The Chinese fashion and beauty online retailer Shein also wants to cover its fabric needs from leftover stocks from the global fashion industry. The partner for this is the US company Queen of Raw based in New York, which has developed software (Materia MX) that can be used to localize and trade leftover stocks worldwide. At the same time, Shein wants to offer its own surplus fabrics and materials to other companies via the software.
The software’s automation of the Shein supply chain workflow allows for the verification of unused materials that meet both Shein sourcing requirements and the Materia MX standard for leftover stocks. These materials are then made available to Shein designers to incorporate into the products sold on the Shein platform. The Materia MX platform also allows Shein to track and analyze the data according to scientific standards.
“We look forward to supporting one of the world’s leading retailers on their journey to transforming their supply chain. Shein’s impact in the fashion industry is consistent with our position as a global leader in measuring and reporting environmental impacts for excess inventory and waste streams across all industries,” said Stephanie Benedetto, CEO of Queen of Raw. “Our technology enables Shein to deliver local Onboard second-hand textiles from other brands into its on-demand business model to optimize future inventory purchases, thereby reducing the impact on climate and water while increasing transparency.”
Caitrin Watson, Director of Sustainability at Shein, added, “Partnering with Queen of Raw supports our journey towards a more circular system, starting with the design of our products. Because Shein’s business model is to make products on demand, we don’t accumulate excess fabric inventory, which is one of the biggest financial and sustainability challenges facing the fashion industry.”
This collaboration is part of Shein’s evoluShein sustainability roadmap to having a fully circular textile industry by 2050.