Green Retailing News

Mobile ecocooling in retail applications

2011-09-05T02:41:00.000-07:00

For more information, or to locate a distributor near you, call 0034-932 312 810 (for European sales) and 1-800-695-2942 (for international sales). Or, you can visit us online at www.lc-europe.com (Europe) and www.port-a-cool.com (manufacturer´s website).

Environmental friendly mobile climate control Barcelona bookstore

2011-07-21T03:37:00.000-07:00

Water and energy consumption of the Port-A-Cool Cyclone eco-friendly evaporative cooler

2010-04-17T01:50:00.000-07:00

http://www.lc-europe.com
http://ecocooling.blogspot.com

Office Depot Announces Major Environmental Initiative to Open Sustainable Retail Stores

2010-02-28T08:25:00.000-08:00

Office Depot , a leading global provider of office products and services, today announced that the Company will pursue Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) for Commercial Interiors (CI) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) for all new Office Depot retail stores, beginning in June 2010. LEED CI is the recognized system for certifying high-performance green interiors that are healthy, productive places to work; are less costly to operate and maintain; and have a reduced environmental footprint. Realizing that the Company does not always have control of the building -- especially when occupying an existing site -- Office Depot will make sustainable choices wherever possible and seek LEED CI certification.

14 new Office Depot store locations will be LEED CI certified, starting with the Company's newest location in Austin, TX, which is scheduled to open in June 2010. At each of these locations, Office Depot will look to mirror the impressive energy and monetary savings seen at Office Depot's first LEED Gold-Certified store in Austin, TX, which opened in April 2008.

Office Depot LEED CI Green Store Highlights

Features of all new Office Depot LEED CI certified stores will include:

-- Preferred parking designated for low-emitting, fuel efficient vehicles and carpooling.

-- Skylights (where applicable) will be used to harvest daylight for 90% of the store.

-- Reflective roof which features a membrane that helps to prevent absorption of the heat from the sun and keeps the interior of the store much cooler.

-- Energy Star rated HVAC equipment that exceeds ASHRAE standards.

-- T5 energy-efficient lighting, which is over 30% more efficient than typical retail lighting and will contribute to over 20% reduction in energy use.

-- Daylight and occupancy sensors which reduce energy use.

-- Water conservation interior fixtures, including tankless instant hot water heaters, low flush toilets, low flow urinals, and automatic shutoff sensors in restrooms that will use over 30% less water than the typical facility.

-- Construction waste that will be recycled when waste recycling is available.

-- Construction materials that consist of at least 10% recycled content.

-- Wood, 50% of which will come from well managed forests verified by the Forest Stewardship Council.

-- All interior finishes are made up low VOC emitting materials and finishes.

-- Green Power purchases supplementing electrical use.

-- An Energy Management System that allows tracking of energy usage and trends from one central location.

-- 100% Energy Star rated building equipment and appliances.

-- Office supplies, technology and furniture featuring a range of green attributes, including recycled content, remanufactured, Energy Star rated and non-toxic.

-- An in-store Recycling Center with environmental solutions including Office Depot Ink and Toner Cartridge Recycling, Tech Recycling Service and Cell Phone and Rechargeable Battery Recycling.

Port-A-Cool, LLC is the ecological alternative for effective cooling

2010-02-19T06:51:00.000-08:00

We’ve all heard it: reduce your carbon footprint, sustainability, and all about the dangers of global warming. You might ask yourself “How much is true and what can I do to improve the environment?” Little changes can make all the difference.

What is sustainability?

Sustainability is the concept that every generation should meet their energy needs without compromising the energy needs of future generations. Efficiency and conservation are key components of energy sustainability. Energy sustainability focuses on long-term energy strategies and policies that ensure adequate energy to meet today’s needs, as well as tomorrow’s.
Sustainability also includes investing in research and development of advanced technologies for producing conventional energy sources, promoting the use of alternative energy sources, and encouraging sound environmental policies.

What is a Carbon Footprint?

Your carbon footprint is the direct effect your actions and lifestyle have on the environment in terms of carbon dioxide emissions. Probably the biggest contributors to your footprint are your travel needs, and your electricity demands at home. However, all your actions have a direct or indirect impact, including your diet, and the clothes you wear. We know cars, buses and aeroplanes burn gasoline, public transport may use gasoline and electricity and your home uses a significant portion of your personal electricity needs that generally comes from fossil fuel burning power plants. All these actions contribute to accelerating global warming and climate change.

What is Port-A-Cool, LLC doing to help?

Port-A-Cool, LLC recycles all scrap plastic from the manufacture of the rotationally molded plastic housings and uses recycled plastic in the molds, reducing waste.
Port-A-Cool® portable evaporative cooling units utilize an all natural cooling method and haveimplemented state-of-the-art technology to perfect the process.
No harmful greenhouse gases are emitted from the units during the cooling process.
Only tap water and 115v or 220v of electricity are needed. The 36 inch model produces cool air for eight hours for less than 1 euro.

An environmentally friendly process for cooling, coupled with being “green” before “green” was cool. That has always been the “natural” choice for Port-A-Cool, LLC.

For more information, or to locate a distributor near you, call +34- 932 312 810 or Or, you can visit us online at www.lc-europe.com.

Environmental-friendly cooling: Port-A-Cool evaporative cooler

2009-12-31T02:10:00.000-08:00

The world is becoming more sensitive to the term “green” and what it means to our environment and the health of our planet. Many companies are rushing to redefine their products and business practices to “go green”. Some companies, however, have always been green without even trying to be politically correct. It was just the right thing to do. Port-A-Cool, LLC, is one of those companies.

For example, the flagship product for the company is the Port-A-Cool® portable evaporative cooling unit, manufactured in Center, Texas. The unit features a one-piece, rotationally molded plastic housing which is leak and rust proof and produced at the company’s manufacturing facility. The company recycles all scrap plastic from the manufacture of the units, reducing waste and harm to our environment.

In addition, the unit itself uses a cooling method that is environmentally friendly. The ancient Egyptians used the same principles of evaporative cooling to cool their homes by hanging a damp mat in the doorway and allowing the wind to evaporative the water and provide cooling. Port-A-Cool® units utilize the same natural cooling methods, but have implemented state-of-the-art technology to perfect the process, always keeping in mind the company’s commitment to preserving our environment. Port-A-Cool® units use less than a dollar a day in resources to provide air an average of 7-15 degrees celsius cooler than surrounding air. Because the Port-A-Cool® unit uses a natural cooling process, no harmful greenhouse gases, like CO2 expelled from traditional air conditioning systems, are released into the air to harm our ozone layer.

An environmentally friendly process for cooling, coupled with being “green” before “green” was cool. That has always been the “natural” choice for Port-A-Cool, LLC.

For more information, or to locate a distributor near you, call +34- 932 312 810 or Or, you can visit us online at www.lc-europe.com.

The price barrier to sustainable shopping

2009-11-08T02:54:00.000-08:00

Financial constraints are restricting ‘green and ethical living’, according to the British-based division of market researchers Mintel.

Indeed, one in five consumers are not in a financial position to think about green or ethical issues. Even before the recession, price premiums were a barrier to more widespread take-up of green and ethical products and the evidence of altered priorities is that 12% of adults stated that they could no longer afford price premiums for green or ethical products.

However, the new report also shows a strong commitment to ethical and environmental issues, as those rating them as ‘very important’ were actually up marginally on 2008. Today, some 97% of adults have adopted at least one of the greener behaviours included in the survey, implying that there is a strong basis of support for further green initiatives, such as energy-saving ideas, if retailers and manufacturers were to provide positive leadership.

Indeed, in terms of low cost greener actions such as using re-usable bags and switching to low energy light bulbs behaviour has been unaffected by the recession.

Australian research released this year by IBISWorld has highlighted the cost of shopping with a conscience, while a study by Unilever showed that 51% of Australians were more concerned by sustainability this year than last.

Click here to read further.

Source: http://www.ausfoodnews.com.au/2009/10/15/the-price-barrier-to-sustainable-shopping.html

Tesco lives the green life: Play the game!

2009-10-07T07:00:00.000-07:00

Trying to live a greener, more environmentally responsible life can be very confusing.

Which is why Tesco has just launched Greener Living , to help the environmentally-aware shopper make the right decisions. The site covers many aspects of going greener, including sections on ecofriendly travel and greener homes. There's an interactive house with lots of money-saving green tips and products, fun stuff for the kids and how to eat greener – all with sustainability in mind. It also features updates on Tesco’s own commitment to environmental responsibility.

To launch this new site there's a fun flash game. The game is simple but challenging to play - can you collect the environmentally-friendly produce, while avoiding the energy-guzzlers and the pesky birds? Have a go and you could win one of five energy-efficient Indesit washing machines.

http://www.tescogreenerliving.com/

Assortment of sustainable products still limited

2009-10-07T05:07:00.000-07:00

A research done by GfK in The Netherlands shows that 3,9 million Dutch people purchase sustainable products, but the assortment is still limited. This states the Dutch food speciality magazine Distrifood. The author of the book “Boodschappenbolwerk”, Frits Kremer, signalizes that supermarkets are talking for over years about the theme sustainability in the food sector and green retailing, but they act insufficiently green.

Dutch food retailer leader Albert Heijn introduced the private label Pure&Honoust, Jumbo introduced the conscious label and Super de Boer supermarkets pays a lot of attention to the animal welfare. This is what several speakers state at the congress of Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), an international organization for the certification of sustainable caught fish.

The Dutch supermarkets belong to the leading companies with the sustainable fish, last year the total products with MSC logo increased with 165 products, to reach a total of 344 products.

Job vacancy Jos de Vries The Retail Company: Creative director Branding & Communication

2009-10-05T06:20:00.001-07:00

Jos de Vries The Retail Company develops and realizes international progressive retail concepts with a right balance of creativity and commercial profitability. With conceptual thinking we work on the vision of the clients. This results into the realization of commercial succesfull store formulas with an own identity. Next to the central office in Maarssen (The Netherlands) we have offices in Spain, Germany and Russia.

We are on the search of a Creative Director Branding & Communication.

In this job you will be responsable for the development of the brand strategy and graphic communication for several international accounts in our agency. You work together with other creative directors (3D) to realize a total concept. Internally and externally you will be the contact person for the quality of the proejct as well as the progress of the project. You will manage the project team. Together with the management team you will decide the company vision and the strategical policy in the area of branding and communication. You are responsable for your turn-over, you will play an active role in the marketing and communication of our office. With your unique combination of creativity and commercial perception you are an inspiring partner for our clients and colleagues developing progressive retail concepts.

You will work from our head office in Maarssen (The Netherlands) and your working area will be whole Europe.

Background and education:

Graphical design education at university level
Several years of experience in the world of retail design with project responsability
Inspiring personality with vision and power to convince
Experience with communication on management level
Prepareness to work independently as well as operating in project teams
Knowledge of the European retail market
Strongly developed sense for marketing and communication
Excellent command of spoken and written English and German
Availability to frequent travelling

For more information on our organization check http://www.josdevries.eu. For personal adjustments you can contact Jasmijn Prinssen by telephone +31 346 563764.

We look forward to receive your curriculum vitae and cover letter by e-mail info@josdevries.eu or by post: Jos de Vries The Retail Company BV, Postbus 1194, 3600 BD Maarssen.

http://www.josdevries.eu

Starbucks introduces in Spain its eco-efficient store concept

2009-10-02T04:37:00.000-07:00

Back in 2002, Starbucks opened its first store, located in the Palace Hotel in the Madrilenean street Plaza de Neptuno. Seven years later, the emblematic store of the cafetaria chain reopened its doors with a totally new design, focusing on the environmental policy of the company.

