Green Supermarket

Ecological mobile climate control Barcelona bookstore

2011-07-21T03:37:00.000-07:00

For more information, or to locate a distributor near you, call 0034-932 312 810 (for European sales) and 1-800-695-2942 (for international sales). Or, you can visit us online at www.lc-europe.com (Europe) and www.port-a-cool.com (manufacturer´s website).

Sustainable climate control produce department supermarket

2010-09-09T04:05:00.000-07:00

Port-A-Cool 24" cooling fruit / vegetables department supermarket

Many international retailers think green in retail. By selecting the assortment they offer and by thinking about their energy consumption. One of the supermarkets highest cost post is the energy consumption of the climate control system. An airconditioning costs a lot of money and is not offering a sustainable solution for a green thinking retailer. Placing an evaporative cooler is!

Not only does the retailer save on installation, also the consumption is very low and therefor offering an environmental-friendly solution to cool the supermarket and saving a lot of money for the retailers.

On the image above you can see a Port-A-Cool 24" cooling the produce department of a supermarket. Port-A-Cool is the leading manufacturer of portable evaporative cooling units.

Visit our website www.lc-europe.com to get to know more about the advantages of using evaporative cooling in retail and visit the website Green Supermarket to learn more about sustainable retail.
maurice@lc-europe.com

Think green in supermarket: sustainable climate control system for retail applications

2010-04-17T01:54:00.001-07:00

http://www.lc-europe.com
http://ecocooling.blogspot.com

Port-A-Cool, LLC is the ecological alternative for effective cooling

2010-02-19T06:49:00.000-08:00

We’ve all heard it: reduce your carbon footprint, sustainability, and all about the dangers of global warming. You might ask yourself “How much is true and what can I do to improve the environment?” Little changes can make all the difference.

What is sustainability?

Sustainability is the concept that every generation should meet their energy needs without compromising the energy needs of future generations. Efficiency and conservation are key components of energy sustainability. Energy sustainability focuses on long-term energy strategies and policies that ensure adequate energy to meet today’s needs, as well as tomorrow’s.
Sustainability also includes investing in research and development of advanced technologies for producing conventional energy sources, promoting the use of alternative energy sources, and encouraging sound environmental policies.

What is a Carbon Footprint?

Your carbon footprint is the direct effect your actions and lifestyle have on the environment in terms of carbon dioxide emissions. Probably the biggest contributors to your footprint are your travel needs, and your electricity demands at home. However, all your actions have a direct or indirect impact, including your diet, and the clothes you wear. We know cars, buses and aeroplanes burn gasoline, public transport may use gasoline and electricity and your home uses a significant portion of your personal electricity needs that generally comes from fossil fuel burning power plants. All these actions contribute to accelerating global warming and climate change.

What is Port-A-Cool, LLC doing to help?

Port-A-Cool, LLC recycles all scrap plastic from the manufacture of the rotationally molded plastic housings and uses recycled plastic in the molds, reducing waste.
Port-A-Cool® portable evaporative cooling units utilize an all natural cooling method and haveimplemented state-of-the-art technology to perfect the process.
No harmful greenhouse gases are emitted from the units during the cooling process.
Only tap water and 115v or 220v of electricity are needed. The 36 inch model produces cool air for eight hours for less than 1 euro.

An environmentally friendly process for cooling, coupled with being “green” before “green” was cool. That has always been the “natural” choice for Port-A-Cool, LLC.

For more information, or to locate a distributor near you, call +34- 932 312 810 or Or, you can visit us online at www.lc-europe.com.

Environmental-friendly cooling: Port-A-Cool evaporative cooler

2009-12-31T02:12:00.000-08:00

The world is becoming more sensitive to the term “green” and what it means to our environment and the health of our planet. Many companies are rushing to redefine their products and business practices to “go green”. Some companies, however, have always been green without even trying to be politically correct. It was just the right thing to do. Port-A-Cool, LLC, is one of those companies.

For example, the flagship product for the company is the Port-A-Cool® portable evaporative cooling unit, manufactured in Center, Texas. The unit features a one-piece, rotationally molded plastic housing which is leak and rust proof and produced at the company’s manufacturing facility. The company recycles all scrap plastic from the manufacture of the units, reducing waste and harm to our environment.

In addition, the unit itself uses a cooling method that is environmentally friendly. The ancient Egyptians used the same principles of evaporative cooling to cool their homes by hanging a damp mat in the doorway and allowing the wind to evaporative the water and provide cooling. Port-A-Cool® units utilize the same natural cooling methods, but have implemented state-of-the-art technology to perfect the process, always keeping in mind the company’s commitment to preserving our environment. Port-A-Cool® units use less than a dollar a day in resources to provide air an average of 7-15 degrees celsius cooler than surrounding air. Because the Port-A-Cool® unit uses a natural cooling process, no harmful greenhouse gases, like CO2 expelled from traditional air conditioning systems, are released into the air to harm our ozone layer.

An environmentally friendly process for cooling, coupled with being “green” before “green” was cool. That has always been the “natural” choice for Port-A-Cool, LLC.

For more information, or to locate a distributor near you, call +34- 932 312 810 or Or, you can visit us online at www.lc-europe.com.

Tesco lives the green life: Play the game!

2009-10-07T22:50:00.000-07:00

Trying to live a greener, more environmentally responsible life can be very confusing.

Which is why Tesco has just launched Greener Living , to help the environmentally-aware shopper make the right decisions. The site covers many aspects of going greener, including sections on ecofriendly travel and greener homes. There's an interactive house with lots of money-saving green tips and products, fun stuff for the kids and how to eat greener – all with sustainability in mind. It also features updates on Tesco’s own commitment to environmental responsibility.

To launch this new site there's a fun flash game. The game is simple but challenging to play - can you collect the environmentally-friendly produce, while avoiding the energy-guzzlers and the pesky birds? Have a go and you could win one of five energy-efficient Indesit washing machines.

http://www.tescogreenerliving.com/

Organic food firm introduces wool packaging

2009-10-07T04:54:00.000-07:00

Abel & Cole, the organic food delivery chain has boosted its environmental credentials by introducing sheep's wool packaging called Woolcool. The new solution will replace the polystyrene-insulated packaging that was being used across its range of chilled and perishable goods.

Job vacancy Jos de Vries The Retail Company: Creative director Branding & Communication

2009-10-05T06:20:00.000-07:00

Jos de Vries The Retail Company develops and realizes international progressive retail concepts with a right balance of creativity and commercial profitability. With conceptual thinking we work on the vision of the clients. This results into the realization of commercial succesfull store formulas with an own identity. Next to the central office in Maarssen (The Netherlands) we have offices in Spain, Germany and Russia.

We are on the search of a Creative Director Branding & Communication.

In this job you will be responsable for the development of the brand strategy and graphic communication for several international accounts in our agency. You work together with other creative directors (3D) to realize a total concept. Internally and externally you will be the contact person for the quality of the proejct as well as the progress of the project. You will manage the project team. Together with the management team you will decide the company vision and the strategical policy in the area of branding and communication. You are responsable for your turn-over, you will play an active role in the marketing and communication of our office. With your unique combination of creativity and commercial perception you are an inspiring partner for our clients and colleagues developing progressive retail concepts.

You will work from our head office in Maarssen (The Netherlands) and your working area will be whole Europe.

Background and education:

Graphical design education at university level
Several years of experience in the world of retail design with project responsability
Inspiring personality with vision and power to convince
Experience with communication on management level
Prepareness to work independently as well as operating in project teams
Knowledge of the European retail market
Strongly developed sense for marketing and communication
Excellent command of spoken and written English and German
Availability to frequent travelling

For more information on our organization check http://www.josdevries.eu. For personal adjustments you can contact Jasmijn Prinssen by telephone +31 346 563764.

We look forward to receive your curriculum vitae and cover letter by e-mail info@josdevries.eu or by post: Jos de Vries The Retail Company BV, Postbus 1194, 3600 BD Maarssen.

http://www.josdevries.eu

Lessons in LEED: LEED supermarket green building program and its efforts to earn LEED certification.

2009-10-01T07:20:00.000-07:00

More than two years ago, the Kroger Co. (Cincinnati) started down a new path in the company’s 126-year history by deciding to design its first supermarket using the USGBC’s LEED green building rating system. At the time, Ken Pray, Kroger’s director, store design, said customers were sending a clear message that environmental awareness was a priority and that they expected the grocery chain to take some leadership in this area.

Kroger was already implementing several energy-saving technologies, such as skylights and heat reclamation, features not always visible to customers. At the same time, the company was redesigning a Fred Meyer grocery store in Portland, Ore., with a new merchandising concept that sought to make organic products mainstream. “We thought if we’re going to do something unique with the merchandise concept, we also needed to do more with the store design,” says Pray. Working with MulvannyG2 (Portland, Ore.), the company began navigating the LEED process and, in July, celebrated the store’s official reopening. While a three-month performance period is underway to gather real-world data as part of the final LEED submission process, there’s still plenty to talk about.

Source: VMSD

Click here to read further and to go to the slideshow of the LEED certificated supermarket.

Tesco uses new software to reduce emissions

2009-09-30T05:13:00.000-07:00

Tesco has completed a deal with CA ecoSoftware, a carbon accounting technology supplier, that will enable the retailer to track progress on emission reduction in advance of forthcoming carbon legislation.

A Tesco statement confirmed: "Tesco has implemented CA ecoSoftware to help increase the efficiency, speed and accuracy of its carbon accounting process, enabling the company to more effectively track progress in pursuit of its ambitious carbon reduction goals."

