Why Consumers and Clothing Brands are Turning into Sustainability Selling: A Case Study

Safalta Expert Published by: Priya Bawa Updated Wed, 27 Sep 2023 07:00 AM IST

As environmental concerns become more prominent in customers' minds, sustainability is becoming a major trend in the packaged goods and fashion industries. According to Nielsen, the US sustainability sector is expected to exceed $150 billion in sales by 2021.  We utilized Reform as a case study and spoke with consumer behavior and fashion industry experts to better understand the push for sustainability, why customers enjoy it, and how more businesses can help. Boost your Skills by learning: Digital Marketing
 
Table of Content:
1) What exactly is Sustainable Fashion?
2) Examples of Sustainable Fashion
3) New York, United States of America
4) Sustainable Fashion Shoppers


What exactly is Sustainable Fashion?
Sustainable fashion is a broad phrase that encompasses all goods, processes, actions, and stakeholders (policymakers, companies, and consumers) working toward a carbon-neutral fashion sector based on equity, social justice, animal care, and ecological integrity.  

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Examples of Sustainable Fashion:
Let's have a look at a handful of businesses in the United States who are actively promoting the sustainable trend.
1) Delicious Culture:
Wholesome Culture is on an adventure to make the world a nicer and more sustainable place with its eco-friendly clothes. To print designs on their items, they employ 100% organic cotton, recycled plastic bottles, bamboo, and environmentally conscious water-based ink. Furthermore, all shipments are made from recycled or biodegradable substances. Their most current collection of recycled nylon & fishing net sportswear is manufactured in Bali with the help of local artisans. They also contribute a portion of their revenues to ranches and sanctuaries, as well as environmental groups.
2) Christy Dawn is number two: Christy Dawn creates sustainable clothing from deadstock fabric, or surplus rolls of fabric left behind from big fashion firms. Furthermore, with its farm-to-closet effort, the business is shifting from sustainable to regenerative fashion. Traditional farmers and craftspeople from India's Oshadi tribe are employed by the business. They do this to develop their own cotton using age-old, chemical-free ways. The brand's mission is to build a mutually beneficial connection with the world and to reduce pollution through a regenerative supply chain.
 

New York, United States of America:
1) Christy Dawn is number two: Christy Dawn creates sustainable clothing from deadstock fabric, or surplus rolls of fabric left behind from big fashion firms. Furthermore, with its farm-to-closet effort, the business is shifting from sustainable to regenerative fashion. Traditional farmers and craftspeople from India's Oshadi tribe are employed by the business. They do this to develop their own cotton using age-old, chemical-free ways. The brand's mission is to build a mutually beneficial connection with the world and to reduce pollution through a regenerative supply chain.
2) The Greenwashing Problem:
Greenwashing is a marketing ploy. False marketing is used to deceive the public into believing that a brand's goods, goals, and policies are environmentally friendly. Greenwashing in fashion occurs as a result of false certifications. Certifications are intended to promote customer and store trust. However, making only one organic cotton t-shirt is typically enough for a firm to obtain one of these certifications. As a result, always verify the trustworthiness of the certificate issuer and the origin of the materials.
 
 
Sustainable Fashion Shoppers:
According to a Boston Consulting Group research, 66% of shoppers are interested in sustainable fashion, and the figure is rising. Sustainable fashion is growing more fashionable for a variety of reasons. First, customers are becoming more conscious of the fashion industry's environmental and social implications. Second, there are more environmentally friendly fashion alternatives than ever before. Finally, people are beginning to perceive sustainable fashion as a chance to express their individual style. Consumers may participate in sustainable fashion in a variety of ways. They can purchase clothing manufactured from sustainable materials, select sustainable fashion businesses, or discard clothing they no longer wear.
 
Patagonia, Stella McCartney, H&M Conscious Collection, Nike Considered, and Adidas Parley are some examples of sustainable fashion labels. As customers become more conscious of the environmental and social implications of the fashion industry, there is a growing demand for sustainable fashion. Many consumers are increasingly seeking for ecologically and socially responsible fashion businesses, and they are ready to pay extra for sustainable items. When it pertains to sustainable fashion, several aspects impact consumer behavior. Awareness, attitude, perceived advantages, and perceived costs are some of the main aspects. Consumer behavior is heavily influenced by awareness. Consumers are more inclined to seek out sustainable fashion labels if they are aware of the environmental and social implications of the fashion industry.

