This week Leach’s MD James Lavin featured in the award-winning publication A1 Retail, discussing ‘green’ plans for 2020 and the company’s ongoing commitment to sustainability…
Over the past few years, the general population has increased its awareness of the environmental issues at large in society. As a result, retailers have needed to adopt a greater ‘eco stance’ in the quest to attract customers and protect our planet.
James Lavin – MD at large-format graphic display specialist Leach – looks at how this wave of change is affecting the retail market and why it is important for companies to continue to adapt to stay current, while playing their part in ‘being green’…
“At the start of 2019, Leach commissioned a survey which focused on the high street challenges being experienced by retailers, and a key discovery was that environmental considerations are now one of the main priorities for this sector when it comes to selecting suppliers, including graphic display providers.
This highlights the need for all parties – from manufacturers to installation and fit out teams – to be fully aware of this requirement when designing new products and pitching for work, as this green agenda is here to stay.
Reacting to such findings and moving with the times is a vital way to ensure marketplace longevity, and Leach – in business for over a century – isn’t afraid to keep up with new trends and technologies.
With a long-held ‘eco’ conscience – and products incorporating LED lights for energy efficiency, changeable graphics to promote reusability, and rollable lightweight solutions – the brand has stepped this up even further in recent times.
By inviting customers to participate in a series of ‘innovation forums’ – open debate sessions allowing clients to put forward their concerns and requirements for future products – Leach has been able to work with these organisations to shape our R&D.
And following these events, Leach has ploughed 12 months and £100,000 of investment into next-generation graphic display solutions with even greater green-performance.
Knowing many retailers are loath to invest in expensive graphic display equipment for fear of appearing to have no eco-conscience, we’ve engineered options which can reduce retailers’ carbon impact with no detriment to the visual offering whatsoever.
The integration of sustainable materials has been a priority, and the recently-launched Eco-Screen – made from 100% recycled yarn with two plastic bottles recycled for every 1m2 produced – is an example of this.
The carbon footprint benefits are further maximised when the Eco-Screen is used on the new Leach Box, an ultra-bright illuminated display product using a flexible lightsheet as the LED backboard. This then allows the product to be rolled up and transported in a recycled tube, in the back of a car rather than larger vehicles – an additional step to reducing clients’ carbon footprint.
Currently, the team is working on ensuring the availability of a recyclable alternative to every single product across the Leach range and, where this is not possible, offering a PVC-free option instead – this cannot be recycled but instead will biodegrade, which is still a ‘healthier’ option.
Leach has now called upon others across the retail sector to adjust their environmental mindsets too, amidst the mounting pressures for companies to do more to protect the planet.”
For more information please visit www.weareleach.com or call 01484 551200 to speak to one of the team.
