Tendam–UDIT Study Reveals Lower Carbon Footprint for Omnichannel Fashion E-Commerce
Fashion group Tendam and the University of Design, Innovation and Technology (UDIT) have released a pioneering study assessing the consumer carbon footprint of fashion e-commerce, offering new data-driven insights into the environmental impact of online shopping. Titled Consumer Carbon Footprint of Fashion E-Commerce, the research was led by the Tendam Sustainability Lab and evaluates emissions generated across the full purchasing journey, including delivery and returns.
Using life-cycle analysis and multi-criteria environmental evaluation, the study compares home delivery, click-and-collect, and traditional in-store shopping models. The findings show that Tendam’s omnichannel approach produces up to 7.5 times fewer emissions per order than pure digital players. On average, Tendam’s footprint is around 400 grams of CO₂ per order, compared with 1,500 to 3,000 grams for online-only platforms.
Researchers attribute the lower emissions to Tendam’s extensive physical retail network, closer proximity to customers, and more consolidated logistics. The study is expected to inform Tendam’s ESG strategy and future innovations in logistics and circularity, while underscoring the role of university–industry collaboration in advancing measurable, evidence-based sustainability across the European fashion sector.
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