THE FUTURE
GOING FORWARD
First, a little glimpse into the future – Berlin 2035:
The Shop & Factory is buzzing with life. A dozen or so people work side by side on repairs, redesign and alterations.
You walk in with a worn-out NP T-shirt, drop it off at the take-back machine and get a repair voucher in return. The T-shirt gets a new life, turned into new products right there in the shop by a seamstress who was recently unemployed. The voucher gives you €5 off the repair of your Levi’s 501s, which you’ve been wearing for 25 years.
You also get your The Last Jacket repaired for the third time and buy two pairs of new socks. And while you’re there, you sign up for the next community adventure: a train trip to Romsdalen in Norway, with apple picking and cider tasting, freediving and cooking scallops, plus a little climbing or hiking trip to Bispen on the agenda.
OKAY, IF YOU REALLY WANT TO KNOW WHAT WE’RE TRYING TO ACHIEVE, READ ON:
We're still in 2035:
1. We are world leaders in developing durable, long-lasting clothing made from natural materials. People love their clothes so much that repairing them multiple times is a no-brainer.
2. Our products get five lives through repairs, redesign, reuse and recycling. We become the first brand in the world to repair more garments than we sell.
3. Our concept, the combination of products, services and communication, is so good that it demonstrably reduces consumption. People buy fewer things and take better care of what they already own. Thanks to Northern Playground, life is simpler, more fun and leaves a smaller footprint. BUY LESS!
4. We play a major role in getting people to fool around more, play more, and enjoy each other and nature a whole lot more. PLAY MORE!
5. Because our concept is so good, we have built a large, loyal customer base and grown into a big company. This has given us the influence to help shift the framework conditions set by governments and industries in a greener direction. In other words, we are in a position to influence the places where change can have the greatest impact.
6. We are still owned by employees, customers and key players in society, including nature itself. None of our owners are chasing quick financial returns. We are all here for the triple bottom line. What unites us is the desire and determination to create change. As owners, we meet, discuss and learn from each other. The company is run and continues to grow based on this collective wisdom.
7. We are a driving force and a key voice in public debate on the circular economy and alternative ways of doing business. We invest time and energy in challenging conventional business practices across a range of areas, including those beyond clothing.
8. We grow through communities of real people, not algorithms run by companies we don't respect.
9. Our strongest tool, both today and in the future, is our brand. And it is built first and foremost on the social responsibility and activism that run through the entire company, from employees to owners. The Northern Playground brand opens doors and hearts, and is impossible to ignore. Just as importantly, it gives us the opportunity to launch more concepts and companies under the same brand and philosophy.
10. Building on our success, we write the book Less Is More Business. It gets translated into 50 languages and becomes a game changer for many, even in the US and China.
A steep and challenging mountain to climb? Yep. But we love sore fingertips and tired bodies. Let's go!
GET INVOLVED
To achieve our ambitious visions and goals, we must reach out to as many people as possible with our messages and get them to join us on our quest of "less is more". Join our journey by getting involved below!
