Network Rail is expanding the fashion line-up across its 19 managed stations by introducing a pre-loved offer from Good London at two of its major destinations.
As consumer appetite for sustainable fashion grows, major brands are now reselling pre-loved items alongside new season collections and the partnership between Love Island and eBay has helped to accelerate the popularity of buying pre-loved.
Network Rail has signed Good London for pop-up spaces at London Victoria and London Bridge stations. Totalling 1,440 sq ft of retail space, it’s the first time the independent brand has broken into the travel retail market.
But it’s not Network Rail’s first foray into the sustainable fashion market. Alongside the Good London launch, housing and homelessness charity, Shelter Scotland has also opened a 470 sq ft pop-up store at Glasgow Central. This follows the success of a previous trial at the station earlier this year. Consumers will also have another opportunity in October to shop pre-loved with Shelter pop-ups at London Bridge station, London Waterloo station and London Victoria station.
Good London was established in February 2020 by co-founders David Brinson and Victoria Houston with the ambition to encourage consumers to consider purchasing pre-loved clothing first. Coming from retail backgrounds, they spotted a gap in the market for a well curated pre-loved fashion offer that provides customers with a great in-store experience alongside the opportunity to purchase high quality clothing and accessories for the same price as a high street piece.
According to GlobalData, the clothes resale market in the UK grew by 149% between 2016 and 2022. This is forecast to rise again by 67.5% from 2022 to 2026 highlighted continued consumer appeal.
Hamish Kiernan, commercial director, property at Network Rail, comments: “Pre-loved is increasingly seen by consumers as a smart choice. Our pop-ups with Good London and Shelter offer customers great quality and value. The offer importantly diverts clothing from landfill and provides visibility of a pre-loved offer to millions of passengers. We sought out Good London as a brand that could really add a point of difference to our retail mix and customer reaction demonstrates this.”
David Brinson, Co-founder and Managing Director at Good London, comments: “Launching at London Bridge and London Victoria marks an incredible milestone for us at Good London. Giving millions of commuters the option of pre-loved fashion is great and the more popular pre-loved purchases become and the closer we get to the goal of fashion circularity.”
“Network Rail has been exceptional to work with from the initial approach to helping us get everything ready for our launch. We’re delighted to bring our pre-loved clothing offering to customers using major train stations in the capital.”
Shelter Scotland director, Alison Watson, added: “Shelter Scotland exists to defend the right to a safe home for everyone. With homelessness at record levels in Scotland, our mission has been more important. When you visit our pop-up in Glasgow Central not only will you have the chance to pick up some lovely pre-loved fashion, you’ll also be joining us in our fight against the housing emergency.”
Network Rail own and manage 500,000 sq ft of prime retail space within major city centre stations across Great Britain. Over 650 million customers per annum visit its destination stations, which are home to over 145 brands, generating £60million in monthly sales.
