Sustainability

JERSEY CITY, N.J. — The company behind Soap.com has debuted an online shopping destination for natural, organic and sustainable products.

Oak Brook, Ill. -- Inland American Real Estate Trust has announced the appointment of Thomas P. McGuinness as president. McGuinness joined Inland in 1982 and has held several executive positions throughout the Inland organization.  

In his new role, he will oversee the management of the company’s day-to-day operations, including the strategic business plan, investment decisions, asset management and financing functions for the national portfolio of 48 million sq. ft.

Tallahassee, Fla. -- Jacksonville, Fla.-based Regency Centers has announced the completion of two new anchor leases and the renovation of Carriage Gate, a 78,583-sq.-ft. neighborhood center, located in Tallahassee, Fla.

An intriguing shopper marketing initiative involving Unilever and Tesco’s Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market division was launched today in select markets.

The two companies launched an intriguing program designed to help shoppers save money, drive sales of Unilever brands at Fresh & Easy stores and help the Arbor Day Foundation plant trees.

Kohl’s Department Stores opened 12 new stores nationwide in September, all featuring the chain’s updated store design. Eleven of the stores are smaller format locations, with some 64,000 sq. ft. or less of retail space.

The stores are designed to offer customers a comfortable and inviting shopping environment, with Wi-Fi throughout, updated checkouts and upgraded fitting rooms. Other features include innovative fixtures in cosmetics, expanded, upfront customer service area, in-store Kohl’s Kiosks and electronic signs in all departments.

Menomonee Falls, Wis. -- Kohl’s Department Stores announced the grand opening of 12 stores, creating approximately 1,500 jobs nationwide. The company now operates 1,146 stores in 49 states.

The company is celebrating the grand opening of 12 stores in 10 states, including Connecticut, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and Washington. Of the 12 new locations, 11 are small format stores with approximately 64,000 sq. ft. or less of retail space.

AUSTIN, Texas — Whole Foods Market has received a 2012 Green Power Leadership Award for sustained excellence from the Environmental Protection Agency for its renewable energy purchase of 800 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) last year.

In addition to its renewable energy purchases, Whole Foods Market is generating nearly 258,000 kWh annually with the use of on-site solar arrays. Whole Foods Market adds this most recent award to its three previous Green Power Partner of the Year and two Green Power Purchasing awards from the EPA.

TORONTO — Walmart Canada is leading the search for the next great business idea through its second annual Green Student Challenge.

The retailer is looking for teams of post-secondary students from across the country to convince some of Canada's most successful business leaders that they have the most compelling breakthrough idea to change business as we know it. A total of $100,000 in cash will be awarded including $25,000 to the winners and $25,000 to the winners' school.

Los Angeles -- CBRE Group on Tuesday announced the launch of the Real Green Research Challenge, a four-year, $1 million commitment to fund leading-edge sustainability research and innovation relating to commercial real estate.

CBRE said it is accepting submissions for research proposals, with the goal of developing solutions to the industry’s critical environmental challenges.

Austin, Texas -- Whole Foods Market said Tuesday it has received a 2012 Green Power Leadership Award for sustained excellence from the Environmental Protection Agency for its renewable energy purchase of 800 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) last year.  

The annual award recognizes leading green power purchasers for their commitment and contribution to helping advance the development of the nation's voluntary green power market.