The Asociación Retail Textil España (ARTE) has presented this Tuesday the first Social Materiality Report of Textile and Footwear Retail in Spain, a pioneering analysis that establishes for the first time a common framework to identify, structure and measure the social impact of the sector throughout its entire value chain.
The study, developed within the framework of the ARTE Social Laboratory with the support of Fundación SERES, analyzes from design and production to the second life of garments, incorporating the impact on employees, suppliers, consumers, and local communities.
A common framework aligned with Europe
The report lays the groundwork for a future sectoral measurement system that is comparable and aligned with European requirements regarding sustainability, such as the CSRD or the CSDDD, in a context of increasing regulatory pressure on companies.
From ARTE they underline that this work seeks to advance towards a shared vision of the social impact of the sector, integrating economic and social progress and reinforcing collaboration between companies and public and private entities.
Circularity, employment, and supply chain
Among the main conclusions, the document highlights the consolidation of circularity —reuse, recycling, donation, and resale— as a key lever to generate inclusive employment, improve access to products, and strengthen social cohesion.
The textile retail sector also positions itself as a driver of diverse employment, with a female presence of 74% in Spain, well above the national average, and with a high degree of maturity in areas such as employment quality, workplace safety, or inclusion.
However, the report identifies the supply chain as the main area for improvement, especially regarding labor conditions, decent work, and due diligence in the first links of the global chain.
More demanding consumers and more transparency
The analysis also notes a growing demand for more socially committed brands. Consumers increasingly value positive impact on communities, employee care, and respect for human rights in suppliers.
In this context, transparency and clear communication are consolidated as key factors of competitiveness, reinforcing traceability and trust in the relationship with the consumer.
Best practices and sector leadership
The report includes a guide of good practices with initiatives from companies such as Inditex, H&M or Primark, which range from inclusive employment programs to circularity projects or control systems in the supply chain.
With this work, ARTE aims to position the textile retail sector as a sector capable of anticipating new European regulatory requirements not from reactive compliance, but from shared leadership and the generation of positive social impact.