Launched in November 2023, the repair bonus for clothing and shoes has found its audience, with 826,000 alterations and repairs carried out, according to figures revealed by TF1.
The system saved the French 6.8 million euros, for an average bonus of 8 euros per repair.
The majority of repairs concern shoes, which are more difficult to repair yourself.
A year ago, the repair bonus was launched to encourage the French to give a second life to their clothes and shoes. Twelve months later, the results of this system intended to reduce the environmental impact of the sector are positive, according to figures from Refashion, the eco-organization which manages the Repair Fund, revealed exclusively by TF1.
In twelve months, the bonus saved the French 6.8 million euros, specifies Refashion. In total, 826,000 repairs were carried out over the period. With strong interest for six months: last March, only around 250,000 repairs had been carried out in six months of the system's existence, saving 2.3 million euros.
83% of repairs at shoemakers
In detail, the French have their shoes repaired more than their clothes: 83% of repairs were carried out by shoemakers and only 17% by retouchers. “Shoes are more difficult to repair yourself, so it's easier to go to the shoemaker than to the retoucher.“, analyzes Refashion. Clarification: the bonus concerns all textiles, except household linen and lingerie.
Paradoxically, the network of certified merchants is larger on the retoucher side than on the shoemaker side: among the 1,530 certified repairers, there are 28% shoemakers and 72% retouchers. “Shoemakers have digitized their activity more compared to retouchers and they have a greater capacity to deal with volume, specifies the eco-organization. Furthermore, shoemaking is almost exclusively focused on repairs, unlike alteration workshops, whose activity is divided between repairs (30% of their activity), transformation and adjustments, such as size alterations..”
A bonus of 8 euros on average, for small repairs
The repair bonus works with an immediate reduction at the checkout for the consumer, between 6 and 25 euros depending on the type of repair (for example 7 euros for a hole, tear or tear in clothing, but 25 euros to resole leather shoes ) ; and the bonuses can be accumulated on a single product, if there are several alterations to be made. According to Refashion figures, the average bonus is around 8 euros, with a majority of small repairs: shoe heels, darning holes for clothes.
In the top three regions in which the French have used the bonus more, is Ile-de-France, with 150,000 repairs carried out, ahead of Occitanie (75,000 alterations and patching) then Hauts-de-France. , with 65,000 repairs. It is also in Ile-de-France that we find the most certified repairers: 208 shoemakers and retouchers, ahead of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, with 154 traders, then Hauts-de-France, with 142 shops . There are still big disparities in terms of regional coverage, to offer French people solutions close to home. The list of approved repairers is available here: bonusreparation.fr (new window).
-
Read also
VIDEO – MaPrimeRénov', repair bonus, bicycle bonus… Are the French addicted to aid?
The repair bonus is financed by brands, distributors and manufacturers via an eco-contribution paid to Refashion, on the “polluter pays” principle and implemented within the framework of the AGEC law for the circular economy. “We listened to their concerns and simplified the procedures as much as possible, which encouraged their support and made it possible to strengthen the network.underlines Elsa Chassagnette, Repair Fund Manager at Refashion. Many certified repairers have also reported to us an increase of 20 to 30% in their turnover.“And this, without increasing prices.
According to Refashion, this system should make it possible to free up one billion euros over the period 2023-2028, part of which is allocated to the repair fund. In 2019, 16 million items of clothing and shoes were repaired, according to Ademe, the ecological transition agency. A figure that Refashion hopes to increase to 21.6 million by 2028 thanks to this system.