Best practises in green retailing: Nestlé water Eco-shape bottle

2009-09-15T05:42:00.000-07:00

http://www.jdv-trc.blogspot.com
http://www.greenretailingnews.blogspot.com

International retailers adapt 'green' plans into Chinese retail market

2009-09-15T04:17:00.000-07:00

"Eco-friendly"', "sustainable" and "low carbon dioxide" are not just buzz words for international enterprises like French retailer Carrefour. They are part of their most ambitious and concrete targets for the future.

Thousands of lights, non-stop refrigeration facilities and large compounds of air conditioners make for a nice shopping environment, but they are also very energy-consuming.

In a bid to become more eco-friendly, big enterprises such as Carrefour and Wal-Mart are now implementing sophisticated technology to decrease that consumption.

Even as Carrefour plans to open 20-25 new stores in China, its focus will be on energy saving and environmental protection.

Click here to read further.

Source: China Daily

Chinese Domestic retailers still new at 'green' efforts

2009-09-15T03:03:00.000-07:00

Customers shop in a Wal-Mart store in Shanghai. Foreign retail chains are leading the way in developing environmentally friendly stores in China, according to China Chain Store and Franchise Association. [CFP]

International retailers are leading their domestic peers in environmental protection and energy-saving campaigns, a recent report by the China Chain Store and Franchise Association (CCFA) stated.

French retail giant Carrefour Group invested more than 200 million yuan in renovation and reconstruction of existing stores last year to make them more energy efficient.

Existing outlets are expected to reduce energy consumption by 15 percent after renovation and reconstruction.

Its new stores under construction are all energy-saving outlets. The energy consumption at these outlets will be 20 percent lower than old ones, according to the company.

US-based retail giant Wal-Mart Stores Inc has said that compared to a typical store in 2005, its new outlets consume 23 percent less electricity and 17 percent less water annually.

The CCFA report showed that energy-saving efforts by Chinese retailers focus mainly on saving electricity on air conditioning, lights and refrigeration.

Since 2007, many Chinese retailers have started renovations at existing stores, and some have expanded energy-conservation efforts to office areas, distribution locations and logistics centers.

Energy-saving lighting

The Ministry of Commerce has promoted an Energy Conservation Campaign among retailers since 2007 to help them reduce energy costs by 20 percent by 2010.

A CCFA survey said that from 2007 until 2008, an average retail enterprise invested 500,000 yuan to 3 million yuan for renovations of a store for environmental and energy purposes.

But the bulk of enterprises invested less than 500,000 yuan per store, according to the survey.

The survey said that retailers usually need one to three years to recover their investment.

About 81 percent of polled retailers regarded adoption of energy-saving technologies as the most effective way to reduce their energy consumption.

And 41 percent thought energy-saving management is also crucial, according to the report.

Using the energy consumption of China's top 100 retail companies in 2008, the CCFA reports that their 120,000 outlets can save 1.7 billion kWh of electricity and 1.6 million tons of carbon dioxide annually when they realize the 20 to 30 percent of energy reduction in renovated stores.

Retail chains also can guide their customers' way of shopping and promote environmental friendly and recycling ideas, according to the report.

In the first year of China's plastic bag ban, retailers helped the country reduce the use of more than 40 billion plastic bags.

Source: China Daily

Best practises in green retailing: Tesco supermarkets Carbon Foot Print

2009-09-14T01:39:00.000-07:00

www.greenretailingnews.blogspot.com

www.jdv-trc.blogspot.com

www.tesco.co.uk

Shoppers cars soon will be able to power supermarkets

2009-09-14T00:48:00.000-07:00

Shoppers' cars will be used to power supermarket tills in a revolutionary new scheme. The weight of vehicles driving over road plates into a new eco store will power a generator that creates enough electricity to keep checkouts ringing.
The system uses the same type of technology Formula 1 cars use to convert kinetic energy created during braking into speed.

At the Sainsbury's store in Gloucester, kinetic plates, which were embedded in the road yesterday, are pushed down every time a vehicle passes over them. A pumping action is then initiated through a series of hydraulic pipes that drive a generator. The plates are able to produce 30kw of green energy an hour - more than enough to power the store's checkouts.

The scheme at the Gloucester Quays store demonstrates the potential of kinetic energy to generate enormous amounts of electricity.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1193070/Shoppers-cars-soon-able-power-supermarkets.html#ixzz0R469pwRO

Super de Boer (NL) opens new sustainable supermarket

2009-09-10T06:19:00.000-07:00

Super De Boer opened yesterdayits news sustainable supermarket in the city of Delfzijl, located in the North of The Netherlands. The renovated supermarket is now twice as big as the former supermarket, with an assortiment of 3.000 new articles. The green supermarket uses energy-friendly cooling equipment to save the environment. The store was opened on the Dutch Day of Sustainability, which was celebrated yesterday the 09-09-2009.

Best practises in green retailing: Tesco supermarkets investing in recycling centres

2009-09-06T23:32:00.000-07:00

www.tesco.co.uk

www.jdv-trc.blogspot.com

Best practises in green retailing: Marks and Spencer Plan A

2009-09-04T05:12:00.000-07:00

www.jdv-trc.blogspot.com

www.marksandspencer.com

Best practises in green retailing: Sainsbury´s

2009-09-04T05:11:00.000-07:00

www.jdv-trc.blogspot.com
www.sainsburys.co.uk

Tesco, UK´s leading food retailer, will open the world´s first zero-carbon store

2009-09-03T03:43:00.000-07:00

Tesco, UK´s leading retailer, will open the world´s first "zero-carbon"-store. The store is being built and will be opened in the city of Ramsey, Cambrigde (England). The building is being built using the latest green technologies, like combined heat and power to generate energy for the supermarket. The construction material will contain high levels of insulation, and if necessary it can be recycled. The use of glass reduces the use of lighting, fresh air will generated by top-roof wind-catchers. The supermarket will have sensor-controlled energy-efficient lighting.

Tesco has met an sustainability goal, one year earlier than planned. The chain is diverting 100% of the waste produced in all the UK supermarkets. With this waste Tesco created new innovative ways of turning garbage into fuel.

LED light for free at Dutch supermarket chain Albert Heijn

2009-09-02T07:30:00.000-07:00

Intomart research shows that the Dutch population does not yet know the advantages of LED lighting. 90% of the respondents does not know that LED light is more energy efficient, and also the life-time of 20 years is not known. As mentioned yesterday the glow bulb disappears from the Dutch retail landscape. The WNF and Nationale Postcode Loterij (National Lotery) work together in promoting energy-efficient lighting. All the participants of the campaign “What LED you” can obtain a free LED light at the Dutch supermarket chain Albert Heijn.

Plus Retail (NL) offers biological house wine

2009-09-02T07:24:00.000-07:00

PLUS Retail introduces biological house wine, being the first Dutch supermarket to do this. This house wine, with origen the Spanish La Mancha, has been produced thinking about the effects on the environment.

PLUS Retail has been choosen as "best wine supermarket of The Netherlands". Biological wines are cultivated without artificial manure, the application of gen technology and a mimimized use of insecticides.

www.plusretail.nl

www.jdv-trc.blogspot.com

Solutions for the green supermarket: Waitrose

2009-09-02T05:59:00.000-07:00

www.waitrose.co.uk
www.jdv-trc.blogspot.com

Albert Heijn Pure and Honoust sustaining fishing policy

2009-09-02T05:36:00.000-07:00

Dutch supermarket chain Albert Heijn, market leader in The Netherlands, launched an own premium brand range of “Pure and Honoust” products. (In Dutch: Puur & Eerlijk). Products have been cultivated, manufactured and purchased with respect to the people, animals, nature and environment. Albert Heijn Puur & Eerlijk Sustainable Categories.

The Albert Heijn Puur & Eerlijk range consists of five categories. These five categories are: AH Puur & Eerlijk biological food, fairtrade, sustainable fishing, free-range animals and ecological products. All the product groups are grouped under one brand name and one type of, environmental-friendly, packaging. The sustainability of the AH Puur & Eerlijk products are guaranteed by independent external organizations.

Conditions Marine Stewardship Council Quality Brand
All the sustainable fish products under the AH Puur & Eerlijk are certified with the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC). The MSC is an independent international non-profit organisation aiming to reduce the overfishing. Therefor MSC developed an environment standard for sustainable and well maintained fisheries.
The MSC standard looks at following points:
1. The situation of the fish, crustacean and shell fish level
2. The impact of the fishing on the eco system
3. The maintaine system of the fishery

The MSC was founded in 1996 by the WNF .

Sustainable Fishing
Worldwide the seas and oceans see an increasing impact of the their situation by overfishing and damaging fishing techniques. AH puur&eerlijk sustainable fishing offers with the MSC-certificate an extra security for the origen of sustainable fish.
More information about MSC
Mora information about Albert Heijn and sustainable fish
More information about WNF
More information about AH and WNF

Source Pictures and Text: Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn Pure and Honoust assortment of Ecological products

2009-09-02T00:36:00.001-07:00

Dutch supermarket chain Albert Heijn, market leader in The Netherlands, launched an own premium brand range of “Pure and Honoust” products. (In Dutch: Puur & Eerlijk). Products have been cultivated, manufactured and purchased with respect to the people, animals, nature and environment.

