Date of Graduation

5-2026

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration

Degree Level

Undergraduate

Department

Marketing

Advisor/Mentor

Harris, Flint

Abstract

This research targets the fashion industry and its journey towards sustainability and circularity, specifically through the rise of clothing resale. It discusses the environmental impact of the overall fashion industry, as well as how secondhand shopping can offset the production of new items. This research also compares third party marketplaces with private, brand-operated resale platforms, exploring how each one benefits both the environment and consumers. Each resale model provides variety in user experiences, profits, and sustainability outcomes. These findings reveal that peer-to-peer platforms have helped normalize secondhand shopping, but brand resale initiatives have a greater control over sustainability and customer loyalty. Although resale does not automatically reduce carbon emissions, producing quality products with higher resale value can decrease the industry’s environmental footprint. The results predict the future progression of fashion towards a circular, closed-loop system, but the industry has not achieved this yet.

Keywords

e-commerce; secondhand; sustainable fashion; carbon footprint

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