Reconfiguration of retail stores as circular logistics nodes : an exploratory study
Mora Chaves, Monica LU
(2026)
- Abstract
- The transition to a circular economy is transforming retail as we know it. Circular services, such as repair and resale, are becoming an increasingly important part of retail. In this transformation, retail stores are assuming a new role as circular logistics hubs. However, retail stores, traditionally configured for standardized and efficient product flows, must now reconfigure to the new product flows, operations, and resources required to deliver circular services.
The purpose of this thesis is to explore the reconfiguration of retail stores to integrate and scale circular services and develop a broader understanding of the configuration of circular logistics nodes. To address this purpose, two interconnected studies were... (More) - The transition to a circular economy is transforming retail as we know it. Circular services, such as repair and resale, are becoming an increasingly important part of retail. In this transformation, retail stores are assuming a new role as circular logistics hubs. However, retail stores, traditionally configured for standardized and efficient product flows, must now reconfigure to the new product flows, operations, and resources required to deliver circular services.
The purpose of this thesis is to explore the reconfiguration of retail stores to integrate and scale circular services and develop a broader understanding of the configuration of circular logistics nodes. To address this purpose, two interconnected studies were conducted:
Study I employed an integrative literature review to synthesize insights across circular economy, retail, logistics, and service marketing research. The study established a conceptual understanding of the circular retail transformation and identified seven interconnected themes and its implications for retail stores as circular logistics nodes.
Study II complemented this conceptual foundation through a multiple-case study of three retail stores in fashion, children's clothing, and furniture. The study identified the operational challenges that circular services introduce, and the mechanisms retailers employ to manage them.
Building on these findings, the thesis develops a matrix of circular logistics node configuration. The matrix employs two dimensions: the level of technical specialization required by the circular operation, and the degree to which circular operations are integrated into nodes or separated into dedicated nodes. The intersection of these dimensions proposes four configuration logics. The matrix also shows that configurations are dynamic. As volumes increase, technology develops, consumer participation matures, and the circular ecosystem expands, nodes need to reassess the suitability of their circular operations relative to their capabilities.
This thesis contributes to research in three ways:
First, it conceptualizes circular retail transformation as a shift in the operational context.
Second, it applies and extends service marketing theory to explain the design and coordination of circular logistics nodes.
Third, it contributes to configuration theory by proposing a framework that explains how circular operations are configured within and across logistics nodes based on the alignment between operational requirements and node capabilities.
The findings offer implications for researchers and practitioners seeking to understand and manage the reconfiguration of retail stores as circular logistics nodes.
(Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
https://lup.lub.lu.se/record/f1b4bb9a-ed64-4234-8bba-53aab790ff95
- author
- Mora Chaves, Monica
LU
- supervisor
- organization
- publishing date
- 2026-04-30
- type
- Thesis
- publication status
- published
- subject
- pages
- 86 pages
- publisher
- Department of Industrial and Mechanical Sciences, Lund University
- ISBN
- 978-91-90202-30-2
- 978-91-90202-29-6
- project
- Cirkulär ekonomi och hållbar konsumtion: butikens framtida roll som cirkulär logistik nod
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- yes
- id
- f1b4bb9a-ed64-4234-8bba-53aab790ff95
- date added to LUP
- 2026-05-08 10:21:21
- date last changed
- 2026-05-27 03:28:41
@misc{f1b4bb9a-ed64-4234-8bba-53aab790ff95,
abstract = {{The transition to a circular economy is transforming retail as we know it. Circular services, such as repair and resale, are becoming an increasingly important part of retail. In this transformation, retail stores are assuming a new role as circular logistics hubs. However, retail stores, traditionally configured for standardized and efficient product flows, must now reconfigure to the new product flows, operations, and resources required to deliver circular services. <br/><br/>The purpose of this thesis is to explore the reconfiguration of retail stores to integrate and scale circular services and develop a broader understanding of the configuration of circular logistics nodes. To address this purpose, two interconnected studies were conducted: <br/><br/>Study I employed an integrative literature review to synthesize insights across circular economy, retail, logistics, and service marketing research. The study established a conceptual understanding of the circular retail transformation and identified seven interconnected themes and its implications for retail stores as circular logistics nodes. <br/><br/>Study II complemented this conceptual foundation through a multiple-case study of three retail stores in fashion, children's clothing, and furniture. The study identified the operational challenges that circular services introduce, and the mechanisms retailers employ to manage them.<br/><br/>Building on these findings, the thesis develops a matrix of circular logistics node configuration. The matrix employs two dimensions: the level of technical specialization required by the circular operation, and the degree to which circular operations are integrated into nodes or separated into dedicated nodes. The intersection of these dimensions proposes four configuration logics. The matrix also shows that configurations are dynamic. As volumes increase, technology develops, consumer participation matures, and the circular ecosystem expands, nodes need to reassess the suitability of their circular operations relative to their capabilities.<br/><br/>This thesis contributes to research in three ways: <br/><br/>First, it conceptualizes circular retail transformation as a shift in the operational context. <br/><br/>Second, it applies and extends service marketing theory to explain the design and coordination of circular logistics nodes. <br/><br/>Third, it contributes to configuration theory by proposing a framework that explains how circular operations are configured within and across logistics nodes based on the alignment between operational requirements and node capabilities. <br/><br/>The findings offer implications for researchers and practitioners seeking to understand and manage the reconfiguration of retail stores as circular logistics nodes.<br/>}},
author = {{Mora Chaves, Monica}},
isbn = {{978-91-90202-30-2}},
language = {{eng}},
month = {{04}},
note = {{Licentiate Thesis}},
publisher = {{Department of Industrial and Mechanical Sciences, Lund University}},
title = {{Reconfiguration of retail stores as circular logistics nodes : an exploratory study}},
url = {{https://lup.lub.lu.se/search/files/249577808/Thesis_Monica_Mora_Chaves_LUCRIS.pdf}},
year = {{2026}},
}