The Folklore Group’s Post

In a world where “Buy less, buy better” has become a trendy mantra, it seems we’re facing a paradox in our shopping habits. As The Guardian points out in the article below: “We don’t tend to practice what we preach. The less we go to the shops, the more we shop.” And as close to 50% of all online clothing returns cannot be resold and end up in a landfill site, it’s a reminder that true sustainability involves not just the type of products we buy, but also the frequency and mode of our shopping. #Community #Environment #SustainableLiving #ShopLocal #ConsciousConsumerism

🌍 The Global Resale Boom: Insights from the Best Thrift Shopping Countries 🌟 The global resale market is undergoing a transformative shift, driven by a growing emphasis on sustainability and circular commerce. According to a recent article on Yahoo Finance, the rise of thrift shopping is not just a trend but a significant movement reshaping how we consume. Key Takeaways from the Article Market Growth & Trends: - Rapid Expansion: The resale market is expected to reach $300 billion by 2026, with a robust annual growth rate of 20%. This acceleration reflects a broader consumer shift towards sustainable and circular economy practices. - Thrift Shopping Surge: Countries like the UK and US are leading the way in thrift shopping. In the UK, spending on secondhand items has surged by 22% in the past year. Similarly, in the US, a significant portion of shoppers is increasingly drawn to secondhand goods. Consumer Behavior: - Eco-Conscious Choices: Consumers are increasingly prioritizing eco-friendly options, seeking to minimize their environmental footprint. The shift from fast fashion to secondhand products highlights a deeper commitment to sustainability. - Diverse Appeal: Resale shopping caters to a wide array of consumers, from those looking for budget-friendly options to those in search of unique and vintage items. Social & Environmental Impact: - Waste Reduction: The resale market plays a crucial role in addressing the 92 million tons of textile waste generated annually. By extending the lifecycle of products, thrift shopping contributes significantly to environmental sustainability. - Community Support: Resale platforms foster local businesses and support a circular economy, benefiting both the environment and community. Looking Ahead: - Future Growth: The resale market is projected to grow substantially, potentially tripling by 2030. This trend indicates a significant shift towards sustainable consumer practices. - As highlighted in the article, platforms like Cerqular are at the forefront of this movement. By offering both new and secondhand products across a wide range of categories, cerqular.com and cerqular.hk simplify the shopping experience while supporting sustainability. 🔗 Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/g88idZhP #ResaleMarket #Cerqular #SustainableShopping #CircularEconomy #ThriftShopping #Cerqular #EcoFriendly #MarketTrends

How Are Major E-commerce Companies Like Amazon and Patagonia Integrating Sustainability Into Their Business Operations? The Rise of Sustainable E-commerce Business Trends As the digital marketplace unfurls its sails towards a greener horizon, a profound transformation is sweeping across the realm of e-commerce, heralding an era where sustainability and environmental stewardship become the keystones of online retail. This article ventures into the heart of sustainable e-commerce business trends, showcasing how the sector is wholeheartedly embracing the ethos of green consumerism, pioneering innovations in sustainable design, and championing corporate responsibility. Through the lens of real-life examples from behemoths like Amazon, Patagonia, Adidas, Apple, IKEA, and groundbreaking collaborations such as Allbirds and Adidas, we chart the course of businesses integrating eco-friendly practices into their very fabric. This paradigm shift is not merely altering consumer behaviour but is also redefining the benchmarks for the future of online shopping. As enterprises align themselves with the principles of sustainability, they are not just navigating towards a more responsible marketplace but are also steering the industry towards a more sustainable and prosperous future. Learn more --> https://lnkd.in/ga6g2pJP #sustainableecommerce #greenconsumerism #ecofriendlyproducts #corporateresponsibility #circulareconomy #renewableenergy #environmentalstewardship #innovationindesign #sustainablebusiness #futureofretail #ecommercewebsite #website

