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How to design your store in an eco-responsible way?

Do you own a store and want to benefit from eco-friendly design? There are certain points to consider in order to successfully design your store with an eco-friendly approach. Let's take a closer look.

Choose a green energy offer for your store

If you too want to do your bit for the planet and protect nature, the first thing to do is reduce your store's energy consumption . Indeed, energy operations are among the main sources of greenhouse gas emissions. In 2018, the energy industry produced approximately 37% of global greenhouse gas emissions ( Source ). It is the largest international emissions hub.

So, if you're interested in designing an eco-friendly store, consider subscribing to a green energy plan for businesses. You'll be contributing to the development of renewable energy. Before opting for a particular green energy contract, we recommend comparing currently available plans. To do this, you can use the energy comparison tool offered by Fournisseur Énergie.

Paying attention to electricity can also involve simple actions, such as preferring LED bulbs to others , like what Smart and Green (or even Leroy Merlin!) offers. Clarins has thus chosen a 100% LED lighting model in its new point of sale installed in the Marais. Its point of sale is representative of what a sustainable store can be.

Our tips for an eco-responsible store

Besides limiting your energy costs, there are other ways to design a store in an eco-responsible way.

1. Pay attention to the furniture when arranging your store

To make your store more eco-friendly and have a lower environmental impact, you can start by purchasing so-called "ecological" furniture . To do this, pay attention to its composition, its place of manufacture and the means of transport of the goods.

For example, some seats are made from recycled materials . Clarins , mentioned above, uses recycled materials extensively to furnish its point of sale in the Parisian Marais. Its plus: one of its recycled materials is marble , thus bringing a sustainable and luxurious touch to the point of sale.

The origin of your furniture products is also a key factor in determining whether a product is eco-friendly or not. To achieve this, choose furniture made in France or even locally. Its main ecological advantage is its distance from your store location: fewer kilometers to travel and a more environmentally friendly mode of transportation.

Renting furniture is also a great option to consider for your interior design project. Few people know this, but it's possible to rent out furniture , for example. This option is even more interesting if you're creating a pop-up store.

So, when your furniture no longer suits you, you can simply return it and it will be reconditioned before being rented again! Don't hesitate to turn to second-hand furniture, like what you can find at FabBRICK . Reupholstered and restored, or made from restored materials, they will give a very special cachet to your sales space! Moreover, consumers wishing to recycle can also do so by bringing their packaging back to the store.

2. Encourage selective sorting within your store

Instead of using trash cans or simple baskets, opt for bins with multiple compartments. This will help you properly sort your waste. It's also recommended that you reduce your use of packaging and disposable products, or, if necessary, use packaging made from biodegradable materials.

And if you have important (potentially confidential) documents or archives that you need to get rid of, don't hesitate to call on specialists to collect your waste and destroy it responsibly.

3. Turn to eco-responsible promotional materials

Flyers, banners, labels, posters… All of this has an ecological impact that is far from negligible! If you want to make your store more eco-responsible, you will have to be imaginative so that your promotional materials have a minimal ecological impact. You can bet on creating less ephemeral communication and more sustainable promotions, by explaining your approach to your customers. If you really want to make an impression with flyers, you can turn to recycled paper … Or even “sowing” paper , containing seeds of your choice!

4. Put plants in your store!

Plants are a great way to purify and freshen the air inside your store in a completely eco-friendly way! Choosing the right plants to purify your indoor air is essential. Also, consider choosing eco-friendly labels like Plante Bleue when purchasing your plants.

Success Case: the eco-responsible Faguo store

A pioneer in responsible shopping, Faguo has been able to integrate an ecological dimension into its retail strategy from the very beginning.

With a bespoke concept designed by the Fairly studio, the menswear brand, committed to more sustainable fashion, demonstrates that retail and ecology can be compatible. As a result, it has managed to drastically reduce its CO2 emissions: a 29% reduction in carbon emissions per store.

A performance due in particular to the reuse of furniture and equipment from these previous concepts, to their recyclability and to the choice of its suppliers.

Success Case: the responsible store the Body Shop

The Body Shop opened a new retail outlet in 2021, fulfilling its ambitions to be eco-responsible. This “ activist maker workshop ” is located in Dijon. It's a first test before the brand launches the concept on a large scale, transforming all of its French retail outlets. The facade is made of zinc; the furniture is made of reclaimed wood and previously recycled plastic. Everything is designed to be environmentally friendly.

Retail can also be sustainable

Choosing to create a pop-up store or a sustainable store is a choice that's accessible to all brands. This applies whether their products are already eco-friendly or not. And whether the brand was born with an eco-friendly approach in mind or not. Adopting a sustainable shift throughout the brand's lifespan is an option for everyone, from DNVB to large groups. Indeed, a host of solutions exist, thanks to other companies specializing in the subject, to allow you to offer consumers the opportunity to shop without damaging the environment.