New Look ventures into resale market with Re-Fashion

New Look launches its circularity initiative with resale platform Re-Fashion as it steps into the pre-loved fashion market.

With over 350,000 tonnes of clothing from the UK ending up in landfill each year, the fast-fashion retailer offers customers a fuss-free way of extending the life cycle of unwanted or unused clothes to address the ongoing problem of textile waste in the industry.

The initiative encourages customers to send clothes they no longer wear in complimentary donation bags (holds up to 12 items) which they can drop off at the nearest Collect+ destination for free. The clothes will be repaired or up-cycled by Re-Fashion before being put up for sale on its site.

As a token of thanks for playing their part, and to further promote the environmental benefits of purchasing pre-loved clothing, customers will be offered 30% off any purchase on Re-Fashion without having to wait for their item to sell. In partnership with charity Tree-Nation, New Look will also plant a tree for every bag donated.

Sue Fairley, head of sustainability at New Look, said: "We recognise that, as a broad-appeal fashion retailer, we have an important responsibility to both our customers and to wider society, to consider the lifecycle of the products we sell, from design stage to end of life. As part of our ongoing commitment to reduce the environmental impacts of shopping for clothes and to promote circularity within the industry, we are excited to partner with Re-Fashion and offer our customers an easy and convenient way for them to get involved."

The move forms part of New Look’s "Kind to the Core initiative" strategy, which aims to support the circular economy and extend the lifetime of its products. The new partnership with Re-Fashion also follows the company's first venture into the resale market in a continued commitment to become a more sustainable and responsible retailer.