eBay launches ‘Imperfects’ offering to drive more circularity this Earth Day

New destination gives almost perfect fashion items from over 100 brands a second chance

LONDON, Wednesday, 20 April 2022:  As shoppers look to reduce their fashion spend and environmental footprint, today eBay UK is launching Imperfects - the fashion equivalent to supermarkets' wonky veg initiative, which launched in a bid to cut food waste.

eBay’s Imperfects range offers clothes, shoes and accessories which is considered new, but with defects, from over 100 high-street and high-end designers including North Face, Off White, Puma, Fila, and Timberland at up to 60% off. 

Imperfect items may include defects such as a small scuff or mark, a button missing or a loose thread that may have been from the factory or are ex-display which means they can’t be sold at full price as it did not meet the manufacturers strict quality standards. 

Brits will be able to get their hands on this luxe for less Saint Laurent bag which has minor scratches meaning you could save nearly £900, or these good as new pair of Puma trainers which simply were ex-display stock. 

All imperfections are clearly labelled in the listing with accompanying photos so customers know exactly what they are getting. An Imperfects purchases also come with free shipping and 30 day returns, with a money back guarantee so customers can shop with peace of mind. 

Launching this week to mark Earth Day (22nd April) and at a time when 13 million items of clothing going to landfill every week,* eBay is encouraging shoppers to invest in their planet. 

New data from the marketplace has found UK shoppers are becoming increasingly conscious. As they look for ways to save both money and the planet, searches for ‘preloved clothes’ have multiplied 9x in the last year and searches for ‘used dress’ are up by 156%.* 

The online marketplace’s global 2022 Recommerce Report, discovered that while financial reasons remain the primary motivator, 42% of eBay buyer respondents also cited environmental concerns and a hope to reduce waste, making Imperfects the perfect destination for those looking for a kinder way to shop . ***

Jemma Tadd, Head of Fashion at eBay UK said: “With growing financial pressures and the climate crisis continuing to be at the forefront of consumers’ minds, we’re proud to launch Imperfects as another avenue to help keep fashion items out of landfill. 

It’s often the fashion items that may have not made the ‘cut’ and failed quality assurance checks - as a result customers would not have had the opportunity to purchase the items. eBay is providing a platform for these items to be given a second chance, and be sold, despite their imperfections.

Since 1995, eBay has embraced the power of people coming together to do good, whether that’s through selling their things to give them a second life, or now opting for Imperfects -  this is another way shoppers can easily do their bit.”

Simon Payne at Sole Responsibility, an eBay UK seller added: “Imperfect clothing, while perhaps not being able to be sold at retail price by brands, still deserves a space in someone’s wardrobe. eBay’s new online destination will continue to save thousands of high-quality fashion items from going to waste too soon and help the conscious minded consumer get their hands on in-demand brands.”

eBay by the numbers 

• All part of eBay’s ongoing efforts to reduce fashion sent to landfill, in 2021, eBay helped save over 17,770 tons of fashion items out of landfill**** - the equivalent of 1,404 double decker buses. 

• Two pre-loved items are sold every second and one refurbished tech item is sold every 10 seconds on eBay

• As well as mindful buying and selling to help the planet, eBay’s community has also helped over 200 social enterprises to grow their impact in communities across the country, through purchasing from forward thinking businesses committed to doing good. £38m has also been raised for charities in 2021 via donations on the website and initiatives designed to help charitable causes.

• Located within eBay’s Brand Outlet hub, with Imperfects, shoppers can check out any imperfections on the product alongside the description and grab up  to 50% off on a  selection of brands. An Imperfects purchase also offers free shipping and 30 day returns, with a money back guarantee.

The top 10 picks from eBay’s Imperfects:

To help you on your journey of doing good, eBay is sharing which fashion brands are most popular, in case you have any items sitting in your wardrobe which are no longer perfect for you, but are for someone else. 

Top Brands in Secondhand Fashion in 2022 so far in order of amount sold on eBay UK: 

1. NEXT 

2. NIKE

3. MARKS AND SPENCER 

4. ADIDAS

5. ZARA  

6. RIVER ISLAND   

7. NEW LOOK

8. PRIMARK  

9. GEORGE

10. H&M

-- ENDS –

Notes to editor

*Oxfam, Second Hand September, September 2021

**Based on eBay search data March 2022 to March 2021

***eBay Recommerce Report 2022

****Immediate diversion of second hand items going to landfill