Corporate Responsibility

With company representatives, Missouri Secretary of State Jason Kander, St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay, local officials and community leaders on hand, Ikea officially broke ground for its future St. Louis store scheduled to open fall 2015.

The 380,000-sq.-ft. location with 1,300 parking spaces will be built along the northern side of Interstate-64 and Vandeventer Ave. on nearly 21 acres in the City’s Cortex Innovation District. The company has contracted with St. Louis-based S. M. Wilson & Co. to construct the project.

Washington, D.C. - CVS Caremark and Walgreens have both been honored by the National Business Group on Health, a non-profit association of large U.S. employers, for promoting a healthy work environment and encouraging employees and their families to maintain healthy lifestyles. CVS Caremark received a Gold Award for its WellRewards employee wellness program, while Walgreens received a gold award for its “You and Walgreens” company wellness program.

▲ Investing in energy conservation makes business sense: According to ASHRAE, energy is the second highest retailer operating expense. A new white paper by the Retail Leaders Industry Association (RILA) and Schneider Electric notes that recent weather extremes have increased energy costs for retailers, and the trend is expected to continue. Factor in potential electricity price increases in the near future, and increases in energy costs could be significant.

Framingham, Mass. – Staples Inc. is launching an omnichannel promotion with pop singer Katy Perry in support of its “Make Roar Happen” campaign that raises money for DonorsChoose.org, a charity that raises funds for classroom projects across the U.S.

Retailer H&M showed off items from its summer fashion line with a summer camp-themed event in Brooklyn.

Following a preview of the fashion retailer, guests participated in postcard writing activities and played Ping-Pong, culminating in a performance by Zoe Kravitz’s band, Lolawolf, around a campfire.

"I think H&M does a really great job making clothes that are affordable but still fashionable and well made,” Kravitz said.

Latham, N.Y. -- After announcing the realignment of corporate management earlier this month, DWM Facilities Maintenance announced its newly developed Service Enhancement Plan (SEP) to better serve the needs of its existing clients and drive long-term growth. In this strategic shift, DWM will expand the Client Lead role and add multiple account manager positions.

Johnson & Johnson has added UPS chairman and CEO D. Scott Davis to its board as director. Davis will serve on the audit committee and the regulatory, compliance and government affairs committee.

Davis has been with UPS for 29 years and was appointed its CEO in 2008. Under his leadership, the company has expanded its logistics network reach and capabilities throughout Europe, Asia and the Americas. Davis plans to retire Sept. 1, and will remain non-executive chairman of UPS’ board.

CEOs from top CPG companies gathered in Paris this week for a meeting of the Consumer Goods Forum where the board voted on a set of common sense initiatives related to health and wellness.
 
The Forum’s board of directors reaffirmed its commitment to the implementation of its Health & Wellness Resolutions published three years ago and said it was committed to leading the industry on several specific fronts, including: