M&S Introduces New Clothing Repairs Service

Marks & Spencer has launched a new clothing repairs service, aiming to help customers extend the life of their garments. This initiative provides expert mending and alterations for a range of clothing items, promoting sustainability and reducing waste. By offering these services, M&S encourages customers to keep their favorite clothes in great condition, supporting a more eco-friendly approach to fashion.

Boston Brand Media discovered the trending news - Marks & Spencer is introducing a new clothing repair and alteration service.Starting in August, customers can book through a dedicated online portal and receive their repaired items by mail within seven to ten days. The repairs will be handled by Sojo, a Deliveroo-style start-up, along with its team of in-house tailors, with prices beginning at £5. This initiative is part of a broader effort by retailers to promote more sustainable practices among their customers.

Sojo, which was launched during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2021, aims to mainstream the practice of repairing rather than replacing clothes. M&S stated that its collaboration with Sojo is intended to offer customers methods to prolong the lifespan of their clothing. Richard Price, managing director of clothing & home at M&S, said, "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 our long-standing clothes recycling scheme."

Josephine Philips, founder and chief executive of Sojo, described the partnership as "an incredibly big step" towards their goal of making clothing repairs more accessible. Siobhan Gehin, a retail expert and senior partner at consulting firm Roland Berger, told the BBC that collaborating with smaller, independent repair companies allows large brands to offer convenient alterations to customers without needing to build the infrastructure for these services themselves.

‍Growing trend among retailers

M&S is not the only retailer turning to repair services to promote sustainability. In January, Sojo established a permanent presence in Selfridges on London's Oxford Street, offering its clothing repair services. This department store also provides restoration services for handbags and trainers. Japanese fashion retailer Uniqlo, known for its popular shoulder bag, offers clothing repairs and additional services like embroidery for Uniqlo items at six of its UK locations.

Boston Brand Media also found that, John Lewis has integrated its fashion rental service and recycling program into its sustainability strategy, also accepting and reselling pre-loved electronics and furniture. High Street stores Primark and H&M provide online guides for clothing repairs, including tutorials on sewing buttons and zippers or reworking garments entirely. Since 2022, Primark has also hosted free repair workshops for customers across the UK and Europe.

‍'Regulatory pressures'

In 2023, France introduced a program encouraging consumers to repair their clothes instead of discarding them, offering discounts between €6 (£5) and €25 (£21) for individual repairs.M&S's research indicates that only 10% of the UK population feels confident in their ability to repair clothing.

Beyond responding to consumer demand for sustainable practices, Ms. Gehin noted that retailers might also be anticipating future regulatory pressures if they do not take proactive measures. The fashion industry has been under increased scrutiny from regulators regarding its environmental impact and the production of cheap, non-recyclable clothing. Earlier this year, Asos, Boohoo, and George committed to providing clearer and more accurate information about the environmental impact of their clothing, addressing concerns about greenwashing in the industry.

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Source: BBC‍