Zara launched a new initiative to help shoppers resell, repair, or donate clothing purchased from the brand, aiming to reduce its environmental impact. The Pre-owned service marks Zara’s first venture into resale and repair. It allows customers to book repairs, donate unwanted items online or in-store, and sell their unused Zara purchases.
Sellers will upload pictures and detailed product information provided by Zara, with the sales platform managed through the brand’s website and app. Payments will be processed via Stripe, and buyers’ details will be shared once a sale is confirmed for shipping.
Zara has been installing clothing donation bins across Europe since 2016 and has partnered with the Red Cross for home collection services.
Initially, the Pre-owned service is not expected to be profitable. Paula Ampuero, Zara’s head of sustainability, stated, “This platform is designed to help customers extend the life of their clothing and embrace a more circular approach.”
Zara joins other retailers exploring rental, resale, and repair options in response to criticism over the industry's environmental impact and increasing consumer demand for sustainable solutions. Marks & Spencer is partnering with Dotte for children's clothing resale, Joules is collaborating with Reskinned, and John Lewis offers discounts for returns through its FashionCycle service.
The resale and refurbishment market is predicted to outpace fast fashion in the coming years, with brands like Mulberry, Harvey Nichols, Asos, Asda, Dr. Martens, and H&M participating. Selfridges aims for nearly half of its customer interactions to focus on resale, repair, rental, or refills by 2030.
