Dive Brief:
- Footwear and accessories brand Rothy’s appointed James Rogers as its new vice president of sustainability, according to details emailed to Retail Dive.
- Rogers most recently acted as director of sustainability at The RealReal, per LinkedIn, and previously held leadership positions at The North Face.
- The new Rothy’s executive will “oversee the company's global sustainability efforts, focusing on reducing its environmental impact,” per the email details.
Dive Insight:
Rothy’s new sustainability executive joins as the retail industry attempts to reduce its footprint.
Rogers’ sustainability responsibilities at Rothy’s include developing and executing a strategic plan alongside executive leadership, as well as accelerating the brand's circular economy initiatives and reducing its environmental impact across the supply chain. Additionally, Rothy’s wholly-owned factory received LEED and TRUE Zero Waste certifications in early 2023.
Plenty of apparel and accessories brands have debuted initiatives over the past year aimed at improving their environmental impact.
Lingerie company Adore Me this month debuted its sustainability accelerator program, which so far includes four startups aimed at addressing various aspects of the manufacturing process. Furniture retailer Ikea in September launched two new sustainability initiatives, including a solar installation project, as part of its effort to become climate positive by 2030. Additionally, Wrangler and Lee’s parent company Kontoor Brands released a system meant to lower its climate impact called Global Design Standards in April.
A growing interest for consumers, sustainability-marketed products increased in market share during 2022 by 0.3% year over year and comprised 17.3% of purchases compared to conventionally marketed products, according to a report from Circana and the New York University Stern Center for Sustainable Business released in March. However, such products remain more expensive with a 27.6% premium compared to conventionally marketed goods.
Rothy’s new appointment comes more than a year after it hired Heather Archibald as chief product and merchandising officer in addition to bringing on Jamie Gersch as chief marketing officer.
