Marks & Spencer (M&S), one of the UK’s leading multinational retailers, has announced the launch of RE:Spark, a new supply chain decarbonization programme developed in partnership with global energy technology leader Schneider Electric. The initiative was unveiled at Schneider Electric’s Innovation Summit North America in Las Vegas, attended by more than 2,500 business leaders and innovators focused on building a more resilient and intelligent energy future.
RE:Spark is a central pillar of M&S’s Plan A sustainability strategy, which targets achieving net-zero emissions across the company’s value chain by 2040. The programme aims to rapidly scale the adoption of renewable electricity across M&S’s extensive global supplier network.
At the core of RE:Spark is a commitment to extend M&S’s climate action beyond its own operations and drive measurable change throughout its supply chain. The programme will introduce several key components:
A digital hub powered by Schneider Electric’s Zeigo Hub, providing suppliers with a centralized platform to submit emissions data, track decarbonization progress, and access specialized learning resources and recommended actions.
Regional market briefs and webinars in five high-priority markets—Vietnam, Turkey, India, China, and Bangladesh—to educate suppliers on renewable electricity procurement pathways.
Strategic advisory services supporting suppliers in evaluating and deploying clean energy solutions such as onsite solar, energy attribute certificates, green tariffs, and power purchase agreements (PPAs).
PPA aggregation opportunities, enabling smaller suppliers to join multi-buyer cohorts to gain scaled access to renewable electricity.
The programme will initially target high-impact regions within M&S’s fashion supply chain, with plans for phased expansion over the next three years.
“Sustainability should be embedded in everything we do—from sourcing products to supporting our supply partners,” said Katharine Beacham, Head of Sustainability and Materials for Fashion, Home & Beauty at M&S. “RE:Spark is designed to make the transition easier for our suppliers by unlocking renewable energy opportunities and providing the tools and resources they need. By acting as a facilitator, we can help build long-term resilience and spark change across the industry.”
Steve Wilhite, Executive Vice President of Schneider Electric’s SE Advisory Services, added: “We’re proud to partner with M&S to help suppliers overcome barriers to renewable electricity adoption. RE:Spark shows how collaboration can create scalable, impactful change across global supply chains.”
RE:Spark complements M&S’s broader environmental initiatives, including efforts to enhance manufacturing sustainability and the rollout of Another Life, the retailer’s platform promoting circularity across fashion, home and beauty through repair, recycling, resale, and rewear programmes. These initiatives reinforce M&S’s commitment to sustainable, profitable growth and its goal to become a net-zero business by 2040.
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