Environmental Sustainability

Whether we all realize it or not, there has been a shift in the force. We're changing our stripes as a consumer-based society. Where once choice was primarily driven only by factors like quality, price, brand affinity, and even endorsement, now other, larger existential factors are impacting how we make purchase decisions — namely, how…

Given the growing returns crisis within the United States' e-commerce and apparel sector, the urgency to address the core issues cannot be overstated. Why? Because a staggering 2.6 million tonnes of returned clothing have amassed in the country, signaling a critical juncture for retailers to rethink their strategies. In 2023 alone, clothing returns soared to…

In 2024, the demand for sustainable practices in retail is more than just a trend; it has become a fundamental shift in consumer expectations and regulatory requirements. Consumers increasingly make purchasing decisions based on a company's environmental impact, looking beyond the surface to see which brands are committed to making a difference. Concurrently, governments worldwide…

In episode 441 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Yikun Shao, head of supply chain, North America at Alibaba.com, a leading platform for global B2B e-commerce. Listen in as Shao discusses his professional background and current role at Alibaba.com (0:55), leveraging the organization's supply chain capabilities to empower small businesses (3:45), the adoption…

Many retail businesses are charting their courses for 2024, exploring inventive avenues to enhance their services and elevate the overall customer experience. Keeping up with the latest trends in the retail landscape will be crucial to their success. And to my mind, three particular trends are poised to shape the retail narrative in 2024: automation,…

New Balance has become the latest company to launch its own resale website, following the steps of more than 160 brands that have so far adopted resale. The sportswear and lifestyle brand will enable consumers to shop and sell pre-owned New Balance shoes via a dedicated website in the U.S, which is powered by Archive Resale,…

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.…