Case studies ///

adidas dominates circularity in the sportswear market /
“Thanks to the QSA team for being such great challengers, lifting us to the next level!”
David Quass, Global Director Brand Sustainability Strategy | Eco Innovation | Circular
Adidas wanted to understand and develop the potential for circular business models. We started working with adidas in 2018 as part of our work with Laudes Foundation – Circular Fashion Fast Forward project – we accelerated their knowledge of business models, internal and external factors to consider for different models and levers to test.
We helped adidas test the resale market and helped define project parameters using our 7Cs process of how to implement a model. Vitally we gave adidas the confidence to test models that may not go through to full launch but were used to test specific elements. The Infinite Play test project was launched in late 2019 across the UK.
adidas are now flying and have integrated sustainability and circular business models into the heart of their growth strategy ‘Own the Game’ and have launched adidas rental as well as redefining their made to be remade range.
Want to understand more about this work and how we can support your work on circular business models?
HS1 creates industry leading sustainability strategy /
“At HS1 Ltd we want to be a trailblazer and help drive sustainability across our industry. QSA Partners have provided expertise and guidance to enable us to see sustainability through the lenses of different areas of the company and identify a clear joined-up strategy. We are pleased to start the next phase of work with QSA Partners where we will be implementing our roadmap through collective action with our key stakeholders.”
Richard Thorp, Engineering Director at HS1
HS1 asked us to develop an industry leading sustainability strategy and roadmap that focused on priority areas. The strategy was launched by the Minister for Transport in October 2020.
With environmental and social sustainability critical to the future success of their business, HS1 Ltd.’s scope was ambitious, and they endeavour to protect and reduce their impacts on the natural environment and in their local communities. Their core value of ‘punching above their weight’ was integrated across all key areas including:
– Transparency
– Climate Change
– Energy use
– Resource & waste
– Social impacts
– Biodiversity
We engaged with staff; senior leadership and clients and partners to develop a vision, strategy and ambitious targets that have been incredibly well received by industry.
We continue to work with HS1 on a range of projects including their attendance at COP26 in November 2021.
To learn more about this project and how we can help you:
FARFETCH leads circular business models in luxury fashion /
“Working with QSA has provided expertise and rigour – some fantastic technical research and expertise on the major business levers and impact assessment”
Tom Berry, Global Director of Sustainable Business, FARFETCH
FARFETCH is a leading global fashion platform that wanted to implement circular business models. QSA helped to identify the best target markets, propositions and commercial case for testing out buy-back and trade-in business models. Our project was funded by the Laudes Foundation and delivered in partnership with ReLondon.
FARFETCH launched its Second Life buy-back business model in Europe in 2018 and has now rolled it out in its US market. In parallel, it also launched a trade-in business model called Donate with Thrift+ in the UK.
FARFETCH also wanted to understand the environmental impacts of these business models in more detail and asked us to find evidence of this – we delivered international consumer research in partnership with Icaro Consulting that showed around 6 out of 10 purchases of pre-loved clothing delay or prevent the customer from buying a new garment. This meant that FARFETCH’s new business models were delivering a significant impact. As a result, FARFETCH published its research and developed an online tool to help customers understand the impact of their conscious purchases.
To learn more about this project and how we can help you:
Bandvulc – service & financial success/
“QSA were great to have onside as a fresh pair of expert eyes to help us with the business model, market research and financials’. ‘We would recommend companies talking to these experts and also talk to your customers.”
Richard O’Connell Director
Bandvulc wanted to develop their tyre retreading business to insulate against competition and prices. We helped them develop their tyre management service which now covers over 70% of the UK’s supermarkets articulated truck fleet.
QSA helped develop a business and financial model for a new re-tread tyre for vans: the “Vanvulc tyre” for delivery vans and a sale of service management service. We ran cross-departmental innovation sessions to gain ideas and join people together, developed specific market insight research and created the business financial modelling to take the business to pilot. This has led to new Vanvulc tyre sales of over £4m, with a 30% sales growth forecast and substantial material and carbon savings.
Bandvulc successful grew their market share and now are part of the Continental Group. A re-treaded Bandvulc tyre is fitted every 2 and half minutes across Europe.
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