NRF launches sustainability center
The National Retail Federation (NRF) has announced a new hub to support the expansion of sustainability efforts within retail.
The NRF Center for Retail Sustainability aims to “generate economic value while creating net positive environmental, social and community benefits.” NRF said the center’s initial areas of focus include utilizing consumer insights around sustainability products and practices, facilitating the emergence of the circular economy (sponsored by Deloitte), and improving supply chain traceability within the retail industry.
NRF VP of corporate social responsibility and sustainability Scot Case will serve as executive director of the Center for Retail Sustainability. It will also be governed by an external advisory board made up of senior-level sustainability executives.
“The NRF Center for Retail Sustainability will augment industry sustainability efforts and resources across the retail sector, centralizing engagement across the full retail value chain,” said NRF president and CEO Matthew Shay. “Its work will highlight the many ways retailers are making their own operations more sustainable and making it easier for consumers to find high-quality, affordable and more sustainable products.”
NRF will host an exclusive Sustainable Retail Workshop on Jan. 16 as part of the upcoming NRF 2024: Retail’s Big Show in New York City.
“We are excited to work with NRF to scale successful sustainability solutions across the retail sector,” said James Cascone, sustainability, climate and equity leader, and advisory partner, Deloitte & Touche LLP. “With deep experience in the retail sector, retail supply chains and sustainability, Deloitte can help drive positive outcomes in supporting our industry move forward, including the Center’s development of an initial circularity roadmap for the retail industry.”
The news comes as NRF is predicting that holiday retail sales from Nov. 1 through Dec. 31 will increase between 3% and 4% this year over 2022, growing to a record total of between $957.3 billion and $966.6 billion.