STORES Magazine - December 2008 - (Page G7)

GREEN RETAILING / SUSTAINABILITY Sponsored by Green product mix Target’s green product mix includes non-toxic cleaners, compact fluorescent light bulbs, organic foods and ENERGY STAR-rated electronics. Items made from recycledcontent materials include greeting cards, office paper, doormats and gardening products. Target was one of the first big-box retailers to incorpoTarget takes a holistic approach rate many of the LEED Green Building Rating to sustainability Target projects a System’s features into the design of its stores. The company’s guidelines for developers inBY LIZ PARKS clude site criteria for low-impact assessments, decrease and management consistently explores innoin energy a rg e t h a s l o n g been an i n d u st ry vative new site-design techniques, many of consumption by which have focused on conserving energy and leader when it comes to sustainabiliretrofitting sales controlling urban storm-water runoff. t y. Bu t t h e co mpany’ s so ci a l l y floor lighting responsible initiatives go well beyond preSince 2006, more than one-third of Target’s s e rvin g a n d p ro t e ct ing t he ph ysi ca l new-store construction projects have involved resources of the planet. Target invests in human redevelopments known as “brownfields.” In all new stores, resources, as well, striving to give back to the comTarget uses low-VOC (volatile organic compound) carpets, munities it services in myriad ways. adhesives, sealants and paint, and it has begun installing insulated concrete panels that help keep stores in warm“We take a holistic approach to sustainability,” says weather locations cool and stores in cooler climes warm. spokesman Steve Linders. “For us, sustainability touches Target has been able to recycle 80 percent or more of its everything: marketing, merchandising, property developconstruction waste. Five percent of Target’s incorporated ment, distribution and the social initiatives and programs building materials include recycled content, and 20 percent we have in place, which is why we give to the arts, to eduof its building materials are manufactured regionally. cation and to social programs.” Whenever economically feasible, Target purchases enerTarget has found “a number of ways to increase operagy from renewable sources. Eighteen Target stores in Caltional efficiencies by being environmentally responsible,” ifornia draw 20 percent of their annual electricity needs he says. It recently switched exterior neon lights to LEDs, from their own rooftop solar-panel systems; since the early which are more efficient and last longer. “We expect that 1990s, Target has used white membranes on its store roofs will increase energy efficiency by 78 percent,” Linders says. to reflect the sun’s heat, helping to reduce the stores’ “heatThe company currently is retrofitting sales floor lighting, island” effect. moving from a four-lamp to a two-lamp overhead fixture in general merchandise stores and to a three-lamp fixture Vendor guidelines in Super Targets. “We don’t lose any lighting there, but we To reduce the negative impact of packaging materials on save significantly on energy costs,” Linders says, and the the planet, Target developed vendor guidelines to assist its new fixtures “last longer so we don’t have to replace them partners, both in the U.S. and overseas, in “identifying as often.” Target has projected a 22 percent reduction in packaging options with less environmental impact and energy consumption just from this change. greater recycling potential.” Target also uses motion-sensor lighting in its stockrooms, All of these initiatives evolve from a recognition that Tarkeeping areas lit only when needed. All together, “we have reget has “to minimize our environmental footprint,” Linduced our after-hour store lighting by 50 percent,” Linders ders says, “so we’ve sought ways to reduce waste, use ensays. “That has saved us more than 110 million ergy more efficiently and operate kilowatt hours of energy.” more sustainably.” And, by enResponding to the desires of customers couraging systematic solutions, has resulted in Target’s carrying a wide making eco-conscious choices bevariety of environmentally friendly comes second nature. merchandise, as well as its own “We want our guests to feel reusable shopping bags. In October, good about shopping with us,” Target began displaying reusable Linders says. “We know they conshopping bags at every checkout lane sider a business’s reputation when in every store. “Our guests like them they consider where to buy. So we want because they can be used over and to do things that are right for the environment. over again, reducing the use of plastic These are also the things that are right for us as bags,” Linders says. a business.” Every Day in Every Way T 22% WWW.STORES.ORG STORES DECEMBER 2008 G7 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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