Save the Earth, Save a Buck
Retailers who pursue green agendas can actually reduce costs at the same time, according to a new study by SSA & Co., a global operations consulting firm based in New York.
“Going green isn’t just good corporate citizenship—it’s a strategy for driving out inefficiency,” said Suzanne Long, the company’s retail practice leader. “Retailers spend millions of dollars on their green agendas, but never see the opportunity those agendas present to operate smarter, more efficiently and with lower cost.”
“Going Green in the Retail Industry,” the SSA study, draws on more than 20 environmental projects at some of the world’s leading retail companies. Among the results: Retailers were able to improve their performance by an average of 30 percent to 40 percent in energy consumption, recycling and waste reduction.
“Retailers should be attacking these issues with full force, not only because it’s good for the environment, but because it’s an incredible opportunity to improve financial performance,” said Long.
The idea that going green means an increase in costs is a myth, said David Niles, president of SSA. “The fact is, environmental waste and inefficiency are no different than other types of waste and inefficiency in a business. By using factual data, solid analysis, and focused effort, we have been able to save retailers tens of millions of dollars annually,” he said.
For more information, visit www.ssaandco.com. [October 2009 PET AGE]
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