Aspirational India is booming and the age group eyeing high-end luxury-branded bags, cars, clothes and accessories is getting more diverse (and younger).

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The value-conscious Indian buyer and price-sensitive Indian market have led to an innovation in the way modern Indians are consuming luxury. Buying 'pre-owned' authentic luxury products is a trend that is picking up. Propelling it forward are booming online markets, where buyers and sellers do not interact directly with each other. 

Delhi-based Anvita Mehra of Confidential Couture says, “I think people have now become more broad-minded about this concept. There was a stigma initially, when we ventured into the market, as there was no industry for pre-owned luxury, in India. However, ample product information and transparency has made the consumer more comfortable about purchasing pre-owned items online. Cash on delivery has also made it reassuring for a buyer to purchase online”. “I don't think there's any stigma attached to second-hand goods now, especially with respect to luxury. It's all about the resale value. We find both youngsters and mature customers buying pre-owned products, because they are getting high-quality branded products at a great value price,” adds Vijay KG, Founder, Luxépolis, another popular platform for buying pre-owned luxury, right from accessories to cars.

While luxury items are available at a discounted rate on these sites, it is not always about the price. Sometimes, people look out for vintage editions or older classics that may be out of circulation now. Buying pre-owned  goods is the only way to get these gems! 

These platforms take authenticity seriously and have in-house experts to ensure that the goods are genuine. “All products are subject to a rigorous, multi-layered, brand-specific authentication process by our team of luxury brand authenticators, horologists and gemmologists. There is a zero-tolerance policy for counterfeit goods,” says Vijay. Confidential Couture “offers a verified authentic document on request, once the product is purchased along with a money-back guarantee, if the product is proven to be a counterfeit,” shares Anvita. 

Luxépolis has several male customers (40% of the total clientele) given that their product spread includes automobiles and men’s accessories. Confidential Couture’s buyers are usually women between the ages of 17-50, while sellers are usually between the ages 30-60. Both brands have a strong (and steadily growing) clientele from metro cities, as well as from Tier II and Tier III cities, and small towns in India. People are buying luxury items at a much faster rate and with such online platforms that guarantee authenticity, it's a win-win situation for both sellers and buyers. 

Indeed, this is an offer one cannot refuse!