Vinted, the popular second-hand marketplace, recently faced criticism over changes to its delivery options. The update caused user dissatisfaction as accessibility to courier choices became limited. In response, Vinted reverted the app to its previous settings, enhancing user autonomy. The changes align with Vinted’s continuous evolution strategy. Financially, Vinted demonstrates substantial growth, reflecting its market resilience.
On August 5, Vinted faced backlash from some of its 16 million UK users over a modification that restricted access to a list of potential courier services, including Evri, Yodel, InPost, DPD, and Royal Mail. This change led to criticism on social media as users accused Vinted of concealing the courier selection feature on its app.
Vinted allows buyers to choose their preferred courier service; however, this is dependent on the options provided by the seller, often influenced by local InPost locker availability or the presence of label printers. Following the uproar, Vinted reverted the app’s settings, ensuring users could once again freely select from the available courier services.
A Vinted spokesperson stated, “We regularly test and trial different things to evolve Vinted. Recently, we made some changes that meant some of our members had a different experience with managing their shipping options. We heard the feedback and confirm the shipping options have returned to their previous settings, there are no further actions needed from the members.”
Founded in Lithuania in 2008, Vinted has expanded its reach, boasting 65 million users across 21 countries. The company’s strategic shift in 2016, from seller fees to buyers’ protection fees, significantly propelled its growth, as noted by Marianne Gybels, Vinted’s Senior Sustainability Director.
Financially, Vinted has demonstrated robust growth, with a 61% increase in year-on-year revenue, amounting to €596.3m (£509m), and a net profit of €17.8m (£15.2m) reported in its latest financial results. This marks a significant recovery from a net loss of €20.4m (£17.4m) in 2022, underscoring the brand’s strong market position.
Vinted’s adaptive strategies and response to feedback underscore its commitment to both user satisfaction and market growth.
