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Sustainability isn’t a trend; it’s the new cost of doing business. First Insight reports that 62% of younger shoppers prefer sustainable brands, and over 70% will even pay a higher premium for sustainability. Personal, social, and environmental values make a difference when shoppers, especially the younger generations, are considering a purchase. It is clear that in the near future, customers will expect environmental objectives to be the standard in every store they walk into. With consumers willing to switch brands if a company lacks an eco-friendly strategy, it is imperative for brands and store owners to learn about why sustainability matters in an effort to stay relevant and profitable.
David Attenborough, a British broadcaster and writer, said, “The truth is: the natural world is changing. And we are totally dependent on that world.” As consumers show a strong motivation toward shopping sustainably, it is vital that store owners jump on board with viable practices. Companies that prioritize sustainability experience an increase in brand loyalty, positive brand perception, and consumer trust, as demonstrated by the well-known brand, IKEA. Since IKEA refreshed their climate initiative in 2017 to reduce more emissions than it emitted, the company has seen growth in sales and engagement, with a 5.7% growth in revenue from their fiscal year 2022 to 2023. Since then, their volume and customer engagement have continued to grow. By adopting a sustainability strategy, store owners can anticipate similar results.
In addition to consumer base growth, store owners can also cut costs by utilizing a sustainability plan, including buying used store fixtures or refurbishing their own. When store owners commit to using sustainable store fixtures, they can see a reduction in operational costs by up to 25% over a five-year period. This stems from better resource efficiency, decreased energy consumption and eco-friendly logistics. By using sustainable shelving, store owners can meet consumer expectations and meet long-term environmental goals.
When buying new, off-the-line store fixtures, there are several conflicts that store owners run into, including supply chain difficulties, inflated prices due to tariffs on foreign metal, lack of availability for preferred styles of fixtures, and potential budget complications. The solution to this is simple, reasonable, and resourceful: buying used, refurbished shelving. When store owners buy smart by investing in used fixtures or refurbishing fixtures they already own, they reduce market demand. This also leads fixture suppliers to innovate--seeking more efficient product design. In short, it minimizes waste, protects our environment, encourages more sustainable options, while maximizing profits for your business.
Why not just scrap it all and be done with it? Because you paid good money for your store fixtures, and you deserve every opportunity to maximize your return on investment. One way you can do this is by SELLING your fixtures to recoup value from your investment. This can be done through liquidation or auction. Second, you can SAVE fixtures and keep 100% of your investment through third-party warehousing, a service we offer here at Mid America Store Fixtures. Lastly, you can REFURBISH your fixtures to improve them for extended use, which is much more cost-effective than just scrapping them. Refurbishment is another service we proudly offer here at MASF (learn more). In addition to saving you money, selling, storing, or refurbishing your fixtures reduces your carbon footprint and reliance on foreign steel.
In 2018, of approximately 146 million tons of municipal solid waste (MSW) landfilled, about 10.5 million tons were steel. That’s more than 11 times the entire population of Michigan. With steel taking between 50 to 100 years to decompose, this quantity of durable, reusable resources being landfilled is tragic. The accumulation of this non-biodegradable but highly recyclable resource building up in landfills leads to loss of valuable materials that could be used to reduce the need for new production (which takes more energy and more raw resources), climate and local environmental damage, and increased greenhouse gas emissions.
What does that all mean? It means the decision store owners make today regarding their needs will greatly affect the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It is crucial that store owners and companies alike join the charge toward sustainability, and at MASF, we can help you stand out as a leader in sustainability, while also raising your brand’s value in the eyes of younger consumers.
When it comes to the option of buying and selling versus scrapping, it is important to emphasize the environmental impact that buying and selling have. When companies reuse fixtures, they are reducing waste, lowering recycling costs, improving energy efficiency, achieving long-term value for a smaller investment, encouraging innovation in more efficient fixtures, and reducing operational costs. The benefits of sustainability in business models are crucial for the economy and environment.
Sustainability, climate change, cost-savings, and consumerism all go hand-in-hand. Store owners play an important part by responsibly choosing how to use or remove their fixtures. Make the smart choice by buying used, selling fixtures instead of scrapping, or refurbishing fixtures to get the most bang for your buck and help reduce the abundance of steel in our landfills. Mid-America Store Fixtures has everything you need to proudly practice eco-friendly operations, which speaks strongly to your clients. We can make reusing or selling your fixtures easier than just sending them to the dump. Give us a call to partner with us or learn more.
