SS+A x Distinkt: Redefining sustainable retail for the cultural sector
At Stephen Spencer + Associates we’ve always believed that creating unforgettable customer experiences and delivering commercial success should go hand in hand. But in 2025, there’s another non-negotiable: sustainability.
That’s why we’re thrilled to announce a new partnership with Distinkt, whose innovative platform helps organisations embed real, measurable sustainability into their operations. Together, we’re setting out to show what sustainable retail in the cultural sector really looks like.
This isn’t a bolt-on. It’s about weaving sustainability through every strand of the experience, from the way products are sourced, to the energy that powers spaces, to the cultural and social impact of every decision.
Why this matters
Sustainability in our sector has often felt abstract or overwhelming. But it doesn’t have to. Our collaboration with Distinkt will focus on delivering:
Positive environmental outputs - lower carbon sourcing, energy efficiency, and products that are less harmful to the planet.
Positive social outputs - conducive staff working conditions and ethical business practices.
Positive cultural outputs - supporting local artists, makers and creative communities.
In other words, sustainability isn’t just about recycling bins or carbon footprints. It’s about creating vibrant, inclusive, future-facing cultural businesses that audiences, funders and partners can believe in.
What Distinkt brings
Distinkt have developed a platform that makes sustainability tangible, engaging and achievable. It turns a big, complex vision into manageable, motivating steps. Features include:
Sustainability Action Plans aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Team engagement through logins, tasks and leaderboards.
Gamified progress with stars and achievements.
Real-time reporting on performance.
Marketing-ready assets to communicate impact.
Verified accreditation to showcase progress.
Tender support with up-to-date sustainability data.
Or put simply, Distinkt makes sustainability a journey you’ll actually enjoy taking.
Leading by example
At SS+A we believe in walking the talk. So we’ve already begun our own sustainability journey with Distinkt. Every Friday, our team meets for a dedicated Sustainability Hour, working through the 103 objectives that will take us from ‘Foundational to ‘Best Practice.’
This is not just box-ticking. It’s about embedding habits, sparking conversations, and ultimately shaping a new model of cultural retail that balances experience, commerciality, and sustainability.
We’ll be sharing our progress openly, including the wins, the challenges, and the lessons we learn along the way, and we’ll be inviting our networks to join us. Because this isn’t just about SS+A. It’s about creating a new baseline for the whole sector.
Robert Bowey & Chiara Wilson, Distinkt
Ready to step up?
We’re proud to be Distinkt’s partners, and excited to bring their platform to our clients across the UK and beyond. If you’re looking to step up your sustainability game, and do it in a way that’s practical, measurable, and meaningful, we’d love to chat.
Find out more about Distinkt here or get in touch with us to talk about what a sustainable future for your organisation could look like.
Because great experiences don’t just create memories. They also shape futures.