Shein pilots fashion resale platform amid documentary controversy

The fast-fashion online retailer Shein is the latest brand to move towards a circular fashion model with the launch of its recent platform Shein Exchange. It is an integrated online peer-to-peer resale destination to buy and sell previously owned Shein products.

The new feature is currently available to all US customers with plans to expand to other global markets next year. Shein Exchange was created in partnership with Treeta resale technology platform creating circular fashion experiences for a number of fashion retailers.

The pilot version of Shein Exchange in the US is part of Shein’s larger commitment to address the ongoing issues of textile waste and build a future of fashion that is more circular. By driving its community to buy or resell on Shein Exchange, the brand aims to influence and promote mindful consumption among its customers, ultimately extending the life of as many items as possible.

Last month, the fast-fashion brand committed to reducing supply chain emissions by embedding Science-Based Targets as part of its sustainability management.

Adam Whinston, global head of ESG at Shein, said in a statement that the brand’s goal is to make resale “just as easy and convenient as buying something brand new” along with setting a cultural movement around circularity in motion with Shein’s own community.

He added: “At Shein, we believe that it is our responsibility to build a future of fashion that is equitable for all, while also accelerating solutions to reduce textile waste. We’re calling on our community to mobilize and keep previously owned clothing in circulation for as long as possible. By harnessing the reach and the influence of our growing community, we believe that shopping resale can become the new normal in our industry.”

The launch of the platform is said to have been inspired by Shein’s community of customers who communicated an interest in resale destinations where they could buy and sell previously owned Shein products without the barrier of high platform fees that is usually required. With this new feature, the customer has to just login the Shein app and the interface will pre-populate their previous purchases making list-to-sale quick and easy.

This year, Shein also became a signatory of World Circular Textiles Daya coalition of brands, suppliers and other organizations who share a mission to shift the fashion and textiles industry toward full circularity by 2050.

The announcement follows the recent Channel 4 documentary that aired on the broadcaster’s website last night. It highlights the Chinese fast-fashion brand’s success story, with allegations of being made on the violation of work ethics and human rights.

Based on the claims made in the documentary, Shein’s garment workers were being paid as little as three pence per garment through 18-hour shifts.

Shein did not respond to Just Style’s request for a comment on this matter.