Sustainability

Mooresville, N.C. - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded Lowe's Companies Inc. the highest honor for industry leadership in its SmartWay Transport Partnership. Lowe's received a 2014 SmartWay Excellence Award for superior environmental performance in supply chain operations.

The Clorox Company has promoted Nick Vlahos, currently SVP and chief customer officer, to EVP and chief operating officer of household, lifestyle and core global functions, a position previously held by retiring EVP-COO George Roeth.

In this role, Vlahos will have responsibility for the charcoal, Glad, cat litter, food, Brita and Burt's Bees business operating units. He will also have responsibility for the company's marketing, sales, product supply and research and development functions.

As part of its efforts to reinvent its business and culture, Staples has opened a health and fitness center at its global corporate headquarters, in Framingham, Massachusetts. It is the latest in a series of updates to the campus, including a cafeteria stocked with healthier food options and a more open and collaborative floor plan, both designed by Business Interiors by Staples.

Highland Village, Texas -- Trademark Property Co., the Fort Worth-based retail and mixed-use development, investment, and third-party services firm, announced that Whole Foods Market is now open at The Shops at Highland Village, in Highland Village, Texas. The store is the first Denton County location for the natural and organic foods retailer.

Raleigh, N.C. -- Northwood Ravin has announced six new service retailers and restaurants for Bradford, the multi-use development in the northeast corner of Davis and High House Roads adjacent to the desirable Preston neighborhood of Cary, North Carolina.

The Clorox Company’s board of directors has promoted Benno Dorer to CEO, effective Nov. 20. At that time, Donald R. Knauss will continue serving on the board in a newly created executive chairman role.

Knauss has served as chairman and CEO of the company since October 2006. Since January 2013, Dorer, 50, has served as EVP and chief operating officer, cleaning, international and corporate strategy.

San Francisco -- Simon and NRG eVgo, a subsidiary of NRG Energy, announced the installation of new electric car fast-charging Freedom Station sites that can recharge shoppers' vehicles in 30 minutes or less at four Northern California Simon shopping centers: Vacaville Premium Outlets, Livermore Premium Outlets, Great Mall and Petaluma Village Premium Outlets.

The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) has appointed Sue Pifer as VP of compliance and Tiffin Shewmake as the director of the Center for Retail Compliance (CRC).

“The experience and skills that Sue and Tiffin possess make them uniquely suited for delivering exceptional value to our member companies on a broad range of compliance issues. We are excited to have them join the RILA team,” said RILA president Sandy Kennedy.

The WhiteWave Foods Company, a leading consumer packaged food and beverage company in North America and Europe, has agreed to acquire So Delicious Dairy Free from its existing shareholders, led by Wasserstein & Co., for approximately $195 million in cash.

Cargill has been helping Unilever reduce its environmental impact, improve sustainability and grow its business through innovation. This work has resulted in Unilever selecting Cargill as its first-ever "Visionary" award winner during its fourth Partner to Win Supplier Summit.