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Globally, we emit 54 billion tonnes of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere every year (Source: Our World In Data, 2021). This number, along with its impact, may be difficult to visualise. Even more difficult to visualise is how we get from 51 billion tonnes to net zero emissions in the next 30 years (something we need to do in order to stop global warming in its tracks). We may take pride in our bag for life, suffer through a paper straw that turns to mush and brush our teeth with the tap and lights turned off, but it’s going to take much much more than that.

Every government, sector and person has a part to play in the ‘race to zero’ and the fashion industry is no different. The sector is one of the largest polluters in the world, producing 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions, with production making up over 50% of this (further categorisation below, source: Vogue Business). With the overall goal being to reach net zero emissions, even the 6% from transport and retail are crucial in this process.

Shaping-a-Sustainable-and-Successful-Fashion-Brand

 

 

Hattie Power
Let’s Speak to a Specialist
 
I sat down with Hattie Power, a surveyor within Cushman & Wakefield’s dedicated sustainability team, to understand how they could help improve the sustainability of your existing or future portfolio.
 

 

 

So you want to open a sustainable retail store. What’s the first thing you need to think about? 
 
Selection of your location and unit is important. You should engage with the prospective landlord prior to signing your lease in order to determine their own sustainability objectives and commitments.
 

Can you give an example of what to look out for?

One of our key investment trust clients, who are acting landlords to over 750 retailers, are a good example. They have achieved in-construction certifications for a number of their latest development projects and are also looking at rolling out in-use certifications across their standing portfolio this year. They have also set ambitious net-zero targets and engage their occupiers in order to achieve these. It’s important to select a landlord who is going to support sustainability improvements such as procuring renewable energy, half-hourly meters, advanced recycling waste measures and improving the energy efficiency of the unit. These are the types of measures which can be incorporated into a green lease, which is another factor a retailer may consider from the offset. It’s also important to choose a location close to where your product is produced if possible, in order to reduce the distance travelled and therefore carbon impacts of your products.

What about once the location has been chosen?

I’d then consider the fit-out of a property, first looking at what is already in the unit and what can be retained. LED lights for example have a lifespan of 20 years, however the average retail tenancy is now around 5 years. This means that a retailer’s contractor may come in and replace all the lights which hypothetically could have 15 years left in use. I’d recommend working with a contractor who has awareness of circular economy principles and can apply these in the form of take back schemes or measures which can extend the lifetime of existing fit-out. When sourcing materials, try to source locally and employ local tradespeople. Online platforms like Gumtree, eBay and Facebook Marketplace are also great for sourcing second-hand furniture and would reduce the overall carbon impact of the fit-out. 

What can a retailer do who has an existing portfolio? 

The first step should be to work out your carbon impact across full value chain emissions. Understanding your scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions will enable a retailer to focus priorities on the biggest carbon emitters. This will inform the setting of realistic net-zero targets and development of a net-zero strategy and pathway to get there. This is something the sustainability team can assist with, but in short Scope 1 are an organisations direct green house gas emissions such as from boilers or own transport. Scope 2 are indirect emissions such as procured energy, and lastly there are Scope 3 emissions which is everything else in the value chain. These are the most challenging to establish although these are important as they are usually an organisations largest of the three. 

CW-Emissions-retail-Graphic

How can a retailer get started setting targets?

The UK Retail Industry has a net-zero target of 2040 which has been set by the British Retail Consortium, in addition to setting some nearer term targets which is standard practice. A retailer may want to align their targets with these. C&W can support retailers with determining their scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions and wider carbon reporting and disclosure services.   

Should there be a main focus when setting these targets?

Whilst retailers are all different in terms of the products and/or services they sell, the biggest emitter is usually the supply chain (Scope 3 emissions) and should therefore be a major focus point for sustainable retailers. This can span from the transportation of goods and the existing distribution network, to understanding where materials are sourced, worker conditions and making sure a real living wage is being paid. Supply chain greenhouse gases (Scope 3) make up on average 70% of emissions so retailers should focus their efforts on engaging and decarbonising their supply chain. 

And what about the actual product?

