Marks & Spencer teams with Schneider Electric to cut supply chain carbon
A British multinational apparel and food giant is partnering with an energy technology provider to improve supply chain sustainability.
Marks & Spencer is launching RE:Spark, a new supply chain decarbonization program developed in collaboration with Schneider Electric. The initiative has been designed to accelerate the adoption of renewable electricity across Marks & Spencer’s global supply chain and is part of the retailer's Plan A sustainability strategy which aims to achieve net zero emissions across its extended supply chain by 2040.
Through the RE:Spark program, Marks & Spencer plans to:
- Implement a digital hub, based on the Schneider Electric Zeigo Hub digital platform, to offer a centralized portal to host the initiative. Utilizing Zeigo Hub, suppliers will be able submit emissions data, track decarbonization efforts, and have access to specialized learning resources.
- Host regional market briefs and webinars to educate suppliers on renewable electricity procurement in the Vietnam, Turkey, India, China, and Bangladesh regions.
- Provide strategic advisory services to help suppliers assess and implement clean energy solutions, including onsite solar, energy attribute certificates, green tariffs, and power purchase agreements (PPAs).
- Enable suppliers to aggregate demand for PPAs, allowing smaller suppliers to participate in multi-buyer cohorts and gain access to renewable electricity at scale.
The program will initially focus on high-impact regions within Marks & Spencer's fashion supply chain, with plans to expand over the next three years.
"We believe sustainability should be embedded in everything we do, from how we source products to supporting our supply partners and customers to do the right thing," said Katharine Beacham, head of sustainability and materials in fashion, home & beauty at Marks & Spencer. "We know that real change happens when we collaborate. That's why RE:Spark is designed not only to ignite new ideas and unlock renewable energy opportunities for our supply base, but also to make the transition easier by providing access to support and resources."
RE:Spark builds on Marks & Spencer’s work to improve environmental performance in its manufacturing, as well the recent rollout of Another Life – a circular platform for the rewear, repair, recycle and resale of products in the fashion, home and beauty categories.
"As an energy technology partner, we're proud to be working with M&S to help suppliers overcome barriers to renewable electricity adoption," said Steve Wilhite, executive VP, SE Advisory Services. "RE:Spark is a powerful example of how collaboration can drive scalable, impactful change across global supply chains."
Marks & Spencer pursues enterprise transformation
Supply chain sustainability is not the only area of its enterprise where Marks & Spencer is applying advanced technology to transform operations. For example, the retailer has been expanding an implementation of First Insight AI-based solutions across product development, design, pricing, merchandising, and marketing in its lingerie category to encompass its entire clothing and home business.
In addition, Marks & Spencer has partnered with end-to-end supply chain consultancy TMX Transform to develop one of the U.K.'s largest automated national distribution centers.
The company also extended a hosted IT services contract with Diebold Nixdorf through 2028. The agreement includes support services for the entire store fleet as well as implementation services for stores and distribution centers, and software services.
[READ MORE: Marks & Spencer boosts store productivity with devices, software]
