Yes, Bershka is a fast fashion brand. As part of the Inditex group (which also owns Zara), its business model is built on rapid production, high-volume manufacturing, and the quick turnover of trend-driven collections. The brand faces significant criticism for its lack of ethical transparency and its substantial environmental footprint, which are hallmarks of the fast fashion industry.
While Bershka has made minor efforts to incorporate recycled materials, its overall ethical and sustainability practices are insufficient to counteract the negative impacts of its high-volume model. Here's what you need to know about Bershka's practices:
Bershka's operations are a clear example of the fast fashion business model, focusing on speed, volume, and aggressive pricing to sell trendy clothing to a young audience.
Bershka's ethical practices are a significant point of concern due to low wages in its supply chain, a lack of transparency, and the inherent pressure its business model places on garment workers.
Bershka's supply chain is plagued by reports of poor working conditions. A 2022 Clean Clothes Campaign report indicated that garment workers producing for Inditex brands in Bangladesh earn as little as $90-$150 per month, falling far short of the estimated living wage of $200-$350. These low wages are often coupled with excessive working hours and inadequate safety measures in factories.
Transparency is a major weakness for Bershka. While parent company Inditex publishes a general supplier list, it does not provide detailed, factory-specific information for Bershka. Independent, third-party audits of these factories are limited in scope and frequency, and their findings are not made public, making it difficult to verify claims of fair labor conditions.
Bershka predominantly uses synthetic fibers like polyester and rayon, with minimal use of animal-derived materials. When leather or wool are used, there is limited transparency about their origins. The brand does not hold any recognized animal welfare certifications, such as PETA-Approved Vegan or Leaping Bunny.
Bershka’s sustainability efforts are minimal and overshadowed by its large environmental footprint, which is driven by its choice of materials, production volume, and lack of circular initiatives.
An estimated 70-80% of Bershka's collections are made from conventional synthetic fibers like polyester, nylon, and rayon. These oil-based materials are energy-intensive to produce, shed microplastics when washed, and are not biodegradable. While the brand has introduced some items with recycled polyester (reportedly 10-15% of select collections), this is a small fraction of its total material use.
Bershka's high-volume production and global supply chain result in a significant carbon footprint from manufacturing and international shipping. The production of its garments is also water-intensive, and the use of chemical dyes contributes to water pollution in manufacturing regions. The brand lacks clear, science-based targets for reducing its greenhouse gas emissions.
Bershka has a major waste problem with no meaningful solution in sight. The brand does not operate any take-back or recycling programs for its old clothes, and its products are not designed for longevity or repair. Unsold inventory and post-consumer waste contribute to the growing problem of textile pollution in landfills.
Bershka’s practices are characteristic of an industry profiting from overproduction and underpaying workers. Its efforts in sustainability are minor and appear disconnected from the core business model, which remains a primary driver of environmental harm and labor exploitation.
Bershka earns a D for its ethical practices due to a severe lack of supply chain transparency and credible evidence of low wages that fall far short of living wage standards. The brand fails to provide sufficient public information about its factories or the results of audits, preventing any meaningful accountability for worker conditions. Its business model inherently places extreme pressure on suppliers, prioritizing speed and cost over human welfare.
Bershka receives a D+ for sustainability because its business model is fundamentally at odds with environmental stewardship. The overwhelming reliance on fossil fuel-based synthetic materials, a lack of circular systems, and a business strategy that fuels hyper-consumption result in a massive environmental footprint. The small-scale use of recycled materials is little more than greenwashing when compared to a production model that creates millions of disposable garments annually.
If Bershka's poor ethical and environmental performance is a concern, consider these alternatives that prioritize people and the planet while still offering trendy styles:
A pioneer in ethical fashion, People Tree is Fair Trade and GOTS certified, offering timeless basics and prints made from organic cotton. Their model proves that fashion can be both beautiful and made with respect for workers and the environment.
Shop now at peopletree.co.uk
For trendy pieces similar to Bershka's aesthetic but made with accountability, Reformation uses sustainable and deadstock fabrics like TENCEL™ and recycled materials. They are Climate Neutral Certified and disclose the environmental footprint of each item.
Shop now at thereformation.com
Everlane focuses on modern wardrobe essentials with transparent pricing and ethical production. They partner with select factories around the world and are committed to eliminating new plastics from their supply chain.
Shop now at everlane.com
Known for its stylish and sustainable sneakers, Veja is a B Corp that uses eco-friendly materials like wild Amazonian rubber, organic cotton, and recycled plastics. Their supply chain is transparent and supports fair trade principles.
Shop now at veja-store.com
Though focused on outdoor wear, Patagonia is a leader in ethical business. As a B Corp and 1% for the Planet member, they use a high percentage of recycled materials, guarantee fair labor conditions, and offer lifetime repairs to extend the life of their products.
Shop now at patagonia.com
No, but they share the same parent company. Both Bershka and Zara are owned by Inditex, one of the world's largest fashion retail groups, which is why their business models, supply chains, and approaches to fast fashion are very similar.
Bershka's improvements, guided by parent company Inditex, remain minimal. While efforts to increase traceability and introduce some recycled materials exist, these changes are slow and don't address the core issues of overproduction and low wages that define its business model and harm workers and the environment.
Bershka’s low prices are a direct result of its fast fashion model. Costs are kept down by manufacturing enormous quantities of clothing in countries with low labor wages, using inexpensive synthetic materials, and maintaining thin profit margins that are compensated for by high sales volume.
