Planet: Sustainable Consumption

University of Arizona Launches Consumers, Environment & Sustainability Initiative

About CESI

Vision

To be recognized as providing the best instruction and consumer research on sustainable consumption. As we define it, sustainable consumption encompasses the decisions made and actions taken by consumers to improve their quality of life without compromising the ability of other consumers and living species to flourish on our planet Earth, today and in the future.

Mission

To provide consumers, as shoppers and employees, with validated tools to help them reflect on and improve the sustainability of their consumption patterns by making more informed choices about their use of goods and services and its impact on natural resources. To provide organizations, as firms and employers, with instructional tools for implementing sustainable business practices and scientific data on consumer consumption of sustainable goods, services, and natural resources.

The Story of CESI

Although there is a considerable amount of ongoing academic research and corporate interest in topic of sustainability nationally and internationally, most of the work being done is related to developing business strategies and supply-side products, methods and/or technologies. Missing from these and all other worthwhile and important activities is the voice of the consumer – the human factor, demand-side perspective.

To fill this void, we conceived of CESI in summer 2009, coinciding with The University of Arizona’s campus-wide initiative in support of scholarly activity and scientific research about the environment and its sustainability. The goal of CESI is to facilitate collaborative, innovative and integrative effort to support research, teaching and outreach activities that focus on 1) consumer rituals, attitudes and behavior associated with the consumption of food, water, and energy and 2) consumers’ sense of social responsibility as it relates to the sustainability of these and other resources. 

Retailers have significant potential to affect change in society like no other industry, as they are located in a key position between suppliers and consumers.

Profits: sustainability must be relevant to our daily lives

How going green can save you money
By MARGARET CASE LITTLE, COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER | Published: SEPTEMBER 27, 2010


From leading the EPA’s Climate Leaders program to consulting for a company at the forefront of sustainable business practices, SAP’s Jim Sullivan knows a thing or two about corporate sustainability. 



For a retailer just thinking about a sustainability program, what are the most important things to keep in mind when getting started?


The key factor in any corporate sustainability program is to create a solid business case on how the program will increase overall profitability and then get the appropriate buy-in at the senior management level to make sure it can be well-executed. In retail, the two main drivers for profitability are the opportunity to improve margins (primarily through operational efficiency) and the opportunity to increase revenue growth. Over time as the program matures, there is also the opportunity to improve the company’s valuation multiple (primarily by improving risk premiums such as predictable access to insurance/capital).


After creating a solid business case, the second most important thing to take into account is the scope of the program. “Sustainability” is an intentionally broad concept and a key factor for success is to narrow the scope of a corporate program to a manageable number of material indicators that are extremely relevant to an individual company, their customers, and their broader stakeholder community. For example, SAP reports out on eleven core metrics around the environmental, social and economic dimensions.


The final ingredient necessary for a successful program is an early commitment to transparency in tracking progress. Senior management and stakeholders must realize sustainability is a journey on which most companies are on their initial steps. For the long-term credibility of the program, companies should commit to not only reporting on their success but also on lessons learned and challenges in achieving their goals.


measure & verify... define business 'core-metrics' & track your progress. marco is here to help you mange the margins, so you can grow! 

People: Embracing Sustainability

Women in Design: Paulette Cole

The head of ABC Home is shaking up the retail world by embracing sustainable design.

ELLE DECOR: What design trends do you see having lasting value?

Paulette Cole: Everyone wants to jump on the green bandwagon, but it's much more than a trend. It's a complete shift in human consciousness that is going to trigger so much innovation in design. People want better-quality products, not throwaways, and they want things that will nurture and sustain them. 


ED: How have these educated consumers affected your business? 


PC: Five years ago people didn't know much about unhealthy chemicals in household cleaners and weren't so concerned about off-gases being emitted by carpets. Now they recognize these things are bad. At ABC Home we've done lots of homework on making functional furniture and art that doesn't hurt the planet. We have 650 pieces of furniture composed of reclaimed or naturally fallen wood whose harvesting doesn't endanger old-growth forests. You can invest in something that is good for the planet but is also beautiful. 


Green is good design, providing context for a range of possibilities and leading the way to a healthy future.

Planet: new green changes come at no additional cost to their Franchise Owners

East Toasty, Be Green



Their goal is to save over 6,000,000 pounds of material from reaching landfills annually by using packaging containing significant amounts of post-consumer materials and updating our packaging to be either compostable* or use less paper in the production. 


But they're not perfect...yet. They know that packaging changes are a small step in the grand scheme of going green. But by taking this first step, they're creating a larger market for post-consumer materials and attempting to reduce the flow of packaging waste to landfills in 2010 and beyond.



