What Is The Retail Industry Doing To Help And Protect The Environment?

Whilst sustainability has been at the centre of retail strategies for several years now, the covid-19 pandemic has given it an even greater significance. According to data from the Kantar Global Monitor, 85% of consumers positively values buying products from companies who support causes that interest them.

This presents a unique opportunity for retailers to display their commitment to the environment, and to promote lasting change that influences consumer habits, – both in their lifestyle, and in their buying behaviour. Below are some examples of those committed towards making a difference:

Recycling And Second-Hand Products:

H&M, Marks & Spencer, Etam, Aesop and L’Oréal – have developed successful initiatives when it comes to recycling and environmental protection. Within the cosmetics industry, one example is Shiseido Group who have launched a new skincare brand with natural and sustainable products made from recycled wood and glass packaging.

In the supermarket sector, Aldi has implemented significant measures to reduce their plastic footprint, and they’ve committed to making 100% of their own-brand packaging fully recyclable, compostable or reusable by 2025.

As far as the fashion industry is concerned, Adidas Originals are transforming the plastic-waste that floods the oceans into sneakers, whilst Kiabi has recently launched second-hand clothing into their stores. In turn, Desigual’s “Love the World” initiative uses sustainable fibres and recycled denim pieces.

100% Eco-Friendly Stores:

Zara is at the forefront of this brand new store concept, with renewable lighting and air conditioning systems for super-low energy consumption, and stores constructed from materials that absorb CO2, – in addition to other technological developments (such as interactive screens, for instance) that simultaneously contributes to a more memorable store experience.

Related Products

A C&A initiative involved the company emptying their shop/store windows to highlight climate change issues to their customers, and they’re aiming to supply all of their stores with electricity that comes from 100% renewable energy sources before 2025.

Microplastic-Free Products:

Lidl is committed to eliminating all microplastics from the more than 250 of their cleaning products, detergents and cosmetics until the end of 2021.

Local Products And Low Carbon Supply Chains:

Apple is committed to making their supply chain and products 100% carbon neutral by 2030. Along the same lines, Cacaolat (a Spanish brand available in the UK) has carried out a project to reduce energy consumption. The brand took steps to reduce their emissions by ensuring that their products only contained ingredients from farms in local proximity, and with sustainable agriculture practices.

In the digital sector, Tiendeo.co.uk is committed to being a carbon neutral platform. In addition to offering a greener alternative to paper leaflets, the online catalogue company is also committed to offsetting the carbon emissions emitted by its digital presence through reforestation projects.

Tiendeo is the leading company in online catalogues and services to boost traffic to physical stores, Founded in 2011 in Barcelona. Currently, it is present in 47 countries and has an audience of 45 million unique users per month globally, generating 65 million visits per month.