29 October 2025
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If you’re a fashion entrepreneur in retail who is committed to sustainability, you’re sure to face various challenges. Like, how do you keep your store both successful and profitable if you want to keep your waste as little as possible and make a positive contribution to the environment and society? Fortunately, there are innovative companies that are committed to this question and came up with solutions. And of course, dreaming big is always great, but taking small steps towards a more sustainable retail design is equally important. At COSH! we are happy to help you with advice on how to take your store interior design to the next level.
Rebranding your fashion store into an inspiring and futureproof retail space can have a positive impact on both the environment and the appearance of your store. There are various ways in which you can integrate sustainability into retail design. Here are some tips:
1. Rent a store interior that matches your shop or brand identity
Muuble
Regularly renew the interior of your store according to seasons and trends, without major investments, but with high-quality, modern displays and respect for the environment? It is possible with the Muuble ®-service. With Muuble, you as a shop owner subscribe to the use of stylish, more sustainable design furniture and complete retail concepts. All products are produced in the Netherlands and finished with the highest quality possible.
How does it work? First, you choose a functional and standardized retail design that matches your shop identity. This will create the basis of your store. Within the same rental contract, you have the option to renew part of the store interior – for example per season – to regularly give your shop a new and fresh look. This keeps the interior of your store interesting and inviting for shoppers, which contributes to a stimulating shopping experience.
Whether you rent for a longer period, for a few months or even weeks for a pop-up: Muuble offers a complete service that makes your life as a shop owner much easier when it comes to retail design. Practical, cost-efficient and more sustainable!
2. Choose second-hand or upcycled furniture and displays
Second hand or vintage furniture
Besides renting, buying second-hand or vintage furniture and decorations for your retail design is also a good option. This is not only more sustainable, but can also create a unique look. You can take a look at for example the local thrift store, but there are also various initiatives that refurbish second-hand furniture in a highly skilled way, such as REVERSA. Founder Katlijn is a graduated interior architect and with her knowledge she selects unique, restored antique and vintage furniture and refurbishes them. Even if you are looking for something specific, you have come to the right place to find pre-loved furniture.
Upcycling and circular design
Give old furniture or accessories a new function or look through upcycling or circular design. For example, you can get started yourself by painting or renovating old clothing racks, giving them a second life. But you can also buy from circular designers who have already done the work for you. Because as a shop owner, you are already busy enough!
Discover the circular project COllectibles that started in December 2024. In this project, architect Eva Gheysen and furniture maker Rikkert Maes transform discarded items from Ecoso second-hand shops, such as Cirkels in Niel, into unique circular interior concepts. And what do you think of a circular table lamp with a modern and artistic design?
Modular displays
With creating your store interior, go for modular and reusable displays so you can easily adapt them to new collections and changes in store layout without purchasing new furniture.
Buy local
When possible, buy your furniture, displays, accessories or even products locally, which reduces the transport distance and therefore reduces CO2 emissions. It also stimulates the local economy and supports entrepreneurs in your area. A strong local economy is also good for your own retail business. So it’s a win-win!
3. Use more sustainable materials
From clothes racks and tables to a counter and displays. Building a decent retail space requires a lot of materials. Therefore, choose materials which are more sustainable as much as possible.
- Wood and Bamboo: choose recycled or FSC-certified wood for furniture, shelving and displays. Bamboo is also a more sustainable alternative, as it grows quickly and requires few resources to harvest.
- Recycled Materials: use materials such as recycled glass, metal or plastic for tables, shelving and other furniture. This reduces the need for new raw materials and prevents these materials from ending up in landfills.
- Textiles: choose recycled or organic cotton, linen, hemp or other environmentally friendlier textiles for curtains or upholstery. Or use recycled leather for furniture.
4. Other ways to make your store more sustainable
A fashion collection with more sustainable brands
Make sure that the products you sell in your store meet sustainable standards, such as fair trade, a safe and fairer production chain with living wages and organic or recycled materials. This is not only better for the environment, people and society, but it also strengthens the overall image of your store and attracts more conscious customers.
Partner with brands that are committed to sustainability, more ethical production and transparency. This will distinguish your store as a place where customers can go for more responsible fashion.
Make your store more energy efficient
- Reduce energy consumption: use motion sensors for heating and air conditioning to save energy when there are no customers in the store.
- Lighting: use LED lighting, which is energy efficient and has a longer lifespan. This reduces energy consumption compared to traditional lighting.
- Smart lighting: install smart lighting that automatically turns on or off based on the presence of customers or the time of day.
Reduce waste in your store
- Separate your waste: ensure clear separation of waste (paper, plastic, glass, textiles) for both employees and customers. This helps to optimize waste management and makes recycling easier.
- More sustainable packaging: choose recycled or biodegradable packaging for your products and offer customers the option to buy reusable bags instead of plastic bags. Or even better: encourage customers to bring their own bag to the store, so there is no waste created at all.
