Depop and Selfridges are stitching AI analytics into second-hand fashion

Depop and Selfridges are teaming up with Kelp Technologies to integrate AI into their second-hand fashion businesses. Kelp's AI, developed by the startup Truss, analyzes market trends and prices for pre-owned apparel, offering insights that help streamline pricing and product recommendations. By automating these processes, the companies aim to reduce costs, save time, and minimize environmental impact. The UK government supports this initiative, awarding funding to AI projects like Truss as part of a broader push to boost tech innovation across the country.

Depop and Selfridges are sewing an AI thread into their clothes.

The fashion retailers have enlisted British startup Kelp Technologies to analyse market trends and prices of second-hand apparel.

Kelp — aka Truss — will apply AI to automatically assess items of clothing. Proprietary algorithms will then suggest prices, recommend products, and refine search results.

Depop will bake the insights into the platform’s clothes listings. Selfridges will apply them to the company’s resale arm, Reselfridges.

The project aims to save them time and money. By boosting the second-hand clothing market, it could also reduce waste and greenhouse gas emissions.

“Every item holds a story, but unlocking its value is a laborious process marked by online research and manual data entry,” said Woody Lello, the CEO of Truss. “Our mission is to empower resale businesses with instant access to rich, actionable data.”

Full story at TNW.