The UK retailer's Plan A initiative was launched in 2007 and outlines 180 commitments that it hopes to achieve by 2015. These include tackling climate change, reducing waste, sourcing sustainable raw materials, dealing with health and also working towards being a fair partner.

Hugo Bethlem, executive vice president at Brazilian retailer Pao du Acucar, came across Plan A at the Retail World Congress in Berlin last year, where Marks and Spencer beat his company for the most sustainable retailer award.

"We lost to Marks and Spencer and I was not happy about it. I don't like to lose. Immediately I said that if they are better than us I want to learn from them," said Bethlem.

"I contacted Stuart Rose and he is going to work as our advisor. I want him to tell us how he implemented Plan A and made it a success; I want our own Plan A."

He added: "Technology will play a very important part in this. I also like what he said to us - he told us that sustainability is profitable, but you need to invest now to collect the returns later."