Tag Archives: sustainability

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How to Boost Your Retail Store Profits Absolutely Free?

How to Boost Your Retail Store Profits Absolutely Free?

Ecofabrik announces an innovative profit growth program for fashion boutiques and retail apparel stores.

Oxnard, CA, 2018-Aug-10 — /EPR Retail News/ — Ecofabrik Organic Gear is introducing a unique partnering for profits co-op program for selected organic apparel boutiques and fashion retail stores. This is a rare opportunity and perhaps a unique concept where Ecofabrik assumes all upfront costs associated with product sourcing/purchasing, importing, and warehousing including shipping and handling of products to their partner resellers. Once the “reseller partner” has been selected and approved, agreed upon earth-friendly products will be placed in their store. All products will be retail ready with hang tags and barcode labels affixed. Retailers will scan and sell the merchandise and pay Ecofabrik once a month for what was sold after deducting a generous percentage of the MSRP as the retailer’s share. Ecofabrik will also pay for the S&H if the retailer needed to return/replace any merchandise. Basically, this is a great opportunity for selected retailers to increase their market share and maximize their profits without risking a dime of their own.

Ecofabrik believes that many organic apparel products made from Bamboo, Hemp, and Organic Cotton are imported into USA from China, India, Bangladesh and other Asian countries. This involves product sourcing, negotiating with foreign suppliers, shipping agents and working with US custom authorities and clearing agents. This is a painstaking process that requires special skills, substantial cash investment and is fraught with supply chain risks. “We have developed in-depth expertise in import business over the past ten years which allows us to bring fair trade, quality products into the US market in an efficient and cost-effective manner,” said Homer Dakaz, a managing partner of Ecofabrik. “We will be extending this competitive advantage to our “reseller partners” to help increase ours & their market share and profitability with zero investment and no risk on their part.”

Ecofabrik’s Marketing Manager; Joe Ecosapien is inviting green businesses to contact him to learn more about this exciting opportunity. While he is very confident about the success of this program, he remains cautious as to how it will be perceived by the business community. “Some store owners will dismiss this outright as a laughably simplistic business model. A few, however, will be willing to give it a go as an excellent business opportunity. We will carefully select only a few like-minded “reseller partners” from each state in the USA to ensure the success of the program. However, a basic requirement of joining the program is to own a brick & mortar store and good standing within the business community of their geographic retail market”, said Joe.

Only green businesses; fashion boutiques and retail stores that sell earth-friendly casual apparel for men and women need to contact. Ecofabrik deals only in products made of organic cotton, bamboo, hemp and other earth-friendly/sustainable fabrics. A collection of these products can be seen at their website; www.ecofabrik.com

SOURCE: EPR Network

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JCPenney highlights its sustainability and community efforts in its 2017 Corporate Social Responsibility Report

PLANO, Texas, 2017-Nov-09 — /EPR Retail News/ — JCPenney announced today (Nov. 8, 2017)  the release of its 2017 Corporate Social Responsibility Report, highlighting the Company’s sustainability and community efforts across its operations worldwide. The report, which details activities for fiscal years 2015 and 2016, illustrates the Company’s ongoing commitment to the highest level of corporate citizenship.

For the 2017 report, JCPenney partnered with Texas A&M University’s 180 Degrees Consulting group to learn the latest stakeholder expectations for CSR reporting. A team of six students from the group performed analysis to identify industry standards when reporting CSR data, and made suggestions to the Company based upon their findings. The group’s key recommendations drove the initial ideation of, and inspiration behind, the framework of the 2017 report, which summarizes each Company commitment using four pillars: our people, our communities, our products and our planet.

“The Golden Rule has guided every customer interaction at JCPenney for over a century, and we understand the importance of applying a similar ideology to our global efforts in social responsibility and environmental sustainability,” said Marvin R. Ellison, chairman and chief executive officer at JCPenney. “We recognize the important role we play in being a responsible employer, neighbor and community advocate, and acknowledge the significance of positively connecting with younger consumers who share these values.”

The online report outlines Company achievements in a variety of categories, including:

  • Diverse Workforce – As of 2016, more than half of the JCPenney associate population are minorities, and the progression is positively represented at all levels within the Company, including the executive team. In fact, Ellison is one of only five African-American CEO’s in the Fortune 500. Moreover, from 2013 to 2016, the percentage of ethnic minorities employed at JCPenney increased from 46 percent to 51 percent, and women have represented 80% of the total associate base since 2013.
  • Community Relations – In 2015 and 2016, JCPenney associates logged more than 67,700 volunteer hours, donating their time and skills to benefit local non-profit organizations. Associates also completed more than 800 volunteer projects in support of National Volunteer month within the same period. What’s more, through the Company’s “Change for the Better” giving campaign, JCPenney associates gave more than $3.5 million to 6,200 local non-profits across the country.
  • Responsible and Ethical Sourcing – J. C. Penney Purchasing Corporation (JCPPC) is one of the largest and most experienced importers of textiles and apparel in the United States, enabling JCPenney to purchase merchandise from nearly 2,600 domestic and foreign suppliers. The Company’s Social and Environmental Responsibility teams – located in buying and quality assurance offices around the world – work with an industry-leading third-party auditor to conduct compliance audits of factories producing JCPenney private brand apparel. In fiscal years 2015 and 2016, our third-party provider conducted over 2,000 social audits, and, in 2016, we extended this effort to include textile mills, completing over 100 assessments to help improve mill conditions.
  • Energy Conservation – In 2015, JCPenney set an aggressive energy and greenhouse gas emissions goal to reduce Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions per sq. ft. 15 percent by 2020. Just two years into the journey, JCPenney surpassed the goal by reducing emissions 19.6 percent, a decrease driven largely by behavior change and a robust Company-wide energy management system utilized in nearly 840 stores. As part of its ongoing energy management efforts, JCPenney continues a long-standing partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy’s ENERGY STARTM program. The Company has received ENERGY STAR’s Partner of the Year, Sustained Excellence designation for ten consecutive years, and proudly displays the ENERGY STAR logo at over 650 ENERGY STAR certified buildings throughout the Company.
  • Responsible Recycling – JCPenney is making efforts to significantly reduce waste by recycling 85% of the Company’s annual domestic waste by 2020. Through this promise, JCPenney has increased its recycling rate to 80 percent in 2016, up nine percent since 2014. Plus, the Company recycled 74,000 tons of waste in 2016 alone, while decreasing waste to landfill by 5,000 tons from 2014 to 2016. Furthermore, in 2015 and 2016, JCPenney recycled approximately 147,000 tons of waste, which equals approximately 80 percent of total waste from the Company’s operations.

Ongoing Ambitions
In 2015, JCPenney adopted a goal to reduce total water consumption across U.S. operations five percent by 2020 (2014 baseline). The Company is making strong progress toward the goal through a combination of engineered solutions and behavior change. As a result of these efforts, JCPenney has reduced domestic (in-store) water consumption by 12 percent from 2012 to 2016, and reduced landscape irrigation during the same time period by 66 percent.

For more information, please review the 2017 Corporate Sustainability Report by visiting the Company Info page under the Corporate Overview section of jcpenney.com.

