GERMANY/INTERNATIONAL. Heinemann Duty Free has teamed up with bag manufacturer LOQI to introduce an eco-friendly alternative to plastic bags, priced at €4.90.
Since November, customers have been able to purchase the ‘trendy’ reusable bag at Heinemann’s 14 sites in Germany and Austria and nine international airports in locations such as Istanbul, Copenhagen, Budapest and Bologna.
Gebr Heinemann Director Retail Sales Europe Jens Wolf said: “Our aim is to massively reduce the use of plastic bags in our airport shops. We know that our customers enjoy making spontaneous purchases and need sturdy options for carrying their items home.
“With its 27cm long carrying strap, the LOQI bag can be carried comfortably on the shoulder. This is particularly advantageous when you’ve just bought a bottle of wine or spirit. We hope we will, in future, be able to inspire even more customers to go for this hip, reusable bag.”
Two versions of the foldable etui bag are available. Each has a different ‘travelling faces’ design on both sides. The designs are portraits of people from different ethnic backgrounds with their gaze directed to the horizon.
The design is a commitment to cultural diversity and a sustainable environment. “We made a conscious decision to go for a cooperation with a brand-name producer, so that the quality and design would ensure the long-term use of these bags,” said Wolf.
A LOQI bag weighs 55g and can carry items weighing up to 20kg. It measures 50 x 42cm and can be folded smaller. The bag is also waterproof, washable, chemical-free and OEKO-TEX certified.
According to Heinemann, the LOQI bag has received a positive response. Berlin Heinemann Duty Free Managing Director Steffen Jopp commented: “With the introduction of the chargeable, disposable bags in our shops, we have been able to considerably heighten our customer’s ecological awareness and significantly reduce the use of plastic bags. With the LOQI bag, we now have a really cool alternative that we are able to offer our customers at an attractive price.
“This is incredibly important in a hip city such as Berlin. Our employees are also enthusiastic about this trend bag as an environmentally-friendly alternative and have been working with great commitment to ensure the bags sell well; they have made a very good start, even in these first few days.”
“Our aim is to massively reduce the use of plastic bags in our airport shops” – Jens Wolf
Gebr. Heinemann has set itself the aim of reducing the use of plastic bags to the minimum. Earlier this year, the retailer launched €2 reusable bags made from 50% recycled materials.
Since January 2017, all disposable bags at Heinemann Duty Free in Germany and Austria have been chargeable, which has led to a -50% reduction in their use. The proceeds from sales have been donated to OceanCare, a marine conservation organisation which is committed to combating plastic waste in the world’s oceans among other causes.