Corporate Responsibility

7-Eleven is putting all of its policy data in one place — a move that will enable it to better mitigate risks connected to insurance and claims.   The convenience store chain added the Risk Management Information System (RMIS) from Riskonnect, to power its claims management, policy management and property data collection processes in the U.S. and Canada. The cloud-based system breaks down silos to provide a holistic view of risk management.  

An array of private equity firms are interested in The Body Shop.   The beauty retailer, which is owned by cosmetics giant L’Oreal, has drawn bids from around 15 private equity firms and companies, including Bain Capital, CVC Capital Partners, Carlyle Group LP and South Korea’s CJ Group, Bloomberg reported.   

Amazon Jeff Bezos is certainly not sitting back and relaxing in his company’s success.      As his annual letter to shareholders reveals, Bezos is spending a lot of time thinking how his company can remain vibrant and successful. The letter repeats a theme that the executive brought up in his letter last year: how to keep alive the animal spirits that led Amazon to greatness, reported the Seattle Times.  

Staples has been named a 2017 Energy Star Partner of the Year – Sustained Excellence Award winner for continued leadership in protecting the environment through superior energy efficiency achievements. It is the eighth year in a row the company has been so honored.   

Target Corp. is deploying a number of solutions to reduce its energy use.     The retailer, recently named Energy Star Partner of the Year for the second year in a row, counts more than 1,400 of its buildings as having Energy Star status — the Environmental Protection Agency’s certification of energy efficiency — more than any other retailer. And the number is still growing as Target works towards its goal of having at least 80% of its buildings certified by 2020.  

The  retail community has had a curious relationship with the Ivanka Trump brand over the last year or two. Some prominent brands proudly display her clothing, shoe and accessories lines. Others carry it, but really don’t highlight it too much, and some have decided  to drop it all together.   

7-Eleven continues to reduce electricity use in its stores.   The company has signed an agreement with TXU Energy to purchase 100% Texas wind energy for all its Texas stores located in competitive energy markets.    The 96-month wind energy agreement, which impacts 425 stores, starts June 1, 2018, and is expected to reduce 7-Eleven's carbon footprint by 6.7% while providing significant operating expense savings.  

Retailers looking for a competitive advantage in these competitive times should consider their restrooms.