Concept Green B - EuroShop RetailDesign Award 2022
In 2022, the Green B concept, which debuted in Florence in March last year, was awarded the EuroShop RetailDesign Award 2022 in the "Sustainability" category. Since 2008, the EuroShop RetailDesign Award promoted by EuroShop (the world's leading trade fair for capital goods in the retail sector) has been awarded every year to the best store concepts in the world.
The store stands out for a revolutionary approach with low environmental impact using sustainable materials and cutting-edge technologies for energy saving. These features have earned it this prestigious award among 87 candidates from 28 different countries. The award represents an important attestation for the commitment, in terms of research and innovation, by the Benetton Store Design, Engineering and Visual teams who have contributed to the realization of this ambitious project, guided by a 360° corporate vision that systematizes a serious commitment to the environment.
The store extends on a single floor of 160 sqm, featuring natural and recycled materials. The floor is made of gravel from the Piave river and waste wood from beech trees felled by the Vaia storm, and the walls are treated with a mineral-based paint that has antibacterial and anti-mold properties, reducing pollutants in the environment.
The store interiors were produced with new materials that integrate waste from the textile industry: used buttons (difficult to dispose of) mixed with hydro-resin were processed to develop perimeter platforms and display boards; recycled wool (in its raw wick state) was re-used as a pattern on the perimeter partition and as a decoration for the dressing room curtains; rossino, a material derived from recycled mixed textile fibers, was used to develop shelves, display boards and dummies. A sustainable system was developed specifically for the shop windows, with a reduction of the resources usually employed. The crystal-clear panels are fixed to the ceiling and they can be moved like a sort of theatrical backdrop, bringing to life the connection between the store and the street. The store windows are also equipped with transparent, low-impact LED screens projecting dedicated video contents according to local needs.
Energy consumption was reduced by 20% compared to that of a standard store. Miniature sensors, artificial intelligence and data analysis are part of a concept intended to maximise store energy efficiency while ensuring customer comfort by automatically adjusting temperature and air flow based on the number of people in the shop.
Fashion Transparency Index
The 2023 Fashion Transparency Index assessed United Colors of Benetton’s commitment to publicly disclose credible information about its impact and operations in relation to social, environmental and governance issues. Published by Fashion Revolution, since 2013 the Fashion Transparency Index has been analysing the level of transparency of 250 major clothing brands and retailers, considering five categories: compliance with environmental and social commitments, governance of environmental and social policies, supply chain traceability, monitoring and remediation actions at suppliers, and the ability to deal with specific issues such as purchasing practices, gender equality, the use of sustainable materials, waste and chemicals management, circularity initiatives and the commitment to combat climate change.
United Colors of Benetton achieved an overall score of 73%, which is among the best five scores globally. This is a big leap forward from just six years ago, when the brand’s score was 17%.
Among the categories analysed by the Index, traceability is the one in which United Colors of Benetton obtained the best result, with a score of 93% (against an average of 23%).
LEED Certification - Alessandria store
In March 2024, Benetton Group achieved the Gold level in the LEED V4 Interior Design and Construction Retail certification process for the Sisley store in Alessandria.
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is the most widely used international rating system for classifying buildings according to sustainability criteria. Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council, LEED certification provides a set of measurement standards for evaluating environmentally sustainable buildings.
Achieving certification is a testament to the company's commitment to integrating sustainability into the construction of our stores, adding some of the best practices from the best international green building models to the immersive and energy-rich shopping experience.
The store's design is based on the key aspects of LEED certification: modular furnishings are designed to allow maximum flexibility and accommodate different business needs; materials are selected based on rigorous certifications from accredited manufacturers; the energy efficiency of lighting and air conditioning systems is guaranteed by high design standards. The same care in the design is found in the construction site management plan, with the aim of monitoring and reducing the production of undifferentiated waste and dispersed dust. Finally, great attention is paid to water consumption, air and environmental cleanliness during the operation of the store.
These choices reflect the sustainable policies that have been consolidated by Benetton Group for years, such as the procurement of electricity from certified renewable sources, water sources and oceans.
The LEED experience has raised awareness of sustainability in the retail sector and has allowed Benetton Group to integrate some of the most virtuous practices into the standardization process of store design.