Original Unverpackt

What Original Unverpackt does

Original Unverpackt is a Berlin-based zero-waste supermarket concept founded in 2014 by Milena Glimbovski as the first packaging-free grocery store in Germany. Following an insolvency of the original GmbH in June 2022, the business was transferred to a new entity, suppOUrt Unverpackt Berlin UG (haftungsbeschränkt), effective 1 September 2022 via a transfer restructuring, with long-time employee Katharina Richter taking over as managing director. The flagship retail location at Wiener Straße 16 in Berlin-Kreuzberg stocks over 900 carefully curated organic, fairtrade, and regional products sold exclusively without single-use packaging through gravity-fed bulk dispensers (Spendersysteme); the assortment spans bulk foods, snacks, beverages, natural cosmetics, cleaning supplies, books, and reusable household containers. A select subset of products (coffee, baked goods) reaches the store through a zero-waste supply chain using returnable containers, eliminating packaging waste in transit.

The company operates a multi-channel business model spanning direct-to-consumer retail, e-commerce, B2B wholesale, education, and services. The Shopify-powered online shop (shop.original-unverpackt.de) sells non-food Zero Waste lifestyle products with climate-neutral shipping within Germany (free over €69) and to select international destinations. A B2B commercial delivery service historically supplied bulk organic groceries and cleaning products to Berlin offices and kindergartens via bicycle courier with individualized pricing (currently paused). A wholesale channel distributes Original Unverpackt's private-label brands (OU, PERIOD., Fabel) to other Unverpackt stores and sustainable retailers. The SuppOUrt Card membership program offers tiered prepaid subscriptions (€7-€10/month) with 10% food and 5% non-food discounts. A Teachable-based online course (German and English) has trained more than 200 entrepreneurs globally on opening a Zero Waste store. Beyond the owned flagship, the brand reaches consumers through a network of six partner unpackaged stores across Berlin, Potsdam, and Leipzig, which share staff, brand identity, and act as pickup points for online orders. Marketing is anchored in organic social media, an active influencer community program, founder-led public speaking (TEDx, re:publica, Verpackungskongress), extensive international press coverage (NYT, Guardian, Spiegel, FAZ, Business Insider), email/brevo newsletters, and in-store workshops and tours.

Name

Original Unverpackt

Legal name

suppOUrt Unverpackt Berlin UG (haftungsbeschränkt)

Website

https://original-unverpackt.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Original Unverpackt operates a Berlin-based zero-waste supermarket (founded 2014, refounded post-2022 insolvency) selling 900+ package-free organic products through bulk dispensers, complemented by an e-commerce shop, B2B wholesale of own brands, an online course for aspiring Zero Waste store operators, and a network of six partner stores across Berlin, Potsdam, and Leipzig.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Zero Waste / Package-Free Grocery Retail

NAICS

All Other Specialty Food Retailers (445298), General Line Grocery Merchant Wholesalers (42441)

SIC

Retail-Variety Stores (5331), Wholesale-Groceries, General Line (5141)

akta.pro primary industry

Eco-Friendly Household & Zero-Waste Refill Stores (CRAHAEAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Bulk Food & Refill Stores (Package-Free/Zero-Waste) (CRAHAMAA)

Keywords

• Zero waste retail
• Package-free grocery
• Bulk food sales
• Unpackaged supermarket
• Sustainable grocery store

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Retail Store Sales: Physical in-store sales of biological, organic, package-free food and non-food products at the Berlin Kreuzberg location. Products sold loose or in bulk dispensers; some packaged goods (e.g., beauty products, beverages). Includes a loyalty/supporter card (SuppOUrt Card) offering 10% discount on food and 5% on non-food items.
2. Online E-commerce (Shopify): Online sales of non-food Zero Waste lifestyle products including body care, kitchen accessories, DIY kits, books, and own-brand products (OU, PERIOD., Fabel). Ships within Germany and internationally. Minimum free shipping threshold at €69 within Germany.
3. SuppOUrt Card (Membership): Paid membership card (SuppOUrt Card) offering 10% discount on food and 5% on non-food items. Available in monthly (€10), 3-month (€9/month), 6-month (€8/month), and 12-month (€7/month) tiers. Revenue collected upfront for the full subscription period.
4. B2B / Wholesale: Wholesale distribution of own-brand products (OU, PERIOD., Fabel) to other unpackaged/sustainable retail stores, online shops, and retailers. B2B portal access via email request ([email protected]). Also includes bulk commercial/catering supply of groceries to offices and kindergartens with individualised pricing.
5. Online Course Sales: Sale of online courses teaching how to open a Zero Waste unpackaged store, available in German (Online Kurs) and English (Online Course). Helped more than 200 people globally. Revenue from course enrollment fees.
6. Speaking & Consulting: Revenue from speaking engagements, keynotes, workshops, and store tours delivered by founder Milena Glimbovski (previously) and the team, targeting corporations, conferences, and educational institutions on topics of Zero Waste, sustainability, entrepreneurship, and mindful leadership.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Original Unverpackt operates Germany's first zero-waste supermarket in Berlin-Kreuzberg, selling over 900 carefully curated, certified-organic (DE-ÖKO-039) products—food, snacks, beverages, cosmetics, cleaning supplies, and household items—entirely without single-use packaging, dispensed through bulk-bin systems into customer-provided containers. The retail concept is extended through a Shopify online shop for non-food Zero-Waste lifestyle products, a B2B wholesale arm distributing its own private-label brands (OU, PERIOD., Fabel), a Berlin bicycle-courier bulk delivery service for offices and kindergartens, and a Teachable-based online course teaching others how to open a Zero Waste store.