About JCPenney:
J. C. Penney Company, Inc. (NYSE: JCP), one of the nation’s largest apparel and home furnishings retailers, combines an expansive footprint of approximately 875 stores across the United States and Puerto Rico with a powerful e-commerce site, jcp.com, to connect with shoppers how, when and where they prefer to shop. At every customer touchpoint, she will get her Penney’s worth of a broad assortment of products from an extensive portfolio of private, exclusive and national brands. Powering this shopping experience is the customer service and warrior spirit of over 100,000 associates across the globe, all driving toward the Company’s three strategic priorities of strengthening private brands, becoming a world-class omnichannel retailer and increasing revenue per customer. For additional information, please visit jcp.com.

Media Relations:
(972) 431-3400
jcpnews@jcp.com
follow us at @jcpnews

Investor Relations:
(972) 431-5500
jcpinvestorrelations@jcpenney.com

Source: J. C. Penney Company, Inc.

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PVH Corp. recognized for its leadership and commitment to sustainability

PVH Corp. recognized for its leadership and commitment to sustainability

 

NEW YORK, 2017-Aug-10 — /EPR Retail News/ — PVH Corp. (NYSE:PVH) announced that the Company was honored with the Sustainability Award at the Accessories Council 21st Annual ACE Awards.

The Award is a testament to the Company’s sustainability accomplishments and ongoing commitment to making positive impacts for people, the environment and communities. The award was presented to PVH Corp. Chairman & CEO, Emanuel Chirico, by actress and fashion icon, Brooke Shields.

Shields wryly asked and answered, “Do you know what comes between PVH and sustainability? Nothing.” She added more seriously, “When a powerful company makes sustainability a priority, the positive influence of their leadership can be felt across the globe.”

“Receiving the Sustainability Award from the Accessories Council is an incredible honor,” said Emanuel Chirico, Chairman and CEO, PVH Corp.“At PVH, we recognize our responsibility to address the social and environmental impacts of our industry and contribute toward a fair, healthy future for all.”

The ACE Awards were created in 1997 to honor individuals and companies who have furthered the awareness and use of accessories. The 2017 ACE Award winners were honored at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City.

Visit www.pvh.com/cr for more information on PVH’s Corporate Responsibility initiatives as well as the recently launched 2016 CR Report.

About PVH Corp.

With a history going back over 135 years, PVH has excelled at growing brands and businesses with rich American heritages, becoming one of the largest apparel companies in the world. We have over 35,000 associates operating in over 40 countries and over $8 billion in annual revenues. We own the iconic CALVIN KLEIN, TOMMY HILFIGER, Van Heusen, IZOD, ARROW, Speedo*, Warner’s, Olga and True&Co. brands, and market a variety of goods under these and other nationally and internationally known owned and licensed brands.

*The Speedo brand is licensed for North America and the Caribbean in perpetuity from Speedo International, Limited.

Contact:
Dana Perlman
212-381-3502
Treasurer, Senior Vice President
Business Development and Investor Relations

Source: PVH Corp.

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Creativity, Sustainability, and Innovating Luxury With LVMH and Central Saint Martins Partnership

Creativity, Sustainability, and Innovating Luxury With LVMH and Central Saint Martins Partnership

 

Paris, 2017-May-08 — /EPR Retail News/ — On May 4, 2017 LVMH and Central Saint Martins announced a groundbreaking new partnership to promote creativity and identify cutting-edge solutions to drive  sustainability and innovation in luxury. Under the banner LVMH & Central Saint Martins “Sustainability & Innovation in Luxury | Fostering Creativity”, this new program is inspired by a shared desire to address the  many challenges facing the luxury industry.

After many years of academic and creative collaboration, LVMH is taking its relationship with Central Saint Martins to a new level in 2017, creating a new program with the renowned art and design school. The partnership will promote creativity, nurture young talents and identify disruptive solutions to address sustainable development and innovation in luxury. “We are very pleased to launch today such an inspiring program on sustainable innovation in luxury, fueled by our numerous and successful past collaborations and creative projects with Central Saint Martins,” said Chantal Gaemperle, Group Executive Vice President Human Resources and Synergies.

The inauguration of the LVMH & Central Saint Martins “Sustainability & Innovation in Luxury | Fostering Creativity” program on May 4th was marked by a full agenda of events at the London campus focused on students and their careers. Throughout the day students had a chance to learn more about LVMH and meet creative, business and human resources teams from 14 Maisons (Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior Couture, J.W Anderson, Céline, Emilio Pucci, Givenchy, Kenzo, Loewe, Loro Piana, Nicholas Kirkwood, Glenmorangie, Bulgari, Chaumet and Sephora). They discovered career opportunities and presented their portfolios. In addition to interviews for internships or job offers they attended workshops to give them a better understanding of the diverse universes at LVMH and its Maisons.

These meetings were followed by the introduction of Carole Collet, the new CSM LVMH Director of Sustainable Innovation, who will lead the collaboration between LVMH and CSM, developing a curriculum to embed sustainable innovation across disciplines and create ambitious projects with LVMH Maisons.

A round table discussed the vision for the future partnership with panelists including Toni Belloni, LVMH Group Managing Director, Chantal Gaemperle, LVMH EVP Human Resources and Synergies, Anne Smith, Dean of Academic Programs CSM and Carole Collet, the new program director. The panel moderator, Professor Jeremy Till, Head of CSM and Pro Vice-Chancellor UAL, said:  “Launching the new CSM LVMH partnership with an opportunity for students and Maisons to meet, is bound to result in some creative conversations and collisions around sustainable innovation in luxury.”

Four pillars of the LVMH & Central Saint Martins “Sustainability & Innovation in Luxury | Fostering Creativity” program:

– “Sustainability & Innovation” research fund and academic program;
– LVMH Grand Prix Scholarship  (five scholarships for talented students);
– Joint projects between LVMH Maisons and students / graduates;
– Recruitment and campus events.

Contact:

LVMH Moët Hennessy – Louis Vuitton
22, avenue Montaigne, 75008 Paris – France
Tel: +33 (0)1 44 13 22 22
Fax: +33 (0)1 44 13 22 23

Source: LVMH

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Sustainability: Yum! Brands one of the top public companies on the 2017 100 Best Corporate Citizens List

Louisville, KY, 2017-Apr-24 — /EPR Retail News/ — Yum! Brands has been named one of the top public companies on the 2017 100 Best Corporate Citizens List by Corporate Responsibility Magazine for its ongoing commitment to sustainability.

“We are honored to be recognized by Corporate Responsibility Magazine as one of the year’s top socially and environmentally responsible companies,” said Roger McClendon, Chief Sustainability Officer for Yum! Brands. “This recognition demonstrates our commitment to being a good corporate steward focused on building sustainable brands. We’re on a journey to continuously improve and are making courageous decisions on the commitments our consumers and stakeholders truly care about in our food, people, community and environment.”

The 100 Best Corporate Citizens List is based on 260 data elements among seven data categories: climate change, employee relations, environment, finance, governance, human rights, and philanthropy and community support. View the full list of companies recognized here.

