Circular Retailing Increases Accessibility and Sustainability

Resale continues to grow at a rapid rate, which coincides with the ever-rising number of returns. In 2021, the U.S. saw $761 billion in returned products, with 20% of those unable to be resold and instead ending up in the landfill, according to the National Retail Federation and BBC, respectively. Tapping into the growing resale trend and furthering its own circular approach to retail, Eddie Bauer — part of Authentic Brands Group and SPARC Group — launched a resale arm of its (Re)Adventure rental program this past summer. 

To execute the initiative, the retailer teamed up with logistics firm Arrive, resales site ThredUp and upscale company Looptworks. This year alone, Eddie Bauer was one of more than 30 brands to join ThredUp’s resale-as-a-service program, a platform in which consumers receive store credit from the retailer based on the condition of the apparel, footwear, accessories and gear.  

“At Eddie Bauer, we believe that outdoor experiences should be for everyone, and it’s our mission to make the outdoors more accessible for all,” Kristen Elliott, vice president of marketing at Eddie Bauer, told Retail Leader Pro. “We also believe in preserving the natural resources and the environmental conditions that allow our community of outdoor enthusiasts to thrive.”