The Voluntary Interindustry Commerce Solutions Association (VICS) released new standards created to lower the cost and reduce the environmental impact of hangers throughout the retail value chain.
The new guidelines, which change the standard color of “department store” hangers (with metal hooks) from clear to matte black, were developed collaboratively by VICS members, which include Brown Shoes, Cabela’s Inc., Canadian Tire, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Fila USA, Hanesbrands Inc, Li Ning Sporting Goods, Nike Inc., VF Corp. Walmart Stores Inc., West Marine Inc. and Wolverine World Wide, Inc.
The move to the new hanger is expected to be completed by January 2012. VICS characterized the standards change as a major step for the U.S. apparel industry in the direction of a more sustainable and lower cost hanger.
“We appreciate and value involvement and support all stakeholders in this effort as we move into a new era of greater hanger sustainability in the USA,” said Joe Andraski, President and CEO of VICS. “The VICS Hangers Subcommittee Committee’s goal was to the find methods of reducing expense and implementing sound business practices that are environmentally friendly. It is to be complemented for their steadfastness and total commitment to excellence.”
VICS has enabled companies in the retail and consumer-focused industries to eliminate billions of dollars of waste and delay by creating voluntary guidelines, often referred to as “standards.” VICS has created new best practices that ultimately lead to lower costs and better availability of products for consumers.
