Sustainability

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced the first products recognized as "most efficient," as part of a new program launched in May under the Energy Star initiative.

Pittsburgh — Giant Eagle on Thursday unveiled its first two compressed natural gas fueling stations in the Pittsburgh area at its Beechnut Drive retail support and distribution center, according to a report by Drug Store News.

MONTVALE, N.J. — A&P announced that it has introduced a new line of locally raised chicken, turkey and beef products exclusively available to customers at select A&P, Pathmark, Superfresh, Waldbaum’s and The Food Emporium stores. All Mid-Atlantic Country Farms products are raised by family-owned farms using humane and sustainable farming methods, reducing the environmental impact of shipping food products over long distances, the company reported.

San Francisco -- Old Navy will complete its 300th remodeled store in mid-July as it continues to overhaul its entire chain. The design has a racetrack layout and features improved visual merchandising with light wood and white shelving, walls and backdrops that spotlight the core Old Navy product categories. For more photos, click here.

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.

Corpus Christi, Texas -- Trademark Property said Thursday that its La Palmera shopping center has been awarded Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver for Core and Shell 2.0 established by the U.S. Green Building Council.

Acquired in partnership with International Mall Investors in July 2008, the 1-million-sq.-ft. regional mall located in Corpus Christi is the first in the U.S. to receive the designation.

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.

By Mark Gibson, [email protected]