Consumers voted Verkkokauppa.com Finland's most sustainable e-commerce brand in the Sustainable Brand Index.
Press release, March 17, 2021
Finns have named Verkkokauppa.com the most sustainable e-commerce brand in Finland, according to the prestigious Sustainable Brand Index 2021. This study, Europe's largest measuring brand sustainability perceptions, included e-commerce as its own category for the first time this year.
The annual Sustainable Brand Index* measures consumer perceptions of sustainability for well-known brands. Verkkokauppa.com topped the e-commerce category, outranking Motonet, Zalando, CDON, and Amazon in the national survey. A total of 212 brands across 25 categories were evaluated.
"E-commerce is growing every year, and retailers are expected to be increasingly responsible. We want to be a pioneer in this area and actively develop what sustainable retail means both online and in-store. This recognition is a great sign that our sustainability work is on the right track. We won't settle for this; we are investing in long-term sustainability efforts," says Verkkokauppa.com CEO Panu Porkka.
Verkkokauppa.com has long focused on providing detailed product information and transparent consumer reviews. Last year, we also introduced a stakeholder survey** as a tool for sustainability development, helping Verkkokauppa.com identify the most important areas for improvement from the perspective of our key stakeholders.
“Verkkokauppa.com's sustainable brand image has certainly been influenced by our focus on our Finnish identity,” says Verkkokauppa.com Sustainability Manager Johanna Stenbäck. “For example, last year we launched the Verkkokauppa.fi marketplace, which exclusively sells Finnish products. Additionally, we have emphasized transparency and a high-quality product range since the very beginning. We help Finns make necessary purchases with the longest possible lifespan.”
According to Stenbäck, encouraging sustainable consumption is becoming an even more integral part of Verkkokauppa.com's sustainability work. The importance of mindful purchasing was also highlighted in Verkkokauppa.com's stakeholder survey. When asked where Verkkokauppa.com should focus its sustainability efforts, 75 percent of respondents ranked product longevity among the top five most important sustainability topics.
“Another hot topic in e-commerce is returns management. Verkkokauppa.com has focused on keeping return rates to a minimum and ensuring as many returns as possible are put back on sale. Our return rate is low for an e-commerce operator at 1%, and less than 0.1% of total sales ends up as waste through returns, which is then recycled appropriately,” says Stenbäck.
More information on Verkkokauppa.com's sustainability practices and results can be found in the company's latest annual report (Ulkoinen palvelu) (Avautuu uuteen välilehteen).
The full Sustainable Brand Index 2021 report can be read here (Ulkoinen palvelu) (Avautuu uuteen välilehteen).
*Sustainable Brand Index 2021 study
Sustainable Brand Index is Europe's largest study measuring brand sustainability perceptions. The annual study, conducted in Finland since 2013, gauges consumer perceptions of the sustainability of well-known brands. The brands evaluated are selected based on revenue, market share, and general awareness. The study's definition of sustainability is based on the UN Sustainable Development Goals. E-commerce was included as a new category for the first time. In total, 212 brands across 25 categories were examined. 9,900 Finns participated in the study.
**Verkkokauppa.com Stakeholder Survey 2020
Verkkokauppa.com's 2020 sustainability stakeholder survey had 2,600 respondents, including customers, employees, partners, and investors. Respondents identified sustainability as a key cornerstone for Verkkokauppa.com's operations. When asked where Verkkokauppa.com should focus its sustainability efforts, 75 percent of respondents ranked product longevity and measures to promote it among the top five most important sustainability topics.
Additional information
press@verkkokauppa.com (Ulkoinen palvelu)
Verkkokauppa.com
Verkkokauppa.com is Finland's leading online retailer, offering a wide range of products from home technology to leisure and business needs. Operating since 1992, the company is one of the world's oldest online retailers, combining e-commerce and physical stores into a seamless omnichannel customer experience. Verkkokauppa.com's four megastores are located in Oulu, Pirkkala, Raisio, and Helsinki's Jätkäsaari district. To deliver an exceptional customer experience, the company delivers products to your door in as little as one hour, around the clock, using automation and robotics. Verkkokauppa.com employs approximately 600 people, and the company's shares are listed on Nasdaq Helsinki.
