May 27, 2022 Secondhand Takes Off at Globetrotter

Secondhand selection and sales are up in Germany’s outdoor retailer, Globetrotter.

The specialty outdoor retailer Globetrottter recently reported it has doubled its secondhand business in just two years, and now offers used outdoor gear and clothing both online and in all its stores. Upon receiving the secondhand products, they are inspected in Globetrotter’s workshops for their suitability and staff repairs them if needed. Next, they are put on the shelves for sale affixed with Globetrotter’s own sustainability seal, A Greener Choice. Customers are then offered the security of a one-year warranty. In 2021, a total of 4,211 secondhand products were sold.

According to Frilufts Retail Europe, the mother company of Globetrotter, one spin-off effect of the project is a noticeable increase in sale of quality products that are highly repairable. Not only does this enable the extension of the useable lifespan of products and thereby reduce their overall impacts, the ability to sell the same product twice also makes financial sense. Based on these successes, the secondhand concept is being spread to Frilufts Retail’s other retailers Naturkompaniet (Sweden) and Partioaitta (Finland).

Photo: Andreas Krüger