Corporate Responsibility Programs

Best Buy Sets Up $2.5M Endowed Scholarship at the University of Minnesota
November 1, 2019 at 9:48 am

Best Buy has launched a $2.5 million endowed scholarship at the University of Minnesota's Carlson School of Management to help fund four years of college for up to 10 students a year, starting next fall. It's one of the company's largest gifts in higher education. The scholarship is targeted to students who have gone through…

Snowboard Brand Burton Closing Stores, E-Commerce Site to Join Global Climate Strike
September 5, 2019 at 12:23 pm

Burton will be joining millions of students and workers across the world participating in the Global Climate Strike on Fri., Sept. 20, according to a press release sent to Total Retail. To support the marches that will take place, Burton will close all its offices and stores for 24 hours so employees worldwide can join nearby marches meant to…

Why Should CEOs Embrace Supply Chain Ethics? Because Everybody Benefits
September 4, 2019 at 11:22 am

When it comes to the apparel industry, there's a “gap” in how much water is used in their manufacturing processes and how much water could be saved. According to an article in Bloomberg, Gap Inc. CEO Art Peck is pushing for his company to reduce water waste and look for ways to reduce water usage.…

Zappos, Amazon Partner With Shaquille O'Neal for 'Shaq-to-School'
July 31, 2019 at 8:45 am

Zappos.com, the online shoe and clothing retailer, and its parent company, Amazon.com, are teaming up with legendary basketball player Shaquille O'Neal for a charitable back-to-school initiative, Shaq-to-School. This is the second consecutive year Zappos and Shaq have partnered on this initiative, but Amazon is new to the program. All three players will deliver school supplies for…

Wayfair Employees Stage Walkout Over Company's Sales to Border Camps
June 28, 2019 at 10:45 am

Hundreds of engineers, product managers, and visual artists employed at the online housewares giant Wayfair streamed out of their sleek offices and into Copley Square in Boston on Wednesday, gathering with hundreds more to protest the company’s sale of furniture to the operators of facilities that detain migrant children along the southern border. The protesters spread…

Nonprofit Online Marketplace eTruism Benefits Retailers, Charities, and Consumers
May 28, 2019 at 9:50 am

In episode 197 of Total Retail Talks, Executive Editor Joe Keenan interviews Charles Lee, founder and CEO of eTruism, a nonprofit online marketplace that converts excess inventories into cash that can be used to make a social impact. Listen in as they discuss eTruism's business model and how it benefits multiple parties in the supply…

Cutting Edge: 3 Trends Retailers Need to Embrace to Stay Competitive
April 9, 2019 at 10:47 am

If we learned anything from past retail trends, it’s that the store is still the most important part of the retail experience. Interest in the brick-and-mortar store is everywhere. Target’s CEO has said that the company's stores are its single biggest competitive advantage. Retailers must continue to keep their focus on the store by ensuring…

Olivela Melds Social Consciousness and Retail to Grow Brand
December 13, 2018 at 4:04 pm

In episode 176 of Total Retail Talks, Kelly Murphy, director of marketing and causes at Olivela, a luxury philanthropic retail site that donates a portion of each purchase to charitable causes, offers insights into the brand's socially conscious business model and growth strategy. Murphy addresses Olivela's mission to make shopping for women's fashion a charitable…

A Commitment to Conscious Consumerism Spurs Thrive Market's Growth
November 1, 2018 at 4:22 pm

It’s estimated that by 2025, online grocery could make up 25 percent of grocery sales — a tremendous jump from its current position of 2 percent of sales. This week, CPG brands and grocery retailers from across the country joined at the first annual Groceryshop conference, held in Las Vegas, to discuss the businesses, issues…

Patagonia Endorses Pair of Political Candidates
October 26, 2018 at 2:30 pm

Patagonia is taking a political stand. The outdoor goods and apparel store threw its weight behind two Democratic candidates: Jacky Rosen, who is running for Senate in Nevada, and Senator Jon Tester who is running for re-election in Montana. It's the first time Patagonia has made political endorsements. In a statement on Friday, the company…