Facilitating circularity in retail: the case of an urban shopping center

In this article, we discuss the connection between shopping centers and the development of circular economy (CE), a topic scarcely examined in prior research. Our purpose is to shed light on the role of shopping center as a platform in facilitating key actor relations in promoting CE. The theoretical framework provides insights into CE retail and shopping center’s role as a platform that enables the facilitation of CE actors and practices. The research is based on the case study methodology, the case being Ratina shopping center located in the city center of Tampere, Finland. The qualitative analysis relies primarily on interviews with shopping center operator, waste management operator, and various retailers. Results indicate that circularity materializes in the interplay between shared processes and contractual arrangements facilitated by the shopping center, and individual retailers’ circularity efforts in their own business models and value chains. In practice, CE promotion becomes visible through circular business models and offerings, effective waste management systems, and advanced data collection and provision within the shopping center. This study provides forward-looking insights and managerial implications into the shopping center dynamics that could be used for supporting and accelerating less advanced retailers while enabling advanced retailers to implement their own innovative practices.