"Spending Less, Buying Better" - a slogan that immediately captures attention, and is also a primary concern for most shoppers, emphasizing the value for money. This slogan belongs to the well-known e-commerce platform "Shopee". We live in an era where shopping is incredibly convenient - with just a few clicks online, desired items arrive at our doorsteps within days.
As we enter the online world, we're bombarded with various advertisements, all urging us to willingly open our wallets. In this era of increasingly convenient shopping, many of us accumulate more than we need. And among these excess items lies "idle clothing".
The Environmental Impact of the Fashion Industry
According to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) report in 2019, the fashion industry consumes more energy than aviation and maritime combined, accounting for 20% of total wastewater discharge. The fashion industry is also responsible for 8%-10% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, the annual loss due to underutilized or unrecycled clothing amounts to a staggering $500 billion, with about 85% of clothing ending up in incinerators or landfills.
The Current State of the Second-Hand Clothing Industry
The second-hand clothing industry is currently experiencing a growth trend, having risen in foreign markets many years ago. Successful examples include thredUP in the United States and 2nd STREET in Japan.
2nd STREET, founded in Japan in 1988, is the leading second-hand clothing retailer in Japan with over 700 stores. In recent years, it has expanded its branches to the United States, Malaysia, and Taiwan since 2019.
Second-Hand Clothing Platforms in Taiwan
In Taiwan, the popularity of second-hand clothing has yet to fully take off, but there's a growing awareness. In recent years, more and more stores and platforms are engaging in second-hand clothing business, such as addLEss, Little Sparrow, la flea, 二拾衫 (ershisan), and 80%.
Introducing addLEss: A Local Second-Hand Clothing Platform
Among these emerging platforms, addLEss is a newly established second-hand clothing e-commerce platform founded in 2021. Recognizing the issue of idle clothing, they decided to establish the platform.
Why Choose Second-Hand Clothing Entrepreneurship?
The real inspiration for entrepreneurship came after becoming a mother.
Transitioning from a consumerist mindset to a more conscious one is crucial for sustainability. With platforms like addLEss leading the way, consumers in Taiwan have a chance to embrace conscious consumption and contribute to a more sustainable future.
