Clicks>Consumption>Consequences
Forget everything you know about online shopping; eCommerce is changing. New online retail brands like TikTok Shop, Shein, and Temu have seemingly sprung out of nowhere (China) and are shaking the ground beneath the feet of more familiar faces like eBay and Amazon. These new kids on the eCommerce block have set out their stalls primarily on our smartphones and harnessed the power of social influence and gamification to offer deals that look so good that you’d be crazy not to buy.
According to ChannelX, the UK-based eCommerce industry blog, Temu and Shein are flying between 4,000 to 5,000 tons of goods worldwide daily. That’s the equivalent of 100 Boeing 777 freight flights, carrying a lot of low-value impulse purchases and delivering them directly to our homes for less than the cost of a first-class stamp. While there are bargains to be found on these sites, it’s also fair to say there’s a lot of cheap rubbish and products destined for landfill faster than you can say ‘TikTok made me buy it’.
The good news is that conscious consumption is on the rise. Second-hand platforms like Vinted and Back Market are tapping into demand for sustainable alternatives, while smaller retailers offer ethical choices with a community focus. With Gibraltar’s economy closely tied to global retail trends, how we buy matters — for our wallets, our businesses, and the planet.
Rebranding the preloved segment
While every purchase you make online or on the high street will have an environmental impact, there are brands offering a more sustainable choice. A big part of this sustainable eCommerce revolution is the re-imaging of the second-hand market.
The fashion industry is leading the charge, with eCommerce brands like Vinted and Depop successfully rebranding second-hand clothing as pre-loved or vintage. Meanwhile, eBay, with a little help from stars from reality TV’s Love Island, has made second-hand clothing aspirational.
This is having a significant impact on consumers’ buying habits. According to a recent survey by the eCommerce technology company Linnworks, 68% of consumers have made a second-hand purchase in the last year, with 40% of those shoppers buying second-hand clothing. While the cost-of-living crisis is clearly a driving force behind this trend, there is also a growing movement to more sustainable shopping practices, particularly amongst Gen X consumers.
According to Keep Britain Tidy, 10,000 items of clothing are sent to landfill in the UK every five minutes of the day. When you consider the massive scale of the problem, anything that can be done to reduce this incredible waste is essential.
Distressed Inventory
While any efforts to extend the lifespan of clothing through the second-hand market should be applauded, the fashion industry has a more significant problem. In an industry recognised for short sales seasons and high numbers of returns, the industry manages millions of items of overstock and distressed inventory that it cannot or will not sell. Reports suggest that upwards of 40% of clothes made every year go unsold. Sadly, much of this waste material is destined for landfill.
While many traditional retail brands’ business models are not equipped to effectively manage these overstocks, a new breed of online marketplaces has emerged to help liquidate stock and prevent unsold inventory from going to landfills. eCommerce sites like Secret Sales manage overstocks from thousands of European retailers, including many luxury brands.
Alongside the obvious environmental impact sites like Secret Sales aim to redress, they also solve a significant economic problem referencing £140 million worth of stock going to landfills in markets like the UK every year.
Technology and e-waste
But it’s not just the fashion industry embracing a more conscious approach to ecommerce. Technology and consumer electronics is another sector making strides to improve its environmental impact.
Online marketplaces like Back Market and MusicMagpie are promoting second-hand and refurbished tech as an affordable, reliable and sustainable alternative to buying brand new.
They also encourage individuals and corporations to reconsider what they do with their old tech. You might see that old phone in your junk drawer (we’ve all got one) as an insignificant problem. But when you dig a little deeper into how that smartphone was made, it really makes you think.
Back Market offers a compelling reason to consider recycling old devices and buying refurbished tech by highlighting the environmental impact of manufacturing a new smartphone. This process includes the excavation of 246 kg of raw materials, 89,000 litres of fresh water, and 84 kg of CO2e (the equivalent of 600 miles of driving).
