There is no escaping the subject of sustainability, with retailers under increasing pressure to implement changes to make them into a more planet friendly operation. Of course, this is much easier said than done, with “going green” not something that can be done overnight and instead requires careful thought and planning.
While there are some more obvious steps retailers can take to bolster sustainability such as switching plastic-based bags for paper alternatives and putting in place product recycling schemes, other actions may not be so apparent. One area often overlooked is flooring; by making changes here, you may not improve only your own sustainability but also add a fresh new look to your stores and save certain costs in the long run.
How is all this possible in just a few steps? Retail Focus caught up with experts in the flooring market to find out more about their latest solutions and the long-term benefits they offer to retailers large and small.
Demand rising for sustainable solutions
First up, Richard Allen is sales director at Karndean Designflooring, a brand of luxury vinyl flooring that replicates the look and feel of natural materials, with some clients in the retail sector. Allen said tackling key environmental challenges and protecting the natural world have become major considerations for the construction industry, with retailers encouraged to consider their own role in this moving forward.
“As our customers and end users become more aware of environmental issues and demand sustainable products, it’s key that retailers understand the comparative performance of different flooring types,” Allen said. “Our Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) set out the performance of each product range, from thickness of the wear layer to acoustic qualities and slip resistance and come with the reassurance of third-party verification.”
Taking a closer look at the solutions available from Karndean, Allen said each floor has been handcrafted for a “highly authentic aesthetic” yet also designed to be low maintenance, hard wearing and long lasting, even in busy retail settings.
“In fact, we are so confident in the durability and longevity of our products that each floor comes with a 20-year light commercial guarantee,” he said. “In addition, our loose lay and rigid core flooring can be re-lifted and reused in another situation, extending its useful lifespan.”
Allen also talked up the Karndean Evolve strategy, which sets out how the company will reduce its environmental impact through continual improvement and outlines how it is integrating the principles of sustainability across its global operations.
“Taking action across all aspects of our business, we have committed to targets throughout our supply chain and at customer touchpoints, including the use of lower emission delivery vehicles, sustainability training for interior designers, retailers and contractors and a take back scheme to recycle offcuts,” he said. “Working together, we can collectively create a healthier and more resilient flooring industry that not only meets current legislation but also anticipates future requirements.”
Offering a real-world example of this approach in action in the retail industry, Allen points to British fashion brand RIXO. The retailer recently opted for Karndean LooseLay flooring in its head office and Carnaby Street store.
“The loose lay format is a highly practical choice in this retail setting with a durable, quiet and scratch resistant surface,” he said. “Should damage occur, it is quick and easy to make repairs by simply lifting and replacing individual planks.”
Exceptional performance
Also offering advice is Gerflor, which, for over 80 years, has been designing, manufacturing and marketing decorative and eco-responsible solutions for floors. Kevin Johnson, retail manager at Gerflor, and Lee Jacovou, key account manager, said retailers are increasingly recognising that sustainable flooring offers a powerful combination of long-term durability and a reduced ecological footprint. They add that while eco-conscious choices resonate with today’s consumers, there is more to it than recycled content alone.
“Sustainable flooring is engineered to deliver exceptional performance over time, making it a cost-effective investment in high-traffic retail environments,” Johnson and Jacovou said. “Materials like low-VOC (volatile organic compounds) and phthalate-free options are not only better for the environment but also create healthier spaces for staff and customers by improving indoor air quality.
”Additionally, choosing sustainable flooring enhances brand image. Retailers showcasing a commitment to sustainable practices can set themselves apart in a competitive market, appealing to the growing demographic of environmentally aware consumers. It’s about aligning with a broader movement toward responsible business practices that benefit people, the planet, and the bottom line.”
Expanding on these benefits, Johnson and Jacovou said one of the stand-out plus point of sustainable flooring is its longevity. They said flooring is designed to withstand high-traffic environments, it often surpasses the first refurbishment cycle, reducing the need for premature replacement. For retailers, this means substantial medium- to long-term cost savings. With fewer replacement cycles, retailers save on material costs, labour, and the downtime associated with refurbishments.
“Take, for example, the heavy-duty, interlocking products, which are ideal for retail spaces,” Johnson and Jacovou said. “These glue-free tiles are not only durable and easy to maintain but also recyclable at the end of their life. In fact, they’re so resilient that they can remain in place even during renovations or when a space changes hands, and they can often be lifted and reused at other locations.”
