If New Zealand is known for anything, it’s the stunning landscapes. Can you blame businesses for wanting to keep it pristine?
This year, spurred on by a growing global movement of brands pushing toward sustainable practices, more and more retailers made commitments to reduce carbon footprints and find better ways of doing sustainable business.
Here are some of favourite stories on this growing movement.
Retailers commit to reduce climate footprint
September saw the launch of Gen Less, a government sponsored initiative to help New Zealanders and local businesses reduce their climate footprint.
Several retailers, including Countdown, NZ Post, Ecostore and Ethique voiced support for the program.
The Iconic launches sustainable fashion vertical
The online marketplace launched a new initiative called Considered, which allows users to find products on the site based on five different values: sustainable materials, eco-production, fair production, animal-friendly and community engagement.
Considered launched with more than 6400 products available, and saw new items added everyday.
Ecostore targets carbon neutrality by end of 2019
Skincare brand Ecostore announced it would be carbon neutral by the end of the year, having offset 769 tonnes of carbon already through its carboNZero-certified manufacturing plant since 2010.
Ecostore managing director Pablo Kraus said businesses needed to step up and recognise they can be a force for good.
Searches for sustainable products on the rise, but few companies responding
Kiwis are increasingly searching Google for ethical products and services, but most local companies are still using traditional sales-driven advertising messages and few are being transparent about ethics, products and services. It remains, for them, an effective strategy.
Only those companies and industries that are already under pressure to advertise their ethical credentials are being transparent about their sustainable practices, according to digital agency Insight Online.
Kathmandu proves retailers shouldn’t be afraid of transparency
The Kathmandu journey began 30 years ago, born from a desire to make outdoor adventure more accessible to everyone.
Fast forward to 2019, and the brand is responding to the ever-changing needs of travellers and acting with people and planet in mind.
Sustainability a bigger factor in Kiwis’ purchasing decisions
Sustainability is not just something New Zealanders care about at a policy level, it also is increasingly influencing their purchasing decisions, according to a recently released report.
About 68 per cent of New Zealanders surveyed care about the sustainability of a large retail brand when making a purchase, the In Good Company report showed.
