Corporate Responsibility

By David L. Barron

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Retail Orphan Initiative on Tuesday announced the launch of an online charity locator to match up retailers looking to donate overstocked merchandise with local charities. The charity locator features an interactive map of nearby charities from a RetailROI-developed database of 501c3 organizations across the country that focus on at-risk children, women in distress or families in need.

New York City -- The Retail Orphan Initiative (RetailROI) has launched an online charity locator to match up retailers looking to donate overstocked merchandise with local charities, thus receiving a potential tax deduction for items that were not going to be selling at a profit.

SALT LAKE CITY — Walmart and Sam's Club stores, with the help of associate, customer and member donations, between May 1 and June 13 raised more thatn $27.9 million for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.

During the six-week campaign, Walmart and Sam’s Club customers and members were invited to make a donation of $1, $2 or $5 at the register to the Children's Miracle Network Hospital in their community. Additional in-store fundraisers were held to bolster fundraising efforts.

NEW YORK — eBay is taking a stand against counterfeit goods by partnering with the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) to launch "You Can't Fake Fashion," a new campaign to celebrate original design. Part of the campaign includes the creation of totes, customized by 50 designers, which sport the tagline "You can't Fake Fashion."  This collection is now on sale exclusively at eBay Fashion Vault at fixed, "Buy It Now" prices.

New York City -- Target Corp. has won approval to put its signature red logo on one of Chicago's most famous buildings. The Permit Review Committee of the Commission on Chicago Landmarks on Thursday approved the chain’s request to allow its bull's eye to be placed on its new store planned for downtown Chicago.

Now that Walmart has completed its acquisition of a majority stake in South African retailer Massmart a major competitor contends it will need to lay off 8.6% of its work force to improve its competitive position.

That’s according to South African media reports indicating rival Pick n Pay Stores said it was looking to eliminate 3,137 of its 36,673 positions. Conversely, Walmart has said it will create 15,000 jobs in South Africa within five years, implying a fairly robust level of expansion.

SAN FRANCISCO — Levi's is taking its "Go Forth" campaign beyond the United States in its first global marketing program. 

According to Levi's, its 2011 "Go Forth" campaign will utilize TV, cinema, print, digital and outdoor marketing vehicles and will be present in 24 countries across the Americas, Europe and Asia-Pacific regions. Levi's said the campaign will showcase its fall 2011 collection wihile encouraging customers to make positive changes in the world.