Growth in the Second-Hand Market and How Fashion Retailers Can Take Part

Written By Alla Levin
May 10, 2019

How Fashion Retailers Can Take the Growth in the Second-Hand Market

Fashion retailers have a challenge they must face head-on or risk going out of business. This challenge has to do directly with the severe impact the industry has on the environment. Not only have massive lakes dried up, rivers been polluted, pesticides run free, and emissions rise, but people have died.

Thousands of people have died making cheap clothes for the biggest sellers in the industry, with countless number being forced to work in unhealthy and inhumane working conditions. The fashion giants today don’t choose to have these side effects, but in their bid to become the cheapest, biggest company these side effects have happened nonetheless.

Single-loop bale ties are frequently used to bundle merchandise such as plastic, paper, cardboard, and clothing together in a compact fashion. Such bale ties are ideal for anybody who is in need of a baling wire that can fit individual specific requirements. This is because they can be cut to nearly every length imaginable.

How the Second Hand Market Has GrownSecond Hand Market Has Grown

The reason why big and small fashion retailers must take notice goes beyond doing the right thing. It’s imperative for market survival.

To date, the used clothing market in the USA alone totals around $24 billion. By 2028, it is estimated that the value of the second-hand clothing market will increase to USD 64 billion, while fast fashion’s share will only reach USD 44 billion.

Thankfully there is a huge opportunity available for fashion retailers. This opportunity has already been taken up by retailers like ASOS.

How Fashion Retailers Can Take Part

Fashion retailers can easily take part in and benefit from the second-hand market in a variety of ways. Though sourcing and picking out top items can be a pain, it can be

Second-Hand Market: Have a Vintage Line

If you have the time to dedicate it to finding beautiful pieces that match your brand’s image this can be a great way to tap into the second-hand market. Fix these items up, upcycle them a little to modernize the style, and sell them under a reclaimed vintage line of your very own.

Upcycle Second Hand recycled army textiles.

If you want to upcycle and use second-hand material in your current line, then your best bet is to go to charity organizations and bulk sorting facilities. You can then collect clothing by weight.

You will want to invest in some strong baling wire from www.balingwiredirect.com so that your clothes stay safely secured during transit and in storage. You might even be able to pick out items that have been pre-sorted by material type, to make the upcycling process simpler. Big designers already do this to an extent.

Take Christopher Raeburn, for example. He consistently puts out high-fashion lines made out of recycled materials, like this collection made out of recycled army textiles.

Have a Take-Back Policy

Give your customers a discount if they bring back your clothes at the end of their lives. This way you can recycle them properly and even remake them into something new.

Alternatively, you could offer a mending service for your clothes. This way you can offer your customers great quality and increase profit margins while encouraging others to keep what they have.

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