Rethinking retail: navigating the intersection of commerce, community, and sustainability

Retail, more than any other sector, possesses a unique capacity to address pressing socio-economic challenges in a timely manner and serve as a catalyst for innovative solutions. Moving beyond its traditional role of facilitating transactions, retail has evolved into a dynamic platform for societal engagement, promoting values such as sustainability, inclusion, and ethical practices. This chapter examines the intersections of commerce, community, and sustainability, focusing on retail's potential to drive social activism and act as an agent for positive change.

Guided by the research question, How can retail brands and spaces be catalysts for a more sustainable and connected society?, the study explores how retail environments and brands champion causes ranging from environmental sustainability to human rights advocacy. Drawing on the framework of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), this research defines key dimensions of retail activism, identifying pathways through which retail can address global challenges. Case studies were selected and analysed to assess the potential of environmentally sustainable and socially responsible practices in reshaping the retail landscape and fostering societal transformation. This chapter highlights retail's emerging role in shaping a more interconnected and sustainable society, illustrating how it can transcend commercial imperatives to act as a driver for systemic change. By providing a nuanced understanding of retail's evolving responsibilities, the chapter calls for a re-evaluation of its capacity to contribute meaningfully to the global sustainability agenda, particularly in addressing the urgent challenges of the 21st century.