On top of this, specifying the right flooring can bring operational savings through reduced cleaning and maintenance needs. When paired with a compatible barrier matting system, Johnson and Jacovou said sustainable flooring can cut down on cleaning frequency. This reduces water use, minimises the need for cleaning chemicals, and helps lower operational costs, all while lessening the impact on the environment. Plus, easier cleaning routines can reduce staff fatigue, supporting a healthier workplace.
Meanwhile, for retailers prioritising design and customer experience, Johnson and Jacovou said sustainable options like linoleum offer the ideal blend of aesthetic appeal and eco-friendly properties.
“With a broad colour palette and high sustainability credentials linoleum stands out as a favourite for retail designers looking to create inspiring, responsible spaces,” they said. “Overall, sustainable flooring solutions support retailers by delivering exceptional performance, enhancing brand image, and reducing both operational costs and environmental impact.”
As to how Gerflor can help, Johnson and Jacovou said getting the specification right from the start is essential, with its team advising on every detail, from product choice to installation methods and maintenance recommendations.
“We work closely with retailers across the UK and globally, assisting with specifications for stores of all sizes, each with its own set of requirements—from high foot traffic to heavy mechanical loads,” they added.”
Quality and environmental responsibility
Also weighing in is Chris Robinson-Hart, sustainability manager at Amtico, a supplier of high-performance luxury-vinyl tile flooring products Robinson-Hart said sustainability in retail spaces is increasingly expected, not just appreciated, as consumers become more eco-conscious.
“Beyond environmental benefits, sustainable flooring offers retailers a way to balance durability and design appeal while aligning with broader company sustainability goals,” he said. “Flooring choices that contribute to reduced carbon footprints and promote longevity reflect well on retailers’ brands and with luxury vinyl tile (LVT) flooring, it’s also an opportunity to support long-term cost savings by reducing the frequency of replacements, which ultimately benefits both the environment and the retailer.”
Expanding on this, Robinson-Hart said sustainable flooring solutions bring lasting benefits to high-traffic areas while at the same time emphasising quality. He said LVT products, for instance, are resilient and adaptable, offering the performance needed for commercial spaces.
“With options like our Amtico Signature collection, which includes a 20-year commercial warranty, retailers can trust that their flooring will withstand the demands of a busy retail environment,” he said. “Meanwhile, this choice reassures customers that they are in a space that values durability and sustainable practices, strengthening their connection with the retailer.
Robinson-Hart added that options like bio-attributed LVT, which uses renewable materials, help retailers minimise the environmental impact of their interiors, while meeting demand for lower-impact products and interiors. For instance, Amtico Bio is an option made using bio-attributed PVC and can be specified across the Signature, Spacia, Form and Marine collections, plus our laying patterns, 36-plus safety floors and Acoustic options.
“Amtico Bio is chemically and physically identical to Amtico’s standard LVT products – it provides the same high-quality and unrivalled designs but with a lower carbon footprint” he said. “Plus, the planks and tiles also feature the unique benefits of each collection, such as Signature’s 1mm wear layer and 20-year commercial warranty.
“In addition, Amtico’s flooring material has low VOCs and can be recycled at the end of its life, reducing its long-term environmental impact. This is beneficial both during the design concept stage and when it is no longer required.”
Designers who specify Amtico Bio will also receive a sustainability declaration to guarantee Amtico has sourced PVC from renewable biomass material and followed a stringent auditing process set out by ISCC Plus, a scheme that promotes compliance, third-party verification and traceability throughout a supply chain.
“To ensure bio-attributed flooring is affordable and accessible for all projects, Amtico utilises the ‘mass balance’ principle for the PVC manufacturing process,” he said. “This incorporates renewable biomass materials into our existing manufacturing processes, rather than creating costly new ones.”
Looking the part while being more sustainable sounds like something of a win-win for those in the retail sector. Working with specialist suppliers such as those included here can help you to identify the most effective solutions that can help propel you and your stores into the modern market.
On this, Robinson-Hart concluded: “Opting for sustainable flooring is about more than just aligning with trends; it’s about creating spaces that meet today’s standards for quality and environmental responsibility. Flooring solutions that offer strength, style, and sustainability support the retailer’s mission to design experiences that engage customers both visually and ethically, keeping pace with an increasingly eco-conscious market.”
