What sustainable merchandising practices have you learned?

1 Choose eco-friendly materials

One of the most important aspects of sustainable merchandising is to select materials that are durable, renewable, recyclable, biodegradable, or organic. These materials reduce the amount of waste, energy, and resources that are needed to produce and transport the products, as well as the potential harm to the environment and human health. For example, you can opt for natural fibers like cotton, hemp, or bamboo, or recycled materials like plastic bottles, paper, or metal. You can also look for certifications or labels that indicate the environmental and social standards of the materials, such as Fair Trade, Organic, or Cradle to Cradle.

2 Optimize product design

Another way to practice sustainable merchandising is to optimize the product design to make it more functional, efficient, and adaptable. This means creating products that serve multiple purposes, have long lifespans, can be easily repaired or upgraded, or can be transformed into new products. For example, you can design clothing that can be worn in different ways, furniture that can be assembled or disassembled, or accessories that can be customized or mixed and matched. You can also use modular or standardized components that can be interchanged or replaced.

3 Reduce packaging waste

Packaging is an essential part of merchandising, as it protects, transports, and displays the products, as well as conveys the brand identity and message. However, packaging also generates a lot of waste, especially if it is made of single-use or non-recyclable materials. To reduce packaging waste, you can adopt some of the following practices: use minimal or reusable packaging, use recycled or biodegradable materials, use eco-friendly inks and labels, use clear or transparent packaging to showcase the product, or use creative or innovative packaging that adds value or functionality to the product.

4 Implement green logistics

Logistics is the process of planning, implementing, and controlling the movement and storage of products from the point of origin to the point of consumption. It involves various activities, such as transportation, warehousing, inventory management, and distribution. Green logistics is the practice of minimizing the environmental impact of these activities, while maintaining or improving the service quality and efficiency. Some of the green logistics practices that you can implement are: use low-emission or alternative-fuel vehicles, optimize the routes and loads, consolidate shipments and deliveries, use local or regional suppliers and distributors, or use digital or electronic systems to track and manage inventory and orders.

5 Promote circular economy

Circular economy is a concept that aims to eliminate waste and extend the value and use of resources by creating closed loops of production and consumption. It involves designing products that can be easily reused, repaired, refurbished, or recycled, as well as creating business models that enable the recovery and regeneration of materials and products. For example, you can promote circular economy by offering services such as rental, leasing, subscription, or sharing, or by providing incentives or programs for customers to return or exchange their used products for new ones or for credits or discounts.

6 Educate and engage customers

The final and perhaps the most crucial practice of sustainable merchandising is to educate and engage customers about the benefits and values of sustainability, as well as the actions and choices that they can make to support it. You can do this by using various communication channels and tools, such as signage, labels, displays, brochures, websites, social media, or events. You can also use storytelling, testimonials, or interactive features to showcase the stories and impacts of your products, suppliers, or partners. You can also encourage customer feedback, participation, or advocacy, by creating communities, forums, or campaigns that foster dialogue and collaboration.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?