Why Top Fashion Brands Are Literally Destroying Millions in Unsold Goods to Stay Exclusive

What do major fashion brands do with unsold merchandise? Here's the shocking truth! Ever wonder why you don’t see brands like Burberry or Louis Vuitton at discount retailers like TJ Maxx? These elite fashion houses have their own jaw-dropping methods to maintain exclusivity.

In a stunning revelation from Burberry's 2018 annual records, more than $36 million worth of products, yes, from coats to perfume, were destroyed to keep the elite mystique alive. And if you think that's excessive, hold onto your designer hats! Richemont, the parent company of Cartier, took the concept to another level by reportedly destroying $563 million worth of watches in 2016 and 2017 alone, as detailed in this report.

The method behind this madness? A strategic “inventory cleanse” intended to prevent oversaturation — keeping these luxury items just as exclusive and pricey as the customers expect.

While some companies still face criticism for these practices, environmental pressure pushed Burberry to change its ways, as seen here.

So, if you're dreaming of scoring high-end fashion at a discount, you might want to curb those hopes. But, you can feel a tad better knowing those luxurious goods aren’t going up in smoke anymore.