Your checklist for
sustainable retail installations

Retail brands are facing an increasing number of challenges, from navigating the complexities of managing multiple agencies and ensuring a quick time-to-market to maintaining brand compliance. With consumers’ sustainability demands continuing to be vocalised, it’s fundamental for companies to adopt transparent and verifiable sustainability practices.

So, when it comes time to choose a partner for global retail installations, numerous considerations must be made. This checklist will guide you through the essential factors to consider when selecting an agency, helping you make an informed decision that aligns with your brand’s goals and expectations.

1.       Choosing the right partner

Selecting an established and reputable partner is the first step for businesses and retailers looking to uphold sustainability in-stores with their installations. Choose one that is committed to its collective responsibility for making a positive impact on the planet and society, so that together you can make the world a better place for future generations. UK retailer Waitrose is a great example of this, having recently been celebrated for its partnership with Tony’s Chocolonely. The collaboration focuses on sourcing cocoa for nine of Waitrose’s own-brand chocolate bars through Tony’s Chocolonely’s sustainable supply chain initiative. This move is part of Waitrose’s effort to enhance ethical procurement within its supply chain.

Failing to align an agency with your values can have significant consequences for your brand reputation and customer loyalty. And this isn’t just true of retail, but all industries too. For example, French advertising and public relations agency Havas has recently lost its B-corp status due to its partnership with Shell, a fossil fuel company.

It’s also advisable to check if the agencies on your shortlist are members of the industry association POPAI, as this indicates adherence to best practices in the industry.

2.       Consider branding and consistency

During a product launch, it’s easy to overlook smaller but significant details, such as how the agency will represent your brand in-store and uphold your organisation’s values. Maintaining brand consistency is crucial as it helps reinforce your brand’s image and ensures a cohesive customer experience. Therefore, your installations should reflect the same values and messaging as your brand identity across all touchpoints, including elements such as colour schemes, signage, and materials. For example, you shouldn’t promote sustainability in your marketing strategy while using unsustainable materials in your retail installations.

3.       Think about the bigger picture

As an industry, we often discuss the importance of sustainability. However, without real-life examples and case studies, it can be hard to grasp the bigger picture and understand its true impact.

There are many different ways to extend the life of an installation beyond the one it has been designed for, and this doesn’t necessarily mean just in retail. For example, one excellent way of repurposing displays is to work with intermediaries who help to find schools in developing countries that are in desperate need of school furniture. Benches and tables can be created from many of the displays you see in store. This approach helps to minimise waste, enhances CSR goals and provides much needed resources for the school.

From retail displays to desks.

Partnering with an agency that not only supports your sustainability goals but also encourages them can enhance your brand’s reputation and drive meaningful change in both your industry and the broader community.

4.       Local vs International

For businesses looking to streamline their operations, it’s not just about considering your retail installations at a local level but also globally too. This is because differences in regulations and etiquette between countries and cultures can impact how installations are implemented.

Managing retail installations across the globe is no small feat; there are many other factors that must be taken into consideration when it comes to upholding sustainability on a global scale. From material sourcing, transportation and logistics, vendor and partner selection and waste management, various aspects require meticulous planning and execution. Overseeing various stages of projects requires a great amount of time, dedication and focus, meaning any small errors or mistakes could potentially comprise your organisation’s sustainability goals. Partnering with an agency that provides a seamless and borderless capacity to roll out your next retail campaign is essential for maintaining consistency and meeting sustainability goals.

5.       Maintenance

Your POP/POS needs to look as good on day one as it does throughout its time in-store, so maintenance is essential. A key aspect of sustainability is ensuring that your installations remain functional and visually appealing over time with minimal resource use. Choose an agency that provides solutions that are easy to maintain and repair and offers guidance on upkeep practices. This includes selecting durable materials that withstand general wear and tear and implementing designs that simplify cleaning and maintenance. Proper maintenance not only extends the lifespan of your installations, ensuring you get the best possible ROI from your investment, but also reduces the need for frequent replacements and repairs, minimising its environmental impact.

About 100%

We are a market-leading retail agency, dedicated to giving brands the freedom to inspire shoppers globally.

We manage retail experience campaigns from end to end, including research, design, production, implementation, and maintenance. We also handle updates, recovery, and repurposing at the end of their retail life.

We maximise your retail investments by freeing up your time, providing fast market access, and reducing total costs through our global, connected platform.

Since our journey began in Manchester in 2009, we have grown into a global retail experience agency, operating in over 65 countries.

Our experienced and passionate team delivers award-winning services and maintains strong partnerships with our brand customers.

We believe in building a better world of retail experiences together, guided by our core values and a positive, purpose-driven culture.

Interested in learning more about our installation services? View our Installation guide ‘Installing retail experiences without boundaries.’ here.