The sneaker and sneaker resale industries as we know them started in the US, and we can’t argue with that. But when it comes to its spread, well that’s definitely a worldwide phenomenon! Now, the US sneaker market remains one of the biggest places to start a business, but it’s not the only one. You see, the Chinese sneaker market already has a solid amount of people copping and flipping. But did you know that the European sneaker industry is booming too? Here’s everything you need to know about making it in the EU sneaker market!
That’s a hard yes right there. Let’s get into some numbers, shall we? Projections for the timespan between 2022 and 2027 show that the EU sneaker market will likely witness a CAGR of 6.32% (according to this study)! The reason behind this ambitious forecast is that more people are turning towards athleisure and sports. So, if you’re thinking of a good investment in Europe, why not consider investing in sneakers?
Whether you just moved to Europe or recently got into the sneaker game there, we got you. Although some non-EU retailers offer worldwide shipping, knowing your local gigs can come in handy. You see, we get that urge to visit a brick-and-mortar store from time to time. So here are some sneaker retailers that you can shop from if you live in European countries!
But before you dive in, remember: you’re gonna need all the help you can get when it comes to copping kicks. That’s why you’ll wanna get yourself a sneaker bot that supports EU sites! Not familiar with sneaker botting? Easy! Here’s a simple guide that will walk you through the basics. Mind you, you won’t be alone because you can find EU-based cookgroups that can lend a helping hand too!
Before we get into other footwear stores, we gotta mention the big brands. If you’re looking to buy directly from the source retailers in Europe, that shouldn’t be a problem! Adidas, Nike, New Balance, Puma, and many more operate (and some originate) in the EU. And of course, we’ve got Foot Locker EU, the hub of the coolest releases!
Just like in the US, independent sneaker stores exist where you can cop exclusive sneaker drops. Some are tier 0 stores too! If you’re not familiar with that word, this sneaker term crash course can come in handy. Anyway, some of the stores are END. clothing, BSTN, Slam Jam, AFEW store, Luisa Via Roma, and many more! Each of these streetwear and sneaker stores delivers in the EU and even has a brick-and-mortar store. Make sure you check out which one is closest to wherever you are!]
So… you bought your sneakers, what now? You can always learn how to style and flex them. If you’re in it for the money though, it’s a whole other story! You’ll wanna find some good resale platforms to flip your kicks from Europe to the rest of the world. So, here are some of the best resale sites for you to start your business. Each site has a different fee system (which we’ll show), so make sure you choose the one (or more) that aligns with your goals.
eBay, aka the ol’ faithful. The sneaker resale industry started there and still goes hard to our day! Of course, it wasn’t as well put together as it is today, and the risk of scams was much higher. But eBay upped their sneaker authentication game because it’s worth it! And according to their comparison, the 8% final value fee is cheaper than other resale platforms. However, make sure you read the full pricing because the value changes depending on the kicks’ value.
StockX is one of the biggest resale platforms globally. However, their fees have been increasing in the last few years. Not enough to make it lose the big sellers, but certainly it’s making things harder for some. If you wanna start fresh (level 1), the seller fee is 10% while the processing fee is 3%. However, the seller fees decrease the higher your level gets. For the full fee list, check this out.
Similarly to StockX, GOAT is another big resale platform… with big fees too. So, the seller fees depend on the country you’re in. So check here to see your country’s seller fee. In addition to seller fees, there’s a commission fee that ranges from 9.5% to 25% depending on your rating.
KLEKT is an EU-based resale platform that makes life easier for sellers and buyers within the EU and UK. The coolest thing about it is that you can sell, in addition to deadstock items, secondhand items! In terms of fees, KLEKT fixed their fees at a current 17%. You can check this fee calculator to see the money breakdown!
Restocks is the first Netherlands-based resale platform. Although reviews of the platform feature a mix of opinions, the site is pretty legit with a good Trustpilot rating! The authentication fees cost €15, while the resale fees are a 10% service fee in addition to €20 operational fee.
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