Skip to content
MarketScale
‹ Back to Industries

Retail

The future of retail, empowering brands, and sustainability

James Kent discusses how brands are finding sustainability gains and increased customer loyalty in reselling used products. The future of retail is explored, particularly the impact of brands entering the secondary market. Trove's Andy Ruben shares insights on the sustainability and brand loyalty benefits from this market.

This story was produced through MarketScale. See how Retail teams put it to work with Sales Enablement.

Promoted content from What Just Happened on MarketScale.

By James Kent · Andy RubenChristine RussoEmpowering BrandsFuture of Retail
Share

Key takeaways

01

Reselling used products boosts both sustainability and customer loyalty.

02

The secondary market is crucial for brands maintaining product value.

03

Companies like Trove are pivotal in the resale market.

What Just Happened host Christine Russo and her guest, Andy Ruben, Executive Chairman and Founder of Trove, discuss the future of retail, the impact of brands entering the secondary market, and the growing importance of sustainability in retail. Andy Ruben believes the secondary market presents significant sustainability and brand loyalty opportunities, particularly for high-quality brands with products that retain value post-purchase.

The secondary market presents significant sustainability and brand loyalty opportunities, particularly for high-quality brands with products that retain value post-purchase.
— Andy Ruben, Executive Chairman and Founder at Trove

In the episode, Ruben reveals that Trove is leading the industry, facilitating millions of second-hand sales, representing over 70% of all resale branded traffic worldwide.

Trove is leading the industry, facilitating millions of second-hand sales, representing over 70% of all resale branded traffic worldwide.

Brands that neglect to prioritize quality will likely struggle in this emerging retail landscape, whereas those with long-lasting, high-quality products should thrive.

What Just Happened

Part of this channel

What Just Happened

CEO interviews and roundtables at the edge of retail and tech

Visit the channel →

About the author

JK
James KentPodcast Host and Content Creator

Dependable leader and Podcaster with more than 12 years of results-oriented brand marketing and agency management experience including a broad range of competencies: Adaptive communication and presentation skills. A manager who coaches, mentors and leads. Ability to successfully work cross-functionally within every level of an organization. Strong focus on innovative marketing solutions. Outstanding client relationship building and strategic account management support. Thrives in fast-paced environments with multiple deliverables. Podcast host and content creator.

New to MarketScale?

MarketScale is the platform Retail companies use to turn their own experts into content like this. Want the short overview?

Free workspace

You just read one expert. Imagine publishing your whole team.

This article was produced through MarketScale. Create a free workspace and turn your own team's expertise into articles, video, and social posts. No credit card, no demo required.

NPS +73 · 1,000+ creators · 38+ countries

What you get, free

Your own MarketScale Studio workspace
One video edit a month, on us
AI writing, editing, and publishing tools
In-platform coaching to learn the system

More Retail Insights

B2B ecommerce pulse: AI agents, marketplace expansion, and digital investment drive mid-2026 momentum

B2B ecommerce pulse: AI agents, marketplace expansion, and digital investment drive mid-2026 momentum

B2B ecommerce is accelerating into the second half of 2026, driven by concrete AI deployments, marketplace expansions, and measurable gains from digital investment. The global B2B ecommerce market reached $20.4 trillion in 2024 and is forecast to hit $36.1 trillion by 2031, providing the macro backdrop for a string of notable mid-year developments. Kawasaki Engines USA's reported 500% average-order-value increase and Global Industrial's 9.2% Q1 sales growth illustrate the real-world stakes of getting digital infrastructure right.

  • 01Kawasaki Engines USA reported a 500% increase in average order value through its B2B ecommerce channel, according to Digital Commerce 360's coverage of Salesforce Connections 2026.
  • 02The global B2B ecommerce market reached $20.4 trillion in 2024 and is projected to reach $36.1 trillion by 2031, per Grand View Research via Creatuity.
  • 0372% of organizations reported adopting AI in at least one business function in 2025, up from 55% in 2023, according to McKinsey's State of AI report.

Jun 18, 2026

Zero-click commerce arrives: AI agents set to intermediate $15 trillion in B2B purchases by 2028

Zero-click commerce arrives: AI agents set to intermediate $15 trillion in B2B purchases by 2028

Gartner predicts that AI agents will intermediate $15 trillion in B2B purchases by 2028. As a result, businesses will need to reconsider their approaches to data management, discovery, and digital infrastructure. This shift indicates a significant transformation in how B2B transactions are conducted using AI technology.

  • 01AI agents will manage $15 trillion in B2B purchases by 2028.
  • 02Businesses must revamp data, discovery, and digital infrastructure.
  • 03AI technology is changing the landscape of B2B transactions.

Jun 17, 2026

Zero-click commerce: AI agents set to intermediate $15 trillion in B2B purchases by 2028

Zero-click commerce: AI agents set to intermediate $15 trillion in B2B purchases by 2028

A Gartner projection cited by commercetools places $15 trillion in B2B purchases under AI agent mediation by 2028, pushing procurement entirely past the traditional vendor storefront. Adobe Digital Insights data shows AI-referred traffic already converts 42% more often than non-AI visits as of March 2026 — a full reversal from a year earlier. Together, the figures signal that agentic and AI-assisted commerce have moved from pilot phase to structural infrastructure priority for B2B organizations.

  • 01Gartner forecasts AI agents will intermediate $15 trillion in B2B purchases by 2028, according to commercetools — compressing the timeline for commerce infrastructure upgrades.
  • 02Adobe Digital Insights found that AI-referred traffic converted 42% more often than non-AI traffic in March 2026, reversing a trend from just one year prior.
  • 03Only 18% of B2B companies describe their AI commerce maturity as 'advanced,' according to Boston Consulting Group, leaving most organizations exposed to fast-moving competitors.

Jun 17, 2026

Explore More Retail Insights

Read more expert perspectives from across Retail.

Browse Retail Hub

About the Experts

JK
James Kent

Podcast Host and Content Creator

Dependable leader and Podcaster with more than 12 years of results-oriented brand marketing and agency management experience including a broad range of competencies: Adaptive communication and presentation skills. A manager who coaches, mentors and leads. Ability to successfully work cross-functionally within every level of an organization. Strong focus on innovative marketing solutions. Outstanding client relationship building and strategic account management support. Thrives in fast-paced environments with multiple deliverables. Podcast host and content creator.

AR
Andy Ruben

Executive Chairman and Founder

Trove

Andy Ruben is the Executive Chairman and Founder of Trove. He discusses the future of retail, the impact of brands entering the secondary market, and the importance of sustainability in retail. Ruben highlights Trove's leadership in facilitating millions of second-hand sales worldwide.