Environmental Sustainability

Luxury fashion — defined by heritage, craftsmanship and exclusivity — is now under pressure to operate more sustainably. As global demand for environmental and social accountability rises, even the most storied fashion houses must evolve. But with that evolution comes risk: in going greener, luxury brands may be undermining the very mystique and material superiority…

With economic uncertainty, rising costs, and shifting regulations piling on, the pressure on retailers is only intensifying. Shoppers are thinking twice about every purchase. And sustainability? It can start to feel like just another box to check instead of the strategic lever it truly is. When done right, sustainability leads to smarter operations. Reducing waste,…

In today’s economic environment, retailers have the ever-growing challenge of competing for consumer dollars while still attempting to maintain a profit amid rising costs. Now more than ever, affordability is guiding consumer decisions, with sale opportunities and secondhand shopping dominating the landscape. For retailers looking for a competitive edge, the circular economy offers a smart…

The word “sustainability” gets thrown around a lot these days, to the point that it can feel little more than a marketing badge. Eco-friendly. Green product. Sustainably sourced. But sustainability is more than a buzzword; it’s a commitment that a business conducts itself in a way that will sustain not only itself but also the…

Global retailers face constant whiplash as countries adjust their value-added tax (VAT) regulations, complicating cross-border operations. Recent updates — including zero-dollar VAT thresholds in Indonesia and the Philippines and revisions to the European Union’s Import One-Stop Shop (IOSS) — demand urgent attention. These unpredictable changes create more than administrative burdens. When customers encounter unexpected VAT…

While attending Shoptalk 2025 in Las Vegas from March 25-27, Total Retail's Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan had the opportunity to interview Emily Hosie, founder and CEO of REBEL, formerly REBELStork, a Certified B Corp and the leading tech-driven recommerce solution for returns and overstock in North America. Hosie provides an overview of the business, her career…

As retailers plan for the remainder of 2025, sustainability is proving to be a major driver of growth. In 2024, eco-conscious shopping habits and the rise of the circular economy transformed digital commerce, with fashion resale platforms like Depop leading the charge. Depop was one of the companies recognized in the recent Similarweb Digital 100…

The apparel and footwear industries are focused on designing products that can be reused and recycled. Digital product passports (DPPs), which contain information about a product's sustainability, environmental impact and recyclability, are key to enabling this transformation. Tracking Product Data for Recycling Consider the benefits when a clothing manufacturer tracks a cotton T-shirt’s data from…

With many recent natural disasters — hurricanes, forest fires and flooding — serving as a constant reminder of the threat of climate change, the environment is playing an increasing role in decision-making for retailers and consumers alike. But how motivated are consumers to reduce their carbon footprint through sustainable products and eco-friendly home delivery options?…

While the unprecedented supply chain disruptions of the past few years have slowed, several pressure points continue to impact industry leaders, including heightened inflationary costs, increased sustainability expectations, and emerging technologies that require strategic investments to remain competitive. But what do these influences look like across the supply chain? Here’s a breakdown of these challenges…