Marks & Spencer boss Stuart Rose has reported the benefits of environmental scheme Plan A, just one year into the programme.
The retailer launched its £200 million five-year plan in response to the growing challenges of climate change and sustainable sourcing.
Plan A comprises 100 points on which the company wishes to become more environmentally and socially sound.
“We knew that in Marks & Spencer we had the choice of taking a lead in this area or being a follower,” Rose told The Times. “Plan A is not only the right thing to do but, commercially, will help differentiate us in the eyes of our customers.
“It's been a great way to involve our customers, employees and suppliers in change,” he added. “In particular, Plan A is encouraging our suppliers to see environmental and social issues less as the issue of basic compliance and more as the opportunity to innovate, bringing us new ideas and solutions.”
So far, Plan A has led to 31 per cent of the high street retailer's customers washing their clothes at a lower temperature, the reduction of plastic food carrier bag usage by 11 per cent, and a 55,000-tonne drop in CO2 emissions in M&S stores.
The plan aims to make the retailer’s operations carbon neutral, to send none of its waste to landfill, to extend sustainable sourcing of its raw materials, set new standards in ethical trading and to help customers and employees live healthier lives, all by 2012.
“It's a good start, but there's still much to do,” Rose said. “Plan A has given us a clear direction in tackling social and environmental issues, which are evolving rapidly.”
No comments yet