The company used the renovation of the store not Orly to add more space (from 70 sqm up to 200 sqm), but also for the application of sustainable measurements in the building, the use of material and the new techniques to save energy, water and recycling.

The project forms part of the company´s project Shared Planet, the social responsability, converts the store in Madrid into the first store with this characteristics of Spain and the second one in Europe (the other one is located in Eurodisney in Parijs) and the fourth store of the world (in the United States, in Seattle there are 2 other stores).

Tesco Strikes LEED Gold in California

2009-10-01T07:32:00.000-07:00

U.K. retailer’s first LEED Gold-certified store opens near Palm Springs

Environmentally friendly design has been a hallmark of the Tesco’s 125 Fresh and Easy stores opened in the U.S. since 2007. Now, the British grocery store giant is taking its green theme a step further with today’s debut of its first LEED Gold-certified Fresh and Easy store in Cathedral City, California.

Like other Fresh and Easy stores, the new location features energy efficient lighting and refrigeration. For example, skylights and oversized windows bring in more daylight, allowing overhead lights to dim automatically when natural lighting levels are sufficient. Refrigeration units use an estimated 10 percent less than standard models.

Retailers from all over the world share retailers best green practises

2009-09-30T05:33:00.000-07:00

Greening Retail Program tackles environmental issues with new study and website.

(TORONTO, SEPTEMBER 28, 2009)- The retail industry is a significant part of the Canadian economy with more than 1.2 billion square feet of space and sales of $425 billion in 2008. According to Greening Retail, an initiative lead by the Toronto and Region Conservation (TRCA), Canadian retailers and their suppliers are responsible for more than 40 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually, six million tones of waste, and millions of kilometers travelled by trucks from around the world to every corner in Canada.

If just five per cent of retailers and their suppliers reduce energy use by 10 per cent, the estimated energy savings in one year would be equivalent to the energy required to power half a million homes and would result in a reduction of 1.4 million tonnes of greenhouse gases, the equivalent of removing 233,000 cars from the road for a year. Greening Retail’s new research report Best Environmental Practices From Around the World 2009, conducted by Evans and Company Consultants, and redesigned website were launched today. The report examines 15 of the top best-practice environmental retail leaders in the world, identifying their strategies and tactics in detail and outlining the ROI that can come from sustainable practices.

Here are some key findings from the study:

Grocery store chains are the earliest adopters of environmental best practices, followed by department stores and other large space users, and then specialty stores Environmental strategy needs to fit the company size and structure Top three ROI action points include: Appointing champions throughout the organization, reducing energy and reducing waste 13 of 15 companies produced a CSR report Over 80 per cent of the companies measure and track energy usage, waste produced and diverted, CO2 emissions, transportation and water usage.

“We found that there is strong support for environmental programs from leading Canadian retailers but they still face challenges when it comes to adopting best practices due to the lack of programs, research or identified returns on investments specifically for the retail sector,” said Bernie McIntyre, Manager Community Transformation Programs, Toronto and Region Conservation and project lead for the Greening Retail initiative. “The Greening Retail Program aims to fill the information gap for the industry. Access to relevant and practical data and best practices is critical for retailers to reduce their environmental footprint, save money and improve their bottom line.”

The 2009 study and redesigned website will be showcased at the International Council of Shopping Centers, Inc (ICSC) Canadian Convention Deal Making and Trade Expo, Sept. 21-23 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre (Toronto and Region Conservation’s exhibit: booth G3). The redesigned website will support the study, contain research results and include tools such as: a searchable database of case studies covering environmental policies and governance; energy conservation; green energy; solid waste; water use; transportation; green products; supply chain/purchasing; staff training; customer education and marketing; corporate social responsibility reporting; benchmarks and green sites.

The site also hosts implementation resources in 14 categories of environmental best practices. A Greening Retail Blog and Forum are also in the works for retailers to interact with experts. “Through the study we were able learn what made the world’s top environmental retailers successful in greening their business,” said McIntyre. “We’ve taken this information and turned it into a useful report and integrated case studies and other findings into the website. We hope it will become an important resource for the industry and help the retail sector with its green transformation.” About Greening Retail Developed by Toronto and Region Conservation in 2008, Greening Retail undertakes research, develops resources and programs, and facilitates demonstration projects to help retailers implement environmental best practices.

Greening Retail works in partnership with sector leaders, government agencies and other organizations to provide retailers with the strategies and tools they need in order to take action. Program partners include: Ted Rogers School of Management, Ryerson University, Centre for the Study of Commercial Activity, Ryerson University, Retail Council of Canada, ESADE in Spain, University of Stirling, Hitotsubashi University, Evans & Company Consultants Inc., University of Metz, Sustainable Retailing Consortium - National Retail Federation. Sponsors includes Smart!Centres and Environment Canada. For more information go to www.greeningretail.ca Toronto and Region Conservation With over 50 years of experience, Toronto and Region Conservation (TRCA) helps people understand, enjoy and look-after the natural environment. Our vision is for The Living City®, where human settlement can flourish forever as part of nature's beauty and diversity. For more information, call 416-661-6600 or visit the website www.trca.on.ca

Consumers link sustainability to food quality

2009-09-30T03:15:00.000-07:00

The Australian retail website Australian Food News published the market research of Packaged Facts and The Hartman Group. In this market research they have discovered a close relationship between consumer perceptions of sustainability and food quality that could impact on shopping behaviour.

Sustainability means different things to different people. Asked to identify what the term means to them, consumers most frequently respond “the ability to last over time” and “the ability to support oneself”. Sustainability is also strongly associated with environmental concerns, whereby consumers are being challenged to develop and express an “eco-consciousness” in their daily habits and purchases. But using “eco-conscious” or “green” as synonymous with sustainability unduly limits the frame of reference; these older terms fail to acknowledge the variety of social, economic and environmental issues that real-world individuals believe to be important to sustaining themselves, their communities, and society at large.

Consequently, as consumers become more educated about the environmental, social, and economic implications of food and beverage choices, their health and wellness motivations dovetail with larger societal concerns. A close relationship develops between sustainability and emerging definitions of food quality, as consumers use sustainable attributes to infer food quality, and food quality to infer sustainability.

Source: Australian Food News

Click here to read the rest of this article

New biological food store concept Goodyfood

2009-09-28T01:41:00.000-07:00

The Dutch biological wholesaler Natudis opened in the Dutch city of Hilversum its first biological store Goodyfood. The franchise formula focuses on clients between 25 and 40 years who are "Distrifood" living conscious. The store concept is focusing on locations in cities and with good results international expansion belongs to the possibilities. The concept can be positioned between the Natuurwinkel (nature store) concept and Marqt.

Walmart Canada launches first high-efficiency store

2009-09-26T03:36:00.000-07:00

Walmart Canada has opened its first high-efficiency (HE) prototype store in Waterdown, Ontario. The Supercentre is expected to use 30% less energy and will integrate industry-leading heating, cooling and refrigeration systems to conserve energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Commenting on the opening, David Cheesewright, President and CEO for Walmart Canada, said "As we design and build new stores, our goal is to be the greenest business on the block. We continue to pilot new technologies, drive innovation and experiment with new prototypes to create some of the most sustainable stores in retail. With our new sustainable prototypes, we are on track to achieve our environmental goals, which include using less energy, and producing less waste."

Source: IGD Analysis

Best practises in green retailing: Nestlé water Eco-shape bottle

2009-09-15T05:46:00.000-07:00

http://www.jdv-trc.blogspot.com
http://www.greensupermarket.blogspot.com

Kohl's Department Stores to receive EPA 'green' award

2009-09-15T02:54:00.000-07:00

Kohl’s Department Stores will be named Green Power Partner of the Year during the annual Green Power Leadership Awards held Monday in Atlanta.

The Green Power Leadership Awards recognize the actions of organizations, programs and individuals that significantly advance the development of green power resources in on-site generation, green power purchase and Partner of the Year.

This is the third consecutive year Kohl’s will receive a Green Power Leadership Award, earning recognition for green power purchase in 2007 and on-site generation in 2008. This is Kohl’s first time receiving the Green Power Partner of the Year Award, which recognizes four EPA Green Power Partners annually who distinguish themselves through their green power purchases, leadership, overall strategy and impact on the green power market.

Kohl’s ranks second in retail, fourth overall and fourth among Fortune 500 companies on the EPA’s list of top Green Power Purchasers with a 2009 green power purchase of 600,990,000 kilowatt hours, which is enough to meet 50 percent of the company’s purchased electricity use. Kohl’s ranks ninth on EPA’s list of Green Power Partners that generate and consume the most green power on-site with 19,126,000 kilowatt hours of on-site green power usage from solar.

Source: The Business Journal of Milwaukee

The major points of Organic foods

2009-09-14T00:28:00.000-07:00

A recent report by the French Agency for Food Safety (AFSSA) has suggested that organic foods are more nutritious just a month after a UK report argued there was currently little evidence to indicate that organic food had additional health benefits compared to conventionally produced food.

The major points of The French Agency for Food Safety study are:
1. Organic plant products contain more dry matter (more nutrient dense)
2. Organic plant products have higher levels of minerals
3. Organic plant products contain more anti-oxidants such as phenols and salicylic acid (known to protect against cancers, heart disease and many other health problems)
4. Carbohydrate, protein and vitamin levels are insufficiently documented
5. 94-100% of organic foods do not contain any pesticide residues
6. Organic vegetables contain far less nitrates, about 50% less
7. Organic cereals contain similar levels of mycotoxins as conventional ones
8. Organically-bred cattle have more lean meat and more polyunsaturated fatty acids than their conventional counterparts
9. Organic chicken fillets contain 2-3 times less fat and are significantly higher in n-3 fatty acid content (with reported anti-cancer effects and other health benefits).
The full scientific report can be found at swroc.cfans.umn.edu/organic/ASD_Lairon_2009.pdf

Shopping centre recycling trial cuts waste

2009-09-14T00:13:00.000-07:00

A recycling initiative launched at Indooroopilly Shopping Centre is expected to significantly reduce waste to landfill by enabling shoppers to recycle.Thursday’s official launch of the program at the Queensland mall is the first of a national roll out in a joint initiative led by the Packaging Stewardship Forum (PSF) of the Australian Food and Grocery Council and supported by the Queensland Government, the National Packaging Covenant and Lend Lease managed shopping centres nationally.

Read further: http://www.insideretailing.com.au/Latest/tabid/53/ID/6238/Shopping-centre-recycling-trial-cuts-waste.aspx

Unilever introduces environment logo on their washing powders

2009-09-10T03:37:00.000-07:00

The Unilever washing powders of the brands OMO, Robijn Klein & Krachtig and Sun Green Power from now on can be recognized by the Cleaner Planet Plan-logo. Unilever wants to make clear that purchasing these products is an environmental decision.

With the Cleaner Planet Plan, Unilever saves on water, garbage, CO2 emissions and the use of environmental damiging raw materials. The Cleaner Planet Plan focuses at this moment at Unilever´s household division. In the future they plan to extend it to the division of personal healthcare products.

Hopes high for new recycling initiative

2009-09-10T01:06:00.000-07:00

A new recycling initiative was launched today at the Indooroopilly Shopping Centre in Queensland, Australia, marking the beginning of a national rollout that is expected to result in hundreds of tonnes of beverage packaging being diverted away from landfill.

