WHERE RETURNS FIND REDEMPTION: MEET BAZAR, THE FUTURE OF CIRCULAR FASHION

By: Erica Commisso

We see it all the time - overstock clothing sent to landfills, extra textiles remaining unused and small businesses folding because consumers simply cannot find their products to buy. The market is undeniably saturated with options. Enter Bazar, an online retailer that offers perfect condition with return or excess stock from over 40 retailers offering discounts up to a whopping 80%. 

“In 2022, I visited a fast fashion brand’s warehouse near Chicago and was shocked to see over a football stadium's worth of brand-new overstock clothes destined for the landfill. These products were mostly in pristine condition but lacked original tags or packaging, making them unsellable on the brand's main website. This issue wasn’t just isolated to one company—it’s a widespread problem in e-commerce,” says Annie Hu, the co-founder and CEO of Bazar. “Brands often don’t have the infrastructure to handle returns or redistribute ‘New Without Tags’ items. Without effective redistribution channels, these items pile up in warehouses, and as storage fees become unbearable, brands have no choice but to liquidate them at a loss or send them to landfills. In 2022 alone, over 3.5 billion units of overstock in the U.S. were discarded this way.”

Annie Hu, Bazar Founder

Though based in San Francisco, California, Bazar has warehouse partners in Los Angeles and Chicago to make operations run smoothly. The online retailer also practices responsible shipping by using biodegradable packaging to minimize its environmental impact when sending out purchases from brands like Commense, Few Moda and Halfdays to buyers, who are both individuals and businesses. Hu says the idea to sell to both consumers and retailers was a response to positive feedback.

“Initially, we focused on selling these products to professional resellers and thrift stores, but after a viral TikTok video from a consumer praising our model, we realized there was a huge opportunity to sell directly to eco-conscious consumers,” she explains. “We are now redefining overstock and returns or 'New Without Tag' items as a cool, guilt-free way for shoppers to access their favorite brands at a discount, while also making a positive environmental impact.”

Of course, the model also helps the brands financially. They make some sort of profit on overstock and returned items, sometimes allowing them to break even on the production of the garment rather than disposing of them and taking a financial loss by sending the unused or returned goods to the landfill. 

Commense Sleeveless Pockets Pleated Midi Dress, $24.50, Courtesy of Bazar

Hu notes that returns, in particular, are a pain point for the fashion industry because shopping patterns have changed among consumers. “E-commerce, in general, has seen an increase in return rates, especially with the growth in online shopping since COVID,” she says. “While it has become easier for consumers to return items, brands often lack the infrastructure to process and resell these products efficiently. Many returned items, despite being in excellent condition—often just tried on or worn once—remain unsold because brands don’t have the systems in place to properly handle and repackage them for resale.”

Asymmetric Patchwork Faux Leather Chiffon Pleated Midi Skirt by Commense, $17.80 - Courtesy of Bazar

Still, Hu hopes Bazar can improve its return resales in the future. “​​Looking forward, we aim to create a new product category specifically for returns, encouraging transparency and spreading knowledge about how to handle them. Returns require a different logistical solution compared to overstock, new, or secondhand items, so we want to tackle this growing market head-on. By giving customers access to great products at affordable prices, we’re ensuring these items get a second chance while also addressing the rising volume of returns,” she says. “Our unrealistic hope is that a company like Bazar, which focuses on returns and overstock, wouldn’t need to exist. But realistically, returns and overproduction will remain challenges due to the fast-changing nature of fashion, styles, and cuts. We believe all returns and overstock products deserve a second life.” 

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