Top 5 European Circular Shopping Networks You Simply Can't Ignore

Top European Chains Promoting Sustainable Consumption

In Europe, a growing number of retail chains are embracing the circular economy, a model that aims to redesign products and reduce waste. Here are the top five chains leading the charge:

IKEA (Ingka Group): IKEA is at the forefront of circular economy efforts, with a strong strategy to redesign products and collaborate with suppliers to reduce waste and emissions. The company has assessed over 9,500 products for circularity and aligns its supply chain with the EU targets for circularity by 2050.
Lidl (Schwarz Group): As part of Europe’s largest retail group, Lidl is aggressively expanding and modernizing stores, incorporating sustainability initiatives, and supporting supply chain security. Lidl’s growth is complemented by its sister chain Kaufland, which focuses on store remodeling and expanding its online marketplace, supporting sustainable consumption.
Amazon Second Chance Market: While not a traditional brick-and-mortar chain, Amazon’s European second-hand (recommerce) marketplace promotes circular consumption by enabling customers to buy and sell pre-owned, refurbished, and open-box products. This market kept over 740 million items in circulation in Europe in 2024, saving €37.7 billion and fostering a circular retail ecosystem.
Currys (UK Recommerce Market): Currys has integrated trade-in and refurbishment programs into its retail model, supporting circular retail integration in electronics, a leading segment for recommerce. This aligns with growing UK regulatory drivers and consumer demand for sustainable, circular consumption.
Edeka (Germany): While not explicitly detailed in circular-specific terms in the sources, Edeka is a dominant German supermarket chain alongside Lidl and Kaufland. Given major European retail groups’ increasing commitment to sustainability and expected growth in circular retail approaches, Edeka is likely involved in advancing circular consumption, especially in food retail.

These chains represent diverse sectors, demonstrating the broad adoption of circular economy principles in European retail. The European Union is actively pushing forward regulatory frameworks like the Circular Economy Act to harmonize and accelerate circular product markets and recycled material usage across Europe by 2030.

Second-Hand Shopping Chains Across Europe

For those seeking affordable, second-hand items, several European chains offer a wide range of products.

The Kringwinkel: Based in Belgium, The Kringwinkel offers a variety of products, including electronics, kitchen utensils, and clothes. The organisation, which provides over 4,500 jobs, collects and sells approximately 75,000 tons of used goods annually. The Kringwinkel organises thematic events focusing on vintage, Christmas, and the new summer season.
Myrorna: Founded in 1917, Myrorna is a chain of charity shops run by Sweden's Salvation Army. Known for Scandinavian vintage design, Myrorna offers second-hand items at affordable prices.
Emmaüs: Originating as a personal project in France in the mid-20th century, Emmaüs has since become an international organisation. Emmaüs stores, popular among vintage lovers across France and Europe, offer a vast selection of used items. Shopping at Emmaüs may require patience and an open mind, but everything is clean and well-organised, making it an appealing place for second-hand shopping.
ADRA: ADRA is an international charity and humanitarian organization operating in over 100 countries. In addition to collecting and reselling clothes, ADRA's activities extend beyond selling second-hand items.
HUMANA: HUMANA reduces waste and collects funds for various projects worldwide by collecting and reselling clothes. HUMANA collects clothes in special containers across Europe and North America. Some of the collected clothes are sold in-stores, while others are sent to Africa or Belize.

These chains offer a sustainable and affordable alternative to traditional retail, promoting a circular economy and reducing waste.

The local Kringwinkel, based in Belgium, embraces the circular economy by providing a wide range of second-hand items, including fashion-and-beauty products, home-and-garden goods, and electronics, contributing to sustainable living through the reduction of waste.
Myrorna, a Swedish chain of charityshops run by The Salvation Army, promotes eco-friendly fashion-and-beauty and home-and-garden choices by selling second-hand items at affordable prices, aligning with the principles of sustainable living.
Emmaüs, a popular vintage chain across France and Europe, supports the local culture by offering a vast selection of used items, fostering the reuse of clothing and household goods in a sustainable manner.
HUMANA, an international organization, implements sustainable living initiatives by collecting and reselling clothes across Europe and North America, reducing fashion-and-beauty waste and channeling funds for global projects.