Rachel Kelly, Channel NewsAsia 1 Jan 10;
SINGAPORE : Amid the push towards becoming more environmentally conscious, a growing number of retail brands are seeking eco-solutions for their customers.
They have come out with products that are green.
More retail brands are making a firm move to support the green movement by launching green product offerings.
Ladies lingerie brand Triumph for example launched Eco Chic, an eco-undies alternative in Singapore, Taiwan, Malaysia, and China last year.
And following positive feedback, it is now looking to further expand the brand in the region.
Josephine Wong, assistant product manager, Triumph Singapore, said: "It is part of the niche market that we want to capture, and at the same time as a company, we feel that we have to give back to the environment, give back to mother nature in that sense. And we want to be socially responsible where the environment is concerned. That is why we try to source for natural grown fabrics, we try to look for organic stuff, we use sustainable ingredients to make the products."
The eco-undies are made of natural materials such as corn, cotton and bamboo.
And Triumph said it is looking to add more sustainable manufacturing methods to all of its products going forward.
Meanwhile,Singapore homegrown shoe brand Nuabs is making strides in the eco arena with eco-shoes made of recycled materials such as tyre rubber.
Vernice Chua, founder, Nuabs, said: "We did not start the brand just to capitalise on this trend. We started the brand Nuabs to build a common ground among people by introducing footwear that is designed and worn by farmers in Third World countries and we introduced it to people living in the cities.
"And by default somehow, we just became an eco-friendly brand, because farmers, as we all know, are one of the best role models for eco-living and being green. We are in Singapore the local market, we are in Thailand, and hopefully we will be expanding around the region in the next few years."
While these new products may appeal to those with a heart for Planet Earth, some retailers said that pricing is important. And until the global economy sees a full recovery, shoppers may still opt for the more affordable product, even if it were less green. - CNA/ms
