Corporate Responsibility

Seattle -- Starbucks Coffee Company is teaming up with the Opportunity Finance Network (OFN)  to launch a “Create Jobs for USA” fund. 

Starting Nov.1, the new initiative will pool donations from Starbucks customers, partners (employees) and citizens into a nationwide fund for community business lending. One-hundred percent of the donations will go toward loans for firms and organizations that can add jobs or stem job losses, Starbucks said. 

New York City -- Commercial and high-rise residential buildings, along with federal buildings, must now meet requirements in the ASHRAE/IES 2007 energy standard after rulings issued by the Department of Energy.

Prior to the new rules, federal and commercial buildings had to meet requirements in the 2004 standard.

By Tommy Thompson, [email protected]

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) estimates 16,360 structure fires occurred annually in stores and other mercantile properties from 2004 to 2008 resulting in $648 million in direct property damage.

Fires affect thousands of retailers each year resulting in injury, lost customer trust and building damage. Establishing a fire prevention and preparedness program is critical to the safety of retail employees and customers.”

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Safeway's annual fundraising initiative to benefit breast cancer research once again has commenced.

SEATTLE — Bartell Drugs is introducing a new way for customers to donate to local schools and nonprofit organizations, the regional retail pharmacy chain said Thursday.

Former Walmart senior executive and longtime board member Jack Shewmaker is among a group of four business leaders slated for induction into the Arkansas Business Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony will be held Friday, Feb. 10, 2012.

SEATTLE — Walmart announced that ihas been selected as one of the Washington Green 50 list by Seattle Business Magazine as part of its annual Green Washington Awards competition. Walmart was a finalist in the retail category.

Covina, Calif. -- Ikea officially plugged-in the solar energy system installed at its store in Covina, Calif. The 57,000-sq.-ft. photovoltaic array consists of a 451-kW system, built with 2,002 panels.

Ikea contracted with Gloria Solar, the U.S. operating group focused on the photovoltaic business within the family of E-Ton Solar Group, for the development, design and installation of this customized solar power system