Redefining Sustainable Business: Insights from the 2025 Products of Change Conference

Sustainability now underpins modern business. It anchors forward-thinking strategy in fashion and retail. At the 2025 Products of Change Conference in London’s Royal Geographical Society, experts gathered to show how green ideas spark innovation, boost consumer trust, and create lasting change. As a Shopify brand, Design Delight Studio makes organic, ethical apparel. We feel this message—put people and planet first—deeply in our work.

The Urgency and Opportunity of Sustainable Business

Helena Mansell-Stopher, CEO of Products of Change, opened the conference. Caroline Petit of the United Nations Regional Information Centre joined her. They pressed brands to put sustainability at the heart of their work. Petit said, “Products can be catalysts for change.” She called on creators to design with true care for people and the earth—not simply for profit.

This firm, hopeful tone set a clear day. Experts shared easy steps and real cases that meet bold 2030 sustainability goals. With climate strain growing, delay is not an option. Brands that guard nature and fairness will lead the future.

Shifting Consumer Behavior: The Rise of Circular and Repair Economies

Tamara Sender Ceron from Mintel led a session on shifting views. Data showed that 64% of women aged 16–34 check a garment’s resale value before they buy. Also, 22% repair or alter their clothes to last longer. These numbers tie second-hand markets, swapping, and circular ideas to true sustainable buying.

Ceron stressed that brands must close the “say-do gap.” She urged retailers to offer repair and resale options that are smooth and rewarding. Three clear steps emerged: provide strong value, build trust for fair pricing, and improve access to circular services. This plan fits our work at Design Delight Studio. We make every organic tee to order. We design for lasting wear and pack orders in recyclable boxes. We also invite mindful wardrobe choices through slow fashion.

Simplicity and Accessibility: Imperfect Action for Massive Impact

Hilary Strong from smol shared a clear truth: sustainable change does not need to be perfect. Millions of small, steady acts form real progress. Making green choices easy, clear, and reachable matters. This idea guides Design Delight Studio. We remove confusion for shoppers seeking eco-friendly clothes. We choose GOTS-certified cotton and water-based inks. In this way, quality and clear values come close to every buyer.

Packaging and Industry Integration: Embedding Sustainability Beyond the Product

Speakers from Tesco, RDP Creative, and the LEGO Group focused on packaging. They urged us to challenge old ideas and prove that sustainable packaging works well and costs less over time. Their advice teaches us to view the product life cycle as a whole—from the studio to your door.

In response, every Design Delight Studio shipment uses fully recyclable packaging. This step cuts waste and shows how even a small brand can guide suppliers toward greener methods.

Embedding Sustainability at Every Level: Lessons from IKEA

IKEA shared a strong approach. Thomas Suchy explained that each business decision carries green values. Country managers even act as chief sustainability officers. This method drives leadership and everyday tasks alike.

At Design Delight Studio, our small team lives this value. Designers, makers, and shippers all work together with clear aims: transparency, ethical making, and eco-friendly materials. Each piece, be it an organic tee or a recycled sweatshirt, shows our shared goal.

The Consumer Movement Driving Change

Nicolai Broby Eckert from Simon-Kucher said sustainability is now the biggest buying trend. He shared that 78% of buyers consider green factors among their top five checks. That statistic mirrors our own experience on Shopify—shoppers now want products that match their values.

Eckert urged us to see sustainability not as a must-do rule but as a true growth path. Our own growth shows that eco-conscious buyers reward clear efforts. We proudly display our certifications like GOTS, OEKO-TEX®, and the Global Recycled Standard. (Please see our Certifications page for details.)

Bringing It All Together: What We Do and Why It Matters

The 2025 Products of Change Conference makes one point clear. Sustainable business is urgent and within reach. No single fix works alone; small, linked improvements in materials, design, repair, resale, packaging, and consumer ideas pave the way to a greener future.

At Design Delight Studio, our made-to-order organic cotton tees and recycled sweatshirts capture that thoughtfulness. Local, clear supply chains, water-based inks, and recyclable packages keep us true to the circular economy. Whether you are a big brand or a small Shopify shop, every mindful step redefines ethical fashion.

Explore Sustainable Designs That Make a Difference

The message is clear: sustainable fashion is not a passing trend but a needed change. It asks every part of the industry and every customer to join in. At Design Delight Studio, we invite you to explore our Sustainable T-Shirt Collections and New Arrivals. You will find certified, ethically made apparel that supports a healthier planet.

See how slow fashion with clear intent comes alive. Real progress starts when products serve people and the planet—not just profit. Join us in wearing change, one thoughtfully made garment at a time.

Design Delight Studio curates high-impact, authoritative insights into sustainable and organic product trends, helping conscious consumers and innovative brands stay ahead in a fast-evolving green economy.