SHELTER Scotland’s Botanics Community Shop in Glasgow has revealed a fresh new design, created in partnership with Karndean Commercial, which describes itself as the UK’s leading luxury vinyl flooring supplier, 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 vital work helping families to secure and keep safe homes and driving long lasting change.

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.

Shelter Scotland’s Botanics Community store reflects this shift, demonstrating how thoughtful design can help increase footfall and income generation while strengthening brand reputation.

Richard Allen, commercial sales director at Karndean Commercial, explained: ‘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, with its streamlined blend of soft beige-grey tones and subtle flowery grains, comes in a practical extra-wide 9in x 48in plank for a characterful yet sleek look that gives a spacious feel with a reduced installation time.

Natasha Spyrou, shop development manager at Shelter, said: ‘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 hard-wearing enough to cope with daily use. Accessibility improvements, such as replacing a step with a ramp, has also ensured the shop is welcoming to all.’

Heather McIntyre, building surveyor at Shelter, highlighted the project’s sustainability benefits: ‘Sustainability underpins everything we do. From meeting the government’s Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS) and Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR) standards to prioritising products with reduced environmental impact, we’re committed to designing in a more sustainable way. Karndean flooring not only delivers a modern, cohesive aesthetic but also reduces the need for regular replacement, making it more cost-effective and environmentally responsible. The feedback we’ve received about our new look has been overwhelmingly positive. Our staff, volunteers and customers are all delighted with the store’s transformation.’

Karndean’s Opus Enhance range features a host of practical benefits including a waterproof, hygienic surface that’s easy to maintain, a durable 2.55mm thickness with a 0.55mm wearlayer and superior R36 slip resistance.

Available in seven wood designs and three stone designs, each floor comes with a 15-year commercial guarantee.

The project is one of several initiatives planned as part of Karndean’s commitment to Shelter throughout 2025, aiming to raise £25,000 and donating excess flooring to Shelter retail stores for reuse or resale.

The result at Shelter Scotland’s Botanics Community store is a striking example of how partnerships between commercial brands and charities can deliver tangible benefits for communities, creating welcoming modern spaces that help raise funds to support important social justice campaigns.

www.karndeancommercial.com