I'm actually quite surprised this doesn't happen more often. Surely the idea of having an offline shop with just a single item of each, er, item, rather than multiple colours and sizes, and computers for customers to order the item in whatever colour and size they wanted isn't new. In fact I know it isn't as even I've thought of it. Online shopping lacks critical tactile experiences - people touch the things they buy, on purpose, or absentmindedly, it's something we do, and it affects the purchase.
So kudos to Danish brand VERO MODA for opening up their pop-up online/offline store where you can see the whole collection (instead of being limited to shop size), feel and see some of the collection, and order online.
"In store you will find styles from across the entire VERO MODA collection, a broader offer than is available in any retail space. Only a few styles will be on the rails in store, replacing the traditional way of displaying merchandise with product images spanning the walls. Coordinating QR codes offer product and pricing information, as well as easy shopping opportunities. Computers will also be set up in store so that customers can shop online for gifts for their loved ones (and themselves), with staff on hand to offer guidance, and have their purchases delivered to their door."
The store can be found in Aarhus, Denmark's second largest city, from November 15th through to Christmas.
Heavy Eco is an online shop selling t-shirts, bags, and underwear all designed and made in prisons, by prisoners.
Here's what they say,"We give Eastern European prisoners, like Kolya and Pavel a chance to do something good and rehabilitate themselves. There is a very long and difficult road infront of them, but there’s hope for them. Now they have a chance to show their creativity by designing unique products, like LP courier bags for DJ’s and messenger bags for students from dead advertising billboards. Inmates also make organic t-shirts with prints inspired by old-school Russian prison tattoos. In Russian criminal world, every tattoo tells a life story of a criminal."
With the recycling of billboards, and only organic cotton sourced from India (working conditions and human rights all in check), as well as provided inmates with a skill and something to do, Heavy Eco gets my vote. Plus they make cool stuff.