5 Questions for Anders
(Founder of Cirkel Supply)
1. How does Cirkel Supply’s rental service work for Mama’s darlings?
Click through to www.cirkelsupply.com and browse our assortment of outerwear, midlayers and gloves for adults, children and babies. We work with premium brands who care about our planet like Patagonia, Houdini, and Namuk, so I’m sure you’ll find the perfect outfit.
Don’t forget to place your order at least 3 days before your arrival. Select your favourite outfit and rental dates, and at checkout, select Hotel Zermama for your delivery. We will pack your order with love and send it in our reusable packaging. Because Mama spoils her darlings, she will pop your order in your room, so you’re all set for adventure upon your arrival.
At the end of your stay, leave it to Mama to send back your rental items, and Cirkel will get them ready for the next happy customer.
2. Why did you launch Cirkel Supply’s clothing rental service?
Although ski and boot rental is firmly established in every ski resort, the big demand for ski clothing rental is just not being met.
Our approach is to make rental of high quality and ultimate convenience: customers order online, find the clothing at their accommodation, and after their amazing holiday, they just simply leave it behind – we sort the rest.
The Cirkel team’s big motivation is the knowledge that rental is a critical lever to reduce the overproduction of outdoor gear: 5x jackets sold in a shop = 5x happy customers, 5x jackets rented by Cirkel can equal 100+ happy customers. We’re using Cirkel’s service to help people buy less, use more, and go explore!
3. Who are the founders of Cirkel?
We are three co-founders, all with a big passion for skiing and nature. Per and I are old friends that have taken many ski touring missions together - some good, some a little more challenging. My background is in fashion, and Per has worked as a designer, marketer and art director in most industries you’ve ever heard of.
We met Anna at one of Valais’ cheese festivals. Better known for her exploits as a freeride skier, she’s also a circular business expert. Her outdoor industry know-how and research into the sustainability of our business meant that we had to complete the Cirkel by bringing her aboard as a co-founder.
4. What’s your motivation and vision for circularity?
In fashion, I saw circular innovation, particularly in rental. I did not see this coming from the incumbents of the outdoor industry, so decided that I had to do it myself.
Why is circularity important? I have in my mind a picture of a very sad polar bear on the last piece of melting ice. Climate change is happening, and we need to reduce overconsumption to combat it. My co-founders feel the same. Anna has made films about astonishing deglaciation in the Southern Alps and here on the patrouille des glaciers route from Zermatt to Verbier.
We are motivated to scale Cirkel’s rental service and shift a meaningful portion of linear sales to circular experiences, reducing the strain of consumption on our planet
5. Why work with Mama?
From the moment Per, Anna and I stepped foot into Zermama, we felt right at home. The hotel is beautiful, and Mama's family is so welcoming and dedicated to the guest experience.
Working with Zermama makes our rental service even more special, helping us to outpace the instant gratification of linear sales. People won’t want to buy stuff they don’t need if we make rental as delightful as it feels at Mama’s place.