Current retail store design trends are a culmination of many events that are shaping consumer choices since the last decade— digitalisation and new technologies, climate change, and the ongoing pandemic. The strong focus on climate revolution is pushing major industries such as retail to develop strategies that contribute to saving the planet and people while sustaining profit. According to GlobalWebindex, an audience-targeting company, today’s young generations, Millennials and Gen Z, are willing to pay more for ecological and sustainable products. The growing demand for sustainable products informs retailers to lean towards sustainability to thrive in a circular economy. However, there is an existing competition between brick and mortar and online stores. E-commerce boomed at the height of the pandemic reaching $870 billion in sales in the U.S by 2021. Now that Covid-19 restrictions are lifted and everyone can go out in public spaces, how can retailers attract customers back to in-store shopping through sustainable design trends? What materials and concepts are involved in a sustainable store design? Sustainable retail designPhysical stores are still essential for many businesses. As a matter of fact, U.S. retailers are opening 1,800 stores— twice as many as they closed during the pandemic. Even digital native retail brands still consider the importance of brick and mortar. On the other hand, 33% of customers still prefer in-store shopping because they’re able to touch and interact with the products. Brick and mortar stores will have its steady growth post-pandemic. Physical retail stores built as sustainable environments will have long-term benefits to profit, people and the environment. Sustainability will continue to define and influence retail design trends today and in the future. Here are five sustainable design approaches that are presently transforming retail stores around the world:1. Healthy MaterialsA sustainable retail environment not only reduces negative environmental impact but also protects the health and well-being of customers and employees. Therefore, it begins with the materials and finishings used to build the space. Choose materials that have the lowest environmental impact like wood, bamboo and natural stones among others. To ensure that retailers are picking up sustainable materials, check if it’s FSC certified. FSC stands for Forest Stewardship Council, a non-profit organisation that sets the “gold standard” in the manufacturing of woods that are ethically harvested in the forest. Image credit: beyondlondon.comLuxury fashion brand Stella McCartney opened a sustainable boutique of her popular label at the Old Brompton Street in London in 2018. The store’s interiors and wall panels are made from handmade organic materials such as recycled foams and papier-mache. Biodegradable mannequins are also present in the store and the air conditioning system uses nano carbon technology to ensure clean air circulation.2. Energy EfficientDid you know that buildings contribute a big share to the world’s greenhouse gas emissions caused by energy consumption? Architects and designers can help improve a retail store’s energy efficiency by choosing light fixtures and climate control systems that are eco-friendly and energy efficient. According to Carbon Trust, cutting energy by 20% represents the same bottomline benefit as a 5% increase in sales. Another luxury brand leading the sustainability retail design trend is Versace. The Italian luxury fashion company is building new stores that are LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental) certified. Their store uses adjustable lighting design and automatic climate control systems that are regulated to save electrical energy throughout the day.Image credit: lesfacons.com3. Repurposed SpaceAlso known as adaptive reuse, repurposing a space is a sustainable way to convert an existing building or recycling its materials for new use. It is also a way to preserve the cultural heritage of the place and develop equitable spaces. According to the Australian government’s Department of Environment and Heritage, “the reuse of building materials usually involves a saving of approximately 95% of embodied energy that would otherwise be wasted.” Image credit: inhabitat.comUrban Outfitters operates in a repurposed and green building in Philadelphia that reflects the company’s creativity and calling its design strategy as “adaptive reuse”. The 33,000 square feet space is an abandoned navy ship yard that was renovated to become the company’s headquarters. Its structures are built from reclaimed wood and the windows were removed, reglazed and reinstalled. The offices and studios in its multi-story warehouse buildings have natural light streams.4. LEED CertifiedRetailers can look up properties that are LEED-certified. LEED means Leadership in Energy and Environmental, a green building rating system used worldwide. LEED provides building owners a framework for healthy, highly-efficient and cost-saving green buildings.Global coffee chain Starbucks has committed to build 10,000 LEED-certified stores by 2025 aside from pledging to eliminate single-use plastic straws in all of its stores around the world. Their “Starbucks Greener Store” framework includes powering stores by 100% renewable energy, sustainably sourced materials and products, and 30% water savings. Their interiors and fixtures are composed of LED lighting, recycled flooring tiles and wood products that are FSC-certified.Image credit: thedesignstory.comGreater Group is committed to promote corporate, social and environmental responsibility through our sustainability charter, “the Greater Good”. Our initiative spotlights sustainable and environmentally ethical manufacturing and business processes throughout our retail design practices. Our policies and awareness campaigns include: reducing the use of all raw materials, energy and supplies, using recyclable materials, minimising waste generation, assessing the environmental effects of our operations and guiding our customers in making environmentally sensitive choices. In addition, you can also check out The Future of Retail, our comprehensive report about the top trends that are shaping the post-Covid retail environment, which also explores the changing role of brick and mortar vs. e-commerce and the role of sustainability and green design in retail. This report is in partnership with the experiential marketing agency, Watch This Space. Greater Group is a multi-disciplinary global retail design agency. We have been creating award-winning retail spaces, customer experiences and workplaces since 1989, utilising our combined expertise to deliver high-impact, high-return design, fit-out and manufacturing solutions and provide clients with one point of contact throughout. Learn more about our design and build services, joinery manufacturers and retail design today!Contact us at contact@thegreatergroup.com to discuss how we can elevate your brand through innovative, future-proof retail design solutions.Share :
