Environmental Sustainability

One of the first times I saw a retailer divert a consumer from using a single-use plastic bag was at a certain Swedish home goods store almost 15 years ago. It was charging a few cents to use a single-use plastic bag or selling the now globally recognized oversized blue and yellow reusable bag for…

The environmental toll of the fashion industry is astounding. Each year the fashion industry creates an estimated 92 million tons of textile waste while creating nearly 20 percent of the world’s water pollution. Sixty percent of apparel products today aren’t recyclable, so most of them are dumped in landfills or burned. And it gets worse:…

As Total Retail reported last week, H&M launched a resale program in collaboration with thredUP. “H&M Pre-Loved” offers shoppers an easy way to find secondhand pieces for their wardrobes. The new shop also continues the retailer’s sustainability mission of establishing circular business models for itself and customers. To learn more about its new resale program, Total Retail connected with Abigail…

H&M launched a resale program Tuesday in collaboration with thredUP, an online consignment platform that has partnered with dozens of brands to run their used clothing sales, the fast-fashion retailer told Reuters. H&M will be the largest retailer to work with thredUP, and the partnership will mark the retailer's first resale marketplace in the United States,…

The retail industry is changing like never before, and sustainability has increasingly become a crucial factor in the success of modern organizations. This trend is likely to stay popular for years to come. This can be attributed to a variety of things, from legal ramifications (laws being enacted around sustainability) to a consumer shift. Sustainable…

Most U.S. consumers (three out of five) now rank environmental sustainability as a top factor in their purchasing decisions, and that number jumps to 75 percent for Gen Z. However, while many online retailers are adopting eco-friendly production and sales practices, the post-purchase process remains a challenge to sustainability. Shoppers return between 15 percent and…

There's a unique joy to finding a pre-loved item that would have otherwise been out of reach. Whether thrifting or going through resale websites, these kinds of discoveries have always been delightful and help customers feel like they found something truly special. There was a time when making these discoveries meant braving the pages of…

This holiday season, Americans are looking to spread some cheer by spending on gifts, food and décor, and they’re increasingly choosing the most eco-friendly options available. Frequently dubbed “The Most Wasteful Time of Year,” the Christmas holiday has a well-documented effect on the environment. As waste left over from days of celebration breaks down in landfills, toxic…

A differentiated merchandise assortment is one of the top ways retailers can remain competitive in an economic downturn. Retailers that offer unique, exclusive or sustainable products become differentiated shopping destinations unto themselves. However, as consumers demand more authentic, responsibly made products that either improve communities or better the planet, retailers need to expand their wholesale…

For decades, the topic of sustainability was on the back burner for brands and retailers across their business models, networks of manufacturers, and supply chains. But now, that’s starting to change. Retailers in every sector are boosting their commitment to sustainability. For some brands, being environmentally friendly has been a core element of their DNA…