All Quiznos stores now feature several new types of packaging, including:

• 100 percent compostable wax-coated paper cups
• Pulp salad bowls made from renewable sugarcane
• Plastic lids made of 30 percent post-consumer-recycled PET bottles
• Napkins made from 100 percent recycled material and fibers (90 percent post-consumer)
• Catering lunch boxes made of 100 percent recycled paperboard (35 percent post-consumer)
• The sub chain is also helping its team members embrace its new green shift by beginning to change their uniforms to items made from 100 percent from recycled soda pop bottles.  Each hat saves approximately six bottles from reaching a landfill and each apron saves approximately 25 bottles.

By making its packaging more environmentally responsible, Quiznos claims its taking steps to lessen the impact each of its thousands of independently owned and operated U.S. stores has on the eco-health of the nation. 


Green & Good... as my personal research just verified.

Profits: Environmental Performance

NEWSWEEK's 2010 Green Rankings

To produce the 2010 Green Rankings, NEWSWEEK collaborated with MSCI ESG Research—a leading source of environmental, social, and governance ratings—which served as lead research organization; Trucost, which specializes in quantitative measurements of environmental performance; CorporateRegister.com, the world’s largest online directory of social responsibility, sustainability, and environmental reports; and our editorial partner, ASAP Media. The goal was to assess each company’s actual environmental footprint and management of that footprint (including policies and strategies), along with its reputation among environmental experts.

COMPANIES WE RANKED

The U.S. 500 list includes the largest publicly traded U.S. companies, and the Global 100 list (new this year) includes the largest publicly traded companies based in developed and emerging markets. A number of U.S.-based companies appear on both lists. Company size was evaluated according to revenue (most recent fiscal year), market capitalization, and number of employees, all as of March 31, 2010. Changes resulting from various corporate actions, such as mergers, were taken into account until July 1, 2010, when the company lists were finalized to allow time for the rankings to be calculated and compiled.

who's who of green... search the list to find leading retailers in the field

People: Giving Back

Toys For Tots 2010


Toys for Tots Coordinator Mrs. Cora Pucci

Monetary donations can be mailed to:

"Toys for Tots" % Mrs. Cora Pucci

651 Glenwood Avenue

Ambridge, PA  15003-2446.

Please make all checks payable to:

Toys for Tots

Our 2010 office/warehouse will be located:

641 Glenwood Avenue

Ambridge, PA 15003

Once again this year... Marco is supporting this great cause with collection boxes set-up at our HQ. 

Planet: Corporate Social Responsibility

Joe Pettus, Eco-Pioneer: Safeway is leading the way to a

green future... they get it!

10 Eco-Tips from Safeway

1. Replace your incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent lamps (CFL).CFLs use roughly ¼ of the energy, of incandescents and deliver the same amount of light.

2. Keep your reusable shopping bags in the trunk of your car. That way, you will have them each time you do your shopping.

3. Take advantage of electronic coupons. Visit CouponLink at Safeway.com and download coupons onto your Safeway Club Card.

4. When you are busy around the house, turn down the thermostat. Your own energy will keep you warm, and you will save on the heating bill.

5. Pay as many bills as you can online. This will reduce the amount of paper sent out and eventually thrown away.

6. Make recycling easy. Create designated holding bins for each type of recyclable product and place in convenient locations in your home or garage.

7. Take showers instead of baths. Try to keep them to five minutes or shorter. Replace existing shower heads with the lowest flow ones you can find.

8. Steam your veggies rather than boiling them. Each time you do, you will save roughly a quart of water.

9. Compost your food scraps. Composting provides vital nutrients for your garden.

10. Donate your clothes. Next time you are cleaning out your closet, consider donating your clothes rather than throwing them away.

it's not easy being green... Safeway is an Eco-Pioneer and shared their CSR experiences with us at the ICSC Retail Green conference last week

Profits: The Power of Business

What are B Corporations?

B Corporations are a new type of corporation which uses the power of business to solve social and environmental problems.  B Corporations are unlike traditional responsible businesses because they:

• Meet comprehensive and transparent social and environmental performance standards.
• Institutionalize stakeholder interests.
• Build collective voice through the power of a unifying brand.

Beyond construction certification programs... organizations are now fine tuning their operations to change the world. 