Yum! Brands has a long standing commitment to building distinctive, relevant brands that people trust and champion, demonstrated through the Company’s recent announcements on Sustainable Sourcing and Supply and Expanded Parental Time-Off.

More information on Yum! Brands’ responsibility efforts can be found at www.yum.com/responsibility.

About Yum! Brands, Inc.
Yum! Brands, Inc., based in Louisville, Kentucky, has over 43,500 restaurants in more than 135 countries and territories and is one of the Aon Hewitt Top Companies for Leaders in North America. The company’s restaurant brands – KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell – are the global leaders of the chicken, pizza and Mexican-style food categories. Worldwide, the Yum! Brands system opens over six new restaurants per day on average, making it a leader in international retail development.

Source: Yum! Brands, Inc.

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Packaging Innovation Part of Wegman’s commitment to Sustainability

Packaging Innovation Part of Wegman’s commitment to Sustainability

 

Rochester, NEW YORK, 2017-Apr-17 — /EPR Retail News/ — With 92 stores across six states, each offering a minimum of 50,000 products, Wegmans Food Markets customers might not immediately equate the notion of “less is more” with Wegmans. But, when it comes to sustainability and the company’s commitment to reduce waste in landfills and reduce emissions, less truly is more. Packaging innovation is just one example of how the company is delivering on that commitment.

“It’s always important to remember that a food container’s number one job is to protect the food inside. It takes resources to grow that food, and fuel to bring it from the farm to the store, so we want to preserve nature’s investment in this food with containers that protect it all the way to your table,” said Jason Wadsworth, manager of sustainability for Wegmans. “Our job is to make sure packaging is functional, performs as expected, and uses materials efficiently and responsibly. That leaves plenty of opportunity for exploring ways to make packaging more sustainable.”

To improve the sustainability of its packaging, Wegmans is focused on reducing the amount of virgin materials – new plastic or paper made from non-renewable fossil fuels – and replacing it with mineral fillers, and renewable and recycled materials. Wegmans is also committed to avoiding excess packaging, and removing Bisphenol A (BPA) and other potentially harmful materials, such as Polystyrene and PVC where possible and where alternatives exist.

“As often happens with sustainability initiatives, the changes we’re implementing and the progress we’re making aren’t always easy to see,” explained Wadsworth. “For some of the sustainable packages we’ve introduced, the change has been very apparent to customers, while for others, they’d never know unless we told them.”

Wondering where you can find these sustainable packaging solutions at Wegmans? The short answer is, throughout the store.

Packaging innovations using less plastic:

  • Wegmans recently introduced a new produce bag made from 100 percent plant-based renewable materials, not fossil fuels. During the manufacturing process, the use of plant-based materials means less CO2 is emitted, and unlike other renewable plastics, the new produce bags can be recycled in the same way as traditional plastic bags, by placing them in the plastic recycling depositories located in the vestibules of each Wegmans.
  • Wegmans Organic Beef vacuum-sealed packaging is currently made from 50% plant-based renewable material, not fossil fuels and will be going to 70% plant-based this year.
  • By switching to a bag from the plastic domes, each rotisserie chicken pouch uses 75 percent less plastic. In addition to being better for the environment, the bags offer an easy-carry handle, re-sealable zipper, and are leak resistant, microwave safe, and easy to store.
  • In the Market Café, the self-serve food bar containers use 40 percent less plastic, as do the Choose Your Meal and pre-packaged Asian bowl containers in Prepared Foods.

Packaging innovations using recycled content:

  • Wegmans’ front-end plastic bags contain 40 percent post-consumer recycled content, all of which is generated by customers returning their plastic bags to the store. In 2016, Wegmans’ recycling rate for plastic bags averaged around 50 percent.
  • Various plastic trays and containers are made from recycled plastic, such as our fresh-cut veggie trays, made from 50 percent recycled plastic material.
  • The paper “boats” used for product samples and the donut and cake boxes contain 100 percent recycled content.

Since 2015, Wegmans has saved over 6 million pounds of virgin plastic resin by using mineral fillers, renewable materials, and adding recycled material into its packaging. This combined plastic savings equates to 150 truckloads worth of packaging the company didn’t use.

When evaluating opportunities for improved packaging, Wegmans also looks for ways to shrink the carbon footprint involved in bringing food to customers. That’s why last fall, Wegmans converted its Food You Feel Good About Pasta Sauce from a glass jar to a lighter weight #1 PET plastic. Because the weight of an item plays a role in how many trucks are needed for shipment, Wegmans saw an opportunity to reduce the impact of transportation on the environment if the packaging of a high-volume item like pasta sauce could be made lighter, without sacrificing quality or safety.

“By switching from glass to PET jars,” said Wadsworth, “the same amount of pasta sauce can be shipped each year using 55 fewer trucks. That change can save 974 gallons of diesel fuel, cutting carbon dioxide emissions – the equivalent of driving around the Earth once in an average passenger vehicle.”

Although the glass jars were recyclable, PET plastic jars are more widely recycled, and are much less likely to break if dropped, minimizing food waste, another key reason Wegmans continues to look for ways to innovate in packaging.

Wegmans sees plenty of opportunity to continue reducing its reliance on virgin plastic and paper, not just for packaging, but in other areas of the store as well. In the Market Café, the plastic utensils are now made of 30 percent plant-based materials and are dispensed one at a time for a 30 percent reduction in waste, while the napkins are made with 100 percent recycled content. In its new stores, Wegmans is reducing the number of paper towels being used by introducing hand dryers in its restrooms.

“We’re very happy with the progress we’ve made over the last couple years, and we plan to keep the momentum going,” commented Wadsworth. “Our 2017 goal is to reduce another half million pounds of packaging material by focusing on recycled content and renewable materials.”

Wegmans Food Markets, Inc. is a 92-store supermarket chain with stores in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia, Maryland, and Massachusetts. The family-owned company, recognized as an industry leader and innovator, celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2016. Wegmans has been named one of the ‘100 Best Companies to Work For’ by FORTUNE magazine for 20 consecutive years, ranking #2 in 2017.

Press Contact:
Tracy Van Auker
Media Relations Coordinator
585-429-3826
tracy.vanauker@wegmans.com

Source: Wegmans Food Markets, Inc.

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Whole Foods Market commits to rigorous sustainability and traceability requirements for all canned tuna sold in its grocery aisle

Company is first national retailer to create storewide requirements spanning grocery products and prepared foods items

AUSTIN, Texas, 2017-Mar-17 — /EPR Retail News/ — By January 2018, all canned tuna sold at Whole Foods Market will meet rigorous sustainability and traceability requirements that aim to reduce overfishing and bycatch, and support fishing communities. The new sourcing policy includes canned tuna items sold in the grocery aisle as well as the prepared foods department. Whole Foods Market is the first national retailer to create such stringent standards for canned tuna, which is among the three most consumed seafood items in the United States.

Under the new policy, all canned tuna at Whole Foods Market must come from fisheries using only pole-and-line, troll, or handline catch methods, all of which take fish one by one, preventing bycatch and creating more jobs in coastal communities. These fisheries must either be certified sustainable by the Marine Stewardship Council or rated green or yellow by the Monterey Bay Aquarium and The Safina Center.

