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14 Jun 2023

The introduction of a 'death by dangerous cycling' law, proposed by then-Transport Secretary Grant Shapps last year, is unlikely to be passed before the next general election due to a lack of...

14 Jun 2023

ACT Gold Member Don Valley Cycles, dubbed “Doncaster’s favourite” cycle shop, has marked its 30th anniversary in business with a 300-mile bike ride.

13 Jun 2023

E-bike brand Cowboy has launched a retail partner network as it looks to expand its retail and service presence across Europe.

7 Jun 2023

NatWest is launching a software-only point-of-sale (softPOS) solution that will enable merchants in the UK to accept in-person contactless payments on Android NFC smartphones.

1 Jun 2023

A new Cycle to Work Scheme that launches this week is claiming to offer partner bike shops the lowest commission fees in the industry at 4%, with an introductory offer of 3% until 31st December...

31 May 2023

A report published by financial institution Claro Money’s wellbeing division on the effects of money worries for retail workers found that 73% of retail workers feel negatively about their...

31 May 2023

ACT partners V12 Finance, who are headline sponsors for this year’s National Cycle Show, have an allocation of free tickets that they would like to share with you!

30 May 2023

ACT Gold Member ICE Trikes is looking for high quality independent bike shops to become new agents or dealers. The company already has dealers and agents in over 32 countries all the way from...

18 May 2023

A lobby group has warned of the “startling rise in the cost of accepting cards” for small businesses after the European chief of Mastercard defended the fees it levies on merchants.

18 May 2023

It has been reported by This Is Money that HMRC now holds 55 billion items of taxpayers' data, including email and bank records, as it cracks down on tax avoidance. The data is held on its...

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How independents can become more sustainable

Posted on in Business News , Cycles News

From saving energy and lighting costs, to using biodegradable packaging and prolonging a product’s lifespan, Drapers Magazine has been looking at how independent retailers can improve their sustainability practices.

sustainability logo

You can read the full article here but key points made in the piece include:

Independent retailers can aim to meet their sustainability targets by fitting their stores in the most low-impact materials available. From lighting to the materials used for furniture and shelving, the interior elements used can add to a business’s sustainability credentials.

Retailers should opt for LED (light-emitting diode) lighting to limit their energy usage. LED lights use less energy and last for up to 14 years. LEDs also require less energy to produce the same amount of brightness as incandescent bulbs, reducing running costs by up to 90%.

The article also points to how independent retailers have taken further practical steps to save energy against rising costs, mentioning Padstow-based clothing and accessories independent Aloft in Cornwall, which is conserving energy by keeping doors closed to conserve heating during the day and turning the lights off when the store is closed overnight.

Independent retailers are also advised to explore the use of recyclable or reusable packaging for both in store and online sales.

Independents, it says, can take the lead of womenswear retailer Black White Denim in Wilmslow, Cheshire, which has started its own rental service. It introduced the option to rent occasion wear dresses and tops in 2020. Its current rental selection offers London-based womenswear brand Self-Portrait. Consumers can rent products for four days at a cost of 16%-25% of the retail price, equivalent to £50-£60 to rent for four days, plus an additional refundable deposit of 20% of the retail price. The womenswear boutique handles the entire process, from delivery and shipping returns to cleaning.

Rental allows retailers to maximise the utilisation of their stock, providing them with a “secondary income.

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