Fashion in turmoil: impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Finland’s textile and fashion industry

Revolutionizing the Textile and Clothing Industry: Pioneering Sustainability and Resilience in a Post-COVID Era

“…Despite a rebound in 2021-2022, the outlook for the industry in 2023 remains bleak, where 84 percent of industry leaders expect market conditions to decline or remain the same due to various economic, political, and social factors [31]. In the literature, studies have examined the impact of the pandemic on the change in the operation of the fashion industry [4,5]. There have also been studies on the changes in consumer behavior [1,11,32].…”

“…Apart from the recognition for the rebuilding of industry practices for sustainability, the challenging circumstances brought on by the pandemic have had a cascading effect throughout the textile and clothing supply chain, leading to layoffs of garment workers across Asia [5]. Some countries were severely affected, e.g., Bangladesh, where textile and clothing production has high societal impacts [4]. Businesses evidently experienced severe losses in revenue [5], and designers faced a heavy burden with substantial unsold inventory [10].…”

“…One of these included the plummet in demand for apparel and textiles, causing major international retailers to defer, cancel, or refuse payment for orders already placed [3]. This had a devastating ripple effect, resulting in mass layoffs and joblessness for thousands of garment factory workers [1,4], particularly in Asian developing countries [5], which were heavily dependent on the apparel and textile trade. In light of this, a question that should be asked is, "How to rebuild a more sustainable textile and clothing industry after COVID-19?"…”

“…Moreover, the COVID-19 crisis has further accentuated the need for transformation within the textile and clothing industry, shedding light on the significant inequalities prevalent in the labor market [4]. The pandemic exposed vulnerabilities and inequities, making it increasingly evident that a sustainable approach is essential not only for environmental preservation but also for achieving social justice.…”

Sustainable luxury purchase behavior in the Post-Pandemic Era: a grounded theory study in China

“…The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a decline in fashion consumption ( Pang et al, 2022 ). Researchers have explored the impact of COVID-19 on the fashion industry and consumer behavior by countries including the Finland, the South Korea and Australia ( Brydges et al, 2021 ; Vătămănescu et al, 2021 ; Pang et al, 2022 ; Haukkala et al, 2023 ). Luxury fashion, leading the fashion industry, has adopted new strategies to reduce the influence of the pandemic through the product/monetary donations, e-retailing, the price adjustment strategies and the fashion show strategies in the Post-Pandemic Era ( Xie and Youn, 2020 ).…”