Environmental Retail Index
Environmental Retail Index (ERI) is an annual benchmarking survey offering customized, actionable, and exclusive insights on environmental sustainability and compliance to transform your retail business.
ERI (formerly known as Sustainable Retail Index) was launched at APTIM’s 2025 Retail Leadership Summit to provide valuable peer benchmarking information to retail clients. In its first year, we received responses from environmental compliance and sustainability leaders at top global retailers, including Best Buy, Dollar Tree, Kohl’s, and Petco.
Our questionnaire asks about corporate environmental goals and best practices that have helped drive progress at the facility level. The survey includes core questions that provide year-over-year insights on industry progress as well as timely, compliance-related questions. Survey sections include the following:
- Energy and greenhouse gases
- Environmental resilience
- Supply chain sustainability
- Waste management and diversion
Each ERI participant receives a complimentary report and an optional consultation, which compares their responses with those of their closest peers.
Our team also uses ERI data to produce thought leadership pieces that address high-level trends in the data and common questions from retail participants.
The Value We Promise
We understand your environmental compliance and sustainability teams are often overwhelmed with questionnaires and disclosures—so what makes the ERI worth your time?
- Customized Reports: Our individual reports make it easy to build a business case for new investments and strategic priorities with company leadership by using direct and specific peer benchmarking.
- Actionable Insights: Our questions focus on implementation rather than outcomes. While other environmental indices primarily assess broad impacts, risks, and opportunities, our index gauges the practices necessary to produce better results.
- Exclusive Features: While all survey data featured in our thought leadership is aggregated and anonymized, we welcome the submission of case studies of initiatives that could be highlighted as best practices.
Additional Support Services
Participation, individual participant reports, and results consultations are available at no cost. APTIM’s Sustainability Solutions team can provide additional support for our participants in setting targets, implementing programs, and managing data collection.
Check out APTIM’s similar benchmarking initiative for the sports industry, Sustainable Sport Index, which is now in its fifth year.
Frequently Asked Questions About ERI
Will my answers be public?
No. Your responses will remain anonymous. All publicly reported results and comparative insights shared in individual reports will be aggregated within an “all respondents” dataset. The fact that your company participated may be referenced in marketing materials; however, no specific response data will be shared. If your company requires a nondisclosure agreement, contact our team at EnvironmentalRetail@APTIM.com.
How much does it cost?
Participation is offered at no cost. All participating retailers receive a customized, confidential report that compares their performance with that of other respondents.
Who should participate?
We are seeking data from retail companies that have a significant US-based physical retail store footprint.
Other questions? Reach out to EnvironmentalRetail@APTIM.com.
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