Which companies are associated with fast fashion?

Several companies are associated with the fast fashion business model, which prioritizes the rapid design, production, and promotion of low-cost clothing to keep up with shifting fashion trends.1

Prominent companies identified with this industry include:

• Zara: Often credited with pioneering the model by drastically reducing the time required to move garments from design to store shelves.1
• Shein: A Chinese e-commerce platform known for extremely rapid production turnarounds.1
• H&M: A major retailer that has also implemented programs to accept used clothing for recycling or resale.1
• UNIQLO1
• Primark12
• Mango1
• ASOS1

While these companies provide affordable access to current styles, the fast fashion model is ethically concerning due to its reliance on high-volume production, which often leads to significant environmental degradation and the exploitation of garment workers in the Global South.1