Karhu Delves Into the Sustainable Resale Market With Karhu Renewed, Powered by Archive Technology
Karhu, the longstanding Finnish athletic footwear brand, has found a way to revive its returned shoes. The company has revealed the launch of Karhu Renewed, a U.S. resale platform powered by Archive, to resell lightly worn or like-new returns routed straight from Karhu’s exclusive wholesale partner.
“Karhu has always been a brand defined by innovation, and our resale partnership with Archive underscores our commitment to shaping the future of sustainable footwear,” said Huub Valkenburg, CEO of Karhu Holding. “Karhu Renewed helps us to extend the lifecycle of our products, reinforcing our belief that durability goes hand in hand with sustainability. This initiative not only enhances customer engagement but also strengthens our ability to meet sustainability goals and drive growth in key markets.”
Archive, which has worked with brands including New Balance and Dr. Martens, is a technology platform that enables profitable circular business for global brands. The company’s custom Warehouse Management System (WMS) flow allows Karhu to track, process and resell returned products in an efficient manner, making for a fresh stream of revenue in addition to optimizing returns management.
Instead of sitting in backrooms, returned products will be sent from the retailer to Tersus Solutions, where the Archive WMS will be implemented in the warehouse. A liquid CO2-based waterless cleaning technology, described as the world’s most advanced, will be utilized in addition to “a full suite of textile reclamation and resale logistics services,” according to the brand.
Emily Gittins, co-founder and CEO of Archive, told FN, “Karhu’s thoughtful approach to resale underscores its commitment to building a more sustainable future. Collaborating with Huub and his powerhouse team to create this program has been both insightful and rewarding. It’s clear that Karhu customers are eager to access products at a range of price points, and we’re excited for them to engage with this opportunity to shop in a way that aligns with their values and supports the circular economy. I can’t wait to see what Karhu does next.”
Karhu, crafting sneakers worn by the likes of Theo James, was founded in Finland in 1916; the brand sold the famous three stripe design to Adidas, which is now synonymous with the German brand. More than 100 years after its founding, Fleet Feet unveiled in its inaugural Fleet Feet Running Report that Karhu was one of its three fastest-growing shoe brands, alongside Asics and New Balance.