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Officially launching this month, new mobile-only fashion marketplace app 'Shedd' is set to transform the way UAE fashion-lovers buy and sell in their communities
UAE, dubizzle, the leading classifieds website for users in the UAE, has invested $1 million in a new mobile-only fashion marketplace app 'Shedd', created by two former employees - dubizzle's first ever investment on a new brand in its ten years of trading.
A first of its kind in the UAE, Shedd provides an online marketplace for good-quality second-hand fashion items, as well as new items from small businesses and independent designers, and is set to completely transform the way UAE fashion-lovers buy and sell in their communities. Now available to download for free from the Apple AppStore, Shedd will also soon be available on Android phones.
Shedd allows users to post items for sale quickly, easily and for free; with potential buyers able to filter items by social media friends or users near them, chat with other users via the app and like and comment on items. Similar to Instagram, users are encouraged to use hashtags when posting their goods, to categorize and sort all items posted; with page ranking determined by the quality and rarity of the item, as well as the quality of the photo, description and hashtags used.
Shedd was incubated within dubizzle by a team led by co-founders Tariq Zabian and Alex Hutley who previously held the positions of GM Emerging Markets and Marketing Director respectively at dubizzle.
Alex and Tariq reveal the inspiration behind the app: "The fashion industry is growing massively in the region, especially in the UAE - the UAE is one of the world's top three developing countries for retail development - and although this growth has seen many new local and international brands revelling in success, the second-hand entrepreneur and hobbyist sector has been massively under-serviced.
"The growth of the fashion industry, when combined with the rise of online shopping in the UAE and the increasing use of social media channels as a first port of call for those searching for fashion goods to purchase, highlighted a need to create a one-stop online marketplace providing a similar user experience to Instagram, through which aspiring designers, entrepreneurs and hobbyists can showcase their talents. However, unlike Instagram, users of Shedd can complete the transaction - whether buying or selling - via the same app."
Prior to developing the app, Shedd conducted a survey on the fashion and spending habits of UAE women, with the finding and insights gained from the results ultimately identifying a huge gap in the e-commerce market, leading to the creation of the app.
Alex and Tariq comment: "We believe everyone loves shopping irresponsibly - buying the things they love and aspire to - but hate the guilt of frivolous purchases. One of the key findings from our survey was that the average woman's wardrobe is made up of 60% items she has either never worn, or has only worn once or twice. From this insight, we saw an opportunity to build a simple product, which harnesses modern technology, coupled with exceptional service, to help solve the eternal problem of what to wear.
"Consequently, Shedd was born - a mobile app fashion marketplace in the UAE for regular people, stylish fashionistas, designers and small businesses to post and discover; buy and sell; unique, original, desirable, interesting, every-day or obscure fashion items and accessories. Ultimately, we're aiming to provide a platform through which everyone will be able to shop irresponsibly, safe in the knowledge that they are part of an ever-growing cycle of keeping fashion alive."
Commenting on dubizzle's $1 million investment into the new app, General Manager of dubizzle Barry Judge comments: "Shedd is set to completely transform the way in which consumers in the UAE buy and sell fashion goods, much like dubizzle entirely transformed the way in which people bought and sold their second-hand goods - from their cars to their homes - when it launched ten years ago.
"Alex and Tariq identified a huge gap in the UAE's fashion e-commerce market and responded by creating an engaging, social media-inspired fashion platform which we anticipate will be excitedly adopted by all UAE fashion consumers, hence why we have invested a substantial amount of money in the app - our first investment in our ten years of trading.
"An integral part of dubizzle's unique culture is encouraging limitless creativity and investing in and nurturing our home-grown talent; providing them with opportunities and facilitating pipeline ideas to becoming realities. dubizzle began with an idea, a laptop and the founders working from a tiny bedroom - we are proof that innovative ideas which plug a gap in the market, can grow to huge businesses and household names, and we believe Shedd has the potential to follow a similar path of growth."
The new app also uses PayPal, allowing safe and easy payment for items sold via Shedd, and offering buyers' protection, through which users of the app will receive a full reimbursement of the full amount of the item, plus postage, in the event an item bought online doesn't arrive or doesn't match the seller's description, for example. However, Shedd also facilitates face-to-face trade, for users who don't want to use online payments, meaning they can still post their items and meet the buyer in person to complete the transaction.
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About Shedd
Shedd fashion marketplace is more than just a platform to buy and sell, it is a burgeoning fashion community where discovery is encouraged, and eye for creativity and style rewarded. Shedd is built around the social experience, and perfect for the always-on generation.
Seamlessly discover beautiful items and interact with sellers just as one would in social networks. Shedd allows its community to post items for sale quickly, easily and for free. Potential buyers can then filter by friends or those near them, as well as searching for items using hashtags. Chat in app, like and comment on items, then either meet the seller face-to-face, or make the payment in app with PayPal and arrange shipping.
Shedd was incubated within dubizzle by a team led by co-founders Tariq Zabian and Alex Hutley who previously held the positions of GM Emerging Markets and Marketing Director respectively at dubizzle. Shedd operates exclusively in the UAE and continues to expand is ever-growing user base.
Now available to download for free from the Apple App Store, Shedd will also soon be available on Android.
For more information:
Please contact Alex at Shedd
<alex@sheddapp.com>
© Press Release 2015
