Powering Greener Retail: Better Product Information Drives Sustainable Growth, Says Akeneo

Date: October 22, 2025
Author: Justin Thomas, VP Sales EMEA North, Akeneo
Published on: Sustainable Retail Blog

Introduction: Sustainability as a Business Imperative

Brands face pressure from consumers, regulators, and investors. They must show product sustainability in clear detail. The European Union sets a simple rule. The rule, part of the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), requires Digital Product Passports (DPPs) by 2027. Each product must list lifecycle, sourcing, and environmental facts.

Challenge: How do brands and retailers pool and share complex sustainability details without disrupting work?

The Need for a Unified Product Information Strategy

Today, sustainability data lives in many rooms:

• Design & Engineering: They note material makeup and recycled parts.
• Procurement: They list supplier certificates and CO₂ reports.
• Compliance/Legal: They keep track of rules and banned substances.
• Marketing & Commerce: They show eco-labels and carbon marks.

Each team sits apart. This separation may mix messages, cause greenwashing claims, shake trust, and raise data costs. Akeneo calls for one strong system. A centralized product information management (PIM) system can join core product facts with sustainability bits.

Strategic Advantages of Sustainable Product Information

True green efforts give clear wins:

• Cost Reductions: Cutting waste with better packaging and efficient materials.
• Enhanced Consumer Loyalty: Sixty percent of buyers pay extra for real green products.
• Resilience: Smart sourcing and supplier variety lessen supply risks.
• Investor Confidence: Companies that meet ESG rules get better funding terms.
• Innovation & Future-Proofing: New models, like reuse and biodegradable parts, can grow.

The Digital Product Passport (DPP) Mandate

• The DPP, under the EU ESPR rule, makes brands share clear data. This data covers what the product is made of, its origin, its impact, repair ways, and end-of-life tips.
• A brand called Nobody’s Child started using DPPs in 2023. They aim to finish by Autumn/Winter 2025.
• The DPP meets law and builds trust. It helps recyclers and repairers work in a clear circle.

Akeneo’s Vision for PIM and Sustainability

Akeneo stands for one PIM system that:

• Puts sustainability facts next to each product or group.
• Uses shared terms like certification names or material types.
• Offers ready-made layouts for different kinds of products—electronics, textiles, or furniture.
• Works with outside tools (like Ocode and EON) for smooth, verified data flow.
• Keeps clear records. It shows changes, versions, and the data trail.
• Shares accurate sustainability data in e-commerce, on labels, and in DPPs.
• Prepares for the future with tools for carbon tracking and material history.

Practical Steps to Get Started

1. Map Sustainability Data Domains: List what data exists and what gaps you need to fill.
2. Define Attribute Schemas: Agree on clear standards and units with your team.
3. Deploy a PIM Backbone: Bring both product and green data into one system.
4. Integrate External Data Flows: Link up tools that check traceability and lifecycle facts.
5. Expose Trusted Data Channels: Share clear data with consumers and meet DPP rules.

Conclusion: Sustainability Demands Rigorous Product Information Management

Green efforts are not just a marketing trick. They are now a firm must-have. Laws, like the DPP rule, and consumer demands drive this change. A good PIM platform helps brands cut risks, build trust, and grab growth chances.

For brands that aim for real sustainable growth, better product data is the base for greener retail.

Further Reading

• Download Akeneo’s full report on the evolving modern shopper [here].
• Find more on luxury brand trust, AI in retail, and digital supplier data on our site.

Source: Sustainable Retail Blog, October 22, 2025
Tags: Akeneo, Digital Product Passport, Sustainability, Product Information Management (PIM), EU ESPR

Design Delight Studio curates high-impact, authoritative insights into sustainable and organic product trends, helping conscious consumers and innovative brands stay ahead in a fast-evolving green economy.