What does the shopping behavior of 500 Limburgers look like and what is important to them? Het Belang van Limburg, together with FTI and VITO, had a survey conducted among 500 Limburgers about their shopping habits and each day this week the results will be shared in an article. Today's topic: Price and quality. 1) 88% of respondents emphasized the significance of quality. 2) Following closely behind, 84% identified price as a crucial factor in their purchasing decisions. Sustainability is less important to the 500 shoppers. 3) Only half of Limburgers consider the working conditions under which garments are produced, indicating room for increased awareness and ethical consumption practices. Environmental impact ranked high for four in ten respondents, the manufacturing location held importance for three out of ten shoppers. It is normal to think about price and quality when we shop. When it comes to sustainability, things can be better. Although I think we are already doing better than ten years ago. I quite often hear ‘Jasmien, I want to buy more sustainable clothes, but it is just too expensive.’ This survey found that half of Limburgers spend less than 50 euros on clothing every month. Yet we buy a lot of clothes for that amount. The Limburger buys an average of 4.2 smaller and 4.6 larger pieces per meal month. If we look at the group of 18 to 24 year olds in the survey, there are even 13.3 smaller and 10.1 larger pieces every month. That's over 23 (!) pieces in total. This is just absurd. And that while 88% find quality the most important factor? I’d like to know how you can buy 23 pieces of clothing with 50 euros and still find quality important. Here’s something to think about: someone who buys 1 T-shirt at  Primark every six months because they can't afford anything else is not the problem. But someone who leaves the shop with five bags every week or every month is. Because the latter does actually have the purchasing power to make different choices and that is precisely where the problem lies. It's the conspicuous consumption habits of those with greater purchasing power that contribute significantly to the issue. Ultimately, making sustainable choices doesn't have to break the bank—as long as one exercises moderation and considers the true value of their purchases. After all, sustainability isn't just about the price tag; it's about making thoughtful decisions that prioritize both quality and responsibility.  So no, making a sustainable choice does not need to cost you hundreds of euros… as long als you don’t buy 23 pieces ;) Read the results here  https://lnkd.in/eSsi24vg 📅 This research was carried out in collaboration with Flanders Technology & Innovation (FTI) & VITO. From March 16 to 21, 2024, FTI will be in Hasselt for a festival on sustainable prosperity with more than 100 initiatives. Check ftihasselt.be for all information - Ann Claes are happy to welcome you on our circular fashion track!

Check out our new blog, "Second-Hand Shopping Tips for Thrifting"! 🌍💸Discover how to turn thrifting into a lifestyle, combining the thrill of the hunt with sustainability and savings. Whether you're just starting out or a thrifting pro, these tips will elevate your second-hand shopping experience. https://lnkd.in/ekKXH6is #SustainableFashion #SecondHandShopping #BankandVogue

Do you understand recommerce (secondhand)? First, I never sell or buy secondhand. I wear my clothes until it falls apart, which in part is embarrassing according to my wife and kids. DHL Sweden did some great research in Sweden on the subject and asked who buy/sell on the recommerce platforms, and what do they sell/buy. Not surprisingly the Gen Z used the platform to save / make money, after all they are still studying etc.    Also not surprisingly, parents with (fast growing) kids use the platform a lot. Money is the main driver. When we had small kids, we did the same, not online, but at special parents’ #secondhand markets in our community. One idea is to limit the so-called fast fashion, by selling the used #apparel to other consumers who cannot / will not pay the full price for fast fashion and of course to make the consumers feel better, as they do not throw away as much as before. It does look as if sustainability may be a driver for some, but the Swedish study shows that money is the main driver for the heavy users. The decision of Vestiaire Collective (VC) to ban H&M and ZARA SA, and some 30 other brands, confuses me.  I would have expected that #recommerce would hit companies like H&M and Zara hard, as their sales would suffer because of re-commerce. It my opinion the ban will only force the consumers to use re-commerce platforms which do not ban the brands. It will not stop the consumers from buying fast fashion, in fact I believe this could lessen the positive impact re-commerce could have / is having.    VCs argumentation is understood, but why base your business on products which are not in the category of fast fashion? That is a contradiction IMHO. If one buys #sustainable, durable apparel, there will be little to no secondhand market, or? It would be interesting to get some data from Vinted on what is traded on their platform. The Swedish report is very clear on what parents buy and sell, but what are the products (brands) the Gen Z exchanges on the re-commerce platforms? I would suggest this to be mainly the fast fashion brands. (Or maybe from eBay?) From a sustainability point of view, I also have a hard time understanding why Vinted are putting up their non-agnostic parcel lockers across Europe. Wouldn’t it be more sustainable to use all the lockers from the carriers and the agnostic public locker operators like YEEP! Lockers!, Quadient, myflexbox etc.? InPost benefitted a lot from the Vinted boom in the UK, and more lockers in a market will just increase the war for locker locations and force consumers to cruise from locker to locker. #circulareconomy #ecommerce #lastmile #parcellockers #dhl #amazon #fastfashion #dpd #gls #ups #fedex #bpost #postnord #postnl

