Corporate Responsibility Programs

In episode 404 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Donna Dozier Gordon, head of inclusion and diversity for region Americas at H&M, a global fashion brand offering the latest styles and inspiration for all. During the wide-ranging interview, Dozier Gordon discusses her role at H&M (1:40), the retailer's expansion of its extended size assortment…

Consumers are posing an ultimatum to fashion and apparel brands: Start taking sustainability seriously or they’ll shop elsewhere. A new study of UK consumers found that 81 percent intend to boycott apparel brands that don’t prioritize sustainability within the next two years. These consumers are part of a clear global trend: Growing swaths of consumers…

For the second consecutive year, L.L.Bean is pausing its social media accounts for the entire month of May to raise awareness about mental health. The campaign is also encouraging people to go outside during the month. The outdoor outfitter brand is also sharing resources and tips to support people in getting outside for their own mental…

In today's world, retail companies are faced with intense competition and are constantly seeking ways to differentiate themselves from their competitors. One way to do this is by adopting nonprofit fundraising programs on behalf of their customers. A nonprofit fundraising program is a program where retailers partner with a nonprofit organization to support their cause,…

In episode 380 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Amanda Hayes, director of corporate communications, diversity and inclusion at Jo-Ann Stores, an American specialty retailer of crafts and fabrics operating the retail chains JOANN Fabrics and Crafts and Jo-Ann Etc. Listen in as Hayes discusses Jo-Ann Stores' annual holiday partnership with St. Jude…

As of Dec. 1, 42 retail brands have signed the Mitigate Racial Bias in Retail Charter, a national initiative to address racial bias and discrimination in shopping experiences, the Open to All nationwide nonprofit announced. The new signatories include industry leaders Cartier, CBL Properties, Ben Bridge Jeweler, Glossier, LVMH, maurices, URBN (Anthropologie, Free People, Nuuly, and…

In episode 376 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Jenna Arca, director of workforce development at The Home Depot, the largest home improvement retailer in the United States. Arca discusses the launch of The Home Depot's Path to Pro job-seeker marketplace for skilled tradespeople and hiring trade professionals (0:47), the origin of the…

Employers across every industry should be creating equal opportunities for their frontline employees. One of the ways this can be accomplished is by adopting the concept of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). But what does DEI truly mean? It can look different for each company, but essentially, as BuiltIn put it, "DEI is any policy…

In episode 373 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Michelle Van Slyke, senior vice president of marketing and sales at The UPS Store, the franchised subsidiary of United Parcel Service. Van Slyke discusses The UPS Store's launch of its new Start Small, Grow Big program, designed to support the next generation of small business owners and…

Numerous studies have shown that racial and ethnic minorities, as well as women, are still woefully underrepresented in technology roles. However, the retail tech industry doesn't just have a diversity issue; there's an inclusivity issue as well. At a session focused on diversifying your tech workforce during last month's Total Retail Tech event in Nashville,…