BT OFFERS RETAILERS A ROUTE TO SUSTAINABLE RETAILING AT RETAIL SOLUTIONS 2008

Published 18th June 2008

London, 13th June 2008, Retailers will able to find out how to deliver more sustainable products and services at this years Retail Solutions event. BT, in association with Retail Solutions will be sponsoring the ‘Sustainable Retailing’ stand at Retail Solutions.

This purpose-built show piece area will be a key focal point of the show, and experts from BT and its partners will be on hand to answer questions on sustainable retailing and offer advice on areas which will include, technologies that retailers can adopt to help them become a more sustainable retailer, how can the carbon footprint of staff and stores be reduced, how to combat lost sales due to competitors better sustainability record, and how employees can be empowered to help customers view their company as a responsible retailer.

Research commissioned by BT has shown that in the past year over a quarter of consumers (27 per cent) have turned down a product or service from a supplier they felt did not have a strong sustainability record, 60 per cent would be prepared to spend extra on a product that was more environmentally and socially responsible and nearly a third (31 per cent) of employees do not believe that the organisation that they work for is environmentally and socially responsible. One in three (30 per cent) believes that their employer only takes action when forced to by external pressures such as suppliers or customers.

Retailers are undoubtedly taking the issue seriously, the same report found that 56 per cent of retailers believe they are taking significant steps to improve their impact on the environment and communities and a further 28 per cent say they are doing everything they can, and Retail Solutions 2008 will give retailers a platform to discuss these issues.

Helen Slaven, CEO, BT Expedite, said; “BT contributes to sustainability in every market in which we do business, and has long been an advocate of social responsibility. Visitors to the stand will discover ways to benefit from these values in their own business.”

Tim Edwards, event manager for Retail Solutions, said: “Following on from the success of Store of the Future at last years Retail Solutions, we are confident that visitors will be equally impressed with the Sustainable Retailing feature at Retail Solutions 2008.”

Go to www.retailsolutions2008.com for FREE fast track entry to Retail Solutions and to register for the conferences.



About Retail Solutions 2008:

Now in its 28th year, Retail Solutions is the leading exhibition for the UK’s retail technology market where representatives from the top 500 retailers come to learn about the latest technology, source suppliers and compare vendors. In addition to over 250 of the biggest and most innovative solutions providers, Retail Week Conferences at Retail Solutions will provide delegates with a paid for conference featuring first-class presentations from UK and international retailers, who will address technology issues from a business perspective. Also, the European Retail Solutions Awards showcases the best and most innovative retail technology applications.
www.retailsolutions2008.com

About BT
BT is one of the world’s leading providers of communications solutions and services operating in 170 countries. Its principal activities include the provision of networked IT services globally; local, national and international telecommunications services to our customers for use at home, at work and on the move; broadband and internet products and services and converged fixed/mobile products and services. BT consists principally of four lines of business: BT Global Services, Openreach, BT Retail and BT Wholesale.

In the year ended 31 March 2008, BT Group plc’s revenue was £20,704 million with profit before taxation and specific items of £2,506 million.

British Telecommunications plc (BT) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BT Group and encompasses virtually all businesses and assets of the BT Group. BT Group plc is listed on stock exchanges in London and New York. For more information, visit www.bt.com/aboutbt

About EDS

Today’s retailers need to constantly reinvent themselves and deliver sustainable growth through new products, channels and geographies. They are also challenged with improving profitability in low-growth environments, whilst consistently delivering exceptional customer service.

EDS founded the information technology outsourcing industry more than 40 years ago. Today, EDS is a leading global technology services company delivering business solutions to its clients. We differentiate ourselves in the marketplace by providing outstanding services, innovation and industry thought leadership.

We have supported retail and consumer industries companies worldwide to address their challenges and deliver business success. EDS works with 25% of the top 100 retailers worldwide. We have served more than 200 consumer industry and retail clients across all major market sectors and scale and size of business.

Our partnership with Retail Solutions continues our active involvement in the retail industry globally, working with our alliance partners to drive innovation and supporting industry associations to develop research and insights.

At EDS we understand that your success and reputation is in our hands and as the world’s business ally … we deliver on our commitments so that you can deliver yours.

Find out more at www.eds.com



For further information, please contact:
Emma Easterbrook
PR Contact
Fieldworks Marketing
Tel: 01435 873080
emma@fieldworksmarketing.co.uk


Notes to editors:
Journalists can contact Fieldworks Marketing for further event details and press passes to the event.