Marks & Spencer is launching a new service for clothing
repairs and alterations.
From August, customers will be able to book through a dedicated online hub and
have their fixed items posted back to them within seven to ten days. The work
will be carried out by Deliveroo-style repairs start-up Sojo, and its in-house
team of tailors, with prices starting at £5. The move comes as retailers try to
encourage more sustainable habits among their shoppers. M&S said its partnership with Sojo aimed to provide customers with
ways to extend the life of their clothing. “Through the launch of our repair
service, we’re making it even easier for customers to give their clothes
Another life, whether they are using our new repair service or long-standing
clothes recycling scheme," said Richard Price, managing director of
clothing & home at M&S. M&S is not
alone in looking to repair services as a way to seemingly embrace and encourage
sustainability. M&S said its research suggested only 10% of the UK
population feels confident enough to carry out clothing repairs themselves.
But as well as meeting greater consumer demand for more sustainable practices,
Ms Gehin pointed out that retailers may also be "thinking forward to
regulatory pressures" they may face in future if they are not seen to be
taking action.
