Does online shopping and sustainabilty sound like a contradiction to you? That doesn't have to be the case. We have put together a few tips for you, as well as eleven Berlin shops and boutiques that are committed to fair, sustainable trade. The assortment includes only organically certified and regionally grown and produced goods and textiles. Since the longevity of the products is top priority, you can often also find second-hand items. Repairs and own workshops are part of the business concept. In these 11 online shops you can shop responsibly and support your local retail trade!
- If possible, shop at your local store.
- Measure correctly and make considered purchasing decisions to avoid returns.
- Look for certificates and seals of approval.
- Use Click & Collect or Click & Meet wherever possible.
- Opt for sustainable shipping, for example with a bicycle courier.
- Even small things help when many do: order vouchers via email and also forward them online to the recipients.
Tip 1: Passionate about fair trade - Weltläden Berlin
By shopping in one of Berlin's ten worldshops, you are supporting a concept that has been promoting fair trade for a long time. Most of the shops are organised as cooperatives and some are even run by volunteers. Depending on the local assortment, you can find clothes, books, music and handicraft products. Many worldshops also sell natural food and organic food from regional farmers. You can find the opening hours and contacts of the individual shops on the Weltladen website.
Where: ten locations in Berlin
How: Order and pick-up service by email or phone call
Tip 2: Eco-fair fashion and organic jeans - Supermarché
At Supermarché you can dress and outfit yourself ecologically. The assortment ranges from fairly produced baby rompers made of organic cotton to socks, jeans and T-shirts, all from organic textiles. You'll find home accessories, jewellery and cosmetics, as well as products from their own label Hirschkind. All brands in the range are certified and meet the standards of Fairtrade, Global Recycle or SA8000, which defines the social standards for factory employees. Information on all the quality seals can be found on the website.
Where: Wiener Straße 16, Kreuzberg
How: Click & Collect is recommended, shipping with DHL Go Green is possible (CO2 emissions are compensated).
Tip 3: Eco, fair, vegan - LOVECO
It can be so nice to shop for sustainable products. In LOVECO's online shop you will not only find selected garments from over 60 fair fashion and slow fashion brands, but also a virtual tour of the shop and lots of information about sustainable fashion. Among other things, the guide explains exactly how to take your measurements correctly so that you can order the right size - and avoid returns.
Where: Eisenacher Straße 36/37, Schöneberg; Sonntagstraße 28, Friedrichshain and Manteuffelstraße 77, Kreuzberg (shoes only)
How: Click & Meet (COVID test possible on site), Click & Collect, plastic-free shipping by cargo bike (in the city centre) or DHL Go Green.
Tip 4: Good design and more - The imaginary manufactory (Imaginäre Manufaktur)
The imaginary manufactory offers fine, handmade things made of paper, ceramics, wood and textiles. And of course the beautiful brooms, brushes and paintbrushes from the Berlin Brush and Braid Manufactory in the backyard. For Berlin fans, we recommend the "Brandenburg Gate" or "Berlin Bear" clothes brush.
Where: Oranienstraße 26, Kreuzberg
How: Click & Collect, or appointment shopping (if possible), plastic-free shipping with DHL.
Here you can shop online
Tip 5: Timelessly beautiful fashion - Studio Hertzberg
Studio Hertzberg has deliberately not divided its online shop into collections, but into three simple categories: cold days, warm days and hot days. Because the owners believe that fashion should be timeless. In addition, you can filter by price, colour and size - and yes, also by the three artists who designed the floral pattern of the Studio Hertzberg dresses.
Where: Sonnenallee 174, Neukölln
How: Click & Collect, regular shipping
Here you can shop online
Tip 6: Products for life - Standard Saubere Sachen
The name is mission, because with their shop "standard saubere sachen" (an idiom which plays with the meaning of clean), the two former costume and stage designers Katrin and Katharina want to contribute to fair and sustainable becoming the standard. The range therefore exclusively includes fairly and sustainably produced products, household goods and clothing that will last a lifetime if cared for properly. And they are beautiful too.
Where: Reuterstraße 53, Neukölln
How: Click & Meet, Click & Collect, shipping with DHL Go Green
Here you can shop online
Tip 7: Curated vintage pieces - The Good Store
This Neukölln boutique offers curated vintage fashion, jewellery, ceramics and clothing sewn on site in Berlin under its own brand GOOD. Selected fragrances and oils complete the range. As long as appointments can be made in the shop, you can also bring in well-preserved, high-quality vintage pieces to view and commission.
Where: Pannierstraße 31, Neukölln
How: Click & Collect, Click & Meet, Shipping (please contact the shop)
Here you can shop online
Tip 8: Beautiful and good things from the workshop - format & WESEN
Beautiful design, quality and durability are at the forefront of the selection of this sustainable Berlin fashion boutique. Originally, products from the shop's own workshop "format" were sold in the "Wesen", the front room of the shop. In the meantime, so many beautiful and good things have been added that format & WESEN moved to larger shop premises. However, this has not changed the values.
Where: Tellstraße 7, Neukölln
How: Shipping with DPD or DHL
Tip 9: Toys and clothes - zuckerfrei | Kids Concept Store
Goodbye plastic: With sustainable toys and handmade children's clothing, the zuckerfrei (sugar-free) concept store sets new standards in nursery and fashion. The selection shows that ecologically and fairly produced products can also be really beautiful. So beautiful - and of course durable - that even the great-grandchildren will enjoy them.
Where: Anzengruberstraße 12, Neukölln
How: Click & Collect, Click & Meet, Shipping standard
Tip 10: Versatile classics - Kollateralschaden (collateral damage)
Jumper, dress, hoodie or all in one: Kollateralschaden's Kollas are real classics; versatile, comfortable and fit well. All Kollas are produced in small quantities according to demand and request in our own workshop. Alterations are made on request - and there is also a two-year guarantee if a Velcro fastener or cuff needs replacing. And of course, sustainability is also taken into account in the shop itself, from green electricity to waste separation to the employees' journey by bike or public transport.
Where: Bürknerstraße 11, Neukölln
How: Click & Meet, Click & Collect, Shipping (standard)
Here you can shop online
Tip 11: Second chance for good things - BSR NochMall
In NochMall, the second-hand shop of the Berliner Stadtreinigung (Berlin's city cleaning service), things get a second chance. Furniture, household goods, electrical appliances, books and much more. Each product is unique and new items are added daily. You can find current highlights on the website. You can also shop via WhatsApp Call, where a member of staff will take you through the rows of shelves.
Where: Auguste-Viktoria-Allee 99, Reinickendorf
How: Click & Collect, Click & Meet (COVID test can be done on site for 5 euros, no charge with a purchase of over 50 euros), shipping with Deliver-It.
