STORES Magazine - December 2008 - (Page G13)

GREEN RETAILING / COMMITMENT Sponsored by sociated with water, cotton, wood, fish and palm oil sourcing, Oxfam encourages clothing recycling, and GroundMarks & Spencer involves partners in its eco plan work is assisting the company with a campaign to reduce the use of plastic bags. BY M.V. GREENE In a campaign launched in May, arks & Spence r, the promiMarks & Spencer is charging cusnent U.K. clothing, food and tomers for plastic bags in its U.K. housewares retailer, launched stores; trials at 50 stores saw use of an ambitious, five-year “eco plan” in bags drop by more than 70 percent. January 2007 to force the organization Groundwork is using the proceeds to of more than 75,000 workers spread create or improve green living spaces, globally to re-think the way it meassuch as parks, play areas and gardens ures, m anages a nd re ports o n s ocial, in neighborhoods throughout the U.K. environmental and ethical issues. Rose notes that if Marks & Spencer customers across all U.K. stores cut the Plan A, as Marks & Spencer calls it, is a use of plastic food bags by 70 percent, a total of 280 million bags would be voluminous pledge of 100 commitments saved each year. that challenge the breadth of the organiMarks & Spencer also has engaged zation on issues ranging from climate with groups that include farmers change, waste, sustainable raw materiworldwide to develop renewable enerals, fair partnering and health. It ingy generation facilities based on anaercludes goals for M&S to “become carobic digestion and wind power. Partbon-neutral, send no waste to landfill, nerships with clothing and home supextend sustainable sourcing, be a fair “We believe that strong pliers in Sri Lanka, China and Wales trading partner and help our customers Plan A actions will provide have produced new “eco” factories. and employees to lead healthier lifestyles,” short-term cost savings The company also is working with according to CEO Stuart Rose. and longer-term competitive the U.K. government to develop policy With 622 stores in the U.K., Marks & advantage.” Spencer sources goods and services from frameworks on issues that include car— Richard Gillies, Marks & Spencer 2,000 suppliers globally and is pushing bon footprint reduction and the recyan ever-expanding international business portfolio that incling of information labels for packaging. cludes ventures in India, Greece, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. Setting the pace The approach to sustainability is drawing positive attenOpportunities for innovation tion and awards. Geneva-based Covalence Retail Industry Influencing its business partners and suppliers to join in the Report ranks Marks & Spencer with Wal-Mart Stores as effort is a tenet of Plan A. Rose says engaging suppliers, cussetting the pace for the retail industry on environmental istomers and employees is part of Plan A’s “virtuous circle” for sues in 2006 and 2007. The Washington, D.C.-based ideas to advance progress and find solutions. The company World Environment Center awarded its 24th Annual Gold wants its business partners to approach environmental and Medal for International Corporate Achievement in Sussocial issues as opportunities for innovation rather than as a tainable Development to Marks & Spencer for linking susmeans to achieving rudimentary compliance. tainability extensively with its supply chain, operations “We need their creativity and energy to help us deliver and customers. Plan A across our 35,000 product lines,” Rose notes in the Greenpeace has rated Marks & Spencer as the top recompany’s first systematic review this year of all 100 Plan tailer for the use of wood from sustainable sources to make A commitments. paper tissue, and Compassion in World Farming judged it Among socially active partners, Marks & Spencer credthe top retailer for its leadership in food animal welfare its groups like Forum for the Future, Oxfam, World Wide standards. Fund for Nature, Breakthrough Breast Cancer, Save the “We believe that Plan A supports the growth of our busiChildren, The Carbon Trust, Groundwork London and ness,” says Plan A director Richard Gillies. “The current WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme) for helpdifficult economic climate will provide additional chaling it deliver results. lenges but we believe that strong Plan A actions will proExternal partners have provided a number of solutions, vide short-term cost savings and longer-term competitive such as WWF helping to address environmental issues asadvantage.” The “Virtuous Circle” M WWW.STORES.ORG STORES DECEMBER 2008 G13 http://WWW.STORES.ORG

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of STORES Magazine - December 2008

STORES Magazine - December 2008 Contents Executive Editor's Page President's Page Wrap Rage Unraveled What Shoppers Think Courting a Comeback 10 Things You May Have Missed Numbers Worth Counting Full Price/Markdown Retail People Cover Story: Navigating the Road Ahead Website Strategy Concept2Watch Online Customer Service International Marketing Green Retailing Online Merchandising Signage Operations Online Strategies Pricing Strategy Kiosks RFID Human Resources Loeb Retail Letter ARTS Update Point of View NRF News Retail Crossword Retail Industry Calendar Last Laugh

STORES Magazine - December 2008

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