Kathmandu set to open Australasia's first Green Star store in Melbourne
Leading adventure retailer Kathmandu is opening what is set to become Australasia’s first Green Star accredited retail store in Melbourne CBD on November 14.
In partnership with the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA), the Kathmandu Store Design and Development team are currently developing an industry-first Green Star rating tool to guide the sustainable design of stores across Australia.
The store has been built to achieve a five Green Star score by using sustainable design techniques, building materials and featured technologies that reduce carbon emissions and landfill waste.
Tim Loftus, the Kathmandu sustainability spokesperson says that the Galleria store brings the company’s commitment to sustainability to life.
“Kathmandu is creating a benchmark for sustainable design and building in retail.
“The Galleria store speaks to our brand belief of respecting the environment. We’re incredibly proud to invite Melburnians to visit Galleria and experience the store.”
Romily Madew, GBCA's CEO echoed Tim's thoughts and suggested 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.
“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.”
Chair of the City of Melbourne’s Environment Portfolio, Counsellor Arron Wood, says the new store sets a precendence for sustainable practice in Melbourne’s retail sector.
“There is a clear business case for green buildings in terms of air quality and staff attraction and retention’, Cr 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.