Appenzeller Gurt launches second-hand platform

Appenzeller Gurt launches second-hand offer: Customers can now sell their old belts directly to Appenzeller Gurt. These will be reconditioned in a standardized way and offered for sale again. The second-hand offer is the logical continuation of the vintage belt offer launched by Appenzeller Gurt at the beginning of the year and allows everyone to give their Appenzeller belt a second life.

With this new offering, Appenzeller Gurt aims to meet the continuously growing demand for second-hand products and make its contribution to the circular economy. The initial impetus for the second-hand platform came from the collaboration with Souvenir at the beginning of this year. The second-hand label curated 12 selected vintage belts, which were sold exclusively via appenzeller-gurt.com. In contrast to the collaboration, the belts are no longer just rummaged through, but every Appenzeller strap wearer can sell their strap via the platform. There are currently around 25 vintage and second-hand belts on offer from various producers in and around Appenzell.

How the platform works

Thanks to the new offer, owners can sell their old belts directly to Appenzeller Gurt. To do this, they use the online form to enter the most important information such as color, length and defects/special features and upload 2-3 pictures. It is also exciting if there is an anecdote or story about the belt. Based on this information, the belt is divided into one of three categories. You can receive between CHF 20 cash (Twint or bank transfer) and CHF 45 store credit for a belt. The amount can also be donated to one of the organizations within the framework of "1% for the World", which supports Appenzeller Gurt.

Another step towards a circular economy

Appenzeller Gurt tries to challenge the status quo not only with surprising collaborations, but also with regard to the manufacture and repair of its products. Appenzeller Gurt produces locally and fairly, most products are made just-in-time, so there is no overproduction. In addition, Appenzeller Gurt replaces ornaments that have fallen off free of charge and shortens belts products that are too long in order to extend their lifespan. The new range of second-hand belts now closes the final gap - feeding used products back into the cycle.

"From a financial point of view, second-hand doesn't seem to make sense for every product, because the cost of refurbishment is always the same. From the point of view of finite resources and my personal conviction, we can't do anything else. The Appenzell belt is a traditional product that is made by hand and is known for its long-lasting quality. The belt is predestined to be passed on and thus given a second life."

Caspar Eberhard, founder of Appenzeller Gurt

Appenzeller Gurt uses 100% sustainable, regional leather for the majority of its leather products. Only the hides of animals that have spent a good life on a regenerative, organic or biodynamic farm in Germany or Switzerland are used to produce this leather. The tanning process is chrome-free and plant-based and is carried out by a traditional company in southern Germany.

More secondhand

For the second-hand range, we are again working with the vintage label Souvenir, which continues to track down belts from the 20th century. These are sold specially marked as vintage belts. Caspar Schweizer from Souvenir also takes care of the entire process of recording, photographing, registering on the platform and shipping the new belts.

Developing a resale strategy with Appenzeller Gurt was so much fun that I am now starting my own business in this area. We want to support other fashion companies in entering the secondary market and take over the entire process and logistics for them as an external service provider."

- Caspar Schweizer

Large selection on appenzeller-gurt.com

A constantly updated selection of second-hand belts can be viewed at appenzeller-gurt.com/secondhand.

The individual pieces are available from 75 to 95 CHF incl. shipping (CH), worldwide shipping costs an additional 20 CHF.

Credits
Photos: Julian Del Grande, Laura Kneisel
Creative Direction: Caspar Schweizer
Models: Nilu Schaumburger, Julian Del Grande, Laura Kneisel