Imagine walking into a shopping mall where every item has a story, every product has been loved before, and nothing comes straight from a factory. That’s exactly what you’ll find at ReTuna in Eskilstuna, Sweden, the world’s first mall dedicated entirely to secondhand and repurposed items. Established in 2015 as part of the city’s climate and waste reduction strategy, ReTuna challenges the very idea that shopping sustainably has to feel like a compromise. 

How ReTuna Works

ReTuna isn’t just another thrift store, it’s a carefully designed ecosystem. Built alongside Eskilstuna’s recycling centre, it features a drop-off point called The Return, where locals donate unwanted items. These items are then sorted and distributed to the retailers within the mall. From fashion and sports equipment to household items, children’s toys, antiques, and even previously used Ikea furniture, everything is curated and repurposed for sale. The result is a circular system that is low-cost, low-waste, and incredibly effective. 

Making Secondhand Stylish

One of the most remarkable aspects of ReTuna is how it reimagines secondhand shopping. Unlike the cluttered charity shops or vintage boutiques many of us picture, the mall is clean, calm, and pretty. Customers often think the secondhand pieces are brand new, showing that sustainability never means sacrificing style. The carefully curated layout and attention to display turn ethical shopping into a pleasurable, even emotionally rewarding, experience. 

Retailers use low-cost fixtures to display items and make the shopping experience feel familiar and enjoyable. The result is a space where sustainability and affordability coexist with aesthetic appeal, challenging the stigma around secondhand products.

The Growing Demand for Pre-Loved

ReTuna’s success also mirrors a global shift in consumer behaviour. According to industry reports, the secondhand fashion market is growing 2.7 times faster than the broader apparel market and is projected to reach US$367 billion by 2029. Meanwhile, the wider secondhand products market is forecast to reach US$1.04 trillion by 2035, growing at a compound annual rate of 17.2%.

Interestingly, 43% of secondhand buyers across 17 global markets prefer in-store purchases, compared with 39% who shop online. ReTuna represents this shift towards physical spaces that make sustainable shopping convenient, curated, and enjoyable.

A Model for Circular Living

Turning 10 this year, ReTuna has grown from a local initiative into an internationally recognised model of circular retail. It reminds us that sustainable consumption isn’t just about what we buy, but how and where we buy it. With smart design, community support, and a little creativity, eco-friendly shopping can fit seamlessly into everyday life. More than a mall, ReTuna offers a glimpse into the future of retail, where mindful choices are practical, beautiful, and impactful. 

So legends, next time you go shopping or clear out your stuff, remember: choosing pre-loved or repurposed isn’t just smart, it’s a little win for the planet every single time.

If you loved this story, you’ll love our other blog here about our local Aussie secondhand fashion legends, Thrifter. It's a goodie!

With Love, 
Ellie xx