Why Should Your Retail Brand Become a B Corp?

What is B Corp?

Not across the basics yet? No problem; we wrote a whole article breaking it down here (that’s if you haven’t already asked ChatGPT).

‍

Why should your brand care?

Consumers are smarter than ever. Retail buyers and procurement teams are tightening their standards. Your customers want to see real values with proof. B Corp certification is becoming the trust mark that cuts through the noise.

The UK B Corp community is one of the fastest growing in the world with over 2,600 certified B Corps now. That is far too much momentum for retail brands to ignore.

If that does not convince you, here are more reasons why it is shifting from "nice to have" to "must have."

‍

1. Your dream stockists require it

Supermarkets, distributors and even online platforms are beginning to include sustainability criteria in supplier onboarding. Without certifications like B Corp, your listing may never make it to the shelf.

2. Brand trust and credibility

How can you convince buyers or customers that your product is ethical and sustainable if you cannot show proof yourself? B Corp gives you that external validation and helps protect you from greenwashing accusations.

3. Attract and retain talent

The food, fashion and beverage sectors are competitive. Great people want to work with companies that have a mission and clear values, not just a product. Certification shows you are serious.

And if you are still not sure, check out the benefits and ROI of B Corp certification.

‍

So, you are convinced. What next?

You have three ways to get started:

1. DIY
   Keep it in house. Build a project team with a B Corp Champion. Expect a few hours each week, shared across departments. It is doable but can get overwhelming.
2. Consultant
   The full service route. You will still need to collaborate but a consultant will guide you through. This option comes at a higher cost.‍
3. Hybrid (our fave)
   B Corp isn’t one-and-done, you need to recertify every 3 years. A hybrid model lets you keep some knowledge in house while still getting expert support. With Futureproof, you’ll get step-by-step tasks (as little as 1 hour a week), templates, and a support team to handle tricky bits. We’ve helped brands like Sproud and Born Social navigate this journey successfully.

Before you jump into the step-by-step, see if your brand is ready for B Corp by taking our quick B Corp readiness checker here.

The Retail Brand Step by Step

0) Set the team. Appoint a senior sponsor and a B Corp Champion. Create one shared folder for evidence and deadlines.

1) Create your B Impact Assessment. Choose the right industry category and lock your scope.

2) Gather proof. For retail brands this includes: supply chain audits, sourcing policies, packaging and sustainability data, HR and DEI policies, employee wellbeing, carbon footprint or reduction plan, and community impact initiatives.

3) Complete the BIA honestly. Document assumptions and focus on real practices, not plans.

4) Score under 80? Improve. Close quick wins: adopt Living Wage, publish policies, review supplier standards, strengthen environmental practices. Then re-score.

5) Score 80 or above? Submit and pay the submission fee.

6) Book your review call. You will receive a link from B Lab.

7) Upload evidence. Two business days before the call, upload documents. Expect 6 to 15 sampled questions.

8) Attend the review call. This is a 60 to 90 minute session where your answers are reviewed and your score is adjusted.

9a) If your score drops below 80, fix gaps and re-open.
9b) If you remain above 80, expect up to 6 more document requests. Upload promptly.

10) Complete the disclosure questionnaire. Declare any sensitive issues.

11) Meet the legal requirement. Use B Lab’s legal tool to integrate stakeholder governance into your company’s Articles.

12) Sign the B Corp Agreement and Declaration of Interdependence.

13) Pay your annual fee based on revenue. Publish your score. Plan improvements. Recertify every 3 years and publish an annual impact report.

‍

Final word

Good luck on your B Corp journey. Whether you go it alone or bring in support, we love seeing retail brands step into this movement. If you would like to see how Futureproof can help you certify faster and lighter, book a call with us here.