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How Big Fashion took over the secondhand market

12:45

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August 8, 2025

The secondhand fashion market is booming. But as giants like H&M, Zara and Lululemon join the trend and cash in, is it becoming a net negative?

The secondhand fashion market is booming — digitally and globally. This video explores how resale platforms are reshaping the industry, from the rise of online thrift stores to how major brands use secondhand strategies to boost sales. It also questions the sustainability of this trend and what a truly circular fashion economy could look like.

For more on this series, follow this link.

Update, August 14, 2025: Liz Ricketts of the The OR Foundation was also interviewed for this video, but not identified on-screen. DW apologizes for the omission.

Katharina Schantz Multimedia journalist with expertise in climate and environment reporting
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