20 Dec Green Retailing – Retail Sustainability

Retail sustainability in retail isn’t just a passing fad or something that gets talked about in boardrooms to look good. It’s a wake-up call for retailers who want to stay relevant in a world that’s increasingly concerned with the planet.

Green retail is about rethinking how products are made, packaged, and sold. It’s about energy, resources, and waste. Let’s face it, overall it’s about survival. Consumers want to spend their money on brands that aren’t just out to make a quick buck but are doing something to protect the world around them.

Don’t catch yourself off guard and be left behind, wondering where the good old days went in a world today more focused than ever on the environment.

Why Should We Care about Sustainability in the Retail Industry?

Here’s a simple truth – the retail industry uses up a lot of the earth’s resources. Around 25% of global carbon emissions come from this very sector. That’s a big chunk, and it’s not like we can just pretend it’s not happening.

But there’s a silver lining to this – more and more consumers are voting with their wallets. 80% of consumers say they’ll pay more for products from brands that care about the environment and offer sustainable products. And governments are not sitting idle either. With regulations tightening across the globe, it’s clear; retailers who want to be around in the next few decades need to clean up their act.

It’s not all bad news, though. The truth is, sustainable practices can actually save money in the long run. For example, cutting back on energy consumption isn’t just good for the planet – it also lowers bills. The change is happening, slowly but surely, and the retailers who get on board now will be ahead of the curve.

Sustainability Trends in Retail

Now that we’ve established why sustainability in retail industry matters, let’s look at some of the trends retailers are following. Some changes are small, like using energy-efficient bulbs, while others are huge, like rethinking entire supply chains. These retail sustainability trends are changing the way stores operate from the inside out, and it’s about time.

Cutting Energy Use

Energy efficiency has become one of the most crucial retailer’s sustainability initiatives. You’ve seen it—the lights blaring in stores long after they’ve closed. It’s not just wasteful; it’s unnecessary.

Retailers are waking up to the fact that using less energy isn’t just an environmental move, it’s a financial one too. Companies like IKEA are already leading the way. They’ve installed solar panels on the majority of their stores and even invested in wind farms. With their ultimate goal to produce more energy than their stores use. That’s the kind of bold move that can set a brand apart and help achieve sustainability in the retail industry.

And it’s not just about solar panels. Many stores are switching to LED lights and upgrading to smart energy systems that reduce power usage when the store isn’t busy. These changes might not seem earth-shattering, but when you consider that green buildings use 35% less energy than regular ones, it adds up quickly.

The Packaging Problem

Packaging is a dirty word these days. It’s everywhere, it’s piling up, and it’s choking our landfills. According to a McKinsey report, 52% of shoppers think about packaging when they make a purchase. It’s not just about throwing a product in a box anymore. Customers want to know if the packaging is recycled and recyclable.

Brands like Unilever and Coca-Cola are jumping in with initiatives aimed at reducing plastic waste and shifting towards sustainable retail packaging. Unilever has promised to make 100% of its plastic packaging recyclable, reusable, or compostable by 2030 (for rigid) and 2035 (for flexible).

Coca-Cola, on the other hand, is aiming to collect and recycle the same amount of plastic they sell. A lofty goal, of course. But these are the kinds of goals we need to see in retail if we want to make an impact in the long run. The key here is that the consumer cares. And when consumers care, businesses pay attention.

Sustainable Retail Displays

You’ve walked into a store and felt it, haven’t you? The clean, fresh vibe—modern, uncluttered, and…intentional. That’s no accident. More and more retailers are learning that how a store looks doesn’t just catch the eye; it tells a story. And that story isn’t about slick marketing or clever ads. It’s about doing the right thing for the planet, without compromising on the experience.

Sustainable retail design isn’t just about aesthetics. Sure, it’s nice to have polished displays and neat layouts, but the real work is happening behind the scenes. Retailers are looking at every inch of their space: the walls, the floors, the shelves, the lights – what they’re made of and how they impact the environment. You’d be surprised how much energy goes into lighting up a store or what goes into the materials that line the shelves.

Many stores today use recycled wood or upcycled furniture for their displays. Instead of buying new, they’re repurposing what they can. Why use a brand new piece of timber when an old one can do the job just as well?

Reduced Waste with Electronic Shelf Labels

One great sustainability trend of 2025 is the introduction of electronic shelf labels (ESL). Instead of paper labels that are thrown away regularly, many stores now opt for digital labels that last for years on end before needing to be replaced.

Another added benefit of going paperless is the fact you can dynamically change the price of goods throughout the day, without lengthy print and repricing sessions entrapping your workforce.

For example, take the fish counter. Often fish has a very short shelf life. Instead of throwing the waste out at the end of each day, by using an ESL you can dynamically set the prices to change throughout the day to encourage people to buy at reduced prices.

It really is a win, win, win. Better for the planet – less food wastage. Better for the customer – cheaper prices. Better for your business – additional revenue on what would have otherwise been thrown away.

Moving Toward a Greener Future for Retail

Retailers who make sustainability a priority today will find themselves ahead of the game tomorrow. It’s not just about greenwashing or jumping on the latest trend. It’s about creating a future where business and the planet can thrive together. If a retailer doesn’t act now, it risks falling behind, losing customer trust, and facing a future of uncertainty.

One way retailers can drive sustainability is by adopting ESL solutions, which reduce paper waste and energy consumption while improving operational efficiency.

As Johan Rockström, director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, puts it – “It is not just about inventing new solutions but about transforming our relationship with the planet. We must shift from a paradigm of exploitation to one of stewardship. This requires profoundly rethinking how we produce, consume, and live within the limits of our planet.”