To destroy or discount? Luxury fashion tries to make better use of unsold goods

A file photo showing customers walking past a store of French luxury brand Louis Vuitton inside a shopping mall in Beijing. Photo: Reuters

In the extravagant world of the French luxury industry, brands used to prefer destroying their unsold goods rather than offering their high-priced products at a discount.

But gone are the days of binning the coats, handbags and shoes pooh-poohed by shoppers after a new anti-waste law came into force at the start of the year.

Now luxury houses are managing their stocks more carefully, offering deals to staff, making donations and recycling goods.