Longevity as a business model: what the sports industry can learn now

• Sustainability starts with people
• From the linear supply chain to the circular economy
• The United Repair Center: Sustainability as a service
• Repair services strengthen customer loyalty
• Why repair services are becoming increasingly relevant for the sports and fashion industry
• Conclusion: The most important key learnings for the sports industry

Every second, a truckload of clothing ends up as waste. But the real burden is borne by people in countries such as Ghana, where around 10 million items of clothing end up as waste every week. Many earn their living by reselling these clothes - often under difficult conditions and with physical consequences. They carry these clothes on their heads to markets, often with loads of up to 50 kilograms.

Sustainability therefore not only affects materials and production processes, but also the people along the entire supply chain. Sustainable change begins with a change of perspective: who produces, sells and disposes of our clothing - and what responsibility do we bear as an industry?

For a long time, the textile industry followed a linear model: clothing was produced, sold and finally disposed of. But this system is coming under increasing pressure. A circular economy in which clothing is used for longer and recycled is becoming increasingly important. Repairs play a central role in this - they extend the lifespan of textiles and help to save valuable resources.

Three factors in particular are crucial for this change

1. More conscious consumers
   Gen Z in particular is changing its buying habits and showing a growing interest in sustainable fashion. According to McKinsey & Co (2021), 75% of millennials also prefer brands that are committed to sustainability.

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