Europe’s clothing repair sector sits at a curious crossroads: a projected €3.7 billion market by 2030, yet one still struggling against cheap fast fashion. A new report from Circular Fashion News maps both the momentum and the obstacles facing the industry.
The platform’s “State of Clothing Repair & Care H1/2026” report pulls together brand announcements, academic research, and policy shifts from the first half of the year. It values the European repair market at €2.8 billion in 2025. Growth should reach 5.5 percent annually through 2030, according to figures from the Fédération de la Mode Circulaire and KPMG.
Policy remains the biggest lever. The EU has permitted reduced VAT rates on repair services since 2022, but member states have moved slowly to adopt them. That could change soon. In May, the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and 69 partner organizations signed a joint statement calling for targeted policies on circular business models, including lower VAT on repairs and secondhand sales. Then in September, the European Commission launched a public consultation on circular VAT.
Meanwhile, France has pushed ahead with a different tool: a repair bonus scheme that started in 2023. Consumers get an instant discount between €7 and €25 when using certified repairers, with brands funding the program through extended producer responsibility fees. Ireland plans to pilot a similar voucher program in 2027.
Brand activity is picking up too. The report tracked nine repair initiatives launched or expanded in early 2026, including programs from Next, Kiabi, Salomon, and Primark. Many partnered with specialists like Sojo, Save Your Wardrobe, and United Repair Centre. Levi’s Wear Longer Project also launched in January with free educational resources aimed at younger consumers.
Consumer attitudes tell a complicated story. Samsara Eco surveyed 5,000 Gen Z shoppers and found that one in four abandon a brand after a garment fails. Fabric thinning and seam splits topped their list of frustrations. As a result, durability and affordable repair options may determine which brands hold onto their customers in the years ahead.
