Retail cannot ever be described as “sustainable” per se, but it can work to be “less unsustainable”, the Retail Technology Show 2025 audience heard last week.
That was a key point made by Green Retail World editor, Ben Sillitoe, as he hosted a panel debate with senior representatives from tech retailer Currys, online fashion house Asos, and trade association the British Retail Consortium (BRC).
As the conversation unfolded, the guests detailed ways in which they or the industry in general are changing operations in order to reduce their impact on the planet and to be better citizens. And in several cases, the moves being made are helping drive revenue to prove sustainability thinking and business growth can sit neatly side by side.
Paula Coughlan, chief people, communications & sustainability officer at Currys, said: “We’re making tech ever more accessible, so that everyone can afford, enjoy, and make the most of it.
“Then we’re giving that tech longer life through repair, refurb and recycle. It’s where purpose and profit come together to deliver a sustainable business model – that’s the sweet spot.”
Referencing the Currys repair centre based at Newark, east midlands, where tens of thousands of unwanted electrical items have been sent from in-store customer collections and either fixed and resold or harvested for parts, she added: “There’s huge pride and passion involved in this, from all our expert colleagues working in our repair services across Currys.
“They know what they’re doing is so important and they absolutely love it – it’s so inspiring to see.”
Reflecting on retail’s sensitivity to macro-economic conditions and the competitive landscape, Coughlan commented: “The margins aren’t high, so whatever you do has got to hit that ‘sweet spot’.
“It has to have a commercial benefit, be something the customer wants and needs, and then it has to be good for the planet as well. That’s how you get the commitment, and that’s how you get the energy out there.”
Asos managing director of Europe and Rest of the World, Jag Weatherley, revealed the retailer has recently opted to work with TrusTrace to map its supply chain and help boost transparency across its operations – a fundamental move in helping the organisation make environmental and ethical improvements going forward.
She talked up the value of “circularity” as a growing force in fashion, and commended the partnership Asos established with garment rental platform Hirestreet as evidence of her company’s commitment to grow in this space. Other tie-ups with the likes of Secret Sales, to help keep stock in circulation, were also referenced.
“November was big for us in the sustainability arena as we had a reset recently under our banner of ‘Fashion with Integrity’,” Weatherley explained.
Sophie De Salis, sustainability policy adviser at the BRC, was positive about the trade body’s partnerships with IBM and Mondra in helping retailers measure their carbon footprint and providing information that allows them to understand ways to reduce it.
In terms of prioritising sustainability action within a business, she added: “I’d advise doing a risk versus reward analysis […] get internal buy in via education and the commercial leaders on board as well.”
Read more about the BRC’s work in sustainability on Green Retail World
[image credit: Currys]