Albert Heijn Puur & Eerlijk Sustainable Categories

The Albert Heijn Puur & Eerlijk range consists of five categories. These five categories are: AH Puur & Eerlijk biological food, fairtrade, sustainable fishing, free-range animals and ecological products. All the product groups are grouped under one brand name and one type of, environmental-friendly, packaging. The sustainability of the AH Puur & Eerlijk products are guaranteed by independent external organizations.

Purely ecological
The new range of AH Puur & Eerlijk ecological products save the environment, reducing the packaging to a minimum and the building material are selected to be disolved earlier.

Two Ecological Certificates

The AH Puur & Eerlijk ecological brand have 2 ecological certificates: Nordic Swan and De Blauwe Engel (“The Blue Angel”). Both international certificates work together with the "Nederlandse Milieukeur", but have stronger regulations.

Regulations De Blauwe Engel Certificate
De Blauwe Engel is the German alternative of Nordic Swan. This quality mark also judges if the product is less damaging to the environment. The quality mark is one of the oldest and most famous ecoloical quality marks, founded back in 1978. The knowledge based is on the years of experience can be seen in the checks and strong regulations. Just like Nordic Swan the products with the quality mark of De Blauwe Engel save the environment.

Conditions Nordic Swan quality brand
An ecological product with Nordic Swan logo states that this products is one of the most environmental friendly products possible. The conditions to obtain a Nordic Ecolabel look at raw materials, production, materials and even the life cycle of the products. The production, quality and the functionality need to cumply high environmental standards. These criteria differ per group of products.
Source text and pictures: http://www.ah.nl/artikel?trg=assortiment/article.inleiding.ecologisch

Albert Heijn Pure and Honoust assortment of Biological products

2009-09-01T05:01:00.000-07:00

Biological food is pure and honoust

The big assortment of biological products, since 1988 available in the supermarkets of Albert Heijn, now forms part of the own premium brand AH Puur & Eerlijk. All products are foreseen of the EKO-certificate, tested by the independent organization Skal. Albert Heijn goes a step further than “just the EKO-certificate”, for example with the taste, freshness and the information on the packaging of the products.

Criteria EKO-certificate

A product can only be considered biological when an official organization checked if the product and processes cumply the rules. In The Netherlands the organization Skal is checking all the Dutch biological companies that they follow up the the strict rules for biological production. Only when they meet the standaards they will obtain the EKO-certificate. This certificate guarantees the consumers they buy real biological food products.

Skal-company

Every year each biological company gets a visit of an inspector, next to the unannounced visits. Skal checks the food, spaces, animals and stocks. Biological farms cannot use or posess artificial manure and chemical-synthetic insecticides. Animal welfare, the space and how the farmer takes care of the animals, is the main point of attention. The inspector can take samples of material to have it checked later on.

Check troughout the distribution chain

Not only the farms get visits from Skal, but also the biological manufacturers. The origen of the biological ingredients and raw material are checked. Biological bread for example needs to be made out of biological flour. The whole distribution channel from farmer to supermarket is checked, and if everything is allright the products will obtain the EKO-certificate for guaranteed biological product.

More information about the EKO-certificate

More information about Skal

Source text and pictures: Albert Heijn

Glow bulbs disappear out of the shelves

2009-08-31T06:22:00.000-07:00

Stores in the European Union are, from Tuesday on, not allowed to order glow bulbs of over 100 Watt. The glow bulbs will be replaced by energy-efficient lamps, halogeen and other types of lighting. The countries of the European Union want to save electricity with this plan. Stores have untill September 2010 to sell there glow bulbs of over 75 Watt. One year more they have to sell the glow bulbs of over 60 Watt. In September 2012, the last glow bulbs will disappear out of the stores (plus 25 Watt).

Energy-efficient lamps and LED-lighting are the alternatives for the glow bulbs. In The Netherlands there was no run for the glow bulbs of over 100Watt. In Germany there are a lot of DIY-stores and other light distributors who purchased the heavy lighting, to extend the availability of the heavy glow bulbs.

Carrefour China goes green

2009-08-26T04:06:00.000-07:00

Carrefour China is introducing new technologies to its 139 stores in China to cut excess energy expelled by the stores. This eco-friendly move has also proven to be cost-effective, as consumption was reduced between 2005-08 by taking the measures. The new measurement takes place in the plan to reduce 10% of the total energy.

Energy saving renovations in the chain's stores will feature new refrigeration methods, new air-conditioning technology and new lighting. Stores are being revamped in order to accommodate the new measures in energy renovation.

UK Retailer Tesco will mention the emission of CO2 on their milk packaging

2009-08-19T05:29:00.000-07:00

UK Retailer Tesco will mention the emission of CO2 on their milk packaging, the aim of Tesco is to increase it to up to 500 products before the end of the year.

Tesco explains that, independent, researches show that over 50% of the population knows what the meaning of carbon footprint is. One year ago just 32% of the population knew the meaning of carbon footprint. Over 50% of the clients of Tesco say that they take the effect on the environment of the products into account.

The largest amount of emission of CO2 for milks happens at the farms. Tesco works together with these farms to reduce this amount, therefor they set up the groups: Tesco Sustainable Dairy Group and Dairy Centre of Excellence. These groups are responsable for the better quality of animal food and the use of renewable energy sources.

www.tesco.co.uk

UK Supermarket chain Sainsbury's reduces amount of plastic in packaging

2009-08-18T07:24:00.000-07:00

The UK retailer Sainsbury´s today anounced the use of Amcor Flexible´s new heat-sealed packaging. This packaging will be used for products like strawberries, plums and cherries.

The new packaging will reduce the weigth of the packaging and the total amount of the plastic used by the retailer, supporting the claims of Sainsbury´s Greenretailing policy.

The new package, thanks to the new film metarial, will be 87% lower in weigth, for Sainsbury´s supermarkets thin means a total of aprox. 333 tonnes less of plastic per year.

The film can be printed on and this will also render labelling obsolete, helping the fight against waste again.
The Amcor company is also speaking with other retailers to see if they can introduce their new packaging method there also.

www.sainsburys.co.uk

www.amcor.com

www.jdv-trc.blogspot.com

Tesco: Greener Living Program for a green and sustainable future

2009-08-16T04:14:00.000-07:00

The British supermarket chain Tesco is looking to find a green future, they are protagonists of the program “GreenerLiving” for a more sustainable living. This includes labelling sustainable and energy-efficient products, rewarding the consumers with Green Clubcard Points when they purchase green products and re-use bags and recycle mobile phones and inkjet cartridges.

Important part of their green program is the Sustainable Consumption Research Insitute, which is a 25 million pound investment, where together with the University of Manchester Tesco is working to find new ways to improve the environment. It is part of their commitment to a greener, sustainable future and will look for the best green solutions in retail.

The UK retailer is also working with audited and certified farms to assure a high standard of animal welfare, this accounts for all their UK meat, poultry, eggs and farmed fish suppliers. They seek to buy their seafood from responsible managed fisheries, in order to maintain a viable and long-term future for wild fish and shelfish populations.

http://www.tesco.com/greenerliving/
http://www.greenretailingnews.blogspot.com
http://www.jdv-trc.blogspot.com

UK supermarket chain Marks & Spencer awarded for eco-friendly fishing policy

2009-08-13T01:27:00.000-07:00

The UK retailer Marks and Spencer has received an award for their ethical and responsable approach to fishing. This award has been granted by Greenpeace and the Marine Conservation Society (MCS). Marks and Spencer also catches tuna by using the pole and line method, this has less damaging affect on supplies.

Marks & Spencer is the first UK retailer that uses this way to fish. The tuna fishes are normally used for the sandwiches, fishcakes and meals.

Marks & Spencer has been recognised for their eco-friendly fishing with the MCS´ sustainable fishing awards.

Editorial New York Times: Can Wal-Mart Be Sustainable?

2009-08-08T00:56:00.000-07:00

Yesterday the New York Times placed an article on the recent plans of Wal-Mart´s Sustainability.

Recently, Wal-Mart has been rolling out plans for what it calls a sustainability index — a measure of how green the products it sells really are. It is asking each of its suppliers, an enormous list of businesses, 15 questions about the life of their products from manufacturing through disposal: questions about greenhouse gas emissions, social responsibility, waste reduction initiatives and water use.

Click on the link to continue reading the article.

100% ECO Hygienic Paper available at the supermarkets of Albert Heijn and Coop (The Netherlands)

2009-08-06T00:26:00.000-07:00

Since today the Dutch consumers are able to purchase 100% ECO Hygienic Paper. The first supermarkets in The Netherlands who offer this environmental-friendly product are Albert Heijn and Coop. The assortment these stores offer are toilet paper, kitchen rolls and tissues of the brand NORTH RIVER. The products are the most environmental friendly products of the market. By using the product the Dutch consumers help to improve the environment.

The production of these paper product is realized by recycled wood, there is no chlorine included, 80% less water is used and the production process is realized by 100% sustainable energy.

For more information on these products take a look at the website of Friends Hygiene or contact them by e-mail jan@friendshygiene.nl

Interview international supermarket news: Marks & Spencer Director of Plan A and sustainable business, about the eco-friendly cause

2009-08-04T10:39:00.000-07:00

Today the online version of International Supermarket News (ISN) published an interview with Richard Gillies - Marks & Spencer Director of Plan A and Sustainable Business, about their eco-friendly cause.

