Luxury resale has become a beacon of sustainable style in recent years, but as its value and desirability have grown, so has the threat of robbery or theft. A recent article from The Industry Fashion reveals that London-resale brand Break Archive has just endured a second heist at its showroom, signalling a worrying trend: that resellers are increasingly becoming targets in a marketplace booming with demand.
For Paige Mengers, owner of Phoenix Style, this is a moment both to reflect and to reaffirm the brand’s commitment to keeping pre-loved luxury at the forefront, but also safe.
The New Reality
Break Archive’s experience is not isolated. Phoenix Style experienced its own set of robberies at its Wimbledon and Cobham stores within 24 hours of each other back in January 2025. High-value handbags, rare archival pieces, and designer items are more visible than ever, not just in stores but on social media, in boutiques, and on online resale platforms. The resale market has become so valuable that it draws criminal attention not just online, but in person at showrooms and boutiques.
Thefts, security breaches, and the constant balancing act between unrestricted access for customers and tight security to protect stock sits at the forefront of every resellers mind. For many reselling companies, the cost is not just financial, it’s reputational, emotional, and operational.
Responsibility, Resilience, Revolution
Paige Mengers has long described Phoenix Style not simply as a boutique, but as a guardian of pre-loved luxury. As Break Archive’s recent losses illustrate, those values also demand vigilance.
“To truly stop this from happening, there needs to be a shift in how these crimes are treated. It requires stronger collaboration between resellers, insurers, and law enforcement, alongside a recognition that the resale sector is an important part of the fashion economy and deserves the same protection as primary retail.”
Security cannot be an afterthought: it must be woven into everything from store layout, staff training, insurance, to the way social media showcases stock. She continues, "From our side, we’ve had to significantly increase internal security by installing reinforced storage systems, tightening staff protocols, working closely with the police to share intelligence, and using local private security firms. On the digital side, we’ve become much more conscious about what is shown online. Social media is essential for showing products and driving sales, but it also creates vulnerability. We have several storage facilities, and we never showcase them on social media and never will."
For Paige, this isn’t about fear or retreat; it’s about evolving a business that has been around for nearly half a century.
Why It’s Time to Safeguard the Luxury Resale Industry
Paige Mengers explains, “Luxury resale is not just a fad or a current trend; it has transitioned to primary retail. It is a vital part of the circular economy, extending the life of products and helping to reshape the future of fashion. It deserves the same level of protection as traditional retail, if not more.”
She insists, “Let’s be clear, these thefts aren’t opportunistic. They are coordinated, professional, and part of wider networks. And while businesses like mine invest heavily in security, there is still a striking gap in recognition from authorities. Too often, the response is slow, reactive, and inconsistent, leaving resellers to carry the burden alone.”
What needs to change?
- Recognition: Police and local authorities must acknowledge luxury resale as a legitimate, fast-expanding sector worth safeguarding.
- Collaboration: Stronger partnerships between resellers, landlords, insurers, and law enforcement to share intelligence and strengthen deterrents.
- Modern strategy: Approaches that reflect how organised crime operates in this space, not just traditional retail theft models.
Looking Forward
The challenges are real and ever-growing. But so are the rewards for resellers. “Responsible resellers are already adapting from tighter security measures to smarter digital practices that avoid oversharing online. But the industry cannot do this alone.”
She continues, “If the UK is serious about sustainability, the circular economy, and protecting growing industries, then safeguarding resale is essential. This isn’t just about handbags or jewellery, it’s about protecting a sector that represents the future of fashion.”
Phoenix Style intends not only to survive this shifting landscape but to help shape it and drive change securely, sustainably, and stylishly.
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