In recent years, renting has become a common practice for many people—whether it's a house, a car, a book, or even a wedding dress. However, the concept of renting furniture is still relatively new and unfamiliar to many consumers. Recently, a novel business model has emerged in Shenzhen, where furniture can now be leased based on credit and lending relationships. This innovative approach has sparked significant interest within the industry.
**Merchant: Introducing a New Furniture Rental Model**
On August 24th, a reporter visited Fuzhidao Furniture City, where a sales representative explained the new furniture rental program. Consumers with a credit card from a designated bank can enjoy "zero down payment, zero interest, and zero handling fee" when renting their favorite furniture. The monthly rental rate is only 2.5% of the total value of the rented items, allowing customers to enjoy branded furniture from Toshima. After two years, the renewal price will be discounted by 10%, and the longer the lease period, the more favorable the discount becomes. After five years, Fuzhidao will hand over the furniture to the user for just one yuan.
He Xuanzhen, chairman of Fuzhidao Furniture, stated that all new furniture in the store is now available for rent alongside regular sales. The rented furniture is collected, repaired, and refurbished before being re-released as second-hand furniture at a lower price.
**Consumer: Is It a Real Business Model or Just a Marketing Gimmick?**
Many consumers are skeptical about whether this model is genuinely affordable or just a clever marketing tactic. Mr. Xiong, a local consumer, calculated the cost of renting a 1.8-meter bed priced at 2,000 yuan. At a monthly rental rate of 2.5%, he would pay 50 yuan per month, totaling 1,200 yuan over two years. In addition, a 600-yuan deposit (30% of the furniture’s value) was required, bringing the total to 1,800 yuan. Although the deposit would eventually be refunded, the savings were minimal compared to purchasing the bed outright, especially if there were discounts during promotions.
A marketing director in the furniture industry noted that China’s home rental market is still in its early stages and lacks maturity. There are only a few furniture rental companies in first-tier cities, and the supporting infrastructure needs improvement.
**Industry Outlook: Optimistic About the Future of Furniture Rentals**
Despite the challenges, many industry insiders believe that furniture leasing has great potential. In countries like the UK and the US, home rentals are well-established, and recycling furniture is a common practice. As awareness of environmental protection and home aesthetics grows in China, the furniture rental model is expected to gain traction.
He Xuanzhen sees the rental model as an industry innovation. For merchants, it opens up new marketing channels and helps speed up cash flow. In cities like Shenzhen, where population mobility is high and many people rent rather than buy, this model offers a practical solution. It eliminates the hassle of purchasing furniture upfront and avoids the burden of dealing with depreciated items after a few years.
As the market evolves and consumer habits change, furniture leasing could become a more accepted and sustainable option in the future.
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