The position of refill systems in the future of supermarkets

The significance for retail to take a pro-active position within the sustainability-related discourse is increasing at a rapid pace. The role of physical brick and mortar stores is changing, influenced by an acceleration of the significance and consumer acceptance of online alternatives, the impact of a global pandemic, and the progression from single-use packaging to reusable or refillable options. Within these developments, refill and packaging reuse systems show to be promising concepts for future-proof retail. This research focuses on the future of physical supermarkets, and investigates the position of refill systems with product-packaging combinations as the central point of interaction. Future forecasting is presented as a research method to define different themes based on historical trends, the current state of retail, and predictive literature. This approach leads to a detailed perception of future-proof retail, and the definition of design challenges. Subsequentially, prospects are created, which describe in detail what the future of in-store refill systems and the role of packaging within that could look like. These prospects are based on future themes, observations of current refill systems, the current customer journey, and identified success factors. This research demonstrates future forecasting as a valuable method to support the development and testing of future concepts. The prospects reveal trends in future forecasting: technological developments, digitalization, consumer tailoring, and supply chain collaboration. Designing according to consumer needs (ease-of-use, price-driven, and social aspects) is crucial for the success of future concepts. With these interventions, the research provides developers with the tools to design product-packaging concepts fit for future retail systems, and to increase the success rate of these concepts. 1 Introduction With a rapidly changing retail environment, and increased significance and consumer acceptance of online alternatives, the impact of a global pandemic, and the progression from single-use packaging to reusable or refillable options comes the urge for retail to act pro-actively. A key focal point for future-proof retail innovation relates to refill and packaging reuse systems, and the sustainability-related potential linked to that [1-3]. In this article, we present a design research approach towards the development of refill system prospects, which describe in detail what the future of in-store refill systems and the role of packaging within that could look like. As an intermediate intervention, this research presents a future forecasting framework. These findings are based on future themes, observations of current refill systems, the current customer journey, and identified success factors. This research provides value for product-packaging and retail developers, by means of these interventions-these can act as tools to design product-packaging concepts fit for future retail systems, aiming to increase the success rate of these concepts. The scope of this research covers the current Dutch retail environment.