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INDUSTRY REPORTS

Report One     -Mintel-

Fashion & Sustainability: Inc Impact of COVID-19 - UK - September 2020

https://data-mintel-com.ezproxy.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/databook/989900/

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The following Mintel report displays the ways in which consumers attitudes and behaviors have altered regarding sustainable fashion since COVID-19. The graph portrays ‘What makes shoppers choose one fashion retailer over another’, the percentage in which the following concerns are taken into consideration, with 32% of 2000 individuals voting for animal friendly policies, 31% for Eco-friendly packaging and 31% voting for retailers who support environmental initiatives. This data mirrors the fact that customers are extremely aware  and educated of the effects of the carbon footprint caused by the fashion industry, opting to purchase clothing items that are made in an environmentally friendly way; steering away from fast – fashion products. As climate change is such a significant issue, consumers want clarity and transparency on the products they opt to buy, and this will be our main focus as of this. With too much debate about what makes a fashion retailer sustainable, fashion retailers and brands need to do more to advocate for clearer guidance and certification to help confirm whether a retailer is sustainable or not (Mintel, 2020). As Zara focuses on ‘developing programmers that promote recycling at all stages of a garments lifestyle’ (Zara, 2020), we will be able to create a collection focused on up-cycling, where every process of the materials source documented and available to the customer to ensure trust and authenticity towards attitudes towards our brand, from the ever-growing environmentally conscious customers.

               Report Two

-Business of Fashion -

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This Business of Fashion article explores how ‘demand for change is lead by the young’,  ‘66 percent of respondents to a McKinsey US cohort survey (and 75 percent of millennial respondents) say they consider sustainability when making a luxury purchase’ (Business of Fashion, 2020), this would attract younger customers towards the Zara brand, increasingly, the media plays a part in better informing and supporting the aware customer (Business of Fashion, 2020), which Zara can aim to do to meet this customer demand through the use of social media to raise awareness of The Upcycling Movement. The article also states that there are numerous approaches taken by digitally indigenous brands. Via its supply chain, Everlane has committed to "radical transparency." It publishes images of shop floors in its supplier factories on its website, gives factory employees a voice, and shares price breakdowns (Business of Fashion, 2020), if Zara were to follow this, they would gain positive press and reputation and will be able to grow and develop more as a brand. Their key emphasis should be on helping clients use less energy, overproducing is one region they can target. Reduced supply may also have a beneficial effect on the bottom line, combined with an ambition to minimize discounting. Fashion players should explore new ways of approaching openness, both at the point of sale and through other points of communication, recognizing both the need to inform and to connect emotionally. While a ground-breaking idea for some the circular economy should also invest in brands at the forefront, breaking the connection between production and revenue, recycling and embracing sustainable materials and technologies (Business of Fashion, 2020). By 2025, Zara want 100% more sustainable cotton, linen and polyester (Zara, 2020), which will increase sustainable options for consumers, making it the norm for the future (Business of Fashion, 2020).

Report Three - Mintel-

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This graph from Mintel portrays the sustainable behaviours towards fashion. The survey found that out of 1822 individuals, 72% have donated old items to charity, 48% repaired damaged items and 43% invested in second-hand fashion items. This suggests that once thought to be just for those who cannot afford to purchase new second-hand fashion has entered the mainstream. People of all ages and demographics are excited about pre-loved fashion and now many distributors have joined the fray. Not only is second-hand shopping seen as a way of having more value for money, but it is also seen as a good way to stop buying new and instead increase the durability of fashion products after the rise in market consciousness associated with sustainability (Mintel, 2019). In response to demands for the fashion industry to become more sustainable, many retailers have started to implement second-hand alternatives. Fashion & Sustainability data from the aforementioned UK, August 2019 study reveals that more than half (57 percent) of all those surveyed agree that purchasing too many fashion products is bad for the environment and nearly a third (30 percent) worry about waste from landfills. There would be less discarded products ending up in landfill by giving used fashion a second chance of living (Mintel, 2019). Also, 45% of individuals said they would be interested in donating old fashion items to a retailer in exchange for a reward, Zara can incorporate this by integrating recycling services, offering for sale fragments of clothing waste that cannot be broken down and recycled (Common Objective, 2019), they can exchange these items for discounts to spend within the store, the brand can then further use these fragments to use within The Upcycling Movement, to sustainability resource second hand clothing to incorporate by using fabric manipulation to add effect to the garments.

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©2020 by Rebecca Rhodes

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