Marks & Spencer (M&S) opened its first high street (main street) sustainable learning store in India at South Extension Market in Delhi – as part of the company’s drive to become the world’s most sustainable major retailer by 2015.

The three-floor, 20,000 square foot store hosts a range of sustainable construction and design features to reduce energy usage and waste, according to a company statement. The store will provide M&S with valuable insight into sustainable building practices in India, which it will use to support future projects in the country.

The store is one of only a few retail outlets in India to build to American standards: it has applied for a Gold LEED* rating, which recognizes its sustainable features including:

Heat transmitting glass, helping to maintain in-store temperatures and cut UV ray penetration by 90 percent

• Solar reflective tiles that keep the store cool
• Use of ENERGY STAR certified equipment
• Energy meters to monitor the store’s energy performance
• Rain water harvesting
• Dedicated recycling bins
• The use of rapidly renewable raw materials, such as engineered wood
• Excellent public transport links and reserved parking spaces for car pools

“We’re delighted to open our new store at Delhi’s premier shopping destination,” said Yogesh Yadav, M&S Store Manager at South Extension Market. “It’s a pleasure to welcome customers across Delhi to our first sustainable high street store, which not only helps the environment but also provides us with invaluable learnings as we continue to build our presence in India.”

M&S has committed to opening two new sustainable learning stores in the UK each as a part of its “Plan A,” M&S’ environmental and ethical program, launched in 2007 and extended in March 2010. M&S opened its first sustainable learning store in Sheffield in April 2011, followed by its Stratford City store in London in September 2011. Plan A takes a holistic approach to sustainability focusing on involving customers, involving all areas of the business and tackling issues such as climate change, waste, raw materials, health and being a fair partner.

In November 2011, M&S opened its first international sustainable learning store at Market City Mall in Bangalore. The 20,000 square-foot clothing, home and gifts store features energy efficient lighting, using 15 per cent less energy, energy efficient air conditioning, water saving technology and high levels of construction waste has been recycled. The store is aiming for a LEED rating of Silver.

Marks & Spencer opened its first store in India in 2001 and in April 2008 signed a Joint Venture with Reliance Retail to form Marks & Spencer Reliance India Pvt Ltd. M&S now has 25 stores located in Delhi, Gurgaon, Noida, Amritsar, Mumbai, Pune, Kolkata, Bangalore, Chennai and Hyderabad.

via Marks & Spencer Opens Sustainable Learning Store in India – Green Retail Decisions.