What: eBay announced that it is now authenticating streetwear brands under its Authenticity Guarantee where eligible items are verified by experts with brand and category knowledge.

Why it is important: Authentication is becoming an increasingly available feature that department stores interested in second-hand and second-hand marketplaces should take notice of.

New or pre-owned items from nine streetwear brands sold for more USD 200 are eligible for authentication.

EBay covers all costs of the authentication process and authenticators will re-inspect an item if it’s returned before sending it back to the seller.

From April 2022 to April 2023, searches for “streetwear” on eBay were up approximately 100%. Customers expressed that they want to be able to sell and buy apparel in the same seamless way they can sneakers. EBay took notice of this and delivered with the launch of Authenticity Guarantee for streetwear.

Each verified item receives an authentication tag with a QR code where customers can access the item’s credentials; the same code can be used to relist the item in the future.

This makes the sixth category that eBay authenticates, along with streetwear sneakers, watches, jewellery, handbags, and trading cards.

The marketplace has been heavily focusing on authentication in recent months. In May it acquired Certilogo, an AI-powered authentication company and in April it introduced its “Certified by Brand” luxury resale program. It also bought 3PM Shield, an AI fraud detection company, in February to help in finding suspicious merchants.

EBay expands Authenticity Guarantee to streetwear