In a letter to his loyal customers and in a German-language video (below), Michael Spitzbarth, owner of the sustainable outdoor brand Bleed, explains that his company, which he founded 15 years ago, has had to file for provisional insolvency despite all attempts to avoid this situation. “The sum of many individual components has meant that we can no longer survive on the market under the current conditions,” says Spitzbarth. “Delayed supply chains, increased prices and an immense decline in consumption make it impossible for us to operate. Bleed has always been calculated without investors and with very low profit margins and has hardly been able to build up any reserves. This has fallen on our shoulders since the last known crisis.” In addition, a price and discount war has been taking place in the sustainable apparel market over the past year, “which, in our opinion, no longer reflects the value of handmade textiles in any way.” While Bleed had also tried to remain competitive for some time, it can no longer be part of this price erosion.
This fall, the brand launched an attempt to become a community-based company. End consumers were asked to make a monthly “living contribution” to ensure that Bleed could continue to exist.
Over the coming weeks and months, Spitzbarth’s team will work closely with the provisional insolvency administrator and her team to find solutions that respect all parties involved. In the meantime, the brand will continue to sell in its own shop and online store as usual. Spitzbarth is calling on loyal consumers to continue to support the brand. “You can make a difference now by continuing to support us and keep believing in us: whether you come by again at one of our last events, secure your favorite style that you’ve been eyeing for a long time, or the basic that’s already with you every day, or organize a few Christmas gifts via our online store. The bleed product range as you know it now will no longer exist in the future. We look forward to open and fair communication with you as equals and will accommodate you with various discount campaigns until the end of the year.”
Finally, Spitzbarth says with conviction: “At the moment, we don’t know what will happen next, but we can say one thing: the last 15 years have not always been easy, but it was still a great time. […] We won’t stop fighting. Are you with us?”
