Late last month thredUp went public. thredUp is an online consignment and thrift store where you can buy and sell high-quality secondhand clothes. So is this a long-lasting trend or a flash in the pan? If you Google upcycled clothing, you get over 13 million hits. So obviously, people and companies are taking notice.
Two things lie beneath thredUp’s success: people have realized that instead of being shameful, buying second-hand is savvy and sustainable; on the logistics side, thredUp’s warehouses apply AI and robotics to automate the sorting, processing and distribution of received items. Consumer behaviors change. New technology helps. Combine the two and you have a recipe for unlocking and scaling new business models in ways that were previously impossible. The pandemic has clearly impacted the way people shop and what is acceptable in fashion.
Here are some of the main reasons upcycling in the latest trend to sweep the fashion industry:
IT’S GOOD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
Soil and water pollution have long been an issue for apparel manufacturing. With upcycling, the need for additional raw materials is drastically reduced which would require less of a need for certain chemicals to be used during production. This process helps tackle issues like poor air quality, the amount of waste that ends up in landfills, water pollution, greenhouse emissions and saves our rainforests.
IT LOWERS PRODUCTION COSTS
Upcycling not only helps the environment, but it also can reduce what companies spend on production in regards to materials and labor. Another great benefit is how it can lead to increased profit margins.
IT SAVES NATURAL RESOURCES
Upcycling can reduce the number of natural resources used throughout the fashion world. This can help with issues like deforestation or the loss of natural fibers.
IT SUPPORTS LOCAL COMPANIES
One of the best benefits of upcycling is that it supports local industries and businesses. From manufacturers to providers of sustainable waste management to local retailers, upcycling helps boost the economy for communities. This is also helpful for brands to create new relationships and partnerships.
IT APPEALS TO CONSUMERS
In today’s society, consumers are constantly educating themselves on where the products they purchase come from and how they are made. According to Forbes, 93% of consumers across the globe expect businesses to be involved in environmental issues.
There is no doubt consumers are much more environmentally conscience and that obviously impacts this trend. The longer impact of the upcycling trend, however, will continue to be driven by can these companies deliver quality merchandise on a consistent basis.
About AKCEL Partners: AKCEL Partners is a sales consultancy founded by three executives with strong bonds throughout the textile, apparel, brand and retail industries. AKCEL Partners offers strategic sales planning combined with experienced, highly networked sales professionals who give clients immediate access to targeted decision-makers. We are dedicated to meeting or exceeding our clients’ short- and long-term revenue goals. To learn more, go to www.AKCELPartners.com.