The combined industry and government initiative, which will see improved recycling infrastructure and signage in food courts and more efficient back-of-house management systems, has been led by the Packaging Stewardship Forum (PSF) of the Australian Food and Grocery Council and supported by the Queensland Government, the National Packaging Covenant and Lend Lease managed shopping centres.

Click here to read further.

Source: Australian Food News

Unilever leads food and beverage sector on Dow Jones Sustainability Index

2009-09-10T01:03:00.000-07:00

Dutch consumer products group Unilever has been named sustainability leader in the Food & Beverage sector of the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) for the eleventh consecutive year.

The results of the 2009 annual assessment conducted by SAM (the Swiss investment group) together with Dow Jones Indexes and STOXX Ltd were announced late last week.

The annual review of the DJSI is based on an analysis of corporate economic, environmental and social performance, assessing issues such as corporate governance, risk management, branding, climate change mitigation, supply chain standards and labour practices.

Unilever achieved an overall score of 81% for their social, economic and environmental contribution, measured across 22 performance criteria.

Source: Australian Food News

Best practises in green retailing: Tesco supermarkets investing in recycling centres

2009-09-06T23:35:00.000-07:00

www.tesco.co.uk

www.jdv-trc.blogspot.com

Best practises in green retailing: Sainsbury´s

2009-09-04T05:09:00.000-07:00

www.jdv-trc.blogspot.com
www.sainsburys.co.uk

Best practises in green retailing: Marks and Spencer Plan A

2009-09-04T05:08:00.000-07:00

www.jdv-trc.blogspot.com

www.marksandspencer.com

How green can your supermarket be? Best practises in green retail

2009-09-03T06:17:00.000-07:00

www.tesco.co.uk
www.greenretailingsnews.co.uk
www.greensupermarket.blogspot.com

Unox (Unilever) launches biological soup range

2009-09-02T06:59:00.000-07:00

Unox, the soup and saucage division of Unilever in The Netherlands, will launch Biological soup in a bag. There will be four differnt Bio-variations, added to the current soup assortment of Unox.

The company earlier launched the Eerlijk is Heerlijk-campaign (honoust is delicious), where Unox is seeking to work with as much natural ingredients as possible. The vegetables which are used for the soups are all cultivated biologically. To guarantee the biological claim, the company works with the strict SKAL-certificates, an independent organization looking and awarding biological production methods and ingredients.

Each biological soup product will be foreseen of the EKO-quality brand.

Picture: Brabants Dagblad.

Jos de Vries The Retail Company news overview

2009-08-31T05:33:00.000-07:00

RusPrixAward

Jos de Vries The Retail Company has been rewarded for the results they have obtained in the Russian Market, by winning the RusPrix Award. The RusPrix Award is a prestigious award to stimulate the trade- and socialcultural relationship between The Netherlands and Russia. Jos de Vries The Retail Company, for over 8 years present at the Russian market, is elected as best performing Dutch Small Business company at the Russian market.

De Groene Weg: greenest shop of The Netherlands

The biological chain of butchers De Groene Weg (The Green Road) have been elected as the Greenest Store of 2009 by the Magazine “Green.2”. The winners are companies that do something back for the environment and that are making efforts to reduce the effects on the environment. They look at People, Profit and Planet. The chain makes great effort, internally and externally with their Social Responsability Policy and there Sustainable way of doing business. Jos de Vries The Retail Company has been responsable for the development of the new store concept of The Groene Weg.

Opening smallest candy store of Jamin in The Netherlands

The smallest candy store of The Netherlands "opened" its doors. This store is based in the famous miniature city of Madudoram (The Hague). The well-known chain Jamin, Dutch biggest candy store chain with over 125 years of ago, is developing rapidly. Next to this mini-store, developed by Dutch retail specialist Jos de Vries The Retail Company, the chain is increasing throughout The Netherlands. At this moment the chain has 142 stores and within 5 to 7 years they want to expand to 150 stores.

Retail Bouw Management, part of Jos de Vries The Retail Company Group, is responsable for the construction of these new stores.

Aquié (Grupo Cuevas) finalist World Retail Awards

The Spanish formula Aquié became finalist in last World Retail Awards, in the category “innovative retail concepts”.

The Spanish formula Aquié has been developed by Jos de Vries The Retail Company and is based on a new, modern design, the use of new technologies and a well-balanced assortment of healthy groceries. Everything seen based on Green Retailing. This central point in the company of Jos de Vries The Retail Company has been adapted in this concept by only supplying bio-recycable bags and furniture and lightning (in combination with Microlight and Smeva) selected on the environmental advantages because of the low consumption of energy.

This fifth generation supermarket is next to the success of being nominated for the World Retail Awards very succesfull with this new innovative concept. They are that succesfull that they opened their 2nd store already (in A Porriño, Galicia). The first supermarket can welcome over 1.250 visitors on a daily base and the turn-over is over 29% higher than the other stores of the Grupo Cuevas.

www.josdevries.eu

McDonald’s is testing Green Restaurant Concepts

2009-08-27T22:10:00.000-07:00

In the United States of America, US origen fast-food chain McDonalds is testing green technologies, like energy-saving and waste-reduction in 10 restaurants.

One green restaurant in Chicago consumes 25 percent less energy than similar locations. Another location in Cary, N.C., incorporates LED lighting and low-flow toilets, uses eco-friendly materials such as counters made of recycled glass and concrete, and provides electric car charging stations. The location hopes to achieve LEED gold certification from the US Government.

Earlier this year McDonald’s began an effort to show consumers its “greener” side with a new institutional marketing effort, “Global Best of Green.” Energy savings and waste reduction are central to McDonald’s corporate social responsibility strategy.

Tesco new way of driving reduces fuel consumption

2009-08-26T08:08:00.000-07:00

Following the aim of Tesco to reduce carbon footprint across all different areas in the company, made the company decide to test a new telematics system (Daimlet Fleetboard). This test resulted in 6 months to reduce the fuel consumption with 7,2%, much higher than the expected 4%. The UK Retailer now is applying this new system to the entire distribution car park and expects to save up to 5 million pounds a year on fuel and to cut the CO2 emission with 10.000 tonnes.

Walgreens US chain of drug stores opens first green store

2009-08-20T10:29:00.000-07:00

The website Chain Store Age published today the news article that Walgreens, an American drug store with 74 stores, opened their first store that is designed to meet the LEED Standards. The LEED system stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design and is is set by the U.S. Government to measure the sustainability of a building or store.

The new green store, located in Chicago, is foreseen of a green roof where plants grow on. White coating takes care to reduce the heating and cooling consumption. The consumers are informed with in-store communication of how sustainable the store and which measurements this retail formula takes to be green.

Inside the store Walgreens decided to place energy-efficient LED lighting, reducing energy by 50% compared to normal lighting. Close to the store there is reserved parking for energyfriendly hybrid vehicles. More locations of the drug store chain will become green in the near future, including the placement of solar energy on top of the 74 stores throughout the United States.
www.chainstoreage.com

www.walgreens.com

Developing ecological shoes and ecotiendas

2009-08-20T01:21:00.000-07:00

The University of Santiago de Compostela (Galicia, Spain) started a proyect in which they investigate the possible adaptation of environmental-friendly measurements into the retail and (shoe) manufacturing sector.

Sustainable proyects and products will be developed, with the aim of applying these techniques in companies like Inditex (collaborative partner of this project). The team is looking for efficient use of sources, reducing emissions and reducing the impact of the textile sector on the environment.

The University of Santiago de Compostela works with several companies from the textile sector to develop ecological shoes, investigating the effect of quimical gas on the health of the people. Furthermore they are developing the ecological store concept for the stores of Inditex, where they investigate the effect of metal and wood materials in the stores. They select the most appropiate materials to decrease the effect on the environment.

www.inditex.com

www.usc.es

Sharing knowledge to create supply chain sustainability

2009-08-18T00:11:00.000-07:00

In Australia there was an important business reunion between retailers and manufacturers to share their knowledge on improving the sustainability in the retail chain. The roundtable was organized by NSW Government and Marks & Spencer, one of the leading companies in corporate social responsability was present to give an insight in their greentailing policy.

The event brings together key representatives of Austrain retail, food and beverage, fashion and consumer goods industries, hearing from Marks & Spencer their corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainable retailing.”

Mr Macdonald from Marks & Spencer noted that the crisis should not influence the social responsability.“CSR is about including public interest in corporate decision-making through the honouring of a triple bottom line of People, Planet and Profit,” he noted. “Consumers are increasingly aware of the implications of purchasing decisions in terms of environmental and ethical concerns, and corporations are under pressure to examine their entire supply chains from a CSR perspective.”

Marks & Spencer is a leading force for retail CSR in the United Kingdom through its ‘Plan A’ initiative which sets ambitious goals to be carbon neutral, cut landfill waste, source sustainable materials for products, promote healthy lifestyles for customers, and set new standards in ethical trading.

“By sharing its knowledge, Marks & Spencer will help accelerate the already growing phenomenon of CSR in Australian retailing,” Mr Macdonald explained. “There are many potential benefits for NSW companies involved in genuine CSR efforts including increased brand power, consumer appeal, and increased employee engagement through greater loyalty, improved recruitment, increased retention and higher productivity.”

Source: www.insideretailing.com.au

Sustainable fashion store in Barcelona, example of greentailing in Spain

2009-08-14T02:28:00.000-07:00

The green store that opened Barcelona fashion store Santa Eulalia remains open one year more. The sustainable store has been developed by using only sustainable materials, everything to minimize the effect on the environment.

The Luxery fashion store is located in Barcelona´s famous shopping street Paseo De Gracia. The temporary green store currently works as replacement of the original store which is being renovated, this orginal store is also located at the same shopping street Paseo de Gracia.
www.tiendaverde.blogspot.com
www.santaeulalia.com
www.jdv-trc.blogspot.com

100% ECO Hygienic Paper available at the supermarkets of Albert Heijn and Coop (The Netherlands)

2009-08-06T00:38:00.000-07:00

Since today the Dutch consumers are able to purchase 100% ECO Hygienic Paper. The first supermarkets in The Netherlands who offer this environmental-friendly product are Albert Heijn and Coop. The assortment these stores offer are toilet paper, kitchen rolls and tissues of the brand NORTH RIVER. The products are the most environmental friendly products of the market. By using the product the Dutch consumers help to improve the environment.

The production of these paper product is realized by recycled wood, there is no chlorine included, 80% less water is used and the production process is realized by 100% sustainable energy.
For more information on these products take a look at the website of Friends Hygiene or contact them by e-mail jan@friendshygiene.nl

De Groene Weg: the greenest store of the Netherlands 2009

2009-07-31T02:52:00.000-07:00

Themagazine ‘Green.2’ published in its most recent magazine a list of the 200 greenest companies of The Netherlands: The Green 200. The butchers of The Groene Weg, specialists of biological meat / food products are the winner in the Categry Foodies.

Jos de Vries The Retail Company, responsable for the succesfull renovation of the store concept, congratulates De Groene Weg with the award on their green retailing policy.

http://www.josdevries.eu/engels/04_a_food/speciality/html/spec_groene_02.html

An introduction to greentailing and the five other biggest trends in the retail business

2009-07-31T00:16:00.000-07:00

Read for you: Literature in greentailing, success factors for green retailers.

