XIANYU, Alibaba’s secondhand trading platform, has launched its first-ever flagship store in Shenzhen, and it’s part marketplace, part playground.

Located at the Tianmian International Cultural and Creative Town in Futian District, the store is designed to attract young shoppers with a mix of curated secondhand goods, interactive zones, and AI-powered resale services — all rolled into one immersive retail experience.

The store features two distinct models for customers.

For consignment, patrons can bring in pre-owned items they wish to sell. Staff can use Xianyu’s AI-powered pricing tool to provide a real-time market estimate. Once the owner agrees, the item is listed both in-store and on the Xianyu online platform. Proceeds from a sale are transferred directly to the seller’s Alipay account. Any item remaining unsold after two months can either be reclaimed by the owner or automatically donated.

For a quicker transaction, the store also offers a direct trade-in option for electronics such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops, which are purchased outright by the store following a professional evaluation.

The service maintains clear quality standards: clothing must be in season and in good condition, while accessories should ideally be new with tags. For safety and hygiene reasons, the store does not accept food, alcohol, dietary supplements, or undergarments.

Every item in store is also posted on Xianyu’s platform, reaching its 600 million users. Prices are set using real-time data. In the first month, items are listed at the high end of the estimated range. Discounts kick in during the second month.

Shoppers can also post what they’re hunting for on a “wishlist wall,” adding a layer of community matchmaking to the process.

More than a resale store, the flagship is designed to be fun.

Guests can engage in a variety of hands-on activities such as operating a mini excavator to dig for discounts, dressing up in cosplay costumes for photo opportunities, experimenting with 3D printing technology, building custom LEGO sets, or engaging in friendly foam dart battles.

Many of the items used in these experiences — from the 3D printers and LEGO to collectibles and game sets — are also available for purchase, allowing visitors to take the fun home with them.                            (Cynthia Song)

Where to find it

Add: No. 31 Zhenhua West Road, Tianmian International Cultural and Creative Town, Futian District (福田区振华西路31号田面国际文创小镇)

Metro: Line 2, 10, 11 or 14 to Gangxia North Station (岗厦北站), Exit 15