Our thinking

Vinted becomes top clothing retailer in France

16 May, 2025

In a big win for the circular economy, Vinted has claimed the top spot for fashion sales volume in France, according to the French Fashion Institute’s latest barometer. It’s the first time a resale platform has led the rankings and a serious marker of how far the secondhand market has come.

But before we pop the Champagne, it’s not all good news: fast fashion giants Shein and Amazon are also among the top five retailers. It’s not surprising to see major digital platforms top a ranking based on sales volume, but it does raise a key question about Vinted’s rise. Is this purely about sustainability? Or is it about squeezing every last euro? The French may be embracing preloved, but the continued popularity of ultra-cheap fashion suggests price could be the real motivator – and that means the most problematic players aren’t going anywhere fast.

We’re not the only ones concerned. Last year, the French National Assembly unanimously approved a bill designed to tax fast fashion and fund more sustainable initiatives. But after passing through the lower house with no objections, the bill has stalled in the wake of last summer’s political upheaval. In the meantime, Shein has hired a former French politician to front its CSR campaigns in a move that’s raised more than a few eyebrows.

So yes, we’re glad to see Vinted leading the charge. And, of course, the impact of buying second hand is the same, whatever the motivation. But if affordability is the main driver, then the French government’s anti-fast fashion bill can’t sit on the shelf. The public has already shown they’ll buy second-hand – the question now is whether politicians will step up and make the sustainable choice the easy one too.

By Louise Podmore