Larger Image

Greentailing and Other Revolutions in Retail: Hot Ideas That Are Grabbing Customers' Attention and Raising Profits

Neil Z. Stern, Willard N. Ander

ISBN: 978-0-470-28858-0

Hardcover

272 pages

October 2008

£19.99 / €25.00 Add to Cart

An introduction to greentailing and the five other biggest trends in the retail business

In their newest book on retailing, authors Stern and Ander examine the revolutions occurring in the retail marketplace, with particular emphasis on the influential green trend in retailing, or Greentailing. Greentailing is capitalizing on the huge and growing demand for organic, sustainable and wellness-related products. As it evolves, greentailing will force both suppliers and retailers alike in every category to take notice. Leading edge greentailers like Whole Foods and Wal*Mart continue to grow and innovate at rates much faster than traditional competitors, and are forcing competitive responses. The authors explain how any retail store or manufacturer can implement these ideas and raise profits, using case studies from successful greentailers.

In addition to greentailing, the book examines five other top retail trends:

Demographic Shifts Provide Retail Opportunities
Moving Up the Ladder—Growth of Experiential Retailing—How to Drive Sales and Profits Beyond Price
Getting Outside the Box—New Ways to Reach the Consumer—The Growth of Non-Store Retailing
Selling Services, Not Just products
Brands Going Retail—The Battle for Control of the Customer

Very much a follow up to their first book, Winning at Retail: Developing a Sustained Model for Retail Success, Greentailing and Other Revolutions in Retail addresses all the latest trends in the retail industry and presents unbeatable advice on quickly responding to changes in customer demographics and competition. Retail is all about the customer, and as customers and their tastes change, this one-of-a-kind resource shows retailers and manufacturers how to keep up and innovate.

Jos de Vries The Retail Company launches at LinkedIn the Group Innovative Retail Concepts

2009-07-30T10:54:00.001-07:00

Jos de Vries The Retail Company started the group "Innovative Retail Concepts" at www.linkedin.com for retail professionals to share knowledge and follow the latest trends on innovative (green) retail concepts.

We invite you to join this group and follow the news and to have discussions with other retail professionals.

http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=2120501

Regards,

Maurice van der Kooij

Consumers pay more attention to the environment at the moment they shop

2009-07-30T02:31:00.000-07:00

A research of the European Union, published yesterday, shows that 4 out of 5 European consumers look at the effects on the environment of the products they purchase.

The attention for the environment is the highest in Greece, over 90 per cent of the inhabitants of this country mention that the effects on the environments play an important role at their purchases. The lowest score has Czech Republic, where 62 per cent of the population pays attation to the environmental impact.

More than 50 per cent of the EU consumers trust the information that manufacturers give about the performances and effect of the their products. The highest score get the consumers of The Netherlands (78 per cent), the lowest trust can be seen in Bulgaria (26 per cent).

The research states that 46 per cent of the European consumers supports the increase of taxes on products that are harmfull for the environment and decrease the taxes on green products.

The consumers have the wish that retailers better present and promote the green products and that information on the carbon footprint is given, to see the effect of the purchase of a certain product on the environment.

www.jdv-trc.blogspot.com

Australian shopping malls start Eco-friendly campaign

2009-07-28T01:03:00.000-07:00

The Australian GPT Group, responsable for several Shopping centres, launched the Ways-to-Save campaign. In their shopping malls they will arange in-centre eco-expos, eco-giveaways, educational workshops aiming to educate and inpire consumers and providing practical solutions to reduce their impact on the environment.

The green campaign includes a Bag Free Day where shoppers and retailers are encouraged to change their plastic bags for reusable bags. The campaign will also include a series of tree plantings within the communities of GPT shopping centres with tree giveaways for customers.

An interactive website, http://waystosave.net.au, featuring tips on how to save around the home, office and at school will support the campaign.

www.jdv-trc.blogspot.com

Australian awards food industry sustainability achievements

2009-07-27T01:51:00.000-07:00

Melbourne cake makers Ferguson Plarre Bakehouses have claimed the most prestigious environmental award in Australia, while iconic Australian spread Vegemite, manufactured by Kraft Foods Australia/New Zealand, took out the inaugural agriculture and food prize.

As Australia’s leading environmental awards, the Banksia Awards recognise outstanding environmental achievements by businesses, government and individuals.

Kraft won the prestigious award for its “Giving Vegemite a Sustainable Future” entry, which highlighted a range of innovative re-developments of the Vegemite manufacturing process at its Port Melbourne facility, which included the following projections for the end-of-2009:

- Reduced waste water by more than 65 per cent

- Reduced energy consumption by more than 52 per cent

- Environmental savings of over $1 million.

Ferguson Plarre received the top award for reducing the carbon footprint of their stores by over 5000 tonnes of CO2 annually as a result of: harnessing the waste heat from their refrigeration systems, redistributing heat recovered from freshly baked products, employing hybrid vehicle technologies and offsetting the remaining emissions via tree planting.
To see the full list of award winners and finalists please click here.

GfK researches the green consumers with their Sustainable Consumer Monitor for Supermarkets

2009-07-24T02:27:00.000-07:00

In cooperation with the non-profit organization Solidaridad GfK published the Sustainable Consumer Monitor. The Sustainable Consumer Monitor needs to become a guide for retailers how to apply sustainanable retailing.

The report shows that there are 3 different groups of sustainable consumers: open-minded, organics and demanding. The report states that in The Netherlands there are over 3,9 million households that belong to one of these groups (over 50% of the total number of households in The Netherlands).

The consumers that belong to the group openminded are interested in the animal welfare. Organic consumers think about the environment and the demanding consumers look at social equaility and honest retailing. This research is very interesting for the food retailers. When for example a supermarket attracts a lot of open-minded clients, the supermarket can offer a wide assortment of meat replacement products. A supermarket that has a lot of demanding visitors can offer more fairtrade-products.

The reason why these consumers purchase more and more green and fairtrade products is that they think they support the environment and the animal welfare.

www.jdv-trc.blogspot.com

Small Dutch retailers focus more on green retailing

2009-07-23T05:19:00.000-07:00

Many small business companies in The Netherlands move toward to the trend of sustainable retailing, this is the result of a research of EIM. (Dutch Market Retail Institute). Small business retailers are looking for environmental products and service, they want to strengthen their market position and want to fill in the consumer demands in green retailing.

The actual crisis does not effect to much the focus on green retailing, the clients are looking for these sustainable products. The research shows that the client gets more and more demanding on their wished of green products. That is why the small retailers continuous look for these alternative products.

On the other side the retailers are looking to reduce costs, in the practise they rather do not spend extra money on sustainable products, this factor slows a bit the development in green retailing. Saving energy and reducing energy costs is high on the list of the of priorities in green retailing, a good lighthing plan of LED lights can reduce the total energy costs.

Hiper Paiz (Wal-Mart) opens sustainable supermarket in Guatemala

2009-07-23T03:15:00.000-07:00

After the news of Wal-Mart of introducing the eco-labels into their supermarket last week, this week they have news about the opening of a new green hypermarket in Central America. This new sustainable supermarket is located in Guatemala and is known under the name Hiper Paiz Hypermarket.

Planet Retail explains the special sustainable features this new 6,400 square metres big stores has. Wal-Mart has choosen to apply 25 different sustainability initiatives into this story focusing to save energy and water and reduce the level of waste. This new supermarket is foreseen of a LED lighting plan to lower the energy consumption and vary the consumption during the day. Humidity controls improve the condition of the fresh products. They introduced hydro-saving devices to reduce the level of water production and the supermarket is foreseen of a system of cardboard and plastic recycling points.

The supermarket flower display: selling the green product in retail

2009-07-22T10:31:00.000-07:00

On behalf of Bloemenbureau Holland (Flower Board Holland), Jos de Vries has collaborated in giving flowers and plants in European supermarkets a more professional and suitable presentation for the product.

Bloemenbureau Holland is a non-profit organisation designed, through specialisation and cooperation, to improve the sales potential of flowers and plants far beyond our borders, thereby boosting trade.

The project, the optimal display, brings together all the knowledge from the sector to inform, inspire and reach solutions for a number of practical challenges on the shop floor. The problem definition focuses on the following questions:

• What kind of role can the display fulfil for product classification (differences in length, guidelines for colour, maintenance, consumer purchasing criteria)?
• What can be done to tempt the shopping consumer and highlight the incentive?
• What kind of simple solutions can we offer for the practical aspects inherent in the flower and plant category: water, shelf life, knowledge on the shop floor?
• How can we create more experience with/on the shelf? Cross merchandising, branding, other means of communication, lighting must be integrated.

To illustrate the results of the project and to encourage retailers to consider flowers as a full-fledged category or for an impulse purchase, Jos de Vries has designed a flower display to be presented at the Horti Fair 2008.

The display satisfies three basic conditions:
- Increase the impulse value through clearly-defined communication and a modular display.

- Differentiate within flowers and plants and make this known. A private label, premium and biological classification is legitimate.
- Improve the perception of flowers and plants. Flowers and plants are fresh products.

If, as a retailer, you’d like to boost your flower and plant sales, we invite you to develop with us.

Contact: m.vanderkooij@josdevries.eu for further information.

New generation green supermarket Tengelmann Klimarkt

2009-07-21T05:20:00.001-07:00

Tengelmann opened half a year ago their first Tengelmann Klimamarkt. This follows the objective that the supermarket chain Tengelmann gave itself. Before 2020 they want to reduce to the level of CO2-emissions with at least 20 per cent. Environmental and natural solutions to save the environment.

Their newest Klimamarkt can be seen as an example of an environmental-friendly store. This green supermarket uses 50% less energy than the traditional supermarket and they also succeeded to reduce the emission of CO2 to almost the level of 0.

What did they do and how did they do it? This green supermarket of the newest generation, warmth is being used to transform it into energy, the cooling and refrigeration departments have environmental-friendly furniture with all the doors closed. Furthermore there was a lighting plan created, were LED-lighting could promote the products, make them more sustainable and reduce the level of energy.

http://www.jdv-trc.blogspot.com

Belgian Supermarket Chain Colruyt obtaining energy in their supermarkets by introducing Sun Panels

2009-07-21T04:35:00.000-07:00

The Belgian supermarket chain Colruyt is looking for ways to obtain a sustainable way of obtaining energy, this energy needs to support reducing the emission of CO2-gases. The price stunter will install as many sun panels as possible on the roofs of their supermarkets, where possible this will be the new way how the supermarkets obtain their energy.

Currently Colruyt already obtains 7 million kWh of electricity by wind mills, sun panels and warmth recuperation. The Belgian is with these action leading the Benelux revolution in green retailing. In neighbour country The Netherlands we do not yet see this many way to use sustainable energy in the supermarkets.

www.jdv-trc.blogspot.com

Mars further develops plan with new action to Sustainable Business

2009-07-21T03:21:00.000-07:00

Mars comes up with a new action to sustainable business. The Green Order System has the objective to change the order behaviour to reduce the emission of CO2. The impact on the environment will be measured and communicated to the clients.

Mars now communicated that after 2020 they want to produce 100.000 tons cacao with the UTZ-Sustainability certificate. The UTZ-Sustainibility organization focuses in higher productivity on the same area, with the aim to reduce the loss of wood and to improve the income of the cacao farmers. Untill 2020 this will be adapted in different phases.

This manufactured chocolate will be used in the Mars products like Bounty, Twix and Mars. Next to the UTZ certification Mars also works with Rainforest Alliance. The method of UTZ is a structural approach to improve the productivity and reduce the level of poorness in the areas. Farmers learn how to improve their productivity, with improved methods. Furthermore they explain that farmers need to produce a wider assortment of products, to avoid depending to much on one product. Mars thinks this new production methods will increase the benefits between 30 and 50 per cent, mainly focusing on Ivory Coast (worlds biggest manufacturer of cocao for Mars).

