In a groundbreaking move, renowned board sports brands, Roxy and Quiksilver, have introduced an innovative online rental service in France, effective from October 23. The Boardriders Rental platform offers users the opportunity to rent high-performance apparel and gear for men, women, and children at affordable rates, starting at just €10 per day for a men’s surfing wetsuit. This initiative provides a sustainable and clutter-free solution for surfing, skiing, and snowboarding enthusiasts.
Consumers can now enjoy premium performance clothing, designed and endorsed by top professional skiers, snowboarders, and surfers, including Jérémy Florès, Stephanie Gilmore, Chloé Kim, Travis Rice, and Tess Ledeux, all while avoiding the hassle of owning such gear.
François Latterrade, Head of Quiksilver Europe, emphasized, «Renting meets the evolving preferences of our community, who seek access to high-quality performance products during specific times of the year. This business model not only supports the passions of surfing, skiing, and snowboarding enthusiasts but also aligns with environmental sustainability. Renting promotes the circular economy concept, emphasizing producing less and consuming more wisely. France leads the way in piloting our rental service, a source of great pride.»
This initiative is developed in partnership with the French start-up Lizee, streamlining the rental process with reverse commerce tools and specialized logistics support. Users can simply specify dates and desired items, along with sport type and gender, with the garments delivered two days prior to their resort adventures.
Upon returning, users are required to send the products back within two working days, in their original packaging. The Boardriders group collaborates with specialist partners to inspect, clean, and repair (if necessary) the items, making them available to new users.
Boardriders Rental’s core mission is to significantly extend the life and user base of each item, effectively reducing manufacturing volumes and the environmental footprint of their products. Currently, Boardriders Rental is exclusively available in France.
Lizee, the French start-up established in 2019, specializes in technology and logistics solutions for brands looking to launch rental or resale programs. Their proprietary software simplifies the management of complex circular economy operations, enabling brands to transition towards usage-based models, marking a shift away from traditional ownership. Anna Balez and Timothée Emery, founders and directors of Lizee, anticipate a potential 50% reduction in new item production over the next two decades. Lizee is at the forefront of assisting brands in embracing the circular economy, where product usage takes precedence over ownership.