Vestiaire Collective bets on AI with new tech leadership

Vestiaire Collective, the French platform specializing in second-hand luxury fashion, is ramping up its efforts in artificial intelligence under the leadership of its new CEO, Bernard Osta. Six months after taking office, Osta has begun reorganizing the product and technology teams to accelerate the integration of AI into the company's operations.

The company, which employs 600 people, announced the appointment of two executives from within its ranks to lead these key functions. Thomas Hézard, who has been with the company since 2019, will head the product management after serving as director of strategy and human resources. Rémi Bouchez, who spent eight years in the technical teams, has been promoted to chief technology officer and will join the executive committee. Both executives will be based in Paris and will report directly to senior management. Bernard Osta expressed his satisfaction with these appointments, highlighting their crucial role in advancing the company's innovation agenda.

This reorganization comes amid a rapidly expanding second-hand market, particularly in the luxury segment. Faced with competitors like Vinted, which set high standards in terms of volume and user experience, Vestiaire Collective sees AI as a key lever to improve its operational efficiency and customer experience. Artificial intelligence is becoming a decisive factor for enhancing operational efficiency and improving customer experience, but it also requires an execution strategy that demands an adapted product and technology organization.

Specifically, Vestiaire Collective is working on several components. “AI operates at both ends of our value chain: simplifying the selling process and enhancing product discovery. It is a key lever to lower entry barriers and accelerate our growth,” explains Bernard Osta. AI is being deployed to simplify the process of listing products, aiming to increase the volume of new items published, currently around 30,000 per day. Additionally, AI is used to refine product discovery through personalized recommendations, leveraging a catalog of over 6 million items. An internal AI agent also assists product teams in real-time analysis of customer feedback to adjust the user experience.

With annual recurring revenues of approximately 200 million euros, Vestiaire Collective is close to profitability. However, to reach a new milestone, the company needs to increase its productivity and volume. The reorganization of the product and technology teams, entrusted to experienced profiles, aims to support this acceleration dynamic. It also occurs in a context of change within the company, marked by the departure of Fanny Moizant, a prominent co-founder, leaving Sophie Hersan as the only founder still in an operational role. Bernard Osta is betting on AI to evolve Vestiaire Collective in a rapidly changing market.