Trump Won—Here's What That Means for Fashion, Retail & Sustainability + the Top Stories This Week
This week’s need-to-know headlines in sustainable fashion—curated for you—along with the latest job openings on the SFF Job Board.
Welcome to Week/End, your quick-hit guide to the week’s sustainability news at the intersection of fashion, ethics, and business.
This week has felt heavy, with big changes on the horizon and a sense of uncertainty. For those dedicated to sustainability, the election news may feel especially disheartening. But if there’s one thing our community has proven time and again, it’s resilience and the power of collective action.
Now more than ever, our commitment to sustainability and positive change matters.
At SFF, we’re here to bridge industry silos and provide insights that empower you to adapt with purpose. Our goal is to keep you informed, inspired, and connected to progress in sustainable fashion—without the overwhelm.
If you took a step back from the news this week—whether for a mental health break or to focus on the big headlines—we’ve got you covered. Here’s a roundup of the sustainable fashion news you may have missed.
Trump Won the US Election—Here’s What That Means for Fashion, Retail & Sustainability
With Donald Trump’s return to the White House as president-elect, the fashion industry is preparing for potential shifts in trade, tariffs, and economic policies. Here’s breakdown of what another Trump term might mean for the industry:
Tariffs on Imports: Trump has proposed sweeping tariffs ranging from 10-20% on all imports, with 60-100% on goods from China, potentially driving up prices. The National Retail Federation (NRF) estimates these tariffs could increase costs for consumers, reduce U.S. spending by up to $78 billion, and impact apparel prices by as much as 20.6%. NRF President Matthew Shay highlighted that broad tariffs could drive inflation and job losses, adding an estimated $7,600 in annual costs per household.
Sourcing and Supply Chains: Anticipated tariffs may lead brands to reassess their sourcing and supply chain strategies. Experts believe most production will shift to nearby low-cost regions rather than back to the U.S., given established networks and logistics. Neil Saunders of GlobalData noted that brands will need contingency plans, but planning is difficult with policy uncertainty. Steve Madden, for instance, is accelerating production moves to Vietnam, Cambodia, and Mexico.
As reported by Souring Journal, other companies like Under Armour, Wolverine Worldwide, and Tapestry, have similarly prepared contingency plans, having diversified away from China in recent years. Wolverine Worldwide, for instance, reduced its China sourcing exposure from 40% in 2019 to the mid-teens by 2024, while Tapestry reports having less than 10% exposure in China. These adjustments aim to help brands remain resilient amid tariff policy changes.
Pre-Inauguration Import Acceleration: Many retailers may fast-track imports ahead of Inauguration Day to avoid potential tariffs, similar to strategies used during Trump’s first term. This could strain warehouse space and impact logistics.
Shipping and Warehouse Demand: Increased imports may push up freight rates and warehouse costs. Possible East Coast port strikes and Lunar New Year shipping demands could further disrupt supply chains.
Impact on Luxury and Global Spending
Increased tariffs on European imports could raise costs on European luxury goods in the U.S., although a stronger dollar may balance some import costs, enabling Americans to continue spending abroad.
Challenges for “Made in the USA” and M&A Deals
Higher tariffs may increase production costs for U.S.-made goods. Trump’s stance on corporate mergers could also affect pending deals like the Tapestry-Capri merger.
Corporate Taxes and Spending: Trump’s potential corporate tax cuts could benefit retail spending, though some analysts caution that inflation could counteract this. Lower taxes might boost high-end spending, though future tax policies remain uncertain with the 2017 cuts set to expire.
Labor and Immigration Concerns: Trump’s policies on immigration, including potential mass deportations, pose risks for labor in sectors like manufacturing and agriculture, which rely on immigrant workers. Workforce disruptions could impact production capacities and labor availability for brands sourcing in the U.S.
Environmental and Regulatory Challenges: Fashion’s sustainability goals may face setbacks under Trump’s leadership, given his support for increased domestic energy production and potential rollbacks on climate regulations. This shift could pressure brands to rely more on state-led environmental initiatives to meet sustainability targets.
Trump’s proposed policies introduce significant challenges for the fashion industry, potentially impacting everything from pricing and sourcing to sustainability. While tariffs may lead some brands to explore new sourcing locations, large-scale reshoring to the U.S. remains unlikely due to logistical and cost complexities.
Biden Expected to Issue De Minimis Reform Proposal Before End of Term
The Biden Administration is expected to issue a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on de minimis trade reform before the end of the year, according to former administration official Tim Manning. Manning, who served as the national Covid-19 supply coordinator, stated in a recent webinar that President Biden aims to propose rules limiting the volume of duty-free, low-value imports entering the U.S. under the de minimis exemption before his term concludes.
