Paul Polman: Retailers ignoring green consumer shift risk 'heading to graveyard of dinosaurs'

Paul Polman says companies that fail to tackle climate change are are heading to the “graveyard of dinosaurs”

clock • 3 min read
Paul Polman is the former CEO of Unilever
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Paul Polman is the former CEO of Unilever

Warning from former Unilever CEO comes alongside survey showing sustainability is now a strategic priority for many global retailers

Retailers around the world which fail to grapple with the green shift in consumer buying habits which is driving up demand for more environmentally-friendly products and services risk consigning themselves...

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