Day: September 26, 2019

Bio products are booming and the trend is expected to increase. Consumers are aspiring to more sustainable consumption and seeking products that are good for their health, environmentally friendly and fair to the producer. Proof of this is the consumption of bio products has more than doubled in Europe in the last decade and according to Baromètre consommation Agence Bio / CSA Research published in January 2018, sales of bio foods are set to triple in the coming years.

One of the countries where this trend is most pronounced is France. Three out of four French people say they consume an organic product at least once a month. They are not only buying bio products, but also changing their habits by fighting food waste and prioritising bulk, local and seasonal products.

Adapting to an eco-responsible consumer

This change in behaviour by consumers implies brands and retailers must adapt, especially if we keep in mind that approximately half of the sales of bio products are made in supermarkets.

Players in the sector have already taken measures in this regard and are taking advantage of this boom. Stores specialising in bio products are being developed, adding environmental standards and proximity to the codes of the large supermarket chains. The latter have launched the offensive in several ways, by associating or acquiring specialists or developing their own brands (Casino and Naturalia, Carrefour and Carrefour bio).

Towards a more sustainable store and purchase model

The increase in the area dedicated to bio products in stores implies changes in terms of design and store concept. Given this scenario, HMY, which shares the same concern regarding sustainability as brands and retailers, is working to provide appropriate solutions, opting for eco-conception and using recyclable and reusable materials such as metal and wood.

The most successful are widening focusses far beyond their financial targets and incorporating company-wide practices that assist in achieving global, sustainable development goals.

Sustainability forms part of HMY’s commercial philosophy, and we strive to achieve environmental satisfaction for brands and retailers and their customers. When designing and developing any retail space, there are a number of key things to consider to ensure your shopfitting approach is as “green” as possible.

Firstly, thanks to advances in technology, retailers can go completely paperless – whether through offering digital receipts, as opposed to wasting paper, or incorporating digital signage into the store. HMY has developed a unique digital signage solution which allows the dissemination of promotional or commercial content in real time on store screens, enabling brands to customise content according to location and the promotional context.

Adopting technology and merging the online and offline experience in this way, means updating in-store displays is quicker and more efficient, while offering customers an enhanced and personalised customer experience.

Resourcefulness is vital for running a sustainable business and the choice of materials in retail is becoming increasingly important. Using raw and renewable materials means waste is significantly reduced. Recyclable items made from metals, woods and plastics, for example, can be turned into new products, saving the need for materials that can drain our natural resources down to dangerous levels.

As a testament to their commitment to sustainability, HMY has exclusively designed E-Bulk, the first bulk stainless steel furniture to offer its customers. This is the same price as plastic, whilst being widely recyclable and better for the environment, ultimately helping fight against food waste and overpacking, yet still very aesthetic and customisable.

Another simple way to reduce your business’ carbon footprint, is replacing traditional light bulbs with LED lighting. LEDs are known to be much more efficient as they use less energy and the low heat means there’s considerably less heat loss, which can result in wastage. These come in several models too, allowing for customisability.

Are you thinking about creating a more sustainable retail space? Get in touch today, to find out how we can help.