Since January 2007, Marks and Spencer has had an environmental and ethical vision to share that has been a major contribution to the supermarket industry's part in fighting for the eco-friendly cause: Plan A. The name suggests top priority, focus, urgency, even passion, and the refusal to settle for a Plan B. This is an initiative that, as well as involving staff across the chain, has embraced everything from landfill to sustainability, to animal welfare. In the name of environmental concern, M&S has worked alongside organisations such as WRAP, Oxfam and The Woodland Trust to reduce waste and to encourage a less corrosive approach to the planet. M&S' Director of Plan A and Sustainable Business Richard Gillies has given ISN an exclusive and detailed insight into how the project has worked from its conception to its ongoing practice, which has just reached its half-way point in fulfilling the ambition of obliterating landfill waste by 2012.

For the rest of this interview we refer to the interview on International Supermarket News.

The collaboration of French retail giant Carrefour and WWF

2009-08-03T00:18:00.000-07:00

Some years ago already the French retail multinational Carrefour implemented a plan to save the world´s forest resources. For this plan they started to work together with the NGO organization (WWF – World Wildlife Fund). The plan included to select FSC certified wood and introducing this range of garden furniture made of roble wood. At the moment all the countries were Carrefour is present, they have this range of sustainable forest.

The plan of sustainable forest Management, includes information of suppliers in order to guarantee the traceability of the wood and demonstrate the origen and sustainability of the wood products. The objective is to offer a full range of 100% FSC certified wood products in the assortment of all the international hypermarkets.

http://www.jdv-trc.blogspot.com

Coca Coca In the Netherlands focuses on a healthy, active life style and a sustainable environment.

2009-07-31T02:08:00.000-07:00

Soft drink manufacturer Coca Cola in The Netherlands revealed their social responsability plan, key points are a healthy and active life style and a sustainable environment. By focusing on sustainability they hope to achieve better company results and for the society. Coca Cola is thinking about reducing water and energy use and the re-use of packages.

This means that they have the objective to recycle 85% of the bottles and cans. The bottles have already been changed, they have less weigth, reducing the amount of garbage. In The Netherlands the big bottles incluye some deposit to recycle these bottles. For the smaller bottles and cans this does not exist (yet), they are working on a new recycling system for these smaller bottles. This new recycle concept “Recycling Kit” is now being tested. The sales of these smaller amounts happen a lot in Shopping areas and at service stations, therfor when the test works out well, they will roll-out this recycling point concept into further areas.

Coca Cola, based in Dronten the South of The Netherlands, obtains sustainable water from their own mineral water source (current 87% of the total). The objetive is to be water neutral before 2020, therefor they need to re-use water.
At the website of Coca Cola you can find the commitments of Coca Cola with the environment.
http://www.thecoca-colacompany.com/citizenship/environment.html

www.jdv-trc.blogspot.com

Jos de Vries The Retail Company launches at LinkedIn the Group Innovative Retail Concepts

2009-07-30T10:56:00.001-07:00

Jos de Vries The Retail Company started the group "Innovative Retail Concepts" at www.linkedin.com for retail professionals to share knowledge and follow the latest trends on innovative (green) retail concepts.

We invite you to join this group and follow the news and to have discussions with other retail professionals.

http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=2120501

Regards,

Maurice van der Kooij

How to find the right balance in creating the green store concept

2009-07-28T06:45:00.000-07:00

Green buildings may be good for the environment but they also need to take into account shopping value and the comfort of the shopper. Removing all the air-conditioning could well reduce the quality of fresh produce and lead to overheated customers leaving the store.

How to find the right balance in creating the green store concept is an interesting article of the magazine Elsevier Food International, written by Noella Pio Kivlehan.

Click here for the rest of this article.

Climate neutral, biological tomatoes at Dutch supermarket chain Dekamarkt

2009-07-28T00:46:00.000-07:00

The supermarkets of Dekamarkt are the first ones in The Netherlands selling biological tomatoes. Dekamarkt is analyzing the assortment, composing a responsable assortment. The tomatoes are cultivated climate neutral because the total process of cultivation is followed.

Because of the use of a lot of artificial manure rivers in Southern America have a lot of water plants in the rivers. These are removed and put on the side of the river, this causes a high level of emissions. Now this biological garbage will be used as compost. The transformation of this compost results into “carbon credits”, these are used to compensate the emission of production, storage and transport of these tomatoes.

www.jdv-trc.blogspot.com

Green supermarket gets energy from their clients

2009-07-28T00:29:00.000-07:00

In the Sainsbury´s supermarket of Gloucester they have a novelty in green retailing. The clients generate energy for the supermarket, driving over a kinetical plate installed at the parking, the supermarket will receive energy. The movements are caught and transformed into energy, which the supermarket uses in different applications.

This supermarket already works with sun and wind energy. With this new application the supermarket thinks to save 30kW energy per hour, comparable with the energy consumption of all cooling and freezers in the supermarket.

www.jdv-trc.blogspot.com

Carrefour Belgium: buying green energy in the supermarket

2009-07-27T06:01:00.000-07:00

The French hypermarket chain Carrefour is in Belgium the first retailer selling green electricity. At the moment they only offer it at their website but when it is succesfull they will apply it into their hypermarkets. The project is called Energy Eco Planet and the 100% green electricity is produced and distributed by the Belgian energy partner Lampiris under the label of Carrefour.

Sainsbury´s key points of green retail

2009-07-27T05:30:00.000-07:00

British retailer Sainsbury´s has an interesting clear website about their commitment with green retailing. Several points showing their commitment with the environment can be found at this website. Below we will give you the link where you can find the videos about these green commitments.

- Reducing the carbon footprint
- Reducing waste
- Reducing packaging
- Green pilot store, green supermarket of the future
- Reduce, re-use, recycle

Furthermore you can see the key commitments of the retailer.
- Best for food and health
- Sourcing with integrity
- Respect for our environment
- Making a positive difference to our community
- A great place to work.

Click here for more information on Sainsbury´s

US green grocer PCC offers green, organic, local and sustainable products.

2009-07-27T05:07:00.000-07:00

...

The website Faircompanies.com made a report on one of the biggest green supermarkets of the United States, the retail chain PCC. This store sells for 95% organic products, locally produced and sustainable. The supermarket of the movie is located in Seatlle, you can see how their production selection works and how they communicate where the products are from and how they are made. They have an impressive assortment of all types of organic and fairtrade products.

www.faircompanies.com

Biological supermarket concept Ekoplaza trendsetter in The Netherlands with biological and reform products

2009-07-24T03:19:00.000-07:00

Ekoplaza is a Dutch biological supermarket concept which promotes natural food products. In the 4 supermarkets in The Netherlands consumers can find biological food products with the best reform quality. This concept before was known as “natureshop” but 2 years ago a transformation of the concept resulted into the new EkoPlaza concept.

The products directly go from the field to the EkoPlaza stores and are all biologically produced, meaning that no insecticide is used and that the products are made with respect to the nature and the environment and all the health aspects of humans and Earth.

www.jdv-trc.blogspot.com

maurice@josdevries.eu

The green message of US Retailer Whole Foods Market

2009-07-24T03:00:00.000-07:00

Whole Foods Market

One of the fastest growing supermarket chains in the United States is the chain Whole Foods Market. This chain has been one of the trendsetters in biological food products and is still growing rapidly in the USA and Canada. Inside the supermarket with the assortment and the communication and also outside the supermarket the retailer explains the effects and advantages on green retailing. For more information on this formula visit their website and to see the overview of Whole Foods Market green values and actions click here.

http://www.jdv-trc.blogspot.com
maurice@josdevries.eu

Communication of origen of green products in retail: example Plus Retail (NL)

2009-07-24T02:37:00.000-07:00

This picture of Dutch supermarket chain Plus Retail shows the communication of their fresh and green produce. This communication promotes (in this case iceberg lettuce) the fresh image of the company and improves the traceability of the products, bringing it closer to their consumers.

www.jdv-trc.blogspot.com

maurice@josdevries.eu

GfK researches the green consumers with their Sustainable Consumer Monitor for Supermarkets

2009-07-24T02:31:00.001-07:00

In cooperation with the non-profit organization Solidaridad GfK published the Sustainable Consumer Monitor. The Sustainable Consumer Monitor needs to become a guide for retailers how to apply sustainanable retailing.

The report shows that there are 3 different groups of sustainable consumers: open-minded, organics and demanding. The report states that in The Netherlands there are over 3,9 million households that belong to one of these groups (over 50% of the total number of households in The Netherlands).

The consumers that belong to the group openminded are interested in the animal welfare. Organic consumers think about the environment and the demanding consumers look at social equaility and honest retailing. This research is very interesting for the food retailers. When for example a supermarket attracts a lot of open-minded clients, the supermarket can offer a wide assortment of meat replacement products. A supermarket that has a lot of demanding visitors can offer more fairtrade-products.

The reason why these consumers purchase more and more green and fairtrade products is that they think they support the environment and the animal welfare.

www.jdv-trc.blogspot.com

Waitrose green policy with ethical fish gives good results

2009-07-24T02:16:00.001-07:00

In the UK-Market many customers seek for ethical sources for fresh fish. The English Waitrose stepped into this market by offering only sustainable fish, this step resulted into a growth of 15% in fish sales compared to the last years. The policy also implied froozen fish, which grew with 21% compared last year.

Waitrose has been one of the big sponsors of the movie “The End of the Line” a movie around ethical fishing, afterwards a big press campaign and consumer interest resulted into an increased interest about sustainability.

It is shown that when consumers know more about the reality of the situation, they most want to buy sustainable fish. The retail company only wants to provide this type of fish, meaning that for example swordfish cannot be offered, the company did not find a sustainable source for this type of fish. The ethical fishing policy of Waitrose includes a ban on many species under threat, and on damaging fishing methods.

