The sharing economy is one of those buzz phrases which we're hearing increasingly often.

If you listen to futurists, they will tell you that is the way retail is heading. In years to come we won't own anywhere near the amount of stuff we do today, we'll all just rent things temporarily, as and when we need them.

And when you think about it, that's not too radical an idea for the outdoor power equipment industry. Many dealers have a thriving hire department which has been an integral part of their business for many years. 

There are certain tools which the average person simply doesn't need to use all that often. Key jobs and key times of the year may require a dedicated, and often expensive, piece of kit - which it can make sense to rent.

What also makes sense however, is renting from a specialist dealer. Machinery that saws, or cuts, or chops, or shreds, obviously has the potential to be dangerous. These items require a hand-over explaining their correct usage as well as the recommendation of any accompanying safety gear which may be required. All jobs which the friendly neighbourhood local dealer excels at.

Which is why, when I received a press release this week promoting a new peer-to-peer garden and DIY tool sharing app, it made me consider whether this could potentially be a threat to dealers' hire departments? Called MyShed, the blurb says the service "connects people who have tools with those looking for cheap rental". An Uber for chainsaws potentially.

The press release says the app can be used by both amateurs and professionals. To describe how it works they say, "Leaf blower lying in storage? Make some cash out of it. Hedge trimmer you only use now and again? Use it to fund your next project. Wondering how to afford a rotavator you’ll only need for half an hour? Get your MyShed app out and borrow it from a neighbour or fellow pro gardener for a small fee. It’s gardening for the tech age: cheaper… and easier."

It goes on to quote the founder of the company, Steven Attwood who says “Why buy a tool when you can rent it from the person next door? This app connects you to those who can help you.”

I think most people reading this Update today would agree the best person to help a user with a garden machinery need, is a specialist dealer - even if that need is only for a temporary rental. Cutting dealers out of the equation seems to me to be a bit of a worry - both in terms of potential harm to a dealer's revenue and potential harm to a user's fingers!

The press release says the app "launched in May and is live across the UK" - but I think that just means you can download the app anywhere in the country because when you read on it says, "MyShed is currently only operational in London, but is planning to be all over the UK soon."

What do dealers think about this development? Do we really think this is a credible threat to hire departments?

My guess would be probably not. To me it sounds a bit like an idea you'd see given short shrift on Dragon's Den. I can hear Peter Jones asking, "Can I not just rent this equipment already from a knowledgeable specialist? What guarantees does the user have that the machines are in good working order? What safety advice do I receive? Thank you, but I'm out!"

But then again maybe taxi companies said the same thing about Uber when it began?!

I suppose if this app does take off, it'll just be another reason why it's so important for the local dealer to get the word out amongst their communities, of all the professional services they can offer. If hire happens to be one of those services, let everyone know why doing it through you is the safest, most reliable option.