Explore EU retailers' sourcing strategies for clothing made from recycled textile materials

Abstract

This study examined retailers’ sourcing strategies for clothing made from recycled textile materials in the five largest European countries (i.e., the UK, Italy, France, Germany, and Spain) based on an extensive analysis of the country of origin information and product details of thousands of such clothing items for sale in these five EU countries from January 2021 to May 2023. The results show that EU retailers sourced clothing using recycled textile materials from diverse sources, including over 40 developing and developed countries from Asia, America, Europe, and Africa. However, other than assortment diversity, no statistical evidence shows that developing countries had advantages over developed ones regarding product sophistication, replenishment frequency, and pricing in the five EU markets. Additionally, a supplying country’s geographic location statistically affects the detailed assortment of recycled clothing EU retailers import. The study’s findings offered new insights into the business aspects of recycled clothing and revealed promising global sourcing opportunities for such products. The results also imply a potentially significant shift in global apparel trade patterns as retailers embrace fashion circularity and expand sourcing clothing made from recycled textile materials. ☐ Keywords: clothing made from recycled textile materials, textile recycling, EU retailers