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NEWS

4 OCTOBER 2024 ASIAN TRADER 7

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NEWS

With the retail landscape

continuing to evolve, perhaps

no challenge is as pressing as the

need for sustainability. As

independent retailers, we have a

unique opportunity – and

responsibility – to lead the

charge in creating a sustainable

and circular economy.

Sustainability in retail goes

far beyond simply of ering

eco-friendly products. It’s about

reimagining our business

model, from sourcing and

packaging to energy use and

waste management. The

circular economy takes this a

step further, aiming to elimi-

nate waste and maximise

resource use through continu-

ous reuse, repair, and recycling.

Consumer attitudes towards

sustainability are evolving.

Many are now actively trying to

reduce their environmental

impact and increasingly expect

the same from brands. Research

suggests a signiﬁ cant portion of

consumers are inﬂ uenced by

businesses with sustainability

credentials. This shift in

behaviour represents a

signiﬁ cant opportunity for

independent retailers who

embrace sustainable practices.

While exact ﬁ gures may

vary, the overall trend is clear.

Sustainability is becoming a key

factor in consumer deci-

sion-making.

Sustainability often goes

hand-in-hand with ef ciency

and cost savings. By reducing

waste, minimising packaging,

and optimising energy use,

retailers can signiﬁ cantly cut

operational costs. For instance,

switching to LED lighting or

installing solar panels can lead

to substantial savings on energy

bills over time.

But perhaps most impor-

tantly, as independent retailers

deeply rooted in our local

communities, we have a

responsibility to be good

stewards of our environment.

So, how can independent

retailers start their sustainabili-

ty journey? Here are a few

practical steps:

1. Of er eco-friendly products.

Look for suppliers who

prioritise sustainability in their

manufacturing processes.

2. Minimise packaging. Opt for

minimal, recyclable, or biode-

gradable packaging options.

3. Implement a recycling

programme. Make it easy for

customers to recycle or return

products at the end of their

lifecycle.

4. Reduce energy consumption.

Switch to energy-ef cient

lighting and appliances and

consider renewable energy

sources.

5. Educate customers. Share

information about your

sustainability ef orts and how

customers can participate.

6. Join initiatives like #Beat-

TheReceipt. Commit to making

paper receipts optional,

reducing paper waste.

At Bira, we’ve developed a

Sustainability Policy to guide

our own practices and of er

resources to help retailers

implement sustainable

strategies. We’re also proud

sponsors of The Sustainable

Business Podcast.

Sustainability isn’t just about

being environmentally

responsible – it’s about

future-prooﬁ ng your business.

As regulations tighten and

consumer expectations evolve,

sustainable practices will

become increasingly crucial for

business success.

The journey towards

sustainability may seem

daunting, but remember, every

small step counts. Start with

what you can manage today, and

gradually build on your ef orts:

our collective actions can make

a signiﬁ cant impact.

As we look to the future of

independent retail, let’s

commit to being at the forefront

of sustainable business

practices. By doing so, we’re not

just ensuring the longevity of

our own businesses but

contributing to a healthier

planet for future generations.

Bira CEO Andrew Goodacre talks all things sustainability and who

retailers need to embrace change for the good

Embracing sustainability - a crucial

step for independent retailers

Valeo Foods Group acquires

European snack maker

Valeo, which owns brands such as

Rowse Honey, Kettle Crisps, and

Barratt, has acquired I.D.C. Holding,

an independent producer of wafers,

biscuits, confectionery and

chocolate in Central and Eastern

Europe.

Valeo noted that the company

was a “natural ﬁ t” with its sweet

snacking platform and would form

the cornerstone for its operations in

the Eastern European market. I.D.C.

produces some of the most

recognisable sweet snack brands

across Slovakia, Czech, Poland and

Hungary, including Horalky, Mila and

Lina. In 2023, the business generat-

ed sales of almost €200m.

Asda workers stage

protest over equal pay

Asda staf held demonstrations to

start an equal pay claim involving

over 60,000 staf .

In Manchester, dozens of workers

demonstrated outside the Civil

Justice Centre, where the case

began. In Brighton, Asda staf

protested at the TUC congress,

where delegates debated GMB’s

motion on equal pay.

The case centres on the fact the

mostly female retail workforce

earns £3.74 per hour less than the

male warehouse workforce.

The GMB said it was the biggest

case ever in the private sector, with

the tribunal hearing expected to last

three months.

Sisters sells European

poultry arm

Poultry giant Ranjit Singh Boparan’s

private of ce will take over Boparan

Holdings Limited’s European

Poultry business in a deal worth

more than €200 million.

Boparan said the transaction will

beneﬁ t both Boparan Holdings,

which owns 2 Sisters Food Group,

and the Boparan Private Of ce as it

creates a “stronger, more agile

group of businesses” and provides a

platform for an “unprecedented

level of internal investment”.

The deal is expected to strength-

en 2 Sisters Food Group’s balance

sheet, reducing debt to the lowest

point in over a decade.

By Andrew

Goodacre, CEO

of Bira (British

Independent

Retailers

Association)

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