Gibraltar Opportunity
The data used for this article largely references UK trends and information, but this doesn’t mean that Gibraltar can bury its head in the sand and think these challenges don’t exist here. There are problems to solve when it comes to handling e-waste and unsold inventory, but there could be opportunities too. Could there be space for local versions of Backmarket, Vinted and Wallapop? It has certainly worked for the food delivery sector…
While global e-commerce giants like Amazon, Shein and Temu dominate online shopping, there’s an ethical alternative much closer to home – the small businesses. In a world where sustainability is becoming more than just a buzzword, supporting local enterprises offers a more environmentally conscious option. Our homegrown retailers also bring a personal touch and accountability to their practices, ensuring that every purchase supports a business committed to ethical standards, quality, and the local economy. In doing so, we not only make more responsible consumer choices but also contribute to strengthening our community.
SHARE THIS
OTHER
AI is poised to reshape the legal profession, with 31% of law firm leaders predicting major disruption by 2025. Scott Simmons explores how AI could improve client outcomes, streamline workflows, and drive value. Whether you’re cautious or curious, it’s time to explore AI’s potential.
Whilst Brexit hasn’t exactly been a positive event, we can’t deny that it’s also been the catalyst for diversification and change. It was a true ‘before and after’ moment that made businesses rethink their strategies and, in many cases, change their direction of travel. Gibraltar’s newest bank, justbank, is born from this process. As well as heralding the arrival of a new bank, this fresh start gave the team at IDT Finance the opportunity to create innovative and tailored banking solutions from the ground up. I met with Managing Director, Damian Asquez, and Head of Corporate Banking, Nikolai Gafan, to find out more.
Whether you’re an ebook tapper or traditional page turner, there are thousands of books that can make you better at business. Áine Panter, Head of the School of Business at the University of Gibraltar has curated a list of must-reads that will inspire, inform, and equip you for success.
For many businesses, standing out from the crowd in an already crowded marketplace is a mammoth task. But for Fresquita one of the ways they tackled this issue was with highly creative packaging.
Over the past 18 years, I've had the privilege of working with a diverse range of businesses and industries, gaining insights into the challenges they face in implementing effective diversity and inclusion strategies. Often, DEI&B is viewed as a 'nice to have' rather than an essential component of business success. With this in mind, I'm excited to share valuable insights and practical steps to help you create environments where everyone can thrive. You've probably heard of DEI&B, but what do these letters really mean, and why do they matter for you and your organisation? Diversity includes differences like race, gender, age, neurodiversity, disability, LGBTQ+, culture, and more; Equity ensures equal opportunities for all; Inclusion values everyone's contributions; and Belonging means individuals feel accepted and integral to the organisation.
When you’ve been running your own business for a while, you know what works, and it’s easy to rely on the skills that got you to where you are. Chances are, you’re comfortable doing things in a certain way, and your team knows what to expect from your leadership style.
From the increasing influence of AI to the rise of social commerce and sustainability-driven consumer demand, the key to success lies in adapting strategically rather than chasing every new trend. This guide breaks down the most impactful trends for the year ahead—offering insights on how to integrate them into your business without losing sight of what already works. Smart adaptation, not blind reinvention, is the name of the game. Here's what to expect and how to make it work for you.
Who doesn’t love a good office gossip? Hushed conversations by the coffee machine, knowing glances across the office, colleagues who "just thought you should know" – it’s all just harmless banter, right? Not quite. While gossip might seem like an inevitable part of office life, the reality is much less entertaining. Workplace backbiting can destroy trust, drain morale, and impact team productivity. Few people understand this better than Norwegian psychotherapist Glenn Rolfsen. With over two decades of experience in psychotherapy, Glenn has dedicated his career to helping businesses tackle workplace negativity head-on. His innovative "Gozzip" method has been transforming office cultures worldwide, earning him recognition at TEDx talks and WHO conferences.
Fair recruitment is based on the principle that candidates are judged on their ability to do the job rather than influenced by factors such as an applicant’s gender, religion, ethnicity, or any other quality unrelated to their skills and expertise. As the Founder of Rock Learning and the Co-Founder of the ‘Count me In’ DEIB Conference, I have developed a deep understanding of the topic and how small businesses can implement inclusive hiring practices.
