Kathmandu will open Australasia's first Green Star accredited store tomorrow.
Created with support from the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA), the retail site will be positioned in Melbourne's CBD.
The partnership, which involves Kathmandu's store design and development team, is is currently developing an industry-first Green Star rating tool.
The tool will guide the sustainable design of multiple stores around Australia.
The Galleria store has been purpose built to target 5 Star Green Star accreditation; using sustainable design techniques, building practices and materials.
It also includes features and technologies that reduce its carbon emissions and the amount of waste sent to landfill.
GBCA CEO Romilly Madew said Kathmandu’s leadership sends a signal to the retail industry.
“Kathmandu is showing the rest of the retail industry that sustainability is a strategic business decision – one that reinforces brand equity and commitment to ethical business practices,” Madew said.
“Consumers are increasingly rewarding sustainability with their wallets, and Kathmandu’s leadership will lead the way in reinventing the bricks-and-mortar retail experience in Australia.”
Key innovations include energy monitoring, where data is automatically sent to head office, and a master switching system to turn off all unnecessary energy points when the store is closed.
It also includes a full cardboard and co-mingled recycling system.
Chair of the City of Melbourne’s environment portfolio, Counsellor Arron Wood, said the store sets a new benchmark.
“There is a clear business case for green buildings in terms of air quality and staff attraction and retention," Wood said.
“Staff that work in healthy and well-designed environments are more likely to be happy and productive employees.”
The Galleria store is the first to be built as part of Kathmandu’s sustainable building design programme, which uses innovative principles and materials to reduce a store’s overall environmental footprint.