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20 Sep 2023

ACT members will benefit from a long term discounted commission of just 3%

15 Sep 2023

The team from Whistler Adventure School (WAS), which recently became the only centre in Canada accredited to offer Cytech technical three, is to deliver a series of free sessions in Scotland,...

13 Sep 2023

The recent pledge by police forces across England and Wales to pursue every lead that holds a reasonable chance of apprehending criminals and solving crimes has been welcomed by Bira, which...

12 Sep 2023

A family-run Liverpool restaurant hidden inside a basement is officially Britain's best vegan venue.

11 Sep 2023

A warning has been issued that shoplifters in the UK are becoming increasingly “emboldened” and appear to be often orchestrated by organised criminal groups, which steal to order,...

11 Sep 2023

It has been suggested that some shop owners may be unaware or unprepared for the upcoming change to regulations on single-use plastics on plates, bowls, trays, containers, cutlery and balloon...

30 Aug 2023

Allwyn, incoming operator of The National Lottery, has urged independent National Lottery retailers to log on to its new online retailer portal via 

30 Aug 2023

Shop owners have expressed scepticism that the Home Secretary's recent call for every theft to be investigated by the police will come to fruition, suggesting that police resources are already...

29 Aug 2023

Consumer confidence is showing “renewed optimism” against a backdrop of falling core inflation, new figures suggest.
 

29 Aug 2023

Shop owners in a part of Coventry have rallied together to launch a street market, with hopes of boosting the number of people that visit the area.

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How independents can become more sustainable

Posted on in Business News , Cycles News

From saving energy and lighting costs, to using biodegradable packaging and prolonging a product’s lifespan, Drapers Magazine has been looking at how independent retailers can improve their sustainability practices.

sustainability logo

You can read the full article here but key points made in the piece include:

Independent retailers can aim to meet their sustainability targets by fitting their stores in the most low-impact materials available. From lighting to the materials used for furniture and shelving, the interior elements used can add to a business’s sustainability credentials.

Retailers should opt for LED (light-emitting diode) lighting to limit their energy usage. LED lights use less energy and last for up to 14 years. LEDs also require less energy to produce the same amount of brightness as incandescent bulbs, reducing running costs by up to 90%.

The article also points to how independent retailers have taken further practical steps to save energy against rising costs, mentioning Padstow-based clothing and accessories independent Aloft in Cornwall, which is conserving energy by keeping doors closed to conserve heating during the day and turning the lights off when the store is closed overnight.

Independent retailers are also advised to explore the use of recyclable or reusable packaging for both in store and online sales.

Independents, it says, can take the lead of womenswear retailer Black White Denim in Wilmslow, Cheshire, which has started its own rental service. It introduced the option to rent occasion wear dresses and tops in 2020. Its current rental selection offers London-based womenswear brand Self-Portrait. Consumers can rent products for four days at a cost of 16%-25% of the retail price, equivalent to £50-£60 to rent for four days, plus an additional refundable deposit of 20% of the retail price. The womenswear boutique handles the entire process, from delivery and shipping returns to cleaning.

Rental allows retailers to maximise the utilisation of their stock, providing them with a “secondary income.

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