John Lewis launches clothing repair trial | UK | News
In a move that could delight fashion-conscious Brits, supermarket giant John Lewis has announced a new trial that will allow customers to revive their much-loved clothes and accessories.
From 22nd July, the retailer is partnering with experts at Johnsons, a Timpson Group company, to offer an in-store repair service at five of its UK stores.
The service, which will be available in Oxford, Liverpool, Cheadle, Milton Keynes and Welwyn, will cover a range of repair and modification options including repair, restoration, dry cleaning and more.
Whether it’s bringing a cherished wedding dress back to life, repairing a broken zipper on a luxury clutch or adjusting a pair of curtains, customers will be able to breathe new life into their favorite items.
Kathleen Mitchell, commercial director at John Lewis, said the initiative was aimed at helping customers “extend the life of their fashion items and giving them the opportunity to breathe new life into these much-loved items”.
“We want to help them extend the life of their fashion items and give them the opportunity to breathe new life into these much-loved items, whether they are hanging by a thread or just need a stitch or two,” she explained.
The initiative also responds to growing consumer demand for more sustainable shopping habits, with research showing that extending the life of a garment by just nine months can reduce its carbon, waste and water footprint by up to 30%.
Will Lankston, managing director of Timpson Direct, said the company was “really excited” to be working with John Lewis on the new offering.
“Alterations have always been a key part of our business and we have seen this increase in recent years as more and more customers are becoming environmentally conscious and want to repair and breathe new life into some of their favourite garments and accessories,” he said.
The 16-week trial will allow John Lewis to gather valuable insights into the types of services customers are looking for, the items most frequently repaired and the demographics of those seeking the repair service.
This data will inform the retailer’s future plans as it seeks to deliver a “brilliant retail experience” to its customers while supporting its circular economy strategy.
