Searches for ‘pre-loved handbags’ and ‘second hand jewellery’ on johnlewis.com are both up (+24% and +23% yoy), as John Lewis launches pre-loved designer handbags and expands its second hand jewellery range. The new pre-loved designer products will double the amount of existing designer second hand products currently available online at johnlewis.com.

The new range will build on the current offering of second hand jewellery online, from a variety of suppliers with a new focus on designer pieces from the likes of CHANEL, Christian Dior, SAINT LAURENT and GUCCI. This will be the first time pre-owned luxury bags will be available to purchase online, sourced by Sign of the Times.

The demand for premium handbags has increased in recent years, as they now represent nearly 65% of all handbag sales across John Lewis. This new offering will build on our wide range of designers already available to shop in our accessories assortment which includes Mulberry, Longchamp, Strathberry and Coach, in our handbags category and the likes of Prada, CELINE, Yves Saint Laurent and CHANEL in our premium sunglasses assortment.

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 johnlewis.com.

“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.”

The partnership between the brands comes after a hugely successful pop-up in Peter Jones where in the first six months over 300 luxury designer pieces were purchased, with customers saving on average 58% versus the original retail price. Showing the growing appetite for shopping second hand for our customers.

Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Prada have been the most popular designers from the pop-up and all will be available online. With each product carefully selected by Sign of the Times – who have 45 years of experience in buying and selling pre-owned luxury products and are experts in authentication and valuation.

Antonia Johnstone, the owner and CEO of Sign of the Times commented: “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), so we are thrilled with the success of the pop-up, and 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.”

In addition, customers will be able to bring in their designer products to the permanent space in Peter Jones to be sold or they can simply send a message to the Sign of the Times team with imagery of the product and organise a collection for the product to be authenticated and valued to then be rehomed.

Later this month, John Lewis Oxford Street will be launching a new pop-up with childrenswear rental and resale brand thelittleloop, where customers can purchase second hand clothing in store. This builds on the Partnership’s overall circular economy strategy.