From the pages of Images Retail (September 2009)

The Top 5 trends in retail design
By Wolfgang Gruschwitz

Retailers have to face a new challenge: the integration of the three green R’s – Recycle, Reuse and Repurpose - in their shop concepts. Today’s “LOHAS” (Lifestyle of Health and Sustainability) represent a particular market segment related to sustainable living and “green” ecological initiatives. As these consumers are generally composed of a relatively upscale and well-educated population segment, their market power is considerable and should not be neglected. Unlike the green eco’s from the ‘70s, these consumers like to spend, but for valuable things only.

Recycle Using recycled or recyclable materials in new shops has already been realised by some trendsetting companies and will become even more important in the future. With its “Footwear Plus” format, Timberland for example, employed green building practices to reduce their stores’ environmental footprint. Thus, am “NC02“ panel indicates that this shop is “carbon neutral”, wall paints and sealants contain no volatile organic compounds, and the HVAC system is without chlorofluorocarbon-based refrigerants. The “Recycled Store” concept by The Body Shop uses completely sustainable materials including: polished plaster walls, organic paints and recycled interior elements.

Reuse
The good old times represent for many of us a more easygoing and therefore, an adorable way of life. This explains the rediscovery of flea markets and the hype of vintage or retro-style products and stores: Guerrilla shops by The Phone House present their telecommunication products on used wooden euro-pallets and old industry lockers and Magazin, a very popular German furniture shop, only sells used design products.

Repurpose
To repurpose means to reinvent the purpose of a certain thing. The success of the fancy shops in Chelsea Market or in Meatpacking Destrict in New York illustrate that this strategy even works for old real estates.

For entire report please read IMAGES Retail magazine of Sept' 09