Fast-fashion retailer H&M has collaborated with ThredUp, an online consignment platform, a resale program to run their used clothing sales. ThredUp is already in partnership for this purpose with dozens of other brands.
H&M is by far the largest retailer to work with ThredUp. A spokesperson of H&M said the brand has been working secondhand since 2015 and learned through this process. It was after this experience they decided to make it user-friendly and easy to access.”
Initially, around 30,000 articles of clothing will be available on H&M’s resale site. Other clothing retailers, including Inditex’s Zara and online fashion retailer SHEIN, have also launched resale marketplaces as shoppers express growing interest in sustainability initiatives. Brokerage Morningstar has estimated that the resale market could grow to $300 billion by 2031.
H&M officials said that the resale of used clothing is a part of sustainable practices. Besides, it has launched denim clothing made with recycled materials. Consumers are encouraged to bring clothing.
H&M was earlier accused of marketing its clothes as more eco-friendly which was partly true as the clothing were not as eco-friendly as claimed by the brand. A lawsuit in this regard was filed against H&M in 2002. A spokesman of the company conceded that after investigation of irregularities most have been removed from its website.
Some critics say that efforts by H&M are not so effective as it produces huge volumes of new clothing. Lucy Dunne, a professor at the University of Minnesota, said fashion sustainability should include efforts to cut back on production and consumption along with other initiatives. “If they’re not actually producing less, that is not helping anybody,” she said.
H&M spokesperson said volumes do not matter but sustainable and circulatory production must be considered.
H&M promoting resale program
