“A massive change in attitudes”
Holly, owner of One Scoop Store in Stoke Newington, London, said: “I’ve been selling second-hand clothing for 25 years, initially through eBay and market stalls.
“There has definitely been a massive shift in attitudes towards used clothing. Demand is huge now, and the sector is set to overtake fast fashion within the next couple of years – I definitely wouldn’t have predicted this when I started selling vintage clothes at the age of 14!
“Consumers who previously wouldn’t consider second hand are now actively shopping this way, I think mainly because stores like mine make it so easy to do so. Before you would have to go through charity shops and markets, now so many businesses are doing the hard work for you.”
“A brand that provides a platform for SMEs”
Love Island’s partnership with eBay has seen contestants on the show wear stylish second-hand clothing from independent sellers on the e-commerce platform.
Alan Thomas, UK CEO at Simply Business, said: “Love Island is watched by many people across the UK, so I am delighted to see that they have chosen to partner with a brand that provides a platform for SMEs. This has already had a direct impact on consumer searches – meaning a 100 per cent increase in searches for ‘sustainable brands’ within the first week of the show airing. It is also promising to see in our data that there has been a 23 per cent increase in independent fashion SMEs in the last 12 months.
“Small businesses are vital to the UK economy. They are the lifeblood of our local communities and collectively contribute trillions of pounds a year in turnover. The growth in sustainable fashion businesses is demonstrative of the growth and innovation the UK SME community is capable of, and it’s never been more important for us to support them.”
If you’re looking to start an online store, our how-to guide has tips for setting up an e-commerce platform (including eBay) and other practical steps you need to know.
Do you have a sustainable fashion business? Let us know your experience in the comments section below.
