“Many business benefits, both in the short and long term, can be found by operating sustainably: these include such things as lower running costs, increased efficiencies, motivated employees, improved reputation with local communities and wider stakeholders and a more resilient supply chain.” [Royal Warrant Sustainability Criteria]
Clothing store Seasalt, based in Falmouth and with a shop in Sidmouth, are keen to promote their Sustainability Strategy, working with a ‘resale’ platform.
Burberry has launched a collaboration with pre-loved platform Vestiaire Collective in an attempt to boost its green credentials. The British fashion house is partnering with the pre-loved fashion resale app to allows shoppers to trade in their old Burberry items in exchange for a voucher. In addition to the launch, the heritage brand has donated a selection of its trench coats to be sold on the platform, with proceeds going to SmartWorks – a UK-based charity providing interview clothes and coaching to women in need.
The company, whose brand ambassadors have included actress and model Cara Delevingne and former Doctor Who Matt Smith, now strive to reuse, repair, donate or recycle all unsaleable products – and the latest collaboration with Vestiaire Collective is a significant milestone in the project. It comes amid news that some of the UK’s most iconic brands fear they could face losing millions of pounds and King Charles’ seal of approval if they don’t prove their sustainable outputs. Hundreds of firms granted a Royal Warrant under Queen Elizabeth II will have to show eco-conscious King Charles III that they have ‘an appropriate environmental and sustainability policy and action plan’ if they wish to keep the title. Around 800 firms held the lucrative warrant under his mother, but the Royal Warrant Association’s website states that all warrants granted are reviewed by the royal household ‘upon a change of the reigning sovereign.’
Companies applying for a Royal Warrant of Appointment are expected to demonstrate a public commitment to sustainable and responsible business practices. Companies are required to complete the online questionnaire in order to make all relevant information available to the Royal Household’s Royal Warrants of Appointment Environmental and Social Review Committee, established by HM The King in 1990.
Sustainable business practices should not just be a part of this application process and operating sustainably is good for business. Many business benefits, both in the short and long term, can be found by operating sustainably, these include such things as lower running costs, increased efficiencies, motivated employees, improved reputation with local communities and wider stakeholders and a more resilient supply chain. Specific examples are included in the accompanying guidance by issue.
Cornish clothing brand Seasalt has launched its resale platform with Reskinned, the sustainable ‘pre-loved’ clothing repair and resale specialist. The resale platform will enable Seasalt customers to buy pre-loved and repaired Seasalt clothing that has been taken back from customers to be ‘rehomed’, avoiding them being sent to landfill.