UTZ Certified Good Inside is dedicated to creating an open and transparent marketplace for agricultural products. It offers coffee, tea and cocoa certification programs and manages traceability for RSPO certified palm oil, UTZ CERTIFIED vision is to achieve sustainable agricultural supply chains where farmers are professionals implementing good practices which lead to better businesses, where the food industry takes responsability by demanding and rewarding sustainably grown products, and where consumers buy products which meet their standard for social and environmental responsability.

American retail study shows that low Income Shoppers are More Willing to Pay a Premium for Sustainability

2009-07-20T12:48:00.000-07:00

The company Miller Zell an Atlanta based retail specialist company researches several different of topics inside the world of retail. Today this retail company published their study on green retailing, which type of consumer purchases green products.

The traditional thougth is that consumers who are most interested in environmental-friendly products have a higher income and overall lifestyle commitment to eco-friendly living. In the research done by this retail design and strategy firm Miller Zell the result is that shoppers with a lower income are the ones purchasing green products.

In the study it states that Income is not the only important factor when consumers decide to do green shopping, consumers with lower income are willing to pay a premium for green products. Women are also willing to pay more than men for green products.

The interest of consumers in sustainable products did not result yet in good promotion and information on the green products manufacturers and retailers have. Wal-Mart last week launched the plan to obtain information on the effects on the environment of their products and communicate the effect of the purchase of this product on the environment.

The study also shows the channels that are most effective to trigger the interest of the shopper in green products as well as differences between the different generations and genders.
To download a copy of the study results, visit the Miller Zell blog, Inside the Aisle at http://insidetheaisle.com/mz-research-surveys/.

Does the outcome of this research come as a surprise for you? Which actions do you take to save the environment? Which advices would you like to share with the other readers of this blog?

Communication of origen of fair-trade products

2009-07-20T05:56:00.000-07:00

Yesterday in our article we mentioned the importancy of the communication to your customer that your store a green store is and how which measurements your company take to make it green(er). The same accounts for fair-trade products, where do they come from and how are they produced.

One good example of communication of origen of fair-trade products is the English company Chippindale Foods. This retailer offers full egg traceability via their website www.wheresyoursfrom.com. Every egg in the supermarket is foreseen of a tracking code. When the clients types in the code into their website, it gives full information on the origen of the egg. Furthermore there are menu suggestions and information on the production of "green" eggs.

www.jdv-trc.blogspot.com

Organic Food Program and Carbon Neutral Program of Dole

2009-07-20T05:50:00.000-07:00

The banana producer, Dole, lets customers “travel to the origin of each organic product”. By typing in a fruit sticker's three-digit Farm Code on Dole Organic's website, customers can read background info, view photos of the farm and workers and learn more about the origin of Dole products (http://www.doleorganic.com/)

Dole produces organically-grown bananas in its own farms and sources from independent organic growers located in Honduras, Ecuador, Dominican Republic, Colombia and Peru for the European and North American Markets and recently in the Philippines for the Asian Market. 100% of Dole’s organic bananas are certified organic and follow the organic production standards as set by the law in the US, EU or Japan.

Furthermore Dole has a carbon neutral program:
'Carbon neutral,' as applied to the banana and pineapple product supply chains, means that the carbon dioxide (CO2) emitted to produce, pack, transport and distribute the fruit will be offset by mitigation practices which increase the capture of CO2 in order to achieve a 'neutral' balance. These practices entail new, more efficient transportation methods, changes to agricultural processes to reduce CO2 emissions, and partnering with local farmers to implement preservation and reforestation programs. http://www.doleorganic.com

US Retailer Food Lion to open first green store

2009-07-20T05:42:00.000-07:00

US Retailer Food Lion (South Carolina) is planning to open the first green store of the formula and the first LEED-certified (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) grocery store in the region.

The store will feature a number of environmentally friendly construction and energy-efficient services, including an on-site recycling center, skylights for natural lighting, educational kiosks and preferred parking for low-emitting vehicles.By building the first LEED grocery store they plan to reduce energy costs by more than 20 per cent compared to a typical supermarket as well as conserve 44 per cent more water than other Food Lion stores.

For nearly a decade, Food Lion has been dedicated to numerous sustainability initiatives, such as energy conservation and reducing carbon dioxide emissions throughout its 11-state footprint, reducing its energy consumption by more than 27 per cent since 2000 or 2.5 trillion BTUs.”Food Lion’s first green store is expected to open in the fourth quarter of 2009 and will provide employment for approximately 50 associates. Food Lion currently operates 145 South Carolina stores and employs more than 7,600 associates in the state.

www.jdv-trc.blogspot.com

What are the green effects and advantages of online shopping?

2009-07-20T05:33:00.000-07:00

In an article in the Guardian we could read a topic from Lucy Siegle about the green effect and advantages of shopping online. It sound very environmental friendly to do your shopping from the computer, but is this really true?

In the United Kingdom they expect the online Shopping to grow up to 21,3 billion pounds in 2011, a growth with almost 9 billion pounds. Some people do their shopping with the computer, because they consider it to be green, less transport and less shopping bags. There have been several studies on this topic.

One of these studies goes back to 2000 when Webvan, a big US onliner retailer, when they concluded that wider adoption of online shopping would not result into environmental profits, another study in 2002 of US book retailing did not see greater energy savings when buying online.

One of the most recent studies is the study of Carnegie Mellon University, where they concluded that shopping online via resulted in a decrease of 35 per cent energy consumption and CO2 emissions than the traditional retailer (where they loose energy because of the open doors of the store and bad refrigeration furniture for example).

This effect is caused by the save of the driving to the stores and for example less receipts. But both ways to do your shopping need the transportation to get it to the distribution centers, stores or at home. We can now see more and more retailers who introduce electricity home-delivery cars like the Spanish supermarket chain Condis or the Eco-Truck of Delhaize in Belgium where the route is better planned and the load is bigger to save extra kilometers.

Online shopping may prove marginally more green in terms of energy saving but we see retailers more and more take measurements to save energy, reduce CO2 emissions and acting green.

www.jdv-trc.blogspot.com

Green retailing guide for retailers

2009-07-19T09:02:00.001-07:00

What are the advantages and opportunities for a retailer in green retailers? Where do they need to think of and which measurerement they can apply now? A small guide into green retailing.

Suppliers
Some important questions retailers need to think about when they choose a supplier looping at the environmental benefits of this supplier and his products.

What kind of company is your supplier, how are their production methods, are they looping for ways to reduce pollution and garbage and are they reducing the level of energy and water?

Where is your supplier located? What does this mean for the pollution of the transport from the factory to the distribution center and finally the supermarket? This is a difficult paradox, once a company decided to quit all the African products from their assortment to reduce the level of transportation and emissions of gases, on the other hand this decision resulted into a lot of difficulties of the farmers and suppliers in Africa.

What happens with the product after use of this product? What is the level of garbage? Can this be re-used? Can it be recycled?

Consumers
Communicate with your clients, make sure that your claims can be proved! If you say to reduce the level of plastic bags, reduction of CO2 make sure it happens and very important make it understandable for the consumers.

Communicate how things are measured and what the effects on the environment are. Display these environmental friendly products on an important place, support them with labels of the environmental impacts of the products and the packaging.

Opportunities in green retail
Green retailing gives you a good opportunity to win the trust and the loyalty of the consumers. Search for the measurements you can take to get a green store: Offer reusable packaging and bags, to return it to the supplier or that the consumer can re-use it. Install energy efficient lighting and water saving devices in-store (for example rainwater installation to re-use the water). Reward your customers when they do not need a bag.
Vary the size of a bag; convenience stores can work with smaller bags than traditional supermarkets, offer different sizes.

Tell your customers and employees about your efforts to save the planet!

The advantages for the retailer
- Your customers feel good about shopping in your store
- You reduce your impact on the environment
- Your employees enjoy a better working environment
- You improve your companies “green” image
- You save and earn money

Green retailing guide for retailers

2009-07-19T08:56:00.000-07:00

What are the advantages and opportunities for a retailer in green retailers? Where do they need to think of and which measurerement they can apply now? A small guide into green retailing.

Insight in the retail of the future: the importance of green retailing

2009-07-19T08:35:00.001-07:00

The company Accenture did a research about how the retail industry would look like in the year 2020, what are the mayor technological, socio-demographic and business trends we can export in the future of retail. Accenture is a global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company, committed to delivering innovation.

In this research they recognize the environment to be one of the most important factor for today´s retailers. Before the retailers did not see that much the importance but consumer demands, regulations from the government and the effect of green organizations changed the world of retail.

Some of the leading retailers started the green revolution, seeking to obtain an environmental-friendly and sustainable business. Tesco for example wants to be recognized "a leader in helping to create a low-carbon economy.” Tesco for example introduced new transportation methods, invested in recycling centers and introduce to their consumers the level of carbon that every product contains and how much they can save purchasing a certain type of product.

Coop, one of the world’s largest grocery chain, is basing its product ranges on green propositions. In fact, working with products of Bio Suisse, 30 organic farming organizations and around 6.300 farms producing organic products in Switzerland.

Accenture asks itself in this report some questions about what will happen in the development in green retail, how will the environmental plan adapted into retail strategies? Premium payments for environmental-friendly products, more low-energy production, and the creation of new—higher—standards for ethical trading?

What do you think what will happen in green retail in the future months and years?

Wal-Mart Supermarkets to share the green impact of their products and services

2009-07-17T10:55:00.001-07:00

The American supermarket giant, actual world leader in sales, wants to inform their client more on green retailing impact of their products and services. By better giving information about their products, the clients of Wal-Mart have more options to choose their preferred (green) supplier or products. To obtain this required information all the suppliers need to give an insight of the environmental effect and use of energy of their products.

In history this is the biggest impact on green retailing. The data obtained will result into a rating-system, which will be communicated on the shelves of the supermarkets.

The aim of this new environmental program is to reduce the use of energy, the reduce the level of garbage and to stimulate sustainability in retail. For the manufacturers and suppliers it has a big impact, they need to invest in obtaining the information. To better compete with their competitors and to obtain a better score on the Wal-Marts scorecard and the communication to the customers. To get the total plan operation it will take several years, the Wal-Mart concern expects everything to be ready in ten years. Experts think they can introduce it earlier, in 2011, supported by the wave of environmental measurements international retailers introduce.

An earlier measurement of Wal-Mart (the introduction of energy-efficient lamps in their assortment) had a positive effect on the environment, this green initiative already resulted into the sales of over 100 million energy-efficient lamps.

www.josdevries.eu

Supermarkets United Kingdom achieve carrier use reduction of 50% since 2006

2009-07-17T10:54:00.001-07:00

Leading supermarkets have failed to meet a target on cutting the use of carrier bags given to customers despite Government campaigns

The amount of plastic bags used by supermarkets has dropped according to research by almost a half in the last three years. This means that retailers were very close to achieving their desired aim of cutting the use by 50%.

This measurement has been taken from leading supermarkets in the United Kingdom Tesco, Waitrose, Asda, Somerfield, Marks and Spencer and the Co-op. This announcement comes as there have been calls this week for supermarkets to be more open about the amount of carriers they use.

Last year, these seven supermarket chains signed up to a voluntary agreement with the Government to achieve a 50 per cent cut in the number of bags given out compared to 2006. In May 2006, 718 million bags were being given out - by May 2009 this had almost halved to 372 million, a reduction of 48 per cent.

