Sustainability
Walmart, H&M, IKEA & Kingfisher Join Forces to Tackle Climate Change
Leading retailers H&M Group, Ingka Group (IKEA), Kingfisher plc and Walmart today launched a new climate change initiative – the Race to Zero Breakthroughs: Retail Campaign – in partnership with the COP26 High Level Climate Action Champions and supported by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD). Retailers have pledged their support to accelerate a movement in the retail industry to drive climate action and encourage other retailers to set out their plans to achieve 1.5 degree aligned carbon reduction targets. The retail sector faces unprecedented challenges due to climate change, which have only been accentuated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The imperative to take
Coop Sweden Designs Private Brand Pasta Innovation
Coop Sweden was founded in 1899 as a member-owned cooperative and over the last century has grown into one of the nation’s largest retailers, operating close to 1,000 stores across the country. Like all grocers of this size, Coop offers a vast range of products at numerous different price points, from international staples by global brands to its own private brand products — including several lines of pasta and sauces. With so many different products on offer in Coop’s stores, it’s essential that each range has its own distinct personality. This makes the retail experience smoother for customers and ensures
IRI: Private brands are likely to gain share in 2H
In its June report “2021 Trends and Emerging Growth Pockets” IRI finds that consumers are resuming active lifestyles while maintaining at-home habits (e.g., more meals at home). While CPG demand has remained elevated in the first half of 2021, the analysts anticipate that demand patterns will shift as the economy reopens and there is more competition for the consumers’ wallets. The report highlights key 2021 trends and identifies emerging growth pockets for CPG manufacturers and retailers. CHANGING SHAPE OF THE CPG DEMAND CURVE Consumers are becoming more comfortable shopping in stores, reverting to multiple channels (i.e., non-grocery, small format), while
Rite Aid Releases Third Annual Corporate Sustainability Report
Rite Aid today published its third annual corporate sustainability report, detailing the company’s enhanced Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategy. The report introduces four key pillars underpinning Rite Aid’s sustainability efforts: building a thriving planet, thriving business, thriving workplace, and thriving community. Trent Kruse, senior vice president, investor relations and treasury, Rite Aid. “As a healthcare organization that aspires to support the whole health of its communities, we understand the critical need to address notable issues like climate change, product safety, energy management, and health inequities,” said Trent Kruse, senior vice president, investor relations and treasury, Rite Aid.
Target plans for 100% Circular Private Brands
Target Corporation today unveiled Target Forward, the retailer’s new sustainability strategy that puts its business to use to positively impact both people and the planet. Building on its legacy of corporate responsibility and sustainable practices, Target Forward marks a new era in sustainability for the company, as the retailer aims to co-create an equitable and regenerative future with its guests, partners and communities. Target Forward is anchored to the company's purpose to help all families discover the joy of everyday life. Through Target Forward, the retailer is focused on restoring and regrowing natural systems, and ensuring its team, communities and
Waitrose Launches Sustainable Strawberry Packaging
UK grocer Waitrose has introduced new reduced plastic packaging for its British strawberries, which will help eliminate 16.89 tons of plastic and adhesive this summer. The new “Air-Light” container, which will come via Waitrose’s long-time supplier Berry Gardens, is made of 80% recycled material, is more lightweight, and incorporates a cushioned design that helps protect the fruit from damage. This has eliminated the need for a separate bubble pad used in past designs to maintain product quality. In turn, the glue used to fix the pad to the packaging has also been removed. Eliminating the bubble wrap and adhesive from
Flagstone Foods Will Source 100% Of Its Almonds From Bee-Friendly Farms: A First For the Private Label Nut Industry
As a part of its landmark Healthy Bees, Happy Snackers initiative, Flagstone Foods, a premier private brand manufacturer of snack nuts, trail mixes, and other nut-based snacks, announced its commitment to promoting a more sustainable almond industry by sourcing 100% of its almonds from bee-friendly farms by 2025, the first such manufacturer commitment from the private label nut industry. This pledge furthers the company’s longstanding commitment to sustainable and ethical sourcing practices that protect the environment and lift up farmers and farming communities around the world. Flagstone Foods' Chief Executive Officer Robert Scalia “As North America’s leader in private label snack
New Jumbo ‘Direct from the Farm’ Features Farmers
Dutch retailer Jumbo has introduced a new range of private brand dairy products that features three farmers from the Netherlands on the packaging of six artisanal products. They are the first suppliers of the retailer's newest private brand dairy line, 'Direct van de Boerderij' (direct from the farm). Farmer Kees, farmer Ernst and farmer Jacoline share a passion for fair, traditional dairy, animal welfare and biodiversity. For example, the Jersey cows of farmer Kees from Agelo in Twente graze on herb-rich grassland. Jersey cows are known for their creamy and protein-rich milk. The cows that produce milk with an extra high protein content
New Sustainable Design Initiative Hopes to Drive Change
A brand's eco-friendly practices rank as the top feature influencing consumers' brand choice. That, according to a Conference Board survey of 30,000 consumers worldwide, has prompted Chicago-based agency Design Resource Center (DRC) to launch a new sustainability initiative aiming to make an impact in the packaged goods industry. The initiative, named Responsible Design, is designed to help brands seeking to make a difference and guide them on their sustainable packaging journey. The launch comes as consumers are more often choosing to buy brands focusing on the people and planet, as well as major retailers developing comprehensive sustainability strategies. “While DRC has always had
Carrefour Sets New Targets For Its CSR
Three years after it created its CSR and Food Transition index, french retailer Carrefour is raising its targets and setting itself some new ones. Henceforth, it will be incorporated into the pay structure and bonuses of the retailers employees, as well as into the remuneration of integrated country managers. In 2018, Carrefour introduced a CSR and food transition index designed to assess the Group's performance and track its success in achieving its corporate social responsibility targets. The index covers four areas: Responsible product sourcing, store activities and logistics, perception and customer satisfaction and commitment to its workforce. Several quantitative targets