Belgian Supermarket Chain Colruyt producing their own green energy

2009-07-24T02:06:00.000-07:00

The Belgian retailer Colruyt announced the plan to only use own manufactured green energy.

At the end of 2011 Colruyt wants to produce their own energy with green production methods, becoming the first Belgian retailer that is 100% CO2-neutral. Currently the company already uses green electricity, a big part produced with their own wind mills and sun panels but the rest purchased externally.

To achieve this goal, Colruyt is investing in new energy projects. Every renovation or new supermarket will be foreseen of sun panels on top of the roof. The current amount of 3 wind mills will be extended with a further amount of 9 new wind mills. The company recently commented the purchase of the company Fraxicor, this company transforms fat of animal garbarge into environmental friendly green electricity.

Other important measurements that the retailer took is to close all frozen food furniture, lighting at parking and at warehouse with high efficiency lamps. The objective is to reduce the yearly growth of energy consumption to less than 10%.

www.jdv-trc.blogspot.com

German retailer Rewe to increase its sustainability activities

2009-07-23T23:05:00.000-07:00

Rewe is to increase its sustainability activities by offering greener products as a result of re-assessing its supply chain, and by doubling its use of solar energy at its own warehouses in Germany and the Czech Republic.

The chain is already sourcing sustainable grapes, strawberries and peppers from Spain and Italy. It is hoped that citrus fruits will follow suit later this year. In addition to this, Rewe hopes to extend the green method of sourcing to its dairy and fish ranges. The business seeks to work with suppliers who have an overtly environmentally conscious approach.

The firm also wants to use more solar energy through special panels on its warehouse roofs in Germany and the Czech Republic.

http://www.jdv-trc.blogspot.com

Dutch supermarket chain Jumbo introduces biological flowers

2009-07-22T10:15:00.000-07:00

Jumbo starts to sell biological flowers in their supermarkets. The flowers are sold in a bouquet and under the brand name “Bioflora Made With”.

The bouquets consist of 100% biological flowers. Biological flowers are cultivated without artificial manure and synthetical insecticides. Jumbo started a corporation for the sales of flowers with Bioflora, a Dutch corporation of biological farmers.

Fresh market concept Marqt in the city centre of Amsterdam

2009-07-22T06:39:00.000-07:00

After the opening of the first Marqt store in the city centre of Amsterdam, this new retail chain recenlty opened the doors of the second ecological supermarket, this time in Haarlem. Marqt is a new retail concept where real food is the central focus.

They have 5 basic principles in their formula: the real food is original, made with respect for the environment, real fresh, made with passion and tastes good.

The partners are selected under these criteria, all professionals with heart for their products and businesses. The products mainly come from the region and because of the selection of their providers the products directly come the Marqt supermarkets without loosing anything of their freshness.

In the design of the fresh market you can see a lot of wood, metal, stone and the colours black and white, every material is choosen because of the sustainability. The fresh produce are presented in wooden boxes. Central in the store you can see a kitchen island and the fresh square with meat, fish and cheese. Next to the fresh produce this fresh market offers a wide range of prepared meal solutions.

When you are visiting the city of Amsterdam or Haarlem this new concept is for sure worth a visit.

Spanish hypermarket chain Alcampo (Auchan) celebrates its second edition of the week of the green shopping bag

2009-07-22T04:31:00.000-07:00

The Spanish hypermarket chain Alcampo celebrates its second edition of the week of the green shopping bag, this takes place in the 50 hypermarkets this chain has in Spain. During this week the hypermarket formula shows the need and the reasons for consumers to act responsable when they do their shopping, providing them with green shopping bags, made of recycled material.

Alcampo wants to contribute to the support of the reduction of the environmental impact by the one time use plastic shopping bags, that is why they supply the recyclable bag. This action fits in the project of the reduction of the plastic bags in the hypermarkets which Alcampo started in May 2009. This is supported by the slogan “More products in the bag, less bags in the world.”

Alcampo was in Spain the first chain of hypermarkets introducing alternatives to the plastic shopping bags, introducing recyclable bags and biodegrable made of bio patatoes.

In the company policy social responsability maintains a strong agreement with the environment. In 2004, white shopping bags were replaced by transparent bags, deleing the titan, a white pigment of these bags. Furthermore these shopping bags are more resistent and are filled better, reducing the consumption of plastic bags.

One year later, with the implemententation of green check-outs in all the hypermarkets. With these green check-outs Auchan was the first distribution company in Spain offering this sustainable medium, cash machines that did not have plastic bags. The clients in these rows can use their own shopping bags or purchase ecological shopping bags offered by the hypermarket chain.

Alcampo in Spain posesses 50 hypermarkets and 26 service stations in 14 Spanish communities, with a total of 15.500 employees.

New generation green supermarket Tengelmann Klimarkt

2009-07-22T01:30:00.001-07:00

Tengelmann opened half a year ago their first Tengelmann Klimamarkt. This follows the objective that the supermarket chain Tengelmann gave itself. Before 2020 they want to reduce to the level of CO2-emissions with at least 20 per cent. Environmental and natural solutions to save the environment.

Their newest Klimamarkt can be seen as an example of an environmental-friendly store. This green supermarket uses 50% less energy than the traditional supermarket and they also succeeded to reduce the emission of CO2 to almost the level of 0.

What did they do and how did they do it? This green supermarket of the newest generation, warmth is being used to transform it into energy, the cooling and refrigeration departments have environmental-friendly furniture with all the doors closed. Furthermore there was a lighting plan created, were LED-lighting could promote the products, make them more sustainable and reduce the level of energy.

http://www.jdv-trc.blogspot.com

Belgian Supermarket Chain Colruyt obtaining energy in their supermarkets by introducing Sun Panels

2009-07-22T01:29:00.000-07:00

The Belgian supermarket chain Colruyt is looking for ways to obtain a sustainable way of obtaining energy, this energy needs to support reducing the emission of CO2-gases. The price stunter will install as many sun panels as possible on the roofs of their supermarkets, where possible this will be the new way how the supermarkets obtain their energy.

Currently Colruyt already obtains 7 million kWh of electricity by wind mills, sun panels and warmth recuperation. The Belgian is with these action leading the Benelux revolution in green retailing. In neighbour country The Netherlands we do not yet see this many way to use sustainable energy in the supermarkets.

www.jdv-trc.blogspot.com

Mars further develops plan with new action to Sustainable Business

2009-07-22T01:28:00.000-07:00

Mars comes up with a new action to sustainable business. The Green Order System has the objective to change the order behaviour to reduce the emission of CO2. The impact on the environment will be measured and communicated to the clients.

Mars now communicated that after 2020 they want to produce 100.000 tons cacao with the UTZ-Sustainability certificate. The UTZ-Sustainibility organization focuses in higher productivity on the same area, with the aim to reduce the loss of wood and to improve the income of the cacao farmers. Untill 2020 this will be adapted in different phases.

This manufactured chocolate will be used in the Mars products like Bounty, Twix and Mars. Next to the UTZ certification Mars also works with Rainforest Alliance. The method of UTZ is a structural approach to improve the productivity and reduce the level of poorness in the areas. Farmers learn how to improve their productivity, with improved methods. Furthermore they explain that farmers need to produce a wider assortment of products, to avoid depending to much on one product. Mars thinks this new production methods will increase the benefits between 30 and 50 per cent, mainly focusing on Ivory Coast (worlds biggest manufacturer of cocao for Mars).

UTZ Certified Good Inside is dedicated to creating an open and transparent marketplace for agricultural products. It offers coffee, tea and cocoa certification programs and manages traceability for RSPO certified palm oil, UTZ CERTIFIED vision is to achieve sustainable agricultural supply chains where farmers are professionals implementing good practices which lead to better businesses, where the food industry takes responsability by demanding and rewarding sustainably grown products, and where consumers buy products which meet their standard for social and environmental responsability.

American retail study shows that low Income Shoppers are More Willing to Pay a Premium for Sustainability

2009-07-22T01:27:00.002-07:00

The company Miller Zell an Atlanta based retail specialist company researches several different of topics inside the world of retail. Today this retail company published their study on green retailing, which type of consumer purchases green products.

The traditional thougth is that consumers who are most interested in environmental-friendly products have a higher income and overall lifestyle commitment to eco-friendly living. In the research done by this retail design and strategy firm Miller Zell the result is that shoppers with a lower income are the ones purchasing green products.

In the study it states that Income is not the only important factor when consumers decide to do green shopping, consumers with lower income are willing to pay a premium for green products. Women are also willing to pay more than men for green products.

The interest of consumers in sustainable products did not result yet in good promotion and information on the green products manufacturers and retailers have. Wal-Mart last week launched the plan to obtain information on the effects on the environment of their products and communicate the effect of the purchase of this product on the environment.

The study also shows the channels that are most effective to trigger the interest of the shopper in green products as well as differences between the different generations and genders.
To download a copy of the study results, visit the Miller Zell blog, Inside the Aisle at http://insidetheaisle.com/mz-research-surveys/.

Does the outcome of this research come as a surprise for you? Which actions do you take to save the environment? Which advices would you like to share with the other readers of this blog?

