SHIPLEY-based online retailer SportsShoes.com has announced it wants to become the world's most sustainable running equipment retailer within in the next three years.

The firm, which has gone from strength-to-strength in recent years, has made the ambitious pledge as part of its environmental and sustainability strategy called 'Leave No Footprints'/

As well as the sustainability plans for 2025, it also wants to become carbon net-zero in the future having achieved carbon-neutral status last April.

Leave No Footprints has been developed through work with sustainable innovation consultancy Ape to fully assess the business, looking at carbon output from its warehouse, office, supply chain, packaging and global distribution.

SportsShoes.com has said its next goal is to offset all carbon it has produced since it was founded in Shipley in 1982, achieving this by improving its supply chain.

Brett Bannister, managing director at SportsShoes.com, said: “We believe that there’s no fun to be had standing still. However, moving fast leaves footprints so we are working in several ways to reduce ours.

“As a footwear and apparel retailer, we recognise the hugely important role we must play in implementing long term sustainability practices. We are dedicated to ensuring we are at the forefront of change in the retail sector and being accountable for our products.

“To be the most sustainable running equipment retailer in the world is a bold aim, but one we are entirely committed to achieving. We want to run to a better place.”

Mark Shayler, from Ape, added: “SportsShoes.com is driven to make a positive difference in everything it does. This includes the products they sell and the way they do business.

“Some organisations will reluctantly move towards carbon net-zero. Others will lead the way and Brett and his team at SportsShoes are doing just that. It has been a real joy to work with such a committed and humble business.”

The company, based in Jubilee Way, Shipley, stocks more than 17,000 products from 150 global running and outdoor brands, including Nike, Asics, New Balance and Patagonia.

Last year it launched its first sustainable store and works with partners to find products with a smaller environmental impact, which are featured on the company's website.

The bold plans come as the company aims to continue to grow having finished the year ending in March 2020 with an increase in sales of 37 per cent, to a record £92.2 million.

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