After teaching in schools for 18 years I decided to take the plunge and embark on a self-employed life. Driven by my passion for teaching children with special educational needs I set out to discover alternative ways to make education accessible to all. My vision was to have the individual in mind, with their own strengths and challenges, and with that came the birth of ‘edYOUcation Clare Francis’; bringing the YOU into learning.
Technology is having a major effect on every aspect of our lives, and the retail environment is not immune to these changes. Not only has online shopping revolutionised the way we think about buying and consuming, but it has also dramatically changed how we shop in physical stores.
Building a personal brand isn't just about showcasing your professional accomplishments; it's about weaving your unique narrative, passions, and values into a cohesive identity that resonates with others. Here's how you can bring your personal brand to life, with practical examples to guide you at every step.
“People want to know the stories behind the products they buy. It’s not just about what’s on the shelf, but the journey it took to get there.” – Stella, Spirit of The Rock As consumer habits shift towards mindfulness and sustainability, the concept of slow shopping has emerged, offering both challenges and opportunities for small businesses. Slow shopping encourages consumers to take their time, make more thoughtful purchases, and focus on quality over quantity.
If you’re looking to grow your business, expand your reach post Treaty or simply try something new, collaboration can be one of the most effective ways to do it. The key is approaching it with a bit of structure. And resisting the urge to say yes to everything just because someone seemed nice over a […]
Love is big business. According to official statistics, 1,745 weddings took place in Gibraltar in 2021 followed by another 1,761 weddings in 2022 and a further 1640 in 2023. That’s around 33 weddings each week or 6 every single day. With an estimated population of around 33,000, it’s safe to say that, no, we aren’t all marrying each other, but that Gibraltar is a very popular place for many people to come and say ‘I do’. In fact, in all three years, non-residents outnumbered residents by an average of 90% to 10%. The stats point to a healthy wedding sector, one that our Minister for Tourism, Christian Santos is keen to develop. In an interview with the Gibraltar Chronicle he recently said he wanted; “Gibraltar to be the Las Vegas of Europe” when it comes to weddings. Unlike Vegas, we don’t have Elvis. But we do have John. Music legend John Lennon famously married Yoko Ono here in 1969 and put the Rock on the map for ‘Fast Track’ weddings. If music’s not your thing, acting legend Sean Connery (AKA James Bond) also tied the knot here (twice)!
We all have bad days, right? In business, that can mean we don’t bring our A-game to work and perhaps our service slips. Maybe a dish takes too long to reach a table or a staff member sounds distracted at the till. This could lead to negative Google Reviews or on ‘that’ Facebook group that […]
Over the past few years, I’ve noticed the same logo cropping up more and more often. On coffee cups. On consultancy websites. In email signatures and pitch decks. The familiar B Corp badge, quietly signalling that a business is trying to do things differently. With our horizons widening post-treaty, could this globally-relevant badge could become a way of promoting your CSR values to an international market?
The Treaty between the EU and the UK over Gibraltar is finally giving us some clarity, and yet, it also reminds us just how much sits outside our control. The finer details will take months to surface. Political tides may shift. Promises will be tested by practicalities. Every day, we face issues beyond our reach: new legislation, competitor actions, market trends, customer behaviour, staff turnover, illness, family responsibilities, global events. All of it lives in what Stephen Covey calls the Circle of Concern - things we care about, but cannot directly change. The more we fixate on them, the more frustration can grow.
Eran Shay's journey is emblematic of the modern entrepreneur. A self-confessed ‘out-of-the-box’ thinker, he swapped a successful corporate career and a senior role at Deloitte to pursue his own projects and business opportunities.
Whether you’re building a business from the ground up or hoping to grow an existing operation, having a strong business development strategy is the foundation of success. But real, sustainable growth doesn’t come from chasing the next big thing, it comes from getting the essentials right. So, what are the fundamentals you can’t afford to ignore? In my view, this starts with something I call the “Holy Trinity” of small business marketing...