Personally, I’ve never been around a dive shop that employees this system. I’ve only worked with one dive shop here in Middle TN but I dive with and am friends with dive professionals in every shop in the area. Also, in my travels to Florida and other locations diving I’ve never seen this employed at any of the shops we have dealt with on dive boats, etc.
As WarmWaterTurner said, over time most divers will have preference for one style over another and for everyone to have a "student" set of gear and then their own diving gear isn’t realistic unless the dive shop wants to provide the gear.
Besides, most students don’t buy full kits during open water classes. They have to provide mask, snorkel, fins, booties, and in some cases weights & weight belt. Some will want to go ahead and get additional gear, but most just use the rental gear provided by the shop to start out.