Tokyo Website offers designer handbag rentals

September 5, 2008 by Dennis Amith

In a recent article on the Daily Yomiuri, “Does a tight budget keep you from accessorizing with the fabulous designer bag of your dreams? Relief could be just a mouse-click away, from a Web site offering short-term rentals of brand-name bags, complete with home delivery.”

“One such online business is Cariru (www.cariru.jp), a Web rental shop for designer bags and accessories that was launched in June by Newell Co., a Tokyo firm that also sells items bearing famous designer names on the Net.”

“Customers can choose their favorite bags from among 60 products by 11 famous European and U.S. brand names. They can rent other fashion accessories from a list of 40 items from three designer companies.”

“If they wish, customers also can purchase the products after renting them.”

“The products can be rented for either one week or one month, with the option of extending. Bags with the retail prices ranging from 20,000 yen to 500,000 yen, can be rented for fees ranging from 1,000 yen to 12,000 yen per week.”

“Fashion accessories usually sold at prices ranging from 20,000 yen to 150,000 yen can be borrowed at rates ranging from 1,000 yen to 6,800 yen per week.”

“About 50 people used the service in July, the company said, adding that 90 percent of them rented items for a week.”