A 4R-supported circular product-service system for luxury branded events

Abstract

Temporary luxury branded events run on short cycles and bespoke builds that accelerate material churn. We present a circular phygital product-service system that operationalises the circular economy (CE) through a 4R frame (Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, and Recycling) across warehouse-to-event journeys. Developed via a multi-method design inquiry with a tier-1 contractor, the system couples physical touchpoints (reusable fold-flat transit boxes, adjustable racking, standard labels) with digital orchestration (a live digital warehouse, list-based outbound/inbound workflow, and a sustainable materials library). The architecture aligns roles and decisions, protects and identifies assets, and makes reuse the default under luxury brand constraints. By embedding traceable actions and CE-aligned rules into everyday handoffs, the PSS shifts procurement, storage, dispatch, return, and redeployment toward value retention. The contribution is a replicable, practice-ready route from circular intent to operational change in branded environments, advancing responsible retail without compromising speed or aesthetic standards.

19 pages, 11 figures, accepted to be published in the Proceedings of DRS 2026 (Design Research Society Conference)