ESG solutions for retail leaders
We help retail businesses meet consumer and investor expectations, manage supply chain ESG risk, and build credible sustainability programs that protect your brand.
Industry Challenges
Retail businesses face unique ESG pressures from consumers, regulators and investors
Consumer Expectations
Consumers increasingly expect transparency on sustainability, ethical sourcing, and environmental impact.
Supply Chain Complexity
Multi-tier supply chains require sophisticated ESG due diligence and supplier engagement programs.
Product Sustainability
Pressure to demonstrate product lifecycle sustainability and reduce packaging waste.
Greenwashing Risk
Increased ACCC scrutiny of sustainability claims requires robust evidence and governance.
How We Help
Our team has deep experience working with major retailers on supplier engagement, board governance, and sustainability strategy.
- Supplier ESG assessment and engagement programs
- Modern slavery risk mapping and due diligence
- Product sustainability claims verification
- Consumer-facing sustainability communications
- Packaging reduction and circular economy strategies
- Board ESG governance and reporting frameworks
- ASRS climate disclosure readiness
- Carbon baseline and Scope 3 emissions measurement
- Sustainability strategy aligned to brand values
Who This Is For
- Retail businesses with $10M–$500M revenue
- Retailers with complex multi-tier supply chains
- Businesses facing modern slavery reporting requirements
- Companies making sustainability claims to consumers
- Retailers preparing for ASRS climate disclosure
- Businesses needing senior sustainability leadership without a full-time CSO
Why a Fractional CSO Works for Retail
Senior sustainability leadership without the cost of a full-time hire
Senior Leadership Without Full-Time Cost
Access experienced CSO-level expertise at $8-15k/month instead of $250k+ for a full-time hire.
Supplier Program Development
Build robust supplier ESG assessment and engagement programs quickly.
Greenwashing Protection
Ensure sustainability claims are credible and ACCC-compliant.
Flexible Engagement
Scale support as your ESG requirements evolve. No long-term commitment required.
National Retailer ASRS Readiness
Preparing a large multi-site retailer for mandatory climate disclosure
Preparing a National Retailer for ASRS Climate Disclosure
A large, multi-site Australian retailer with an extensive physical store network and complex supply chain engaged ESG Strategy to prepare for mandatory ASRS climate disclosure requirements.
The Challenge
Climate risks and opportunities were understood unevenly across functions. There was no single prioritised view of what mattered most to the business, and executives needed clarity on how climate considerations connected to strategy, risk, and financial performance. Without a structured approach, ASRS compliance risked becoming reactive, fragmented, and overly resource-intensive.
Results
- Clear, board-endorsed roadmap for ASRS compliance
- Prioritised view of climate-related risks and opportunities
- Stronger executive alignment and ownership across functions
- Improved internal capability to manage climate disclosure ongoing
- Increased confidence that climate reporting supports business decision-making
- Climate disclosure positioned as a governance and resilience tool
More Retail Success Stories
Real results for retail businesses across Australia and New Zealand
ESG for Australian & New Zealand Retail
Retail businesses in Australia and New Zealand operate at the intersection of consumer expectations, regulatory requirements, and complex global supply chains. This creates unique ESG challenges that require sophisticated responses beyond simple compliance.
Modern slavery legislation in Australia (the Modern Slavery Act 2018) requires large businesses to report annually on modern slavery risks in their operations and supply chains. For retailers with extensive supplier networks spanning multiple countries, this means implementing robust due diligence processes, supplier assessment programs, and remediation frameworks.
Consumer expectations around sustainability have shifted dramatically. Shoppers increasingly research brands' environmental credentials, ethical sourcing practices, and social impact before making purchasing decisions. However, this scrutiny comes with heightened greenwashing risk, the ACCC has identified environmental claims as a priority area for enforcement, and retailers must ensure all sustainability communications are substantiated and accurate.
For retailers meeting ASRS thresholds, climate-related financial disclosures from July 2026 will require understanding of transition risks and physical risks. Scope 3 emissions from purchased goods and services often represent over 90% of a retailer's total carbon footprint, making supplier engagement critical.
Related Services
Explore our ESG services for retail businesses
Ready to strengthen your retail ESG strategy?
Talk to our team about how we've helped retailers like Briscoe Group build robust ESG governance and supplier programs.