UK retailer Marks & Spencer has published its 2017 Plan A report, which details the progress the company has made towards its sustainable business plan in the past year.
The retailer reports that 80% of its products now have an eco or ethical quality above industry norms, such as Fairtrade food, cruelty-free beauty products, or recycled packaging.
In terms of grocery retail, healthier food now accounts for 41% of sales. Last year Marks & Spencer expanded its healthy eating private label ranges, including Eat Well, Balanced For You, and Count on Us.
There was a 28% reduction in waste in the UK and Ireland, and the company also expanded its food surplus redistribution scheme last year, donating 757 tonnes of food to nearly 600 charities.
'Solid Progress'
“In a year of change at M&S, Plan A has once again made a significant contribution to M&S and made good progress in making our products, stores and supply chains better for people, planet and communities," said Mike Barry, Plan A director at Marks & Spencer.
“There are some outstanding achievements in the 2017 report and solid progress across our commitments. As will always be the case with an ambitious, stretching plan, some of our goals are behind plan, but in every case we have an action plan to address the challenges and hit our commitment targets.”
Plan A was originally launched ten years ago, and has set out a range of commitments over this period.
Last week, the retailer launched Plan A 2025, which contains the company's sustainability aims for the next eight years, including the goal of making Marks & Spencer a zero-waste business.
© 2017 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Sarah Harford. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine.