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Consumers are more inclined to seek out sustainable fashion labels if they are aware of the environmental and social implications of the fashion industry. Another important component that determines customer behavior is attitude. Consumers with a favorable attitude toward sustainable fashion are more inclined to seek out sustainable items, whilst those with a negative attitude are less likely. Perceived advantages are another important element influencing customer behavior.
Sustainable fashion goods are less likely to be purchased by consumers who perceive they are more expensive or provide less advantages than traditional products. The clothing business is one of the most wasteful in the world. Every year, the typical American discards 81 pounds of apparel. The garment sector accounts for 10% of global trash. The quick fashion trend is the primary cause of this waste. Clothing is mass-produced and marketed at inexpensive cost. Consumers are urged to buy more apparel and discard it when it becomes out of style. The garment business also has a negative impact on the environment. Clothing manufacture necessitates the use of several resources, including water and electricity. The usage of synthetic materials, such as polyester, is also prevalent.
 
Pollution is also caused by the usage of synthetic materials such as polyester. There are several methods for reducing waste in the garment sector. Customers may purchase apparel manufactured from environmentally friendly materials such as organic cotton. They can also purchase long-lasting apparel. Retailers may also encourage environmentally friendly activities like recycling and using less packaging. It is critical that the garment business decrease its waste. It is not only beneficial for the environment, but it is also excellent for business. Consumers are becoming more interested in sustainable practices, and they are more inclined to purchase apparel from ecologically friendly stores.
 
Sustainability is becoming a key trend in the packaged goods and fashion sectors as environmental concerns grow more prominent in customers' perceptions. The US sustainability industry is predicted to hit $150 billion in revenues by 2021, according to Nielsen.We used Reform as a case study and interviewed consumer behavior and fashion industry experts to gain a deeper understanding of the push for sustainability, why customers like it, and how more firms can assist.

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Why is it critical for fashion firms to be environmentally friendly?

There is ongoing pressure to produce products that contribute to an atmosphere that leads in labor exploitation. Furthermore, these companies have been accused of using underage labor on a regular basis. Sustainable clothing firms, on the other hand, promote worker safety and fair compensation.
 

Why do customers favor environmentally friendly brands?

More customers than retail executives believe shop for sustainable goods out of concern for the environment. Consumers, according to them, buy sustainable items to demonstrate their devotion to others. Consumers, on the other hand, say they wish to decrease their carbon impact and manufacturing waste.
 

How can customers help to promote sustainable fashion?

Purchasing a few high-quality things every year, rather than many cheaper, less eco-friendly ones, will significantly minimize your carbon footprint. Basically, save more, invest more, and purchase less.
 

How can clothes businesses be sustainable?

Use Eco-Friendly Materials
Using sustainable materials is one of the best methods for fashion firms to lessen their environmental effect. Sustainable materials are ones that are made from renewable resources and do not harm the environment when they are produced or discarded.
 

Do shoppers demand more environmentally friendly fashion?

Sixty-five percent of customers are concerned about the environment. Concern about sustainability is widespread among younger generations, and it is rising. As a result, fashion manufacturers must embrace the sustainability conversation and make sustainable shopping more accessible to all consumers.
 

Why are customers growing increasingly concerned with sustainability?

Consumers, headed by youthful generations as usual, have recognized that the earth is in crisis. As a result, people are making more environmentally responsible purchasing selections. In other words, many more individuals are no longer looking to just acquire things, regardless of their environmental impact.
 

What role do consumers have in sustainability?

Consumers may assist to preserve natural resources, safeguard the environment, and promote social and economic fairness by purchasing environmentally friendly, socially responsible, and economically viable products and services.
 

In the fashion sector, how does sustainability influence customer choices?

Consumers have also grown more socially conscious when purchasing clothing and footwear, minimizing the quantity of new clothing items purchased, repairing clothing, purchasing used/refurbished apparel, and selecting businesses based on their sustainability and ethical practices.
 

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