The NPRM, anticipated in late November or early December, would outline measures restricting certain shipments—like those subject to Section 301 tariffs on Chinese goods—from using the de minimis exemption, which allows products valued under $800 to enter the U.S. duty-free. This exemption is widely used by companies like Shein and Temu to avoid tariffs.
Following the NPRM, a 30-60 day public comment period will be held, but a final rule may not be implemented before Biden leaves office. The speed of progress on this rule will depend on the priorities of the next administration.
U.S. Election Sparks Reflection Among Sustainability Leaders
With the U.S. election outcome sparking concerns over climate and social protections, sustainability leaders are reflecting on the importance of pushing forward.
Our founder, Brittany Sierra, emphasized the power of community and resilience, reaffirming her commitment to equipping industry professionals with the tools and insights needed to adapt and thrive.
Fashion for Good Launched “World of Waste” Digital Tool to Map Global Textile Waste Hotspots
Fashion for Good has launched "World of Waste," a free online tool that maps global textile waste hotspots. The platform provides regional data on textile waste volume, composition, and type, enabling recyclers and innovators to efficiently locate and utilize textile waste resources worldwide.
→ Learn more about World of Waste
→ Explore the map
Cascale Launched Updated Higg FEM Tool
Cascale, in partnership with Worldly, has released the latest version of the Higg Facility Environmental Module (Higg FEM), a key tool in assessing and managing environmental impacts within the consumer goods manufacturing supply chain. The Higg FEM 2024 update integrates Worldly's Facility Data Manager, allowing facilities to track and share monthly environmental metrics—streamlining data collection and reducing duplication for over 20,000 companies worldwide.
This update also expands verified metrics to include waste impacts, alongside energy, GHG, water, wastewater, and air emissions, enhancing its value for environmental management, legislative compliance, and risk assessment. Cascale engaged over 85 industry members to shape this release. A launch webinar on November 14 will further detail these enhancements for Cascale members and Higg FEM users.
→ Read more about the update
→ Register for the November 14th webinar
Apparel Impact Institute Released a New Report Targeting the Decarbonization of India’s Apparel Industry
India’s industrial sector, accounting for around 25% of the country’s carbon emissions, faces a significant challenge as the textile and apparel industry ranks among its highest carbon emitters. To address this, the Apparel Impact Institute, in partnership with Development Finance International and with support from HSBC, released Landscape and Opportunities to Finance the Decarbonization of India’s Apparel Manufacturing Sector.
The report outlines strategies to mobilize sustainable financing aimed at reducing carbon emissions in India’s textile and apparel sector. It provides a framework for investment and actionable steps to support decarbonization, aligning the industry with India's broader emissions reduction targets.
The Ellen MacArthur Foundation and Kantar Released New Marketing Playbook to Guide Transition to a Circular Economy
The Ellen MacArthur Foundation, in partnership with Kantar, has launched a new marketing playbook offering marketers practical insights, case studies, and strategies to leverage circular economy opportunities for economic, environmental, and social benefits.
The playbook guides marketers in shifting from a traditional "take, make, waste" model to circular business practices that focus on reuse, repair, and resale.
It identifies four key action areas: creating scalable circular solutions by identifying market gaps and opportunities, driving demand for circular products by making them appealing and accessible, promoting circular behaviors through models like repair and resale, and integrating circular KPIs into performance metrics.
Global Fashion Agenda Released the GFA Monitor 2024
Ahead of COP29, Global Fashion Agenda (GFA) has published The GFA Monitor 2024, a resource for fashion industry leaders focusing on progress toward a net-positive impact.
Produced in collaboration with Apparel Impact Institute, Ellen MacArthur Foundation, Fair Labor Association, Social & Labor Convergence Program, and Textile Exchange, the report provides industry-specific insights, consolidating best practices and clear action steps across five core sustainability priorities—Respectful and Secure Work Environments, Better Wage Systems, Resource Stewardship, Circular Systems, and Carbon Emission Reduction.
This edition, building on the Fashion CEO Agenda framework, identifies 27 critical actions necessary to advance environmental and social goals. Drawing on input from the Fashion Industry Target Consultation and contributions from stakeholders across six continents, the GFA Monitor 2024 serves as an actionable guide, offering tools, credible data, and policy insights to help companies align strategies with sustainability objectives.
