UK charity Oxfam launches new rental service for clothes

The UK charity, which has more than 500 stores nationwide, launched the pilot in early August, making it the first time a national UK charity had offered clothing rental alongside its retail shops.

Customers can hire selected donated garments for 14 days, with prices starting at £22.

The launch collection features vintage items, including a Balenciaga dress, a Stella McCartney jacket, and a Dolce & Gabbana dress.

Oxfam launches new rental service for clothes in first for sector

Julie Tyrell, head of ecommerce and retail sustainability at Oxfam, said: “We see pieces come through our shops that you simply won’t find anywhere else, and until now the only way to own one was to buy it outright.

“Rental means people can access that wardrobe for the moment they need it and then not let it sit in a cupboard afterwards.”

The clothing is cleaned and prepared before being sent to customers, who return it at the end of the rental period for reuse.

Oxfam developed the service with fashion rental and fulfilment company ACS, which is providing its operational infrastructure.

Anthony Burns, chief operating officer at ACS, said the partnership showed how circular retail models could deliver environmental and social benefits.

Income generated by the service will support Oxfam’s charitable work.

The pilot launched ahead of Oxfam’s annual Second-Hand September campaign, which encourages people to buy pre-owned clothing instead of new items.

UK charities closing stores

In other news for the charity sector, others are closing sites across the country.

Cancer Research UK is in the process of shutting stores as it works to reduce the size its our core high street chain to around 320 high-performing shops.

It revealed previously that it would be closing around 90 shops by May this year, with up to 100 more by April 2027.  

Its online marketplace shut down earlier this year, and the charity is now shifting focus toward 12 new out-of-town superstores.

Meanwhile, the British Heart Foundation announced plans to close 150 of its charity shops across the UK, representing nearly a quarter of its 640 total locations.

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The closures will happen over a two-year period due to rising operating costs and a drop in net profits.

Around 90 shops are scheduled to shut down by the end of March 2027, with the first 87 specific branch locations already publicly identified.

The remaining targeted stores will close by March 2028.

Do you shop at local charity shops? If so, what is your favourite? Let us know in the comments.