
News + Trends
ISPO 2019: Big business in the back room
by Patrick Bardelli
Sustainability was the topic at ISPO in Munich. The sports industry seems to have discovered its love for the planet. Or is it all just greenwashing?
Does bigger automatically mean better? We asked ourselves this question at the start of the world's largest sports trade fair in Munich. However, the question should be: Is there actually sustainability in everything that says sustainability on the label? Hardly, I can now say after the end of ISPO 2020. You can see the detailed conclusion in the video above.
The China halls - yes, we dared to enter despite coronavirus - a land of milk and honey for buyers of the big brands. We already realised that last year:
And it's the same this year. In addition to a lot of junk, good quality is also on offer here. Especially in the textile sector. I get stuck at a stand with ski clothing and ask the friendly lady behind the counter what the ski jacket that caught my eye is all about. Good quality, as far as I can tell. No logo, nothing. The nice lady explains to me that the purchase price for this ski jacket is 33 dollars. And that it can be supplied in any colour and with any logo on request. "Are you interested?" No, thanks. But I'm sure the buyers from Schöffel, Jack Wolfskin and co. are. And then sell the item for 300 francs or more. Made in some Chinese sweatshop. Very sustainable.
Running shoes made in Kenya. Yes, they do exist. It's about time. After all, the best runners come from the East African country. So it's only logical that this knowledge and experience should flow into the development of running shoes. The brand "Enda", a start-up, produces its shoes in the country. And also creates sustainable jobs at the same time, as company founder Navalayo Osembo-Ombati explains in an interview:
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From radio journalist to product tester and storyteller, jogger to gravel bike novice and fitness enthusiast with barbells and dumbbells. I'm excited to see where the journey'll take me next.