Sustainability

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — As a large, profitable retailer, Walmart is expected to give back. While many could argue it could do more, the company gave away $958.9 million in cash and in-kind contributions around the globe during the fiscal year ending Jan. 31. The company's U.S. giving grew nearly 20%, largely due to increased donations of produce, meats, poultry and other nutritious food to local food banks from Walmart stores, Sam's Club locations and distribution centers.

Bentonville, Ark. -- Walmart announced it has launched its Women in Factories program, a five-year initiative that will empower 60,000 women working in factories that supply products to Walmart and other retailers in India, Bangladesh, China and Central America.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart is offering the women who work in the factories that supply its products the chance for a better life with lessons in such critical life skills as communication, hygiene, reproductive health, occuputational health and safety and gender sensitivity. The Women in Factories program, a five-year initiative will benefit 60,000 women working in factories in India, Bangladesh, China and Central America.

Walmart has joined Adidas, H&M and Levi’s a member of the Better Cotton Initiative’s Fast Track program to encourage the production and purchase of sustainable cotton. For its part, Walmart will give $650,000 in grant money to help cotton farmers become more efficient and eco-friendly in their production. Read more.

SAN FRANCISCO — Williams-Sonoma is reaching out to customers who want to be more hands on with their food with the launch of a Agrarian, a collection of products that focuses on the virtues of homegrown and homemade.

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Safeway has partnered with the Go Green Initiative, an organization that supports environmental stewardship among schools, families, governments and businesses, to launch the first annual Go Green Glogster Earth Day contest.

NEW YORK — Whole Foods Market is leading charge to promote the sale of sustainable seafood by becoming the first national grocer to stop selling red-rated seafood. The company announced that, beginning this Earth Day (April 22), it will no longer carry red-rated, wild-caught fish in its seafood departments. 

Chestnut Hill, Mass. -- A 120,000-sq.-ft. former Macy’s building was demolished on Wednesday, as developer WS Development prepares the site for a second redevelopment phase of its Chestnut Hill (Mass.) Shopping Center.

The region’s oldest suburban mall will become home to a new generation of retailers, services and entertainment offerings, including a new 31,000-sq.-ft. Sports Club/LA health and fitness complex and a National Amusements’ theatre and restaurant facility.