A New Study Suggests Bio-Based Fibers May Pose Greater Environmental Risks Than Conventional Plastics
New research by the University of Plymouth highlights that bio-based fibers like viscose and lyocell, often promoted as eco-friendly alternatives to conventional plastics, may have more severe environmental impacts than materials like polyester. The study found that, in high concentrations, bio-based fibers led to higher earthworm mortality rates—up to 80% for viscose—compared to polyester. At environmentally relevant levels, these fibres also negatively affected earthworm growth and reproduction, raising concerns over their ecological impacts. The researchers emphasize the need for thorough testing of alternative materials before wide adoption, underscoring that independent evidence is essential to avoid unintended environmental consequences as global efforts to reduce plastic pollution continue.
European Researchers Launch True Cost Calculator
The EU-funded SCIRT project has introduced the True Cost Calculator (TCC), a free online tool that allows fashion professionals to assess the full environmental and social impacts of garments across their lifecycle. Developed by research organization VITO and Flanders DC, the tool targets designers, buyers, and sustainability managers, offering insights to help reduce the "True Cost Gap"—the difference between the retail price and the real societal costs of a garment, including external environmental and social impacts.
The TCC uses lifecycle assessment data to quantify environmental effects, such as global warming potential and water consumption, while the social impact component evaluates factors like fair wages, safety, and child labor. By allowing users to model and compare lifecycle scenarios, the tool aims to guide decision-making that minimizes negative impacts, aligning fashion practices with circularity and sustainability goals.
💬 What’s your take on this week’s news? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and we might feature your response in next week’s newsletter!
♻️ H&M announced a partnership with logistics provider Bleckmann to manage the online launch and distribution of its Pre-Loved Archive collection in Europe, leveraging Bleckmann’s expertise in circular fashion logistics to renew and distribute pre-owned items from H&M’s past designer collaborations. → Read more.
💧 Green Theme Technologies raised $6 million to expand its PFAS-free, waterless textile treatment technology, Empel, which provides sustainable water repellency, anti-wicking, and stain release for fabrics.
🌾 CottonConnect and TEXPROCIL are partnering to promote India’s branded "Kasturi Cotton," focusing on increasing supply, traceability, and sustainability through farmer training and quality benchmarks for both domestic and global markets. → Read more.
🐴 Stella McCartney released a horse-themed campaign for its new vegan Stella Ryder bag, featuring "Succession" star Sarah Snook, photographed alongside horses at Spring Farm Dressage in Melbourne’s Yarra Valley. →Read the story.
💬 What’s your take on this week’s news? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and we might feature your response in next week’s newsletter!
United States:
Nike | Global Sustainability Graduate Internship
Beaverton, OR | Full-Time・Internship
→ Apply herePatagonia | Category Director Oceans
Ventura, CA | On-Site・Full-Time・Mid-Senior Level
$179.1K/yr - $268.7K/yr
→ Apply hereVuori | Vice President, Sustainability
Carlsbad, CA | Full-Time・Executive
$260K/yr - $280K/yr
→ Apply hereFaherty Brand | Sustainability MBA Intern
New York, NY | Hybrid・Internship
$20/hr - $25/hr
→ Apply here
Europe:
Karl Lagerfeld | Manager Sustainability Product
Amsterdam, Netherlands | Hybrid・ Full-Time・Mid-Senior Level
→ Apply hereNudie Jeans | Temporary Climate and Environmental Specialist
Gothenburg, Sweden | On-site Temporary Mid-Senior level
→ Apply here
United Kingdom:
ASOS.com | Senior Product Sustainability Partner
London, United Kingdom | Hybrid・Full-Time・Mid-Senior Level
→ Apply hereASOS.com | Sustainable Supply Chain Assistant
London, United Kingdom | Hybrid・Full-Time・Associate
→ Apply hereASOS.com | Assistant Compliance Technologist (Chemical & Fabric Sustainability)
London, United Kingdom | Hybrid・Full-Time
→ Apply hereAll Saints | ESG Assistant
London, United Kingdom | On-Site・Full-Time・Entry Level
→ Apply here
Sri Lanka:
Gap Inc | Specialist/Sr Specialist, Supplier Sustainability
Colombo, Sri Lanka | On-Site・Full-Time・Entry Level
→ Apply hereLululemon | Responsible Supply Chain Manager
Colombo, Sri Lanka | On-Site・Full-Time・Mid-Senior Level
→ Apply here
China:
Adidas | Sourcing Intern, Climate & Energy
Shanghai, Shanghai, China | On-Site
→ Apply here
Hong Kong:
Lululemon | Senior Vendor Renewable Energy Manager – Responsible Supply Chain
Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR | On-Site・Full-Time・Mid-Senior Level
→ Apply here
Taiwan:
Lululemon | Senior Vendor Renewable Energy Manager – Responsible Supply Chain
Taipei, Taipei City, Taiwan | On-Site・Full-Time・Mid-Senior Level
→ Apply here
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