JCPenney tests sustainable store construction

PLANO, Texas JCPenney Co. announced today that it is opening a new store in Denver that will pilot a series of sustainability initiatives for new store construction.

"Our company's philosophy is 'Every Day Matters,' and that point of view extends to our concern for the environment, which we know is shared by our customers and reflected in their shopping decisions," says Jim Thomas, vp and director of corporate social responsibility at JCPenney. "We are thrilled to open our new Denver store, as it is a testing ground for new eco-friendly building features to be included in new stores in coming years."

The Denver store, which opens on Oct. 5, will be part of a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified shopping center and will feature exterior brick and interior carpeting made from recycled materials, occupancy sensors to control lights in offices, restrooms, dressing rooms and stock rooms to save energy when those areas are not in use, and use of low volatile organic compund paints, adhesives and sealants.