Creating A Sustainable Ecommerce Business Model

Treating all inventory the same is a HUGE mistake. This document contains 9 ways to segment inventory: 1️⃣ ABC ↳ Based on: part value ↳ A = 10-20% highest value items; B = 20-30% medium value items; C = 70-80% low value items 2️⃣ XYZ ↳ Based on: variability of demand ↳ X = Predictable; demand is steady; Y = somewhat predictable; Z = not predictable; demand has great fluctuations 3️⃣ ABCXYZ ↳ Based on: combination of part value (ABC) and demand variability (XYZ) ↳ All combinations: AX, AY, AZ, BX, BY, BZ, CX, CY, CZ 4️⃣ VED ↳ Based on: usage of inventory. Applies to spares. ↳ V = Vital; E = Essential; D = Desirable items for production 5️⃣ FNSD ↳ Based on: Quantity and consumption ↳ F = Fast-moving, N = Normal-moving, S = Slow-moving, D= Dead stock 6️⃣ SDE ↳ Based on: scarcity of supply. Applies to Procurement. ↳ S = scarce, D = difficult to procure, E = easy to procure 7️⃣ HML ↳ Based on: product’s unit price ↳ H = high value; M = medium value; L = low value of inventory 8️⃣ SOS ↳ Based on: type of supply ↳ S = seasonal; OS = off-seasonal 9️⃣ Product Lifecycle ↳ Based on: product lifecycle stage ↳ NP: new products (still being introduced, uncertain demand); MP: mature products (stable demand, established market); EP: end-of-life products (declining demand, planned phase-out) Any others to add?

Around 400 million tonnes of plastic waste are produced globally each year 🌎 As the world intensifies efforts to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and address the environmental costs of plastic production, algae-based materials are emerging as a promising alternative. Leveraging rapidly renewable biomass like algae offers an opportunity to replace petroleum-derived plastics in a variety of consumer applications, from footwear to packaging. Algae can be cultivated or harvested from eutrophic waters where excessive nutrient pollution has triggered harmful blooms. By capturing this biomass and transforming it into usable material, this approach not only generates renewable feedstocks but can also contribute to ecosystem restoration. The process integrates environmental remediation with material innovation. However, the potential of algae-derived plastics comes with important considerations. These bioplastics often require blending with conventional polymers to achieve performance requirements, raising questions about end-of-life management and recyclability. Additionally, scaling production to meet industrial demand without triggering other ecological pressures is a complex challenge. Still, algae-based materials represent a valuable addition to the portfolio of solutions aimed at reducing plastic dependency. They offer a lower-carbon alternative, open new pathways for regenerative design, and invite cross-sector collaboration between environmental science, material engineering, and manufacturing. As innovation continues, it will be essential to assess these materials not only by their bio-content but by their full life cycle performance and circular potential. Moving away from plastics requires more than a single solution—it demands a new mindset rooted in systems thinking, environmental integrity, and material responsibility. #sustainability #sustainable #business #esg #climatechange

Turning apple waste into furniture? Material innovation is being redefined with a groundbreaking vegan-certified leather alternative crafted from upcycled agricultural waste. This innovative material offers a premium, bio-based option that seamlessly blends environmental responsibility with practical versatility. Manufactured on wide rolls, it provides a luxurious, durable alternative to traditional leather while addressing the urgent need for eco-friendly solutions. By utilising by-products of agricultural processes, this innovation exemplifies how waste can become a cornerstone for transformative design, challenging industry norms and fostering a more circular economy. Recently, this material has been introduced in the furniture sector, demonstrating its versatility and effectiveness in reducing carbon footprints. For example, when used in furniture, it achieves significant reductions in carbon emissions compared to traditional materials. This measurable impact highlights the potential of sustainable materials to advance both environmental and business objectives. Key Features of Bio-Based Materials →Transformative Origins: Converts agricultural by-products into high-quality materials. →Cross-Industry Applications: Ideal for furniture, fashion, and automotive sectors. →Design Customisation: Supports diverse finishes and textures, meeting unique design needs. →Supply Chain Transparency: Offers full traceability, ensuring ethical production and enhancing storytelling. Business Impact and ROI →Sustainability Leadership: Collaborating with material innovators demonstrates a commitment to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals. →Cost Optimisation: By utilising waste-based inputs, businesses can reduce dependence on costly, resource-intensive materials. →Market Differentiation: Offering products made with innovative materials positions companies as leaders in sustainability, appealing to a conscientious consumer base. →Carbon Reduction: Bio-based materials deliver tangible emissions savings, supporting corporate decarbonisation objectives. This innovation exemplifies how rethinking waste can drive sustainability and profitability, empowering businesses to lead in the era of bio-based innovation. Link for more info: https://lnkd.in/dmtMrnP3 #sustainability #esg #biomaterials #decarbonisation #wasteupcycling #innovation #bioeconomy #climateaction #circularity #greendesign