Every supplier must also use Trace Register, traceability software that tracks each lot of tuna at every point from vessel to can. The traceability data are continuously crosschecked to help verify sourcing and prevent illegally caught or unauthorized fish from entering the supply chain.

“We created this new policy for canned tuna because we want to lead by example in sourcing only the highest quality, sustainably caught tuna,” said Carrie Brownstein, global seafood quality standards coordinator for Whole Foods Market. “Combined with better international fishery management, overfishing and bycatch can be greatly reduced when tuna is caught by these low-impact fishing methods. We are honored to be working with suppliers and partners who are driving positive change.”

Leading brands that already source canned tuna from one-by-one fisheries, including 365 Everyday Value®, American Tuna, Pole and Line, Henry and Lisa’s, and Wild Planet, are updating their operations to meet the policy’s traceability requirements. These measures will also help importers get ahead of the traceability provisions in NOAA’s Seafood Import Monitoring Program, which has a deadline for mandatory compliance by Jan. 1, 2018.

Over the coming months, remaining suppliers will shift their operations and fishing practices to use the approved one-by-one catch methods, which are more environmentally friendly and offer more employment opportunities for fishermen worldwide.

“Since America is the largest canned tuna market in the world, shifts toward greater sustainability in this category can create a meaningful, positive impact on our oceans and our global fishing communities,” said Adam Baske, director of policy and outreach for International Pole and Line Foundation. “In some cases, these one-by-one fisheries are one of very few sources of local employment. The boats also make relatively short trips, enabling crews to return home frequently, compared to large industrial tuna vessels that may spend multiple months or even years at sea.”

Whole Foods Market’s new canned tuna policy expands on the retailer’s existing sustainability standards for fresh and frozen seafood, which also require that all seafood must either be certified sustainable by the Marine Stewardship Council or rated green or yellow by the Monterey Bay Aquarium and The Safina Center. Additionally, all of the retailer’s farmed seafood must meet its industry-leading aquaculture standards, which include third-party on-site audits.

In 2016, Whole Foods Market introduced the retailer’s first Fair Trade certified yellowfin tuna, a designation which ensures better wages and working conditions for fishermen, and provides additional funding to their communities for improvement projects and investments. Fair Trade certification also verifies full supply chain traceability.

These continual advancements in policies and sourcing are part of Whole Foods Market’s mission to create a model that moves the seafood industry toward greater sustainability.

Press Contacts:

Darrah Gist
darrah.gist@wholefoods.com
678.638.5888

Lauren Bernath
lauren.bernath@wholefoods.com
678.638.5805

SOURCE: Whole Foods Market

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The Prada Group to host “Shaping a Creative Future” conference focusing on interplay between sustainability and innovation

MILAN, Italy, 2017-Mar-15 — /EPR Retail News/ — The Prada Group will launch “Shaping a Creative Future” on Monday 20th  nd Tuesday 21st March in Milan, a conference in partnership with Yale School of Management and Politecnico di Milano School of Management.

The event will focus on the interplay between sustainability and innovation, and feature a series of stimulating conversations, debates and discussions with leading international academic, creative and business figures, moderated by the two universities.

The first day, hosted at Fondazione Prada, will see representatives from leading businesses meet with Yale School of Management and Politecnico di Milano School of Management professors and alumni for discussions on sustainability and innovation.

On the second day, a plenary conference will be hosted at Prada’s headquarters, where reflections from the first day will form the basis of all debate. Professors will moderate a series of panels with business leaders and representatives of international organizations, who will debate the topics and add their inspiring insights and experience to the conversation. Students from both universities will contribute their research and theses on the topics to the event.

SOURCE: PRADA spa

MEDIA CONTACT

PRADA spa
via Antonio Fogazzaro, 28
20135 Milano
tel +39.02.550281

ufficio.stampa@prada.com
pressoffice@miumiu.com
pressoffice.church@church-footwear.com
pressoffice.carshoe@carshoe.com
press@pasticceriamarchesi.com

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Sustainability report 2015/16: Esprit expands activities in the area of sustainability and social compliance

Sustainability report 2015/16: Esprit expands activities in the area of sustainability and social compliance
Sustainability report 2015/16: Esprit expands activities in the area of sustainability and social compliance

 

Ratingen, Germany, 2016-Oct-28 — /EPR Retail News/ — Doing business responsibly has been a key component of the corporate culture and an important part of the brand’s identity since the founding of Esprit. This commitment resulted in the first sustainability report for the financial year 2014/15, which is intended to bolster and secure the work of Esprit in this area and make it measurable and transparent. Having reported a positive result for the financial year 2015/16, Esprit is now publishing its second global sustainability report. In spirit of the founding philosophy, Esprit is continuing to expand its activities in the area of sustainability and social compliance, focusing on the three main topics of sustainable materials, social sustainability and environmental sustainability. The company has been able to further advance these important fields of action, among other things, through valuable strategic cooperations with partners such as IndustriALL, Canopy and the Better Cotton Initiative.

Whereas, in the financial year 2014/15 the focus in the area of sustainable materials was on the Tier 1 suppliers, in the financial year 2015/16, the focus has moved to the Tier 2 suppliers and cotton farms. This means that Tier 2 suppliers are now also integrated into the HIGG index and thus their environmental impacts in the value chain can be measured. In February 2016, Esprit also became a Learning Member of the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI), which contributes to the promotion of organic cotton production. The likewise new alliance with the non-profit organisation Canopy ensures the sustainable production of viscose, which, besides cotton, is the most important textile fibre at Esprit.

To guarantee social sustainablity, Esprit cooperates with various initiatives and programmes such as the Business Social Compliance Initiative (BSCI), Better Work and Bangladesh Accord on Fire and Building Safety. In addition, in September 2015, Esprit joined the Action, Collaboration, Transformation (ACT) programme1 in which the company works with other members to ensure fair living wages in the textile industry.

In order to implement environmental sustainability in the textile industry, Esprit is a member of the Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals Group (ZDHC) to completely eliminate hazardous chemicals from the supply chain by 2020.

José Manuel Martínez Gutiérrez commented on the sustainability report as follows: “Given our legacy as a socially responsible company, we are eager to continue to better our operations through the engagement in issues related to sustainability and social responsibility – hereby, we seek to do our part in enabling a more sustainable fashion future. In this spirit, in the last financial year 2015/16 we further expanded our sustainability strategy and systematically advanced the development of significant fields of action. An important part of our sustainability strategy consists of cooperation with initiatives and programmes such as IndustriALL, Canopy and the Better Cotton Initiative. We are convinced that these cooperations are essential to implement our sustainability vision and to make industry-wide improvements possible. We also want to continue along this path in the current financial year.”

Esprit is also a member of the Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC) and the Business Social Compliance Initiative (BSCI). In addition to participating in these initiatives, Esprit also has its own department which examines the risks associated with sustainability and social responsibility and works to implement national and international requirements. This includes, for example, the standards of the International Labour Organization, REACH standards and environmental and animal welfare directives.

