How Sustainable Design Can Save You Money

Going green has gone mainstream. That means retailers who aren’t now incorporating sustainability into their operations risk losing customers. The good news is you can achieve both sustainable retail design and profitability, because eco-friendliness offers superb marketing opportunities and rewards. Simply put, sustainable design can save you money, improve employee satisfaction, boost customer loyalty, and attract new customers. Why wouldn’t you want to give it a try? So jump on board and follow these 7 tips for sustainable design in your retail store.

Make a plan.

Consider how your store impacts the environment. That includes your store design, whether you own the building or lease the space, and also your merchandise and daily operations. Then identify changes you can make that will improve your triple bottom line – economic, social and environmental goals:

1. Start (or expand) a recycling program.
2. Improve lighting with skylights or LED lighting.
3. Use awnings to shade windows and cool your interior.
4. Install automatic on-off sensors in restrooms and dressing rooms.
5. Choose locally sourced, recycled materials for construction and decorating, including flooring.
6. Add some greenery to your exterior.
7. Use branded, reusable merchandise bags (and offer a little discount to customers who do reuse them).

You don’t have to tackle every idea at once. Start small with something that’s relatively easy and quick to implement. As it takes hold, you’ll build enthusiasm and momentum to do more.

Encourage everyone to be part of your solution.

Whether you’re a newly appointed “sustainability guru” within a large retail organization or a small shop owner with a couple of employees, getting active buy-in is paramount for success. Explain why you’re moving toward sustainable retail:

• Reduce environmental impact such as your carbon footprint.
• Save energy and money.
• Comply with regulations.
• Enhance brand awareness and image.
• Increase revenue.
• Get (or stay) ahead of the competition
• Do your part as a good community neighbor.

Get your customers involved. Sustainable store design and other efforts will build loyalty with existing customers and draw additional interest from prospective shoppers. It can improve their in-store experience, but why stop there? Get them even more excited by engaging them in the process. Ask customers for ideas on making your store design or merchandise greener. And offer loyalty program rewards for sustainable purchases.

Promote your program.

Widely publicize your green initiatives, using your website, advertising, social media, blog, in-store signage and merchandise bag stuffers. Actively promote sustainable products by featuring them in displays and demonstrations.

Sustainable retail store design and operations practices are the wave of the future. If customers don’t see you as part of the solution, even your long-term customers may see you as out of touch. If you need more ideas, the Retail Industry Leaders Association promotes sustainability leadership by providing education, best practices and networking, all designed to help you devise solutions that will help your retail store as well as the environment.

Palmer Retail Solutions strives to offer our clients the absolute best combination of innovation, quality, service, and value for our diversified custom store fixtures and merchandising displays. For more information about our designs, retail fixtures, cash wraps, kiosks, or point of purchase displays, visit our website at: http://www.palmerretailsolutions.com.