How to sell on Depop for small businesses (2026 guide)

If you already have a clothing business then you might be wondering how you can reach more customers by selling on Depop.

Sustainable fashion, vintage pieces, and upcycled or tailored clothing are growing in popularity as people look for ways to reduce their impact on the planet.

So whether you have a bricks-and-mortar shop, tailoring service, or an online brand, read on for a step-by-step guide to setting up your Depop shop.

How does Depop work?

Depop is an app designed for selling second-hand clothes – and it’s quickly become more than a way to clear your wardrobe of unwanted or unworn clothing.

It feels a lot like a social media app as you build a community of followers who want to engage with your products. Each item you list for sale is added to a grid on your profile page and users can like, comment, and share (as well as buy) from your shop.

Both sellers and buyers get a rating based on their service and communication, so there’s a mutual system of feedback – similar to the taxi app Uber or eBay. And while you’re probably familiar with eBay, Depop is specifically for fashion and has a younger audience ready to buy pre-loved items.

How to start a Depop business

Follow these seven steps for how to sell on Depop.

1. Name your shop

Your Depop shop name is probably going to be your brand name so you can build a brand identity.

2. Choose your products

Next, select the items you want to sell. It’s worth bearing in mind how each listing will appear on the grid so there’s a consistent look and feel.

3. Take creative photos

Take a selection of photos to show off your products, thinking carefully about your background and lighting to get the best shots. Use a model for one shot and then take one of the item laying flat and a few close ups.

4. Create your listing

A good title and product description will help sell your fashion items, so make sure you include key features and details here. You can also use hashtags to boost your reach.

5. Get noticed

Listing products regularly helps boost your profile to potential customers. Depop recommends posting about 15 items a week to increase your visibility on the app. It’s also possible to connect your Instagram account and use Stories to drive sales.

6. Shipping

When you’ve made your first sale, it’s time to ship your products. You can choose whether you just want to ship within the UK or internationally. Think about packaging and a message to include with your item to give a personal touch. And don’t forget to mark the item as ‘shipped’ and share the tracking information with your buyer.

7. Rate your buyer

Leaving a review of your buyer is a great way to encourage them to leave one for you. A positive seller rating over time is going to help encourage more people to buy from your shop.

Photograph: 22Imagesstudio/stock.adobe.com

What can you sell on Depop?

A marketplace for second-hand fashion, you can sell anything on Depop from clothes and shoes to bags and accessories.

There are three main categories:

• Menswear
• Womenswear
• Jewellery and accessories

Boost your marketing

If you have an existing shop but want to reach more customers, using a platform like Depop with millions of users can help get your brand out there.

Latest figures from Depop say there’s 56.3 million registered users globally, with one study revealing that 90 per cent of users are under 25.

Do I need a Depop business account?

If you’re just selling on Depop as a side hustle, you don’t necessarily need a Depop business account.

However, if you’re a charity or limited company, you might want to set one up. You’ll need to share company information, including registration number, address, and details of owners and directors.

Learn more about setting up a Depop business account on the Depop website.

Depop payments

It’s easy to manage a Depop payment in the app using your Depop Payments account. Once the account is set up, buyers will be able to pay through Apple Pay, Google Pay, credit and debit cards, and Klarna.

If you use Depop Shipping, you’ll get paid directly into your bank account around two to three days after your item is tracking shows delivered, or 10 working days (14 calendar days) after the sale date (if tracking wasn’t use).

If you used your own shipping, you’ll be paid 10 working days (14 calendar days) after the sale date.

How much does Depop take?

For UK sellers, Depop doesn’t charge any selling fees. However, there’ll be a payment processing fee of 2.9 per cent + £0.30.

Depop tax and legal responsibilities

If you’ve already got your clothing business up and running then you’ll be well aware of the need to register with HMRC to pay your tax bill.

Even if Depop is more of a side business for you, you’ll still have tax responsibilities if your income is more than £1,000 in any tax year.

You can also claim back certain business expenses on your tax return, such as:

• listing fees
• postage costs
• photography equipment
• craft materials
• marketing costs

Useful guides for starting your own business

• How to create a sustainable fashion brand – tips from the experts
• Vinted tax: how to sell on Vinted as a small business
• 9 best apps for selling clothes online
• Why do I need business insurance?