한뉴픽

In recent years, there has been a sector showing high growth in the domestic consumer market. It is the resale market. which means purchasing limited edition or popular items and then selling them. In the past resale culture was limited unofficial or personal transactions. Today, it settled down into a large market based on professional;; platform. In particular, young generation is paying attention limited edition sneakers, luxury bags, fassion item, and concert ticket to new consumption or invest method.

The growth of resale market is closely related to the unique consumption culture of the young generation. For this generation, limited edition items are not simple product but have special meaning. Owning rare items is not only symbol of expressing one‘s individuality, but it is also perceived investment asset to expecting value appreciation. In fact, limited edition sneakers and luxury bags are traded at two or three times their original price and such cases make young consumer to see reselling is not simple shopping, reasonable invest action. In other words, resale culture showed new consumption pattern of the young generation that fullfills consumption, investment, and self expression at the same time.

KREAM and SOLDOUT which represent the domestic resale market have grown fast by presenting different structure unlike existing trading platforms. These platforms have gained consumer‘s trust by introducing secure trading systems and authenticty verification process. This is the most important constituent that distinguishes resale culture in the past, which was limited to individual transactions. As a result the young generation has gained a safe environment for transactions, lt became a foundation for market expansion. This is a reason why the young generation prefers new resale platforms.

As, of 2024, resale platforms have approximately 5 million members, with total amounting to several hundred billion won, showing explosive growth. This shows that resale market has grown into a huge industry rathe than simple trend. Especially, KREAM which focused on trading limited edition sneakers, has expanded categories beyond fashion items to include electronics and lifestyle products. It has evolved into a platform where consumers can easily meet a various of items hard to get. This change proves that reselling is not limited trend to certain items but continuosly growing industry. There are three reasons why the young generation actively uses in the resale market. First, limited edition items are possible self expression. Rare items lead to individuality. It becomes self express method to the younger generation. Second, some products can purchase at a lower price than the original and more quickly at the desired time. This is more efficient and convenient than traditional offline purchase method. Third, they can earn profits by reselling rare items. Resell has expanded beyond simple consumption to become a form of economic activity that create additional economic value. These factors have been new consumption trend beyond simple resell trading.

The resell market is not only about economic purchasing, but also about having self expression and managing money. Resell platforms have grown the market by making trade safe and trust. In the future, they are expected to have more influence by adding more product categories and better services. The resell market started platforms to trade limted edition items, but now it is growing into a huge space that includes young generation’s culture and investment habits.

Lim Sang Hyeok / Reporter