What if instead of buying, you could rent? This is the premise that more and more brands are adopting in favor of the circular economy and also because consumers demand it. Decathlon, Leroy Merlin, H&M or MediaMarkt are some of the brands that have already adopted this concept.
Until recently, it was only available in certain sectors – particularly automotive – and item rental was based on paying to use a particular thing for a limited time. In the case of Decathlon in Portugal, this has recently led to the possibility of renting bicycles for children by the month, with the possibility of replacing them with larger models as the children grow.
Leroy Merlin also offers daily rentals of Dexter brand instruments at select stores across the country. Simply choose the tool you want, pick it up and use it for as long as necessary. Then return it to the same place you picked it up.
In the case of H&M, clothing rental is still limited to a few stores, specifically in Stockholm, Sweden, and London, UK. However, the brand notes that the initiative has been successful in these locations and is considering expansion to more regions. According to Expansión, consumers can keep selected items for a minimum of seven days. Antwerp, Belgium, will be one of the brand's next bets.
MediaMarkt offers this type of service for scooters, computers, smartphones, tablets, cameras, small home appliances, games, virtual reality devices, headsets, TVs, projectors, smart watches, audio devices and smart home devices. The rental can last for at least one month, during which time the device or equipment is protected by insurance covering 90% of the repair cost in the event of a breakdown.
Emily Brontë is a journalist and feature writer specialising in culture, entertainment, literature, and current affairs. She is dedicated to producing clear, accurate reporting that helps readers stay informed about developments in the UK and around the world.
