Reducing the embodied impacts of shopfitting equipment
BRE is an independent, research-based consultancy, testing and training organisation, operating in the built environment and associated industries.
Reducing the embodied impacts of shopfitting equipment (IP 4/15) was written by Jon Mussett and Adam Robinson and published by BRE on 5 February 2015.
Major retailers have been reporting, managing and reducing their operational environmental impacts for some time. However, little is known about the embodied environmental impacts of shopfitting equipment.
Key functions of shopfitting equipment include:
- Presenting product: front-of-hose ambient/chilled food and non-food storage and display, fresh food servery counters and specialist categories (such as wine and books).
- Customer service: information desks, till points, self-service checkouts and café furniture.
- Communication: product promotion, store signage, customer information and branding.
In 2011, BRE in partnership with Marks & Spencer, DisplayPlan and FITCH, launched LIST, an online tool that models the impact of equipment designs, based on a cradle-to-grave life-cycle and taking into account packaging and transport impacts.
BRE has since collaborated with the National Association of Shopfitters (NAS) to model a range of shopfitting equipment using the LIST tool to benchmark embodied impacts, estimate equipment impacts, examine case studies for reducing embodied impact through changes to equipment design and specification, and develop guidance for the industry.
This 8-page information paper gives the results of this collaborative study and sets out key considerations for cost-effective impact reduction. It provides guidance for designers and manufacturers on producing greener shopfitting display equipment and for retailers seeking to improve their environmental profile.
Its contents are:
- Introduction.
- Embodied impacts of items of shopfitting equipment.
- Estimating equipment impacts for the retail sector.
- Case study using a Marks & Spencer merchandising frame.
- Guidance for the retail industry.
- Conclusions.
- References.
[edit] Find out more.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- BRE articles on Designing Buildings Wiki.
- BRE Buzz articles on Designing Buildings Wiki.
- BRE Buzz.
- BREEAM and retail
- BREEAM puts the emphasis on green retail
- BREEAM.
- Building Research Establishment.
- Cheshire Oaks: Marks and Spencer
- Life cycle assessment.
- The essential guide to retail lighting
- The impact of lighting in retail design
Featured articles
Check out some of the best features and news from Designing Buildings as well as key stories from around the web.
New and updated CLC building safety guidance.
New UK National Buildings Database.
Building Safety Wiki Interviews
Chief executive of the British Woodworking Federation.
Planning condition discharge in England and Wales
A brief explanation from a building compliance expert, with further links.
Overheating guidance and tools for building designers
Guidance for dealing with element of building fabric control that have increasing importance.
Shading for housing, a design guide
From the Good Homes Alliance and British Blind and Shutter Association.
UK Standard Skills Classification (SSC)
A shared framework for describing skills needs.
Social media ban consultation comes to close
CIOB urges UK Government to consider social media’s role in careers guidance in ban debate.
The latest of eight Skills England apprenticeship units
The addition of battery manufacturing welcomed by ECA with a warning about the risks of fast-tracked apprenticeship units.
Building Control Independent Panel final report
A precis of a key report led by Dame Hackitt with full recommendations and link to the government response.
Building Safety recap April, 2026
A short and longer run-through of the month, with links to further information and sources.