Selfridges puts repair and resale on agenda with ‘transformational’ sustainability push

Selfridges’ latest environmental and ethical push will promote circular economy business models, such as repair and resale, and will encompass everything from labelling to in-store events. The retailer believes such concerns resonate ever more with shoppers as the impact of the Covid pandemic is felt.

Selfridges, which has put sustainability high on its agenda for a decade, will work with partners including brands and organisations such as WWF in a drive to “reinvent retail” in a contemporary and relevant way.

Selfridges said it is the first luxury department store to “set tough material requirements” as part of a “commitment to a science-based carbon reduction target in goods and services”.

Through its Project Earth programme, the  retalier pledged to “ensure the most environmentally impactful materials used throughout the business come from certified, sustainable sources by 2025”.

It also promised to “pioneer new retail models and experiences, making Selfridges synonymous with circularity, including repair, resell, refill and rental”.

And it aims to change consumer mindsets to “put longevity, creativity and sustainability at the heart of the business, and engage with teams, partners and customers to effect change”.

Selfridges Group chair Alannah Weston said: “Project Earth is not only our bold, new commitment to stretching environmental targets, it is about imagining new ways to do business, within the next five years.

“Out of the global pandemic has come an understanding of how fragile and complex our systems are, but also how our planet and people can benefit if we act collectively with a shared purpose. Now more than ever we must double down on our efforts to reinvent retail with sustainability at its heart and a way of working which is regenerative for humans and nature.  

“Achieving our ambitions won’t be easy, but we are in a unique position to be able to work with our team members, partners and customers to co-create change and explore possibilities for a sustainable future.”

Selfridges global managing director Anne Pitcher said: “In a way we never could have predicted, the cycle of consumption has been broken by the pandemic marking a moment of change in our customers to a more considered mindset and requiring us to set new expectations for retail.  

“We firmly believe evolving the way we do business and supporting change in the way people shop is essential to building a more sustainable business. Selfridges has the platform to change how shopping is done wrapped up in the destinations, experiences and inspiration customers want from us. 

“The tough, stretching targets we have set ourselves underpin our commitment to change our business and our ambition to imagine and create a sustainable future for our customers.”

Selfridges has worked with partners such as Prada Re-Nylon, Barbour, HURR and Levi’s on the scheme.

New services being introduced include repair and Resellfridges – the retailer’s first own-brand resale model.