Sneaker resale platform Laced expands to Europe

Half a decade on from its UK launch, “authentic online sneaker marketplace” Laced is expanding into the European market worth an estimated $16.4 billion a year.

Buyers and sellers across the continent are now being offered “industry-leading authentication of items, same-day order processing, and same-day-as-sale payouts as standard”.

As part of the expansion, Laced has launched in a number of currencies, and has opened dedicated German and French language sites, ahead of rolling out Italian and Dutch sites. 

Laced, which launched in the UK in 2018, is offering customers in Europe the same product library available in the UK. It includes rare and exclusive sneakers, major brand collaborations, and standard favourites such as Air Jordans, Nike Dunks, and New Balance.

Sales are transacted in euros, while buyers have access to Laced stock across both Europe and the UK. 

Founded by CEO Chris Gibbons, Laced “provides a secure, transparent and easy-to-use service for collectors and enthusiasts to buy and sell their items”. 

Gibbons said: “At the heart of the Laced platform and mission lies our belief that everyone, wherever they are, should be able to go online, purchase luxury goods and have them delivered to their door in the easiest way possible. Expansion into Europe means we will be putting more genuine items in the hands of more customers, which has been our goal from the very start.”

The expanding business, which raised $12 million in Series A funding round earlier this year with backers including H&M Group Ventures, is growing its London-based office headcount by at least 25%, creating a number of jobs on the continent, in departments such as content marketing, operations and logistics.