Current retail store design trends are a culmination of many events that are shaping consumer choices since the last decade— digitalisation and new technologies, climate change, and the ongoing pandemic. The strong focus on climate revolution is pushing major industries such as retail to develop strategies that contribute to saving the planet and people while sustaining profit. According to GlobalWebindex, an audience-targeting company, today’s young generations, Millennials and Gen Z, are willing to pay more for ecological and sustainable products. The growing demand for sustainable products informs retailers to lean towards sustainability to thrive in a circular economy. However, there is an existing competition between brick and mortar and online stores. E-commerce boomed at the height of the pandemic reaching $870 billion in sales in the U.S by 2021. Now that Covid-19 restrictions are lifted and everyone can go out in public spaces, how can retailers attract customers back to in-store shopping through sustainable design trends? What materials and concepts are involved in a sustainable store design? Sustainable retail designPhysical stores are still essential for many businesses. As a matter of fact, U.S. retailers are opening 1,800 stores— twice as many as they closed during the pandemic. Even digital native retail brands still consider the importance of brick and mortar. On the other hand, 33% of customers still prefer in-store shopping because they’re able to touch and interact with the products. Brick and mortar stores will have its steady growth post-pandemic. Physical retail stores built as sustainable environments will have long-term benefits to profit, people and the environment. Sustainability will continue to define and influence retail design trends today and in the future. Here are five sustainable design approaches that are presently transforming retail stores around the world:1. Healthy MaterialsA sustainable retail environment not only reduces negative environmental impact but also protects the health and well-being of customers and employees. Therefore, it begins with the materials and finishings used to build the space. Choose materials that have the lowest environmental impact like wood, bamboo and natural stones among others. To ensure that retailers are picking up sustainable materials, check if it’s FSC certified. FSC stands for Forest Stewardship Council, a non-profit organisation that sets the “gold standard” in the manufacturing of woods that are ethically harvested in the forest. Image credit: beyondlondon.comLuxury fashion brand Stella McCartney opened a sustainable boutique of her popular label at the Old Brompton Street in London in 2018. The store’s interiors and wall panels are made from handmade organic materials such as recycled foams and papier-mache. Biodegradable mannequins are also present in the store and the air conditioning system uses nano carbon technology to ensure clean air circulation.2. Energy EfficientDid you know that buildings contribute a big share to the world’s greenhouse gas emissions caused by energy consumption? Architects and designers can help improve a retail store’s energy efficiency by choosing light fixtures and climate control systems that are eco-friendly and energy efficient. According to Carbon Trust, cutting energy by 20% represents the same bottomline benefit as a 5% increase in sales. Another luxury brand leading the sustainability retail design trend is Versace. The Italian luxury fashion company is building new stores that are LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental) certified. Their store uses adjustable lighting design and automatic climate control systems that are regulated to save electrical energy throughout the day.Image credit: lesfacons.com3. Repurposed SpaceAlso known as adaptive reuse, repurposing a space is a sustainable way to convert an existing building or recycling its materials for new use. It is also a way to preserve the cultural heritage of the place and develop equitable spaces. According to the Australian government’s Department of Environment and Heritage, “the reuse of building materials usually involves a saving of approximately 95% of embodied energy that would otherwise be wasted.” Image credit: inhabitat.comUrban Outfitters operates in a repurposed and green building in Philadelphia that reflects the company’s creativity and calling its design strategy as “adaptive reuse”. The 33,000 square feet space is an abandoned navy ship yard that was renovated to become the company’s headquarters. Its structures are built from reclaimed wood and the windows were removed, reglazed and reinstalled. The offices and studios in its multi-story warehouse buildings have natural light streams.4. LEED CertifiedRetailers can look up properties that are LEED-certified. LEED means Leadership in Energy and Environmental, a green building rating system used worldwide. LEED provides building owners a framework for healthy, highly-efficient and cost-saving green buildings.Global coffee chain Starbucks has committed to build 10,000 LEED-certified stores by 2025 aside from pledging to eliminate single-use plastic straws in all of its stores around the world. Their “Starbucks Greener Store” framework includes powering stores by 100% renewable energy, sustainably sourced materials and products, and 30% water savings. Their interiors and fixtures are composed of LED lighting, recycled flooring tiles and wood products that are FSC-certified.Image credit: thedesignstory.comGreater Group is committed to promote corporate, social and environmental responsibility through our sustainability charter, “the Greater Good”. Our initiative spotlights sustainable and environmentally ethical manufacturing and business processes throughout our retail design practices. Our policies and awareness campaigns include: reducing the use of all raw materials, energy and supplies, using recyclable materials, minimising waste generation, assessing the environmental effects of our operations and guiding our customers in making environmentally sensitive choices. In addition, you can also check out The Future of Retail, our comprehensive report about the top trends that are shaping the post-Covid retail environment, which also explores the changing role of brick and mortar vs. e-commerce and the role of sustainability and green design in retail. This report is in partnership with the experiential marketing agency, Watch This Space. Greater Group is a multi-disciplinary global retail design agency. We have been creating award-winning retail spaces, customer experiences and workplaces since 1989, utilising our combined expertise to deliver high-impact, high-return design, fit-out and manufacturing solutions and provide clients with one point of contact throughout. Learn more about our design and build services, joinery manufacturers and retail design today!Contact us at contact@thegreatergroup.com to discuss how we can elevate your brand through innovative, future-proof retail design solutions.Share :