15 InsideOutdoor | WINTER 2023-24 around environmental issues would be more willing to support a company with core values like Patagonia’s. Many footwear vendors are attempting to become carbon neutral, whether due to factory practices or simply by purchasing their way there. The Danish line Woden, uses fish leather which is a by-product of the Icelandic fishing industry in all their sneakers. This fish leather from salmon skins and is said to be nine times stronger than calf leather. New Zealand company YY Nation, claims carbon neutrality by making shoes out of bamboo, cactus, algae, pineapple husks, and sugar cane. YY Nation is “committed to circularity,” meaning that they recycle worn shoes, upcycle good shoes, and collect shoes back (aka: returns) by using shoe boxes that can be used as repurposed shipping boxes. Blueview is replacing petroleum plastics with plant-based plastics in their eco-conscious footwear allowing them to start biodegrading in compost when exposed to air, moisture, and microorganisms. Vintage/Recycle/Upcycle Understanding the main differences between these programs might be helpful. Vintage, according to commonly accepted industry standards, pertains to items that are at least 20 years old, yet they don’t have to be previously owned to qualify. Recycle is taking old materials, breaking them down into new materials that can then be reused. The process of taking something no longer needed and transferring it to something new is known as upcycling. Resale or recycle apparel and footwear is yet another example of a shopping trend gaining in popularity. A recent annual report by Thredup claimed that “the resale market will grow to $70 billion in 2027. The global market for used clothing is expected to more than double to $350 billion in that time. By the end of 2024, 10 percent of the global apparel market is expected to be made up of secondhand clothing.” A quick search of the internet will provide those interested with retailers and vendors that will recycle your clothes and footwear for money and rewards. The North Face, Universal Standard, Carter’s, J.Jill, Levi’s, Eileen Fisher, DSW Footwear, and the aforementioned Patagonia are just a few of the many vendors and retailers that have developed recycle, reuse, and sustainability programs for their products. According to a 2016 report commissioned by thrift retailer Savers, Americans on average throw out 81 pounds of clothing each year. Since “apparel can take hundreds of years to decompose in a landfill,” it’s easy to understand how younger generations support retailers and vendors that they feel are being proactive toward minimizing pollution. These younger customers have grown up their entire lives hearing about how pollution of all types is destroying the planet. Whether all sources on the pollution topic are credible is open for debate. What we can all agree on, however, is that a cleaner, more sustainable environment makes life better for everyone on many levels. Happy Thanksgiving! Ritchie Sayner m Sarah Barr, M1 Director of Operations and Client Services, provided inspiration for and contributed to this article. RETAIL REVELATIONS STRATEGIES FOR IMPROVING SALES, MARGINS, AND TURNOVER 2ND EDITION UPDATED WITH 50% MORE CONTENT Ritchie Sayner presents AVAILABLE ON This exceptional resource teaches new retailers what they need to succeed, and shows wellseasoned retailers how to stay refreshed and focused amid the daily challenges. Since 1980, Ritchie Sayner has consulted with hundreds of independent retailers on inventory control and management. He is the owner of Advanced Retail Strategies, LLC, and an affiliate of Management One. Contact him at ritchie@arsotb.com, or online at www.advancedretailstrategies.com. 2nd Edition available in Kindle and Paperback
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