How It Works
Everything you need to launch branded resale
From business model to store operations — here's how Circular helps you go from idea to live resale program.
How It Works
The business model
A consignment-based model designed to be low-risk and easy to launch. Start small and manual to test the waters — if the pilot shows signs of success, scale, integrate, and automate.
Post-sale flow: If unsold, seller is notified and has a pickup window. Uncollected items can be donated or discounted — you decide the policy.
The Platform
The operating system for resale
Circular replaces manual spreadsheets and fragmented tools with one AI-powered platform that handles everything — from intake to payout.
AI-Powered Intake
One photo = one product. AI auto-categorizes, extracts attributes, and suggests pricing. Reduce listing time from minutes to seconds.
Product Catalogue Integration
Connect your existing product catalogue so resale items are matched to your original products — with correct names, images, and taxonomy.
Shopify & POS Sync
Real-time two-way sync with Shopify and POS systems like Zettle, Square, and Extenda GO. Resale items appear in your existing shop.
Seller Portal
Self-serve bookings, real-time item tracking, notifications, and payouts. 70–90% fewer seller inquiries.
Automated Notifications
Drop-off reminders, sold-item alerts, pickup reminders, payout confirmations — all automatic.
Analytics & Reporting
Real-time dashboards, sell-through rates, best sellers, and one-click exports. Know what's working.
Pay As You Go
Free below $1,000 monthly resale revenue. No fixed subscription, no lock-in, cancel anytime. Pricing scales with your success.
The Full Flow
The seller journey
A seamless experience for your customers — from awareness to payout. Powered by automation, so your team can focus on what matters.
Awareness
You market the resale program through email, social media, in-store signage, and your website.
Sign-Up & Appointment
Your resale landing page points customers to Circular where they create an account and book a drop-off appointment online.
Preparation
Sellers receive automated reminders with info about the drop-off: what's accepted, condition requirements, and what to expect.
Drop-Off & AI Intake
Quality check in-store. Approved items are photographed — AI auto-categorizes, suggests pricing, and syncs to your Shopify store and POS in seconds.
Sales Period
Items are live on your online store and visible in-store via POS. Sellers track everything in their personal Seller Portal with instant notifications when items sell.
After the Sales Period
Sellers are notified of unsold items and have a pickup window. Uncollected items follow your chosen policy (donation, discount, etc.).
Payout
Earnings are calculated automatically. Sellers receive their share as store credit, gift card, or bank transfer — you decide the payout options.
Brand Standards
Quality assured by your brand
Every item goes through an in-store or warehouse quality check before it enters your resale inventory. Your brand, your standards.
Items that don't meet quality criteria are turned away at intake to avoid operational cost of handling items that won't sell.
Customer-Facing
Your resale landing page
We help you create a branded landing page that clearly explains the program and drives sign-ups. It should cover:
- How it works (step-by-step)
- What you accept (categories, condition rules, quality criteria)
- Commission split & timelines
- How sellers get paid
- Booking a drop-off appointment
- FAQs (what if my item doesn't sell, when will I get paid, etc.)
Call-to-Action
“Start reselling” — links into Circular where customers create an account and book a drop-off.
Go-to-Market
Marketing & communication
Activate your audience and loyal customers through multiple channels.
Email Newsletter
Announce the launch of your branded resale program to your existing customer base.
Social Media
Share visuals of products getting a "second life" on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.
Website Banner
Add a banner on your main site linking to the resale landing page.
In-Store Signage
Place signs at the drop-off desk explaining the program to walk-in customers.
PR & Media
Pitch the story to fashion, lifestyle, and sustainability media for earned coverage.
Your Team
Store team training
Your in-store team is your most important asset in communicating the resale concept to customers — and customers love to hear it. We make sure staff know exactly how to handle intake and customer questions.
- How to perform quality checks
- How to use the Circular system to intake items
- How to print labels and attach correctly
- How to explain the process to sellers
- How to handle edge cases (e.g., items rejected at intake)
Operations
Logistics & operations
We help you set up the physical infrastructure needed for a smooth resale operation.
Intake Area Setup
- Clear signage for drop-off
- Space for sorting & quality check
- Label printer & tablet nearby
Photo Area Setup
- Ring light + rack or mannequin
- Consistent backdrop for product photos
Storage
- Backroom storage with organized shelving for consignment items
- Clear labeling system for easy retrieval
Shipping (for online orders)
- Packaging materials and process
- Tracking and returns handling
Data & Insights
Metrics to track
Monitor your resale performance with real-time dashboards. Understand what's working, optimize your program, and report on sustainability impact.
- Sell-through rate
- Average days on shelf
- Average sales price
- Total items sold
- Total paid out to sellers
- Total store credit spent / converted
- Sustainability impact (CO2 / water saved)
Plus: track social media engagement and in-store reception to understand how the program is welcomed by your community.
The Operating System for Resale
Profitable resale with Circular
Circular removes the manual work, eliminates inconsistencies, and gives your brand a scalable way to run resale — online and in-store. Start for free.
Talk to us
Let's discuss how branded resale could work for your brand.
Book a demoEinar Michaelsen
Founder @ Circular