The global sustainability report was written in accordance with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) G4 ‘Core’ Level and will be published in English and German on Esprit’s website. For more information on Esprit’s global sustainability report, please visit www.esprit.com/company/sustainability/

For further information:

Esprit Social Compliance
Esprit Sustainability
Esprit Sustainability Report 2016

1 You’ll find further information at http://www.hiil.org/project/act-towards-living-wages-in-global-supply-chain.

Investor Relations:
Patrick Lau
tel: +852 2765 4232
fax:  +852 2303 4610
email:  esprit-ir@esprit.com

Source: Esprit

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REI brings sustainability and efficiency at its new distribution center

REI brings sustainability and efficiency at its new distribution center
REI brings sustainability and efficiency at its new distribution center

 

SEATTLE, 2016-Sep-30 — /EPR Retail News/ —  REI, the specialty outdoor co-op, has designed its new distribution center to be Net Zero Energy and is pursuing LEED Platinum—the highest level in the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) rating system. Situated in the Arizona desert, the facility is intended to be one of the world’s most sustainable distribution centers. To encourage further innovation, REI is taking an unusual approach and will make the design information of this facility available to the public, so that others can advance the parameters of sustainable design.

REI is driving sustainability and efficiency at its new distribution center in several new ways:

  • The facility’s 2.2 megawatt solar system produces renewable energy on-site, enough to power the entire facility annually. The system is expected to provide REI with 20 years of free energy and pay for itself in five years.

 

  • REI and its partners have designed the industry’s first omni-channel one-touch fulfillment system, enabling one person to process items eight times faster than the typical distribution center, meaning that outdoor enthusiasts will get their gear faster.

 

  • Despite being in the middle of a desert, the distribution center will help restore the nearby Verde River, enhancing water flows and recreation access. This project has led the USGBC to recognize Water Restoration Certificates for LEED points.

 

  • The distribution center features a non-evaporative cooling system to keep employees cool in the desert heat. The system is fully powered by renewable energy and saves millions of gallons of water every year.

“We are choosing to open-source the design of this distribution center because we believe it is a stake in the ground for green building and can change how companies think about the impact that operations have on the environment—something we could not have achieved without our partners,” said Rick Bingle, REI’s vice president of Supply Chain. “We love the outdoors, so we approached this project as an opportunity to find new ways to reduce our use of natural resources while also making a positive, lasting impact on local outdoor places. We believe that investing in sustainability is not only good for people, places and the planet, but it’s also a smart business decision that creates measurable value. We think this project shows that we can push the boundaries of what’s possible.”

The co-op achieved Net Zero Energy by installing a 2.2 megawatt solar array on the roof that produces enough energy to power the entire facility—equivalent to powering 390 homes for one year. The size of the solar array was modeled to ensure the system would produce enough energy on-site, while still allowing for skylights to provide natural light at workstations throughout the building.

REI set out to show how advanced technology and sustainability can co-exist. Its supply chain team collaborated with key partners to create the industry’s first omni-channel one-touch fulfillment system. This system combines retail and customer orders at each workstation, enabling one person to process items eight times faster than the typical distribution center. The system is fully powered by renewable energy and will support more than 40 percent of the co-op’s sales—reaching approximately 36 percent of customers and 41 percent of the total retail volume.

Notes to editors

Designing a Great Place to Work
REI prioritized employee comfort when designing this building. In addition to the cooling system, the facility features an on-site gym, bike storage, physical therapist and cafe to support the healthy, active lifestyles of employees. Employees can also control their own microclimate through innovative hyperchairs, allowing employees to heat or cool individual office chairs for more comfort while using less energy.

Water Conservation
REI designed this facility to conserve water and protect the delicate environment of the surrounding Arizona desert. REI chose a non-evaporative cooling system, which keeps temperatures consistent from floor to ceiling while saving millions of gallons of water annually. The co-op also invested in an innovative restoration project at the Verde River, high in the Phoenix watershed.

In partnership with Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF) and The Nature Conservancy of Arizona, the project will help modernize irrigation infrastructure to conserve water and enhance flows for recreation and wildlife, protect farmland and limit development and water extraction in sensitive areas, remove invasive plants to restore river habitat, and enhance recreation access at key sites along the river. USGBC awarded REI with two LEED points for the pilot project and now recognizes Water Restoration Certificates, which will ultimately restore more natural water systems, wetlands and damaged watersheds.

LEED Certification
REI is pursuing LEED Platinum certification for this building. The USGBC’s LEED green building program is the preeminent program for the design, construction, maintenance and operations of high-performance green building. REI currently has six LEED certified facilities—with a combined total size of more than 700,000 square feet. The co-op’s developer is also pursuing LEED certification for the building that will house REI’s new flagship store in Washington, D.C.

REI’s distribution center was designed by Butler Design Group in collaboration with Rocky Mountain Institute, who led a three-day design session early in the process to think creatively about how to achieve REI’s ambitious sustainability and technology goals. The developer and owner advocate was Merit Partners, Inc. and the builder was The Renaissance Companies. Technology design and implementation was led by DMW&H and KNAPP, and the LEED certification was led by CBRE. EDF Climate Corps were involved early in the process to determine the financial feasibility of the project.

The facility joins REI distribution centers in Sumner, Wash., and Bedford, Penn. Additional information on REI’s sustainability efforts is available at www.rei.com/stewardship.

About REI
REI is a specialty outdoor retailer, headquartered near Seattle. The nation’s largest consumer co-op, REI is a growing community of more than 6 million active members who expect and love the best quality gear, inspiring expert classes and trips, and outstanding customer service. REI has 146 stores in 35 states. If you can’t visit a store, you can shop at REI.com, REI.com/REI-Garage or the free REI shopping app. REI isn’t just about gear. You can take the trip of a lifetime with REI Adventures, a global leader in active adventure travel that runs 150 custom-designed itineraries on every continent. REI’s Outdoor School is run by professionally-trained, expert-instructors who teach beginner- to advanced-level courses about a wide range of activities. To build on the infrastructure that makes life outside possible, REI invests millions annually in hundreds of local and national nonprofits that create access to–and steward–the outdoor places that inspire us.

For more information or to request an interview, please contact:
REI Public Affairs
(253) 395-5958
prrequests@rei.com

Source: REI

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Dunkin’ Donuts to serve 100% espresso beans sourced from Rainforest Alliance Certified™ farms by the end of this year

Dunkin’ Donuts espresso beverages in U.S. and 16 international markets to be made with 100% Rainforest Alliance Certified™ espresso beans by end of 2016

Rainforest Alliance works around the world to support long-term sustainability and the quality of life for farmers, their families and their communities

CANTON, MA, 2016-Jul-15 — /EPR Retail News/ — As a coffee leader, Dunkin’ Donuts is committed to sustainable sourcing, incorporating certified products in its coffee portfolio and helping to make a positive impact on farming communities worldwide. Today, the brand announced that it will continue to fulfill this commitment by expanding its current work with the Rainforest Alliance to have all Dunkin’ Donuts’ espresso beverages served at Dunkin’ Donuts U.S. restaurants and in approximately 16 international markets made with 100% espresso beans sourced from Rainforest Alliance Certified™ farms by the end of this year.

