Fast Fashion is a Slow Death: How retail companies impact the environment and the global supply chain
Open Access
- Author:
- Meszaros, Nicole
- Area of Honors:
- Supply Chain and Information Systems
- Degree:
- Bachelor of Science
- Document Type:
- Thesis
- Thesis Supervisors:
- Robert Alexander Novack, Thesis Supervisor
John C Spychalski, Thesis Honors Advisor - Keywords:
- Fast Fashion
Shein
Zara
Fast Fashion and the environment
Fast Fashion and child labor
Fast Fashion and smart factories - Abstract:
- The fast fashion industry emerged around the globe starting in the early 1990’s. Consumers began to desire cheaper clothing that was on trend at the moment, rather than statement pieces that would satisfy their needs for seasons to come. The over consumption of clothing has continued to grow each decade following the birth of fast fashion due to an increase in the need for instant gratification in each new generation. The hazardous chemicals and copious amounts of nonrenewable resources used by the fast fashion industry have taken an extreme toll on the global environment. The complete disregard of basic human rights by large fast fashion companies will continue to perpetuate the use of abusive labor in countries that do not have stringent regulations. If drastic change is not made in the fast fashion industry, its global supply chain has the potential to create irreparable damage on the environment and society. This thesis will explore two large fast fashion companies, Zara and Shein, and describe their supply chain and role in the industry. This thesis will then touch upon the influence that the youngest generations have on the fast fashion industry, and the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had in perpetuating the practices of the industry. This thesis will speak on the environmental and social injustices that the fast fashion industry has been sustaining for decades without proper regulation or exigency for change. This thesis will conclude with recommendations on how to improve the supply chain processes of the fast fashion industry in order to mitigate further damage. The analysis highlights the need for a complete redesign of the end-to-end supply chain of fast fashion companies through the implementation of smart factories within the industry.