Consumers

Sharing is for Socialism

2020/05/07

Why restrict the sharing economy just to rides around town and a complete stranger’s apartment? Surely there has to be an interest in renting big-ticket household items on demand. Well, not really. Americans are quite attached to their private property.

 

 

Among a set of standard household items available for purchase at any suburban big-box store, tools have the highest rental likelihood — but interest is capped at just 31% of Americans.

 

Cleaning supplies like mops and vacuums are the second-most likely rental item. It appears all this time at home is spawning a new wave of DIY projects and clean freaks. (I promised you we wouldn’t use that word!).

Even with museums hosting virtual art tours and IKEA’s meatballs off-limits, the “Uber of” art and furniture isn’t going to disrupt our living rooms and go public anytime soon. Only one-fifth of Americans are even open to renting either product.

 

Imagine trying to get a piece of art and a new couch home in an Uber Pool. Perhaps the sharing economy does have its limits.