Sustainable Retail Installations: How RMS is Powering Greener Store Transformations

Sustainability is no longer just a trend, it’s a necessity. As consumer expectations shift towards environmentally responsible businesses, retailers must adapt by integrating sustainable solutions into their operations, including store installations and refurbishments.

At RMS, we are committed to helping retailers achieve their sustainability goals through eco-friendly retail installation practices that reduce waste, improve energy efficiency and promote responsible sourcing.

Why Sustainable Retail Installations Matter

Retail spaces are evolving to meet growing sustainability demands. From reducing carbon footprints to enhancing energy efficiency, retailers are making conscious decisions that benefit both the environment and their bottom line.

Sustainable retail installations help businesses:

Lower operational costs through energy efficient solutions.
Reduce environmental impact by minimising waste and using sustainable materials.
Align with consumer preferences for responsible retail practices.
Comply with environmental regulations and industry standards.

RMS’s Approach to Sustainable Retail Installations

At RMS, we integrate sustainability into every aspect of our retail installation services. Our approach focuses on practical, impactful changes that contribute to long-term environmental responsibility while maintaining high quality retail environments.

1. Sustainable Materials & Waste Reduction

We prioritise and encourage the use of sustainable, responsibly sourced materials in our retail installation projects. This includes:

Recycled and recyclable materials: The ability to use eco-friendly materials for shelving, fixtures and signage to minimise environmental impact.
Low-impact refurbishment: Extending the life of existing fixtures and repurposing materials to reduce waste.
Responsible disposal and recycling: Implementing waste management strategies to ensure that materials are disposed of in an environmentally friendly manner.

2. Supporting Energy-Efficient Installations

We play an important role in enabling energy efficient upgrades to take place smoothly and efficiently. One key area where we can contribute is in refrigeration system upgrades. Our teams can assist retailers by:

De-merchandising refrigeration units prior to the removal of old systems, ensuring minimal disruption to operations.
Coordinating with HVAC and refrigeration engineers to allow seamless access for the installation of new, energy-efficient refrigeration systems.
Re-merchandising and restocking once the new systems are in place, ensuring stores are quickly back to full trading capacity.

Through this support, RMS helps retailers transition to more energy efficient solutions with minimal downtime and maximum efficiency.

3. Sustainable Workforce Practices

Our commitment to sustainability extends beyond materials and energy efficiency. RMS promotes sustainable working practices, including:

Eco-conscious travel planning: Reducing emissions by optimising team travel and logistics.
Digital workforce management: Our flex™ system minimises paperwork and streamlines communication, reducing our carbon footprint.
Sustainable training initiatives: Equipping our teams with knowledge and best practices in sustainable retail installations.

How Our Hybrid Delivery Model Supports Sustainability

Our Hybrid Delivery Model isn’t just about efficiency, it’s also a powerful tool for driving sustainability. By blending merchandising, installation, and onsite leadership into a single multi-skilled team, we reduce inefficiencies and environmental impact across every stage of a project:

Fewer Site Visits, Lower Emissions: Multi-skilled teams mean fewer separate crews, reducing travel mileage, hotel stays, and overall carbon output.
Smarter Kit Management: By owning logistics and equipment coordination, we ensure fixtures are reused and repurposed whenever possible, minimising waste.
Less Disruption, More Efficiency: With streamlined scheduling and fewer handovers, stores return to trading faster, cutting downtime and energy costs.
Data-Driven Sustainability: Using our flex™ platform, we track project progress, materials, and logistics, enabling smarter planning and reduced carbon footprint.

This approach has delivered measurable sustainability gains for major retailers. In our Tesco National Shelving Programme, for example, we:

Achieved a 20% reduction in metal waste through reuse strategies.
Significantly reduced Scope 1 and Scope 3 emissions by consolidating logistics.
Completed the entire £4.2m programme ahead of schedule and under budget.

By embedding sustainability directly into our delivery model, RMS is proving that transformation projects can be faster, smarter and greener.

Looking Ahead: RMS’s Commitment to Sustainability

As part of our ongoing sustainability initiatives, RMS is actively working towards becoming a Net Zero supplier. Through continuous innovation, responsible sourcing, and eco-conscious operations, we aim to lead the way in sustainable retail installations across the UK and Ireland.

We’re helping retailers meet their sustainability commitments – one store transformation at a time.

Looking to integrate sustainable solutions into your retail space? Contact RMS today to learn how we can support your retail transformation journey with eco-friendly installation solutions.