Sustainable Retail:
Are you really doing it right?
When it comes to sustainability, there’s no shortage of buzzwords and greenwashing in the retail world. At LEAP, we’re not about jumping on the latest bandwagon or slapping a ‘green’ sticker on something for marketing points. Instead, we believe in doing things the right way, making meaningful and practical changes that leave a lasting impact on both the planet and your business and means you can genuinely say you are doing the right thing.
Sustainability isn’t just a box to tick even though some brands may believe it is. It’s about thinking smarter, working resourcefully and creating spaces that do more than just look good (although we’re pretty great at that too).
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Let’s dig into how we’re rethinking sustainability in retail design (and in the spirit of sustainability, we’ll ‘cut the fluff’).
Why Sustainability Matters in Retail Design
Retail spaces are built to last decades, but how often do we think about what happens within those walls? Construction often grabs the sustainability spotlight, focusing on materials, certifications like BREEAM and LEED and energy-efficient systems. Whilst important, and something we consider, this overlooks a massive piece of the puzzle which includes the fixtures and fittings inside.
Imagine a supermarket with a lifespan of 50 years. If that space gets refitted every ten years, that’s 5 cycles of fixtures being installed, ripped out and often discarded. This approach creates an enormous environmental footprint, including embodied carbon, wasted materials and water consumption included. At LEAP, we challenge this cycle by designing with longevity and adaptability in mind.
Think of it this way: if you tipped a shop upside down, what falls out (and what stays hanging by a screw or two) is what we care about most. By tracking these assets, understanding their lifecycle and focusing on their reuse or transformation, we’re building spaces that don’t just work for the present but work smarter and are better for the future.​
Tackling Greenwashing Head-on
There’s a lot of noise in the sustainability space and not all of it’s helpful. Greenwashing is rampant, with manufacturers and businesses touting ‘green’ claims that don’t stand up to scrutiny. Some manufacturers have rebranded the practice of reprocessing their own factory waste as a sustainability initiative. While this might make good economic sense, it doesn’t necessarily qualify as genuinely ‘green’. Similarly, creating artisan new materials is commended and encouraged. However, we should not get distracted as they may have limited scalability and it doesn’t solve the bigger problem.
At LEAP, we cut through the noise. For us, sustainability means thinking about the full lifecycle of a material or design. Can it be reprocessed? Better yet, can it be reused as-is or with a small change? Sometimes, the simplest solutions, like using tried-and-tested materials with established recycling streams are the most impactful.
Take our work with customer service desks as an example. Over a decade and a half ago, we designed a modular system for a major retailer that’s still in use today. The idea was simple: build desks that can be reskinned and reused, adapting to new branding or layouts without starting from scratch. The result? Reduced waste, lower costs and fixtures that evolve alongside the brand. It might not be flashy or ‘sexy’ but it’s the way we minimise impact most effectively and a great representation of our ethos.
Redefining the Customer Experience with Sustainability
Here’s the thing about going green: it doesn’t just benefit the planet. It enhances the customer experience too. A retail space designed with sustainability in mind feels intentional. It tells a story, builds trust and makes your brand stand out in a crowded market. Customers notice when brands put in the effort and it resonates.
From choosing sustainable materials to integrating digital solutions that reduce energy consumption, we believe that greener spaces make for better experiences. Whether it’s repurposed fixtures, eco-friendly lighting, or clever use of recycled materials, sustainability adds consciousness to a space, beyond what meets the eye.
How LEAP Can Help You Start Small and Think Big
We get it—starting can be scary. Not sure where to begin? That’s where we come in. Sustainability doesn’t have to mean an expensive overhaul; it can start with simple steps:
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Policy Reviews: Let’s review your current sustainability goals and find practical ways to improve. Whether it’s reducing water usage, lowering embodied carbon, or crafting a new policy from scratch, we’ll help you align with what matters most.​
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Material Menus: Already have a design? We’ll help narrow down sustainable material options that fit your aesthetic and environmental goals. From finding the perfect finish to identifying low-impact alternatives for your next concept, we’ve got you covered.​
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Lifecycle Assessments: We’ll benchmark and grade your current designs to understand their environmental impact and identify areas for improvement. From fixtures to full-store concepts, we’ll ensure your designs are as efficient as they are effective.
Next Steps…
How We Can Help You Deliver Your Sustainability Goals:
Concept Support: Have a new idea in mind? We can work with your in-house team or external creatives to develop innovative concepts that prioritise sustainability from the outset. Together, we’ll craft solutions that balance creativity, functionality, and environmental responsibility.
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Engineering Sustainability: We’ll collaborate to deliver precise specifications that embed sustainability into your concept. By ensuring sustainability is engineered and locked in, you can confidently manage tendering, vendor rollouts, and execution—protecting your sustainable goals every step of the way.
A Greener Future Starts Here
Sustainability isn’t about being perfect, it’s about progression and continued improvement. At LEAP, we’re here to make that progress practical, impactful and, yes, even a little exciting. Whether you’re a global retailer or an independent boutique, we believe sustainable design should be accessible to everyone.
So, what’s your next move? Maybe it’s rethinking how your fixtures evolve over time. Or perhaps it’s taking a closer look at what’s already in your store. Whatever it is, we’re ready to help you take that leap (pun intended).
Let’s create spaces that work for today, tomorrow and beyond.
