The Importance of Sustainability in Retail in 2025

Sustainability in retail is more important than ever, with consumers expecting retailers to be responsible and do their bit to reduce carbon emissions.

In this blog, we’ll discuss the importance of sustainability in retail in 2025 and what you can do to become a more sustainable retailer, from participating in recycling programmes to investing in sustainable retail uniforms.

What do we mean by sustainable retail practices?

Sustainability is important and more than just a buzzword or a platitude. It means taking action to minimise your impact on the planet, including plants, animals, and of course humans. It’s investing in the future of the planet by making choices that have the long-term in mind.

Why is it important for retailers to prioritise sustainability?

There are many good reasons why retailers should prioritise sustainability, with benefits for both customers and stakeholders.

1. Customers expect sustainability

According to PwC’s 2024 Voice of the Consumer Survey, 85% of respondents report experiencing firsthand the disruptive effects of climate change in their daily lives. It’s no surprise that the environment has an influence on consumers’ purchasing decisions. In that same survey, 46% of respondents said that they are buying more sustainable products or products with a reduced climate impact.

Similarly, a recent EU survey found that 73% of surveyed EU citizens said the environmental impact of a product is “very important” or “rather important” to them when making a purchasing decision. 

2. Keep up with your competitors

The retail landscape is more competitive now than in the past thanks to the internet. There’s a wealth of choices out there and it’s important to distinguish yourself from the competition and prevent your customer base from jumping ship.

According to Deloitte, 65% of companies are using more sustainable materials, 62% are increasing the efficiency of energy use, and 50% are developing new climate-friendly products or services. This means if you want to keep up with your competitors, it’s time to start operating more sustainably.

What’s more, the PwC 2024 Voice of the Consumer Survey found that consumers would be willing to pay 9.7% above average price for sustainably produced or sourced goods.

3. Stay aligned with government policies and regulations

Environmental regulations are constantly evolving as we see the effects of overconsumption on climate change. To prevent any disruptions to your business, it is important to keep up to date on the latest environmental policy and regulation changes.

Policies like Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR) require large companies to disclose their energy use, carbon footprint, and greenhouse gas emissions, while the Climate Change Act 2008 means all businesses have a responsibility to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050.

4. Improve your company image and reputation

Adopting sustainable business practices isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s also a great PR opportunity when talked about transparently and honestly. Consumers value transparency and integrity and this can help promote customer loyalty and improve your reputation.

As Millennials and Gen Z progress in their careers and find themselves with more disposable income, it’s become crucial for retailers to appeal to them. According to a Statista survey from 2022, nearly 60% of Millennial and Gen Z consumers say they’re more loyal to brands that speak up in the face of social issues.

According to an Attest and Clear Channel survey, 59% of shoppers in general report being willing to pay a premium for environmentally friendly or ethically made products. That number is even higher among Gen Z, where 76% say they’re willing to pay extra for products that are better for people and the planet. That’s higher than any other generation.

Operating sustainably can also help with recruitment. A survey by Deloitte found that over half of Millennial and Gen Z respondents report researching a brand’s environmental impact and policies before accepting a job offer. Roughly half of Millennial and Gen Z respondents say they’ve pressured their employers to take action on climate matters, but only one in six feel like they have the opportunity to make a difference.

How can you become a more sustainable retailer?

Now that we’ve detailed the reasons why it’s necessary for retailers to adopt sustainable business practices, let’s talk about how to put these ideas into action.

1. Prioritise carrying sustainable brands and products 

Start by looking at the products you sell. Customers can’t buy sustainable products if they’re not on the shelves. Not only should they be available to purchase, but they should also be featured prominently at the ends of aisles, freestanding displays, at eye level on shelves, or in high-traffic areas like the entrance and tills.

It’s also good to label these more sustainable and ethical products with stickers that indicate if they’re sustainably produced, locally made, or ethically made. This can help encourage customers to make more thoughtful, socially conscious choices.

PwC’s Voice of the Consumer Survey 2024 found that on average, consumers are willing to spend 10.5% more if the product is locally produced and sourced and 10% more if it’s made from recycled, sustainable, or eco-friendly materials.

