How Sole Responsibility is Building a Fast-Growing Business from Fashion Returns

Simon Payne is the co-founder at Sole Responsibility, a sustainable retail business specialising in the resale and takeback of seconds in the footwear and clothing space. They resell 10,000s of sub-prime shoes and garments a year with growth at 30% year on year. 

 

In this episode, Simon joins Chloe Thomas to explore how resale commerce, changing consumer behavior, AI, and upcoming sustainability legislation are reshaping the future of fashion retail. They discuss why secondhand is becoming mainstream, what ESPR means for brands, and how retailers can turn returns and resale into long-term opportunities. 

 

Hit PLAY to hear: 

• Why secondhand fashion is becoming mainstream faster than brands expected 👟 
• The surprising way retailers are turning returns into revenue 💰 
• How AI is helping identify and resell thousands of unique products 
• What Europe’s new ESPR legislation could mean for eCommerce brands ⚖️ 
• Why platforms like Vinted are changing consumer behavior forever 
• The big question fashion brands may soon have to face: produce less or lose relevance? 👀 

 

Dive in: 

[05:21] Using AI for product identification 

[07:34] Focusing on product returns and resale 

[10:32] Rise of social live shopping 

[14:57] Challenges with product traceability 

[16:58] Sustainability and product reuse challenges 

[20:40] Trends in UK retail shopping 

[24:20] Future of production and sustainability 

[25:53] Listen to Simon’s Top Tips! 

 

Full episode notes here: https://ecmp.info/597

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