FEBRUARY HAPPENINGS IN FASHION RELATED RESALE

On February 16, 2026 Depop launched a U.S. campaign,“Depoponomics”, directed by Dave Meyers a grammy award winner and featuring singer songwriter Kelis. Per the announcement: “Depoponomics is a national U.S. campaign that redefines resale as a modern personal economy, where selling clothes helps fund everyday life." The campaign includes a cameo appearance by the pop/ R&B singer, Kelis. Her 2003 single "Millionaire" provides the soundtrack for the spot. The ads are on tv, digital and video and will run through May 31st. These Depoponomics spots note there are no selling fees and also clearly informs in the fine print "Payment processing fees and boosting fees still apply."

As part of the campaign, Kelis launched her own Depop shop, listing about a dozen items,

including pieces worn by her in the campaign. A screenshot of the top portion of her Depop shop is below and another screenshot follows showing the remaining item for sale in her shop.

On February 23, 2026, one item in her shop remained, a Ganni blouse and I noticed the price was reduced by $10 from when it was originally listed on February 18, 2026. I was surprised that the blouse had not yet sold, had been reduced and that so few of her items were listed. Perhaps more will be included in the future.

On February 18, 2026 The RealReal announced it will be reopening its flagship San Francisco store for consignment and shopping, bringing it to 17 locations throughout the US.

TheRealReal has been slowly adding permanent locations including one in 2025: Summit, New Jersey and two in 2024: Miami Design District which is the second store in Florida (A store is in Palm Beach) and Houston, Texas, its second store in Texas, with Dallas being the other location. (Note: As of this writing, the company's website includes a note about a limited time consignment event in Tampa, Florida. However, when clicked that, the page that appeared states: "Oops! Looks like the page you requested is not available."

Officially opening on February 26, 2026, it is a two story 8,100 square feet space in Union Square and the address is 253 Post Street. The RealReal was founded in San Francisco in 2011 and it sounds like this store has been thoughtfully planned with unique features.

The press release notes: "A curated mix of San Francisco inspired art, locally sourced vintage furniture, and thoughtful architectural details grounds the store in the city’s creative spirit, blending heritage, sustainability, and modern luxury. On weekends, the store will host coffee from Painted Leopard, a woman-owned specialty coffee roaster known for its single-origin blends and popular pop-ups."

On February 18, 2026 Etsy which acquired UK based Depop in 2021 for about $1.62 billion announced that it was selling it for $1.2 billion (all cash deal) to eBay, with the acquisition expected to close by the end the second quarter of this year.

It is expected that Depop will retain its name and platform. This looks to be a good purchase for eBay as it will grow eBay’s market of GenZ consumers. Press releases note that Depop has seven million active buyers, with nearly 90% of them under the age of 34, and over 3 million active sellers. For eBay, the acquisition bolsters its position with younger consumers who have a strong interest in resale and increasingly view secondhand as a normal way to shop. Depop, in turn, should benefit from eBay’s global capabilities, including its international reach, marketplace infrastructure, and operational expertise.

According to an eBay press release:"The addition of Depop will accelerate eBay’s C2C strategy by deepening its reach with younger, fashion-forward consumers and expanding its presence in one of the most dynamic areas of resale. As part of eBay, Depop will benefit from eBay’s global scale and suite of capabilities, including its financial services, shipping solutions, and trusted experiences like Authenticity Guarantee to further accelerate growth and enhance the buyer and seller experience."

In early February Sydney, Australia based Cosette, a luxury handbag reseller that has been operating for about 11 years announced it would be closing. In its announcement, it stated: "Unfortunately, the market has changed and we – rather than our mission to make luxury more affordable, every day – were sometimes the story." The part "were sometimes the story" warrants explanation.

Starting in 2023, nearly one thousand customers complained to NSW (New South Wales) Fair Trading alleging that Cosette was selling "superfakes", high-quality counterfeit handbags priced near authentic retail rates. Many of these claimants provided third-party authentication reports to support their allegations; however, Cosette consistently denied any wrongdoing.

Following a year long investigation, the regulator reported in 2024 that it found no evidence of counterfeit sales. Crucially, the items examined by the regulator were confirmed as authentic by the brands themselves. NSW Fair Trading also cast doubt on the reliability of certain third-party authentication services, citing vague disclaimers and a lack of identifiable expertise.

Cosette highlighted its clearance by NSW Fair Trading and continued to operate, although it had already scaled back significantly during the investigation. While the company cited "changing market conditions" in announcing its closure this month, the sheer volume of complaints and the resulting reputational damage appear to have been difficult to overcome and likely contributed to its decision to shut its doors.

Full Disclosure: The content in this post is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as, nor does it constitute, professional, financial or legal advice. Research for this post ended on February 23, 2026. I participate in reselling on the Poshmark, Vinted, Mercari and The RealReal platforms. I have not had any disputes with them, nor have they provided me with any benefits except for payments of items sold via their platforms. All opinions are my own, and I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Readers should not act upon this information without seeking professional counsel licensed in their specific jurisdiction.