Corporate Responsibility Programs

Victoria's Secret & Co. has announced that it's launching VS&Co-Lab, which is described as an inclusive shopping experience for all customers. VS&Co-Lab will be featured in a new section on the Victoria's Secret website, where it will showcase brands that align with its values of innovation and inclusivity. VSCO said it sees important growth potential through partnerships…

The need for more corporate responsibility has evolved for today’s corporations and the next generation of business leaders in the form of environmental, social and governance (ESG). Investors, activists and regulators are now requiring proactive, community-structured commitment and accountability that's designed to step above shareholder returns. Today’s global capital markets aren’t interested in more marketing…

Twenty-eight leading U.S. retail brands from 17 companies have signed on to a charter committing to take concrete steps to reduce racially biased experiences and unfair treatment of shoppers in the retail sector. Retailers such as American Eagle Outfitters, Ann Taylor, Athleta, Crocs, H&M, J.Crew, LOFT, Old Navy, Michael Kors, Sephora, Ben & Jerry's, and…

Crocs, the casual footwear brand, is donating 10,000 pairs of its shoes to healthcare workers this week as part of National Nurses Week, the retailer recently announced. The company is also partnering with healthcare apparel brand FIGS to donate 10,000 scrubs. The donations will go to caregivers across the country. Qualified healthcare workers must sign up…

In episode 348 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Ali Mize, director of environmental and social governance (ESG), belonging and corporate philanthropy at Neiman Marcus Group, the portfolio of luxury brands including Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, Last Call, and Horchow. Listen in as Mize discusses the release of Neiman Marcus Group's first-ever ESG report,…

Neiman Marcus Group (NMG) on Friday announced its new paid family leave benefits for all associates, working full or part time, according to a company press release. NMG said that as of January, the retailer has offered 16 weeks of paid leave for anyone welcoming a child, including via adoption, surrogacy or foster care. This time is in…

L.L. Bean, the outdoor outfitter company, said this week it would not be posting on social media again until June 1, in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month in May. The retailer said on Instagram that it was "taking a break from social media to focus on spending more time outside." It replaced all of…

In episode 346 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Laura Donahue, vice president of corporate social responsibility  at CarMax, a used vehicle retailer. Donahue discusses the CarMax business and her role, the retailer's 2021 Giving Tuesday campaign that provided associates with funds to donate to a charity of their choice, and why giving back…

Following shareholder pressure around the company's hiring practices, Amazon.com has retained former Attorney General Loretta Lynch to conduct a racial equity study. Amazon said in a filing last week that the audit would "evaluate any disparate racial impacts" of its policies on its U.S. hourly employees. The company said the audit will be conducted by Lynch,…

Purpose-driven marketing has become a bit of a buzzword (like omnichannel … don’t get me started). However, with an overwhelming 94 percent of consumers saying they value purpose-driven companies, it's imperative for marketers to authentically communicate their brand’s story. These values need to be transparent and reflected across the organization to work cross-functionally. Whether it's…