A while ago a former colleague of mine Annemie Vandeweerdt send me a message with two pictures. She told me she saw a picture in the newspaper, showing the Atacama desert in Chili where all our clothes are being dumped. It took her some time to realise that she visited that exact same spot 20 years ago and shared her own snapshots with me. The Atacama desert is the visualisation of what overconsumption looks like. It's clear that the fashion system as we know it, has an expiry date. Alternative ways of shopping are rising and Vinted has become extremely popular in the past years, motivating us to stop buying new items and buy second hand instead. ELLE België asked me 'if second hand shopping is always the green solution'. The answer is as nuanced as every topic in sustainability city: it depends on your own mindset and shopping behaviour. It's no rocket science that there's no use in buying second hand items if it's just a way to consume even more at an even faster speed. Don't get me wrong: I'm a big fan of the second hand revolution, we just have to keep on challenging ourselves when we look at our shopping behaviour. Slow down, buy quality, think twice, take care - also when it comes to preloved prettiness. Some tips from myself and the one and Eline Reynders to shop more consciously when buying second hand: ✔ Don't buy impulsively: wait a bit before ordering and start from a predefined wishlist and budget ✔ Shop offline, locally: this way you can try the fit and avoid transportation ✔ Invest in quality, also preloved quality You can read the full article in this month's Elle Magazine. Thanks Maya Toebat for this article!

Did you know that a third of UK shoppers buy something secondhand every single month? The secondhand economy is booming! ♻️ A recent study by ShipStation found that recommerce is on the rise, driven by younger generations' preference for unique and affordable items. People are also choosing pre-owned goods due to the cost-of-living crisis and a desire for more sustainable shopping 🛍️. Check out the story and a link to ShipStation's recommerce survey findings in The Independent: https://lnkd.in/eBSz833z #recommerce #research #GenZ #secondhand #ShipStation #consumertrends

Global stats prove that Live Shopping converts online browsers into buyers, with a 30% higher conversion rate than traditional e-commerce platforms. Imagine watching Live Shopping Shows, like fashion, tech, gaming, and more, all on one convenient platform! Additionally, enable viewers to seamlessly add items to their cart and complete the checkout process directly within the same video. Live Shopping adds convenience to online retail experiences and converts browsers to buyers. With live shopping gaining momentum worldwide, FrontSeat offers a locally focused experience. Watch this space for our March Launch. #FrontSeat #LiveShoppingSA #LiveShoppingRevolution

Live shopping is taking off in South Africa and Frontseat is ready to lead the charge! I just finished reading about Shein's innovative shoppable livestream for their Spring/Summer collection, and it further fueled my excitement for Frontseat, our very own LIVE shopping channel launching in March! Here's why I believe Frontseat will revolutionise live shopping in South Africa: 1. Engaging experience: Imagine interacting with products in real time, asking questions directly to hosts, and enjoying exclusive deals - all while chilling on your couch! 2. Convenience at its finest: Click and buy instantly during the livestream. No more product hunting or website browsing - just seamless shopping joy! ✨ 3. Building connections: Get to know brands and personalities through interactive sessions, creating a deeper bond and trust. ❤️ 4. South African focus: Frontseat tailors its offerings to local tastes and trends, ensuring a truly relevant experience. 🇿🇦 Shein's move validates the immense potential of live shopping and Frontseat is poised to capture that potential in the South African market. **Stay tuned for more updates as we gear up for launch! In the meantime, share your thoughts on live shopping in the comments below. #liveshopping #ecommerce #retail #engagement