The Forever 21 & Shein Partnership Makes Strategic Sense. It’s Still an Environmental Blight on the Retail Fashion Supply Chain.

 

The recent collaboration between Forever 21 and Shein marks a significant juncture in retail fashion, merging Forever 21’s established retail presence with Shein’s innovative direct-to-consumer model. This partnership, however, raises serious concerns about sustainable development and the environmental impact of fast fashion, known for its high carbon emissions and contribution to environmental degradation. The fusion of Shein’s rapid production model with Forever 21’s retail network could potentially worsen issues of overconsumption and environmental harm. Both companies have also faced scrutiny over their labor practices and sourcing methods, underscoring ethical challenges in the industry.

Despite these concerns, this alliance might offer a chance for positive change, potentially setting new sustainability and ethical standards in fast fashion. As consumer awareness of the environmental and social impacts of their clothing choices increases, there’s a growing call for more responsible fashion options. Will the Forever 21-Shein partnership lead to a more sustainable and ethical fast fashion industry, or will it amplify existing problems?

RayeCarol Cavendar, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor at the University of Kentucky. While Dr. Cavendar acknowledges the business logic behind the merger in retail fashion, she voices significant concerns about the impact on the environment, highlighting the urgent need to address its detrimental effects.

“The partnership in general terrifies me. My research is in sustainable development. I’m trying to provide a business perspective, which the business metrics and possible synergies back office and the like, in-store and online, all of those do line up. It does make sense. But we have such a huge issue with overconsumption that the fast fashion industry is causing extreme environmental degradation globally,” Cavendar said.

Article written by Sonia Gossai

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Image

Latest

DXpedition
Icom Powers 3Y0K : Ham Radio’s Most Ambitious DXpedition to Remote Bouvet Island Part 1
July 11, 2025

Bouvet Island sits at the edge of the world. It is frozen, uninhabited, and almost impossible to access. Fewer people have set foot there than in space. That level of remoteness is exactly what makes it so valuable to amateur radio operators. The island ranks tenth on ClubLog’s list of Most Wanted DXCC entities,…

Read More
entrepreneurial success
The Hidden Key to Entrepreneurial Success: Build Momentum Through Personal Branding and Authentic Networking
July 10, 2025

What if the biggest pivot of your career started with a conversation?  In this episode of Professional Quotient, host Jason Winningham welcomes Fanny Dunagan, CEO and Content Strategist of PathLynks, LLC. Fanny shares her journey from high-pressure consulting in Singapore to founding her own media and branding company — and why learning to network…

Read More
Q2 2025
RM Q2 2025 Wrap Up
July 9, 2025

Rogue Marketing continues to lead with intention in a space often driven by noise. Q2 2025 reflected a strategic focus on substance, where each initiative supported long-term brand growth. The team transformed internal recognition efforts into enduring brand assets and refined event strategies through immersive, results-driven experiences. Website launches during the quarter balanced visual…

Read More
amateur radios
Hamvention Spotlight: Emergency Preparedness Led PrepHam Paul to Amateur Radios and a Rising Voice in the Field
July 9, 2025

PrepHam Paul (K5VLP) celebrated his first visit to Dayton Hamvention by marking a major channel milestone. He hosted a giveaway of the  IC-2370B mobile radio from Icom to thank viewers for helping him reach 10,000 subscribers. His passion for emergency preparedness, rooted in his experience as an Eagle Scout and later studies in emergency management,…

Read More