Low-Impact Fashion Stores

Innovation is bringing us new hope

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.