COS, the renowned fashion brand under the H&M Group, has recently unveiled its first store in the vibrant Scottish capital of Edinburgh. Nestled in the newly opened St James’s Quarter retail and residential destination, the COS Edinburgh store embraces the brand’s philosophy of affordable luxury and sustainable practices.
With a focus on reducing resource consumption, implementing circular design, and promoting responsible materials, this store sets a new benchmark for eco-conscious fashion retail.
Sustainable Interior Design:
The COS Edinburgh store showcases a stunning interior that seamlessly blends minimalist aesthetics with sustainable elements. To reduce the weight of the store, COS has eliminated concrete plinths from under the rail system, which not only reduces raw material usage but also minimizes the store’s carbon footprint. The brand has carefully selected materials from recycled and renewable sources, incorporating renewable bamboo for wardrobes and utilizing partially recycled plastic bottles for fitting room panels.
Embracing Circular Design:
COS’s commitment to circular design is evident throughout the store. The modular rail system, made from recyclable metal, offers flexibility and adjustability to accommodate the changing needs of the collection. This design also prioritizes repairability, allowing for easy alterations without requiring new parts. The store’s innovative flooring system further promotes circularity by enabling the installation of tiles without adhesive. This approach ensures easy repairs and reusability, extending the longevity of the flooring.
Reuse, Repair, and Recycle:
COS goes beyond design considerations by actively practicing reuse, repair, and recycling within its operations. By implementing take-back schemes and collaborating with suppliers, the brand rescues materials from closures and refits. These materials are repurposed, donated, or put back into stores, reducing waste and maintaining a circular system. Notably, COS has closed the loop on concrete usage by sending old plinths to be granulated and repurposed into new ones, exemplifying their commitment to resource optimization.
Responsible Materials and Energy Efficiency:
In line with its sustainability goals, COS prioritizes responsible materials throughout the Edinburgh store. By sourcing from renewable and recycled sources, the brand ensures the use of materials with reduced environmental impact. Additionally, COS is actively working toward fitting LED lights in all its stores by the end of 2024. This transition to energy-efficient lighting will significantly reduce CO2 emissions and contribute to their overall sustainability efforts.
This article contains an affiliate link(s). Learn more.
All images in this article are courtesy of COS.
