TOKYO : Japan's Rakuten Group is partnering with eBay to test U.S. demand for used Japanese fashion goods, made all the cheaper with the yen trading near a 34-year low.
eBay lists Rakuma's selected goods through its site and handles shipping and customer service in the U.S. in exchange for commissions on sales. "Because of the use of cases and covers and such, these second-hand goods are in quite good shape," Hasegawa said."To say something is 'used in Japan' gives some immediate value."
Rakuten did not provide a sales target for the venture with eBay. Hasegawa said there has not been any feedback from the seven vendors yet, but if the trial goes well the goal would be to link up all Rakuma shops and users with eBay.