The Rainforest Alliance is an international nonprofit organization that works to conserve biodiversity and ensure sustainable livelihoods so that the planet and people prosper together. Rainforest Alliance certification helps to protect wildlife; safeguard soils and waterways; and improve quality of life for workers, their families and local communities.

Findings in the Sustainable Agriculture Network (SAN) / Rainforest Alliance Impacts Report, released early this year, show that Rainforest Alliance certification benefits small-scale producers. Smallholder farms applying the agronomic practices outlined in the SAN Standard were found to increase productivity and profitability, improve environmental quality and health, and had increased access to training. In addition, certification helps to improve working conditions and access to medical care and schools for their children.

Espresso beans from Rainforest Alliance Certified farms are the latest in several recent introductions of products by Dunkin’ Brands, parent company of Dunkin’ Donuts and Baskin-Robbins, that carry the Rainforest Alliance Certified seal. In the U.S. and select international markets, Dunkin’ Donuts serves 30% Rainforest Alliance Certified Dark Roast Coffee, and 30% Rainforest Alliance Certified Iced Green Tea is available in select U.S. markets. In 2015, Dunkin’ Donuts offered 30% Rainforest Alliance Certified Colombian Packaged Coffee, the brand’s first-ever single-origin packaged coffee, for a limited time. Internationally, Baskin-Robbins launched Lemon Black Tea Sorbet and Raspberry Black Tea Sorbet, each made with 50% Rainforest Alliance Certified black tea, as limited time offers in 2014.

Additionally, since 2010, Dunkin’ Brands has granted more than $260,000 to the Rainforest Alliance to fund projects on coffee and tea farms in Colombia, Guatemala, Ethiopia and India. With these funds, the Rainforest Alliance has provided technical assistance and training programs to coffee and tea farmers seeking to improve the sustainability and productivity of their farms. The grants have also helped certify more than 4,000 coffee farms, which now abide by comprehensive economic, social and environmental criteria developed by SAN, and provide training for farmers to assist them in better adapting to climate change.

According to Christine Riley Miller, Dunkin’ Brands Senior Director of Corporate Social Responsibility, “Dunkin’ Donuts is committed to responsibly serving our guests, franchisees, communities and the interests of our planet. Rainforest Alliance encompasses the economic, social and environmental aspects of sustainability to help farmers, particularly small-scale farmers, achieve an increase in profitability and productivity. We are excited to grow our work with the Rainforest Alliance, and going forward we hope to continue to increase the number of certified items — both coffee and other products — we make available to our guests.”

“We’re proud to be working with a company that shares our vision for a future where people and the planet can prosper together,” said Alex Morgan, Director of Markets Transformation for the Rainforest Alliance. “By prioritizing sustainably sourced coffee, Dunkin’ Donuts is renewing their commitment to being environmentally, socially, and economically responsible.”

To learn more about Dunkin’ Donuts, visit www.DunkinDonuts.com or follow us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/DunkinDonuts), Instagram (www.instagram.com/DunkinDonuts) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/DunkinDonuts). To download and read Dunkin’ Brands’ Corporate Social Responsibility Report, Broadening Our Horizons, please visit http://dun.kn/CSR2014Report.

For more information on the work of the Rainforest Alliance visit www.rainforest-alliance.org or follow them on Facebook (www.facebook.com/RainforestAlliance), Instagram (www.instagram.com/rainforestalliance), Twitter (www.twitter.com/rnfrstalliance) and LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com/company/rainforest-alliance).

About Dunkin’ Donuts
Founded in 1950, Dunkin’ Donuts is America’s favorite all-day, everyday stop for coffee and baked goods. Dunkin’ Donuts is a market leader in the hot regular/decaf/flavored coffee, iced coffee, donut, bagel and muffin categories. Dunkin’ Donuts has earned a No. 1 ranking for customer loyalty in the coffee category by Brand Keys for 10 years running. The company has more than 11,800 restaurants in 44 countries worldwide. Based in Canton, Mass., Dunkin’ Donuts is part of the Dunkin’ Brands Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: DNKN) family of companies. For more information, visit www.DunkinDonuts.com.

About the Rainforest Alliance
The Rainforest Alliance is an international nonprofit organization that works around the world to conserve forests and natural resources while advancing sustainable livelihoods. Rainforest Alliance collaborates with foresters, farmers, businesses and workers to build healthy communities, protect habitat, and rebalance the Earth, working towards the vision of a world where planet and people prosper together.  To learn more about the Rainforest Alliance, visit www.rainforest-alliance.org.

If you are member of the press, you may contact the Dunkin’ Brands Global Media Relations Office by email with your detailed inquiry and deadline at press@dunkinbrands.com. A member of the team will respond to your inquiry as soon as possible.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Lindsay Cronin
Phone: 781-737-5200
Email:lindsay.cronin@dunkinbrands.com

Source: Dunkin Donuts

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Kroger expands sustainability commitments to increase responsible sourcing and improve eco-stewardship by 2020

CINCINNATI, 2016-Jul-08 — /EPR Retail News/ — The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) today announced new and expanded sustainability commitments to increase responsible sourcing and improve eco-stewardship by 2020.

Kroger’s full list of 2020 sustainability goals is available online at http://sustainability.kroger.com/2020-goals.html, which includes:

  • Expanding their 100% sustainable seafood commitment,
  • Achieving the EPA’s “zero waste” threshold of 90% in all facilities,
  • Optimizing 100% of corporate brand packaging, and
  • Transitioning toward a 100% cage-free egg supply chain.

“Our goal is to be a positive force for change in our communities and to drive sustainability and innovation across the supply chain,” said Rodney McMullen, Kroger’s chairman and CEO. “We believe that our 2020 goals set the course for this important, ongoing journey.”

Kroger today also released its 10th annual sustainability report is now available online at http://sustainability.kroger.com.

“Our tenth annual sustainability report highlights our associates’ commitment to make a difference for our communities, our planet and each other,” said Mr. McMullen. “The report outlines Kroger’s growing focus on responsible sourcing and our progress in the fight against hunger, reducing our carbon footprint and moving toward “zero waste” in our stores and facilities.

About Kroger
Every day, the Kroger Family of Companies makes a difference in the lives of eight and a half million customers and 431,000 associates who shop or serve in 2,778 retail food stores under a variety of local banner names in 35 states and the District of Columbia. Kroger and its subsidiaries operate an expanding ClickList offering – a personalized, order online, pick up at the store service – in addition to 2,230 pharmacies, 785 convenience stores, 323 fine jewelry stores, 1,400 supermarket fuel centers and 38 food production plants in the United States. Kroger is recognized as one of America’s most generous companies for its support of more than 100 Feeding America food bank partners, breast cancer research and awareness, the military and their families, and more than 145,000 community organizations including schools. A leader in supplier diversity, Kroger is a proud member of the Billion Dollar Roundtable.

This press release contains forward-looking statements, as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, about the future performance of the company. These statements are based on management’s assumptions and beliefs in light of the information currently available to it. Such statements are indicated by the words “goal(s)” and “believe.”  Our ability to achieve our sustainability goals will be affected by our ability to generate free cash flow at the levels anticipated, our ability to generate expected operating results and the impact of regulatory changes. These forward-looking statements are subject to uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially. We assume no obligation to update the information contained herein. Please refer to Kroger’s reports and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission for a further discussion of these risks and uncertainties.

