Founded	April 2010
Founder	H&M Group
Headquarters	Stockholm, Sweden
Area Served (Orders)	Austria, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden
Revenue	USD 67.7 million (2020)
Number of Monthly Visits	Circa 1 million (2021)
Website	www.afound.com
Setup Cost	None
Commission	Category-based percentage (circa 20%)
Other Costs	None
Payment	Every Monday, for all orders made 21-27 days earlie
Product Categories	Fashion (prêt-à-porter, shoes, accessories, sport), home, interior, beauty, and more
Input Language	English (with localized titles, descriptions, etc.)
Input Currency	DKK, EUR, SEK
Content Creation	Yes

 

Main Markets:

• Afound primarily operates in several European countries, with its headquarters located in Stockholm, Sweden.
• The countries where Afound actively serves orders include Austria, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden.
• The marketplace has a significant online presence and also operates a chain of physical stores.

Target Audience:

• The primary target audience of Afound includes consumers who are interested in fashion and lifestyle products.
• The platform caters to shoppers looking for discounted products from well-known brands. This includes items from all H&M Group brands as well as a variety of external brands.
• Afound’s audience is likely to be price-conscious shoppers who are seeking quality products at reduced prices.
• The marketplace offers a wide range of products in categories such as fashion (including prêt-à-porter, shoes, and accessories), sportswear, home and interior, and beauty products.

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Account Opening

Required Information and Documents for Afound Marketplace:

Company Registration Details:

• VAT number.
• Registration at the Netherlands Chamber of Commerce (KVK).
• Legal company name and address.

Bank Account Information:

• Bank account details for payment purposes.

Business and Contact Information:

• Contact details of the main contact person (name, email, phone number).
• Company profile including size, history, and product range.

Product Information:

• Detailed product data, including EANs (European Article Number).  High-quality product images.
• Product descriptions and specifications.

Shipping and Return Policy:

• Information regarding shipping methods, times, costs, and return policies.

Customer Service Information:

•   Details about customer support capabilities, including language support (English is required).

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Supported Types of Companies

Afound Marketplace seems to be open to a variety of company types, provided they meet the following criteria:

•  Companies that can sell collections from the previous or current season.
•  Retailers with the capability to provide after-sales customer support in English. 
• Businesses capable of shipping products within five business days.

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Account Approval Process and Duration

Application Submission:

•   Interested sellers need to submit an application with all required information and documents.

Review by Afound:

•   Afound reviews the application to ensure compliance with their requirements.

Account Set-Up:

•   If approved, sellers are guided through the process of setting up their account, including product listings and shipping settings.

Integration and Testing:

•   Integration with Afound’s systems and testing to ensure everything functions correctly.

Approval and Launch:

•   Final approval is given, and the seller’s products go live on the marketplace.

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Warnings/Notes

Common Errors and Solutions

1. Product Listing Issues:

•   Error: Incorrect product categorization, missing or inaccurate product details.
•   Solution: Double-check product information before listing. Use accurate, detailed descriptions and categorize products correctly.

2. Pricing and Discount Errors:

•   Error: Incorrect pricing or discount rates, leading to either overcharging or underselling.
•   Solution: Regularly review and update pricing and discount information to ensure accuracy.

3. Order Processing Delays:

•   Error: Delays in processing orders due to technical issues or mismanagement.
•   Solution: Implement efficient order management systems and regularly monitor order processing workflows.

4. Payment Processing Issues:

•   Error: Problems with payment gateways, resulting in failed transactions.
•   Solution: Use reliable payment gateways and have backup options. Regularly update and test payment systems.

5. Shipping and Fulfillment Errors:

•   Error: Delays in shipping, incorrect shipping information.
•   Solution: Use trustworthy shipping services, provide accurate shipping information, and track shipments.

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IP Address and Other Technical Issues

1. IP Address Conflicts:

•   Issue: Overlapping or conflicting IP addresses within the network.
•   Solution: Ensure unique IP addresses are assigned to avoid conflicts.

2. Website Downtime:

•   Issue: Website becomes inaccessible due to server issues or maintenance.
•   Solution: Use reliable hosting services, schedule maintenance during off-peak hours, and provide advance notice to users.

