Green Retail World has covered big news from Ella’s Kitchen and Footasylum this week, as well as a big interview for our Seeds of Change series with Nespresso sustainability manager Mary Child. But here are five additional news-in-brief items to round up the last seven days in greener retailing.
M&S’s ‘low carbon parsnips’
Marks & Spencer (M&S) is autonomously farming parsnips, and the retailer said the process reduces carbon and improves crop quality and quantity.
Funded by the M&S Plan A Accelerator Fund, the initiative allows the retailer to grow parsnips with less impact on the planet than before. It involves an ‘autonomous field’ trial comprising two robots for bed forming, planting, and weeding; two different types of drone to monitor and maintain crop health; and the latest scientific testing on soil health and carbon impact.
The process helps keep carbon locked into the soil, and uses significantly less diesel power than a traditional tractor, according to M&S. Parsnips grown through this new method will be available to purchase at the retailer for the first time this November.
AllSaints rental
Fashion retailer AllSaints has launched a new rental service, supported by ACS Clothing.
For £79 per month, consumers can rent two items at a time, return them and select something else – covering a wide range of goods from the brand.
People can exchange their styles as often as they want throughout the month as long as it’s only two items they hold at any one time. The returned items are professionally cleaned and kept in circulation for other customers to hire.
Shoppers who decide they want to keep the items will get a chance to purchase these items for up to 60% off the retail price.
Primark’s Durability Framework
Fashion retailer Primark has launched a set of guidelines designed to “set the bar” for how the retail industry can extend the life of clothing.
The Primark Durability Framework draws on insights from global environmental NGO Wrap and its Textiles 2030 initiative, and is supported by research from environmental charity Hubbub and the University of Leeds School of Design.
Primark has made the framework publicly available in an effort to drive a positive dialogue on the topic across the industry, while also using it internally to help boost the lifespan of the clothing it produces.
Catherine David, director of collaboration at Wrap, commented: “Extending clothing life by nine months can reduce carbon, waste, and water footprints by up to 30%.
“If we can help people wear their clothes for longer, we can make an impact on the environmental footprint of the clothing sector.”
Vicki Swain, product longevity & partnership lead at Primark Cares, the retailer’s internal sustainability and circularity division, said: “When we find clothes that we love, we wear them again and again and again.
“The Durability Framework will support on delivering enhanced durability across our ranges, meaning that customers can continue to wear their favourite clothes for longer. It’s an important step towards our goal of strengthening the durability of our clothing by 2025.”
Perfect Second Moment
Luxury skiwear and lifestyle brand Perfect Moment has expanded its Reflaunt-powered resale programme to the UK, France, Italy and Germany.
Dubbed Perfect Second Moment, the initiative facilitates customers’ return of worn Perfect Moment skiwear and accessories in exchange for vouchers that can be used for future purchases.
Perfect Moment CEO Mark Buckley said: “This global expansion represents another important milestone in the evolution of Perfect Second Moment, where we now provide on a greater scale a simple and efficient solution to decreasing waste and providing for a more sustainable future.
“It also rewards our Perfect Moment customers for their loyalty and shared commitment to the environment by subsidising the cost of their next Perfect Moment purchase.”
The company launched Perfect Second Moment in the US in May.
Currys selects Ohme as EV charger partner
Consumer electronics retailer Currys has selected Ohme as its electric vehicle (EV) charger partner.
Currys is planning on selling EV chargers direct to consumers, with Ohme products available online and with dedicated points of sale being rolled out across 50 of the retailer’s flagship stores.
Zoe Lucid, senior buyer at Currys, said: “With EV sales in the UK up more than 10% this year, this new partnership between Currys and Ohme chargers was a natural step to offer to our customers.
“Ohme’s award-winning chargers and reputation for excellent customer service meant it was the obvious choice for Currys’ customers helping them to make more sustainable choices combined with cutting-edge technology.”
David Watson, CEO at Ohme, added: “It’s an exciting new route to the retail market that will bring EV chargers to a new audience, helping them to access smarter, greener and cheaper EV charging in the future and ensuring that no driver is left behind in the transition to e-mobility.”
[image credit: Green Retail World]
