by Jeff Sharfstein, CEO, The Strive Group
If you look on the shelves in just about any store today, you are hard pressed to find a product that is not emblazoned with some form of “green” label on it. And it’s no accident. CPG companies know that sustainability is no longer just a fad; consumers’ demand for environmentally-friendly products is not waning. In fact, it has grown so strong that consumers no longer just want green products, they also want to know the companies that make—and sell—those products are doing good for the world across their operations. Retailers have been quick to take note of this and make adjustments at all levels of their businesses—Walmart and Ikea are two examples among the many that have implemented changes in areas of their supply chains, expansion efforts, marketing and so on.
As both CPGs and retailers prepare to operate in this new-normal environment, merchandising supply chain companies can serve as a critical missing link that can not only enable better collaboration between the brands and stores, but also can leverage their understanding of consumer habits to get the maximum value—fiscally and environmentally—out of each and every sustainability effort.
There are several simple, yet impactful ways merchandising supply chain company are working with their clients to increase sustainability with limited additional work. This joint-value model is becoming common-place, not just for sustainability but across strategic initiatives.
Read the complete article at Environmental Leader