A company's commitment to the community and causes is important to many stakeholders, including consumers, employees and investors. Numerous studies have shown a commitment to a cause, all other things being relatively equal, can be the difference in where consumers shop and what brands they buy.
Walgreens, as with many other commercial entities, has a sense of organizational pride in a wide range of causes. A press release on the drugstore chain's website mentions its "commitment to community, diversity, supplier diversity, disability inclusion and the environment."
Now, Walgreens has made it easier to see what it is up with a new designed website that includes articles, interactive features, personal stories and videos about its do-gooding ways.
"Walgreens is proud of its long history of commitment to communities," said Chuck Greener, vice president of corporate affairs and communications at Walgreens, in a press release. "Visitors to the site will see how we take social responsibility to heart and also discover the many ways Walgreens and our customers help neighborhoods throughout the country."
The new website, Walgreens.com/responsibility, features video on the company's health and wellness programs, as well as information on its efforts to reduce the use of plastic bags and recycling programs for cell phones and printer cartridges. It also covers plans to bring food to stores in so-called food deserts, hiring programs for people with disabilities, and more.
Discussion Questions: Is social responsibility a requirement for success in business today for large companies? Do you think of Walgreens' new website presents a good example for other retail chains to emulate?