One year of the circular textile solution &flow: An interview with Maximilian Meyer

In this interview, Max provides insights into textile value retention services and explains why brands that integrate the circular economy into their business model will be successful in the long term.

Max, let’s look back at the origins of &flow: what motivated Meyer & Meyer to drive forward textile value retention? 

We have specialised in the fashion industry for more than 70 years. Our customers benefit from services across the entire value chain – from transport and warehouse logistics to value-added services (VAS) and reconditioning. For us, it is a logical step to think ahead and offer our customers all the services of the circular economy. And ready to use.  

We see textile value retention as a key building block for the future success of the entire industry. With &flow, we enable our customers to focus entirely on their products and their marketing, whilst we take care of all the operational and systemic steps of the circular business model – making sustainability scalable, profitable and suitable for everyday use.

How exactly does &flow enable fashion brands to implement circularity?

&flow is a genuine circular loop solution – a comprehensive, worry-free package, so to speak, for a profitable entry into the circular textile economy. The process begins with intelligent return logistics. Whether it’s a trade-in, return, overstock or the end of a rental period, we organise the collection and inspection of the goods. We clean it hygienically using an ozoniser and traditional processing methods. Where necessary, we carry out highly professional repairs. Accompanied by a photo, the goods are then sent to the ERP system, our customers’ shop or, via a direct connection, to a third-party marketplace.  

We link all these services together through our seamless software integration. It is individually tailored to our customers’ requirements and enables efficient, transparent and scalable management of all circular processes. This applies to resale, rental models and repairs alone. It also applies to overstock, i.e. unsold goods. &flow offers brands and manufacturers solutions to ensure that these goods not only go on sale but are also as profitable as possible.

What surprised you most in &flow’s first year?

There is very strong interest in solutions for the circular textile economy. Changing consumer behaviour and EU regulations such as the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) are prompting a rethink among many brands. They are surprised that we offer them a ready-to-use, fully applicable turnkey solution. And completely risk-free. No investment, no installation hassle. Just try it out, get started and grow. We provide a quick, straightforward and profitable entry into the circular economy.

You’ve already mentioned it: the circular economy will have a significant impact on the future of the fashion industry. Where do you see it in the next five to ten years?

The circular economy is evolving from an ‘add-on’ to a core operational requirement. It will no longer be possible to operate without it in the future. The volume of pre-loved fashion is expected to grow more than three times as fast as the primary market by 2026. At the same time, the circular economy ensures competitiveness, as end customers increasingly expect circular solutions.

What advice would you give to brands looking to integrate textile value retention into their business?

The linear ‘sell and forget’ model is reaching its limits. Whether the circular economy is profitable depends largely on how consistently resale, repair and return are integrated into the core business.

This is precisely where value is created that would previously have ended up in the bin. &flow manages the continuous flow of materials within a closed system – thereby laying the foundation for economically viable circular business models.