Renner opens fifth circular store in Brazil and its first in RS

The giant Brazilian fashion retailer, Gaúcha Renner, has already presented consumers with its first physical unit in Rio Grande do Sul that follows the circular store concept. Circular because it has to do with sustainability, from energy to layout and collections.

The operation is located at Shopping Iguatemi and opened on Tuesday (7), but is not yet complete. The brand’s conventional store in the development is undergoing transformation. The first stage was completed on the first floor, but there are two more floors to go.

The column Retail Minute was the first to show, in mid-January, the change in the retail model. It is the fifth branch of the fashion retailer’s circular store. Another three units are in Rio de Janeiro and one in São Paulo.

“The goal is to expand the model in the coming years”, projected the fashion giant, in a note.

The layout components, materials, collections and energy sources with a sustainable footprint are present in the transformed area. From the more modern window that brings the customer closer, to the paint used on the racks where the clothes are displayed, to the furniture, clothes, and the ceiling (which was expanded with the removal of plaster lining), everything in the new store exudes circularity.

In addition to aspects related to the use of materials and energy sources, the store also comes with applications that improve people’s access and inclusion. It has an elevator for accessibility between floors, autonomous checkout, self-service cashiers on all floors and a dressing room with a lounge and cabins for all genders (the first in the state) in the same environment. According to Renner, the fitting room provides consumers with a new experience.

Panel in the middle of the store area shows the impacts of circularity in the operation. Photos: Patrícia Comunello/JC

The company will invest around BRL 26 million to transform the Iguatemi unit into “a store that incorporates the best sustainability and circularity practices, combined with new omnichannel solutions that offer customers ever more enchanting shopping experiences”, it says in note.

The company, which also owns the Youcom, Camicado and Ashua banners, began work on January 2. The total completion of the new model is scheduled for mid-year, at the start of the second half.

The chain clarifies, also by note, that the number of employees (the number is not indicated) and the physical area of ​​the store will remain the same. There are 6,670 square meters of total area and 4,320 m² of sales area.

During renovation, levels that are not changing remain open. Now the change in the pattern on the second floor has begun.

In conversation with the store’s staff, the column heard an unusual question from customers passing by and seeing fences warning about the turn to the circular store.

Fitting room for all genders is the first in a chain branch in the State and also focuses on experience

“Is the store going to be round? How is it going to be?”, reproduced one of the employees. Immediately, the team explained that it was not about the physical format of the space, but about a new concept of unit.

“Circular” encompasses a business model that prioritizes the sustainable use of resources, optimizing activity processes, with more durable, recyclable and renewable inputs.

“The circular store model focuses on eco-efficiency and the maximum reduction of environmental impacts, from construction to operation. It applies concepts such as reuse and proper disposal of materials at the end of their useful life, less generation of waste and emissions of greenhouse gases, water savings, use of energy from low-impact renewable sources, lower energy consumption, installation of automated and more efficient equipment, maintenance of green spaces and use of recyclable materials in mannequins and decoration items”, list the company, in the note.

“We were pioneers in opening, in October 2021, the first circular store in Brazilian retail”, stated, in a note, the company’s director of operations, Fabiana Taccola.

The brands of Lojas Renner, as it is listed on the Brazilian stock exchange (B3), total more than 660 units in Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina, in the two countries with the Renner flag.

The retail group has set the goal of having 100% of its private label garments more sustainable by 2030.