Sustainability - should it be just about "green" products or should we focus on sustaining our generations?

2009-07-15T11:56:00.000-07:00

By Kyle Howell - VIP Recruiter at NWA Green Expo

Most of the topics and discussions about Sustainability are always focused on products or services related to making products more sustainable. I have been working on planning for the 2010 NWA Green Expo and had a meeting today with a non-profit called Teen Action Support Center. This was an eye opening experience that led me to this discussion.

Sustainability is not just about the "greening" of products or our habits, but it also is about taken care of our generations to ensure they are aware and able to take care of the environment. There is always a human side to everything we do. Now, the NWA Green Expo will be partnering with the Teen Action Support Center to create an overall expo that addresses products/services for both the earth and human benefit.

I would like to know what your thoughts on this are and if you have already seen this type of partnership in action, let me know some tips on how to make it successful. Now, to advertise the expo. The expo is hosted by the Bentonville/Bella Vista Chamber of Commerce. It will take place on April 30th - May 1st, 2010, in Bentonville, AR. I am currently trying to sign up keynote speakers, so if you know any or are aware of companies that would be willing to sponsor such speakers, please contact me at kyle.howell@wal-mart.com.

Aquié (Grupo Cuevas) development of green supermarket

2009-07-15T03:32:00.000-07:00

Grupo Cuevas is a famous Spanish chestnut manufacturer, who had the wish to develop a new innovative supermarket concept in the region of Galicia, especially in the Ourense Area, next to their 25 supermarkets.

Together with Jos de Vries The Retail Company the formula Aquié has been developed during in 2008 which was based on a new, modern design, the use of new technologies and a well-balanced assortment of healthy groceries. Everything developed thinking of the trend on sustainable Retailing. The company only supplies bio-recycable bags and when the client brings his own bag the client gets a small reward from Aquié. The furniture and lighting was selected on the environmental advantages because of the low consumption of energy.

Next to these innovative aspects of Green Retailing the clients can choose from a selected assortment of daily varying fresh and healthy menus (to prepare or prepacked). These products are tested and prepared by the university of Vigo to create an ecological and healthy product assortment and offering meal solutions for the customers.

This fifth generation supermarket of Aquié directly was very succesfull with this new innovative concept. They are that succesfull that they opened their 2nd store already (in A Porriño, Galicia). The first supermarket could welcome over 1.250 visitors on a daily base and the turn-over is over 29% higher than the other stores of the Grupo Cuevas.

The supermarket concept of Aquié has been choosen as one of the most innovative new retail concepts in the world during the recent World Retail Awards in Barcelona.

Sustainable packing an emerging consumer trend - study

2009-07-15T00:27:00.000-07:00

The increasing importance of sustainable packaging as a consumer issue means companies need to constantly reassess the amount of packing they use, according to a new report.

The study, from market analysts Datamonitor, said while sustainable packaging is not yet the main reason for purchasing a product, it is becoming a “consumer expectation”. It is one of a growing number of issues – including ethics, economics and environmentalism- that is driving consumer choice, said report author Matthew Adams.

Please click here to continue reading the rest of the outcomes of the report on this consumer trend.

New Retail Lighting Guide from Carbon Trust UK

2009-07-14T23:30:00.001-07:00

The Carbon Trust has published a new guide on how to reduce display lighting costs in the retail sector. The document is entitled "Display lighting - Creating maximum impact with minimal energy consumption".

The guide shows that retailers could cut their display lighting usage by up to 30% by adopting the latest energy saving technology.In addition, as LED lighting advances the potential savings will be greater.The guide can be downloaded from the website of Carbon Trust (downloading the doucment is for free but registration is required).

Organic Food Concept The Netherlands realized by Jos de Vries The Retail Company

2009-07-14T12:39:00.001-07:00

ORGANIC (NL)

Green order and delivery system in retail sector

2009-07-14T06:41:00.001-07:00

Mars Company in the Netherlands is testing a new initiative in logistics: Green order. The objective is to change the order behaviour to reduce the emission of CO2. The impact on the environment will be measured and communicated to the clients. When an order is placed the emission of CO2 will be mentioned at the delivery receipt, to see the effects of the order on the environment.

With Green Order Mars wants to support social responsability and improve the occupation grade of the delivery trucks. The project will be done together with transport company Kuehne + Nagel and the consultancy agency Capgemini.

Introducing the Green Order system they also hope to reduce the number of traffic jams and have lower costs because of a more efficient delivery system. The client will benefit by the more efficient receival of products. Clients will also get a “logistic customer scorecard”, where supplier and client can formulate their environment goals.

German retailer REWE launches plan to reduce CO2 emission by 30 per cent

2009-07-14T06:19:00.000-07:00

The German retailer REWE has announced plans to reduce its annual CO2 emissions of 2.5 million tons by 30 per cent by 2015. Compared to the 2006 reference year, the CO2 emissions per square metre of sales floor area will thus be reduced from 320 kg to 224 kg. To achieve this goal, the company will cooperate with the Öko-Institut in Germany and with the Federal Office for the Environment in Austria in the collection and evaluation of data and in taking further steps.

More than 60 per cent of the total emissions of REWE Group are caused by the factor "electricity". By increasing the energy efficiency of the stores and by the switching to green electricity important steps towards achieving the corporate climate goals have already been taken. Now, the aspects of refrigerating agents (15 per cent of the emissions), heat (12 per cent), logistics (8 per cent), paper consumption (3 per cent) and business travels (2 per cent) are on the agenda.

French supermarket chain E.Leclerc launched website for fairtrade products

2009-07-14T06:16:00.000-07:00

The French supermarket chain E.Leclerc and Alter ECO (promotor of fair trade products) work together and developed a website (http://www.laboequitable.fr/) to inform and educate the French consumers about the origen and availabilty of the FairTrade Products in their French Leclerc supermarkets.

Information point and meant to created an increase awareness of the use and benefits of the fair trade concepts. The website shows fairtrade products, services and fair trade projects. Leclerc sold last year for a total of 22 million euro on fair trade products, this means a 18,5% of the total turn-over of fairtrade products in France. Alter Eco Americas Corporation is a start-up dedicated to the import and distribution of fair trade food products.

Recycling of packages in Spanish market

2009-07-14T06:05:00.001-07:00

The Spanish recycling organisation Ecoembes, recycled last year 1.229.636 tons of packages, a total of 62% of the total market of packages. Furthermore they could turn 99.111 tons into energy value. A total of 1.328.747 tons of packages, 67% of the total market value, was recuperated.

If we look at the typs of material we can see that paper and cartoon was the biggest product group, followed by plastics (+12%) and metal.
The results are higher than the law of packaging from 1997 states. Spain can be placed more and more by the best recycling countries of Europe, countries like France, United Kingdom, Sweden, Czech Republic or Norway.

Since the start of Ecoembes in 1998 they avoided the waste of over 10 million tons of packages, this is the same amount as the contact of 750 football stadions of FC Barcelona. Of this number they recycled over 8 millions of tons, a saving of 7,7 million of tons of CO2, 8.900 Mwh energy (yearly consumption of 900.000 housholds).

In Spain an increasing number of families and companies have the option to separate their garbage. A number of 12.376 Spanish companies work with Ecoembes (90% of the total amount of packaging). The biggest sector of recycling is the food sector, followed by the drinks sector and companies of hygienic and beauty products.

Green Retailing in the Netherlands is booming

2009-07-13T12:43:00.000-07:00

In The Netherlands you see the trend that despite, or maybe thanks to, the crisis, that green retailing is hot. For some important Dutch retailers it was a stimulation to further focus on green retailing, sustainable and repsonsable retailing.

When the economical crisis began, many people were afraid of the effects on green retailing, that companies would choose for cost savings instead of social responsability. Partly this happened, retailers competing on price without thinking to much of the environment, but we also some innovative new initiatives to develop environment-friendly retail projects.

Research shows that 59% of the Dutch people is prepared to pay an extra for more sustainable products and/or services.

Below we give some examples of the Dutch retail sector of how some of the mayor players adapted to environmental-friendly and honest retailing.

Maxeda, the organization of 11 retailers launched a program called “keen on green”.
La Place for example serves only Max Havelaar coffee and biological tea

De Bijenkorf launched a clothing brand “Pure”, all products made of biological cotton

V&D increased the assortment of with a lot of new green products

DIY-markets Formado and Praxis increasingly add new construction materials which are used to make houses more environmental friendly, they even decreased the format of the leaflets which are now printed on environmental friendly paper.

Project “The Green Plug” of BCC electronics chain, increasing the consciousness of the consumers for environmental solutions like saving light bulbs. Clients can borrow energy meters for free.

Clothing brands G-Sus and Mexx are now members of the Fair Wear Foundation

Development of Dutch bio-shopping-mall

2009-07-13T06:50:00.000-07:00

In the Dutch city Almere they are working and developing a new bio-shopping-mall. The design is foreseen of a green environmental-friendly roof-top. The green roof, let the shopping-mall integrate with the environment, it is also works as a water reservoir, isolation of heatness and coolness and as roof for the parking. It also it seems a parc. The idea is to integrate a greenhouse under the roof. In the shopping mall they can sell the produce of this greenhouse in a biological restaurant and supermarket.

The total area measures 2.500 sqm, everything built in an environmental friendly way, including a supermarket, biological restaurant, several stores and 28 appartments (selected for the image and sustainability).

Ecolabel: the label for green retailers

2009-07-13T06:07:00.000-07:00

The European Ecolabel is a voluntary scheme, established in 1992 to encourage businesses to market products and services that are kinder to the environment. Products and services awarded the Ecolabel carry the flower logo, allowing consumers - including public and private purchasers - to identify them easily. Today the EU Ecolabel covers a wide range of products and services, with further groups being continuously added. Product groups include cleaning products, appliances, paper products, textile and home and garden products, lubricants and services such as tourist accommodation.

While the logo may be simple, the environmental criteria behind it are tough, and only the very best products, which are kindest to the environment, are entitled to carry the EU Ecolabel. What is more, this is a label that consumers can genuinely trust. The criteria are agreed at European level, following wide consultation with experts, and the label itself is only awarded after verification that the product meets these high environmental and performance standards.

The EU Ecolabel is a rapidly growing brand. Many producers wanting to sell their products across Europe have realised the benefits that the European Ecolabel brings. Products bearing the Flower logo can be marketed throughout the European Union and the EEA countries (Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein).

The voluntary nature of the scheme means that it does not create barriers to trade. On the contrary - many producers find that it gives them a competitive advantage.

Ecolabel criteria are not based on one single factor, but on studies which analyse the impact of the product or service on the environment throughout its life-cycle, starting from raw material extraction in the pre-production stage, through to production, distribution and disposal.

The flower logo helps manufacturers, retailers and service providers gain recognition for good standards, while helping purchasers to make reliable choices. The EU Ecolabel is part of a broader action plan on Sustainable Consumption and Production and Sustainable Industrial Policy adopted by the Commission on 16 July 2008.

Over the past ten years, the "Flower" has become a European-wide symbol for products, providing simple and accurate guidance to consumers.All products bearing the "Flower" have been checked by independent bodies for complying with strict ecological and performance criteria.
There are currently twenty-three different product groups, and already more than 250 licences have been awarded for several hundred products.

The EU Eco-label is administered by the European Eco-labelling Board (EUEB) and receives the support of theEuropean Commission, all Member States of the European Union andthe European Economic Area (EEA).The Eco-labelling Board includesrepresentatives such as industry,environment protection groupsand consumer organisations.

