Finding solutions to reduce and recycle my unsold items

STAGES OF IMPLEMENTATION

Try it! : Follow the sheet step by step and have a go!

Step of

Rethink the structuring of textile collections, aiming for "less but better": increase the share of timeless products which will remain in place over several seasons, invest in qualitative and sustainable products to establish brand reputation and consequently ensure a recurrence of sales in the long-term.

Choose the date of my alert to complete this stage
Create products which are as close as possible to expectations whilst enhancing customer relations: consult the market regarding desired product typologies and functionalities, propose limited and co-created collections to test new lines, take account of the opinions of customers to improve future collections.

Choose the date of my alert to complete this stage
Minimise stocks upstream by changing sales practices (for example: pre-orders or pre-sales among a limited list of customers) and purchase practices (tests on small quantities, purchase materials / accessories stock and constitution of quick redistribution outlets in close sourcing).

Choose the date of my alert to complete this stage
Promote the product as much as possible throughout its life duration : attractive photos with cloths modelled by different body shapes, detailed product descriptions, customer comments highlighted and experience sharing encouraged within the community, accompaniment at the level of sales ("chat" on eshop, responsive customer service etc.).

Choose the date of my alert to complete this stage
If you need to sell products at sale prices, be careful not to harm their image. Rather than massive promotions, create qualitative and "privileged" preview sales for your most loyal customers. During the sales, continue to positively communicate on these products. After the sales, you can create a "collection archives" category which is more gratifying than a destocking or "budget price" area.

Choose the date of my alert to complete this stage
If you still have stocks remaining after the sales, typical practice is to have recourse to discounters. Choose retailers which correspond to your brand image. Some have highly qualitative approaches, going so far as to reshoot products to give them a second lease of life, which is beneficial for sales and your brand image.

Choose the date of my alert to complete this stage
Donations can be a good solution to use up stocks, insofar as it is financially viable (tax reduction) whilst providing a positive and measurable societal impact. Prefer partners which can make targeted product donations in response to real needs and in keeping with your company DNA. As a last resort, you can give clothes for recycling to transform them into new materials or products, ensuring they get a second lease of life !

Choose the date of my alert to complete this stage
For exceptional unsold items (ceremonial clothing for example), the creation of a rental service can constitute an opportunity on a market which is progressively being developed. The life duration of your products will consequently be extended thanks to the support of particular logistics or partners specialised in clothing rental.

Choose the date of my alert to complete this stage
The significant trend towards second-hand items can also incite you to create a space dedicated to this type of offer in shops or on your e-shop. This can constitute an opportunity to reintegrate your unsold items and consequently propose products which have never been worn at attractive prices.

Choose the date of my alert to complete this stage
If you want to go one step further, you can consider having recourse to upcycling, a practice which consists in customising or even transforming an existing product. With a bit of imagination or creative partners you can organise personalisation workshops in shops, or even transform a larger quantity of products in partnership with manufacturing sites or associations (a pair of jeans can become a skirt, a shirt, a dress etc.)

Choose the date of my alert to complete this stage

Rethink the structuring of textile collections, aiming for "less but better": increase the share of timeless products which will remain in place over several seasons, invest in qualitative and sustainable products to establish brand reputation and consequently ensure a recurrence of sales in the long-term.

Create products which are as close as possible to expectations whilst enhancing customer relations: consult the market regarding desired product typologies and functionalities, propose limited and co-created collections to test new lines, take account of the opinions of customers to improve future collections.

Minimise stocks upstream by changing sales practices (for example: pre-orders or pre-sales among a limited list of customers) and purchase practices (tests on small quantities, purchase materials / accessories stock and constitution of quick redistribution outlets in close sourcing).

Promote the product as much as possible throughout its life duration : attractive photos with cloths modelled by different body shapes, detailed product descriptions, customer comments highlighted and experience sharing encouraged within the community, accompaniment at the level of sales ("chat" on eshop, responsive customer service etc.).

If you need to sell products at sale prices, be careful not to harm their image. Rather than massive promotions, create qualitative and "privileged" preview sales for your most loyal customers. During the sales, continue to positively communicate on these products. After the sales, you can create a "collection archives" category which is more gratifying than a destocking or "budget price" area.

If you still have stocks remaining after the sales, typical practice is to have recourse to discounters. Choose retailers which correspond to your brand image. Some have highly qualitative approaches, going so far as to reshoot products to give them a second lease of life, which is beneficial for sales and your brand image.

Donations can be a good solution to use up stocks, insofar as it is financially viable (tax reduction) whilst providing a positive and measurable societal impact. Prefer partners which can make targeted product donations in response to real needs and in keeping with your company DNA. As a last resort, you can give clothes for recycling to transform them into new materials or products, ensuring they get a second lease of life !

For exceptional unsold items (ceremonial clothing for example), the creation of a rental service can constitute an opportunity on a market which is progressively being developed. The life duration of your products will consequently be extended thanks to the support of particular logistics or partners specialised in clothing rental.

The significant trend towards second-hand items can also incite you to create a space dedicated to this type of offer in shops or on your e-shop. This can constitute an opportunity to reintegrate your unsold items and consequently propose products which have never been worn at attractive prices.

If you want to go one step further, you can consider having recourse to upcycling, a practice which consists in customising or even transforming an existing product. With a bit of imagination or creative partners you can organise personalisation workshops in shops, or even transform a larger quantity of products in partnership with manufacturing sites or associations (a pair of jeans can become a skirt, a shirt, a dress etc.)