dan pearlman, a leading brand and experience architecture group, is celebrating a pioneering project in the circular economy, Globetrotter’s new Re:Think Store in Bonn, Germany.
With the opening of this new store Globetrotter, the outdoor equipment supplier, has reimagined sustainability in retail. Almost all of the furniture from the previous tenant Conrad Electronic has been kept and cleverly reused, from a large bear sculpture in the entrance area to a hiking shoe testing track. Additionally, the shop uses a lot of second-hand items, mostly from its own stock. The sustainable store concept is completed through care & repair, used goods, and equipment rentals.
“Our Re:Think Store represents a true pioneering project through the consistent reuse of existing inventory,” says Globetrotter CEO Andreas Vogler. “We don’t know of anyone else who has implemented a comparable project in retail to this extent.”
The team only strayed from the reuse concept when there were no other options, such as when replacing the lights with more contemporary, energy-efficient equipment. For the implementation and development of the store concept, Globetrotter turned to the expertise of dan pearlman and loom shopexpansion.
Sustainable store construction
Speaking about the collaboration with Globetrotter, Volker Katschinski, the responsible creative director at dan pearlman, says:
“With more than 20 years of experience in retail design, the Globetrotter store is the first store in my career that thinks sustainability to its conclusion in a radical and consistent way. From old to new, with almost 100% recycling and upcycling.
“This project has so much power for the further development of the entire retail industry towards more sustainability. I am delighted to have been able to pioneer for Globetrotter and combine a genuine experience with thoughtful services and sustainable design. The new Globetrotter store deserves the RE:THINK label rightfully.”
For many years, Globetrotter has been strongly advocating the idea of the circular economy. The sustainability of its stores was identified as a crucial component of its 2025 sustainability strategy. The business updated its interior design guidelines in conjunction with the Environmental Protection Encouragement Agency (EPEA), which defines specifications for more environmentally friendly retail buildings and incorporates Cradle to Cradle principles.
The decision was made to only furnish the space with discarded materials when the chance to relocate to a former Conrad Electronics store in Bonn presented itself in 2022.
“During the first inspection of the premises, the thought occurred to me that we needed to change. Completely replacing everything with new items is no longer the right approach,” says Globetrotter managing director Andreas Bartmann. “I am proud of the entire team for how this was implemented.”
EPEA experts will conduct a scientific evaluation of the real CO2 and material savings made through this reuse. The analysis’s preliminary findings are anticipated in the summer.
“The Interior Circularity Passport transparently demonstrates the ecological performance of the store in essential areas and provides a good foundation for further improving our sustainability performance in store construction,” says sustainability manager Fabian Nendza.
New and used products on offer
The new store on Karlstraße, which is 2,150 square metres, provides much more room for well-known products and fresh ideas. Unlike its former site on Vorgebirgsstraße, the shop offers the large selection of outdoor products desired of a Globetrotter store, in addition to outlet items. Customers may locate favourite brands like Fjällräven, Rab, Icebreaker, and Frilufts on the first floor, along with a hiking shoe testing track.
On the second floor, there is a section for second-hand equipment and a brand-new workshop. Here, customers can have their outdoor gear repaired and maintained professionally. Meanwhile, the Clubhütte offers a space for the local outdoor community to meet and will host workshops and lectures regularly.
A new strategy
Globetrotter adopts a radical strategy with Re:Think. Frequently, sustainability is connected to the use of sustainable resources. True sustainability, however, calls for recycling current stock rather than creating, and utilising new innovative materials. In order to revamp the store, Globetrotter prioritised the reuse of pre-existing resources and relied on almost 100% recycling.
The management came up with the ground-breaking concept and held a competition for the project. The retail designers from dan pearlman, led by Katschinski, won this competition.
The primary task for the creatives was to concisely convey the idea of a radically revised shop concept. With Re:Think, the project name and the associated mandate for later operational implementation were found. “Re” – a small syllable with powerful effect as it is part of reduce, reuse, recycle, repair; “Re” in combination with “Think” is understood as a mandate to rethink and further develop something.
The design team’s next task was to create the store’s consumer journey and narrative. Always at the forefront: creating a modern and functional retail idea while also emotionally engaging the customer and making them advocates for greater sustainability.
Upon taking possession of the former electronics store, the designers found a mix of old wire baskets, carpets, light elements, and shelves, all waiting to be transformed into a new creative patchwork of recycled materials. Perforated sheets, old wooden floors, and USB plates were repurposed as decorative elements and for product presentation. In the end, almost 100% of the materials for ceiling, wall, and floor design as well as product presentation were sourced from recycled old stocks.
Only 2 to 3 percent of the items were newly purchased due to technical requirements, and Globetrotter’s goal of achieving (almost) complete reuse of remaining and former shop-fitting elements was fulfilled.
Engaging customers in the topic of sustainability
On the outer facade of the shopping centre, customers will notice the recognisable yet updated Globetrotter logo: the brand name “Globetrott:re” contains a twisted “re”. The underlying theme is that everything is being reconsidered and flipped on its head. At the same time, the reordering of the letters is a tribute to the company’s own sustainability efforts.
In the entrance area, a focus wall provides curious customers with initial information about the store’s concept. The headline “Welcome to the first RE:THINK STORE in Germany!” greets visitors. There is also a 3-meter tall bear, Globetrotter’s mascot, prominently placed in the entrance area. Even this is made up of old materials in a patchwork style.
Some new technology and a few new lights enhance the existing lighting, since smart ideas require good lighting. All of the furnishings in the Re:Think store are repurposed from other Globetrotter sites. The brand shops too adhere to the idea of reuse and upcycling, supplying used furniture from other locations. The changing rooms are made from patchwork materials such as old advertising banners and curtains.
Even the mini touchpoints are sustainably designed, with comments on the origin of the materials, such as printed information on former truck tarps, waiting to be discovered throughout the store.
The sustainability concept can also be seen in the services provided by the new store. Customers can buy or rent new and used items, for instance, infrequently used child carriers. There is a second-hand purchase station, and the repair workshop, complete with an old workbench, allows customers to repair, waterproof, sew, engrave, or customize items to suit their needs.
Last week, dan pearlman announced that it has been appointed to develop a master plan for the development of Frankfurt Zoo, Germany.