Check http://www.eco-label.com/ for the manufacturers and retailers who have this label and/or for more information on this topic.

Dutch soft drink manufacturers plan saving energy

2009-07-13T05:07:00.001-07:00

The Dutch soft drink sector will save yearly 2 per cent in energy costs. This plan will include the yearly saving untill 2020. The cooperation of Soft Drinks, Juices and Waters (Dutch name FWS), including companies like Coca Cola, Vrumona, Refresco, United Softdrinks and Hero, agreed this last Friday with the government.

The focus point of the agreement is to lower the quantity of energy per product, for example looking to reduce the quantity of water. The participating companies are responsable for 80% of the energy use in the soft drinks sector.

Trends in Retail: green companies need to think and act green

2009-07-09T03:59:00.000-07:00

Trends in Retail: The consumer research of Capgemini shows that there are many new green companies in retail. This research is done together with TNS NIPO and shows the yearly trends and developments in the retail sector.

At the area of eco-retailing / green retailing the most important changes of the retail sector are seen. The consumer can rapidly change their buying behaviour but with the choice for green companies and green products they are secure of their choice; they think green. The influence of green retailing is increasing, many new companies are launched. The companies need to invest in new, fresh concepts with the real green story. It is not only telling that you are a green retail company but more important think and act as a green retailing company.

Asda Supermarket introduces environmental friendly beef product

2009-07-07T06:50:00.000-07:00

As one of the first UK supermarkets, Asda has achieved an environmentally friendly product in its low carbon beef. Having made efforts to establish and lower the level Co2 emission of its dairy bulls, the store is now offering beef that emits a third less carbon than the standard twenty-four month cattle. The chain has produced the industry's lowest carbon rate in meat produce.

This new method of supply won the Best Head Office Initiative Award at the 2009 Supermeat and Fish Awards in London last week. The supermarket chain, worked closely together with their suppliers, now rearing dairy bulls for 9-11 months in order to reduce the carbon measurement emitted from the dairy bull during its lifetime. The results are smaller and more manageable portions, a more positive impact on the environment, and a cheaper product for consumers.

Asda hopes that the operation can benefit their stores throughout the UK and that it results into a greener and cheaper product which benefits suppliers, retailers and consumers alike. The group hopes to extend this production process into dairy products like eggs.

Spanish supermarket chain Condis focuses in green retailing by using electric delivery van

2009-07-07T06:32:00.000-07:00

The Spanish supermarket chain Condis gives a new impuls to sustainabilty in retail. The last result is the introduction of the electric delivery van, delivering the internet orders at home. The initiative will be tested first in the region of Barcelona, but there are plans to adapt it also to the rest of the stores in Spain.

The new ecological delivery van reaches a maximum speed of 80 kilometer per hour and has a reach of 160 kilometer with an availability of 2 tons of weigth. The recharge point is located at the central office in Montcada I Reixach (province of Barcelona), where the chain also placed 200 sun panels and biodiesel tank for the current vans.

At this moment the Condis Group posesses 20 delivery vans in the metropolitan area of Barcelona to deliver the internet orders at home. The new delivery van, being the first food distributor in Spain, will not be added to the current number of delivery vans but will replace the traditional ones. The big advantage of this new delivery van is that there is no emission of CO2, next to the lower costs in maintenance there the motor is more easy to repair.

Condis supermarkets are located in Catalonia and in the centre of Madrid, with 193 owned supermarkets and 224 franchisers. In 2008 the Condis Group made a turn-over of 762 million euros.

Delhaize Belgium launches ecological, multi-temperature truck

2009-07-07T01:48:00.000-07:00

Delhaize Belgium launched a new ecological, multi-temperature truck to limite the impact on the environment and mobility. With 2 levels with differing temperatures this truck has more space inside, therefor less trucks are needed to transport the products to the supermarkets. Less trucks results into lower emission of CO2 and less trafic jams. In the strategy of sustainibility Delhaize also makes a lot of efforts in green retailing. The truck drivers were trained in “eco-proactive driving” to drive more ecological. In 2008 a new planning has been introduced, resulting into 40 trucks less, 2 million kilometers and a reduce in emission of CO2 with 21.000ton. The Ecotruck has now been launched to further lower the emission of CO2. The ecotruck will be used for the longer distances.

More products can be transported because of the 60% extra capacity. With 2 levels and different temperatures more product groups can be transported at once. The first results of this new eco-truck are very positive. Delhaize is now thinking of adding 3 new Eco-trucks to their car park.

Sainsbury´s opens new flagship green store in United Kingdom

2009-07-06T05:19:00.001-07:00

Sainsbury’s Dartmouth store is run on renewable energy, reducing CO₂ emissions by 40%.

Sainsbury´s opened a new flagship green store in Dartmouth, Devon (United Kingdom), in August 2008. Built with respect for the use of natural resources, including energy, water, waste, timber and land, the store was specifically designed to reduce both its operational and embodied carbon.

The pioneering store will save 40% of its overall CO₂ emissions, achieved by the use of cutting edge technology. The store’s ‘biomass boiler' will heat both the building and water, using locally sourced wood that would otherwise be wasted. By using renewable energy, the amount of energy consumed from the national grid has been dramatically reduced by 50%.

Sainsbury's Dartmouth has been designed to leak fewer draughts and employs other measures, such as 'quiet revolution wind turbines' ™, to power the checkouts. This is contributing to cutting electricity usage (kWh) by a third overall.

Further carbon savings are made through the use of lower lighting levels and increased use of daylight, and cool air will be collected from chillers to keep the store cool during warmer months.

Rainwater harvesting is one of the techniques being used to reduce water consumption. Collected rainwater is used to flush customer and colleague toilets, and to irrigate plants. The store will save over one million litres of mains water every year, and uses 60% less water overall as a result.

The store's construction is also environmentally responsible, and where possible recycled or recyclable materials have been used or FSC-approved timber. As 200 trees have been used for the frame of the store, Sainsbury's will also re-plant 400 trees in the local community.

The Dartmouth store is an important stage in the plans to roll out sustainable features to the remainder for further expansion of Sainsbury´s in the United Kingdom. These plans make a significant contribution to their overall target to reduce CO₂ emissions per square metre by 25% by 2012.

More information on http://www.j-sainsburys.co.uk/

McDonalds goes green with Eco Learning Lab in Chicago

2009-07-05T07:56:00.000-07:00

When you think of McDonald´s you do not directly think of green retailing, but this will change. In August 2008 McDonald´s opened the first green restaurant in Chicago. This new restaurant is seen as a “learning lab”, testing all green technologies to adapt to existing and new restaurants.

The new site design includes Unilock permeable pavers on the parking lot, which allow maximum water drainage while maintaining a surface strong enough to support the traffic of a 24-hour restaurant. The use of permeable pavers will also reduce the cost of the onsite drainage system, clean surface stormwater and minimize stormwater runoff. The drive-through lanes have been built with reflective concrete.

The restaurant’s exterior signage is constructed around energy-efficient light-emitting diodes (LEDs), just the second time such lighting has been used on a McDonald’s. By using signage with LEDs rather than traditional sign lighting, McDonald’s will consume less energy – aprox. 25% less enegry. The LEDs will last ten to twenty times longer than the average incandescent light bulb. Along with the environmental benefits and energy efficiency they provide, LEDS also supply strong lighting In addition, TV screens in the dining area help educate customers about the restaurant’s green features.

When fast food diners have finished their burgers they don’t have to dump their waste in the trash. Collection containers around the property encourage patrons to recycle food containers, newspapers and plastic bottles, and the kitchen preparation area has its own set of receptacles for packing related recycleables.

The site itself is landscaped with hardy, native plants, resulting in much-diminished water needs; no potable water will be used for irrigation. Water collection systems have been set up to channel rainwater from the roof and condensation from the HVAC system into a cistern buried underground that will then re circulate the water for irrigation. The highlight of the landscaping effort is a rain garden, which promotes natural sheet draining of rain water and ultimately serves to recharge the aquifer deep below the surface of the soil. The rain garden will also scrub pollutants out of water that drains from the drive-through lanes, which may carry automobile pollutants. Overall, the company is hoping for a 50 percent reduction in water use through these sustainable techniques.
McDonald’s new “learning lab” also features a green roof: the upper portion is more functional, planted with extensive species, while the lower portion has been made attractive to passers-by through the use of more visible plants, semi-intensive.

In the building’s mechanical guts, a pair of heat-recovery systems are positioned to draw heat from the condensing units. Solartube skylights are visible throughout the restaurant to take advantage of natural light and reduce energy use. The indoor artificial lighting is controlled by a sophisticated system that adjusts the foot-candle illumination based on light entering through the skylights. Lighting controls will also sense and adjust energy use in lavatories and support spaces.

Inside the restaurant, the dining room is filled with materials made from recycled content, and paints and cleaning chemicals were chosen for their low environmental impact.

Reducing the use of Plastic Carrier Bags in retail

2009-07-04T01:33:00.001-07:00

One of the most succesfull campaigns about plastic carrier bags was where the market town of Modbury in Devon banned all shoppers from using plastic carrier bags. People were instead provided with biodegradable cornstarch, recyclable paper or reusable cotton and jute bags.

In 2007, hundreds of rich fashionistas queued outside Sainsbury’s to buy a bag designed by Anya Hindmarsh (a designer, see left for an example) carrying the slogan “I’m not a plastic bag”. For a while this became the latest must-have accessory.

In February 2007, the retail industry agreed to reduce the overall environmental impact of carrier bags by 25 per cent by the end of 2008. This is a comprehensive objective aimed at cutting the total amount of raw materials and energy used in bag manufacture and minimising the effect of their disposal. This will involve: reducing the environmental impact (using alternative materials and lighter weight bags); encouraging customers to take or use fewer bags; and enabling the recycling of bags, eg by offering collection facilities.

7 billion plastic bags are given away annually in the UK of which only 1 in 200 are recycled, according to The Guardian. Environmental groups complain that the bags use up natural resources, consume energy to manufacture, create litter, choke marine life and add to landfill waste. It goes without saying, of course, that all those copies of The Guardian, its supplements and blasted wallcharts never add to global warming.

London Councils are to urge the Government to allow them to set a charge of 10p per bag in London. Retailers would oppose this as being too comprehensive.

Waitrose is trialing baglessness: free carrier bags have been removed from all checkouts at the Saffron Walden store and at selected checkouts in fourteen other stores for a two-week trial in May. No results provided yet.

Meanwhile The Guardian is campaigning to encourage shoppers and retailers to support the first ever national plastic bag-free Christmas. We Are What We Do hopes to persuade retailers to tell shoppers that they will not automatically get a plastic bag, and to display a colourful logo saying "Plastic Ain't My Bag". Who thinks these things up?

The Retourette: Recycling point in Dutch supermarkets

2009-07-04T01:20:00.000-07:00

Retourette is a collection point of all the small houshold garbage, batteries, paper, glas, carton, clothes, can, shoes and empty places can be delivered to the Retourette points. The customers can hand in everything at one point and it is all for free.

The new Retourette stores are developed in a way that it gives everybody a good feeling to think environmental friendly, the delivery point is an interactive way to learn how to think green, for young and old. Children get to know Ronnie the Rainbow Caterpillar. Ronnie learns the children what the effects and advantages are of recycling your garbage. Children see the importancy of thinking green.

Retourette is not only just a recycling point, it is also a sponsor of charity projects. 5% of the total turn-over of Retourette goes to charity projects to maintain and imprive our environment.

