As a fashion sustainability researcher, finding the ReTuna shopping mall in Eskilstuna was a delightful surprise. Stepping into this Swedish shopping center felt refreshingly different—it is the first in the world to sell only secondhand and repurposed items.
As a fashion sustainability researcher, finding the ReTuna shopping mall in Eskilstuna was a delightful surprise. Stepping into this Swedish shopping center felt refreshingly different—it is the first in the world to sell only secondhand and repurposed items.
During numerous visits to the shopping mall over the last 18 months, I have spoken to customers, managers and employees—all of whom seemed excited by ReTuna’s innovative business model.
The mall instantly feels very different to the cluttered charity shops or vintage boutiques most of us associate with pre-owned retail. There is a wide range of products on sale—fashion, sports equipment, household items, children’s toys, antiques—and even an Ikea secondhand store selling previously used and repaired furniture.
This is not just a retail space. It is a municipality-led experiment in circular consumption, where everything sold has been donated by the public.
ReTuna was established in 2015 as part of Eskilstuna’s climate and waste reduction strategy. Built alongside the city’s recycling center, it includes a dedicated drop-off point called The Return, where residents donate unwanted items.