Materials in Motion. Sustainability remains the hottest topic across the packaging value chain. With climate change becoming a global challenge, it's no longer a trend but a packaging expectation. It's time for brands to step up and do what's best for the good of their brand and the environment. Designers have become a driving force in this movement, connecting science and big ideas to drive change. At the heart of this transformation are next-gen materials—a multi-billion-pound opportunity. Materials are derived from sustainably sourced plants, algae, fungi (especially mycelium, a root-like structure of many fungal species), microbes, cultured animal cells, recycled plastic, textile feedstock, and other sustainable sources. Biomimicry approaches have been used by designers to replicate the positive aesthetic and performance properties of incumbent materials, while eliminating their negative externalities. "Packioli" is a great example—biodegradable soap packaging made from artichoke leaves and pea pods. Alara Ertenü, an industrial design student, brilliantly repurposed agricultural waste from local artichoke farms in Turkey—one person's agricultural waste is another's perfectly suitable biopolymer feedstock. Waste is freeze-dried and blended with natural ingredients, creating a sustainable material in just four days. This includes artichoke leaves, pea pods, water, vegetable glycerin, and alginic acid from brown algae. Packioli is not only water-resistant for up to a week but also features an easy-tear opening. Its versatile material can be shaped for various purposes and biodegrades in just 10 to 15 days. However, amid the influx of new materials, navigating this intricate landscape can be challenging. Emerging materials bring with them a host of questions. What are the upstream impacts of sourcing and manufacturing these alternative materials ? What about the environmental impact? How do you pick the right material for the job? It's a puzzle, for sure. The key is to align the material's function, performance, and characteristics with recycling infrastructure capabilities. Nature's certainly got some mind-blowing materials up her sleeve, especially for packaging. Could these innovations be the big break brands have been waiting for? The journey of discovery unfolds... #packagingdesign #sustainablepackaging #sustainability #sustainabledesign #productdesign 📷Alara Ertenü

🌿 Exploring the Versatility of Cardanol: From Industrial Applications to Recent Innovations 🌿 Cardanol, derived from cashew nutshell liquid (CNSL), is a fascinating natural phenolic lipid with a myriad of industrial applications. As a renewable resource, it's gaining significant traction as a sustainable alternative to petroleum-based chemicals. Key Uses of Cardanol: Resins and Coatings: Essential in producing epoxy resins and friction dust coatings. Adhesives: Crucial for strong adhesion in automotive, aerospace, and construction industries. Surface Active Agents: Utilized in detergents, emulsifiers, and dispersants. Lubricants: Effective in extreme conditions, particularly in metalworking. Polyurethane Foam: Used in insulation, cushioning, and packaging. Ink and Printing: Important in specialty inks and printing materials. Rubber Compounding: Enhances flexibility, durability, and resistance to heat and chemicals. Pharmaceuticals: Potential antimicrobial and antioxidant properties under exploration. Fuel Additives: Investigated for improving biofuel performance. Recent Developments in Cardanol Research: Biodegradable Polymers: Development of eco-friendly packaging and agricultural films. Green Surfactants: Sustainable alternatives to petroleum-based surfactants. Pharmaceutical Applications: Exploring antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. Fuel Additives: Enhancing biofuel efficiency and reducing emissions. Adhesives and Coatings: Optimizing durability and environmental resistance. Functional Materials: Innovations in sensors, membranes, and electronic devices. Valorization of Byproducts: Efficient extraction and utilization techniques for CNSL. Green Chemistry: Prominent role in eco-friendly chemical synthesis. Cardanol's unique properties, including its phenolic structure and hydrophobic hydrocarbon chain, make it compatible with various organic materials and suitable for chemical modifications. This versatility, combined with its eco-friendly nature, positions cardanol as a valuable resource for industries striving for sustainability. Let's continue to explore and innovate with cardanol, paving the way for greener and more sustainable industrial processes! #Sustainability #GreenChemistry #Cardanol #RenewableResources Photo description: Posing with a cashew nut plant 15 years ago during my PhD research. My work was focused on developing new molecules and polymers from cardanol, exploring its versatile and sustainable potential.

