Parenting comes with its fair share of challenges, and managing your child's ever-changing wardrobe is one of them. While The Little Loop has recently announced that they are no longer offering a rental solution for kids' clothes in the UK, Borro continues to thrive, making it easier than ever for parents to rent baby clothes and rent kids clothes without the hassle. If you’re wondering what makes Borro different and why we believe rental is still the way forward, read on.
The Little Loop vs. Borro: What’s the Difference?
The Little Loop was founded by Charlotte Morley (and mum of two, like me!) and gained significant attention after securing investment on Dragons' Den. Their model focused on a credit-based subscription system with various tiered plans.
On the other hand, Borro was designed with simplicity and flexibility in mind. At Borro, you can rent as little or as much as you need, whenever you need it. There are no confusing credits or rigid subscriptions - just a straightforward experience that feels just like online shopping (without the guilt or cost!). This flexibility means you’re not locked into a plan and can adapt to your child’s growth spurts or weather changes with ease.
Different Business Journeys: Pivot vs. Persistence
Charlotte Morley’s appearance on Dragons' Den was a milestone for The Little Loop, bringing both investment and media attention. However, despite securing backing from high-profile investors like Steven Bartlett and Deborah Meaden, The Little Loop struggled to prove the rental model's long-term viability. This highlights a broader challenge: raising money as a female founder is incredibly tough, with only 2% of venture capital investment going to women-led businesses. Even with strong investors and a solid pitch, the road can be significantly steeper for female entrepreneurs. We have nothing but love for Charlotte and The Little Loop. We both believe that high quality kids' clothes should be kept in the loop, and we both want to make parents' lives simpler.
Borro, however, remains committed to the rental model because we believe in its core benefits. Renting kids' clothes can genuinely make life easier for parents by eliminating the constant need to buy new clothes that are quickly outgrown. It reduces waste, saves money, and offers the convenience of managing your child’s wardrobe without clutter or stress. Our flexible, no-commitment approach has resonated with parents who love the freedom to rent what they need, when they need it. We are still small, but we're growing and we think the desire for rental is too.
Renting vs. Resale: Pros and Cons
As The Little Loop has pivoted from rental to resale, it’s worth considering the pros and cons of both models:
Resale Pros:
- Great for parents who prefer to own items and resell them later.
- Can feel more familiar to those used to buying and selling second-hand.
Resale Cons:
- Requires more effort from parents to list, sell, and ship items.
- There's no guarantee you'll make any money back from reselling. If your child stains something, that value is lost.
- You still need to manage storage and deal with items that don’t sell.
Rental Pros:
- No long-term commitment to clothes your child will quickly outgrow.
- Saves time and hassle - no need to resell or store outgrown items.
- No worries about stains (we never charge).
Rental Cons:
- May feel less familiar to parents new to the concept.
- For older kids (5+) who are growing slower, you might find resale could be cheaper than renting
Why Renting Kids' Clothes Still Makes Sense
Despite The Little Loop’s pivot, the demand for renting baby clothes and kids' clothes is still strong. Here’s why Borro continues to succeed where others have struggled:
- Flexibility: No subscriptions, no credits - just rent what you need, when you need it. Send back whatever and stop paying for it, no need to swap all at once.
- Convenience: Easy online browsing and ordering, just like any other shopping experience.
- Sustainability: Reduce waste by reusing high-quality clothes instead of constantly buying new ones.
- Cost-Effective: Save money on beautiful organic clothes.
What Does This Mean for Borro?
The Little Loop's journey shows that even with strong backing and media attention, the rental model can be challenging to sustain. However, Borro believes that with the right approach - one focused on flexibility, simplicity, and meeting real parental needs - rental can thrive. Our continued growth is proof that parents are looking for hassle-free, sustainable solutions to manage their children's wardrobes. We wish The Little Loop all the luck in the world with their resale model - there's definitely a need for both resale and rental in the fight against fast fashion.
Discover how easy it is to rent kids' clothes with Borro. Say goodbye to the stress of managing your child’s wardrobe and hello to flexibility, convenience, and sustainability.
