Corporate Responsibility Programs

As the holiday season continues, brands have a unique opportunity to craft campaigns that resonate deeply and drive sales. However, this requires advertisers to prioritize inclusivity. Kantar reported that 75 percent of consumers say a brand’s inclusivity influences their purchase decisions. Inclusive advertising isn’t just a moral imperative — it’s a necessity. As brands look…

Walmart on Monday confirmed that it’s ending some of its diversity initiatives, removing some LGBTQ-related merchandise from its website, and winding down a nonprofit that funded programs for minorities, reports CNBC. The nation’s largest employer, which has about 1.6 million U.S. workers, joined a growing list of companies that have stepped back from diversity, equity…

In today's digital age, consumer packaged goods (CPG) and e-commerce brands face a daunting challenge: navigating the labyrinth of fragmented consumer journeys. With potential customers bouncing between social media, websites, apps and physical stores, traditional marketing approaches are struggling to keep pace. Enter purpose-driven marketing — the compass guiding brands through this chaos and revolutionizing…

Carhartt, America's iconic workwear brand, announced Monday it's dedicating its Fall 2024 "For the Love of Labor" grant to support Metallica's All Within My Hands Foundation and its Metallica Scholars Initiative. Created by the members and management of Metallica, All Within My Hands is a nonprofit, philanthropic organization dedicated to supporting workforce education by connecting…

Corporate social responsibility (CSR), once a differentiator for brands, is now the norm. Today’s consumers expect those they do business with, including retailers, will have positive impacts on the world. In fact, Gen Z consumers are three times as likely to say that the “purpose of business is to serve communities and society” rather than…

In today’s retail landscape, success extends far beyond profit margins and market share. Increasingly, consumers are looking to align their purchasing decisions with their personal values, driving the need for retailers to incorporate social impact initiatives into their business strategies. When I audit companies, they often show me their CSR and sustainability report where I…

During the holidays, many retailers focused on demonstrating corporate responsibility through generous corporate giving programs primarily centered around donations. While donations are a wonderful start, there are many additional ways to show consumers you care, and holistic corporate responsibility is crucial year-round. Brands can be good social stewards throughout the year by focusing on inclusive…

Studies have proven that more diverse teams and organizations perform better. Yet progress with diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives remains stubbornly slow for far too many organizations. During a panel session at Total Retail Tech last month, three leaders from At Home, Build-A-Bear Workshop, and Bandier discussed how their companies have been working to…

As environmental social governance (ESG) grows higher on the agenda for many organizations, fulfilling a moral obligation to consumers is fast becoming a necessity for brand success. And with greenwashing accusations now commonplace, businesses’ ESG programs must go beyond simply ensuring ethical supply chains and using sustainable materials. To avoid irreversible damage to reputation and consumer…

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…