Environmental Sustainability

As we begin 2024, the retail sector is witnessing a dynamic shift towards sustainability. Highlights of the millennial and Gen Z consumer trends almost always center around sustainability, with 72 percent and 77 percent of them, respectively, likely to pay more for environmentally-friendly products, according to the PDI Business of Sustainability Index. The behaviors of…

Climate change poses significant business risks to retailers. Changing consumer sentiments, investor expectations and government regulations will require businesses to fundamentally change their operations, procurement practices and product mixes to adapt to the low-carbon economy. Retailers face a complex challenge in reducing their carbon footprint because Scope 3 emissions — generated by a company’s value…

The fashion industry is still struggling to meet the expectations of a consumer base that has become increasingly conscious of the environmental and social impact of their clothing choices. In the U.S., 80 percent of consumers indicate that sustainability is a crucial factor when selecting a fashion brand. Younger shoppers in particular have shown that…

The bar for the customer experience is continually being raised and 2024 is set to be no exception as the competition between retailers gets tougher. Organizations will need to ensure they keep up-to-date with the latest shopping trends to meet the demands of the omnichannel experience, particularly with technologies like artificial intelligence on the rise.…

As consumers and government regulations call on companies to adopt increasingly sustainable practices, fashion brands need to rethink their approach to reducing their environmental impact. One of their key challenges is to achieve full visibility into all stages in the life cycle, from fiber-origin to retail. Without perfect traceability of the materials used, it's extremely…

It’s that time of the year when retailers ready themselves for a surge in sales and roll out festive promotions. But after the cash registers stop ringing and the holiday lights turn off, many concerns surface, such as gift returns and ongoing sustainability challenges. Retailers are estimated to throw away around 25 percent of their…

The fashion industry doesn’t have a good reputation when it comes to sustainability. According to the United Nations Environmental Program, fashion industry processes account for up to 10 percent of global carbon dioxide output, and the industry is accountable for 20 percent of the 300 million tons of plastic produced each year around the globe.…

In episode 429 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Jeremiah McElwee, chief merchandising officer of Thrive Market, a leading online marketplace specializing in a highly curated assortment of organic and non-GMO products. During the wide-ranging episode, McElwee provides an overview of Thrive Market and his role within the organization (0:55), including how merchandising…

There's an unpredictability of winter weather that makes the upcoming season especially interesting for meteorologists, and far less enjoyable for anyone who has experienced the shock of a significantly higher energy bill thanks to extreme weather events like those that experienced Texas’ February 2021 storms. When we look ahead to the colder months, there’s some…

In episode 425 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Eric Bjorling, director of brand marketing and public relations at Trek Bicycle, a global leader in the design and manufacturing of bicycles and related products. Listen in as Bjorling discusses the genesis of Trek Bicycle's new bike trade-in and refurbishment program, Red Barn Refresh (0:52)…