Waste isn’t the problem, it’s the system that treats it like one. In a circular economy, waste is already a resource. The challenge is how to design processes that turn it into value efficiently, locally, and at scale. PINATEX AIELO SL is a great example: a textile made from discarded pineapple leaves, transforming agricultural by-products into a plant-based alternative to leather. No extra land, no additional water, no harm, just smarter use of what’s already there. And it’s not the only one. A growing wave of bio-materials is proving that innovation doesn’t always mean new, sometimes it means used better. Because circularity isn’t a trend, it’s a mindset, one where design begins with waste and regeneration begins with design. 🌿 How else can we rethink waste as a catalyst for innovation in fashion and materials? #CircularEconomy #CircularDesign #BioMaterials #Pinatex #FromWasteToWorth #SustainableInnovation #DesignForChange #RegenerativeDesign #FutureOfMaterials #WasteAsResource

What if the strongest “wood” in a space did not come from a tree? What if it started as an olive pit on a farm in Cyprus? Every year, tons of olive waste quietly pile up after oil production. For most of us, it is invisible. For a few material innovators, it has become the starting point for some of the densest, toughest boards used in furniture and interiors. Scientists have shown that when olive stones are transformed into composites, they can boost stiffness, hardness, and durability compared to many conventional fillers. This is the kind of circular story that rarely makes headlines, yet it changes how we think about “waste.” Olive pits, once a disposal problem, become high performance surfaces in hospitality, retail, and residential projects. Designers get a material with character and strength; local economies get more value from existing harvests; the planet gets less pressure on forests and landfills. What inspires here is not only the science, but the mindset. Instead of asking “how do we clean up waste,” these teams ask “how do we design it out and turn it into an asset.” That mental shift is where the real innovation lives. It is a reminder that powerful sustainability stories often start in the least glamorous places: by-products, leftovers, and side streams that most value chains ignore. KEY TAKEAWAYS: · Olive pits are more than waste; they can become dense, high performance boards for furniture and interiors when used as composite fillers. · Circular materials like olive stone panels unlock new value for agriculture, reduce pressure on forests, and give designers fresh tools for storytelling and durability. · The real innovation is a mindset shift: seeing “waste” as a design input that can strengthen both materials and business models. What other “invisible” waste streams do you think could become the next high performance material in design and hospitality? #SustainableDesign #LuxuryHospitality #ImpactDesign #Architecture #Innovation #CircularEconomy #MaterialInnovation #InteriorDesign #HospitalityDesign #EnvironmentalDesign #BiophilicDesign

TACoS = Advertising Spend / Total Sales What should you do when TACoS feels too high? First, remember that TACoS is a two-part equation: 🔶 Advertising Spend 🔶 Total Sales To improve TACoS, you need to either decrease ad spend or increase total sales. Understanding this helps pinpoint where to focus. Evaluating the Equation: 🤯 If ads typically contribute over 50% of total sales, reducing ad spend might hurt overall performance—unless there's wasted spend from poor targets and auto campaigns. The solution? Focus on boosting organic rank instead. 🤯 With a healthy mix of organic and ad sales, there's room to optimize ad spend. Check the "Targeting Tab" to ensure top-spending targets are converting well and meeting ACoS goals. 🤯 Identify opportunities to scale through Search Query Performance to complement your search ads strategy. Do you know if you are running ads where your competitors make the most sales? 🤯 Lastly, it's crucial to understand how Amazon Sponsored Product ads distribute your budget across three placements: TOS (Top of Search), ROS (Rest of Search), and PDP (Product Detail Page). This distribution can affect your control over ad performance and organic rank. That's why we emphasize keyword isolation for better placement targeting and to mitigate organic rank fluctuations. If you've optimized spending but TACoS is still high, check your organic rank for top keywords. Brands often overlook this. Identify the root cause of rank drops and strategize for improvement. What's the actual role of your ads on Amazon? Focus on volume and conversion. But remember, PPC alone isn't a silver bullet—it requires time and investment. Success comes from a well-rounded strategy for customer acquisition on and off Amazon. Ensure all strategies align with your brand's objectives. Achieving goals like increasing sales, improving rank, reducing TACoS, and boosting profitability simultaneously can be challenging. This requires careful planning and a strategic approach over time. For those wanting to delve deeper into rank strategies, let's connect. #amazonads #amazonppc #ppc #amazon #offamazon

