Retail Sector Case Studies
Marks and Spencer, the UK’s 8th largest food retailer, has
imbedded sustainability into its M&S brand. With 12 million
customers per week shopping in 350 stores across the nation, the
company’s vision is to be the UK’s most trusted retailer
in terms of sustainability.
Biodiversity constitutes an inherent part of sustainable sourcing
of raw materials and overall operational thinking. Wherever significant
sustainability impacts of raw material sourcing are identified,
the company aims to support best practice, avoid bad practice and
encourage the bulk of its supply chain operations to improve their
performance.
Marks & Spencer has carried out a comprehensive analysis of
its biodiversity impacts which revealed three focus areas for improving
the sustainability of its product line. Through these focus areas
- fish, wood and cotton - the company can concentrate resources
not only on securing sources which meet minimum standards and criteria,
but work to improve biodiversity performance within the industries
supplying these products.
Marks & Spencer also have biodiversity standards for all of
its fresh produce growers and have a programme to phase out the
use of peat in the growing of their flowers and plants.
Photocredit: forest carnivor: Kevin Schafer
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Marks
& Spencer