Listen to myself, Tim Radley, on the Louise Lally podcast, discussing the world of retail sustainability, from diverse shopping channels, rental & second-hand resell, to on-demand manufacturing & the virtual inventory, and how sustainability, ethical governance and diversity are intrinsically linked.

Join the free podcast now through this link…https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-ua8ca-1307ed8

The podcast features a discussion around LOANHOOD and their impact on the fashion rental market. Loanhood is a new rental brand that is injecting passion and excitement into the market, by focusing unashamedly on the joyous fun of fashion renting.

Their key to getting people enthused is by focusing on the benefits, for everyone, including the planet. The brand has built up a community, where fashion is dynamic, constantly passing through different hands, allowing maximum numbers of people, to enjoy endless now styles, from a sustainable pool of rentable garments.

The community is key, because everyone is both a loaner and a borrower. That’s where the dynamic is generated. When you loan, you make cash renting out your style. When you borrow, you are buying less, but wearing more. Everyone ‘keeps the fashion flowing.’

Personally, I love their brand statements. More businesses should have them, but not bland platitudes poured over by marketing teams, but those from the heart. Exciting new brands should be built from passion. Brand statements should communicate that passion.

“We want to fix fashion, but let’s face it we still want our fashion fix!” Nicely put.

And the wider sustainable benefits speak for themselves.

LOANHOOD is collectively reducing fashion consumption
LOANHOOD is prolonging the lifespan of clothing by championing creativity and style over newness
LOANHOOD is reducing the environmental impact of clothing by collectively increasing the number of times garments are worn
LOANHOOD is reducing the cost per wear of garments by enabling you to get a return on your investment through rental

You may also be interested to learn that they are now crowdfunding, asking for investors to help them grow. It might be worth considering.

So, take a listen to the podcast, discover Loanhood, and understand how what they do fits into the wider world of sustainability and ethical trends and retail strategies.

I’ll also explain and illustrate with best practice examples, the important areas that all retailers should consider when considering their retail strategies & sustainable propositions, their choice of suppliers, how to mix rental, re-sell, and on-demand and how to run shops in a responsible way.

Topics in the interview also include:

“What is sustainability?”

“The core of sustainability – buying less stuff & producing less stuff!”

“Different ways to the ethical market – rental, resale, re-use”

“The rise of the home stylist – making the most of your wardrobe”

“Re-educating the customer to appreciate and use products in better ways”

“Ways that smaller independent retailers can be sustainable”

“Sustainable accreditation and the problem of brand transparency & greenwashing”

“The link between sustainability and ethics – ‘Patagonia selling itself to a trust to ensure profits go to good causes”

“Upcycling and creating collectable product marketplaces”

‘Loanhood and the communities across sustainability – interactive lenders & borrowers, buyers & sellers’

‘New approaches to inventory and the supply chain – committed, bespoke, virtual and instant inventory’

On-demand, digital printing, instant inventory and non-ownership’


This is the final one of 4 exclusive interviews Tim is giving during October. Other interviews cover:

  • ‘Experiential Retailing’ & Shop concepts
  • Visual merchandising & shop design
  • The new world for Retail people