Eco-design of retail spaces: why and how to do it?

Eco-design for retail spaces is an iterative approach* integrated into the development and deployment process of stores. It aims to reduce the environmental impacts of point of sales throughout their entire lifecycle, from design to disposal. The goal is to preserve or even enhance the functionality of the retail space while reducing its environmental footprint.

Why implement an eco-design strategy for retail spaces?

1. To reduce their environmental impacts

A network of retail spaces has a significant environmental impact at the company level. The environmental impacts of stores primarily stem from:

• Daily operations (heating, air conditioning, lighting);
• Interior fittings, especially materials used for furniture and merchandising.

Thus, retail spaces play a crucial role in a company's CSR strategy and present an effective opportunity to reduce environmental impacts.

For example, eco-designing your points of sale will allow you to integrate them into a broader decarbonisation strategy for your organisation, by reducing scope 1** and scope 2 emissions (energy) and scope 3 emissions (building, furniture, merchandising, etc.).

2. To communicate commitments

The store is a prime location to communicate and demonstrate a company’s commitments to its customers. The Sustainable Brands 2022 study by Imediacenter shows that French consumers are increasingly attentive to these aspects. Indeed, 53% of the population is willing to spend more on responsible brands, and consumers are generally more receptive to a brand's communications regarding their CSR commitments at the point of purchase.

3. To anticipate regulations

In France, retail spaces are increasingly subject to regulatory requirements:

• Regarding value chain traceability, such as the European Regulation Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), or eco-modulation applicable to the EPR (extended producer responsibility) sector for furniture elements;
• Reduced energy consumption through the tertiary building renovation decree and the implementation of curfews for storefront lighting;
• End-of-life treatment in accordance with EPR regulations applied to furniture elements.

Implementing an eco-design approach in retail is a means to anticipate regulatory changes while deploying an environmental strategy where customers can appreciate it.

How to adopt an eco-design approach in retail?

EVEA has developed a 6-step method to support brands, interior architects, designers, and fitters in their eco-design projects for retail spaces:

• Step 1 - Diagnose: qualitatively and/or quantitatively to identify retail space issues
• Step 2 - Raise awareness: to engage all stakeholders
• Step 3 - Set a course: to define a trajectory adapted to your challenges
• Step 4 - Design iteratively: alternating between ideation and verification to improve the environmental performance of your store
• Step 5 - Deploy and verify: move from concept to reality by involving the entire value chain
• Step 6 - Promote: to communicate effectively internally and externally

Are you interested? Our team, specialized in the furniture and interior design sector, has come together to support you through these six stages. We employ proven environmental and social assessment methods, bespoke workshops, a collective intelligence approach, and a wealth of inspiring examples!

With nearly 20 years of experience in life cycle assessment (LCA) and eco-design across various sectors, EVEA offers its expertise to eco-design retail spaces and all types of interior fittings. Thanks to our team's diverse sectoral knowledge in areas such as interior design, furniture, construction, technical goods and services, and chemistry, we provide in-depth and versatile expertise to meet your specific needs.

To learn more, contact Aude Cellerier, Marie-Anne Dupont, or Fabien Bouton. ■

Marie-Anne Dupont, LCA and Eco-Design Consultant at EVEA

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* An iterative approach is a process that operates on the principle of repetitive cycles aimed at continuously improving a concept.
** A scope is the boundary of a carbon footprint assessment. Each scope corresponds to one or more categories of greenhouse gas emissions. All methodologies for calculating these emissions (such as Bilan Carbone or the GHG Protocol) refer to these "scopes." Scopes allow for distinguishing different levels of corporate responsibility in reporting and identifying action levers.