This Mobile Fashion Marketplace Just Struck a Nifty Deal With the USPS Poshmark's deal with the U.S. Postal Service could be what sets it apart from its growing number of competitors.

By Laura Entis

Opinions expressed by BIZ Experiences contributors are their own.

poshmark.com

Can the U.S. Postal Service – the micromanaged "economic Frankenstein" that it is – do anything for startups?

For one mobile fashion upstart, it may actually be a game changer.

That's because Poshmark, a site where women create virtual closets via their mobile phones to sell their clothes and shop other women's closets, has teamed up with the Postal Service to bring users PoshPost, a USPS shipping label designed specifically for fashion items.

With the label, Poshmark users can ship a package of up to five pounds (size doesn't matter, just weight) to any destination in the U.S. within two to three days for a flat rate of $4.99.

The PoshPost label is only available for those selling through the Poshmark site. That differs from a USPS service like Media Mail, which anyone can request so long as he or she is mailing books or DVDs.

As is the case with eBay or Amazon, the buyer, not the seller, picks up the shipping cost.

Related: Do the Side Hustle: 5 Better Ways to Earn Extra Cash

While the USPS already offers a flat-rate service (a small flat-rate USPS Priority Mail box costs $5.80 regardless of weight), the system is not ideally suited for fashion items. "All you can ship in flat-rate boxes is what you can fit in them," says Manish Chandra, Poshmark's CEO and founder. "Fashion is a unique thing; the sizes and shapes are quite different." A wedding dress, for example, may require a customized package, as will a metal-studded handbag. With PoshPost, sellers can choose any packaging they like. And because over 99 percent of orders placed on Poshmark weigh less than five pounds, almost every delivery can be shipped via the service, the company says.

This could be the deciding factor that helps Poshmark stand out from its growing number of competitors. "Closet sharing," where women sell or rent out their clothes and/or accessories, has taken off over the past few years. Startups like Tradesy, Threadflip and ThredUP all directly compete with Poshmark for a slice of the "peer-to-peer" fashion market pie.

The partnership marks the first time the Postal Service has teamed up with a mobile company. "This is a very different solution from anything that exists today," says Chandra. Poshmark currently has over 350,000 people selling on its site, but Chandra optimistically predicts that by cutting down costs and reducing hassle, PoshPost will pave the way "for the next 10 or 20 million women to participate in the closet-sharing economy."

Related: Mobile Phones Are Changing Retail. Here's How. (Infographic)

Laura Entis is a reporter for Fortune.com's Venture section.

Want to be an BIZ Experiences Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Business News

Microsoft Just Became the Second Company in History to Achieve a $4 Trillion Valuation — Here's How

The jump in valuation followed a better-than-expected earnings report on Wednesday.

Leadership

Why the World's Best CEOs Are Training Like Athletes — and How You Can, Too

Here's what best-in-class leaders can learn from the habits, discipline and mindset of elite performers.

Personal Finance

For the Ultra-Rich, Investing Isn't About Money. It's Also About Meaning — Here's Why.

Ultra-wealthy investors are changing the definition of success by aligning their portfolios with personal passion, identity and legacy, not just financial returns.

Side Hustle

This 26-Year-Old's Side Hustle Turned Full-Time Business Led to $100,000 in 2.5 Months and Is On Track for $2.5 Million in 2025

Ross Friedman's successful venture started with a "Teen Night" in Boston, Massachusetts.

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for BIZ Experiencess to pursue in 2025.

Business News

Sketchers' New Kid's Shoe Has a Spot to Hide an AirTag

The footwear company unveiled a new kids' sneaker with a secret compartment.