When John Lewis launched a trial two years ago allowing customers to rent furniture, almost its entire collection was hired within 48 hours.
So in the spirit of reusing and recycling, the retailer is trying the same trick again with a new rental service – and this time a new wardrobe is up for grabs.
John Lewis is aiming to win a slice of the booming rental clothing market, which is expected to be worth £2.3billion by 2029.
The ‘dress for hire’ service, being launched today, involves customers paying a fee to rent an item – perhaps for a special occasion – for up to 20 days.
Marks & Spencer similarly launched a dress rental service last winter. It comes at a time when shoppers are cutting back their spending on clothes amid the cost of living squeeze, and as research highlights the environmental impact of fast fashion.
John Lewis, which hopes to encourage ‘a more sustainable way of shopping’, is partnering with rental specialist Hurr, an online platform that allows users to rent a Chanel minidress for £51 or a Balenciaga bag for £130.
The platform, which works with a large number of designers and fashion chains, also allows individuals to make extra cash by renting out their own designer pieces. On the Hurr website, Prada is one of the most rented luxury brands with an average retail value of £1,200, but an average rental price of £100.
