We learned that retail companies’ sustainability programs are following a continuous development curve. They begin by developing programs and practices, implementing strategies and technologies, and collaborating internally and externally. These activities uncover significant business benefits that fuel further investment in turn. As the retail sustainability field evolves, a class of top performers has emerged—those companies that have defined the development curve for the industry by embracing the full breadth of sustainability activities, thereby achieving an equally wide breadth of benefits.

Top performers take advantage of this development dynamic by leveraging the key ingredients for success, namely engaging executives, investing in people and systems, measuring and tracking progress, setting goals, and storytelling. These top-performing companies define their sustainability program to include the widest breadth of issues—from facilities’ environmental impact reduction to supply chain and stakeholder engagement—and recognize the broadest benefits from it.

RILA looks forward to continuing to engage retail executives on the sustainability journey and sharing as the industry evolves its programs.