DIG360 Presentation: Creating the Culture for Retail Sustainability (Passion4Retail09)

Click here to download or view my presentation that was first developed for the Retail Executives Sustainability Summit in February and subsequently refined for the panel I moderated at Retail BC’s Passion for Retail Conference on May 5 in Vancouver, Canada...

Retail BC used the annual industry event, the Passion For Retail Conference, to followup on guidance we received at the Retail Executives Summit on Sustainability.  The latter was an invitation-only workshop in February of this year.  It took the form of a leadership dialogue I created for DIG360, in partnership with Retail BC, and with the expert facilitation of Charles Holmes (noted leadership and change expert).

Participants to that session came from a variety of retail chains and progressive independents. They advised, amongst other things, that management education on this topic is critical - both for tactical quick-wins, how-to's, and for developing a long-term strategic response.

Retail BC once again hosted a tremendous event for Western Canadian retailers. I am grateful for the opportunity to have served as this year’s Passion For Retail Conference Chair.  The theme we developed was: Retailers Can Change The World.

This panel segment in particular dealt with creating an internal foundation that allows for speedy and effective response to the ever-evolving pressures and options facing retail decision-makers.  It also delved into some tougher questions about the future role of retail, and constraints.

Joining me with terrific insights as panelists were:

Amy Curry-Staschke, Senior Manager of Global Compliance, Lululemon

David Labistour, CEO Mountain Equipment Co-op

Satnam Lalli, Pharmacist, Pharmasave store owner, and National Board Pharmasave

Carmen Spagnola, startup retailer and owner of M Smart Design.

I should also thank the following for their tremendous contributions to this successful event:

Peter Robinson, CEO David Suzuki Foundation (and kickoff keynote)

Clint Mahlman, VP Operations, London Drugs

Gary Hirshberg, CEO Stonyfield Farm (dinner keynote)

Metro Vancouver and BC Hydro, who provided valuable funding, ideas and content.

Click here to see the presentation: Download

Please share with me your thoughts or questions on this presentation, as well as stories of how sustainability is impacting retail sector executives and their strategies - and how retail is influencing the broader dialogue on social and environmental responsibility.

Addendum: here is an op ed in Business in Vancouver by Nina Winhamof New Climate Strategies that covered this event: link_to_article.