Organic Food Program and Carbon Neutral Program of Dole

2009-07-22T01:27:00.001-07:00

The banana producer, Dole, lets customers “travel to the origin of each organic product”. By typing in a fruit sticker's three-digit Farm Code on Dole Organic's website, customers can read background info, view photos of the farm and workers and learn more about the origin of Dole products (http://www.doleorganic.com/)

Dole produces organically-grown bananas in its own farms and sources from independent organic growers located in Honduras, Ecuador, Dominican Republic, Colombia and Peru for the European and North American Markets and recently in the Philippines for the Asian Market. 100% of Dole’s organic bananas are certified organic and follow the organic production standards as set by the law in the US, EU or Japan.

Furthermore Dole has a carbon neutral program:
'Carbon neutral,' as applied to the banana and pineapple product supply chains, means that the carbon dioxide (CO2) emitted to produce, pack, transport and distribute the fruit will be offset by mitigation practices which increase the capture of CO2 in order to achieve a 'neutral' balance. These practices entail new, more efficient transportation methods, changes to agricultural processes to reduce CO2 emissions, and partnering with local farmers to implement preservation and reforestation programs. http://www.doleorganic.com

US Retailer Food Lion to open first green store

2009-07-22T01:26:00.002-07:00

US Retailer Food Lion (South Carolina) is planning to open the first green store of the formula and the first LEED-certified (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) grocery store in the region.

The store will feature a number of environmentally friendly construction and energy-efficient services, including an on-site recycling center, skylights for natural lighting, educational kiosks and preferred parking for low-emitting vehicles.By building the first LEED grocery store they plan to reduce energy costs by more than 20 per cent compared to a typical supermarket as well as conserve 44 per cent more water than other Food Lion stores.

For nearly a decade, Food Lion has been dedicated to numerous sustainability initiatives, such as energy conservation and reducing carbon dioxide emissions throughout its 11-state footprint, reducing its energy consumption by more than 27 per cent since 2000 or 2.5 trillion BTUs.”Food Lion’s first green store is expected to open in the fourth quarter of 2009 and will provide employment for approximately 50 associates. Food Lion currently operates 145 South Carolina stores and employs more than 7,600 associates in the state.

www.jdv-trc.blogspot.com

Communication of origen of fair-trade products

2009-07-22T01:26:00.001-07:00

Yesterday in our article we mentioned the importancy of the communication to your customer that your store a green store is and how which measurements your company take to make it green(er). The same accounts for fair-trade products, where do they come from and how are they produced.

One good example of communication of origen of fair-trade products is the English company Chippindale Foods. This retailer offers full egg traceability via their website www.wheresyoursfrom.com. Every egg in the supermarket is foreseen of a tracking code. When the clients types in the code into their website, it gives full information on the origen of the egg. Furthermore there are menu suggestions and information on the production of "green" eggs.

www.jdv-trc.blogspot.com

What are the green effects and advantages of online shopping?

2009-07-22T01:25:00.000-07:00

In an article in the Guardian we could read a topic from Lucy Siegle about the green effect and advantages of shopping online. It sound very environmental friendly to do your shopping from the computer, but is this really true?

In the United Kingdom they expect the online Shopping to grow up to 21,3 billion pounds in 2011, a growth with almost 9 billion pounds. Some people do their shopping with the computer, because they consider it to be green, less transport and less shopping bags. There have been several studies on this topic.

One of these studies goes back to 2000 when Webvan, a big US onliner retailer, when they concluded that wider adoption of online shopping would not result into environmental profits, another study in 2002 of US book retailing did not see greater energy savings when buying online.

One of the most recent studies is the study of Carnegie Mellon University, where they concluded that shopping online via resulted in a decrease of 35 per cent energy consumption and CO2 emissions than the traditional retailer (where they loose energy because of the open doors of the store and bad refrigeration furniture for example).

This effect is caused by the save of the driving to the stores and for example less receipts. But both ways to do your shopping need the transportation to get it to the distribution centers, stores or at home. We can now see more and more retailers who introduce electricity home-delivery cars like the Spanish supermarket chain Condis or the Eco-Truck of Delhaize in Belgium where the route is better planned and the load is bigger to save extra kilometers.

Online shopping may prove marginally more green in terms of energy saving but we see retailers more and more take measurements to save energy, reduce CO2 emissions and acting green.

www.jdv-trc.blogspot.com

Green retailing manual for retailers

2009-07-22T01:24:00.002-07:00

What are the advantages and opportunities for a retailer in green retailers? Where do they need to think of and which measurerement they can apply now? A small guide into green retailing.

Suppliers
Some important questions retailers need to think about when they choose a supplier looping at the environmental benefits of this supplier and his products.

What kind of company is your supplier, how are their production methods, are they looping for ways to reduce pollution and garbage and are they reducing the level of energy and water?

Where is your supplier located? What does this mean for the pollution of the transport from the factory to the distribution center and finally the supermarket? This is a difficult paradox, once a company decided to quit all the African products from their assortment to reduce the level of transportation and emissions of gases, on the other hand this decision resulted into a lot of difficulties of the farmers and suppliers in Africa.

What happens with the product after use of this product? What is the level of garbage? Can this be re-used? Can it be recycled?

Consumers
Communicate with your clients, make sure that your claims can be proved! If you say to reduce the level of plastic bags, reduction of CO2 make sure it happens and very important make it understandable for the consumers.

Communicate how things are measured and what the effects on the environment are. Display these environmental friendly products on an important place, support them with labels of the environmental impacts of the products and the packaging.

Opportunities in green retail
Green retailing gives you a good opportunity to win the trust and the loyalty of the consumers. Search for the measurements you can take to get a green store: Offer reusable packaging and bags, to return it to the supplier or that the consumer can re-use it. Install energy efficient lighting and water saving devices in-store (for example rainwater installation to re-use the water). Reward your customers when they do not need a bag.
Vary the size of a bag; convenience stores can work with smaller bags than traditional supermarkets, offer different sizes.

Tell your customers and employees about your efforts to save the planet!

The advantages for the retailer
- Your customers feel good about shopping in your store
- You reduce your impact on the environment
- Your employees enjoy a better working environment
- You improve your companies “green” image
- You save and earn money

Insight in the retail of the future: the importance of green retailing

2009-07-22T01:24:00.001-07:00

The company Accenture did a research about how the retail industry would look like in the year 2020, what are the mayor technological, socio-demographic and business trends we can export in the future of retail. Accenture is a global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company, committed to delivering innovation.

In this research they recognize the environment to be one of the most important factor for today´s retailers. Before the retailers did not see that much the importance but consumer demands, regulations from the government and the effect of green organizations changed the world of retail.

Some of the leading retailers started the green revolution, seeking to obtain an environmental-friendly and sustainable business. Tesco for example wants to be recognized "a leader in helping to create a low-carbon economy.” Tesco for example introduced new transportation methods, invested in recycling centers and introduce to their consumers the level of carbon that every product contains and how much they can save purchasing a certain type of product.

Coop, one of the world’s largest grocery chain, is basing its product ranges on green propositions. In fact, working with products of Bio Suisse, 30 organic farming organizations and around 6.300 farms producing organic products in Switzerland.

Accenture asks itself in this report some questions about what will happen in the development in green retail, how will the environmental plan adapted into retail strategies? Premium payments for environmental-friendly products, more low-energy production, and the creation of new—higher—standards for ethical trading?

What do you think what will happen in green retail in the future months and years?

Wal-Mart Supermarkets to share the green impact of their products and services

2009-07-22T01:22:00.002-07:00

The American supermarket giant, actual world leader in sales, wants to inform their client more on green retailing impact of their products and services. By better giving information about their products, the clients of Wal-Mart have more options to choose their preferred (green) supplier or products. To obtain this required information all the suppliers need to give an insight of the environmental effect and use of energy of their products.

In history this is the biggest impact on green retailing. The data obtained will result into a rating-system, which will be communicated on the shelves of the supermarkets.

The aim of this new environmental program is to reduce the use of energy, the reduce the level of garbage and to stimulate sustainability in retail. For the manufacturers and suppliers it has a big impact, they need to invest in obtaining the information. To better compete with their competitors and to obtain a better score on the Wal-Marts scorecard and the communication to the customers. To get the total plan operation it will take several years, the Wal-Mart concern expects everything to be ready in ten years. Experts think they can introduce it earlier, in 2011, supported by the wave of environmental measurements international retailers introduce.

An earlier measurement of Wal-Mart (the introduction of energy-efficient lamps in their assortment) had a positive effect on the environment, this green initiative already resulted into the sales of over 100 million energy-efficient lamps.

www.josdevries.eu

Sustainability - should it be just about "green" products or should we focus on sustaining our generations?

2009-07-22T01:22:00.001-07:00

By Kyle Howell - VIP Recruiter at NWA Green Expo

Most of the topics and discussions about Sustainability are always focused on products or services related to making products more sustainable. I have been working on planning for the 2010 NWA Green Expo and had a meeting today with a non-profit called Teen Action Support Center. This was an eye opening experience that led me to this discussion.

Sustainability is not just about the "greening" of products or our habits, but it also is about taken care of our generations to ensure they are aware and able to take care of the environment. There is always a human side to everything we do. Now, the NWA Green Expo will be partnering with the Teen Action Support Center to create an overall expo that addresses products/services for both the earth and human benefit.

I would like to know what your thoughts on this are and if you have already seen this type of partnership in action, let me know some tips on how to make it successful. Now, to advertise the expo. The expo is hosted by the Bentonville/Bella Vista Chamber of Commerce. It will take place on April 30th - May 1st, 2010, in Bentonville, AR. I am currently trying to sign up keynote speakers, so if you know any or are aware of companies that would be willing to sponsor such speakers, please contact me at kyle.howell@wal-mart.com.