2. Sell refurbished, gently used, and upcycled goods

The popular sustainability motto of ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’ is in order of priority. Circular approaches fit well into the ‘reduce’ and ‘reuse’ parts of the motto. Both larger and smaller businesses are looking at circular approaches to reach their sustainability goals.

Some products cannot be sold as new when they’ve been returned and sometimes products break and get sent back and replaced under warranty. This can cause waste, but one way to prevent those products from going to landfill, while offering your customers a great deal, is by refurbishing them and selling them at a discount.

People’s tastes and needs change over time and sometimes a product doesn’t suit them anymore and they want to rehome it. Selling stuff online is time-consuming because of the time associated with listing items for sale, communicating with customers, and shipping the items. Some retailers offer buyback programmes to make it easier for customers to offload things they’ve purchased, often with incentives such as cash or store credit. Those looking to shop secondhand can score some deals on gently used clothing and maybe even find some discontinued favourites.

What if a returned product is in poor condition and cannot be resold as is? One option to prevent it from going to landfill is by upcycling it. Some shops buy vintage clothing in bulk and refashion it into something more modern and wearable, giving it a new lease on life, like a modern-day ‘make do and mend’.

3. Change your packaging provider

To reduce waste and your carbon footprint, it’s important to consider what your product packaging is made of and if it’s biodegradable or can be recycled or reused. There have been many advances in materials for sustainable packaging recently like bioplastics and there are many vendors that sell recycled packaging, biodegradable packaging, compostable, and even edible packaging. 

4. Participate in recycling programmes

Waste is inevitable and to ensure as few things as possible end up in landfill, it’s good to participate in recycling programmes such as having take-back programmes for empty product packaging and offering incentives for doing so or partnerships with companies that offer schemes to recycle product packaging. 

5. Opt for energy-efficient equipment, lights, and appliances

While it’s a big upfront investment, energy-efficient equipment and appliances can save money over time since they cost less to run. One way to do this cost-effectively is by replacing old, inefficient equipment and electronics that are frequently being used or are running constantly, so not everything needs to be replaced at once.

When purchasing new equipment and appliances, it’s important to look at the energy ratings, paying close attention to how much energy an appliance consumes and how it compares to similar models. Additionally, when possible, unplug chargers and devices when they’re not in use to prevent phantom power (when a device consumes a small amount of energy even when it’s seemingly powered off). This helps save money and reduce your energy usage.

6. Switch to sustainable uniforms

Major retailers have thousands of employees, which means a lot of uniforms and, therefore, an impact on the environment. While uniforms are important for a professional, polished look, they don’t have to cost the earth. Uniforms are effective marketing tools and they’re a great way of demonstrating your commitment to sustainability and leading by example.

When considering sustainable uniforms, it is important to consider the materials and durability. The good news is there are quite a few sustainable fabrics to consider. Organic cotton is soft and breathable, and, since it’s natural, a 100% cotton garment can decompose in just a few months. In some environments, cotton may not be the best fit, so the uniform will need to be made of polyester, which is made from crude oil. One of many sustainable alternatives is using recycled polyester, which is made from post-consumer plastic waste. At Murray, we are constantly researching new sustainable fabric offerings to create our bespoke uniforms.

It’s important when buying uniforms to think about the cost of ownership. This can easily be visualised in terms of cost per wear. While a cheaper garment may have a lower price tag, the cost per wear can be higher than something more expensive but longer lasting. When uniforms are made to last, they don’t need to be replaced as often, which is better for the environment, and saves money too! 

Get one step closer to your sustainability goals by investing in a bespoke retail uniform

At Murray Uniforms, we design and manufacture bespoke retail uniforms that make wearers look smart and feel great so they can Work Smarter®. Our process for designing uniforms, the Science of Uniform®, is data-backed and results in uniforms that help boost productivity. Every garment has over 100 years and five generations of textiles and tailoring expertise in every stitch and seam.

No two customers are alike and we take an individualised consultative approach, getting to know your business and your goals before getting started on designs. We create long-term partnerships and pride ourselves on our legendary service and inherent integrity.

Ready to take the next steps towards sustainability with our long-lasting uniforms? Book your consultation today.

Book Your Consultation Today