At Colart, sustainability is an integral part of everything we do. From product development to merchandising, we constantly seek opportunities to reduce waste, reuse materials, and take meaningful steps toward a greener future.
Earlier this year, we found ourselves facing an unexpected opportunity to put our commitment to sustainability into action. Special thanks to Paul Parsons for sharing this story!
Turning a Challenge into an Opportunity
Lennox Trading Units
One of our long-standing customers, Lennox Trading in Chiswick, sadly went into liquidation after a prolonged period of ill health. Among the assets left behind were six metres of W&N merchandising units – pieces that had proudly showcased our products for years. Unfortunately, these units were tied up in the liquidation process and were destined for landfill.
At the same time, we were approached by Chiswick Arts & Crafts, a new art shop opening just ¾ mile from Lennox Trading’s former location. The owners were eager to feature a robust Winsor & Newton range and required six metres of merchandising units to accommodate their vision.
We saw this as a chance not only to recycle and refurbish the redundant units but also to help our new customer stand out in the competitive art supplies market.
Before shop fit
Collaboration and Swift Action
Thanks to the expertise of our legal counsel, Sarwar, we negotiated with the liquidators to rescue the units. Once we gained access, the real work began: disassembling, transporting, and reassembling the units in their new home at Chiswick Arts & Crafts.
A Win-Win Outcome
The result? Winsor & Newton now holds pride of place in the new shop, with six metres of refurbished EU inline merchandising. Our quick action secured prime retail space, outpacing competitors and showcasing our commitment to sustainability and customer success.
After shop fit
Inspired by Sustainability
This story demonstrates how turning waste into opportunity can benefit everyone. By thinking creatively and acting decisively, we not only diverted materials from landfill but also strengthened our partnerships and extended Winsor & Newton’s presence in Chiswick.
We encourage every Colart team member to think about sustainability in action. Look for opportunities – big or small – to reuse and refurbish, ensuring we continue to lead the way in reducing waste and championing environmental responsibility.
Your Turn
If you spot an opportunity to recycle or reuse materials, let us know! Share your ideas or sustainability successes in the comments or reach out to the Sustainability Team – we’d love to hear from you!
Chiswick Arts & Crafts shop
Love this! I look forward to visiting Chiswick art and craft in real life
Quick thinking Paul, well done!
Great work Paul!
Excellent initiative. Showcasing agility in action by living and breathing sustainability through a commercial lens. Well done Paul. Best, Anthony
Brilliant work Paul, so sad to have lost a long standing customer in Lennox, but the new Chiswick store looks fabulous and great that the stands could be refreshed and used to such impact in a sustainable way.
Well done Paul. Living and breathing our values as usual.
Amazing story, well done Paul.
Great work Paul
Super work Paul! Well done on managing this from start to finish.
Great to see agility and sustainability in action Paul – well done. Also great to know there will still be a store in that part of town, I’ll try and call in next time I’m in that part of town visiting.
Fantastic work Paul – great achievement, well done.
Great work on this account Paul and the others that have been done as I know this is not a first.
And great work to the rest of the UK Fine Art Channel team, David, Adrian, Carlo, and particularly Guy and Viktoria for help leading this.
This is a initiative that we have been running across the Fine Art Channel for a number of years and we have re-purposed a number of stand across the whole of the UK already. We have taken merchandising units from closed stores in both Independents and Mass Channel Accounts replacing old and wore units in the trade.
Emma Mills, with the help of Guy Peeke-Vout, also recently installed updated ‘re-purposed’ units in Lawrence Art Store near Brighton, which is a new store owned by Jacksons Art.