Retail’s Greenest Pastures Caitlin Hawkins Jacey Durham Brittany White Caitlin Hawkins Jacey Durham Brittany White

General Electric  GE makes money by manufacturing products that are better for the environment.  Not hard to argue that growth, profitability, & environmental consciousness can happily co-exist in the retail world.  GE makes money by manufacturing products that are better for the environment.  Not hard to argue that growth, profitability, & environmental consciousness can happily co-exist in the retail world.

Green Quotient on the 5 biggest retailers Wal Mart- leads the pack Costco- lagging Target- innovative approach Home Depot- eco-friendly products Lowe’s- appears to be in the eco-hunt Wal Mart- leads the pack Costco- lagging Target- innovative approach Home Depot- eco-friendly products Lowe’s- appears to be in the eco-hunt

Wal-Mart  “We love the CFL and see the power this product has to unite customers in the struggle against climate change.”  Vice president promotes sustainability.  Web page has extensive listing of environmental efforts. 1. Using renewable energy sources & are building more energy efficient stores. 2. Reducing waste production through recycling and packaging improvements. 3. Selling products that sustain the environment at low prices.  “We love the CFL and see the power this product has to unite customers in the struggle against climate change.”  Vice president promotes sustainability.  Web page has extensive listing of environmental efforts. 1. Using renewable energy sources & are building more energy efficient stores. 2. Reducing waste production through recycling and packaging improvements. 3. Selling products that sustain the environment at low prices.

Costco  One of the top retailers in the industry  Little evidence of commitment to the environment (2006 annual report)  Introducing hybrid trucks  Carpool efforts to Seattle home office  Not a significant effort in the long run  Need to make in store improvements  One of the top retailers in the industry  Little evidence of commitment to the environment (2006 annual report)  Introducing hybrid trucks  Carpool efforts to Seattle home office  Not a significant effort in the long run  Need to make in store improvements

Target  “ Real commitment. Real Progress. Real Results.”  Recycling garment hangers, and rechargeable batteries from customers.  Low VOC carpeting in its stores & leading in redeveloping “environmentally impaired” existing properties.  Certified organic producer  “ Real commitment. Real Progress. Real Results.”  Recycling garment hangers, and rechargeable batteries from customers.  Low VOC carpeting in its stores & leading in redeveloping “environmentally impaired” existing properties.  Certified organic producer

Home Depot  Counter on website that measures eco- friendly products sold  Plans to introduce more environmentally friendly products that are easier for consumers to find.  More than 2,500 products  Counter on website that measures eco- friendly products sold  Plans to introduce more environmentally friendly products that are easier for consumers to find.  More than 2,500 products

Lowe’s  Website mentions its commitment but hasn’t done much.  Links lead to products or tips on how consumers can reduce their energy footprint.  Purchasing high-efficiency washing machines, organic fertilizers, insecticides and soil.  Website mentions its commitment but hasn’t done much.  Links lead to products or tips on how consumers can reduce their energy footprint.  Purchasing high-efficiency washing machines, organic fertilizers, insecticides and soil.

References  7/10/03/retails-greenest-pastures.com 7/10/03/retails-greenest-pastures.com  industries/retail/ green-retail-usat_N.htm  7/10/03/retails-greenest-pastures.com 7/10/03/retails-greenest-pastures.com  industries/retail/ green-retail-usat_N.htm