Omni
Omnichannel operations
Stores, e-commerce, and last-mile logistics each contribute to the footprint.
Sustainability for the retail sector
Connect products, stores, and logistics with customer expectations.
Retailers manage omnichannel footprints, extensive supplier networks, and evolving consumer demand. This page explains sustainability in the retail industry so you can prioritise action and reporting.
What does sustainability in retail cover?
It spans product design, packaging, store operations, logistics, supplier practices, and transparent storytelling so customers trust every purchase.
⚙️
Supplier breadth
Thousands of suppliers create complexity across categories.
📡
Market signal
Shoppers increasingly expect proof, not promises.
Retail sustainability focus areas
Product & packaging. Increase recycled content, responsible sourcing, and circular design.
Store & logistics operations. Improve energy efficiency, refrigeration, fleets, and fulfillment.
Supplier engagement. Share codes of conduct, measure progress, and collaborate on improvement plans.
Customer trust & reporting. Tell transparent stories, avoid greenwashing, and show impact.
WHY IT MATTERS
Why sustainability drives retail performance
Brand preference. Responsible retailers differentiate in crowded markets.
Operational savings. Efficient stores and logistics lower costs and improve resilience.
Regulatory readiness. Packaging, waste, and human-rights regulations tighten every year.
Supplier resilience. Collaborating on sustainability reduces disruption risk.
PLANNING
How to build a retail sustainability plan
- Map the value chain. Identify hotspots across products, packaging, stores, logistics, and returns.
- Prioritise quick wins. Pilot store retrofits, low-carbon delivery options, and packaging redesigns.
- Engage merchandising & marketing. Align claims with verified data to avoid greenwashing.
- Set governance for claims. Approve copy, disclosures, and supplier stories inside RunSustainably.
MEASUREMENT
Tracking sustainability in retail
- Packaging & waste metrics. Track recycled content, single-use plastic reduction, and landfill diversion.
- Logistics footprint. Measure transportation emissions, delivery consolidation, and returns impact.
- Supplier performance. Score suppliers on ESG criteria and share improvement plans.
- Customer-facing metrics. Report the share of products meeting sustainability criteria inside RunSustainably dashboards.
Retail actions to try next
Launch a packaging scoreboard. Show teams how packaging choices influence emissions and costs.
Pilot low-carbon fulfillment. Test bike delivery, EV fleets, or consolidated pickups in one region.
Train store teams. Give frontline employees quick talking points and escalation paths.
GLOSSARY SNAPSHOT
Retail glossary snapshot
Reverse logistics. The process for managing returns and end-of-life products responsibly.
Digital product passport. A data-rich record showing where and how products were made.
Scope 3 Category 11. Emissions from the use of sold products—important for appliances and electronics.
FAQS
Sustainability in Retail FAQs
Why focus on sustainability in retail?
Because customers, regulators, and investors expect retailers to prove supply-chain and store practices are responsible.
How do we avoid greenwashing?
Back every claim with data, keep approvals in RunSustainably, and use clear language.
What if suppliers lack data?
Start with simple questionnaires, share templates, and phase in requirements.
Does sustainability slow merchandising cycles?
Not when you integrate requirements into existing line reviews and buyer briefings.
Drova RunSustainably unites objectives, approvals, and reporting so industry teams stay aligned.
Ready to keep sustainability work visible?
ESG 101 HUB
Explore related topics
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Ground yourself in the core ESG definition and pillars.
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Keep listening loops visible for every industry page.
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Connect procurement and logistics to your industry plan.
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