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https://theconversation.com/how-swedens-secondhand-only-shopping-mall-is-changing-retail-260459>
"As a fashion sustainability researcher, finding the ReTuna shopping mall in
Eskilstuna was a delightful surprise. Stepping into this Swedish shopping
centre felt refreshingly different – it is the first in the world to sell only
secondhand and repurposed items.
During numerous visits to the shopping mall over the last 18 months, I have
spoken to customers, managers and employees – all of whom seemed excited by
ReTuna’s innovative business model.
The mall instantly feels very different to the cluttered charity shops or
vintage boutiques most of us associate with pre-owned retail. There is a wide
range of products on sale – fashion, sports equipment, household items,
children’s toys, antiques – and even an Ikea secondhand store selling
previously used and repaired furniture.
This is not just a retail space. It is a municipality-led experiment in
circular consumption, where everything sold has been donated by the public.
ReTuna was established in 2015 as part of Eskilstuna’s climate and waste
reduction strategy. Built alongside the city’s recycling centre, it includes a
dedicated drop-off point called The Return, where residents donate unwanted
items. These are sorted and redistributed to the retailers in the mall,
creating a low-cost, low-waste circular system.
The model is only possible because of public funding and local government
support – a reminder that circular innovation often requires structural
investment, not just consumer goodwill.
However, what makes ReTuna so distinctive is not just its inventory but its
atmosphere. Consumers describe it as “accessible”, “curated” and “convenient”.
The mall’s layout and product displays mirror conventional retail spaces,
making secondhand shopping feel stylish and enjoyable."
Via Muse, who wrote "Does Finland have this as well?"
Share and enjoy,
*** Xanni ***
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mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
