SHELTER SCOTLAND’S Botanics Community Shop in Glasgow has received a contemporary makeover thanks to Karndean Commercial as part of its 2025 Charity of the Year collaboration. The refreshed interior offers a modern, accessible and welcoming space that hopes to attract more visitors and increase income to support Shelter Scotland’s work helping families to secure and keep safe homes.
Charity retail in the UK and Scotland has evolved rapidly in recent years, with increasing emphasis on retail differentiation to attract shoppers in this highly competitive environment. To meet an increasingly discerning market, charity shops are moving away from the traditional thrift-store look and investing in curated layouts, stylish interiors and improved customer experience.
Richard Allen, commercial sales director at Karndean Commercial, says: ‘Shelter Scotland’s design brief was clear: to create a clean, boutique-style retail environment that reflects the charity’s modern brand identity while remaining accessible and community focused.
With average weekly footfall expected to reach over 500 visitors, the store needed to balance style with function.
‘In charity retail, experience is everything. Customers need to feel comfortable and inspired, so aesthetics and durability were key considerations for Shelter Scotland’s new-look store. Our Opus Enhance range met this specification perfectly, with the Avena design chosen to provide a contemporary natural wood appearance as well as the ability to withstand the demands of a busy high-street location.’
As part of the project, Karndean Commercial donated and installed Opus Enhance luxury vinyl flooring. Specifically designed for commercial environments, the Opus Enhance collection features a rougher surface texture for an enhanced slip resistance rating of 36. The Avena design features a mix of beige-grey tones and flowery grains and comes in a wide 9in x 48in plank.
Natasha Spyrou, shop development manager at Shelter, says: ‘We wanted customers to feel like they’re stepping into a high-end retail space that also supports a meaningful cause. The flooring ties everything together.
It adds cohesion, warmth and polish while being hardwearing enough to cope with daily use. Accessibility improvements – such as replacing a step with a ramp – has also ensured that the shop is welcoming to all.’ www.karndeancommercial.com
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