Not All Green Labels Are Created Equal: How to Avoid #Greenwashing and Build Trust! Did you know that 42% of "green" claims are exaggerated or misleading? 🌍💡 In today’s eco-conscious market, sustainability isn’t just a trend—it’s a trust factor. But here’s the catch: Not all "green" labels are trustworthy. Some are backed by rigorous certifications, while others are just clever marketing tactics designed to mislead. For businesses, this isn’t just a branding challenge—it’s a matter of credibility. 🔎 Consumers are more informed than ever. They’re scrutinizing claims, demanding transparency, and holding brands accountable. If your sustainability efforts aren’t genuine, they’ll see right through it. So, how can your business avoid greenwashing and build real trust? ✅ 1. Prioritize Transparency Don't just tell—show. Share the why and how behind your sustainability initiatives. Customers want to know the story behind your efforts, not just the end result. 🔹 What materials do you use? 🔹 Who makes your products, and under what conditions? 🔹 What impact does your business truly have? The more transparent you are, the stronger your credibility. ✅ 2. Choose Credible Certifications Not all labels are created equal. Opt for verified, reputable ones that hold real accountability: 🔹 B Corp – Measures social & environmental impact 🔹 Fairtrade – Ethical sourcing & fair wages 🔹 FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) – Sustainable forestry practices If you’re using a certification, make sure it aligns strategically with your values—not just as a compliance checkbox. 🚫 3. Avoid Empty Buzzwords Terms like “natural” or “eco-friendly” sound great—but without proof, they can backfire. 📌 In many regions, including the EU and the US, unsubstantiated claims are considered false advertising and can lead to legal consequences. Instead of vague claims, provide data and measurable impact. For example: ❌ "Eco-friendly packaging" → ✅ "100% biodegradable and compostable within 90 days" 🧐 How to Spot the Difference? Not sure how to distinguish trustworthy vs. misleading labels? Use this quick guide: ❌ Misleading Labels: (Vague terms like "green" or "eco-friendly", No proof or third-party verification, Overpromising impact) Sustainability isn’t just about slapping a label on your product—it’s about creating real, positive impact through your business practices. 📢 Have you ever spotted greenwashing in action? Drop a comment below! 👇 ♻️ If this post was helpful, share it with your network to spread awareness! #Sustainability #Greenwashing #EcoFriendly #SustainableBusiness #Transparency #BCorp #Fairtrade #FSC #EthicalBusiness #ClimateAction #SustainableLiving #GreenMarketing #BrandTrust

One client was burning 20% of ad spend on campaigns that generated almost zero new customers. After auditing hundreds of Amazon accounts at GNO Partners, this is one of the most common profit leaks we find: A new client joined us in January. 20% of their total PPC spend was going to vCPM Sponsored Display campaigns. The ACOS looked great on paper. But here's what most sellers miss: Amazon double-attributes sales in vCPM campaigns. So we checked the real indicator: % of New-to-Brand orders. Every single vCPM campaign came back below 10% NTB. That means 90%+ of those "sales" were repeat buyers who would have purchased anyway. The ad spend was real. The incremental sales were not. We paused all vCPM campaigns on Call 1. The result: • TACOS dropped within days. • Margin went from 9.8% to 16.8%. • The brand broke $30K/month in net profit for the first time ever. If you're running vCPM campaigns, do this today: • Pull your vCPM campaigns • Check % of New-to-Brand orders. • If NTB is low relative to your other campaigns, pause it. • Analyze what happens to TACOS and margin Sometimes the biggest win isn't a new tactic. It's stopping the bleed. ♻️ Repost if you want to save your network some money.