Abstract
As spaces of consumption adapt to social, environmental, and technological shifts, design is emerging as a powerful agent of change. This track investigates the future of retail, hospitality, and other consumer-facing environments—including cafés, concept stores, and hybrid formats—through the lens of responsibility. Topics addressed include, but are not limited to: Restorative and regenerative approaches to consumption are gaining momentum, alongside wellbeing-driven design that recognises how the built environment can support mental, physical, and emotional health. At the same time, socially and environmentally sustainable practices—often grounded in circular economy principles—are redefining how we think about materiality, consumption, spatial design, and business models. We spotlight experiential design as both a method and a mission: curating spaces that connect, inspire, and respond to diverse communities. From phygital environments and AI-driven personalization to mixed reality storytelling, technology is transforming customer journeys into immersive, adaptive, and human-centric experiences. Paramount is measuring the impact of these technologies, not only on the individual experience but also on social interactions and broader societal outcomes. Yet innovation can also be used to increase inclusivity. By prioritizing accessibility, equity, and local engagement, designers can create branded environments that are not only smart and sustainable but also socially and environmentally meaningful. For example, community-driven approaches—grounded in local culture and needs—foster a deeper sense of place and purpose.
Keywords
restorative, wellbeing, social and environmental sustainability, local
DOI
https://doi.org/10.21606/drs.2026.103
Citation
Quartier, K., Münster, M., Alexander, B., Khan, Z., Ricci, M., and Murialdo, F. (2026) Responsible Retail and Branded Environments, in Simeone, L., Gray, C. M., Verhoeven, A., de Götzen, A., Bakırlıoğlu, Y., Zohar, H., Stead, M., and Buwert, P. (eds.), DRS2026: Edinburgh, 8–12 June, Edinburgh, United Kingdom. https://doi.org/10.21606/drs.2026.103
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License
Included in
Responsible Retail and Branded Environments
As spaces of consumption adapt to social, environmental, and technological shifts, design is emerging as a powerful agent of change. This track investigates the future of retail, hospitality, and other consumer-facing environments—including cafés, concept stores, and hybrid formats—through the lens of responsibility. Topics addressed include, but are not limited to: Restorative and regenerative approaches to consumption are gaining momentum, alongside wellbeing-driven design that recognises how the built environment can support mental, physical, and emotional health. At the same time, socially and environmentally sustainable practices—often grounded in circular economy principles—are redefining how we think about materiality, consumption, spatial design, and business models. We spotlight experiential design as both a method and a mission: curating spaces that connect, inspire, and respond to diverse communities. From phygital environments and AI-driven personalization to mixed reality storytelling, technology is transforming customer journeys into immersive, adaptive, and human-centric experiences. Paramount is measuring the impact of these technologies, not only on the individual experience but also on social interactions and broader societal outcomes. Yet innovation can also be used to increase inclusivity. By prioritizing accessibility, equity, and local engagement, designers can create branded environments that are not only smart and sustainable but also socially and environmentally meaningful. For example, community-driven approaches—grounded in local culture and needs—foster a deeper sense of place and purpose.