Collaboration between fashion brands, resale platforms, payment providers and technology companies is emerging as a critical force behind the rapid growth of fashion resale and recommerce, industry leaders said at the Global Fashion Summit in Copenhagen.
During a panel discussion at the annual sustainability-focused event, experts from Global Fashion Agenda, eBay and Visa highlighted how partnerships across industries are helping scale circular fashion models and reshape the future of apparel retail.
The conversation comes as global fashion brands increasingly turn toward resale and recommerce strategies to reduce environmental impact, meet sustainability targets and respond to changing consumer behavior.
Industry analysts say the global secondhand fashion market continues to grow faster than traditional retail, driven by younger consumers seeking more affordable and sustainable shopping options.
Speakers at the summit emphasized that building a successful resale ecosystem requires coordination across the entire fashion value chain, including logistics providers, digital payment companies, technology platforms and apparel brands. According to the panelists, collaboration is essential for improving authentication systems, enhancing customer trust, streamlining transactions and making resale more accessible to mainstream consumers.
Rachel Kibbe, chief executive of American Circular Textiles, who moderated several discussions at the summit, noted that circular business models can no longer operate in isolation if the industry aims to achieve meaningful environmental progress. Participants stressed that scaling resale requires industry-wide standards, stronger infrastructure and long-term investment.
Representatives from eBay explained that resale has evolved far beyond peer-to-peer marketplaces and is increasingly becoming integrated into the strategies of major fashion retailers and global brands. The company said consumers are becoming more comfortable purchasing pre-owned apparel, luxury goods and accessories online, particularly as concerns about textile waste and overproduction continue rising.
Visa executives at the event said digital payment innovation is also playing a growing role in supporting recommerce platforms. Faster and more secure payment systems, they said, are helping improve the customer experience while enabling smoother transactions between buyers, sellers and resale businesses across international markets.
The Global Fashion Summit, organized annually by Global Fashion Agenda in Copenhagen, has become one of the fashion industry’s leading forums for discussions on sustainability, decarbonization and circularity. This year’s summit placed strong emphasis on collaborative action, particularly as fashion companies face increasing pressure from regulators, investors and consumers to reduce emissions and improve supply chain transparency.
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Industry experts at the event warned that textile waste remains one of the biggest environmental challenges facing the global apparel sector. According to estimates cited during the summit, millions of tons of clothing are discarded annually, much of which ends up in landfills or is incinerated. Resale and recommerce models are increasingly viewed as practical solutions for extending product lifecycles and reducing waste generation.
Panelists also discussed how technology is transforming the resale landscape. Artificial intelligence, digital product passports and advanced tracking systems are helping platforms authenticate products, manage inventory and provide consumers with greater transparency about garment history and sustainability credentials.
Luxury fashion brands are among those increasingly investing in resale partnerships as part of their sustainability strategies. Several global labels have launched branded resale programs or partnered with online marketplaces to capture growing demand for secondhand luxury goods while maintaining customer engagement beyond initial purchases.
Analysts say the expansion of recommerce is also creating new economic opportunities for fashion businesses. Rather than relying solely on new product sales, brands are exploring ways to generate recurring revenue through resale, repair and refurbishment services.
Despite the rapid growth, industry leaders acknowledged that challenges remain. Logistics complexity, inconsistent regulations, product authentication and consumer awareness continue to pose barriers to scaling circular fashion globally. However, participants at the summit agreed that collaboration between industries will be essential to overcoming those obstacles.
The discussions in Copenhagen reflected a broader transformation underway in the fashion industry, where sustainability is increasingly influencing business models, sourcing strategies and consumer engagement. Experts at the summit said resale and recommerce are no longer niche concepts but are becoming central pillars of the future fashion economy.
As governments and global brands accelerate climate commitments, industry observers expect partnerships between technology firms, financial service providers and fashion companies to play an even larger role in driving the transition toward a more circular and sustainable apparel sector.
