Industry and Investment NSW (I&I) hosted a major business round table on 17 August to help develop the State’s sustainable retail industry.
About 30 people, including representatives of UK company Marks & Spencer and leading Australian retailers, attended the event.
It was the first of several ‘thought leadership’ round tables to be organised by I&I's International Markets and Trade division over the next 12 months and featuring key international guests who have achieved exceptional results in areas like sustainability.
Minister for State Development Ian Macdonald said the sustainable retail event brought together key representatives of the NSW retail, food and beverage, fashion and consumer goods industries to hear from Marks & Spencer on corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainable retailing.
"CSR is about including public interest in corporate decision-making through the honouring of a triple bottom line of People, Planet and Profit," Mr Macdonald said.
"Consumers are increasingly aware of the implications of purchasing decisions in terms of environmental and ethical concerns, and corporations are under pressure to examine their entire supply chains from a CSR perspective."
Marks & Spencer is a leading force for retail CSR in the United Kingdom through its 'Plan A' initiative which sets ambitious goals to be carbon neutral, cut landfill waste, source sustainable materials for products, promote healthy lifestyles for customers, and set new standards in ethical trading.
"By sharing its knowledge, Marks & Spencer will help accelerate the already growing phenomenon of CSR in Australian retailing,” Mr Macdonald said.
“There are many potential benefits for NSW companies involved in genuine CSR efforts including increased brand power, consumer appeal, and increased employee engagement through greater loyalty, improved recruitment, increased retention and higher productivity.
“Bringing together a powerhouse of diverse retail interests, many of whom are already emerging as CSR leaders in their own fields here in Australia, helps each business learn from the best and helps NSW export businesses tap into key international trends which may affect their ability to compete internationally.”
Major retailers represented at the round table included Coles, David Jones, Darrell Lea, Myer, Westfield and Coca-Cola Amatil.
Fashion companies attending included Collette Dinnigan, Zimmerman, and Bird Textiles.
Other organisations represented included the St James Ethics Centre, Cotton Australia, the Australian Retailers Association, Australian Beverages Council, Australian Food and Grocery Council, Meat and Livestock Australia, Horticulture Australia, and the NSW Chamber of Fruit and Vegetables.
The presentations of the NSW sustainability roundtable are now available at www.business.nsw.gov.au/export/roundtables.htm.