Last month, Designer Exchange opened its latest store at 141 Grainger Street in Newcastle. The store features a curated selection of handbags, accessories and ready-to-wear from brands including Prada, Gucci, Louis Vuitton and Miu Miu.
The new store forms part of the company’s ongoing expansion strategy, joining existing Designer Exchange locations in London’s Knightsbridge, Manchester, Birmingham, Cheshire Oaks and Madrid. Another store is set to open in Barcelona on 31 July.
All of Designer Exchange’s stock comes directly from its customers, and CEO Dominic Durante prefers to keep the company’s ‘buy, sell and exchange’ model simple. It is a strategy that is clearly working. He tells us all about it.
How would you best describe the Designer Exchange business and where is your HQ?
Designer Exchange is a business built around buying, selling and exchanging pre-loved luxury. From Hermès handbags and Louis Vuitton trainers to Cartier Love bangles and ready-to-wear, we offer a broad range of authenticated luxury products across different brands, styles and price points.
Our headquarters are based at 191 Brompton Road in Knightsbridge, London, which is also home to our flagship store. What really sets us apart is our physical retail presence. We currently operate stores across the UK and Spain, which allows customers to see, touch and try on products before they buy. In a category such as pre-loved luxury, that level of trust and reassurance is incredibly important.
We’ve also always believed in offering customers instant payment. Rather than operating on a consignment model, we buy items outright, taking on the risk ourselves and providing sellers with immediate cash or a higher value exchange voucher.
How long has Designer Exchange been established and where and when have you opened your stores?
Designer Exchange was established in 2013, with our first store opening in Knightsbridge, just around the corner from where our flagship store is today. As the business has evolved, we’ve opened stores in a number of locations across the UK, with some coming and going as we’ve refined our strategy. Previous locations have included Leeds, Kensington, Chelsea and Ashford.
Today, we operate stores in Knightsbridge, Birmingham, Manchester, Cheshire Oaks, Newcastle and Madrid. We’re also excited to be opening our second Spanish store in Barcelona this month, with further expansion plans in the pipeline.
Where do you source your curated selection of handbags, accessories and ready-to-wear from designer brands?
All of our stock comes directly from our customers. We purchase items outright from individuals within our community who are looking to sell their luxury pieces. That means our inventory is constantly evolving and gives us the opportunity to offer customers a broad mix of brands, styles and price points.
How does your business model work?
Our model is simple: buy, sell and exchange. Customers can either visit one of our stores or sell to us online. Once we receive an item, our team carries out quality checks and authentication before making an offer. Once purchased, items are photographed, listed online and distributed across our stores ready for resale.
How have you grown the business since launching?
The business has changed considerably since we launched in 2013. We’ve expanded into new cities, entered international markets and undergone two rebrands as the business has matured. Stores have come and gone over the years as we’ve adapted our approach, but some things have remained constant such as the buy, sell and exchange model and always offering instant payment.
We’ve also always believed in the importance of physical retail. Looking back, those principles have served us well and continue to underpin the way we approach growth today.
How do you intend to grow the business further going forward?
We’re excited about the opportunities ahead. Our focus remains on continuing to expand the business while staying true to the model that has helped us grow over the last 13 years. We’re encouraged by the response we’ve seen in Spain and continue to see opportunities, both within our existing markets and further afield as we bring the Designer Exchange proposition to new customers.
Who are your main competitors and how do stay ahead of the re-sale game?
There are a number of independent omnichannel retailers operating within our space and the big marketplaces like Vinted and eBay compete in terms of the sheer volume of luxury products available. In contrast to traditional models, we acquire inventory directly to provide sellers with immediate liquidity. For consumers, we offer a seamless bricks-and-mortar shopping experience heavily anchored by our ‘Double Lock Guarantee’, a strict authentication process that ensures absolute product integrity.
We’ve always tried to maintain the luxury experience without creating an environment that feels intimidating or exclusive. Equally, we don’t just focus on the biggest brands or the highest value products. Whether someone is looking for an item at £50 or £50,000, we want them to feel welcome and to have confidence that they’ll find something that suits both their style and budget.
Do you also have a strong presence online?
Yes, although our physical stores remain central to the business and are what really differentiates us. In pre-loved luxury, customers often want to inspect an item and understand its condition before making a purchase. Having stores gives people that confidence and helps build trust in the buying experience.
Does social media play an important part in growing the business? If so, which channels work the best for you?
Absolutely. While we don’t rely solely on social media, it has played an important role in driving awareness, building trust and showcasing the breadth of our offering. Instagram remains our strongest platform and aligns closely with our audience, while TikTok allows us to showcase more of our culture and the people behind the business. Employee generated content and store-led content continue to perform particularly well for us, as customers increasingly want to engage with the people and personalities behind the brand.
Is Cheshire Oaks the only outlet store location? Why open there in particular?
