Gap Joins the Resale Revolution
Gap, Inc. is the latest retailer to try on resale apparel in an effort to appeal to evolving consumer palates.
Following similar moves from Nordstrom, Macy’s and more, Gap will start accepting secondhand clothes from customers at select Gap, Banana Republic, Athleta and Janie and Jack stores in the US, to be exchanged for shopping credits.
Gap is partnering with resale platform thredUP and its Resale-as-a-Service (RAAS) program, an online platform that partners with retailers to support the circular fashion economy, to make it happen. Macy’s, J.C. Penney and J.Crew’s Madewell brand have all partnered with ThredUp in recent months.
The resale market is currently valued at some $7 billion and is expected to triple by 2023, according to a report from ThredUp by the research firm GlobalData. The report also notes “the equivalent of one garbage truck of textiles is landfilled or incinerated every second.”
“As the resale revolution continues to gain momentum, participating in re-commerce is not only good for our planet, but good for business,” said Mark Breitbard, president, Gap Inc. Specialty Brands. “Our customers are diversifying their closets, whether with new clothing, rental pieces, or secondhand goods. We’re thrilled to partner with thredUP in offering a sustainable and innovative way to shop for the closet of the future.”
Starting in April, thredUP Clean Out bags or labels will be available in participating stores for shoppers to send in unwanted items for consignment. This will be the largest distribution of thredUP Clean Out bags and labels to date under the company’s RAAS platform. Customers who redeem their credits at Gap Inc. brands will receive an additional 15% payout bonus.
Gap said it is working toward the goal of diverting more than 30 million pounds of material annually from landfills, while innovating to optimize packaging and reduce volume, and currently diverts nearly 50% of waste generated from Gap Inc.’s North American facilities.
Last month Nordstrom, launched its own resale shop, called “See You Tomorrow,” offering shoppers a resale shop both online and in the NYC Flagship store. The move came just after news that Nordstrom and Rent the Runway (RTR) are expanding their partnership by bringing some of RTR’s gently worn products to a number Nordstrom Rack off-price stores.
Similar to Gap’s plans, Nordstrom’s See You Tomorrow shop lets shoppers consign their pre-worn items in exchange for Nordstrom gift cards. The retailer will soon launch an online intake program where customers will have the ability to mail in merchandise.