Retail and beauty brands are increasingly using ESG (environmental, social, and governance) data not just for compliance but as a business driver, particularly in today’s landscape of climate scrutiny and shifting regulation. Sweep, the sustainability data platform behind brands like L’Oréal, Caudalie, QVC, and Lacoste, to track and act on carbon and emission data, is hearing from retail and beauty brands that they can’t afford to waste four years of ESG infrastructure, and instead, they’re using it to build more resilient, low-carbon supply chains.
Sweep CEO and co-founder Rachel Delacour said the company works with many leading retail and beauty brands, who are telling it that ESG data is no longer just about reporting, it’s about unlocking value for their business.
“They’re using their data to rewire how they operate: which suppliers to prioritize, where to cut emissions — and often as a consequence, costs, and how to build resilient sourcing strategies,” she said.
“Beauty and retail brands like Wella, Lacoste, and The Kooples are all telling us that they have invested years in understanding their footprint and they can’t afford to throw that away. At the same time, they’re using this data to speak credibly to investors, boards, and consumers. In this new landscape, sustainability is not a side effort. It’s becoming a lever for transformation, one that helps break silos and tie sustainability directly to growth and competitiveness.
“For example: L’Oréal is an example of a company that is working on Product Carbon Footprints (PCFs). This means, a specific carbon footprint for each individual beauty product, incorporating the emissions relating to its ingredients, manufacturing, transportation, packaging — the whole value chain. Many companies are starting to move towards PCFs, and those which get there first will reap significant advantages, including achieving greater cost efficiency and enhancing their brand reputation.”
Delacour said one of the main challenges is visibility. A large proportion of a business’s emissions occur deep in the supply chain, beyond first-tier suppliers, where data can be hard to access and standardize.
“Without clear insight into where emissions are coming from, it’s difficult to know where to focus efforts or how to track progress. This is inefficient, it’s wasteful of time and human resources, and ultimately, of money,” she explained.
“That’s where technology comes in. Platforms like Sweep help brands centralize and organize complex supply chain data, making it possible to map emissions, assess supplier performance, and identify where reductions are most feasible. We also help them build transition plans that are tied to business objectives, not just compliance deadlines. Digital technologies help to connect the dots in so many ways – and turns the complex into the manageable.”
Delacour said one great example of how software like Sweep’s can help with supply chain decarbonization, is the beauty brand Caudalie. Caudalie has more than 1,000 employees spread across 37 countries, and an extensive global value chain. Its products are sold at more than 20,000 points of sale worldwide, while Caudalie’s eCommerce site ships to more than 20 countries.
“Previously, all of Caudalie’s sustainability data was collected manually, in silos across the company, making the task of collating it difficult enough, before anyone even started analyzing it to find emissions hotspots and areas for efficiencies. Now, Caudalie is able to aggregate its data on one single platform. Ultimately every employee will be able to use and engage with it, see where hotspots are, and take action to reduce them,” she added.
Holding firm on ESG infrastructure
Even in this period of global uncertainty, leading brands are holding firm on their ESG infrastructure. In fact, some are accelerating investments in their data systems, recognizing that sustainability is now tied directly to business resilience, added Delacour.
“At VivaTech this year, I heard from multiple fashion clients who told us that they can’t afford to waste four years of data collection. For these companies, ESG platforms are becoming critical infrastructure, much like financial systems. They help brands future-proof their supply chains and communicate progress with confidence, regardless of whether policies shift again. Which they will, that’s how politics works. What’s most encouraging is that many companies now view these tools not only as a shield against future risks, but also as a lever for growth and transformation,” she noted.
“The ROI on these sustainability investments is becoming increasingly clear. They positively impact both the top line and the bottom line. We see brands realize cost savings from operational efficiencies, reduced waste, and optimized supply chains. Additionally, companies that can demonstrate measurable returns from their ESG initiatives are finding it easier to secure continued investment and board support.”
Credibility is everything
Delacour said credibility is everything right now. Companies can no longer rely on vague targets or generic claims. Stakeholders want specificity, and they want proof.
“Sweep is helping brands gather audit-grade data, tie emissions to specific activities, and document changes over time. That means their claims about everything from reductions to supply chain improvements to progress toward targets are transparently rooted in structured, verifiable evidence. This will only become more valuable over time, as consumers increasingly seek evidence of environmental claims,” she said.
“A 2025 survey shows that while almost half of American consumers are prepared to spend more on “sustainable” products, only 20% believe sustainability claims. Clearly, brands which can show their workings will reap the benefits.
“We also support engagement with suppliers at a large scale, helping brands collect data from across their value chains while maintaining consistency and trust. Ultimately, we help the companies we work with tell a more honest story, one that withstands scrutiny and builds lasting confidence with customers, investors, and regulators.”
There is a shift from “ESG as a reporting function” to “ESG as a business decision-making lens.”
“From boardroom decisions to supply chain management, sustainability data is becoming more embedded in how companies operate. That means brands are using data not just to tick boxes, but to evaluate risk, shape strategy, and prioritize investments,” said Delacour.
Next evolution about integration
“The next evolution will be about integration: embedding ESG insights directly into product development, sourcing, logistics, and financial planning. This is already underway for the most forward-looking companies across Europe and North America.
“Especially with state-level regulations coming into force, consumer industries need digital systems that go beyond simply enabling compliance.
“They need tools that are flexible, scalable, and capable of generating business insights from sustainability data.
“Brands should be preparing for an AI-accelerated sustainability landscape where speed and benchmarking will be critical differentiators. AI will enable companies of all kinds, including consumer brands, to rapidly identify and implement the most effective sustainability initiatives by benchmarking against industry champions and accessing proven playbooks for their specific vertical. The key is consolidating all sustainability data and insights into a single platform that can deliver both the figures and the strategic roadmap needed to transition faster than competitors – and gain that all-important competitive edge.”
Sweep is recognized by leading analysts including IDC MarketScape and Verdantix as a leading sustainability data platform that helps businesses measure, manage, and reduce their carbon and ESG impact.
Delacour co-founded the company in 2020 after exiting her previous Business Intelligence software venture, which was acquired by Zendesk.
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