Garmst

Where’s the Ralph Lauren gone? There have been a lot of customer improvements on the Garmst platform. Visibility, flexibility, transparency. All those lovely buzzwords that make the UX much slicker than it was before. But one of the big questions we are getting from customers since the relaunch is: ‘Why can’t we get the brands everyone knows anymore?’ As part of the Garmst relaunch we took a long hard think about what we want the platform to be, why we want it to exist and what value we want to add into the world. Being a marketplace we actually have 2 sets of customers, the ones that demand and the ones that supply. Well this post is focused on the latter, the supply. We are in a pretty crap macro-economic climate (to put it lightly), most people have less money to spend. When we buy clothes, it is very easy to look at a picture on a screen and assume that a £40 overshirt from Uniqlo and £149 one from Neem London (One of our amazing brand partners) will both do the same job. WRONG. It needs us to take a closer look at the Neem shirt in question (Link in comments): The material is Regenerative Organic cotton which is fully traceable. The label, thread and fusing is fully recycled; right down to the mother of pearl buttons. Not to mention the brand values that come with it: trade-in schemes, the NeemSayer community and pre-order options to reduce overproduction. So please take a moment to think before you panic buy a Uniqlo 40 quid number and think what could be a more positive investment. And this is why we have changed our model, we believe that we can use the Garmst ‘Test-drive’ to extend these purchasing decisions to give you a more informed view of what a brand, founder, product is all about. One that leads to a garment that is more durable, fits better and gives you the confidence to be your best self. Yes, it might take some time and various communication tests to articulate this change to our customers BUT I am loving building a community of brands, with an aligned mission to reduce the clothing industries footprint on our planet. We have a dedicated partner page (Link in comments) where you can click through each of them to hear the brand and founder stories behind the product. P.S you can test drive this particular shirt from £18… And once its got the pub test seal of approval, just pay the difference to keep it.

The countdown is on.... Two months ago, we made the bold decision to hit pause and completely relaunch the Garmst platform. Our self-imposed deadline of August 7th is rapidly approaching, and we can't wait to share what we've been working on. Key Lessons from Garmst 1.0: Positioning is key: Men want to look great without the ‘rental’ label. Scalability matters: We've partnered with industry leaders to handle growth seamlessly. Data-driven decisions: We're using rental data to fuel smart stock choices and dynamic pricing. Sustainable commercials from the start: We've built a business model which disproves common concerns. What to Expect from Garmst 2.0: Style made simple: Free, personalised styling tools to boost your confidence. Flexible options: More rental and purchase choices to fit your needs. Full transparency: See our entire inventory before you decide. Mission-aligned brands: We're partnering with brands that share our values. So what's next?: Growth: We're aiming for 20% monthly growth while keeping retention high (Check out Gabby Zuliani’s recent post for more details on our strategy.) Customer-centric: User feedback shapes our feature roadmap. Brand partnerships: We're building strong relationships with brands that align with our mission. Want to be part of the journey? Sign up for our free styling resources or monthly email updates to stay in the loop!

Why do brands give out samples? Ever grab a free coffee sample and then automatically crave it during your morning commute? Or get addicted to a streaming service after a free trial? Samples work. They let us experience a product's value firsthand, removing the guesswork. I'm sure most of you have wandered around Camden Market on a busy Saturday afternoon, taking in the fierce competition between food stands. They all look and smell delicious. So, what makes the decision for me? It's the stands offering samples on long skewers, letting me try the crispy chicken or spicy sausage. Although I'm guilty of doing a few laps to ensure I've chosen correctly, I always base my decision on what I've tried. (Call it de-risking or a strange sense of loyalty to the brands that took a chance on me). Clothes are different. They're not just one meal on a Saturday afternoon; they're a long-term commitment that can boost confidence, express personality, and even change how people perceive you. That's hard to capture by trying something on for a few minutes in a cramped fitting room. So, what's the solution? I think there are already some great options popping up in the market: - Harper lets you try things on in the comfort of your own home with the help of a stylist for your chosen period. - Improved in-store experiences: I've been particularly impressed with how Batch LDN treats garment sales as a real experience with their natural charm, complimentary beverages, and relaxed in-store ambience. And what about clothing rental? More specifically, Garmst. Think of it as the ultimate sample. It lets you see how you might integrate that new fit of jeans or slightly more adventurous coloured blazer into your actual life. You wear them to work, on dates, to brunch with friends. You feel the fabric, check the fit (walking, sitting, and even lying down when you just need a nap), and get real-world feedback. And while you're getting those compliments at the pub, snapping holiday pics, and enjoying a more smiley partner, we're in your ear, telling you about the brand's story, their commitment to sustainability, and why this piece deserves a permanent spot in your wardrobe. Our goal is to help you build real value from the relationships you have with your clothes. Sounds great, right? Keep an eye out for the Garmst platform relaunch coming 07th August 2024!

