Merrell and Pacsun Showcase Sustainability Efforts With Resale Programs
Outdoor lifestyle brand Merrell and fashion retailer Pacsun have both released resale programs: Merrell ReTread and Pre-Loved Pac.
Merrell ReTread, a multinational product takeback and resale program, partners with ReCircled, allowing consumers to give back Merrell footwear to be repaired or refurbished for resale, broken down for new products, or recycled for alternative uses.
The program launches in April across the U.S. and Canada and will reportedly save 300,000 pairs of footwear from landfills.
To participate in the program, consumers can visit retread.merrell.com for a free return label so they can ship their used Merrell footwear to ReCircled. Once the shipment is collected, consumers receive a $20 off promotion code (on a purchase of $80 or more) to either purchase new Merrell footwear or clothing.
The ReTread program will continue to expand globally, with plans to launch in EMEA later this year.
Merrell’s program launch is tied to the brand’s new multi-year sustainability initiative, This Is Home, which looks to showcase the company’s sustainability efforts, inspiring people to “get outside while minimizing their environmental impact.” The campaign will focus on digital, social, and connected TV.
The company’s sustainability goals are as follows:
- 100% of products will contain organic, recycled, or renewable materials
- 100% responsibly sourced apparel materials
- Reduce shoe and apparel samples by 50%
- Reduce plastic packaging
- Complete 10,000 volunteer hours
- Save 300,000 pairs of footwear from ending up in landfills through ReTread program
Chris Hufnagel, global brand president of Merrell, said the role of “This Is Home” is to “ignite our emotional connection to the outdoor environments around us, by encouraging people to deepen their experiences locally.”
He added that the Merrell ReTread program is a “firm step in our sustainable commitment, enabling us to extend the life of our Merrell footwear and giving people more options to minimize their environmental footprint."
Pacsun’s Pre-Loved Pac
Pre-Loved Pac, a 360-resale program, allows consumers to send back Pacsun merchandise for credit and shop pre-loved clothing directly through its website. For this initiative, Pacsun is partnering with thredUP’s Resale-as-a-Service white-labeled product.
[Related: Vera Bradley Taps thredUP For Resale Plan]
The resale program offers three options: a cleanout program, cash-out incentives, and a resale shop on Pacsun.com. To participate, consumers can obtain thredUp Clean Out Kits on Pacsun.com — which can be filled with womens' and kids' apparel, shoes and accessories from any brand. These are shipped to thredUP for free using a prepaid shipping label. The consumer gets paid via a Pacsun gift card for their re-sellable items.
Also, any thredUP seller can now turn thredUP credit into Pacsun credit, with a value that is 10% higher than the cash payment option.
"At Pacsun, we are committed to digital innovation and delivering services that our customers will love and use. Our community already embraced sustainable fashion, and we wanted to incorporate that into our brand experience," said Mimi Ruiz, vice president of e-commerce at Pacsun.
"With Pacsun's Gen Z customer-base, resale is not only an ideal fit for the company's demographic but it is also an untapped growth channel for the business,” said James Reinhart, CEO of thredUP.
