New Look provides update to its ‘Kind to our core’ strategy
Fashion retailer New Look has published its Sustainability Report for 2023 which provides an update on New Look’s ‘Kind to Our Core’ sustainability strategy.
Since its previous update in January 2022, New Look has submitted Science Based Targets (SBTs), which are awaiting approval and are expected to be confirmed in November of this year. These targets include:
- A near-term target of reducing carbon emissions by 46% by 2031 across scope 1 & 2 and Scope 3, aligned to the 1.5C pathway
- A long-term target to become Net Zero by 2040 for both scope 1 & 2 and scope 3
The submission of SBTs is ahead of the timeline initially set out by New Look – showing the business’ dedication to delivering its ESG targets and supporting its aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from products by 50% by 2030.
New Look held a Supplier Conference in London earlier this month, inviting all of its suppliers to meet to discuss sustainability targets, collaboration and responsible sourcing. At the conference, New Look requested that suppliers calculate their own carbon emissions, and informed them that it has signed up to the Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC) roadmap and will be rolling this out throughout its supply chain.
Last month, New Look agreed a partnership with TrusTrace, a global leader in supply chain transparency and compliance. The partnership will allow New Look to gain greater visibility across its supply chain through to Tier 4 suppliers, to help it identify and mitigate responsible sourcing and business continuity risks. New Look will be the first major UK retailer to join forces with TrusTrace, as it continues to improve its transparency.
Sue Fairley, Head of Sustainability at New Look, commented: “Over the last 18 months we have embraced our ‘Kind to Our Core’ strategy and made significant progress across our targets. We are pleased to have submitted our SBTs ahead of schedule, which shows our commitment to make significant improvements to our greenhouse gas emissions and net-zero target.
“Our new partnership with TrusTrace has also been a highlight of the year for New Look. TrusTrace’s technology will give us visibility through to our Tier 4 suppliers helping us to further mitigate any supply chain risks.”
Shameek Ghosh, TrusTrace CEO and Co-Founder, commented: “At TrusTrace, we have a vision of the future where all value chains are traceable, circular and fair, and we are excited to partner with New Look to support them in delivering on their sustainability strategy when it comes to responsible sourcing. The TrusTrace platform facilitates seamless data collection from Tier 1 all the way to Tier 4 suppliers, enabling New Look to access granular, validated data on where, how and under which conditions their products have been made. With this data, New Look can make informed decisions to enhance sustainable sourcing, particularly concerning key fibres like cotton, polyester and viscose, as well as comply with complex regulations.”
The report updates on New Look’s progress so far across its four key pillars of responsible business, responsible and circular product, inclusive culture and positive local impact. This includes:
Responsible Business: Since the launch of the sustainability strategy, New Look has reduced its scope 1 and 2 emissions by 18%. Its scope 3 emissions have fallen by 22%.New Look has also achieved ‘progressive level’ with the Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC), which was one year ahead of schedule. New Look will continue its work with the Coalition to improve sustainability performance and achieve increased environmental and social transparency within its value chain.
Responsible and Circular Product: New Look has reduced its carbon footprint by switching to lower impact materials for its products in 2022. Clothing with lower impact attributes now account for 63% of its ranges, while all ranges now invest in lower impact cotton through Better Cotton. Overall, New Look has introduced a tighter stock model within its business, allowing it to reduce the levels of surplus inventory.
Inclusive culture: Visibility of colleague demographic data has risen from 24% to 80%, which has provided leaders with greater awareness of how to improve overall diversity and inclusion efforts. New Look has also created inclusion and wellbeing ally groups, with over 100 team members involved across the business.
Positive Local Impact: New Look now offers 85% of its core clothing size to a size 22, to serve a wider range of customers. It is also using size-inclusive mannequins, models, and influencers, to showcase representation across all body shapes and sizes.
Over the last year, New Look has raised £936,000 for its charity partners – over half of which was for regional charities chosen by local retail teams. It continues to work closely with The Retail Trust.
