The Sharing Depot is the name of a new product rental service in Toronto that's making it possible for people to rent everything from party supplies and board games to sporting equipment. With a Swapping Membership, people in Toronto will be able to attend monthly events for free and trade some of their items for others. Alternatively, a Frequent Sharing membership provides access to seven-day loans on all items through the Sharing Depot.
While Torontonians already have access to a full Tool Library and a Kitchen Library, The Sharing Depot expands sharing economy offerings in the city as "Toronto's library of things."
The Sharing Depot initially ran a campaign on Indiegogo last month and was 108% funded, indicating a high demand in the city for shared ownership in the urban center.
Item-Lending Libraries
'The Sharing Depot' in Toronto is a Complete Product Rental Service
Trend Themes
1. Product Rental Services - The rise of rental services like The Sharing Depot in Toronto shows a trend for alternative ownership models.
2. Swapping Memberships - Swapping Memberships as seen in The Sharing Depot offer a unique opportunity to connect with community members and exchange personal goods.
3. Expanding Sharing Economy Offerings - The development of new sharing economy technologies and organizations such as The Sharing Depot represents a growing trend in the sharing economy movement.
Industry Implications
1. Retail Industry - The Sharing Depot and other rental services present an opportunity for disruption in the retail industry by shifting consumer perception about traditional ownership and consumption.
2. Hospitality Industry - A growth in swapping memberships could present innovation for the hospitality industry by fostering collaborations and communities among guests.
3. Technology Industry - Expanding sharing economy offerings create opportunities for innovation in the technology industry as these platforms develop their own unique technologies and applications.