In recent years, the Internetstores Group has already increasingly focused on the issue of sustainability. As part of SIGNA Sports United GmbH, for example, the company can already describe itself as climate-neutral. In addition, logistics is sending more and more plastic-free packages and a test run with a provider for the reuse of packaging materials has been ongoing in Scandinavia for some time. But that is far from enough for the multi-channel bike and outdoor retailer: “Our goal is to be the partner that customers and brands trust. In addition to excellent service and very good products, consistent sustainability is playing an increasingly important role here,” says Dr. Hans Dohrmann, managing director of Internetstores.

“Sustainable” or “Beneficial”?

“As a company, it is important for us to take responsibility. With the products and brands from our portfolio, we are always in nature — whether by bike, camping or hiking. It is therefore all the more important for us not only to do less damage to the environment with our business, but also to generate as positive benefits as possible. That is why we chose EPEA as a partner as part of this long-term project,” adds Frank Aldorf, EVP brand strategy and project manager at Internetstores. Because EPEA's Cradle to Cradle® approach sees sustainability as an innovation opportunity for companies that want to go beyond classic “sustainability.” “While a linear economy ultimately creates waste — despite re- or downcycling — we aim for a “circular economy” without loss of quality with the Cradle to Cradle® principle. With the help of renewable energy and digitization processes, healthy materials should be able to be processed again and again,” explains Dr. Peter Mösle, managing director of EPEA. The consulting firm, which has co-developed this pioneering and award-winning approach, also includes aspects such as social responsibility and diversity in the workplace. “We are looking forward to working with Internetstores as experts in online and offline retail stores. The opportunities along the entire value chain of such a multichannel platform are diverse and Internetstores already has the right mindset,” says Mösle, describing the collaboration.

No hau-jerk action

The cooperation between the two companies began in June, which initially involves screening and analyzing processes together over a period of three months. Only then does EPEA draw up a multi-layered and long-term action plan. “We want to avoid hasty HAURCK actions and instead be as structured and thought-out as possible. EPEA's comprehensive concept will help us achieve our ambitious environmental goals in a coordinated manner,” says Dohrmann. It is no coincidence that Internetstores is investing in this major project right now. “It is just the right time to address this issue more intensively. We are well positioned, both economically and in terms of process, to tackle major changes and meet our social responsibility even more. We are delighted to become an ever better company — for our employees, our partners and, of course, our customers,” concludes Dohrmann.

Through Internet stores: As a leading digital retailer for bike and outdoor use, Internetstores GmbH brings more people on bikes and into nature than any other provider in Europe. The company operates 40 online shops in 14 countries, including fahrrad.de, Bikester, ProBikeShop, Campz and Addnature. With 1,000 brands and 125,000 immediately available products, experts and beginners will always find the right equipment. The range also includes exclusively sold private brands such as Ortler, Serious, Votec and Fixie Inc. Thanks to the multi-channel strategy, Internetstores is always exactly where customers want it: online, in stores or at home with the mobile service. The fahrrad.de stores in Düsseldorf, Berlin, Stuttgart, Dortmund and Hamburg are complemented by a Germany-wide service partner network at 200 locations. In addition, the brands Addnature and Bikester operate flagship stores in Stockholm and ProBikeShop in Lyon. Internetstores is part of the SIGNA Sports United Group and employs around 800 people at locations in Stuttgart, Esslingen, Berlin, Lyon and Stockholm. For more information, see www.internetstores.com

Download the press release as a PDF:

EN: https://www.internetstores.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/ISG_Cradlebility_EPEA_20200806.pdf

EN: https://www.internetstores.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/ISG_Cradlebility_EPEA_20200806_en.pdf

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