have already signed up to the new service.

Matteo Armillotta, CEO of In Moda, global distributor of Versace 19v69, commented: “We were excited to launch with Secret Sales in Europe, however we were unable to operate on the UK platform due to the high costs of distributing post-Brexit.

“Secret Sales’ FBSS model has enabled us to expand into the UK. The fulfilment service was easy to set up with incredibly competitive pricing. We are delighted with the platform and will launch in the coming days.”

Fulfilment by Secret Sales also opens up a direct-to-consumer opportunity for brands currently selling wholesale only in the UK.

Griffin added: “Ultimately, all of our fashion, beauty and homeware partners have the same Secret Sales experience. They clear non full price inventory efficiently in a brand-enhancing, upmarket environment, and can gain thousands of new full-price gateway customers each month through our unique GDPR-compliant data share program.”

Secret Sales aims to gradually roll out a fulfilment service in each country it trades in, to solve similar challenges.

Headquartered in the UK, the marketplace has operations in the Netherlands and Belgium, and plans to launch in 12 more European countries over the next two years.

Retail entrepreneurs Chris Griffin and Matt Purt acquired Secret Sales in March 2020, moving the business from a members-only flash sales website to a dedicated marketplace.

Dolce & Gabbana, Versace 19v69, G-Star Raw, Superdry, Jigsaw, Ted Baker and LK Bennett are among over 1,600 luxury and high street brands currently featured on the site.

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