SWITCH-Asia

The Challenge

The Food & Beverage (F&B) sector constitutes about 60 % of the retail sector, and the energy consumption by retailers accounts for 15% of their operational cost. The F&B sector also generates large amounts of waste. Around 40% of food production in India is estimated to be wasted due to improper handling, transportation and storage, where retailers can play a role in reducing the wastage. The sector also contributes towards environmental pollution (transportation of goods and the carbon footprint of the SME suppliers).

The Objectives

The project aims at instilling sustainable thinking and adoption of sustainable approaches in a large retail chain’s strategy, operation and marketing; driving sustainable practices in the supply chain of retailers; and educating consumers on sustainable consumption and creating a favorable climate for the adoption of sustainable practices across the retail value chain.

The Way Forward

• Developing and implementing customised Sustainability Business Models for retailers;
• Enabling SME suppliers to adopt approaches, techniques, tools and technology to align SCP practices into the core of their business practices;
• Linking up Indian retailers with major European retailers by visits to Europe, to trade fairs/forum and business networking sessions;
• Developing and implementing Go-Green Strategy to sensitise and educate consumers on green products and choices towards creating a market demand for sustainable products;
• Promoting policy action to promote sustainability in the Indian retail sector through measures such as formulation of enabling instruments and policies for demand-side pull.