KappAhl’s, a Swedish fashion chain, has revealed that the plastic bag consumption has been reduced by almost 70 percent in most of its stores. This has been achieved in just first 15 months of the launch of industry sustainability initiative One Bag Habit.
With an initiative to become responsible retailers, KappAhl, Lindex and H&M introduced this concept last year. It aims to actively reduce the consumption of all kind of bags and raise awareness of their negative impact on environment.
The members of One Bag Habit initiative commit themselves to paying for all the bags offered to their customers regardless of material and size. The bags offered should be made of more durable and recyclable material. Moreover, the brands are also suppose to provide an annual report of progress and donate or invest the surplus from the sale of bags for purposes of sustainable development, environmental or social issues.
In a statement this week, KappAhl said sales from 1 September 2017 to 31 August 2018 have generated a surplus of more than SEK2.1m (US $ 231,275). Apart from them, more than about 20 companies have joined the initiative, including Gina Tricot, a Swedish fashion chain and Nilson Shoes.
Moreover, the company recently appointed Elisabeth Peregi as its new President and CEO. Having a solid leadership and retail experience from positions at Lindex, a Swedish fashion Chain, Elisabeth will take up her new position during the spring of 2019.
“I am very pleased to welcome Elisabeth Peregi to KappAhl. With her wide expertise and industry experience, she has what it takes to successfully lead KappAhl through the rapid development of our industry” said, Anders Bülow, Chairman of the Board, KappAhls.
47-year-old Elisabeth Peregi has a Master of Science in Business administration from the School of Business, Economics and Law at the University of Gothenburg. For nineteen years, she has worked in leading roles at Lindex, most recently as Country Manager Sweden and Great Britain. Previously, she has held positions at Lindex as CFO, Head of Franchise Operations and Country Manager Norway.
“KappAhl is a strong brand and I am looking forward to leading the company to new successes together with my new colleagues” says Elisabeth Peregi, new President and CEO, KappAhl.
