The Fate of Unsold Clothes in the Fashion Industry

The fashion industry faces a major challenge with around 70% of clothes never being purchased. Retailers employ various practices to handle unsold inventory, such as selling at discounts in physical stores and online platforms. They also distribute excess stock to smaller cities or adopt live streaming as a sales channel. Unfortunately, some brands resort to destroying clothes through burning or landfilling. This overproduction contributes to environmental destruction, with synthetic fibers taking up to 200 years to decompose. Brands like H&M and Burberry have faced criticism for burning unsold clothing. To address this issue, both manufacturers and consumers need to take action by promoting transparency, buying less, seeking sustainable brands, and embracing second-hand shopping.