Tracking Your Best-Selling Brands to Source More of What Works

Ask any seasoned vintage seller how they consistently make sales — chances are, they know exactly which brands work for their shop and which don’t.

The truth is, you can’t stock everything. And guessing isn’t scalable. To build a profitable, sustainable vintage business, you need to lean into what’s already working — and that starts with tracking your best-selling brands.

Here’s how to do it.

1. Look Beyond Top-Line Revenue

Sure, a Chanel flap bag might sell for more than a vintage Gucci wallet — but what was the profit margin? How long did it take to sell?

• A €600 sale that took 3 months might be less valuable than a €200 item that sold in 3 days — especially if you can repeat it.
  
  

Always compare profit and sell-through speed.

Track by Brand, But Also by Subcategory

Not all Chanel or Hermès pieces perform the same.

• Chanel sunglasses might fly off your shelves, while certain Chanel shoes linger.
  
  
• Hermès scarves could outsell belts in your particular market.
  
  

Break it down: brand → product type → price tier → time to sell. Patterns will emerge quickly.

3. Create a “Buy Again” List

Once you identify your top performers, make sourcing them a priority.

• Build a shortlist of brands and categories you want to restock regularly.
  
  
• Share this list with your suppliers so they can help you look.
  
  
• Use it to guide your auction bids, sourcing trips, and online searches.
  
  

Watch for Shifts in Demand

Even your best-sellers can fluctuate over time.

• Monitor whether certain brands are trending or losing steam.
  
  
• Stay alert to external signals — celebrity styling, seasonal changes, or market saturation.
  
  

Don’t cling to past success if the data suggests a shift.

5. Compare by Platform

A brand that performs well on Instagram might not do as well on eBay or Vestiaire.

• Tailor your sourcing strategy based on where your buyers are shopping.
  
  
• Some brands may carry prestige in one space and feel overexposed in another.
  
  

Vintage resale isn’t just about finding beautiful pieces, it’s about finding pieces that sell well for you. Tracking your best-performing brands over time allows you to source more intentionally, waste less money on inventory that lingers, and grow your sales with confidence.

Many sellers use Oly to automatically track sell-through rate, profit margin, and days to sell by brand — so they know what to restock and what to skip before they even start sourcing.

https://www.oly-platform.com/contact

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