Exclusive Preview: Manish Chandra on the Future of Live Shopping at eTail Palm Springs

As we gear up for eTail Palm Springs 25th Anniversary event, we're thrilled to give you a sneak peek into what promises to be one of the event's highlights: an engaging Keynote session with Manish Chandra, the CEO & Founder of Poshmark. Kristin Schoenstein, eTai’ls Event Director, sat down with Chandra ahead of eTail Palm Springs.

Kristen Schoenstein (KS): Manish, can you share with us the inspiration behind starting Poshmark?

Manish Chandra (MC): Absolutely, Kristen. It all started back in 2011. We looked around and saw closets full of unused items, sometimes even unopened shopping bags. The launch of the iPhone 4 was a game-changer. It made us realize the potential of mobile technology in transforming how we deal with these unused items. That's how Poshmark began.

KS: That's fascinating. And how do you see the trend of sustainability influencing retail?

MC: The younger generations are driving a significant shift. They want fashion that reflects their unique style but are also conscious of sustainability. At Poshmark, we've created a platform where people can shop from closets across the world, blending the need for style with sustainability.

KS: With the rise of new technologies, how do you see the future of retail evolving?

MC: AI and machine learning are big game-changers. They're making it easier to engage in the world of resale, fundamentally altering how we interact with retail. This is something we're excited to explore further.

KS: Let's talk about live shopping. What are your thoughts on this emerging trend?

MC: Live shopping is a revolution in itself. It's not just about influencer-driven content but creating a community-driven platform. This approach fosters authentic connections between buyers and sellers. At Poshmark, we're empowering our sellers to not just go live but to create a shared live experience.

KS: What are you most looking forward to at the upcoming eTail Palm Springs event?

MC: The eTail event is a convergence of thought leaders from various sectors. With the retail landscape constantly shifting, especially post-pandemic, I'm eager to hear different perspectives on how technology is being integrated into retail strategies.

KS: Finally, any sneak peeks into what you'll be covering at your fireside chat at eTail?

MC: I'll be focusing on unlocking growth through live commerce. We'll delve into how Poshmark is empowering anyone to shop and sell live, and the impact it's having on both sellers and shoppers.

KS: Thank you, Manish, for these insightful thoughts. We're eagerly looking forward to your session at eTail Palm Springs. MC: Thank you, Kristen. I'm equally excited about the event and the opportunity to share our journey and insights with the eTail community.