As 2007 winds down, RetailWire looks at the stories and issues that shaped the year in retailing.
Retailing came in a distinctive shade of green this year as companies climbed aboard the eco bandwagon in an effort to create points of difference from the competition while seeking to reduce operating costs at the same time.
Proof of the emphasis put on environmental issues in 2007 is abundantly clear when doing a search of the term "green." No fewer than 16 RetailWire discussions (see list with links below) dealt directly with green topics while many others addressed environmentally related issues within a broader conversation.
- Tesco Labels Itself Part of the Green Solution
- How Many Environmentalists Does it Take to Change A Light Bulb?
- Green and the Retail Pot O' Gold
- Wal-Mart Grades Suppliers on Packaging Math
- Eco Fashion Goes Upscale
- Retailers Make Green Moves Before Earth Day
- Retailers Come Together to Fight Climate Change
- BrainTrust Query: How will assortments change in the green future?
- IKEA Goes to Hybrid Passenger Car Fleet in U.K.
- Corporate Climate Change Attitudes Confound Consumers
- Consumers Get Climate Change Scorecard
- New Ways to Fuel Choice
- Kroger Pushes 'Organics for Everyone'
- How Much Packaging Do We Really Need?
- Costco Offers Cash to Recycle Electronics
- Marketing to Green Buyers
While some have suggested that the environment is a fad that will soon give way to economic realities (high cost of green initiatives for business, consumer purchasing resistance based on green premium), there is little indication that the pace is likely to let up in the near term.
Discussion Questions: Has going green become a business imperative for retailers? Where do you see the greatest "green" opportunities for retailers on the cost and revenue sides of the business?