Why has the average time to sell an item in the fashion category on Carousell increased from 3 days to 7 days over the past month?

Introduction

The increase in average time to sell fashion items on Carousell from 3 to 7 days over the past month is a concerning trend that requires immediate attention. This analysis will systematically identify potential root causes, validate hypotheses, and propose solutions to address this issue. We'll examine both internal and external factors, considering technical, user behavior, and market-related aspects.

Step 1

Clarifying Questions (3 minutes)

• Looking at the timing, I'm thinking there might be seasonal factors at play. Has this increase coincided with any particular season or event in the fashion industry?

Why it matters: Seasonal trends can significantly impact buying behavior. Expected answer: No significant seasonal events noted. Impact on approach: If seasonal, we'd focus on cyclical patterns; if not, we'd look more closely at internal factors.

• Considering user segments, I'm curious if this increase is uniform across all fashion categories. Are we seeing similar trends in, say, luxury items versus fast fashion?

Why it matters: Different segments may have different underlying issues. Expected answer: The increase is more pronounced in certain categories. Impact on approach: We'd prioritize investigating the most affected categories first.

• Thinking about recent changes, have there been any updates to the listing process or user interface in the past month?

Why it matters: Product changes can have unintended consequences on user behavior. Expected answer: Minor UI updates were implemented. Impact on approach: We'd closely examine the impact of these changes on user interaction.

• Regarding market dynamics, has there been any significant shift in the competitive landscape or marketing strategies of Carousell recently?

Why it matters: External market pressures can influence selling times. Expected answer: No major changes in competitive landscape noted. Impact on approach: We'd focus more on internal factors if the market remains stable.