“Sustainable retail” is everywhere these days, but what does it actually mean? Biodegradable shopping bags? Electrically-powered supply chain fleets? The answer, it turns out, is yes to all of that — and so much more.

Real sustainable retail is being incorporated into every aspect of the retail operations, from sourcing materials to shipping practices to inventory management and beyond. At Sensormatic Solutions, we’ve taken that to heart so much so that sustainability is at the heart of everything we do.

With this in mind, we’d like to share a few of the ways Sensormatic Solutions and Johnson Controls, are making that a reality today, as well as offer a glimpse into where we want to go in the near future.

Responsible retailing has reached a tipping point. It’s a conversation that has made its way into mainstream headlines, into the agendas of retail’s most important events and trade conferences, and into boardrooms around the globe. That’s because as consumers increasingly embrace social causes, they seek products and brands that align with their values.

In fact, a 2020 report by IBM and the National Retail Federation surveyed shoppers worldwide and found that:

• Nearly six in 10 consumers surveyed are willing to change their shopping habits to reduce environmental impact.
• Almost eight in 10 respondents indicate sustainability is important for them.
• Among those who say it is very/extremely important, over 70% would pay a premium of 35%, on average, for brands that are sustainable and environmentally responsible.

Of course, the pandemic remains in play, as well. COVID-19 not only brought brands closer to their consumers, but it also brought the health and well-being of our communities, our neighbors, and our world into the spotlight. It also encouraged consumers to adopt new shopping methods, like buy online, pick-up in store (BOPIS) and buy online, pick-up at curbside (BOPAC). With these adoptions came a greater need for precise inventory management, greater inventory visibility, and the ability for retail enterprises to be adaptable and flexible as consumers’ preferences change.

Consumers are also keenly aware of how retailers adapted to COVID-19, and how those retailers approach sustainability, and how the health of our world impacts their shopping behaviors now more than ever. According to a 2021 report by Capgemini Research Institute:

• 67% of consumers said that they will be more cautious about the scarcity of natural resources due to the COVID-19 crisis
• A majority (over 53%) prefer to engage with retailers that showcase strong sustainability credentials and embody a sense of purpose

In short, consumers want sustainable retail. And retailers should consider delivering on it if they want to remain competitive. For these reasons and more, we are a leader in not only what sustainable retail looks like, but how it’s practiced every day.

When Warren Johnson invented the first electric thermostat almost 140 years ago, he set in motion a chain of innovations that would make homes, workplaces, stores, and schools smarter, healthier, more comfortable, and more environmentally friendly.

Today, Johnson Controls is ranked in the top 12 percent of climate leadership companies globally by CDP and was recently named to the World’s Most Ethical Companies® Honoree List and one of Corporate Knights’ global 100 most Sustainable Companies.

This year, Johnson Controls announced that the Science-based Targets Initiative (SBTi) approved its ambitious emissions reductions targets. Emissions from Johnson Controls’ value chain are in line with industry best practice.

As we look forward to the third decade of the 21st century, we’re proud to continue our founder’s legacy by creating new products and processes that empower our customers to deliver exceptional shopping experiences while reducing their environmental impact.

As part of our commitment to Fast Forward Retail, Sensormatic Solutions launched Sensormatic IQ, an intelligent operating platform backed by our industry expertise and a robust technology partner ecosystem.

This open, secure, and agile platform integrates the full Sensormatic Solutions portfolio, along with retailer and third-party data sources, advanced technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning (ML) to offer unparalleled visibility into operations and shopper insights, including:

• inventory tracking
• labor optimization
• shopper behavior
• liability and loss prevention
• marketing impact

But our efforts toward more sustainable retail go far beyond Sensormatic IQ. In our latest white paper, “Our Retail Sustainability Story of Sensormatic Solutions by Johnson Controls,” you’ll learn how we use:

• sophisticated inventory tracking
• tag recycling
• eco-friendly fleet management
• power optimization
• water conservation
• sustainable materials
• green manufacturing
• food safety technology

…and more to Fast Forward Retail.

We’re working hard to create a future that’s sustainable, secure, and comfortable for all — but we’ve still got more to do. Download our Sustainability white paper today to find out more about what we’ve done, what we’re doing today, and what we’re going to do in the future.

And since sustainable retail is our collective responsibility, get in touch to start a conversation about how we can help make your operations more sustainable.