I hate it when people use the 'C' word... Cannibalisation – a scary thought for brands considering rentals. Research shows rentals can actually boost sales. How? Increased Brand Exposure: Reach a wider audience through our marketplace, introducing your brand to new customers. Try Before You Buy: Give customers a risk-free trial, increasing their confidence and desire to purchase. Upselling Opportunities: Utilise dynamic pricing and targeted marketing to convert rentals into sales. It's not just about sustainability (though that's a huge part of our agenda) – it's about driving growth. Through a circular model, brands can tap into new revenue streams, reach new customers, and gain valuable insights. Drop me a message if you want to find out more!

What are the go to rental platforms and services these days? Fashion, furniture, tools, home wares etc Don’t know the exact data but if we can all rent a little more rather than ownership, this can make a huge reduction in consumption. I know of HURR, Garmst, By Rotation, thelittleloop, SuperLooper Library of Things , Fat Llama

Ever been caught off guard by a question that ended up changing your perspective? That's exactly what happened to me at a recent Rare Founders speed pitching event. While nervously sipping on a cold pint pre-pitch, Rory Horne hit me with: 'How well do you know your users?' Initially, I brushed it off as another sales pitch, but little did I know how much value he was going to bring. Post-event, Rory circled back, mentioning his plan to launch a side hustle aimed at helping start-ups upskill in user research and understand their customers better. Intrigued, especially at the mention of 'pro-bono sessions,' I jumped at the chance, albeit with a hint of skepticism. Fast forward two months, and that skepticism has vanished. Rory's framework has formalised our path forward, offering tangible value that's reshaping our approach. Here's a sneak peek: The Challenge: The clothing rental market is booming, yet profitability remains a lingering doubt, particularly in the womenswear segment with high cost of goods. The Goal: Debunk the profitability skepticism by diving deep into our users', potential users', and suppliers' pain points. We're on a mission to rebalance the value equation and showcase how rental services can be a game-changer. -Progress So Far: We've pinpointed our business and research objectives and identified the right methodologies. -Now, it's onto the next steps: -Collect: Gather survey responses. -Segment: Organise user responses into meaningful groups. -Contact: Reach out to segments of interest. -Validate/Reject: Test hypotheses against our business objectives. -Roadmap: Prioritise feature development guided by user insights. -Test: Assess if new features align with user behavior and attitudes. Feeling the itch to dive deeper into user research? Reach out to Rory and snag one of the remaining spots for his pro-bono sessions. Trust me, it's worth it! And if you're keen to be part of our research journey, join us in the survey phase by following the link in the comments. There's a bunch of fantastic prizes up for grabs, and it'll only take about 5 minutes of your time. Lastly, spread the word! Like, comment, and share this post within your network. Together, let's build a product that's truly user-centric.

Thank You to Everyone who Attended Last Night's Sustainable Fashion Tech Speed Pitching! We had a great evening featuring pitches from seven startups to over fourteen VCs and angel investors. A special thanks to Stuart Trevor for his keynote speech. Pitching Companies and Founders: Garmst: Jack Zuliani TRUSS: Woody Lello Risondier LTD: Olof Erlandsson Rumage: Jo Spolton Lola&Lykke®: Laura McGrath COLLAGERIE: Serena Hood Arda Biomaterials: Brett Cotten Thank you to Matt Finch and all the team at 7IM Private Client for hosting us. Interested in Our Next Event? As a participant: DM Louis Julien As an investor: DM Nick David To pitch at a future event: Please apply via our website. Know a Fashion Investor or Startup who should be at the next one? Please tag them below or direct message Nick David. THANK YOU! 🚀