Aquié (Grupo Cuevas) development of green supermarket

2009-07-22T01:21:00.002-07:00

Grupo Cuevas is a famous Spanish chestnut manufacturer, who had the wish to develop a new innovative supermarket concept in the region of Galicia, especially in the Ourense Area, next to their 25 supermarkets.

Together with Jos de Vries The Retail Company the formula Aquié has been developed during in 2008 which was based on a new, modern design, the use of new technologies and a well-balanced assortment of healthy groceries. Everything developed thinking of the trend on sustainable Retailing. The company only supplies bio-recycable bags and when the client brings his own bag the client gets a small reward from Aquié. The furniture and lighting was selected on the environmental advantages because of the low consumption of energy.

Next to these innovative aspects of Green Retailing the clients can choose from a selected assortment of daily varying fresh and healthy menus (to prepare or prepacked). These products are tested and prepared by the university of Vigo to create an ecological and healthy product assortment and offering meal solutions for the customers.

This fifth generation supermarket of Aquié directly was very succesfull with this new innovative concept. They are that succesfull that they opened their 2nd store already (in A Porriño, Galicia). The first supermarket could welcome over 1.250 visitors on a daily base and the turn-over is over 29% higher than the other stores of the Grupo Cuevas.

The supermarket concept of Aquié has been choosen as one of the most innovative new retail concepts in the world during the recent World Retail Awards in Barcelona.

Sustainable packing an emerging consumer trend - study

2009-07-22T01:21:00.001-07:00

The increasing importance of sustainable packaging as a consumer issue means companies need to constantly reassess the amount of packing they use, according to a new report.

The study, from market analysts Datamonitor, said while sustainable packaging is not yet the main reason for purchasing a product, it is becoming a “consumer expectation”. It is one of a growing number of issues – including ethics, economics and environmentalism- that is driving consumer choice, said report author Matthew Adams.

Please click here to continue reading the rest of the outcomes of the report on this consumer trend.

New Retail Lighting Guide from Carbon Trust UK

2009-07-22T01:20:00.001-07:00

The Carbon Trust has published a new guide on how to reduce display lighting costs in the retail sector. The document is entitled "Display lighting - Creating maximum impact with minimal energy consumption".

The guide shows that retailers could cut their display lighting usage by up to 30% by adopting the latest energy saving technology.In addition, as LED lighting advances the potential savings will be greater.The guide can be downloaded from the website of Carbon Trust (downloading the doucment is for free but registration is required).

Organic Food Concept The Netherlands realized by Jos de Vries The Retail Company

2009-07-22T01:19:00.002-07:00

ORGANIC (NL)

Green order and delivery system in retail sector

2009-07-22T01:19:00.001-07:00

Mars Company in the Netherlands is testing a new initiative in logistics: Green order. The objective is to change the order behaviour to reduce the emission of CO2. The impact on the environment will be measured and communicated to the clients. When an order is placed the emission of CO2 will be mentioned at the delivery receipt, to see the effects of the order on the environment.

With Green Order Mars wants to support social responsability and improve the occupation grade of the delivery trucks. The project will be done together with transport company Kuehne + Nagel and the consultancy agency Capgemini.

Introducing the Green Order system they also hope to reduce the number of traffic jams and have lower costs because of a more efficient delivery system. The client will benefit by the more efficient receival of products. Clients will also get a “logistic customer scorecard”, where supplier and client can formulate their environment goals.

German retailer REWE launches plan to reduce CO2 emission by 30 per cent

2009-07-22T01:18:00.000-07:00

The German retailer REWE has announced plans to reduce its annual CO2 emissions of 2.5 million tons by 30 per cent by 2015. Compared to the 2006 reference year, the CO2 emissions per square metre of sales floor area will thus be reduced from 320 kg to 224 kg. To achieve this goal, the company will cooperate with the Öko-Institut in Germany and with the Federal Office for the Environment in Austria in the collection and evaluation of data and in taking further steps.

More than 60 per cent of the total emissions of REWE Group are caused by the factor "electricity". By increasing the energy efficiency of the stores and by the switching to green electricity important steps towards achieving the corporate climate goals have already been taken. Now, the aspects of refrigerating agents (15 per cent of the emissions), heat (12 per cent), logistics (8 per cent), paper consumption (3 per cent) and business travels (2 per cent) are on the agenda.

French supermarket chain E.Leclerc launched website for fairtrade products

2009-07-22T01:17:00.000-07:00

The French supermarket chain E.Leclerc and Alter ECO (promotor of fair trade products) work together and developed a website (http://www.laboequitable.fr/) to inform and educate the French consumers about the origen and availabilty of the FairTrade Products in their French Leclerc supermarkets.

Information point and meant to created an increase awareness of the use and benefits of the fair trade concepts. The website shows fairtrade products, services and fair trade projects. Leclerc sold last year for a total of 22 million euro on fair trade products, this means a 18,5% of the total turn-over of fairtrade products in France. Alter Eco Americas Corporation is a start-up dedicated to the import and distribution of fair trade food products.

Supermarkets United Kingdom achieve carrier use reduction of 50% since 2006

2009-07-22T01:16:00.000-07:00

Leading supermarkets have failed to meet a target on cutting the use of carrier bags given to customers despite Government campaigns

The amount of plastic bags used by supermarkets has dropped according to research by almost a half in the last three years. This means that retailers were very close to achieving their desired aim of cutting the use by 50%.

This measurement has been taken from leading supermarkets in the United Kingdom Tesco, Waitrose, Asda, Somerfield, Marks and Spencer and the Co-op. This announcement comes as there have been calls this week for supermarkets to be more open about the amount of carriers they use.

Last year, these seven supermarket chains signed up to a voluntary agreement with the Government to achieve a 50 per cent cut in the number of bags given out compared to 2006. In May 2006, 718 million bags were being given out - by May 2009 this had almost halved to 372 million, a reduction of 48 per cent.

Recycling of packages in Spanish market

2009-07-22T01:15:00.000-07:00

The Spanish recycling organisation Ecoembes, recycled last year 1.229.636 tons of packages, a total of 62% of the total market of packages. Furthermore they could turn 99.111 tons into energy value. A total of 1.328.747 tons of packages, 67% of the total market value, was recuperated.

If we look at the typs of material we can see that paper and cartoon was the biggest product group, followed by plastics (+12%) and metal.
The results are higher than the law of packaging from 1997 states. Spain can be placed more and more by the best recycling countries of Europe, countries like France, United Kingdom, Sweden, Czech Republic or Norway.

Since the start of Ecoembes in 1998 they avoided the waste of over 10 million tons of packages, this is the same amount as the contact of 750 football stadions of FC Barcelona. Of this number they recycled over 8 millions of tons, a saving of 7,7 million of tons of CO2, 8.900 Mwh energy (yearly consumption of 900.000 housholds).

In Spain an increasing number of families and companies have the option to separate their garbage. A number of 12.376 Spanish companies work with Ecoembes (90% of the total amount of packaging). The biggest sector of recycling is the food sector, followed by the drinks sector and companies of hygienic and beauty products.

Green Retailing in the Netherlands is booming

2009-07-22T01:14:00.000-07:00

In The Netherlands you see the trend that despite, or maybe thanks to, the crisis, that green retailing is hot. For some important Dutch retailers it was a stimulation to further focus on green retailing, sustainable and repsonsable retailing.

When the economical crisis began, many people were afraid of the effects on green retailing, that companies would choose for cost savings instead of social responsability. Partly this happened, retailers competing on price without thinking to much of the environment, but we also some innovative new initiatives to develop environment-friendly retail projects.

Research shows that 59% of the Dutch people is prepared to pay an extra for more sustainable products and/or services.

Below we give some examples of the Dutch retail sector of how some of the mayor players adapted to environmental-friendly and honest retailing.

Maxeda, the organization of 11 retailers launched a program called “keen on green”.
La Place for example serves only Max Havelaar coffee and biological tea

De Bijenkorf launched a clothing brand “Pure”, all products made of biological cotton

V&D increased the assortment of with a lot of new green products

DIY-markets Formado and Praxis increasingly add new construction materials which are used to make houses more environmental friendly, they even decreased the format of the leaflets which are now printed on environmental friendly paper.

Project “The Green Plug” of BCC electronics chain, increasing the consciousness of the consumers for environmental solutions like saving light bulbs. Clients can borrow energy meters for free.

Clothing brands G-Sus and Mexx are now members of the Fair Wear Foundation

Development of Dutch bio-shopping-mall

In the Dutch city Almere they are working and developing a new bio-shopping-mall. The design is foreseen of a green environmental-friendly roof-top. The green roof, let the shopping-mall integrate with the environment, it is also works as a water reservoir, isolation of heatness and coolness and as roof for the parking. It also it seems a parc. The idea is to integrate a greenhouse under the roof. In the shopping mall they can sell the produce of this greenhouse in a biological restaurant and supermarket.

The total area measures 2.500 sqm, everything built in an environmental friendly way, including a supermarket, biological restaurant, several stores and 28 appartments (selected for the image and sustainability).

Ecolabel: the label for green retailers

2009-07-22T01:13:00.000-07:00

The European Ecolabel is a voluntary scheme, established in 1992 to encourage businesses to market products and services that are kinder to the environment. Products and services awarded the Ecolabel carry the flower logo, allowing consumers - including public and private purchasers - to identify them easily. Today the EU Ecolabel covers a wide range of products and services, with further groups being continuously added. Product groups include cleaning products, appliances, paper products, textile and home and garden products, lubricants and services such as tourist accommodation.

