B-Corp book retailer World of Books has gifted four charity shops across the UK ‘Selfridges-style’ Christmas window makeovers, as reward for their circular economy habits.
With Charity Retail Association research showing 35% of the trade body’s members are considering reducing paid hours across their stores due to economic challenges, World of Books wanted to sprinkle a bit of Christmas magic dust and raise further awareness of its book recycling capabilities.
The retailer selected four winners – all of whom regularly use its Sell Your Books Pro to sell and recycle excess books and media – and commissioned designers behind Selfridges’ and Harrods’ Christmas displays to spruce up their windows for the festive period.
London-based visual merchandiser Sara Ulen, who has worked with Max Mara, Selfridges, and Reiss, and national window dresser Penny McNeish, whose clients include Harrods, Ferrari, and Harvey Nichols redesigned the storefronts in Dartford, Chadderton, Camberley, and St Neots.
Camberley local, and Sue Ryder store manager Selena Perry, said: “Christmas is such an important time for local retailers, especially as it’s been a really tough time for the high street, but we’re really excited to bring some festive cheer to Camberley with our new display.
“Having this festive display not only takes the pressure off our busy team but will most certainly grab the attention of passers-by and encourage them to shop second-hand and locally this Christmas.”
She added: “The opportunity to refresh our shop display has been so rewarding. We’re incredibly grateful to World of Books – thecreative ideas will absolutely inspire our future window displays and have brought a real buzz to the shop and our team.”
Kama Villiers, enterprise customer success manager at World of Books Group, commented: “We’ve absolutely loved seeing the transformation across the four winning charity shops. It’s been such a lovely way to give back creatively, to the shop staff, volunteers, and their own customers.
“Charity shops are at the heart of their communities, but Christmas can be a particularly challenging time for retailers who are already stretched. It’s brilliant to see the kind of visual merchandising usually reserved for high-end brands bringing colour and joy to the local high street.”
Read more about book recycling on Green Retail World
[image credits: World of Books]