Quality is key. Retailers should make sure the product is designed and made well to ensure the consumer doesn’t need to replace it next year. We definitely have an issue with a throwaway culture that wasn’t around in previous generations, such as “The Silent Generation” where people didn’t consume as many goods and those that they did have they looked after and repaired when required. This shift has occurred through a variety of factors, such as shopping becoming a leisure activity, mass-advertising, planned obsolescence, and the use of low-paid labour decreasing the price of goods. Retailers who are paying workers fairly and are producing lasting high-quality products should promote these activities in order to attract that “sustainable consumer” who is willing to pay more and therefore make sustainable practices viable. Additionally, whilst “fast fashion” has become part of our culture, “fast” does not always have to equal “waste” and we are seeing more retailers take steps to address the circularity of their products.

Inevitably, people will want to buy new things and keep up with the latest trends. Is there a way to please these consumers while maintaining a sustainable brand? 

I’ve seen some fashion retailers such as H&M and M&S introducing clothing banks in their shops which consumers can exchange for vouchers, and Boots has a similar scheme for empty makeup containers. Providing incentives to reward sustainable behaviour is key. As mentioned, I would also encourage anyone looking to buy new clothing following latest trends to explore retailers who have a focus on fair pay and observe circular economy principles.

We’ve discussed retailers looking to open their first store but what about retailers with an existing portfolio, looking to make it more sustainable?

Retailers with existing portfolios will likely have physical stores and existing logistical operations which should be reviewed for carbon reduction opportunities. When reviewing physical stores, retailers should consider procuring renewable energy, installing LED sensor lighting, encouraging sustainable commuting for staff and retrofitting properties where possible to improve energy efficiency. These are examples of sustainability measures which can be included in a green lease.

Whilst the physical shop only makes up on average 10% of a retailer’s emissions, often they have more control compared to more complex contributors like their supply chain, so it’s a logical first step for retailers on their net-zero journey. I’d say the same for logistics which also only makes up 10% on average of overall emissions, but retailers have more control over their fleet, and it’s something that consumers are fairly aware of. 

Why do you think that is?

I’m not entirely sure but its definitely something we hear a lot about in terms of the air miles of a particular grocery item for example. It’s clearly labelled where your fruit has come from so consumers have the facts to assess (An Enviroscore), however the supply chain is much more complex and less transparent. Retailer’s delivery vehicles are also visible to their customers on the road so an efficient and decarbonised logistics fleet would be visible to consumers and show commitment to a retailers net zero targets, and ultimately attract and retain a sustainable consumer.

A retailers sustainability status is more important now, than ever. Fashion brands need to impress all aspects of their business operations with their ESG credentials including employees, landlords, investors and last but by no means least, the customer.
Who Cares?

It’s all well and good having a sustainable real estate portfolio but that’s nothing if you’ve got nobody stepping in the front door.
Despite the rise of sustainable brands, the paralleled growth of greenwashing is making it increasingly difficult for consumers to know if they are truly shopping green. Although the term is becoming more well-known, both the truly sustainable retailer and those that want you to think they are, can provide you with a myriad of ways in which their brand is best in show. Why not then, rather than advertising these features to the masses, focus on bringing your brand to a loyal and knowledgeable sustainable shopper, by understanding who they are and what they want.

The sustainable shopper or eco-consumer has been defined and categorised time and time again but in reality, no two brands are the same and so a tailored approach should be used each time. Pinpointing eco-shoppers may include their opinions on recycling and their ability to afford the green premium (higher prices resulting from an ethical supply chain) but also more brand specific characteristics including age and gender. Creating a bespoke customer profile using a combination of demographic and customer data, can provide data-driven recommendations on who and where to target. This can be extended even further to personalise the offering of each store, matching the product to the type of customers living and working nearby.

Sustainability is a top priority for Cushman & Wakefield and it is more important than ever that our client’s assets are not only sustainable themselves but that they attract sustainably focused employees, investors and most importantly, shoppers.
 
What’s Next?

Generating a brands bespoke customer profile is only the first step. When looking at opening a store, there are some obvious locations which attract eco-shoppers, from Seven Dials in London to 9 Streets in Amsterdam but further expansion out of flagship locations can be less clear. Using a brand specific customer profile, Cushman & Wakefield’s real estate experts can make evidence-based decisions on potential new locations, from making that first store opening a bit less daunting to optimising an entire portfolio.

For more information or to find out how Cushman & Wakefield can help you, please contact Jennifer Milne.
LEADING THE WAY TO A MORE SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
Sustainability is a complicated topic. And while most of us are generally familiar with the term, the details may be less transparent. Cushman & Wakefield sustainability experts have produced thought leadership to help you navigate its critical components. 
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