Kuopio opens Finland’s first used goods shopping centre

Finland’s first shopping centre selling only used goods opened in Kuopio on Friday, Yle reported. Luuppi combines the sale and recycling of pre-owned items with community activities under one roof.

The goods are arranged in separate shops, including sections for toys, dishes, clothing, sports equipment and building materials.

Luuppi accepts donated goods and clothing. Staff assess which items can still be used and direct them to the Elävä Foundation’s shop. The remaining items are sorted by Jätekukko, a waste management company owned by municipalities.

The Elävä Foundation operates in the centre and uses its sales revenue to create jobs. The foundation currently employs about 50 people, and its chief executive, Erno Kääriäinen, hopes the new centre will generate more employment as donations and sales increase.

The centre covers three floors. The ground floor includes a large lobby, a café, a furniture shop and a donation reception point. More shops are located on the second floor, while the third floor contains classrooms for teaching and hobbies.

Luuppi was built next to Matkus, a shopping centre in Kuopio. Its builder, Ingka Centres, belongs to the same corporate group as Ikea and owns shopping centres around the world. The company is monitoring the Kuopio pilot, which could potentially become a global concept, according to Matkus shopping centre director Minna Karppinen.

The project has a total budget of about 15 million euros and received approximately 3.5 million euros in European Union funding. European Parliament member Elsi Katainen said the model could help expand the circular economy elsewhere in Europe.