Environmental Sustainability
January 30, 2017 at 9:19 am
The world is watching as Donald J. Trump officially takes the office of the President of the United States, wondering what’s in store for the next four years. If the recent cabinet confirmation hearings, last-minute actions from Obama and even tweets from Trump are any indication, it's going to be an unpredictable time. This is…
January 23, 2017 at 3:20 pm
Total Retail’s seventh annual list of the leading female executives in retail features a who’s who in the industry. This year’s honorees were chosen based on a number of factors, including being in a top-level position within a retail organization, scope of responsibility within that position, career achievements, and involvement within the retail industry. This week we feature Yael Aflalo, founder and CEO of Reformation.
November 22, 2016 at 10:25 am
Patagonia announced yesterday it will donate 100 percent of its Black Friday sales — estimated to be well over $2 million — to grassroots environmental groups. The donations will come from sales at both its 80 global stores and Patagonia.com on Black Friday. The move isn't entirely out of character for the brand. Patagonia already donates 1…
November 7, 2016 at 9:25 am
In episode 60 of Total Retail Talks, Christopher Wu, co-founder and CEO of Paper Culture, an online retailer that offers modern design and sustainable products, including stationery, wedding invitations and wall decor, talks about the growth of the business, and in particular how a commitment to environmentally friendly products and attracting millennials to the brand…
October 28, 2016 at 12:30 pm
Patagonia is joining other companies that are giving workers a day off on Election Day, saying it wants to encourage its employees to have the time to elect candidates up and down the ballot who will protect the environment. A movement called "Take Off Election Day" has enlisted hundreds of tech companies, mainly smaller ones, to…
October 5, 2016 at 10:30 am
Products that minimize harm to our planet benefit all of us, thus the most sustainable retail solution is the most desirable solution. As a retailer, however, implementing sustainability doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice style. Sustainable products can be deemed design-forward by providing functional, fashionable products that allow retailers to send a message to consumers: You don’t have to sacrifice…
September 29, 2016 at 11:37 am
TreeHouse, a sustainable home improvement retail company, is ready to take on giants such as The Home Depot and Lowe's in the same manner Whole Foods Market challenged traditional grocers. This was a key finding gleaned from a fireside chat with Garrett Boone, board chairman of TreeHouse and co-founder and chairman emeritus at The Container…
June 22, 2016 at 12:38 pm
Yesterday, Trader Joe's, the popular California-based company, was the third supermarket retailer (after Safeway and Costco) in recent years to agree to put funds towards reducing refrigerator coolant leaks that deplete the ozone layer and contribute to global warming. The Los Angeles Times reports the grocery retailer will spend about $2 million to correct the…
April 13, 2016 at 2:05 pm
Just in time for Earth Day, H&M wants your old clothes. From April 18 to April 24, the Swedish fast-fashion brand will give shoppers a 30 percent discount in exchange for outgrown, hole-ridden or no longer trendy garments. H&M says it has recycled 25,000 tons of unwanted clothing since it began the in-store recycling program…
March 9, 2016 at 11:37 am
Whole Foods Market Inc. is embracing solar power. The Austin, Texas-based grocery chain has signed agreements with SolarCity and NRG Energy Inc. to install rooftop solar units at up to 100 stores and distribution centers. NRG, based in Princeton, N.J., will install the units at up to 84 locations in nine states, according to a joint statement from…