Product overview

Original Unverpackt operates as a unified retail concept combining a physical zero-waste supermarket with an e-commerce platform. The core offering is the Original Unverpackt Supermarket in Berlin-Kreuzberg, selling over 900 unpackaged organic products through bulk dispenser systems. This is complemented by the Online Shop for zero waste lifestyle products (natural cosmetics, DIY sets, cleaning products), the Zero Waste Store Online Course for aspiring entrepreneurs, and OU Private Label products (OU, PERIOD., Fabel brands) for other unpackaged retailers. Additional services include the SuppOUrt Card loyalty program, B2B delivery for offices/kindergartens, and talks/workshops on sustainability topics.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SuppOUrt Card: Loyalty/membership card program offering 10% discount on food and 5% on non-food items at Original Unverpackt stores.
• OU (own brand)
• PERIOD.
• Fabel

Products and services

• Original Unverpackt Supermarket Flagship zero-waste supermarket in Berlin-Kreuzberg (Wiener Strasse 16) offering over 900 DE-ÖKO-039-certified organic, package-free products (food, snacks, drinks, natural cosmetics, cleaning supplies, books, household containers) sold loose or via bulk dispensers into customers' own containers. Open Mon-Fri 10:00-20:00 and Saturday 9:00-20:00.
• OU Online Shop Shopify-powered e-commerce shop selling Zero Waste lifestyle non-food products (natural cosmetics, DIY sets, cleaning products, household items, books). Climate-neutral shipping within Germany (free over €69) and internationally, with reused packaging materials and multiple payment methods (PayPal, Klarna, Apple Pay, Google Pay, credit cards).
• Zero Waste Store Online Course (German and English) Fee-based online course on Teachable (ou-kurs.de) that teaches aspiring entrepreneurs how to plan, finance, and open a Zero Waste unpackaged grocery store. Includes business plan template, example financial plan, supplier research, and honest insight into operational challenges. Available in German (Online Kurs) and English (Online Course).
• SuppOUrt Card Membership Paid membership card program offering 10% discount on food and 5% on non-food items at the Berlin-Kreuzberg store. Available in 1-month (€10), 3-month (€9/month), 6-month (€8/month), and 12-month (€7/month) tiers, with the full subscription amount due upfront.
• OU Private Label Products (B2B Wholesale) Wholesale distribution of three own-label brands—OU, PERIOD., and Fabel—to other unpackaged grocery stores, sustainable online retailers, and eco-focused retail concepts. Product range includes vegetable nets, drawstring bags, dental floss in glass jars, beeswax bags, menstrual cups, bamboo cutlery sets, and DIY kits. B2B access via email request to [email protected].
• B2B Bulk Delivery Service for Berlin Offices and Kindergartens Berlin bicycle-courier delivery service for offices, kindergartens (Kitas), and small businesses, providing organic snacks, coffee, pantry staples (pasta, rice, lentils) in 10–25 kg bags, and natural cleaning products in 25 L canisters. Individualized quotes with 5–10% commercial discount, courier costs, and Pfand (deposit) on returnable containers. Currently paused per the company's FAQ.
• Talks, Workshops and Store Tours In-store tours, DIY workshops, and external talks and workshops on sustainability, Zero Waste, retail trends, entrepreneurship, and mindful leadership, delivered by the team (and previously by founder Milena Glimbovski) for corporations, conferences, and educational institutions. Advance booking required.

Quantifiable outcome

• 5 of 6 tested packaging strategies at Original Unverpackt demonstrably reduce environmental impact vs conventional packaging (e.g., pasta reduces climate impact by 18%, chia seeds by 40%, dish soap by 27%).
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration9 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered minor, moderate and core.

• FoodsharingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Foodsharing.de, a German food sharing network, to reduce food waste and promote sustainable food distribution practices. Foodsharing volunteers and the OU community interact through food rescue and sharing activities.
• HNEE (Hochschule für nachhaltige Entwicklung Eberswalde)moderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic research partnership with HNEE on the topic 'Unverpackt-Recycling im LEH' (Package-free Retail and Recycling in Food Retail), exploring the role and perspectives of package-free supermarkets in Germany's food retail sector. Christina Scharpenberg's Master's thesis (Ökobilanz) was conducted through HNEE.
• Unverpackt e.V.moderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerOfficial member of Unverpackt e.V., the trade association for unpackaged grocery stores in Germany. The association represents and advocates for the Zero Waste retail sector, sharing best practices and standards across member stores.
• UnternehmensGrün (Bundesverband der grünen Wirtschaft)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOfficial member of UnternehmensGrün, the German Federal Association of Green Economy. Membership signals commitment to sustainable business practices and connects OU with a broader network of green businesses in Germany.
• DER SACHE WEGENcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner unpackaged grocery store in Berlin-Prenzlauer Berg (Lychener Str. 47). Operated by partner but under OU ecosystem/network. Shares staff with Original Unverpackt (employees rotate between locations) and functions as a pickup point for OU online orders. Location managed by a Leitende Verkäufer*in hired through OU's jobs page.
• FAIRVERPACKT (Babelsberg)moderateChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner unpackaged organic supermarket in Potsdam-Babelsberg (Garnstrasse 20), run by Katja Skurcz. Listed as part of the '6x in Berlin und Potsdam' network. Shares the same mission of package-free, biological grocery retail.
• SAMARITER UNVERPACKTmoderateChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner unpackaged grocery store in Berlin-Friedrichshain (Schreinerstraße 14). Certified organic (DE-ÖKO-039). Listed as part of the OU '6x in Berlin und Potsdam' network. Open Tue-Sat with evening hours.
• FAIR UNVERPACKTmoderateChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner unpackaged grocery store in Berlin-Charlottenburg/Wilmersdorf (Düsseldorfer Str. 12). Listed as part of the OU network of 6+ locations in Berlin. Supports the broader Zero Waste retail ecosystem.
• Die Erbsenzählerei – Gutes UnverpacktmoderateChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner unpackaged organic grocery store in Berlin-Schöneberg (Kolonnenstraße 48/49). Listed as part of the Original Unverpackt network of locations. Offers package-free biological products.
• LIEBER LOSE (Leipzig)moderateChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner unpackaged grocery store in Leipzig-Plagwitz (Zschochersche Straße 33). Listed on OU jobs page as a partner location where OU-recruited staff may work. Part of the broader OU partner ecosystem extending beyond Berlin.
• PrinzessinnengartenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity garden at Moritzplatz in Berlin from which Original Unverpackt sourced seedlings and young plants for its urban gardening section. The garden sells produce at solidarity prices and is open to community participation.
• Cremekampagne ( Körperpflegeprodukte)moderateTechnology or IntegrationPartnership with Cremekampagne for natural body care products delivered in reusable packaging. Original Unverpackt provides large canisters of oils and cleaning products for customer refill, which customers can return for upcycling via the Cremekampagne programme.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Basic Bio: Germany's largest organic supermarket cooperative with ~230 member stores nationwide. Comparable customer demographic and organic/fairtrade product mix; a structural threat if member stores adopt refill/bulk zones in response to zero-waste category growth.
• Denn's Biomarkt: Major German-Austrian organic supermarket chain (300+ stores) under the Dennree group. Overlaps with OU on organic and bulk-assortment positioning, and represents a scaled competitor that could absorb zero-waste demand at conventional-retail economics.
• Alnatura: Germany's largest organic supermarket chain (130+ stores) with a similarly organic, fairtrade, and sustainability-led value proposition. Comparable on product mix and customer demographic, and capable of introducing refill/bulk formats at scale that could pressure OU's niche.
• Bio Company: Berlin-headquartered organic supermarket chain operating ~50 stores in Germany. Closest geographic and customer overlap with Original Unverpackt's organic/sustainability positioning in the Berlin market, and a credible competitor as it scales its own bulk and unpackaged assortment.

Others

• Manufactum: Established German sustainable/quality goods retailer with strong catalog and online presence, offering long-lasting household and lifestyle products. Comparable on premium sustainable positioning and customer demographic, though operating in a wider (non-food) product category.
• Memolife: Germany-based online zero-waste and sustainable household retailer selling package-free alternatives in a similar assortment (body care, kitchen, household). Closely comparable to OU's e-commerce arm, particularly for the non-food product range, and a direct online competitor.
• Avocadostore: Germany's largest online marketplace for sustainable and eco-friendly products, curating hundreds of green brands. Comparable customer segment and sustainability-first brand identity, and a channel partner/competitor for OU's own-brand products (OU, PERIOD., Fabel).

Regional players

• The Refill Shoppe: California-based zero-waste home goods and refill concept combining bulk dispensers, sustainable retail, and refill services. Comparable retail model, mission-driven positioning, and integration of community/workshop programming into the storefront.
• The Source Bulk Foods: Australia/New Zealand-headquartered international bulk-food retail franchise with 60+ stores globally. Closest international analog to OU's model: bulk dispensers, package-free ethos, organic/wholefoods positioning, and franchise-style network expansion.
• Precycle: New York City zero-waste grocery store offering bulk foods and package-free household products. Highly comparable refill concept, customer demographic, and educational/community positioning, operating in a different geography than OU's Berlin base.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/OrigUnverpackt
• Facebookfacebook.com/OriginalUnverpackt
• Instagraminstagram.com/originalunverpackt
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/original-unverpackt

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Original Unverpackt