Arkived. Because
Why did products end up on Arkive?
try before you pay full price
Even though smaller brands may not be as prone to overproducing as larger brands, they can still encounter challenges in their sales and operations due to their ambitious plans and slower sell-through rates. Additionally, these brands may lack awareness of their decision-making throughout the entire supply chain. For example, if they sell their stock to a retailer like Sephora, but Sephora is unable to sell out the inventory. Is it really sold out?
Arkive plays a vital role in educating and supporting these brands to avoid such concerns as they grow, while also providing solutions for reselling their unsold inventory.
reaching expiration date
Cosmetic products have expiration dates, just like food. But sometimes, these dates are also used as marketing tactics to encourage consumers to buy more. At Arkive, we understand this, and we accept cosmetic products for reselling or repurposing, taking into account the timeline. For instance, if the products are still safe to use for another 6 months (or even 1 year, considering marketing dates), we transparently resell them with this information. However, if the products are no longer safe for use, we accept them for repurposing, ensuring they are diverted from waste and given a new purpose.
catalogue discontinuation
Similar to the fashion industry, beauty brands often don't sell the same products repeatedly. This is partly to keep consumers engaged and excited, encouraging them to make more purchases. Additionally, products may be discontinued due to changing trends, reformulation, or updated packaging.
limited editions
Limited Editions are designed to be sold for a short period of time, as the name suggests, to create a sense of exclusivity. This could be in the form of collaborations with influencers or trials of new products. Once they lose their novelty, they are often phased out from the market to make room for new, more exciting offerings.
flaws
At Arkive, part of our collection is products with packaging errors, typically resulting from transportation or handling mishaps. This could include damaged boxes or minor flaws in the plastic packaging of the actual product. To ensure transparency, we always provide pictures of the flaws on our product pages, so our customers are aware of any imperfections beforehand.
cancelled pre-series
Pre-series refers to products or product lines that are cancelled before being marketed to consumers. This could occur due to a brand changing its marketing strategy, or changes in product formulation or packaging. These products or lines never make it to the consumer market and may be discontinued for various reasons.
cancelled or returned B2B orders (touched the shelf)
Beauty products are typically sold in retail chains such as department stores or specialty beauty retailers, rather than brand-specific stores. Unfortunately, there are instances where retailers have to cancel orders, often due to financial difficulties, as we have seen during the global pandemic like Corona. This has resulted in billions of color cosmetics going to waste. Moreover, retailers receive new stock quarterly, and they often demand the full range of a collection. However, when these products don't sell (e.g., foundation with dark skin tones in an effort to promote inclusivity), it leads to constant waste of stock. Even if these products are never used and only touched the shelf, companies often destroy them due to hygienic reasons. This highlights the ongoing issue of wastage in the beauty industry, where products that are perfectly usable are discarded, leading to significant environmental impact.
cancelled B2C orders
As consumers, we also play a significant role in the issue of beauty product wastage. Often, we order multiple colors or sizes, thinking we need them during our monthly pay-check, only to later return them. Unfortunately, once these products have been at our homes or touched, they are typically destroyed by default due to hygiene reasons. It's essential for consumers to shop wisely and be mindful of the impact of returns on product wastage. Whenever possible, it's recommended to test products offline and then search for the best price online, to help reduce unnecessary returns and minimize waste. Let's make thoughtful choices as consumers to contribute towards a more sustainable beauty industry.
