Green Retailing Practices
GREEN PRACTICES IN RETAIL SECTOR
Half a decade ago, environmentalists and experts predicted that the future will be green. This prediction has started becoming a reality. Retailers across global economies are carving a niche for themselves by adopting eco-friendly practices and producing products that are environment friendly. Today, everyone is concerned about preventing environmental degradation. Retailers have sensed the need for green retailing and now most of the Indian retailers are stepping into this new avenue. Previously, green retailing was perceived as a ‘nice-to-have’ phenomenon. But lately, producers and consumers have realised that it is a ‘must-have’ phenomenon as environmental protection has become a priority.
Green Retailers Need Green Customers
Green retail involves both supply and demand. * Retailers want to be greener operationally, to sell more green merchandise, and to gain a commercial advantage by being green. * Customers often want to be green(er) and do their best for animal welfare, the environment etc and their families (or many want this). But they are not expert, they can be cynical about what might be considered as greenwash, and even those who want to do the best need better information to make sensible decisions.
But It's a Network Out There
If retailers are to cut their carbon footprints, be more ethical and green(er), they need to intervene at all stages of the product lifecycle: * their suppliers and competitors in order that everyone is using greener processes and there is no commercial disadvantage in doing so; * the retailer's own logistics, sales operations and customer delivery (if any) to reduce the carbon footprint, reduce energy and resource costs, and be greener; * their own customers so they understand what the retailer is doing and how customers can make reasoned choices about merchandise, buy food produced under more humane conditions or garments and stationery produced in less damaging
Half a decade ago, environmentalists and experts predicted that the future will be green. This prediction has started becoming a reality. Retailers across global economies are carving a niche for themselves by adopting eco-friendly practices and producing products that are environment friendly. Today, everyone is concerned about preventing environmental degradation. Retailers have sensed the need for green retailing and now most of the Indian retailers are stepping into this new avenue. Previously, green retailing was perceived as a ‘nice-to-have’ phenomenon. But lately, producers and consumers have realised that it is a ‘must-have’ phenomenon as environmental protection has become a priority.
Green Retailers Need Green Customers
Green retail involves both supply and demand. * Retailers want to be greener operationally, to sell more green merchandise, and to gain a commercial advantage by being green. * Customers often want to be green(er) and do their best for animal welfare, the environment etc and their families (or many want this). But they are not expert, they can be cynical about what might be considered as greenwash, and even those who want to do the best need better information to make sensible decisions.
But It's a Network Out There
If retailers are to cut their carbon footprints, be more ethical and green(er), they need to intervene at all stages of the product lifecycle: * their suppliers and competitors in order that everyone is using greener processes and there is no commercial disadvantage in doing so; * the retailer's own logistics, sales operations and customer delivery (if any) to reduce the carbon footprint, reduce energy and resource costs, and be greener; * their own customers so they understand what the retailer is doing and how customers can make reasoned choices about merchandise, buy food produced under more humane conditions or garments and stationery produced in less damaging