Who Owns Vinted?

Vinted has established itself as a leader in the circular economy and sustainable fashion movement, promoting secondhand consumption as an environmentally responsible alternative to fast fashion.

Circular Economy Leadership: Vinted's core business model supports circular economy principles by facilitating the reuse and resale of clothing and other goods. In 2025, Vinted users saved €21.6 billion on fashion compared to retail prices, paying on average 72% less than the original price. According to company data, 65% of users report that at least a quarter of their wardrobe consists of secondhand items.

Environmental Impact: By promoting secondhand shopping, Vinted contributes to reduced water consumption, lower carbon emissions, and decreased textile waste. The platform enables millions of users to extend product lifecycles, reducing demand for new production and diverting garments from landfills.

Sustainable Consumer Behavior: Vinted actively encourages sustainable consumption through platform design and community features. Users who sell items often become buyers themselves, creating a virtuous cycle of circular economy participation.

Partnerships and Initiatives: Vinted collaborates with public figures and organizations to promote sustainable fashion. The company has worked with celebrities like Paul Mescal and Alexa Chung on exclusive wardrobe sales and partnered with Oxfam on initiatives like the Style for Change fashion show at London Fashion Week.

2025 Impact Report: Vinted publishes an annual Impact Report detailing the environmental and social benefits of its platform. The 2025 report highlighted the €21.6 billion in savings for users and the platform's role in normalizing secondhand shopping across mainstream consumers.

Ethical Marketplace Practices: Vinted maintains policies against counterfeit goods, guidelines for appropriate content, and measures to protect user safety. The platform faces ongoing challenges in content moderation and fraud prevention, requiring continuous improvement of governance frameworks.

Vinted has received significant recognition for its innovative business model, rapid growth, and contribution to the circular economy movement.

• Lithuania's First Technology Unicorn (2019): Vinted achieved unicorn status after raising €128 million at a €1 billion valuation, making it the first technology unicorn from Lithuania
• France's Top Clothing Retailer (2024): Vinted was recognized as France's top clothing retailer by sales volume, demonstrating the mainstream acceptance of secondhand fashion
• €8 Billion Valuation (2026): In April 2026, Vinted completed a €880 million secondary share sale at an €8 billion valuation, with the round significantly oversubscribed and attracting investors including EQT Growth, Schroders Capital, BlackRock, and Teachers' Venture Growth
• 2025 Financial Performance: Vinted reported €1.1 billion in revenue (up 38% YoY) and €10.8 billion in GMV (up 47% YoY), demonstrating the scalability of the secondhand marketplace model
• 26-Country Expansion: Vinted expanded to Latvia, Estonia, and Slovenia in 2025, bringing its total to 26 countries and strengthening its position as Europe's largest secondhand marketplace

Vinted has faced several controversies and regulatory challenges, particularly related to data protection compliance, platform safety, and user account management.

GDPR Compliance Fines (2024): Vinted faced coordinated scrutiny from European data protection authorities in France, Lithuania, and Poland regarding GDPR compliance and account blocking practices. In July 2024, the Lithuanian data protection authority fined the company €2,375,276 for violations. The case was coordinated by a dedicated Vinted Working Group under the European Data Protection Board.

Fraud and Security Issues (2024): In early 2024, Swedish police reported around 300 fraud cases linked to the Vinted platform, where scammers targeted users' bank accounts. These security incidents raised concerns about the platform's ability to protect users from fraudulent activities.

Media Documentary Criticism (2024): In October 2024, Channel 4 in the United Kingdom aired a documentary examining safety and privacy concerns on Vinted, highlighting issues including the sexualisation of underage users' images and risks associated with second-hand baby products lacking safety certification.

Sizing System Backlash (2025): In November 2025, Vinted faced widespread user criticism in the United Kingdom following an update to its sizing system. The company stated the update was intended to standardize sizing across international brands, but users found the changes confusing and disruptive.

Customer Service and Account Blocking: Throughout 2025, Vinted experienced increasing customer complaints regarding dispute resolution, account suspensions, and buyer protection issues. Users reported difficulties with customer support and perceived lack of transparency in account moderation decisions.

Counterfeit and Quality Control: Vinted faces ongoing challenges with counterfeit goods and items not as described by sellers. While the company maintains buyer protection policies, users have reported difficulties in resolving disputes, particularly when sellers are unresponsive.