Retail Goes Green

Indian retailers shy off issues relating to Green design concepts not so much because they are not aware of, but they don’t know where to go or whom to approach. Or worse, many believe it is more of a fad that will go away. The common misconception between all of them is that the initial costs for green buildings are high, not knowing that it pays back in less than two years or less, due to its continuous saving and low operating costs. In India, a lot of environmental inputs are being used in the IT industry and residential architecture as compared to retail. But certain emerging facts like the energy saving could be  up to 45 per cent and water savings up to 50 per cent should help bring the desired change in the retail industry. Moreover, the retail space is the concern of various disconnected parties with different agendas. Caught in between the retailers and vendors, are the retail space designers and architects. It is for them to inspire the other team players to believe that the driving force for any business to sustain itself lies when the social and environmental aspects are taken into the decision making process. In India, our green consciousness is subject to cost considerations, and retailers will realise sooner or later that green retail is all about optimum utilisation of resources and reduction of operational costs, while reducing the adverse environmental impact.

USGBC (US Green Building Council), which is the only institute globally offering LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environment Design) for retail under CI (Commercial Interiors), offers four levels of Green Design Ratings – Platinum, Gold, Silver and Certified. Depending upon the level of achievements under Green planning, these ratings are given to project. Internationally, there is a big swing in Green Design in retail with giants like Walmart, Ikea, Tesco, Starbucks, Target, and many other retailers going green.

The concept implemented in Tashi stores

The recently inaugurated Tashi (retail outlets for leather goods from Tata International) stores, designed by an extremely motivated team of FRDC (Future Research Design Company) architects, LEED consultants, Lighting, LEED designers, HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) planning and electrical engineers and strategists, have been planned with unique air conditioning system. The system is charged with oxygen and fresh air which will make one feel de-stressed and refreshing. This will help staff and customers to be more active on floors. CO2 levels are monitored inside the store. These are one of the most energy efficient stores planned in India and globally. This has been achieved by a high level and meticulous energy planning, considering retail phenomena in India and the buying or store patterns. Tashi can see their energy consumption in real time and savings achieved. Avoiding human intervention, stores have been equipped with intelligent system to drive energy usage in conjunction with the day and night, off peak and peak times. Stores are planned to consume at least 40 per cent less energy than their peers, which will help faster profitability. Solar power generation will further reduce the energy consumption. All interior materials, methodology and designs comply with LEED under USGBC. HVAC and Lighting design is very crucial for Green project. They achieve most of energy savings and ROI. 

The Green project requires experienced HVAC consultant who is well conversant with LEED HVAC norms and Lighting Designer who has worked on LEED project and is a qualified LEED AP as well. Planning may take couple of weeks more than normal.

There has been an effort to reuse maximum of existing materials and minimise imports. Leather waste from Tata International factory has also been used for design inside the stores. Staff is encouraged to use cycles for local and near by transport and they have been provided new cycles and a parking facility. Waste segregation has been planned inside the store and all paper waste will be recycled or reused.

The obstacles to free adoptation

The various obstacles to achieving greater eco friendliness in the Indian retail scenario are on three levels. It is not easy to convince the developer as the efficiency in water and energy benefits the tenant, not him. Only if the government increases the rent of a “green building” by an appreciable amount, the developer will feel he is also benefited. At the second level, the manufacturer has to be educated as to what exactly is required of him. There may be many designers and architects who want to make a difference and make environmental buildings, but the minute they come to material specification, they come up against a dead end. Be it paint companies, adhesive sealant companies or laminate companies, very few companies are aware that they need to have technical data sheets to show a minimal amount of VOC (Volatile Organic Chemicals) in their products to make them environmental. Finally the government should “make the world run better” by introducing exemption from tax and make it more economical. It will not be long before the Indian retailer realises that retail is a sector where pricing is a key factor. In such a price-sensitive market, operational costs are therefore of prime importance. Besides being cost effective in the long run, a Green retail identity could buy more consumer loyalty.  Also, a core Green business strategy would not only mean more ROI and more consumer loyalty, but it’s the only way to go to sustain itself in the long run.

Green design can be adopted for each and every space or form of retail. Though getting certification for smaller spaces may be relatively costly affair, but certificate or not, Green design can be very much applied. It starts from site selection, building selection, building planning, orientation, HVAC, electrical planning, materials selection, methodology of construction, waste management, power conservation, indoor air quality monitoring and improvement, efficiency of light fixtures, signage and prints selection, and every aspect of design and construction.

Eco-friendly design implementation

While implementing Green design in Tashi stores, all architects and designers involved in the projects under us are made aware of such plans and a LEED certified consultant was appointed for the project whose role was to instruct and make every stakeholder follow the guidelines. In such a project, all vendors and contractors are to be made aware of materials and specifications, documentation of construction and the way of disposing wastes, etc. Following correct guidelines, as specified by USGBC, makes the project default comfortable for all human beings involved.

Green design should not be confused by ‘planting trees’ and ‘growing plants’ or becoming ‘tribal’ in look. That is all media or gloss of green on name of it. Such initiatives are not “Green” by themselves. Also loose terms like ‘recyclable’ and ‘recycle’ are being used by lot of manufacturers without any strong assessment or certification of their manufacturing process. Every green product or material needs a certification and it is a process followed by manufacturer which makes it “Green” rather using just natural substance. Not all natural products can be Green or vice versa.

Innovation in printing, signage, composite materials, HVAC, lighting, technology, etc have played key significant role in making stores eco-friendly. Today, a well designed and planned store, which is Green, can be as pleasant and attractive as a normal store, though burning 50 per cent less energy.

Conclusion

In the USA and Europe, Green design for retail is fast catching, and at corporate levels, commitment is being made by large and medium large footprint retailers. The impact of Green design at every level of retail has its own impact, which is useful for the retailer and community.

Sanjay Agarwal is the Director and Soma Majumdar is Associate of FRDC, Bangalore. FRDC is a member of USGBC, IGBC and CII, practicing Green Design for Retail in India.