People: Perception of Class & Elegance

Make People Want To Shop At Your Store

By: George Battles on Oct 9, 2010


It is convenient to say that a retail clothing store is a result of all details carefully put together. In running a retail clothing business, you already probably have and know the details, regardless of how big or small it is. You are ought to be keen when it comes to details. From selecting among wooden clothes hangers from wooden clothes hanger manufacturers or metal hangers to selecting the type of light to use, from wall color to mirrors, everything has to blend perfectly together to attain a conducive shopping environment that potential customers would want to shop in.
Your clothing display greatly impacts on the image of your store. People's perception of class and elegance are the top things people want in a clothing store. As a matter of fact, even a diminutive detail such as your choice of mirrors can set the image you want to portray.
Most high-end stores prefer wooden clothes hangers; they have a certain level of elegance and classiness, which is not available with other types of hangers. Metal hangers, for instance, are prone to deformities. Using these to hang clothes is like saying quality is not an important consideration in your store.
On the other hand, wooden hangers are perfect tools to achieve a sense of sophistication and subsequently relaying it to customers. They are not only functional, but they also serve as a perfect complement to any high end clothing like a long elegant evening gown or a well-tailored tuxedo and pants.
Aside from its functional and aesthetic value, this kind of clothes hangers also has an added advantage of being heavy-duty. Compared metal, wooden hangers have rare chance of getting bent or distorted. Wooden hangers are also not vulnerable to rust. Go ahead and buy from wooden clothes hanger manufacturers so you can hang your clothes in a well-displayed manner.


Perception is reality... shoppers are attracted to quality, the new definition of value.

Planet: Green Retailing

Retail in 2020

Arguably the single most important issue for retailers today is the environment. Once considered a niche playing field, green retailing has moved from "nice to have" to "must have" as both customer and regulatory demands tighten for the industry. And some of the biggest players are leading the charge to more environmentally aware practices.

With the likes of Tesco, Coop as well as Sainsbury, Home Depot, Marks & Spencer, Starbucks, Zara and Wal-Mart leading the way, not having a distinct environmental plan built into retail strategies has become the exception, where only a few years ago it was the rule. What to expect then in 2020? Premium payments for enviro-friendly products, more low-energy production and the creation of new—higher—standards for ethical trading.

green is no longer an option... it's at the heart of providing true value for your customers

Profits: Industry Research

Retail Split Widens Between Luxury, Value

By Robert Carr

CHICAGO-Growth in consumer confidence, though slight, is translating to a boost in the retail market, according to Jones Lang LaSalle in a recent global report. Retailers are continuing to talk about new stores and plan for the holiday season, while investors are seeing better quality properties come on the market, and lenders opening up cash flow.

Many projects put on hold during the global financial crisis are underway again, according to the report. However, the retail landscape for the next few years will be challenging, particularly in mature markets. The growth hasn’t come without change, says Greg Maloney, president and CEO of JLL Retail. Both retailers and owners have had to improve business practices, and lenders are finally pushing properties off balance sheets, in some cases through foreclosure. “This will start the process, get activity going for investors. It’s slow improvement, we’re not on a sharp curve upward,” Maloney says.

green retail is about providing value... which these days has also become the definition of luxury

People: the larger general public

iPad now available at more retail chains
October 4th 2010


Over the weekend Apple’s iPad extended further outside of Apple’s retailsystem. The tablet device can now be purchased at resellers such as Target, Frys, and Amazon. The new resellers, with more likely to follow, join Best Buy and Apple’s network of authorized resellers. Prices are the standard Apple MSRP, however, various resellers often have general promotions that may help trim the price.

It appears that Amazon is the only reseller selling the iPad online, while Frys and Target are in stores. All resellers sell accessories both online and in stores. It also appears all models and configurations are available.

This is good news for both availability and a chance to check out an iPad to the larger general public, particularly at Target.


power to the people... look for new hardware & software from apple later this fall , now that this first wave is readily available

Planet: LEED Retail

 LEED for Retail Finally Set to Debut

By Marianne  Wilson (Sept 01, 2010)

It’s official: After years in the development and pilot phases, LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Retail has been approved. At press time, the U.S. Green Building Council was expected to announce an official launch of late 2010.

“Once it launches, all retailers seeking LEED certification will be required to build according to this new rating system,” said Justin Doak, founder and CEO, Ecoxera, Austin, Texas. “In the meantime, retail projects can continue to register under LEED 2009 for New Construction or LEED 2009 for Commercial Interiors.”

The new certification actually consists of two separate rating-system tracks—LEED for Retail: New Construction and Major Renovation and LEED for Retail: Commercial Interiors. The difference between the two is all based on control, according to Doak.

“New construction is for retailers that control the shell of the building and influence over the site,” he explained. “Commercial Interiors is a green benchmark for the tenant improvement market, where site or shell of building is typically out of control, so mall and lifestyle retail tenants should use this path.”

LEED for Retail was developed specifically to address the unique needs and issues of a retail facility (including supermarkets, freestanding stores, in-line mall tenants, restaurants and banks). It took many of the existing credits in other LEED ratings systems and tailored them to meet the specific needs of retail outlets. LEED for Retail captures both a building’s physical systems (design, equipment, land use, etc.) as well as its operation.

“The pilot project teams provided real market feedback on how to apply LEED for New Construction and LEED for Commercial Interiors to retail spaces,” Doak explained.

Marco is reviewing this new program and we are ready to strategically align the rating system with your business goals