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Reset Responsibly

Retail sustainability—the new management approach

April 6, 2022

Reset sustainability in retail and fashion

The retail C-suite has been faced with a series of challenges only few could imagine. The industry has never undergone such a colossal trial, and it also has never been presented a more powerful opportunity to demonstrate responsibility and resilience—and emerge stronger.

A retail strategy that sets the pace

The need to transform the retail sector has accelerated as we see more consumers, employees and investors favoring companies that have an authentic ESG strategy across all business disciplines.

Retailers are in a powerful position to make changes that drive sustainability across functions while enabling a profitable future. Leaders are thinking about ESG not as a problem to solve, but as the solution to cleaner, more efficient, less wasteful practices.

Scaling ESG Solutions in Fashion

This report is a call to action for the fashion industry, proposing detailed sustainability activities and solutions across seven priority areas. Read more.

Seize the moment

This report explores how retailers can reimagine their businesses via the lens of sustainability to enable a responsible and resilient future. Read more.

Scaling ESG solutions in fashion

View Transcript

In fashion specifically, extraordinary levels of collaboration, commitment, consumer engagement, innovation and technology are required to transform the industry at speed and scale. With an industry valued at almost US$3 trillion and an estimated 1 in 6 people working in fashion, the size and breadth bring significant climate and socio-economic impacts—and opportunities.

The path ahead is complex and calls for a strategic approach.

Our new report  Scaling ESG Solutions in Fashion provides prioritized actions based on seven high impact areas:

Climate

Raw materials

Chemicals

Fair labor

Sustainability measurement

Innovation & circularity

Engaging consumers

A retail fashion industry designed to endure

The retail industry has proven decade after decade that it is adaptable and resilient. Recent and ongoing changes happening in the world can serve as a call to rebuild yet again—but with new ambitions to be more responsible to shareholders, employees and the planet.

In collaboration with WWD, the Responsible Business Coalition at Fordham University, and Fashion Makes Change, read the new guide on Scaling ESG Solutions in Fashion.

Cara Smyth

Senior Managing Director – Sustainability

Cara works with retail clients to build responsibility and resilience into their Environmental, Social and Governance strategies.

Frank Zambrelli

MANAGING DIRECTOR – SUSTAINABILITY

Frank works with clients globally to guide Environmental, Social and Governance practices across multiple sectors of retail.

Get the essentials

Read our reports to find out how retailers can demonstrate responsibility and resilience, and reset their retail and fashion businesses with an ESG approach.

The Big Read

20 minute read

Full report

This report is a call to action for the fashion industry, proposing detailed activities and solutions across seven high impact areas.

VIEW FULL REPORT

20 minute read

Full report

This report explores why now is the moment for retailers to adopt environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices to thrive.

VIEW FULL REPORT

Short on Time?

5 minute read

Short report

This short report summarizes priority sustainability actions across seven high impact areas for retail leaders to take today.

VIEW

5 minute read

Short report

This short report explores how retailers can reimagine their businesses via the lens of sustainability to enable a resilient future.

VIEW

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