WRAP Report: Clothing Repairs Prevent 82% of New Purchases
A new report from WRAP, Displacement Rates Untangled, shows that more Brits are repairing their clothes instead of binning them, cutting down on the need to buy new. The study, done with big names like Depop, eBay, and Finisterre, found that for every five clothing repairs, four new items don’t get bought. That’s a whopping 82.2% displacement rate for repairs, with resale also making a big dent at 64.6%.
Even with this shift, the UK is still one of the biggest consumers of clothing in the world, sitting behind only the USA, China, and India. Clearly, there’s still work to do!
Brits Love a Bargain – and a Good Fix
Harriet Lamb, CEO of WRAP, summed it up perfectly:
“We all love a wardrobe refresh, but buying second-hand or getting something repaired scratches that itch without adding to the pile of brand-new clothes. This research proves that businesses can’t ignore the demand for repair, rental, and resale – people want better choices.”
More Than Just a Trend – A Proper Shift in Fashion
WRAP is now calling on brands to get on board and start using this standard method to track how repair and resale cut waste. They reckon this approach could work just as well for rental and redistribution, helping companies shape smarter, more sustainable fashion choices.
By repairing, reselling, and renting, businesses can help customers save money, cut waste, and do their bit for the planet.