Yes, Cheshire Oaks is currently our only outlet location. It was a natural fit for us as it’s the largest designer outlet in the UK, with over 140 stores and a strong mix of luxury and premium brands. Importantly, it offers customers a full-day destination rather than simply a shopping trip, which helps drive significant footfall and attracts visitors from across the country.
How come you have a store in Madrid?
Opening in Madrid wasn’t initially our preferred option. We originally felt that cities such as Paris or Milan might be stronger choices given their global reputation in luxury fashion. However, our sister company, CeX, already had a significant presence in Spain, which gave us access to established infrastructure, local market knowledge and operational support. That made Madrid a very attractive opportunity and reduced many of the challenges associated with entering a new market.
Looking back, it has proven to be an excellent decision. The Madrid store has been a real success for us, validating both the market opportunity and our approach. As a result, we’re excited to continue our expansion in Spain with the opening of our second store in Barcelona this month.
Spain has become an important growth market for Designer Exchange and we’re very encouraged by the response we’ve seen from customers there. Beyond Spain, further expansion into other European countries is something we’re excited about in the not-too-distant future as we continue to grow the brand and bring our offering to new markets.
Who would you say is your real target market?
It might sound like a cliché, but we genuinely believe luxury should be accessible to everyone. One of our key brand messages is making luxury accessible to all, so we aim to offer something for every style and every budget. That’s something that’s been important to us since the beginning and continues to shape the way we approach the business.
Do customers get good value for money with Designer Exchange pricing?
Yes, both buyers and sellers benefit from the model. For buyers, we use our internal data and market insights to price competitively and ensure products are positioned to sell within a reasonable timeframe. For sellers, immediate payment removes much of the hassle and uncertainty associated with selling luxury goods privately. Those choosing an exchange voucher receive even greater value, allowing them to trade into something else within our inventory.
Where can we expect you to open more stores soon?
We don’t want to say too much at this stage, but we can confirm that, as well as Barcelona, we plan to open a store in Glasgow this year. Beyond that, watch this space.
What are your current best-selling designer brands and what particular products are really hot right now?
Louis Vuitton consistently stands out as our ultimate powerhouse brand, dominating both total sales value and overall volume. While it leads the charge, our broader top tier for handbags remains a star-studded lineup of legacy houses, rounded out by Gucci, Chanel, Mulberry and Christian Dior.
In terms of shifting trends, we are seeing immense demand for vintage Louis Vuitton ‘Monogram’ pieces. We’ve also witnessed a fascinating spike in the secondary market value of Chloé ‘Paddington’ bags, sparked by Chloé reintroducing the iconic style on their recent runways. It’s a perfect example of how quickly first-hand retail shifts inject new energy and value into the resale market. What makes the resale space so rewarding is this constant evolution; heritage and archival pieces are regularly rediscovered, finding passionate new audiences as modern tastes circle back.
Why did you choose Newcastle for the newest Designer Exchange location?
Newcastle was a natural choice for us. It’s a city with an incredible energy, a rich cultural identity, and a community that genuinely loves and understands style. North East shoppers have a fantastic eye for fashion, but they are also incredibly smart consumers and, let’s be honest, Geordies love a bargain! We wanted to bring the physical experience of Designer Exchange right into the centre of the ‘Toon’, introducing brands to the city that can be hard to find physically, from Chanel and Hermès to Louis Vuitton, Prada and Miu Miu. But we aren’t stuffy or exclusive.
We are warm, welcoming, and open to everyone, offering authentic, high quality luxury goods at affordable prices. It’s about making premium fashion accessible, letting people touch and feel the pieces, and giving such unique items a ‘well deserved’ second home.
What can customers expect when they walk through the doors of the Newcastle store?
An elevated yet completely down to earth experience. We want to demystify luxury. Whether you have £70 to spend on a sleek pair of sunglasses or a fun accessory, or you’ve saved up £15,000 for a ‘holygrail’ Hermès piece, there is absolutely something here for you. We cater to every single taste, style and budget.
Whether you are a seasoned collector looking to sell a piece to fund your next purchase, or someone buying their very first designer handbag to celebrate a milestone, our team is there to guide you. When you walk through our doors, expect a welcoming space with an ever-changing inventory, and a passionate team that loves fashion just as much as our customers do.
How do you see the evolution of the pre-loved luxury market right now?
Pre-loved luxury is no longer an alternative, it’s the first choice. Shopping secondhand is now a badge of honour that proves you’re a smart, stylish and a sustainable consumer. However, with the market booming online, buyers are constantly dodging counterfeits and scammers. That’s where we come in. Our bricks-and-mortar stores are built on absolute trust.
Our expert authenticators meticulously vet every single piece before it hits the floor, so you get the thrill of finding a unique gem with none of the anxiety. We’re proving that you can offer affordable, circular fashion without ever sacrificing the premium boutique experience.