John Lewis launches first pre-loved range of designer handbags online

John Lewis has launched its first pre-loved range of designer handbags online with brands including Chanel, Celine, Christian Dior, Gucci, Saint Laurent and Loewe.

Customers are now able to shop over 150 options of second-hand items and order directly to their door.

The collection has been sourced and supplied by Sign of the Times, which has over 45 years of experience in buying and selling pre-owned luxury products. It is also an expert in authentication and valuation.

The online launch is an extension of John Lewis’ existing partnership with Sign of the Times, which began with a pop-up at the retailer’s Peter Jones flagship last Christmas. Last month, the space was made permanent.

Searches for ‘pre-loved handbags’ and ‘second-hand jewellery’ on the John Lewis website are up 24% and 23%, respectively, year-on-year.

Danielle Gagola, Innovation Lead at John Lewis said: "We’ve seen tremendous success with our pre-loved designer pop-up with Sign of the Times in our Peter Jones shop, and are thrilled to continue to build and make shopping more sustainably easier for our customers through our website.

"As a brand we are committed to prolonging a product’s life, whether that is buying second hand, renting or more recently offering repairs. Doubling our pre-loved offering online is just one step in the right direction and one we will continue to grow for our customers."

In the first six months of the pop-up in Peter Jones, over 300 luxury designer pieces were purchased, with customers saving on average 58% versus the original retail price. Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Prada proved the most popular designers from the pop-up and all will now be available online.

Antonia Johnstone, Owner and CEO of Sign of the Times, said: "We were so excited to bring Sign of the Times to Peter Jones in Chelsea on a permanent basis last month, following the huge success of what started as a Christmas pop-up, and we are thrilled to continue our partnership with John Lewis this year, both in-store and online.

"Resale is a growing market and great opportunity for retailers to engage new consumers, where there is an increasing demand for more sustainable choices in the fashion sphere."

Customers will also be able to take their designer products to the permanent Sign of the Times space in Peter Jones to be sold, or they can message the Sign of the Times team with imagery of the product and organise a collection for the product to be authenticated and valued - and then "rehomed".

The John Lewis store on London’s Oxford Street will also soon be launching a new pop-up with childrenswear rental and resale brand The Little Loop - building on the department store's overall circular economy strategy.