Two recently published reports, Time for Change, How to use the crisis to make fashion sourcing more agile and sustainable by Mc Kinsey & Co and Rebuilding a More Sustainable Fashion Industry After COVID-19 promoted by the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, SAC, put the focus on the importance of sustainability in fashion in the post-COVID-19 era.
They highlight that in the current context, in many cases the sustainability programs of brands or retailers have been paused or relegated to the background, while striving to manage problems in the short term. However, both companies that have set clear sustainability goals and policies and those that have lagged behind should take the opportunity to improve and boost the sustainability of their supply chains.
On the other hand, some of the problems observed in this crisis such as the cancellation of orders and the derived problems, as well as the fragility of the supply chain, could accelerate actions such as: the move towards a quality approach, agility towards a driven production by demand, closer relationships with suppliers that allow innovation, or the regular use of more sustainable materials.
Ultimately, the pandemic appears to have increased consumer interest in sustainability. This, together with the expressed intention of the European Union for a recovery based on sustainable development, makes social and environmental sustainability key points in the next normality of the fashion industry.
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