Walmart‘s ‘Wirkin’ handbags were a viral sensation over the holidays but the coveted bags are no longer available.
The reason for this It coincides with the retail giant announcing a partnership with a luxury second-hand handbag supplier, which sells the real Birkin bag.
Soon, Rebag’s offerings will be available on Walmart Marketplace, an area of the website for third-party sellers that resembles how Amazon sells goods.
Walmart customers will get access to thousands of vintage or used high-end designer handbags as well as watches and accessories.
Brands featured on Rebag include Hermès, the creator of the iconic Birkin bag, as well as Louis Vuitton, Chanel and Gucci.
During the holiday season, Walmart launched its own $80 version of the Birkin, which quickly gained popularity and was dubbed the Wirkin.
Birkin bags are widely regarded as symbols of status and wealth, with prices starting at $10,000 and ultra-limited editions fetching up to $400,000.
Known for their investment potential, these bags have appreciated in value by 500 percent over the last 35 years, outperforming both the S&P 500 and gold, according to Forbes.
Walmart’s strikingly similar Wirkin bags came in a range of colors including olive, black, elephant gray, emerald green, ivory white.
However, they have now been pulled from the Walmart website as the new Rebag deal was announced.
Shoppers reacted, with one sayd: ‘Gutted. These bags were awesome. I had two and wanted to get a third’.
‘Honestly, my mum could not tell the difference. I mean most people knew it was fake but they still looked great. I was hoping they would do other good dupes,’ another wrote.
As well as Hermes and its Birkin, Rebag sells pre-loved pieces from brands such as Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Gucci and Christian Dior.
The private company will offer Walmart customers exclusive access to around 100 of its current items at a time.
‘We’re launching a new resale luxury experience on the platform which will make it super easy and inspirational for fashion enthusiasts to come and shop across these brands,’ Michael Mosser, Walmart’s vice president of Marketplace said of the deal.
‘This strategic move amplifies Walmart’s ongoing efforts to introduce customers to emerging categories and brands,’ a Walmart spokesperson added.
‘The result has been a robust e-commerce growth trajectory, with more than 30% sales surge in each of the past five quarters for Walmart Marketplace.’
Walmart’s move in to the luxury brands space reflects its the increased inroads it has made with higher income shoppers after years of inflation.
Luxury goods expert Dr. Daniel Langer said that Walmart’s deal with Rebag marks a shift in the luxury goods sector.
‘The more luxury brands increase prices, the more they fuel the pre-owned market both in supply and demand,’ Langer explained.
‘I see Walmart’s partnership with Rebag as a significant indicator of the ongoing paradigm shift in the luxury market and consumer expectations and behavior.
Langer argued there is a growing acceptance that second-hand luxury goods are ‘a ‘more accessible avenue into the luxury market.’
‘Walmart’s move, following Amazon’s earlier entry into pre-owned luxury, signals that the generational shift is now manifesting in retail channels,’ he added.
Meanwhile, it merged today that Walmart store managers can earn up to $620,000 a year.
Once all of Walmart’s changes have kicked it, regional managers could earn between $420,000 and $620,000 if they receive full bonuses this year.
The new salaries mark a major raise compared to the $320,000 to $570,000 salaries for regional managers in 2023.
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