SHEIN launches resale platform pilot

SHEIN, the global fashion and lifestyle e-retailer, has announced the launch of SHEIN Exchange, an integrated online peer-to-peer resale destination to buy and sell previously owned SHEIN products.

The goal of SHEIN Exchange is to meet community demand by providing a one-stop destination for customers to become active participants in circularity and promote the benefits of purchasing pre-owned clothing over purchasing new items.

With ease of access through the existing SHEIN app, the new SHEIN Exchange feature simplifies the resale process so it is easier for sellers to list their items through a seamless interface that pre-populates a SHEIN customer's previous purchases – making list-to-sale quick and easy.

SHEIN has previously come under criticism due to its lack of eco-friendly and sustainable materials. The company is however seen as a fast-fashion success story, with low prices and fast trend reaction. Last month, SHEIN announced plans to reduce carbon emissions within its operations by 2030.

The pilot version of exchange in the US is part of the company's larger commitment to address the ongoing issues of textile waste and build a future of fashion that is more circular. By driving its community of customers to buy or resell on SHEIN Exchange, the company aims to "influence and promote mindful consumption among its customers".

Adam Whinston, Global Head of ESG at SHEIN, commented: "At SHEIN, we believe that it is our responsibility to build a future of fashion that is equitable for all, while also accelerating solutions to reduce textile waste.

"The goal of SHEIN Exchange is to make resale just as easy and convenient as buying something brand new, while also igniting a cultural movement of circularity within our own SHEIN community. We're calling on our community to mobilise and keep previously owned clothing in circulation for as long as possible. By harnessing the reach and the influence of our growing community, we believe that shopping resale can become the new normal in our industry."

SHEIN Exchange is currently available to all US customers, with plans to expand to other global markets including the UK next year. The exchange is created in partnership with Treet, a resale technology platform creating circular fashion experiences for a number of fashion retailers.

SHEIN has recently come under further criticism due to an investigation by Channel 4. The investigation claims that some factory workers are paid as little as 3p per garment and work punishing 18-hour shifts.

Read TheIndustry.fashion's In History: SHEIN's rapid rise to a £76.5 billion valuation