The RealReal

The company operates a consignment-based e‑commerce and retail model for luxury goods. Individual and institutional consignors send items such as designer apparel, bags, shoes, jewellery and accessories to the company. These items are authenticated using in‑house experts and proprietary historical item data, then listed and merchandised on the online marketplace and in physical retail stores. When an item sells, the company retains a variable commission or take‑rate and remits the remainder to the consignor, aligning its revenue with transaction volume and achieved pricing. Value creation centres on building trust in authenticity, simplifying resale logistics for consignors, and aggregating a large, searchable inventory of luxury items for buyers.

The RealReal, Inc. is a United States–based online and omnichannel marketplace focused on authenticated resale of luxury goods, including designer clothing, handbags, shoes, jewellery and other accessories. It operates a consumer-facing e‑commerce site and physical retail locations, supported by internal authentication operations using expert appraisers and proprietary item data.

The company primarily earns revenue by acting as a consignment intermediary: individual sellers consign luxury items, which the company authenticates, merchandises and sells to buyers, taking a commission on each transaction and remitting the balance to consignors. Additional income comes from related service fees and sales through its own retail stores. Its customers are mainly consumer buyers of discounted luxury goods and individual or estate consignors seeking to monetise high‑end items.