Ravi Rody Sahi LC is president and CEO of the real re real joining us now exclusively on power lunch. Uh Rody it's great to have you on the program. I mean what a day.What is behind the t besides of course your leadership. What is behind the turn for the Real Real and its investors this year. >> Yes, thanks for the question.Um we're pretty excited about the momentum. Um, the Real Real is the leader in luxury resale and there's definitely been a market shift um into resale. So, it's great to see more awarene ...

Core Insights - eBay operates one of the largest online marketplaces, connecting millions of buyers and sellers, but faces pressure to modernize against mobile-first competitors [1] - The acquisition of Tise, a social marketplace, allows eBay to enhance user engagement through community features, targeting Gen Z and Millennial shoppers [2] - eBay's strategy positions it between Amazon's scale, Shopify's social commerce, and Etsy's niche market, leveraging Tise's capabilities to strengthen its C2C foundation [3][5] Competitive Landscape - Amazon is testing resale but focuses more on logistics than social engagement, creating a gap in community-driven commerce [3] - Shopify is gaining traction in social commerce but lacks the resale depth that eBay offers [3] - Etsy has a strong community-focused marketplace but remains more niche compared to eBay's broader reach [3] Investment Outlook - The acquisition of Tise signals eBay's intent to reignite growth through C2C and social commerce, with potential to deepen engagement and boost transaction frequency [4] - Successful integration of Tise could restore eBay's differentiation in a crowded resale market [4] - By combining scale with social-first design, eBay aims to compete more effectively against major rivals [4]

Group 1 - The excitement of finding valuable items at garage sales parallels the potential in small-cap stocks, highlighting the investment opportunities in this sector [1] - Gary Alexander, with extensive experience in technology and startups, contributes insights on industry trends and has been active on Seeking Alpha since 2017 [1] Group 2 - No current stock or derivative positions are held by the analyst, but there is potential for initiating a long position in ThredUp (TDUP) within the next 72 hours [2] - The article reflects the author's personal opinions and is not influenced by compensation from any company mentioned [2]

Group 1 - The excitement of finding valuable items at garage sales parallels the potential in small-cap stocks, highlighting the investment opportunities in this sector [1] - Gary Alexander, with extensive experience in technology and startups, contributes insights on industry trends and has been active on Seeking Alpha since 2017 [1] Group 2 - No current stock or derivative positions are held by the analyst, but there is potential for initiating a long position in ThredUp (TDUP) within the next 72 hours [2]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenue for Q2 2025 totaled $77.7 million, representing a 16.4% year-over-year increase [23] - Gross margin was 79.5%, a 70 basis point increase compared to the same quarter last year [23] - Adjusted EBITDA was $3 million, or 3.9% of revenue, doubling from the previous year [24] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - New buyer acquisition increased by 74% year-over-year, marking the highest number of new customers in the company's history [7][23] - Active buyers rose to 1.5 million, up 16.5% year-over-year, while orders increased by 20.8% to 1.5 million [23] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company noted that the closure of the de minimis loophole could lead to higher prices for fast fashion goods, potentially benefiting ThredUP [10] - Advertising markets remain dynamic, with fluctuations in spending from competitors impacting customer acquisition [11][82] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to maintain gross margin and bottom-line efficiency while reinvesting in acquiring new buyers and sellers [8] - ThredUP is focusing on AI-driven product experiences to enhance customer engagement and conversion rates [12][20] - The strategy includes expanding the seller experience to make ThredUP the default platform for selling secondhand clothing online [16] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's growth trajectory despite potential macroeconomic uncertainties [42] - The company is optimistic about the long-term potential of the resale market, expecting significant growth in the coming years [99] Other Important Information - The company has invested over $400 million in infrastructure and technology to support its marketplace operations [19] - The introduction of AI-generated images on product pages has shown positive results, particularly for new customers [13][14] Q&A Session Summary Question: What drove the Q2 revenue outperformance and new buyer growth? - Management highlighted a combination of improved product experience, strong operations, and high-quality supply as key drivers [36] Question: Why is the Q4 revenue guidance conservative? - Management noted seasonal trends and uncertainties in the macro environment as reasons for a cautious outlook [41] Question: What factors contributed to the gross margin outperformance? - The growth in premium supply and a focus on customer experience were cited as contributing factors [47] Question: What are the demographics of new buyers? - Management indicated that new buyers resemble previous customers, with a large addressable market for secondhand shoppers [57] Question: What are the dynamics of customer acquisition costs? - Management noted that improved conversion rates have significantly impacted customer acquisition costs, allowing for more effective spending [100]

Core Insights - Peloton has launched a peer-to-peer resale marketplace named Repowered to tap into the growing resale market for connected fitness equipment and monetize inactive devices in customers' homes [2][6] Group 1: Marketplace Features - Users can list pre-owned Peloton equipment and accessories on the Repowered platform, with pricing assistance from a generative AI tool, while sellers retain control over the final asking price [3] - Upon sale, sellers receive 70% of the final sale price, with the remainder split between Peloton and Archive, the technology provider, and sellers also benefit from discounts on new equipment purchases [4] Group 2: Market Trends - The resale market is experiencing growth, with Peloton noting a 16% year-over-year increase in new subscribers who acquired hardware through secondary channels like Facebook Marketplace, which also showed a lower net churn rate compared to rental subscribers [5] - Economic factors are driving consumers towards secondhand shopping, with an average savings of 30%, as they seek ways to manage spending amid new tariffs [8] Group 3: Launch and Expansion Plans - The Repowered platform is currently in a beta phase available in New York City, Boston, and Washington, D.C., with plans for nationwide expansion in the coming months [7]

Core Insights - Meta's Facebook remains influential globally, but usage among younger users is declining, with only 32% of U.S. teens using the platform in 2024, down from 71% in 2014 [1] - Facebook Marketplace, launched in 2016, has become a significant success for Meta, boasting 1.1 billion users across 70 countries and competing with platforms like eBay and Craigslist [1] Group 1: Marketplace Features and Advantages - Marketplace is described as "the flea market of the internet," facilitating a large volume of consumer-to-consumer transactions without listing fees, which is a key attraction for sellers [2] - The platform's local pickup option helps users avoid shipping costs, enhancing its appeal [2] - The resale market is booming, projected to reach $350 billion by 2027, positioning Marketplace favorably within this trend [2] Group 2: User Trust and Engagement - Younger buyers are attracted to Marketplace due to its affordability and sustainability, with trust being a significant factor as users' Facebook profiles provide a sense of security compared to anonymous platforms [3] - Marketplace is not a major direct revenue source for Meta but plays a crucial role in user engagement, which is valuable for advertisers [5] - Despite being one of the least monetized parts of Facebook, Marketplace helps demonstrate that younger users still log in, even if their activity is focused on buying and selling rather than traditional social engagement [5] Group 3: Strategic Partnerships and Revenue Projections - In January 2025, eBay partnered with Facebook Marketplace, allowing select eBay listings to appear on the platform, which is expected to generate an additional $1.6 billion in sales for eBay by the end of 2025 [4] - This partnership is anticipated to increase the number of buyers and sellers on Marketplace and potentially address some trust issues [4] - Facebook takes a 10% cut of sales made through its shipping service, although it does not charge listing fees [4]