The rental business model is rapidly growing across industries such as fashion, electronics, furniture, equipment, and event supplies. With customers becoming more cost-conscious and sustainability-focused, renting products instead of buying them outright has become more popular than ever.
Thanks to Shopify’s flexibility and powerful ecosystem, launching a Shopify rental business in 2026 is easier and more scalable than most people think.
In this comprehensive guide, you’ll learn exactly how to create a rental business on Shopify, from choosing the right products to setting up pricing, bookings, deposits, inventory management, payments, and marketing.
Step-by-Step: How to Create a Shopify Rental Business
Step 1: Create Your Shopify Store
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Sign up at Shopify
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Choose a clean, rental-friendly theme
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Optimize for mobile
Step 2: Install a Rental App
Go to Shopify App Store → Install your chosen rental app.
Step 3: Create Rental Products
When adding products:
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Enable “This is a rental product” (via app)
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Disable standard inventory logic if required
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Use high-quality images
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Add detailed rental descriptions
Step 4: Configure Rental Duration & Pricing
Set:
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Minimum rental period
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Maximum rental period
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Price per day/week/month
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Discounts for longer rentals
Example:
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$20/day
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$50/week
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$150/month
Step 5: Set Availability Rules
Configure:
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Blackout dates
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Buffer time for cleaning
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Maximum concurrent rentals
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Location-based availability (if needed)
Step 6: Enable Security Deposits
Deposits protect your inventory.
Options:
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Refundable deposit
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Non-refundable damage waiver
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Partial deposits
Most rental apps automate deposit collection and refund.
Step 7: Customize the Booking Experience
Ensure customers can:
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Select dates easily
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See availability clearly
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Understand pricing instantly
Avoid confusing calendars or hidden fees.
Handling Payments, Deposits & Returns
Payments
Shopify supports:
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Credit cards
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Shop Pay
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PayPal
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Apple Pay
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Klarna (for higher-priced rentals)
Deposits
Deposits can be:
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Charged upfront
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Refunded after inspection
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Converted to fees if damaged
Returns
Set clear return workflows:
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Automated reminders
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Late fee triggers
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Condition checks
Creating a Shopify rental business in 2026 is a powerful opportunity — but it requires the right setup, tools, and strategy. With Shopify’s ecosystem and the right rental app, you can build a scalable, profitable rental business that generates recurring revenue from the same inventory.