Sustainability

MOORESVILLE, N.C. — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has named Lowe’s winner of the Energy Star Partner of the Year – Sustained Excellence Award for the fourth consecutive year. The 2013 award recognizes Lowe’s long-standing leadership as a retailer of energy-efficient appliances and products. Lowe’s will receive the EPA’s most prestigious honor at a ceremony in Washington, D.C., on March 26.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Walmart announced that it has worked with SolarCity to install solar panels on 12 Walmart stores and Sam's Clubs throughout Ohio. The solar panel installations will add approximately 6,000,000 kWh of generation production – enough energy to power more than 820 homes – and are expected to supply approximately 5-20 percent of each store's overall electricity use.

Columbus, Ohio -- Wal-Mart Stores Inc. said Monday it has worked with SolarCity to install solar panels on 12 Walmart stores and Sam's Clubs throughout Ohio.

The solar panel installations will add approximately 6,000,000 kWh of generation production – enough energy to power more than 820 homes – and are expected to supply approximately 5%-20% of each store's overall electricity use.

BERKELEY, Calif. — Annie's Inc., a manufacturer of natural and organic food, announced that Lawrence (Larry) Peiros has been appointed to its board of directors effective immediately. David Behnke, a managing director at Najeti Ventures, resigned from the board to pursue other interests. Peiros was appointed to the Board to fill the vacancy. 

Walmart and SunEdison completed three new solar power installations at Walmart stores in Hawaii that are expected to generate huge amounts of electricity.

The three stores in Kahului, Kailua-Kona and Kapolei, double the total number of stores in Hawaii powered by renewable solar energy and join existing installations that are already operational atop the Honolulu Sam’s Club and Mililani Walmart on Oahu, and the Lihue Walmart on Kauai.

New York -- Marks & Spencer, one of the leading retailers in the United Kingdom, is set to unveil a new property lease policy under which all new M&S stores will have ‘green’ clauses as standard enabling landlords and tenants to better manage a building's environmental performance.

Durham, N.C. -- When Walmart Neighborhood Market in Mt. Pleasant, Wis., opens later this year, it will join the small but growing ranks of stores that are lit entirely with LEDs. The chain is installing LED technology from Cree, including more than 400 linear luminaires (CS18), for illumination – from the sales floor and pharmacy to restrooms, vestibules and backroom areas. Cree LED lighting will also be installed in the parking lot and exterior areas of the store.
 

San Francisco -- Gap Inc. offered further proof that its turnaround has taken hold, reporting a 61% increase in fourth quarter profit amid strong same-store sales growth across its banners. The results end a strong year for the chain, which also said it was increasing its dividend by 20%.