As sustainability work becomes more prominent across the grocery industry, food retailers are faced with the questions of if, how and when to have their eco-friendly measures tie back to their bottom line. 

In this three-part series, Grocery Dive explores how sustainability initiatives connect to grocers’ financial planning and reporting. 

The series includes a look at the disconnect financial analysts say they see between grocers spotlighting sustainability measures, which resonate with shoppers, and connecting that work to their bottom lines. A lack of standardized reporting measures, it turns out, is curbing investor support.

Then a consulting firm that works with grocers to advance grocery sustainability weighs in on the five energy mistakes that can cost grocers roughly $15,000 a year per store — equivalent to just under $271,000 in annual sales. 

Finally, a regional grocery chain’s first-ever director of sustainability shares how sustainability efforts factor into its financial planning.