Contact:

Cincinnati/Dayton Division
(Cincinnati and Dayton, Ohio; northern Kentucky, southeastern Indiana)
Patty Leesemann
513-782-8745
patty.leesemann@kroger.com

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Kroger expands sustainability commitments to increase responsible sourcing and improve eco-stewardship by 2020
Kroger expands sustainability commitments to increase responsible sourcing and improve eco-stewardship by 2020

SOURCE: The Kroger Co.

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Best Buy joins Keep America Beautiful and the Ad Council to encourage our customers to recycle shipping boxes

Minneapolis, MN, 2016-Jul-07 — /EPR Retail News/ — When you toss those cans or boxes into the recycling bin, do you ever wonder what happens to them? We do. At Best Buy, reducing waste is key to our sustainability commitment, and we want to help our customers live more sustainably, too.

That’s why we’re joining Keep America Beautiful and the Ad Council to encourage our customers to recycle the shipping boxes they receive from us. As part of the “I Want To Be Recycled” campaign, we’re printing a new moniker on the boxes containing your .com order. The boxes literally “tell” you they want to be a pizza box, a new life these containers can enjoy when they’re recycled.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. produces approximately 254 million tons of trash each year, but recycles and composts only 87 million tons of this material. That’s a lot of waste that we can all help reduce.

Just think, the box that brings your new TV may come back to you with your pizza delivery for movie night.

Media Contact:
612.231.5146
press@bestbuy.com 

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Best Buy joins Keep America Beautiful and the Ad Council to encourage our customers to recycle shipping boxes Best Buy joins Keep America Beautiful and the Ad Council to encourage our customers to recycle shipping boxes

Source: Best Buy

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Best Buy’s VP Public Affairs & Sustainability: We are committed to uphold our status as a leader in corporate responsibility and sustainability

“We are committed to upholding our status as a leader in corporate responsibility and sustainability because our employees and customers expect that of us,” says Laura Bishop, Best Buy’s vice president of Public Affairs & Sustainability.

MINNEAPOLIS, 2015-12-9 — /EPR Retail News/ — While the holiday shopping season is in full-swing here in the U.S., there’s another crowd gathering in Paris for the global conference on climate change, also referred to as COP21. Best Buy’s Laura Bishop, vice president of Public Affairs & Sustainability, is there to represent our company’s sustainability efforts.

The United Nations conference on climate change brings together business, nonprofit and government leaders from around the world to collectively agree to reduce the carbon emissions that are warming our planet and creating economic risks. The effort aims to establish an international agreement that sets the stage for averting the impacts of climate change like wildfires, hurricanes, rising sea levels, along with the resulting economic impacts.

I spent time with Laura to learn more about this historic gathering and what it means for our company and our customers.

Q: Why is it important for Best Buy to be at COP21?

A: By being in Paris, we are actively supporting positive results from these international climate negotiations. Best Buy has been recognized as an industry leader after recently signing on to the American Business Act on Climate Change with the White House and 80 other companies, as well as setting an aggressive, science-based carbon-reduction goal.

We are committed to upholding our status as a leader in corporate responsibility and sustainability because our employees and customers expect that of us. Also, it’s the right thing for our business. We offer a variety of energy-efficient products to help our customers live more sustainably. Reducing carbon in our operations also saves our company money – our current efforts have saved more than $50 million.

Q: What do you hope to achieve?

A: It’s important that we continue to deepen our relationships with government officials and business leaders so we have a voice in shaping the climate change policies that will help our company and our customers move to a low-carbon economy. Best Buy is a recognized leader in carbon reduction, and we set a goal to reduce our carbon emissions by 45 percent by 2020. What I’m learning will also help us lessen risks and identify opportunities for even more efficiency in our business.

Q: Where do you see the impact of climate change on Best Buy’s business? 

A: Transitioning to a low-carbon economy is important to our business and the planet. The extreme weather that results from climate change disrupts our store operations and supply chain. Last year alone, 670 Best Buy stores (more than half of our U.S. locations) experienced weather extremes that led to temporary closure and disrupted our employees’ and customers’ lives. In 2011, a devastating flood in Thailand significantly affected the global supply of hard drives.

Q: Do you think customers are concerned about carbon?

A: Our customers care about ways to reduce their energy costs. We see it in the high volume of ENERGY STAR products we sell and in the growing popularity of connected home solutions, such as smart thermostats and solar systems. People realize that they can save money and mitigate climate change, too.

Follow Laura’s COP21 experience on Twitter: @BestBuyCSR. Visit the Best Buy website to learn more about our sustainability efforts.

SOURCE: Best Buy

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Best Buy’s VP Public Affairs & Sustainability: We are committed to uphold our status as a leader in corporate responsibility and sustainability

Best Buy’s VP Public Affairs & Sustainability: We are committed to uphold our status as a leader in corporate responsibility and sustainability

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H&M supports COP21 and will be in Paris with expertise from its sustainability department

STOCKHOLM, Sweden, 2015-12-2 — /EPR Retail News/ — Climate change is one of the major challenges of our time. As a leading fashion retailer H&M wants to be a positive player in climate change, ensuring climate is kept on safe levels around the world for communities and environment. This demands important investments and collaborations. H&M supports the COP21 process and will be present in Paris with expertise from the sustainability department.

H&M has committed to run its operations on 100 percent renewable energy in all countries where it is credibly possible to purchase. H&M is a member of RE100, an organization only open to companies committing to 100 percent renewable energy. This commitment means that H&M has significantly reduced its greenhouse gas emissions compared to last year alongside a positive growth of its business.

As signatory of the Earth Statement H&M supports that countries and industries decarbonize their operations ensuring a 2 degree Celsius limit to safeguard ecosystems. This is done through collaboration, commitments and investments in environmental friendly technologies.

H&M is one of the first companies in the world to start setting goals on the value chain according to planetary boundaries, i.e. what scientists say the planet demands in order to stay within a safe temperature.

“We are committed to provide our customers with fashion and quality at the best price in a sustainable way. This includes how we operate in our own operation, our value chain and communities around the globe where we have a presence. Our commitment to 100 percent renewable energy and our work to influence policy makers to a carbon free future are two examples how H&M contributes to a safe climate generations to come”, says Anna Gedda, Head of Sustainability at H&M.

H&M’s goal to solely use cotton coming from more sustainable sources (organic cotton, recycled cotton and Better cotton) by 2020 at the latest means tremendous improvements to its climate related impact. So does H&M’s garment collecting program which enables customers to return all their unwanted textiles, making them a part of the solution. By doing this H&M works for closing the textile loop in order not to use any raw material. These are just a few examples of how H&M makes sure the value chain is aligned with planetary boundaries.

