John Lewis pilots clothing ‘buy back’ scheme
The John Lewis & Partners department store is piloting a scheme that enables customers to return preworn clothes in exchange for a payment per item.
The ‘buy back’ trial at the retailer’s Oxford shop will see the store accept all preworn garments from any womenswear and menswear brand stocked at John Lewis from some 20,000 local ‘my John Lewis’ members invited to take part. In return, customers will receive £3 per item for up to three pieces of clothing, which can then be spent in John Lewis or Waitrose shops or online.
Stephen Cawley, John Lewis head of sustainability, said: “As a leading fashion retailer we know we have a responsibility to help reduce the amount of clothing waste generated and the number of resources used to create clothing.
“Our approach has always been to make high quality garments which last, but inevitably there comes a time when they are no longer worn.
“Our customers are becoming increasingly aware of their actions on the environment, so we want to make it easy for them to ensure the products they buy from us have a long life after they no longer have use for them.”
John Lewis said it guarantees that all clothes brought in to its shop will be mended or reworked into a new item, resold, or recycled into new products.
Julie Blake, head of branch at John Lewis & Partners, Oxford, said: “We know from the success of the ‘Waitrose Unpacked’ trial in Oxford that there is a lot of local support for sustainability initiatives. We’re looking forward to running this trial and rewarding loyal customers for ensuring pre-loved clothes can be enjoyed and appreciated once more.”
The trial will run for six weeks.
