A new research brief by the International Labor Organization (ILO) shows, the pandemic has accelerated so-called ‘shift to thrift’ among developed market consumers. Resale markets in Europe and America are on the rise with young generation showing growing preference for second-hand clothing.

Nevertheless, there is still considerable uncertainty about the future of these alternative consumption models, particularly when their environmental credentials are more closely scrutinized, notes the brief, titled ‘The post-COVID-19 garment industry in Asia. Growing demand for customization is increasing manufacturers’ efficiency and profit margins as they use algorithmic fitting for customers and 3D weaving. These new models also reduce losses due to inventory mismanagement that result in markdowns and stockouts.

Yet, the dominant garment industry model remains linear as the pace of sustainability progress in the fashion industry is slow. In addition, the pre-pandemic projections of rapid income growth among Asia’s 4.3 billion consumers and 4-5 per cent annual global growth in new garment sales are likely to far outstrip increases in garment reuse and resale, the report observes.

Data reveals a persistent ‘gap between intention and action on sustainability initiaitves. . Though their concerns about labor rights and environmental costs in garment supply chains have been growing, there is a general reluctance amongst them to pay for better social and environmental standards for garments that are produced with such costs internalized, the report adds.