Grocery Stewardship Certification
Ratio Institute’s Grocery Stewardship Certification (GSC) program was developed with the bottom line of your grocery business in mind.
With an average profit margin of just 1.7% in the grocery industry, Ratio Institute’s Grocery Stewardship Certification (GSC) program was developed to provide retailers a comprehensive sustainability program as well as a competitive advantage. Ratio Institute’s GSC benchmarks performance, reduces costs, and increases revenue for program participants.
Improving Efficiency with Actionable Data
The GSC program helps grocery retailers systemize how they manage sustainability across their stores. The GSC can be used for a single store, a district, or an entire chain. The GSC provides a selection of tools, training, research, and engagement strategies to assist participants with identifying opportunities to quantify the value of reducing impacts and costs. Over 900 stores are using the self-assessment store workbook for benchmarking and tracking improvements.
Walk the walk
Show customers you’re aligned with their values. 86% of Americans expect companies to do more than make a profit, by addressing social environmental issues. Certification helps you show how your business is making a difference.
Engage employees
Companies realize a tangible business benefit when they engage employees in their mission to be more sustainable. Many employees want to work for businesses making credible and transparent environmental changes.
Cut costs
The GSC helps grocery retailers cut costs associated with energy, water, and waste. GSC-certified stores save an average of more than $76,000 per store annually from operational sustainability measures.
Stores Enrolled In The Program Have Saved
| Savings | Measurement | Avg Per Store | GSC Wide Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Current Savings | $/yr | $71,494 | $43,969,115 |
| Potential Savings | $/yr | $22,468 | $13,818,005 |
| kWh | kWh/yr | 215,783 | 132,706,772 |
| Water | gal/yr | 207,401 | 127,551,376 |
| Total Waste Diverted | tons/yr | 1,296,043 | 797,066,743 |
Savings since program inception in 2012
GSC helps us address the challenge of communicating our goals to our store associates who make our sustainability program successful.
Energy & Sustainability Manager, Weis Markets Inc.