The British Heart Foundation taps green retail technology for launch of Store of the Future concept in Scotland

The British Heart Foundation (BHF) will open its new ‘Store of the Future’ concept on Thursday 1st May in Edinburgh’s Straiton Retail Park.

New design elements include a cash desk made using waste textiles sourced directly from BHF stores, clothing hangers produced using ocean plastics, flooring produced from recycled materials and an entire lighting system that was produced via a 3D printing process using recycled plastics. 

This is the first BHF shop that the ‘Store of the Future’ concept is being trialled in.

The 7,000 sq. ft location will showcase a range of preloved clothing, accessories, homeware and books. Its front window has been styled using upcycled pieces by actress and British Heart Foundation Retail Ambassador Kimberly Hart-Simpson using preloved items from BHF shops. The store will also feature upcycled furniture from design students at The University of Edinburgh.

It has its own defibrillator attached to the external wall. The BHF is also investing over £60 million into research in Scottish universities and all the money raised in this new store will help continue funding this lifesaving work. 

Professor Matt Reed from the University of Edinburgh will be attending the opening of the new BHF store. He is leading a BHF funded clinical trial to test whether a potentially game changing advanced heart monitoring patch can better diagnose heart rhythm problems in people who attend A & E with unexplained fainting.

Allison Swaine-Hughes, Retail Director at the British Heart Foundation, says: “This Store of the Future concept is our next step we’re exploring for our retail estate. As the UK’s largest charity retailer, we remain committed to reducing, re-using and recycling our resources so that there is no avoidable waste. We are testing new ways in which we can be better for our customers, donors and the environment, all while continuing to raise vital funds for our life saving research."  

“Shopping with the BHF isn’t just about saving money, it’s about saving lives by helping to fund research into heart and circulatory disease and saving unwanted items from going to landfill, which we know is also motivating shoppers to choose to shop with us. We look forward to welcoming everyone through the doors very soon.” 

2025 RTIH INNOVATION AWARDS

Physical stores will be a key focus area at the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards.

The awards, which are now open for entries, celebrate global tech innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.

Our 2024 hall of fame entrants were revealed during an event which took place at RIBA’s 66 Portland Place HQ in Central London on 21st November, and consisted of a drinks reception, three course meal, and awards ceremony presided over by comedian Lucy Porter.

In his welcome speech, Scott Thompson, Founder and Editor, RTIH, said: “The event is now into its sixth year and what a journey it has been. The awards started life as an online only affair during the Covid outbreak, before launching as a small scale in real life event and growing year on year to the point where we’re now selling out this fine, historic venue.”

He added: “Congratulations to all of our finalists. Many submissions did not make it through to the final stage, and getting to this point is no mean feat. Checkout-free stores, automated supply chains, immersive experiences, on-demand delivery, next generation loyalty offerings, inclusive retail, green technology. We’ve got all the cool stuff covered this evening.”

“But just importantly we’ve got lots of great examples of companies taking innovative tech and making it usable in everyday operations - resulting in more efficiency and profitability in all areas.”

Congratulations to our 2024 winners, and a big thank you to our sponsors, judging panel, the legend that is Lucy Porter, and all those who attended November's gathering. 

For further information on the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards, please fill in the below form and we will get back to you asap.