3. Slow Website Performance:

•   Issue: Website loads slowly, affecting user experience.
•   Solution: Optimize website content, use content delivery networks (CDNs), and upgrade hosting solutions if necessary.

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Security Tips and Fraud Prevention Measures

 

1. Secure Payment Processing:

•   Tip: Implement secure payment gateways with encryption and fraud detection.
•   Measure: Regularly update payment systems and conduct security audits.

2. Strong Authentication:

•   Tip: Use multi-factor authentication for user accounts.
•   Measure: Educate users about the importance of strong passwords and authentication methods.

3. Regular Software Updates:

•   Tip: Keep all software, including CMS and plugins, updated to the latest versions.
•   Measure: Schedule regular updates and security patches.

4. Monitor and Respond to Suspicious Activities:

•   Tip: Implement systems to detect and alert on suspicious activities.
•   Measure: Have a response plan in place for security incidents.

5. Educate Users About Phishing and Scams:

•   Tip: Provide information and warnings about common scams and phishing techniques.
•   Measure: Regularly update users on new types of online fraud and prevention strategies.

6. Data Privacy Compliance:

•   Tip: Adhere to data privacy laws like GDPR.
•   Measure: Implement policies for data collection, storage, and processing that comply with legal requirements.

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Marketplace Costs

Account Opening Fees:

•   There are no specific account opening fees mentioned for sellers on the Afound marketplace. This suggests that joining the platform might be free of initial setup costs.

Commission Rates:

•   Afound charges a commission on sales made through their platform. This commission is category- based and typically around 20%.
•   However, exact rates may vary depending on the product category and other factors.
•   It is important for potential sellers to directly inquire with Afound for the most current and specific commission rates for their product categories.

Other Expenses:

•   While there are no setup costs, sellers on Afound are responsible for other operational expenses, such as shipping and handling, returns, and customer service.
•   Afound does not seem to charge additional fees beyond the commission rate, but it’s advisable for sellers to verify any potential hidden costs or additional expenses.

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Logistics

Partnered Logistics Companies:

• The details about the logistics companies partnered with Afound for shipping and delivery services are not explicitly mentioned. Typically, marketplaces partner with various logistics providers to cater to different regions and types of products, but specific names were not provided in the available resources.

VAT and Other Tax Obligations:

• While the guide does not specify tax obligations, it’s important to note that sellers are generally responsible for understanding and complying with the tax regulations of the countries they operate in. This includes VAT and other relevant taxes. In the European Union, for instance, VAT obligations can vary based on the country of the seller and the buyer. Sellers on Afound would need to consider the tax laws of the specific countries they are selling to and may need to register for VAT in those countries.

Country-Specific Logistics Arrangements:

• The guide does not detail country-specific logistics arrangements. However, it is common for marketplaces to have different logistics arrangements based on the country due to varying local regulations, shipping costs, and delivery infrastructure. Sellers typically need to understand and comply with these arrangements, including shipping times, costs, and return policies, which may vary from country to country.

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Warehouse Management

Local Warehouses:

•  Afound does not explicitly mention having local warehouses in specific countries. They operate both online and through physical stores in several European countries,   suggesting a presence of local distribution centers or partnerships in those regions.
•  Retailers and brands selling on Afound are responsible for their own warehousing and shipping logistics.

International Warehouse Options:

•   Afound allows international sellers to list their products on the marketplace. However, they do not provide a detailed breakdown of international warehouse options.
•   Sellers are required to manage their own warehouses and shipping arrangements, whether they are local or international.

Direct Shipping Options and Conditions from Turkey:

•   Afound does not provide specific guidelines for shipping from Turkey on their website or the ChannelEngine support page.
•   General requirements for sellers include the ability to ship products within five business days and to provide after-sales customer support in English.
•   The responsibility for managing shipping, including choosing shipping carriers and covering shipping costs, lies with the sellers. This applies to sellers shipping from Türkiye as well.
•   It’s important for sellers to comply with all relevant import/export regulations and customs requirements when shipping internationally, including from Turkey to Afound’s primary markets in Europe.

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ShopiVerse Dashboard: Marketplace Processes

1. Product Management and Listing
2. Order Management and Customer Services Reporting and Analysis Tools