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Challenging Current Fashion Business Models: Entrepreneurship Through Access-Based Consumption in the Second-Hand Luxury Garment Sector Within a Circular Economy

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Sustainable Luxury

Abstract

The purpose of this chapter is to investigate drivers of (non)participation in access-based consumption and the underpinning motives of becoming (or not) a micro-entrepreneur within the circular economy. Peer-to-peer platforms and drivers of (non)participation within the context of the UK’s second-hand luxury market are currently under-researched. This chapter is exploratory in nature and utilises a qualitative research approach. This study conducts semi-structured interviews with consumers from varied demographical backgrounds to gain an insight into consumers’ perceptions of access-based consumption and sustainability. Findings identified drivers of (non)participation and the emergences of a (potentially) new micro-entrepreneur. It is further explored whether this would be a feasible business model for the future with consumers actively buying into the access-based concept. Although findings cannot be generalised, the data provides thinking points for future research and investigates an economically significant context. Gaining an insight into this newly emerging trend could help retailers to capitalise on disruptive innovations and change consumer perceptions of partaking in access-based consumption. Thus far, drivers of (non)participation in the context of the UK’s second-hand luxury industry remain under-researched, and the economic significance of the sector indicates the necessity of this research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Materials, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK

    Shuang Hu, Claudia E. Henninger, Rosy Boardman & Daniella Ryding

Authors
  1. Shuang Hu
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  2. Claudia E. Henninger
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  3. Rosy Boardman
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  4. Daniella Ryding
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Correspondence to Shuang Hu .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Studies on Sustainable Luxury, Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Miguel Angel Gardetti

  2. SGS Hong Kong Limited, Hong Kong, Hong Kong

    Subramanian Senthilkannan Muthu

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Hu, S., Henninger, C.E., Boardman, R., Ryding, D. (2019). Challenging Current Fashion Business Models: Entrepreneurship Through Access-Based Consumption in the Second-Hand Luxury Garment Sector Within a Circular Economy. In: Gardetti, M., Muthu, S. (eds) Sustainable Luxury. Environmental Footprints and Eco-design of Products and Processes. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-0623-5_3

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