Conjuring up the energy to physically shop in stores is an obstacle in itself. Today, it’s all about clothing rental services such as Rent the Runway, which allow shoppers to “borrow” clothes for a small price each month. On Friday, August 16, Banana Republic announced that it’s making its first foray into the rental world with the launch of Style Passport.
Banana Republic, which is owned by Gap Inc., will officially launch Style Passport in September. The subscription service is pretty simple: For $85 a month, customers can rent up to three garments at a time. The fee includes free priority shipping, unlimited exchanges and returns, and complimentary laundering services. To start, Style Passport will offer women’s styles with plans to add men’s pieces later on.
“We’re constantly evolving with our customer, meeting her where she is shopping. Style Passport will drive incremental revenue, and help us connect with younger shoppers who appreciate great style and want an affordable, sustainable way to try new fashion,” Mark Breitbard, CEO and president of Banana Republic, said in a statement. “With this new service, we’ll gather valuable insights from a highly interactive customer base that can be used to design future product and experiences.”
Banana Republic’s Style Passport is the latest to join the growing pool of clothing rental services. Earlier this year, Urban Outfitters announced its rental service Nuuly, Loft debuted Infinitely Loft, Bloomingdale’s is set to launch a subscription service in September, and this week, Macy’s revealed it is also exploring a potential apparel rental service.
