Keenly aware of the wastage often created by shop fit-outs, Country Road’s Store Design Team leader Alicia Buffinton explains her team’s vision to ‘be a leader in our industry’. They found the perfect opportunity to demonstrate this leadership, by approaching the Chadstone store fit-out with a focus on sustainable design.
The new flagship store demonstrates that luxury and sustainability are not incompatible ideas. ‘We were amazed once we started investigating how many beautiful sustainable and recycled products were available’, tells Alicia. The new outpost features innovative fixtures made from recycled yoghurt containers (a composite which looks a little like stone or terrazzo), carpet fashioned from fishing nets, and wall cladding made from recycled paper with incredible texture. Even the parquetry floors tell a sustainable story – ‘it’s actually pulled from the flooring of old buildings and school halls, and it has then been re-laid in our store.’ While you are in the fitting room, hang your items on a clothing hook made from ocean plastic collected from Australian beaches, or rest your bag on a recycled plastic table.
These initiatives are also reflected in recent campaigns from Country Road, who have featured Traceable Merino Wool, Post Consumer Waste Denim Good Jeans and Recycled Nylon Swimwear in their latest collections.
The exemplary design of this new store, particularly from such a high profile brand, highlights that environmentally friendly shop fit-outs can be achieved without any compromise on style! Country Road Managing Director Elle Roseby explains ‘our Chadstone flagship revolutionises the retail experience, maintaining our commitment to quality, while demonstrating our connection to the environment.’
To learn more about Country Road’s sustainability initiatives visit www.countryroad.com.au/our-world
