Expert urges luxury brands to invest in sustainability and digitised solutions 

As we move further into 2022, it is becoming ever more apparent that sustainability is at the forefront of consumers’ minds and thus, it should also be at the forefront of the minds of businesses, too.

With the UK striving towards its 2050 net zero targets, the US hoping to get its buildings to net zero by 2045, and with eight of ten ASEAN Member States pledging to net zero emissions, it is evident that the whole world has a combined goal – and that is to create a more sustainable future.

In line with the recent seventh edition of Sustainability Week Robert Lockyer, founder & Chief Client Officer of a leading provider of innovative and sustainable luxury packaging solutions, Delta Global urges luxury brands to both invest in and embrace sustainability.

Perhaps the biggest talking point of 2021 was the United Nations Climate Change Conference, otherwise known as COP26. Although the conference has been and gone, its actions and talking points remain on everybody’s lips. 

COP26 saw world leaders gather in order to leverage the post-pandemic rebuild as a way to accelerate eco-friendly policymaking, which is now becoming even more prevalent within the luxury fashion industry.  

Led by consumers 

It is less likely that sustainability efforts will rely on goodwill but will be led by laws and policies that require luxury brands to meet environmental standards and another, perhaps more pressing factor – the changing behaviours and needs of consumers. 

So, with that in mind, it comes as no surprise that sustainability is becoming a significant influence when it comes to consumer purchasing decisions, which is exactly why I urge luxury brands to place sustainability at the very fore of their businesses. 

Consumers are in fact, leading the industry of luxury retail, and whilst they continue to invest in high-end, quality and statement fashion pieces, they will not continue to do so at the detriment of the environment and world we live in. 

Often, it is the packaging of items that is the cause for concern, with single-use plastic and non-recyclable materials often being the main culprits. 

Brands such as Gucci and Burberry are leading the way by removing plastic lamination from their boxes and introducing ethically sourced materials that can be easily reused, and in turn, are setting the standard for the luxury fashion industry. 

A Deloitte report on consumer attitudes towards sustainability also suggests that 28% of respondents stopped buying products due to environmental concerns, proving that this very change is being led by consumers, their needs and newfound shopping habits. 

The challenges 

Brands can not only target the needs of consumers in a more sustainable and eco-friendly way, but they can positively contribute to net zero targets around the world. 

However, they are all facing the very same problem and that is with the supply chain. With unpredictable disruption, delay and difficulty, there has been a need for the digitisation of the supply chain. 

Many businesses are unaware of the significant impact that global events can have on their supply chains – whether this is directly or indirectly.   

The world is continuing to focus on and implement the use of digital aids and technology at a rapid pace, and unlike traditional networks, digital supply chains have the ability to overcome a number of issues and can provide a complete, end-to-end supply chain. 

Designed for packaging supply chain management, Delta Global Intelligence is a tool that provides users with complete visibility, as well as the ability to monitor and automate networks. 

DGI has the power to save valuable time and resources, and allows users to make informed decisions – all of which are a part of the challenge that many brands, businesses and users face. Detailing stock, forecast and product overviews, a digitised supply chain is the ultimate sustainable solution. 

The future is sustainable 

There is simply no escaping the need for further sustainable solutions – but also, why would we want to escape it? 

We should be embracing this sustainable era, invest in greener solutions and strive to make a change. 

And the first step in doing so? Invest in a digitised supply chain.