Eco-Friendly Shopfitting: 4 Tips to Going Green
Did you know that Irish people generate 50,000 Olympic swimming pools worth of plastic every year, but only recycle a fraction of this?
Research carried out by Repak last year revealed that 169,000 tonnes of plastic packaging is generated every year in Ireland but only 36% of that is actually recycled. The majority of the rubbish ends up in landfills and takes up to 1,000 years to biodegrade, say Repak.
Establishing effective in-store recycling procedures is a must for retailers looking to reduce their environmental footprint. What’s more, on-the-ball businesses can get off to a flying start before their very first sale with these simple sustainable and eco-friendly shopfitting tips.
Our eco-friendly shopfitting tips
Create a ‘chilled out’ vibe with renewable raw materials
Amidst the always-connected lifestyle of the 21st century shopper, there’s a lot to be said for wandering into a calming atmosphere and temporarily unwinding from the hustle and bustle of the high street.
It’s possible to achieve this laid back look and feel and ensure an eco-friendly shopfitting project by using raw materials in your shop fit out. In fact, using pre-finished or recycled timber materials is one of the many eco-friendly shopfitting trends of 2016.
Concrete flooring is versatile in design, and its colour, polish and stain can be adapted to suit any space. Concrete stencilling and stamping is a great way to create visually engaging in-store experiences, and is an increasingly popular sustainable store design tactic when it comes to in-store branding.
Save money with energy efficient lighting
LED lighting is a solid choice to help reduce your environmental footprint as it emits significantly less UV radiation than traditional bulbs.
Although the initial outlay might seem expensive, because LED lighting can last up to 50,000 hours and offers low power consumption, retailers can some money on bills in the long run.
Due to their compact size and readiness of instant illumination options, LEDs allow for optimised lighting design. Retailers should incorporate a variety of lighting fixtures, from backlights to downlights, which can help improve the customer experience via mood setting and highlighting key areas of the store.
See you later paper (hello digital display!)
A variety of online software can be integrated with point of sale and customer relationship management systems, saving retailers time and money and reducing their overall paper usage.
Going paperless (or as close to this as possible) allows for additional control and increased productivity. Why not encourage your clientele to get involved in your green initiatives by offering to email their receipt to minimise carbon waste. If you haven’t already, it’s time to embrace the world of digital!
Lead the way by recycling old fixtures and fittings
The modern day shopper not only wants your brand to be on trend – they expect it.
Although you’ll be needing qualified shopfitters to carry out the refurbishment, some fixtures and fittings can be easily removed for recycling before this takes place. Recycling scrap metal fixtures is a simple eco-friendly shopfitting and waste management initiative that can also save you a few quid.
Simple store design modifications can often mean the difference to staying competitive in the retail landscape. Reupholstering furniture and upcycling are easy ways to repurpose store fittings and remain on trend.
Looking for more great tips on getting your retail space in tip-top shape? Your expert Dublin shopfitters are only a phone call away. Call Storebest on (01) 539 4612 and we’ll talk you through your requirements.