Read more about the annual Conference of the Parties (COP), this year hosted by France: http://www.cop21.gouv.fr/en

GLOBAL MEDIA ENQUIRIES
Only press enquiries
Phone: +46 8 796 53 00
Email: mediarelations@hm.com

All other enquiries
H&M switchboard +46 8 796 55 00
Email info@hm.com

Head of Communications
Kristina Stenvinkel
+46 8 796 39 08

Head of Media Relations
Camilla Emilsson Falk
+46 8 796 39 95

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Dutch Association of Investors for Sustainable Development (VDBO) ranks Inditex as the top-performing retailer with a score of 82 out of 100

In its appraisal, the jury emphasised Inditex’s work in ensuring living wages for the textile workers comprising its supply chain.

Arteixo, Spain, 2015-3-11 — /EPR Retail News/ — The Responsible Supply Chain Benchmark 2014 report prepared by the Dutch Association of Investors for Sustainable Development (VDBO) ranks Inditex as the top-performing retailer with a score of 82 out of 100. In the overall ranking, Inditex is one of the four sector winners, alongside technology player Philips (92%), food and beverage company Heineken (77%) and builder Royal BAM Group (75%), all of which Dutch companies.

This is the first time that the report assesses non-Dutch companies, to which end it selected candidates from the universe of companies analysed by Robeco SAM, the sustainability investing specialist within Dutch group Robeco. The methodology used by the judging panel is focused on achievement of tangible targets by the contending companies on each of the criteria analysed.

The Dutch Association of Investors for Sustainable Development (VDBO), created 1995, works to create sustainable capital markets, markets that consider not only financial criteria but also non-financial, social and environmental criteria.

Inditex’s sustainability pledge is also evident in the scores obtained in other benchmark indices such as the FT4Good (rankings compiled by Ethical Investment Research Service) and the Dow Jones Sustainability Index, in which the Group has featured non-stop since 2001, achieving an overall score in 2014 that places it ahead of 98% of its international retailing peers.

For any press request please contact with:

Communication and Corporate Affairs Division
Edificio Inditex
Avda. de la Diputación s/n
15143 – Arteixo
A Coruña – ESPAÑA

Tlf: +34 981 185 400
Fax: +34 981 185 544
comunicacion@inditex.com

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Tesco launched new interactive platform to boost collaboration, innovation and sustainability across its suppliers

Cheshunt, England, 2015-1-23 — /EPR Retail News/ — Tesco has launched a new interactive platform to boost collaboration, innovation and sustainability across its suppliers.  The Tesco Supplier Network will help over 5000 members from across the world share the opportunities and challenges of delivering high quality, affordable and sustainable products to Tesco’s customers.  Members will be able to connect directly with Tesco teams, learn more about Tesco and learn from each other on issues such as energy, food waste or innovation.

Jason Tarry, Head of Commercial at Tesco said:

“This new community of Tesco teams, suppliers and producers from around the world gives us the opportunity to improve communication, share ideas and continually improve the products that our customers enjoy.  The Network will play an integral part in our partnerships with suppliers to deliver for our customers.”

Notes to editors:

  • The Tesco funded site brings together two pre-existing communities; the Tesco Producer Network, which served fresh food producers, and the Tesco Knowledge Hub, which was open to branded manufacturing and processing suppliers.
  • The network can be accessed here: www.tescosuppliernetwork.com
  • Please click here to view a video about the network: http://youtu.be/ArK4s2Ctp5U
For more information please contact the Tesco Press Office on
01992 644645
We are a team of over 500,000 people in 12 markets dedicated to providing the most compelling offer to our customers.
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Kingfisher joins some of the biggest companies in the world to launch global digital platform to drive conversation and action on sustainability

LONDON, 2014-10-16— /EPR Retail News/ — A coalition of the world’s biggest companies and non-profits have launched a global digital platform to drive conversation and action on sustainability.

Collectively, will celebrate and connect the people, places and cutting-edge ideas that are shaping the future. It will focus on giving a global stage to audiences who are already starting to make life choices that strengthen society, as well as minimising their environmental impact. Their desire for workplaces, brands and organisations that align with those values helped inspire this collaboration. The ultimate aim is to make sustainable living the new normal.

Collectively brings together global sustainability non-profit Forum of the Future with some of the biggest companies in the world. Kingfisher, Unilever,  BT Group, The Coca-Cola Company, Marks & Spencer, Carlsberg, Google, Facebook, Microsoft, McDonalds, Nike, PepsiCo and Nestlé to name but a few, are already in and are keen to broaden the coalition to NGOs, youth organisations and other brands.

Collectively is designed to enable audiences to act more sustainably in whatever way they can – from buying, investing and campaigning to sharing an idea they believe in. It represents a unique new approach to the way businesses engage consumers on sustainability, which it is hoped will grow the marketplace for sustainable products and services.

Will Gardner, CEO, Collectively, said:

“Encouraging people to choose to live, work and play sustainably on a scale that will genuinely make a difference is one of the world’s biggest challenges. We hope to change that through Collectively. It’s a place to share stories, inspire each other and create the change we need to see in the world. Collectively brings together some of the world’s biggest brands, non-profits and leading social entrepreneurs because we believe that together we can achieve much more, much faster.”

Richard Gillies, Group Sustainability Director, Kingfisher, said:

“People often ask me how you encourage businesses to increase their sustainability offer and the answer is straight forward – increase demand for it.  Sadly, there isn’t a silver bullet to do that or we’d have cracked it by now but making this agenda engaging, desirable and affordable for people is key.  We’re a proud supporter of Collectively and are confident that the editorial independence of the site, which will offer inspiring and engaging content, has the potential to create positive change and make sustainable living the new normal.”

For further information about Kingfisher’s involvement please contact Annabel Ward on 0207 896 3214 or email netpositive@z-pr.com 

Notes to Editors

About Collectively
Collectively is a non-profit editorial platform, developed alongside VICE Media’s creative services division, VIRTUE, global sustainability non-profit Forum for the Future, and Purpose, leaders in building social movements. The independent editorial team will update the site with stories, information and solutions from the worlds of home, fashion, food, design, architecture, technology and more. The platform’s audience will also be encouraged to submit ideas for the channel around a series of themes that will be regularly refreshed such as healthy homes and the smartest city. Only highly engaging stories with the potential to create positive change will be featured. The original idea for Collectively was sparked by discussions at the World Economic Forum about how to inspire and accelerate the shift towards a more sustainable way of life.

Sponsors to date include:
Audi; BT Group; C&A Foundation; Carlsberg; Diageo; Facebook; General Mills; Google; Havas; IPG;  Johnson & Johnson Family of Consumer Companies; Kingfisher; Lenovo; Marks & Spencer; McDonalds; Medialink; Microsoft; Nestlé;  Nike; Omnicom; PepsiCo; Philips; SABMiller; Salesforce; The Coca Cola Company; The Dow Chemical Company; Twitter; Unilever; WPP.

For more information on Collectively:

Visit http://www.collectively.org/

Contact Golin:
Shona Inglis / Melissa Mackreath / Thomas Parker
+44 (0) 20 7067 0619 / +44 (0) 20 7067 0876 / +44 (0) 207 067 0288 collectively@golin.com

Follow Collectively:

facebook.com/collectively

twitter.com/_collectively

instagram.com/_collectively

youtube.com/collectively

collectively.tumblr.com