Throw a vintage jumpsuit in your trolley: Asda set to sell second-hand clothes in UK supermarkets
Soon we'll be able to pick up a pre-loved jacket or a vintage jumpsuit with our weekly food shop, as Asda has announced it will sell a second-hand fashion range in its stores.
The supermarket has teamed up with vintage fashion wholesaler Preloved Vintage Wholesale, and following a successful trial in Asda's sustainability store in Leeds, will sell the preloved items at 50 stores across the UK.
The move is part of Asda's George for Good commitment to drive down textile waste, with the hope of preventing thousands of tonnes of garments going to landfill each year.
“We know that sustainable fashion is something that’s really important to our customers and colleagues," explains Mel Wilson, global professional lead of sustainable sourcing and quality at Asda.
Read more: World Earth Day: The stylish, sustainable brands to shop
"They’re passionate about us encouraging everyone in the UK to think about the issues of waste and how we can make fashion and textiles more circular, so that we really can reduce the number of garments that go into landfill.
"This is an exciting partnership for George, it’s unique in that not only can our customers pick out some vintage and often designer garments at an affordable price, but they’re also helping to support reducing waste by giving these items a second lease of life which is something we are proud to be a part of.”
Watch: Sustainable wardrobe essentials.
Read more: How to be a sustainable parent
Steve Lynam, managing director or Preloved Vintage Kilo said: "In a world where we are becoming more environmentally conscious this partnership will help bring Sustainable Fashion to the mainstream, which is something as a business we strive for in everything we do.
"The more people that buy into the circular economy and shop Vintage and Retro the bigger impact we will have on climate change.
"As a business we have saved over 800 tonnes of clothing going to landfill and with the growth of our partnership that is set to increase dramatically."
Read more: Konnie Huq admits she hasn't bought clothes for a decade on Loose Women
This isn't the first time Asda has upped it's sustainable credentials. George recently announced the launch of its ‘Take Back’ scheme, which encourages customers to bring back their unwanted garments to store, rewarding them with a 10% off George voucher and in return raising funds for Asda’s Tickled Pink campaign, which supports the charities Breast Cancer Now and Coppafeel.
Second-hand clothing is increasingly becoming a part of our high streets, with other shops also encouraging customers not to throw out old clothes. Primark, H&M and M&S also all now allow customers to return used items in stores.
The trend is not confined to clothing either. Earlier this year home retailing giant Ikea announced a new scheme to buy back and resell used furniture.
