H&M to Sell Second-hand Clothes at London Store

FILE PHOTO: Pedestrians and shoppers walk past a branch of fashion retailer H&M in central Stockholm, Sweden, July 17, 2023. REUTERS/Tom Little/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Pedestrians and shoppers walk past a branch of fashion retailer H&M in central Stockholm, Sweden, July 17, 2023. REUTERS/Tom Little/File Photo
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H&M to Sell Second-hand Clothes at London Store

FILE PHOTO: Pedestrians and shoppers walk past a branch of fashion retailer H&M in central Stockholm, Sweden, July 17, 2023. REUTERS/Tom Little/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Pedestrians and shoppers walk past a branch of fashion retailer H&M in central Stockholm, Sweden, July 17, 2023. REUTERS/Tom Little/File Photo

H&M plans to sell second-hand clothes and accessories at its flagship store in London from Oct. 5, as pressure increases on fast fashion companies to curb their environmental impact by encouraging the reuse and recycling of garments.

With the European Union planning new regulation to crack down on textile waste in the bloc, H&M has said it is "part of the problem" and that the way fashion is produced and consumed needs to change.

The "PRE-LOVED" womenswear collection, at H&M's Regent Street store, will include garments from several other brands and designers as well as H&M group brands, which include Arket, Cos, Monki, and Weekday.

The autumn-winter 2023 collection of the second-hand offerings will include metallic dresses and shirts, trench coats, and "trendy knits", H&M said, with new items added every day.

H&M did not immediately respond to a query about pricing and how the garments would be sourced. The retailer launched a clothing rental service at its Regent Street store in November last year.

Peer-to-peer resale of second-hand garments has become big business, with online platforms like thredUP, Vinted, and Depop multiplying and brands following suit by launching their own services.

Zara last week launched its online second-hand service in France, having trialed it in Britain since November last year.



ASOS Warns of $200 Million Hit from Atlanta Distribution Center Closure

A keyboard and a shopping cart are seen in front of a displayed ASOS logo in this illustration picture taken October 13, 2020. (Reuters)
A keyboard and a shopping cart are seen in front of a displayed ASOS logo in this illustration picture taken October 13, 2020. (Reuters)
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ASOS Warns of $200 Million Hit from Atlanta Distribution Center Closure

A keyboard and a shopping cart are seen in front of a displayed ASOS logo in this illustration picture taken October 13, 2020. (Reuters)
A keyboard and a shopping cart are seen in front of a displayed ASOS logo in this illustration picture taken October 13, 2020. (Reuters)

Britain's ASOS Plc flagged a one-time impairment charge exceeding $200 million in fiscal 2025 due to the "mothballing" of its Atlanta distribution center on Wednesday, as the online fashion retailer navigates a tough business environment.

Over the last couple of years, ASOS has been working to transform its business after losing popularity among its target audience of young customers and dealing with an inventory surplus.

This effort by the retailer, however, has coincided with the growing prominence of budget-friendly fast-fashion brands such as Shein and the Chinese online retailer Temu.

The decision to phase out the Atlanta facility comes after ASOS completes a multi-year warehouse automation project.

US customers will be served from the retailer's automated UK fulfillment center from the second half of 2025 and through a smaller local site, ASOS said.

Due to the shift, the retailer expects to take a one-time hit of about 190 million pounds ($231.91 million) on its reported profit in fiscal 2025, and then save between 10 million pounds and 20 million pounds annually in core earnings from financial year 2026.

ASOS intends to market the Atlanta site - seven employees will be offered new roles if possible, and many third-party logistics workers will be given opportunities at nearby locations, the company said.

The firm, which opened a local US office in 2024, said it will continue to grow and build its local presence.