LONDON, August 7 /PRNewswire/ --

- Stretched Households Renting out Belongings as Well as Hiring
Instead of Buying

erento (http://www.erento.co.uk), the world's largest and fastest growing
online rental marketplace, is enjoying growth of 20% per week in the UK
thanks to the financial stresses being forced onto households across the
country by the credit crunch. As households increasingly feel the pinch, many
are choosing to hire a wide range of items that they would normally buy, from
DIY tools or holiday cameras, as well as items that they would otherwise have
considered unaffordable such as handbags.

The online rental marketplace, which brings together businesses with a
wide variety of products and services to rent out with those wanting to hire
them, only recently set up in the UK and already has over a quarter of a
million items on its website. By bringing all hire services together under
one roof and making it possible to search for a particular item by location,
erento has made it very easy and convenient to compare prices and find the
closest and most suitable hire service. While motorhomes and caravans have
seen the strongest demand as holidaymakers tightened their belts this summer,
other items ranging from power drills to sports cars have also proved
extremely popular.

"We're actually seeing a significant change in consumer behaviour,"
comments Clinton Patterson, Director UK Operations at erento. "As well as
being more inclined to hire things they would normally buy such as tools and
lawn mowers, consumers are also discovering that they don't have to own
things like cameras, handbags or classic cars in order to have the experience
- and by renting them they can save a fortune."

The rising cost of car ownership, driven by high oil prices as well as
the proactive stance the Government has taken against congestion and
pollution, are adding to the everyday stresses caused by commuting and
parking. In the current economic climate, arguments against car ownership are
now overtaking the benefits for many people - particularly for those living
in cities where there are a variety of alternative transport options. The
same is often true for motorbikes - which can cost as much as cars and
require an expensive array of safety equipment. But at the same time, there
has also been major growth in aspirational products and a desire to
experience luxury.

"Instead of splashing out on an expensive car for everyday use, many are
now just buying what they really need and then treating themselves to
something special for the occasional weekend," continues Patterson.
"Similarly, instead of buying the latest must-have handbag, women are now
renting one for a special night out - something that wouldn't have crossed
their mind a year ago."

Popular hires on http://www.erento.co.uk include:

    18" Petrol Rotary Push Mower by Honda                 GBP18 per day
    M Andonia Bow Bag (as worn by Kate Beckinsale)        GBP15 per week
    Ferrari - 360 Modena 2001                             GBP356 per day
    Nikon Coolpix S1 Digital Camera                       GBP10 per day
    Purple Haze is a 1974 VW Camper from                  GBP100 per day
    MacBook Air                                           GBP89 per week

About erento

erento (http://www.erento.co.uk) is the world's largest online rental
marketplace, bringing together businesses with products or services to hire
out with customers wanting to rent them. It is the only place where you can
search for items to rent by location as well as price.