Rapid and significant reductions in global carbon emissions are needed to remain within Earth’s limits. The construction and operation of buildings account for the largest share of the global consumption of raw materials, and they yield around 40% of global carbon emissions. Leading climate researchers therefore recommend adapting housing needs to existing building stock instead of constructing new buildings. This requires shifting the focus from what we desire to how we can adapt our needs to existing spaces. This paper, a work in progress, examines the misalignment between sustainability ambitions and tourism strategy in a Danish municipality. This municipality has yet to fully integrate the potential of its existing building stock into its tourism plans. This oversight is striking, given the municipality’s ambitious goal of achieving CO₂ neutrality and availability of surplus building stock, including vacant retail spaces in shopping streets. Building on this observation, we propose a conceptual framework for incorporating existing buildings into the municipality’s tourism strategies. Rather than expanding their climate footprint by constructing new accommodations for tourists, we suggest a solution centered on using vacant spaces and renovating existing structures. Specifically, we envision repurposing vacant retail spaces into holiday apartments, boutique hotels, or other types of housing. This paper lays a foundation for further research to increase awareness of this issue and to test and refine our proposal. The overarching goals are to support sustainable urban development, promote climate-friendly behavior, and strengthen local community and economic vitality in small and medium-sized towns through longer-lasting buildings.

As climate change and its impacts become increasingly evident, rapid reductions in carbon emissions and effective strategies for mitigating climate- related impacts are essential (Richardson et al., 2023). This includes the need to rethink how we consume and shop. The UN, through its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), emphasises the importance of responsible consumption and production, as well as sustainable cities and communities (United Nations, 2015). This positions the retail sector as a key player, carrying significant responsibility in contributing to the achievement of these global objectives. Thus, sustainable retail has become an increasingly important topic for practitioners, educators and researchers alike.

Rapid and significant reductions in global carbon emissions are needed to remain within Earth’s limits. The construction and operation of buildings account for the largest share of the global consumption of raw materials, and they yield around 40% of global carbon emissions. Leading climate researchers therefore recommend adapting housing needs to existing building stock instead of constructing new buildings. This requires shifting the focus from what we desire to how we can adapt our needs to existing spaces. In addition to challenges with lowering carbon emissions, this paper, a work in progress, highlights two significant but unconnected challenges observed in several provincial towns in Denmark. First, the issue of empty retail spaces in pedestrian streets due to changing retail strategies and consumer habits; second, the issues of exploiting the untapped potential for tourism existing in some of these provincial towns, which requires attractive tourist accommodation. The aim of this paper is to explore if and how three issues can be addressed through one solution: Reducing carbon emission through build environments by using the existing building stock, revitalizing town centres struggling with empty retail spaces, and accommodating tourists without increasing carbon footprint. Rather than constructing new accommodation for tourists, we suggest transforming vacant retail spaces into holiday apartments, boutique hotels, and other types of places that can support sustainable urban development, and strengthen the local community, the local businesses, and the tourist appeal. Through a novel combination of analytical perspectives, this paper lays a foundation for further research into how retail spaces in pedestrian streets can be transformed in a manner that both tourists and locals find appealing.

This book explores the future of retail and service design, offering cutting-edge insights from leading researchers. With a focus on sustainability, phygital innovation, and community retail, it provides a forward-thinking roadmap for the evolution of these fields.

Each chapter examines the current landscape and future possibilities, presenting a dynamic vision of what lies ahead. From transforming customer experiences through community engagement and immersive technologies to advancing sustainability, this book invites readers to engage with emerging trends and the transformative power of design.

Ideal for researchers, designers, educators, students, and innovation enthusiasts, it delivers fresh perspectives on the rapidly evolving world of retail and service design.

The promotion of specialty coffee and the opening of coffee shops have surged in Hong Kong in recent years, establishing the city as a leading destination for specialty coffee. A previous study revealed an intentional effort to preserve what we refer to as an ‘Old Hong Kong style’ in the design of these shops. To better understand the motivations behind this design choice, this study investigates the intentions of those involved in shaping these spaces. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 11 representatives from modern specialty coffee shops identified as exhibiting a deliberate ‘Old Hong Kong’ aesthetic. The interview participants included store owners, staff, and designers who were directly involved in the design and decision-making processes during the shops’ construction or renovation. The results reveal four categories of intentions: (1) a desire to utilise the spatial and aesthetic potential of older sites, (2) a wish to attract consumers through the storytelling embedded in reused elements, (3) an ambition to share and promote Hong Kong’s cultural heritage, and (4) a pragmatic effort to save costs and resources. While environmental sustainability was seldom articulated as a primary driver, many of the projects may nonetheless be understood as embodying sustainable design practices, as they extend the lifespan of materials and reduce the need for new production. The findings illuminate how spatial design can become a tool not only for branding or establishing ambiance but also for cultural preservation in a rapidly transforming urban landscape.

The population of Hong Kong migrants in the United Kingdom (UK) has surged since theintroduction of the British National [Overseas] (BN[O]) immigration route in 2021. As of 2024,demographic data indicate, a total of 279,712 migrants from Hong Kong live in the country, markinga 106.73% increase from 2021. This phenomenon attracted national attention through a special featurein The Sunday Times Magazine in early 2024, highlighting the popularity of the scheme.1Large migrations change demographics, economies, societies and cultures by introducing old customsand traditions into new areas.2 A well-known phenomenon that has spread from Hong Kong throughmigration is Hong Kong-style cafés, also known as Cha Chaan Tengs in Cantonese. They are knownfor their compact interiors, customised minimalist furniture and local, affordable food. Curious aboutwhy Hongkonger immigrants open and frequent Cha Chaan Tengs, we investigated this trend inBritish cities. This paper examines how the Cha Chaan Teng typology and design have beenintegrated into British cities. We studied these issues through place and participant observationsconducted at Cha Chaan Tengs in Hong Kong and in the British cities of Nottingham, Manchester andLondon. We report on the similarities and differences between the designs of Cha Chaan Tengs inHong Kong and the UK.

This study draws on place and environment observation studies of over 100 coffee shops in Hong Kong. It explores the atmospheric benefits of opening coffee shops in buildings not originally intended for this purpose and discusses how new atmospheres are created through the combination of old and new building components. The analysis reveals how design elements in these spaces are deliberately reused in the remodelling process, indicating an intention to preserve what is considered a distinct ‘Old Hong Kong style.’ In addition we also identified a unique Hong Kong style in the use of recontextualised and refabricated elements.This study draws on place and environment observation studies of over 100 coffee shops in Hong Kong. It explores the atmospheric benefits of opening coffee shops in buildings not originally intended for this purpose and discusses how new atmospheres are created through the combination of old and new building components. The analysis reveals how design elements in these spaces are deliberately reused in the remodelling process, indicating an intention to preserve what is considered a distinct ‘Old Hong Kong style.’ In addition we also identified a unique Hong Kong style in the use of recontextualised and refabricated elements.