Table of Contents

1. Key Highlights:
2. Introduction
3. The Initiative: Partnership with Reskinned
4. Transforming Fashion Consumption
5. How the Service Works
6. A Leap Towards Circular Fashion
7. The Role of eBay in Promoting Sustainable Fashion
8. Market Trends and Consumer Attitudes
9. Conclusion: The Future of Sustainable Retail

Key Highlights:

• M&S partners with Reskinned to introduce a dedicated resale platform for clothing, footwear, and accessories on eBay.
• The initiative aims to promote sustainability, with 15% of profits going to Oxfam and a focus on circular fashion principles.
• Customers can trade in and purchase pre-loved items, broadening M&S's commitment to reducing textile waste and supporting eco-friendly practices.

Introduction

The retail landscape is undergoing a significant transformation, driven by evolving consumer preferences and a growing commitment to sustainability. Marks & Spencer (M&S), a staple in British retail, has stepped into this transformative arena by partnering with Reskinned to launch a dedicated resale service on eBay. This initiative not only aligns with the brand's long-standing commitment to sustainable practices but also addresses the rising demand for circular fashion solutions.

As consumers become more environmentally conscious, retailers are compelled to innovate and adapt their business models to reduce waste and encourage more responsible purchasing habits. M&S, recognized as a pioneer in responsible retailing, has launched this initiative to provide customers with opportunities to give their pre-loved items a second life, while also appealing to those seeking unique fashion pieces from previous seasons.

The Initiative: Partnership with Reskinned

M&S has launched this resale service in collaboration with Reskinned, an organization dedicated to extending the lifecycle of clothing. This partnership allows M&S customers to trade in items no longer wanted or needed, including a wide range of accessories that were not previously eligible for the in-store recycling scheme. By accepting items like bags, belts, hats, and scarves, M&S is expanding its resale offerings beyond clothing alone.

The launch of the M&S x eBay store marks a proactive step in combatting textile waste, demonstrating M&S's commitment to sustainability through its "Another Life" initiative—a core aspect of its Plan A strategy that emphasizes circular fashion practices. This initiative focuses on four key principles: Rewear, Repair, Recycle, and Resale. The addition of resale complements M&S's extensive history of being a frontrunner in textile recycling, a practice they initiated back in 2008.

Transforming Fashion Consumption

The resale market is gaining traction, with a 525% increase in searches for M&S products on eBay over the past year. This surge reflects a broader shift in consumer behaviors, where individuals are more inclined to purchase second-hand or vintage items as they seek unique styles at lower prices, while simultaneously being motivated by sustainability.

The resale platform not only allows customers to dispose of their unworn items responsibly but also offers an alternative shopping experience that appeals to eco-conscious consumers. By creating a dedicated marketplace, M&S provides customers with the option to purchase pre-loved products, thus contributing to the reduction of waste associated with fast fashion.

How the Service Works

To participate in the M&S x eBay resale service, customers need to complete a short form on the M&S website or simply scan QR codes available in M&S’s fashion, home, and beauty stores. Once registered, customers can send their pre-loved items to Reskinned using a free local courier service.

For every accepted trade-in, customers receive a £5 discount applicable on a minimum purchase of £35 on fashion, home, and beauty items at M&S.com, valid for four weeks from the issuance date. This incentive not only promotes recycling but also underscores M&S's commitment to helping customers make more sustainable choices.

Items collected that can be resold will undergo a process of professional cleaning and repairs before being listed for sale on the official M&S x eBay platform. Items that do not meet resale standards will be ethically repurposed or recycled, ensuring that nothing goes to waste.

A Leap Towards Circular Fashion

M&S’s venture into online resale underscores its commitment to circular fashion—a movement characterized by sustainability, reuse, and reducing waste across the fashion supply chain. Circular fashion encourages brands to rethink their production processes and consumer engagement strategies. M&S's efforts exemplify how retailers can operate more sustainably, addressing environmental challenges while catering to consumer preferences.

Monique Leewenburgh, M&S's director of sourcing and technology in fashion, home, and beauty, emphasized the brand's dedication to supporting customer efforts in reducing textile waste. With this new resale platform, M&S nurtures a culture of sustainability, enabling customers to engage in a circular economy where their contributions matter.

The Role of eBay in Promoting Sustainable Fashion

eBay has long been at the forefront of promoting resale and recommerce, making it an ideal partner for M&S's initiative. With nearly three decades of experience, eBay has empowered fashion brands to engage seamlessly at every stage of the inventory lifecycle while fostering sustainable practices. The partnership introduces M&S's sustainable ethos to a wider consumer base through eBay's established platform, making circular fashion more accessible and appealing.

Kirsty Keoghan, senior director of Europe fashion at eBay, noted that the collaboration with M&S represents a critical milestone for championing sustainability in the fashion industry. By leveraging eBay’s marketplace, M&S can reach new audiences while endorsing principles that promote environmentally conscious shopping.

Market Trends and Consumer Attitudes

The launch of the resale service is timely, reflecting prevailing consumer attitudes toward sustainability. A vast number of modern consumers prefer brands that prioritize environmental responsibility and transparency. Studies show that a significant segment of Gen Z and millennials is willing to pay more for sustainable products. M&S’s resale initiative caters to this demographic's desire for eco-friendly shopping options while also positioning the brand as a leader in the sustainability movement.

Moreover, as consumers continue to shift away from fast fashion, the resale market is expected to grow exponentially. By tapping into this trend, M&S addresses the changing consumer landscape and establishes itself as a forward-thinking retailer committed to innovative, sustainable solutions.

Conclusion: The Future of Sustainable Retail

To remain competitive and relevant, retailers must embrace sustainability in every aspect of their operations, from production to consumer engagement. M&S’s launch of a resale service in conjunction with eBay showcases the retailer's forward-thinking approach to sustainability. By creating a platform for circular commerce, M&S enhances its brand reputation while contributing positively to environmental initiatives.

The collaboration signals a broader shift in retail strategy, where sustainability is central to business models. This embedded focus on circularity not only meets consumer demands but also aligns with global efforts to mitigate the impacts of climate change through reduced waste and responsible consumption practices.

FAQ

What items can be traded in through the M&S resale service? The resale service accepts various pre-loved items, including clothing, footwear, handbags, belts, hats, and scarves.

How are customers incentivized to participate in the trade-in program? Customers can receive a £5 discount on a minimum purchase of £35 by trading in usable M&S items, encouraging participation in the initiative.

What happens to items that cannot be resold? Items that cannot be cleared for resale will be responsibly repurposed or recycled, adhering to M&S’s sustainability commitment.

How does this initiative fit into M&S's broader sustainability strategy? The resale program is a core component of M&S's Plan A strategy and the "Another Life" initiative, focusing on circularity and the principles of Rewear, Repair, Recycle, and Resale.

Why is partnering with Reskinned significant for M&S? Reskinned specializes in extending the lifecycle of clothing, allowing M&S to enhance its sustainable fashion offerings while promoting responsible consumption among consumers.