Away launches resale site for refurbished luggage

Luggage company Away has introduced Away Reclaimed, a new online sales channel dedicated to selling refurbished and returned products. The platform offers customers the opportunity to purchase the company's suitcases and travel accessories at reduced prices. These items include past customer returns, excess inventory from limited editions, or lightly used products tested by staff.

Away Reclaimed's inventory features items such as aluminum suitcases, with prices potentially up to a third lower than new items. Minor cosmetic imperfections, like scuffs or dents, do not affect product functionality. The company states it repairs or replaces any defective components, such as wheels or handles, before sale.

The establishment of this sales platform is part of the company's broader initiative to reduce waste and promote a circular economy. Discarding or reselling thousands of returned products without proper handling has posed a significant environmental challenge in the retail sector. Away Reclaimed aims to provide a sustainable solution to this issue.

CEO Jessica Schinazi noted that the Reclaimed service could attract new customers seeking more affordable options. The company hopes that a lower-priced initial purchase may foster customer loyalty and lead to future full-price sales. The initial soft launch proved successful, with most of the first inventory selling out within two weeks.