Looking Good: Sustainable and aesthetic materials in harmony

Trend

What was once simply nice to have, is a must-have today. For retailers to subscribe to sustainability is no longer just a trend, but has become a firm part of their brand identity. Not least because customers regard it as an essential prerequirement that they are offered environmentally-friendly products from transparent supply chains. And that ideally the retailer’s approach is also reflected at the point of sale – in the form of brilliantly designed sales areas and shops. The fact that sustainable materials are also becoming increasingly convincing from an aesthetic point of view, makes their use in shopfitting even more attractive. A short history of nature-based solutions at umdasch.

Sustainable materials – the star in the showroom

In the Innovation Hub of umdasch The Store Makers in Duisburg, not only integral and well thought-through analogue and digital store concepts are produced, a special section is also dedicated to new material trends. “In our showroom we offer our customers over 200 samples in different colours and finishes which they can not only look at but also feel. Part of the collection focuses exclusively on sustainable materials. The selection of the most appropriate materials is an essential part of our design consulting process for a harmonious customer journey,” explains Maik Drewitz, Director of Shop Consult at Lifestyle Retail. His colleague, Swantje Donath, has specialised for some years in sustainable material trends. What are the typical characteristics? “They are of natural origin or recycled, are produced locally or have only short procurement journeys, are biologically degradable or have a long useful life, and are suitable for unusual presentations within a space. Customers are looking for tailor-made and original solutions; the trend is towards the upcycling of pre-customer production waste or the recycling of their own product returns.”

Nature-based solutions by umdasch

The promise of sustainability made by many retailers can be kept on the sales floor, and the architects at umdasch The Store Makers support them in doing so. Thus consumers will find not only a sustainable product portfolio, but will also experience a store which is green through and through. It can be realised amongst other things through biological materials without harmful substances, renewable raw materials and recycled plastics which gain a new lease of life within the store. Swantje Donath has compiled five trends for shops and located them in a concept store. Here are her suggestions for five exciting materials which are sustainable and which are nonetheless in no way inferior to conventional products as regards attractiveness and appearance.