More and more retailers are requiring their suppliers to complete sustainability assessments. Whether you’re selling to Walmart, REI, Target, or other major retailers, your brand will likely need to report on key environmental and social metrics. These assessments help measure sustainability performance and ensure that products align with retailer goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, sourcing responsibly, and minimizing waste.
If you’re preparing to answer a retailer’s sustainability questionnaire, such as THESIS or REI Product Impact Standards Assessment, here are some of the most common questions you’ll need to be ready for:
1. Are You Measuring Energy & GHG Emissions?
Retailers want to know how your company manages its carbon footprint. Be prepared to answer:
- Have you measured your company’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions?
- Do you report emissions through CDP (Carbon Disclosure Project)?
- Have you set public science-based emissions reduction targets?
Why it matters: Retailers are working toward net-zero emissions by 2050 goals and your brand is part of their Scope 3 (value chain) emissions, so they expect your brand to also measure and reduce your GHG emissions so that you can both achieve emissions reduction goals.
2. Are Your Responsibly Sourcing Materials?
The sustainability of your raw materials and supply chain transparency are crucial. Expect questions like:
- Do you have sustainability purchasing guidelines for your suppliers?
- Do your products contain responsibly-sourced or recycled materials?
- Have you obtained third-party certifications (bluesign®, OEKO-TEX, FSC, Fair Trade, etc.)?
Why it matters: Retailers want to ensure that the products they are selling are made ethically and responsibly, reducing environmental harm, which helps them, and your brand, mitigate reputational risks.
3. Are Your Facilities Zero Waste & Do You Use More Sustainable Packaging?
Packaging and waste reduction are major retailer focus areas. You may be asked:
- Have you set Zero Waste to landfill targets to reduce solid waste from manufacturing?
- Do you use recyclable, compostable, or reduced packaging?
- Have you participated in a retailer’s Packaging Scorecard?
Why it matters: Another way to think about waste is that if you are selling products, waste is a squandered corporate asset, so minimizing waste helps your brand reduce costs while meeting retailer sustainability expectations. Additionally, with EPR for Packaging laws rolling out this year in Oregon and California, having an inventory of your packaging and material types can help your brand avoid costly EPR fees, while helping your retail customers achieve their own zero waste goals.
4. Do Your Measure Water Usage?
Water conservation is an emerging sustainability priority. Be ready to answer:
- Do you track water consumption at your production facilities?
- Have you set water reduction goals?
- Are your materials and processes designed for water efficiency?
Why it matters: Water scarcity is a growing concern, and retailers want suppliers who are reducing water use. Conserving water can also help to reduce your costs and mitigate supply chain risks.
5. How Transparent & Ethical is Your Supply Chain?
Retailers expect ethical labor practices and responsible production. Expect questions like:
- Do you know where 100% of your product facilities are located?
- Do you conduct social compliance audits at manufacturing sites?
- Do you invest in community development where you operate?
Why it matters: Retailers want to protect workers’ rights and avoid reputational risks linked to unethical labor practices, and your brand should too.
How to Prepare for Retailer Sustainability Assessments
Retailers aren’t just asking these questions for compliance—they are using them to choose suppliers who align with their sustainability goals. Brands that are proactive in measuring and improving sustainability performance gain a competitive advantage in securing and maintaining retail partnerships. Check out our Case Study with Crazy Creek to show how we helped them comply with REI Product Impact Standards while reducing costs:
If your brand needs help navigating retailer sustainability requirements, Emerger Strategies simplifies the process by helping businesses measure, report, and improve their sustainability performance. Check out our Retailer Sustainability Compliance Packages, which can help your brand:
- Gain a competitive advantage (Meet or exceed competitors’ sustainability performance)
- Avoid costly fines & delistings (Non-compliance can result in lost retail partnerships)
- Save time & resources (No need to hire, train, and retain a full-time sustainability team)
- Enhance brand reputation & sales (Retailers prioritize sustainable brands)
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