Patagonia makes it easier to repair

Patagonia has entered a new phase for its initiatives in Europe, making it easier for customers to get their clothing and equipment repaired, and is calling on the apparel industry to do the same.

A new online Repair Portal will allow customers to request a repair directly, 24hrs a day, and track the status of their repair. Added to this, Patagonia is expanding its European network of fixers and bringing increased repair tools and services to stores, with the ambition of increasing repairs four-fold, to 100,000 per year, in the next five years.

Last year, Patagonia partnered with Makers Unite, with support from the Amsterdam Economic Board to launch the United Repair Centre (URC). A new repair provider set up to service multiple apparel brands, the URC trains and offers guaranteed work to experienced clothing makers who have challenges in finding employment, such as newcomers to the Netherlands with refugee status.

Willem Swager, director of finance and operations, Patagonia EMEA, says: "We need a new, regenerative model and structural change if we are to stand any chance of cleaning up the dirty industry of apparel. That’s why Patagonia is calling on brands to move away from a focus on only selling new, and to stimulate reuse and longer wear of their products, through repair. At Patagonia, we know that offering free repairs brings us many benefits, and a unique moment to engage with our customers. And to scale our impact, we are looking for companies to join us in the repair movement. As the saying goes: “If you want to go fast, go alone, if you want to go far, go together.”

    Share Story:

Recent Stories