United Colors of Benetton is an Italian fashion brand that announced an innovative new store concept that uses 20% less energy than a standard store. Thanks to sensors, artificial intelligence and data analysis, the store's temperature is automatically adjusted to create a comfortable atmosphere.
Alongside these tech-fueled energy-saving features to reduce its overall impact, the store incorporates a mix of upcycled natural materials such as gravel from a river and waste wood from beech trees brought down by an Italian Veneto region storm in 2018. Within the store, display stands are made from compounds based on used buttons (a notoriously difficult material to dispose of due to their composition), curtains are made from recycled wool, mannequins and shelving are made from upcycled, mixed textile fibers. The walls of the space are also treated with mineral paint that boasts antibacterial and anti-mold properties.
Low-Impact Fashion Stores
United Colors of Benetton's Concept Uses Upcycled Natural Materials
Trend Themes
1. Sustainable Fashion - The rise of upcycling and natural material usage in fashion stores creates an opportunity for businesses to focus on sustainable fashion that reduces environmental impact and energy usage.
2. Smart Energy Usage - Incorporating sensors, artificial intelligence, and data analysis in stores to achieve smart energy usage is a trend that presents opportunities for businesses to reduce their energy consumption while maintaining operational efficiency.
3. Circular Economy - The concept of upcycling waste materials in store design and product manufacturing presents an opportunity for businesses to embrace circular economy principles, reducing waste and creating value from existing resources.
Industry Implications
1. Fashion Retail - Fashion retailers can adopt the use of upcycled natural materials, smart energy usage, and circular economy principles to reduce environmental impact and operational costs, while providing sustainable and innovative products to customers.
2. Green Building - The use of mineral paint, upcycled fibers, and other sustainable materials in store construction and design presents opportunities within the green building industry to promote sustainable architecture and design practices.
3. Iot and Smart Cities - The use of sensors, data analysis, and artificial intelligence for smart energy usage in retail stores can inspire similar IoT and smart city initiatives across various industries, promoting sustainable and efficient resource usage.