British rental platform Hirestreet has announced a new partnership with sporting goods retailer Decathlon, under which the sporting goods giant will now offer ski and outerwear rentals.
A total of 18 different models will be available through the Hirestreet website, including performance ski and hiking jackets and women’s trousers. The partnership comes in response to the recent return of British skiers to the slopes, as well as the increase in staycations for those who have chosen to hike.
Rentals through the platform start from £15 for a four-day period and include accidental damage insurance for minor wear and tear. In addition, the used clothing is cleaned upon return by a Hirestreet storage partner who uses sustainable cleaning methods.
“Renting ski clothing was a logical place to start…”
“Renting our textile products is a new venture for us and we’re excited to share it with Hirestreet,” said Sharon Poulter, manager of rentals at Decathlon, in a statement. “It’s another way to make sport more accessible – through convenience, price and flexibility, while reducing our impact on the planet. Ski gear rental was a logical place to start, but we expect to expand our offering in the future to make being active even easier and more sustainable,” added Poulter.
The new offering is part of Hirestreet’s ongoing strategy to provide an alternative to buying new items, particularly those that are not used regularly. The demand for rental items has increased significantly over the past year, replacing throwaway fashion as a greener option.
The partnership with Decathlon closely follows the one signed recently Partnership with Marks and Spencer as Hirestreet continues to welcome a number of large retailers to join the rental trend.
Noting the increasing demand in the rental market in 2021, Isabella West, Founder and CEO of Hirestreet, explained that clients don’t just want to rent for formal occasions. “For many of us who rarely ski, renting ski gear makes a lot of sense: it’s expensive, bulky to store and rarely used,” commented West.
This translated article originally appeared on FashionUnited.uk.