Findings highlight how everyday clothing habits are shaped by practicality, value and routine
Riyadh, May , 2026 – Saudi consumers are among some of the most active participants in clothing reuse and charitable giving globally, according to new findings from SHEIN’s 2025 Global Circularity Study. The results come at a time when sustainability, responsible consumption and circular economy principles are gaining momentum across the Kingdom.
The study, which surveyed more than 15,000 SHEIN® customers across 21 markets, shows that everyday circular behaviors such as repairing, re-wearing and passing on clothing are already practiced by Saudi households. The Middle East snapshot is based on responses from 1,397 consumers in Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Shoppers Prioritize Practicality and Longevity:
Saudi respondents ranked among the highest globally for prioritizing price (89.8%), fit (88.4%) and product quality (87.0%) when shopping online. More than half (56.9%) purchased fewer than 30 clothing items in the past year, which may indicate a focus on purchasing fewer items and keeping garments in use for longer.
Repeat wear is also common: across core categories, 25.2–36.2% of Saudi consumers reported wearing their SHEIN clothing more than 50 times.
Repair, Reuse, and Donation Are Everyday Habits:
Saudi consumers report a range of activities that help the clothes get worn and used for longer:
- 79.5% regularly give clothing to friends or family
- 77.7% donate to charities or non-profits
- 65.1% engage in downcycling, turning old garments into household-use items
- 64.6% repaired or altered garments in the past year – higher than the global average
These behaviors place Saudi Arabia among the higher-participation groups within the surveyed markets.
What “Sustainable Clothing” Means to Saudi Consumers:
When asked how they define sustainable or circular clothing, Saudi respondents pointed to durability (50.5%) and environmentally friendly materials (38.5%), suggesting that practicality and longevity are important considerations for respondents, alongside other factors.
Designing Circularity for Real Life:
Globally, the study highlights that consumers are most interested in initiatives that fit naturally into their routines. In Saudi Arabia, respondents showed strong interest in:
- Resale platforms
- Convenient take‑back bins for donation or recycling
By contrast, informational tools like digital product passports ranked lower, with practical, accessible solutions ranking higher than informational tools among surveyed respondents.
SHEIN’s Perspective:
“The findings suggest that activities like repair, reuse and passing on clothing are already part of how many SHEIN customers in the Middle East use and manage their clothes day to day,” said Mustan Lalani, SHEIN’s Global Head of Sustainability. “Understanding these habits helps us design initiatives that support what consumers are already doing: repairing, re-wearing, and keeping clothing in circulation for longer.”