Below you can see some impressions of the new Retourette-shop in Aalst (The Netherlands), the Retourette is like other stores, located in a zone of supermarket or shopping mall.

WWW.JOSDEVRIES.EU your partner in green retail

Retailtrends: biological products in the supermarket

2009-07-02T10:35:00.000-07:00

Retailtrends from all over the world. This item appears monthly in the German magazine for food professionals Rundschau für den Lebensmittelhandel and Jos de Vries The Retail Company is responsable for the articles where the latest trends on the different topics are presented.

Just a small assortment and referral to these products are not sufficient anymore, biological products are “hot”. How do big retailers adapt to this trend? Below you can find some sales ideas which you find at some big European and Northern American retailers.

Supercoop (The Netherlands)
The Dutch supermarket chain Supercoop developed an own biological zone in their supermarket. Customers can find a wide range of biological and health products. The department is specially excitrated, support with communicative messages and special graphical materials. Everything focussed with special spot-lightning to bring full atention to this wide range of biological products.

Planet Organic (Ireland)
Who wants to sell biological products with success has to present it in an interesting manner and offer authentical products. The British chain Plant Organic succeeded at both points. This formula, with currently 4 stores, goes for the most exclusive quality (communicative supported with POS-material and the packaging) and for a wide range of organic products. The products are considered to be fresh, healthy and unique in the market.

Hediard (France)

Luxery products are also available in the assortment of biological products, this we see at the French supermarket chain Hediard. This formula is famous for the premium-quality of biological products, where the origen of the product and the quality check are the central points.

Whole Foods (United States)
The big American food retailer Whole Foods made a big change to biological and ecological products. In the 270 stores there is a wide range of fresh, biological produced fruits and vegetables. The products directly come from the field what guarantees the freshness and quality.

www.jdv-trc.blogspot.com

Retailtrends from all over the world: Fairtrade Marketing

2009-07-02T06:52:00.001-07:00

This item appears monthly in the German magazine for food professionals Rundschau für den Lebensmittelhandel and Jos de Vries The Retail Company is responsable for the articles where the latest trends on the different topics are presented.

The theme which is very actual is Fair Trade and Green Retailing. The increase of social responsability, environmental friendly and honest products is big. Below you can find an overview of how some big international food retailers adapt to this development.

Marks & Spencer (United Kingdom)
FairTrade in optima-forma. The British supermarket chain Marks & Spencer named 5 objtectives: reducing the level of CO2, less garbage, fair trade, sustainable products and motiving the customer to live healthy. In the cafetarias of the Marks & Spencer for example you can only find FairTrade-products. All supported by various communication media to present and promote the Plan A.

Migros (Switzerland)
Continue low pricing and a FairTrade-bonus is one of the warranties of the Swiss supermarket chain Migros. The bonus is being used in worldwide social projects, for example building schools in India. These constructions are done with environmental-friendly materials, good working conditions and minimum wages.

Globus (Czech Republic)
Without demand products will not be offered. In Czech Republic for years there has been limited demand of fair-trade-products. Globus started to offer fairtrade-products in their assortment, following the worldwide trend of fairtrade-products. By offering fairtrade-products a demand was created, creating new opportunities for this German retailer in Czech Republic.

WAAR (The Netherlands)
This new Dutch formule of the FairTrade-organization improves the world by giving. Giving opportunities and telling a story. Every product is different, the origen differs and every product therefor has his own story. This is clearly communicated in the store (first store opened in Nijmegen, The Netherlands), where a big assortment of “honoust products” can be found.

Contact data:

Jos de Vries The Retail Company BV

Safariweg 6-11

3605 MA Maarssen

P.O. Box 1194

NL-3600 BD Maarssen

The Netherlands

Tel. : +31(0)346 - 563764

Fax : +31(0)346 - 572722

maurice@josdevries.eu

Retailtrends from all over the world: marketing focusing on kids

2009-07-02T05:31:00.000-07:00

This week we show the latest trends on marketing for kids, retailing focusing on the kids. Children are the future, the consumers of today and tomorrow. Who wants to create loyalty of the kids needs more than a conversative concept, Jos de Vries The Retail Company shows you the latest trends in marketing for kids.

American Girl (United States)
The store American Girl focuses experience and services go hand in hand. Directly after the entrance you can find the “American library for girls”, decorated with 3D paintings. On the first floor the young clients can dress up their dolls or go to the doll doctor. Also they can walk with their doll through a mini-New York shopping street. There is place for 220 “doll-mothers”. They also can take a photo shoot with their favourite doll in a professional photo studio.

Instore Kids Corners (Spain)
Instore Kids Corners is worlds market leader offering a large number of different Play Structures, Play Systems and interactive games but the basic principle for all these products is the same: “Turning Play Into Profit”. More turnover by entertaining the client’s children or by guiding them through the store with play systems installed at strategic points. The play systems are suitable for 1m2 to unlimited space. Instore Kids Corners also offers Child Furniture, indoor and outdoor Play Structures or custom developed products. Jos de Vries The Retail Company is in Spain the official distributor of the products of Instore Kids Corners.

Ikea (Sweden)

Children form an important role at the famous Swedish Retail chain Ikea. "Småland , land of the small the children is an added value which we can see in every Ikea-store. The children are in these kids area able to create their own experience world. Children between 3 and 10 year are accompanied by experiences personell. The possibilities are almost unlimited, if necessary parents can be informed. Throughout the store you can see that they focus on children, including own bath rooms.

Jamin (The Netherlands)

Delicious, hand-made and crispy products – in the marketing strategy of the experienced Dutch candy specialist these are the key words. With these themes the company focuses on the children, creating a wide range of various candy products. Since over 125 year this candy company is a big player in The Netherlands, especially with the children.

Imaginarium (Spanje)

At the Spanish toy chain Imaginarium the children are the most important clients. This directly is obvious when you see the entrance of the store, a normal entrance for the parents and a special entrance for the children. In the store, next to the big assortment of toys, there is a restaurant. Here the children are able to prepare their own meals with professional suport. All the meals are healthy and show the children what is good and healthy but especially why this is. The Flagship-store at Passeo de Gracia in Barcelona Centre is also for the parents very interesting to visit.

Globus (Germany)
Learning by playing this is the idea of the new Globus stores, in these stores the green theme is central. Their green retail also focuses on children, like in the Southern German city of Freilassing. Here the children learn how recycling works by clear recycle-furniture where they can collect plastic, cartoon and batteries. (every type of material has their own colour). With this idea, on a innovative and pedagogical way the children learn how to show the environment.

Contact data:

Contactgegevens:

Jos de Vries The Retail Company BV

Safariweg 6-11

3605 MA Maarssen

P.O. Box 1194

NL-3600 BD Maarssen

The Netherlands

Tel. : +31(0)346 - 563764

Fax : +31(0)346 - 572722

maurice@josdevries.eu

www.josdevries.eu

Green retailing: the green revolution that changes the retail landscape

2009-06-30T05:31:00.000-07:00

Jos de Vries The Retail Company and Retail Bouw Management are focusing on the the development “ The Green Shopping Experience “, green retailing and environmental thinking ánd acting in retail. We have to think of the paradox between of earning money on the one side and on the side to “educate” the consumer of consuming less, that the customer adapts will be adapted and that environmental friendly and social responsable products are being purchased.

Last week Alexis Mavrommatis, senior consultant at Jos de Vries The Retail Company Spain gave an inspring presentation on green retailing for the prestigious EADA Mba business school in Barcelona. This school will launch a new speciality of retail management, where one of the central themes will be “green retailing”.
In the presentation he mentioned that especially in these difficult crisis it is difficult to think and act environmental friendly. Important aspects for green retailing for retailers are adapting to the different senses of the consumers: the mental, emotional, intellectual, fysical and motivation aspect.

It is necessary to be different, authentic and to increase the multisector perception, break routines and communicate with the customers. The green revolution is not just a trend, but an increasingly important phenomen in the world of retail, it will change our lives, the way we consume and the way we buy.

In the United Kingdom and Germany we can see the retailers develop their own green plans, like for example Marks&Spencer with their Plan A. But also Tesco and Sainsbury focus on the green aspect in the retail landscape.

Below we give some of the example of green retailing in the United Kingdom.

Investment in logistics and recycling: Tesco invests 150.000 euro per store in recycling.

Sainsbury´s invests in logistics: the trucks use fuel which is generated from the recycled garbage of the stores.

Environmental friendly shopping bag of Tesco, which includes the recycling of 15 cans of Coca Cola.

Clients are being rewarded with the loyalty system when they do green purchases.

www.actgreeninretail.blogspot.com

Fair Trade Shop: development of a new store concept

2009-06-29T22:48:00.000-07:00

Opening first WAAR store in Nijmegen

At the end of 2008 FaiRSupport, the retail organization behind Fair Trade Shops and Wereldwinkels, opened the first store of the new WAAR-concept. The Fair Trade Shops are located in the center of Amsterdam. The Hague, Haarlem and Utrecht. Fair Trade Original products can be found in the Fair Trade Shops and WAAR. During this year the Fair Trade Shops will be transformed to the by Jos de Vries The Retail Company newly developed store concept of the WAAR-stores.

What is WAAR?

WAAR builds further on the known fundamental elements of the Fair Trade Shop. Fairtrade is one the of the most important focus points of this new formula. The assortment has been increased, FaiRSupport added some special products and product groups. Clients can now find biological articles, products with FSC quality mark and articles of recycled material with a special design. The statement in the store explains where WAAR stands for “ WAAR believes that the world becomes a better place by giving. Worldwide you are able to find authentical gift-ideas with an inspiring story to share. About beauty, power, emotion and love. WAAR brings these pure products, which communicate, closer. For others or for yourself. Always special because of the origen and for returning something to the world. This is WAAR. WAAR is a world to give. “

Durable entrepeneurship

WAAR centralizes to do business in a durable way. The new store concept has been developed by Dutch retail specialist company Jos de Vries The Retail Company. This company has long-time experience in retail and has developed and designed several succesful shop formulas in Europe for the last 28 years. The focus by the development of this concept was on working in the thoughts of the FaiRSupport philosophy, durable and fair products. The interior and the construction has been performed with as many durable products possible, ecological paint and FSC wood. The shelves have been selected to be durable and by type of enviromental-friendly material. To save the environment and lower the energy costs, durable energy and cost-saving lighting has been placed in the store.The communication is as much as possible digital to save paper and printing. The product information in-store is been provided on tv-screens and future direct mail will be digital.

A special story

Behind the products of WAAR there is always a special story, who produces it, which techniques are used and are there any rituals or uses connected with this product preparation. The products tell these stories, to tell the store further. The more stories told the better the companies who need it will benefit from it, the companies in developing countries. This manner of “storytelling” plays more and more an important role in this store and outside this store. WAAR has been developed in cooperation with Bloei, Van Keulen Interieurbouw and VVO2 Retailcommunicatie.WAAR has developed a new website www.ditiswaar.nl where you can find more information on this concept. For other newly developed retail concepts you can take a look at www.josdevries.eu.

Carrefour removes all plastic bags from Spanish stores

2009-06-29T06:50:00.000-07:00

Carrefour is taking the admirable green step of removing all plastic bags from its Spanish outlets in its bid to have a positive impact on the environment. Carrefour is the first supermarket chain to take this step.

The chain hopes to make its stores in Spain plastic bag-free by the end of this year. The aim is to replace them with "long-life" bags which can be re-used, and are thus better for the environment.
The cost of the bags has not been made public.