John Lewis has launched its first range of pre-loved designer handbags and expanded its second-hand jewellery collection online.
The department store retailer has partnered with luxury reseller Sign of The Times to allow customers to shop over 150 options of second-hand designer pieces from the likes of Chanel, Christian Dior, Saint Laurent and Gucci.
It builds on the pair’s current partnership, which will see Sign of The Times open a permanent shop in the Peter Jones department store in London’s Sloane Square following a successful pop-up.
John Lewis said it had seen searches for pre-loved handbags rocket 24% year-on-year and that premium handbags represented nearly 65% of all handbag sales across the business.
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The retailer’s innovation lead Danielle Gagola said: “We’ve seen tremendous success with our pre-loved designer pop-up with Sign of the Times in our Peter Jones shop and are thrilled to continue to build and make shopping more sustainably easier for our customers through JohnLewis.com.
“As a brand we are committed to prolonging a product’s life, whether that is buying second-hand, renting or more recently offering repairs.
“Doubling our pre-loved offering online is just one step in the right direction and one we will continue to grow for our customers.”
As part of the Sign of The Times shop, John Lewis customers will be able to bring in their designer pieces to be authenticated and then resold.
The luxury reseller’s owner and CEO Antonia Johnstone said: “We were so excited to bring Sign of the Times to Peter Jones in Chelsea on a permanent basis last month – following the huge success of what started as a Christmas pop-up – so we are thrilled with the success of the pop-up, and to continue our partnership with John Lewis this year, both in-store and online.
“Resale is a growing market and great opportunity for retailers to engage new consumers, where there is an increasing demand for more sustainable choices in the fashion sphere.”
John Lewis has also partnered with childrenswear rental and resale brand TheLittleLoop, where shoppers can purchase second-hand clothing at a pop-up in its Oxford Street store.
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