Greater than the disruptive markets we operate in, is the disrupted world that we live in.
Time has long passed, from when a sustainable initiative was not much more than a smart marketing strategy. Sustainability has now irreversibly developed into something essential to establish commercial traction with many customers.
Responsibility for sustainability has also shifted, from the marketing department to every department across a business. Products are being held up as icons of the sustainable age, and so too are the businesses that produce and sell them.
Shaming of exploitative businesses and the wasteful products they sell has gained a momentum that is not going to slow.
For our commercial, as well as our existential security, it is essential that retail embraces and invests in every aspect of sustainability.
The cyclical supply chain is a fully integrated model, where functions and processes work together to ensure that new products are produced, and existing products reused, in a commercial and sustainable way.
On the one side, materials used to make products are sourced and developed to be recyclable and recycled. On the other side, existing products are repaired and refreshed for re-use and rental, re-created to make new products for re-sale.
The participation of the retailer, suppliers, producers, recyclers, renovators, and customers is guaranteed and founded on trust, mutual respect, mutual commercial gain and the ethics of sustainability.
As momentum continues to grow, to a point where second-hand contributes to more of our wardrobe space than fast-fashion, retail investment will accelerate into responsible retailers. This will match the investment growth of customers. It will be a virtuous cycle to make more money, to have more things, but whilst producing and selling less. That is a smart investment.
Every retailer, and every retail investor will need to find their place in the circle.
RetailMeaning Consultancy:
Responsible + Sustainable Retail
Sustainable, ethical and ‘Responsible Retailing lock-in’ is replacing ‘Price lock-in’ as the new route to generate customer loyalty, creative lifecycles and commercial success.
Let us help you find the meaning in your retail business…
We will show you how to replace channels with touchpoints, how linear supply chains must become circular, why assortments are increasingly virtual, how physical is turning to local, and why products and shops are not necessarily made for each other anymore.
Our client pledge
To make every team member and colleague a ‘better’ retailer,
and to leave a permanent and positive legacy in every client business.
Let’s do something great together.
Every retail business, businessman, entrepreneur and shopkeeper is different.
Every client project and collaboration we plan and deliver is different.