You can now rent clothes from Ann Taylor. Glamour reports the women's apparel retailer has quietly been piloting a new service called Infinite Style, in which customers can pick items to be directly shipped to them, worn at their leisure and then returned. For $95 a month, customers can expect three deliveries per payment.
"At Ann Taylor, we're exploring new ways to connect with a new base of clients as well as engage and delight our loyal existing clients," a spokesperson for the retailer told Glamour. "With the launch of Infinite Style, we can offer her endless wardrobing options in a fresh and convenient way. It’s an invitation to the brand — to experience fashion and versatility that we offer, while enjoying all the benefits of rental, [such as] free shipping, returns and free laundry for a flat monthly fee."
Total Retail's Take: This feels a little bit like deja vu. Wardrobe rental services, such as Rent the Runway, have been trending for a few years now. However, the difference here is that customers can only rent from Ann Taylor apparel. While you would think an established rental service such as Rent the Runway would be threatened by other retailers and brands starting their own rental services, Jennifer Hyman, CEO of Rent the Runway, told Glossy otherwise. “From my vantage point, it’s trying to normalize the behavior of renting and encouraging women to buy less stuff. It’s awesome when you’re copied by a big traditional company, because it means the message of renting is resonating so much that big companies want to try it.” Who knows, maybe renting is the future of women's apparel.
- People:
- Jennifer Hyman