Green Efforts, Golden Opportunities: Two Grocers Explore Different Paths http://
ID: 467768 • Letter: G
Question
Green Efforts, Golden Opportunities: Two Grocers Explore Different Paths
http://www.forbes.com/sites/bryanpearson/2016/03/14/a-beautiful-find-how-two-grocers-stock-relevance-through-sustainability/#2bd8327332ca
Summary:
Supermarkets today face multiple sustainability issues when it comes to their products and space. Bryan Pearson mentions the issues these supermarkets face and provides suggestions for different alternatives. He also provides two examples that are finding unique ways to create a more sustainable supermarket. One, Coop Italia in Milan, is providing a futuristic digital shopping experience with interactive display screens. This store provides customers with interactive screens that trace back all the information about the foods. The other, Loblaw in Canada, is selling their unwanted “imperfect” produce as a lower priced alternative. For example, Loblaw’s naturally imperfect mushrooms, peppers, and onions are being sold at lower costs to attract consumers who are more conscious about prices. Also, selling this “imperfect” produce reduces supermarket waste. In the US, about 26% of produce is deemed unsellable due to supermarket standards.
Today, food service uses the most energy per square foot than any other industry, followed by the supermarket industry. With that being said, grocery stores are not energy efficient. In fact, a grocery store usually spends about $4 per square foot each year on energy costs, making the supermarket industry more energy-intensive than schools and office buildings. This raises a major concern for the environment.
Luckily, green practices for the supermarket industry allows them to save money as well as demand higher prices for their produce. A 2014 study by Gibbs-rrb Strategic Communications found that on average, individuals would spend 31% more a week on foods that are more sustainable and safe to the planet. In addition, 72% of consumers said that “green” packaging is important.
As more supermarkets shift to green practices, it is still important to preserve the relevance of the issue. This starts with keeping employees informed on the company's green initiatives and encouraging them to live out the same practices. A supermarket could also create a rewards program for customers who buy ugly produce or are actively sustainable in their purchases. This would provide a fun incentive for the customers who care about the cause.
Lastly, the author encourages supermarkets to politely share their efforts with customers and hold their integrity when committing to sustainability. Customers will do their research and find out who really is staying true to their words. Ultimately, these efforts should keep the supermarkets good reputations while committing to a better planet.
Please answer the follwoing questions:
1. Would you be willing to purchase “Imperfect” foods from supermarkets for lower prices? Why?
2. What are other sustainable alternatives for supermarkets?
3. Would you be willing to spend 31% more a week on groceries that are more safe and sustainable to our planet? Why?
4. The author mentions that it is important for supermarkets to support sustainability efforts not only through their merchandise, but through their actions. Do you think it is important for supermarkets live out their efforts with more than just the products they carry?
Explanation / Answer
1. Yes I will be willing to buy the "imperfect" foods from the supermarkets at lower prices. But it must implies that the imperfection must be limited to the shape, size and other outer characteristics. The quality of the food material must be intact.
2. The supermarket follows the below practices for the green initiative as per the above paragraph
Apart from the initiatives that are mentioned above, the supermarket can follow many more practices, some of them are:-
3. To spent a extra amount depends on the total income of the individual/ family. Today more number of people are inclined to sustainability of the planet. The families who are having sufficient income will definitely opt for this option. But the families from the lower class of the society from whom the cost is the first factor to decide the choice, will not go fro this option.
4. Yes the author is correct in stating the above statement. The practices such as selling the imperfect good at lower price, selling sustainable products at an extra cost are more of merchandise practices and are customer oriented. These are also related to the product they carry.
Apart from the above practices, the supermarket can implement sustainable practices in other area like : - sourcing, transportation, warehousing, etc.
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