How Äkäslompolo Sportshop Doubled Its Rental Revenue with TWICE

For nearly three decades, Äkäslompolo Sportshop has been the go-to destination for outdoor enthusiasts in Finnish Lapland. Since 1996, the full-service sports shop has provided locals and travelers with everything from mountain bikes to alpine and cross-country skis — available for both purchase and rent.

By 2019, the shop’s popularity had outgrown its manual systems. Most rentals were handled in person or through calls and emails, and with growing visitor numbers, queues were long, and staff were stretched. The team needed a faster, smarter way to manage bookings — and a digital storefront that could capture growing online demand.

From Manual to Modern

Before Twice, most of Sportshop's customers arrived at the store without a booking. The company also took reservations through its website via phone and email, but the numbers were marginal compared to the total sales volume.

When Äkäslompolo Sportshop partnered with TWICE, they turned their website into a fully functional online rental store. Customers could now browse gear, reserve equipment, and pay online before arriving. The results were immediate: 33% of rental sales started coming through the website, and total rental revenue doubled within a year — even amid the pandemic.

Founder Jari Ahola credits TWICE for helping them meet the surge in demand. “The popularity of mountain biking has exploded here, and TWICE has been essential in helping us manage that growth efficiently,” he says.

Smoother Operations, Happier Customers

To serve a growing number of customers faster and better, something needed to be done to speed up the in-store processes.

Store manager Jarno Helassalo notes that online bookings didn’t just drive sales. They also made everyday operations smoother. With TWICE, staff can prepare equipment in advance, shorten wait times, and focus more on customer service. The transition also helped organize workflows that had previously relied on paper-based routines.

“During the test period, TWICE proved to be a good product — and it kept developing in the right direction. We never saw a reason to go back to pen and paper,” says Ahola.

A Partnership Built on Progress

As one of TWICE’s first customers, Äkäslompolo Sportshop has played an active role in shaping the platform’s evolution. When specific features were missing, the team worked closely with TWICE to find creative solutions — many of which later became part of the product.

“Speed, ease of use, and flexibility are what matter most to us,” says Helassalo. “TWICE delivers on all of them — and continues to evolve alongside our business.”