While the logo may be simple, the environmental criteria behind it are tough, and only the very best products, which are kindest to the environment, are entitled to carry the EU Ecolabel. What is more, this is a label that consumers can genuinely trust. The criteria are agreed at European level, following wide consultation with experts, and the label itself is only awarded after verification that the product meets these high environmental and performance standards.

The EU Ecolabel is a rapidly growing brand. Many producers wanting to sell their products across Europe have realised the benefits that the European Ecolabel brings. Products bearing the Flower logo can be marketed throughout the European Union and the EEA countries (Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein).

The voluntary nature of the scheme means that it does not create barriers to trade. On the contrary - many producers find that it gives them a competitive advantage.

Ecolabel criteria are not based on one single factor, but on studies which analyse the impact of the product or service on the environment throughout its life-cycle, starting from raw material extraction in the pre-production stage, through to production, distribution and disposal.

The flower logo helps manufacturers, retailers and service providers gain recognition for good standards, while helping purchasers to make reliable choices. The EU Ecolabel is part of a broader action plan on Sustainable Consumption and Production and Sustainable Industrial Policy adopted by the Commission on 16 July 2008.

Over the past ten years, the "Flower" has become a European-wide symbol for products, providing simple and accurate guidance to consumers.All products bearing the "Flower" have been checked by independent bodies for complying with strict ecological and performance criteria.
There are currently twenty-three different product groups, and already more than 250 licences have been awarded for several hundred products.

The EU Eco-label is administered by the European Eco-labelling Board (EUEB) and receives the support of theEuropean Commission, all Member States of the European Union andthe European Economic Area (EEA).The Eco-labelling Board includesrepresentatives such as industry,environment protection groupsand consumer organisations.

Check http://www.eco-label.com/ for the manufacturers and retailers who have this label and/or for more information on this topic.

Fair Trade Shop: development of a new store concept

2009-07-22T01:12:00.002-07:00

Opening first WAAR store in Nijmegen

At the end of 2008 FaiRSupport, the retail organization behind Fair Trade Shops and Wereldwinkels, opened the first store of the new WAAR-concept. The Fair Trade Shops are located in the center of Amsterdam. The Hague, Haarlem and Utrecht. Fair Trade Original products can be found in the Fair Trade Shops and WAAR. During this year the Fair Trade Shops will be transformed to the by Jos de Vries The Retail Company newly developed store concept of the WAAR-stores.

What is WAAR?

WAAR builds further on the known fundamental elements of the Fair Trade Shop. Fairtrade is one the of the most important focus points of this new formula. The assortment has been increased, FaiRSupport added some special products and product groups. Clients can now find biological articles, products with FSC quality mark and articles of recycled material with a special design. The statement in the store explains where WAAR stands for “ WAAR believes that the world becomes a better place by giving. Worldwide you are able to find authentical gift-ideas with an inspiring story to share. About beauty, power, emotion and love. WAAR brings these pure products, which communicate, closer. For others or for yourself. Always special because of the origen and for returning something to the world. This is WAAR. WAAR is a world to give. “

Durable entrepeneurship

WAAR centralizes to do business in a durable way. The new store concept has been developed by Dutch retail specialist company Jos de Vries The Retail Company. This company has long-time experience in retail and has developed and designed several succesful shop formulas in Europe for the last 28 years. The focus by the development of this concept was on working in the thoughts of the FaiRSupport philosophy, durable and fair products. The interior and the construction has been performed with as many durable products possible, ecological paint and FSC wood. The shelves have been selected to be durable and by type of enviromental-friendly material. To save the environment and lower the energy costs, durable energy and cost-saving lighting has been placed in the store.The communication is as much as possible digital to save paper and printing. The product information in-store is been provided on tv-screens and future direct mail will be digital.

A special story

Behind the products of WAAR there is always a special story, who produces it, which techniques are used and are there any rituals or uses connected with this product preparation. The products tell these stories, to tell the store further. The more stories told the better the companies who need it will benefit from it, the companies in developing countries. This manner of “storytelling” plays more and more an important role in this store and outside this store. WAAR has been developed in cooperation with Bloei, Van Keulen Interieurbouw and VVO2 Retailcommunicatie.WAAR has developed a new website www.ditiswaar.nl where you can find more information on this concept. For other newly developed retail concepts you can take a look at www.josdevries.eu.

Green retailing: the green revolution that changes the retail landscape

2009-07-22T01:12:00.001-07:00

Jos de Vries The Retail Company and Retail Bouw Management are focusing on the the development “ The Green Shopping Experience “, green retailing and environmental thinking ánd acting in retail. We have to think of the paradox between of earning money on the one side and on the side to “educate” the consumer of consuming less, that the customer adapts will be adapted and that environmental friendly and social responsable products are being purchased.

Last week Alexis Mavrommatis, senior consultant at Jos de Vries The Retail Company Spain gave an inspring presentation on green retailing for the prestigious EADA Mba business school in Barcelona. This school will launch a new speciality of retail management, where one of the central themes will be “green retailing”.
In the presentation he mentioned that especially in these difficult crisis it is difficult to think and act environmental friendly. Important aspects for green retailing for retailers are adapting to the different senses of the consumers: the mental, emotional, intellectual, fysical and motivation aspect.

It is necessary to be different, authentic and to increase the multisector perception, break routines and communicate with the customers. The green revolution is not just a trend, but an increasingly important phenomen in the world of retail, it will change our lives, the way we consume and the way we buy.

In the United Kingdom and Germany we can see the retailers develop their own green plans, like for example Marks&Spencer with their Plan A. But also Tesco and Sainsbury focus on the green aspect in the retail landscape.

Below we give some of the example of green retailing in the United Kingdom.

Investment in logistics and recycling: Tesco invests 150.000 euro per store in recycling.

Sainsbury´s invests in logistics: the trucks use fuel which is generated from the recycled garbage of the stores.

Environmental friendly shopping bag of Tesco, which includes the recycling of 15 cans of Coca Cola.

Clients are being rewarded with the loyalty system when they do green purchases.

Retailtrends from all over the world: marketing focusing on kids

2009-07-22T01:11:00.001-07:00

This week we show the latest trends on marketing for kids, retailing focusing on the kids. Children are the future, the consumers of today and tomorrow. Who wants to create loyalty of the kids needs more than a conversative concept, Jos de Vries The Retail Company shows you the latest trends in marketing for kids.

American Girl (United States)
The store American Girl focuses experience and services go hand in hand. Directly after the entrance you can find the “American library for girls”, decorated with 3D paintings. On the first floor the young clients can dress up their dolls or go to the doll doctor. Also they can walk with their doll through a mini-New York shopping street. There is place for 220 “doll-mothers”. They also can take a photo shoot with their favourite doll in a professional photo studio.

Instore Kids Corners (Spain)
Instore Kids Corners is worlds market leader offering a large number of different Play Structures, Play Systems and interactive games but the basic principle for all these products is the same: “Turning Play Into Profit”. More turnover by entertaining the client’s children or by guiding them through the store with play systems installed at strategic points. The play systems are suitable for 1m2 to unlimited space. Instore Kids Corners also offers Child Furniture, indoor and outdoor Play Structures or custom developed products. Jos de Vries The Retail Company is in Spain the official distributor of the products of Instore Kids Corners.

Ikea (Sweden)

Children form an important role at the famous Swedish Retail chain Ikea. "Småland , land of the small the children is an added value which we can see in every Ikea-store. The children are in these kids area able to create their own experience world. Children between 3 and 10 year are accompanied by experiences personell. The possibilities are almost unlimited, if necessary parents can be informed. Throughout the store you can see that they focus on children, including own bath rooms.

Jamin (The Netherlands)

Delicious, hand-made and crispy products – in the marketing strategy of the experienced Dutch candy specialist these are the key words. With these themes the company focuses on the children, creating a wide range of various candy products. Since over 125 year this candy company is a big player in The Netherlands, especially with the children.

Imaginarium (Spanje)

At the Spanish toy chain Imaginarium the children are the most important clients. This directly is obvious when you see the entrance of the store, a normal entrance for the parents and a special entrance for the children. In the store, next to the big assortment of toys, there is a restaurant. Here the children are able to prepare their own meals with professional suport. All the meals are healthy and show the children what is good and healthy but especially why this is. The Flagship-store at Passeo de Gracia in Barcelona Centre is also for the parents very interesting to visit.

Globus (Germany)
Learning by playing this is the idea of the new Globus stores, in these stores the green theme is central. Their green retail also focuses on children, like in the Southern German city of Freilassing. Here the children learn how recycling works by clear recycle-furniture where they can collect plastic, cartoon and batteries. (every type of material has their own colour). With this idea, on a innovative and pedagogical way the children learn how to show the environment.

Contact data:

Contactgegevens:

Jos de Vries The Retail Company BV

Safariweg 6-11

3605 MA Maarssen

P.O. Box 1194

NL-3600 BD Maarssen

The Netherlands

Tel. : +31(0)346 - 563764

Fax : +31(0)346 - 572722

maurice@josdevries.eu

www.josdevries.eu

Retailtrends from all over the world: Fairtrade Marketing

2009-07-22T01:10:00.001-07:00

This item appears monthly in the German magazine for food professionals Rundschau für den Lebensmittelhandel and Jos de Vries The Retail Company is responsable for the articles where the latest trends on the different topics are presented.

The theme which is very actual is Fair Trade and Green Retailing. The increase of social responsability, environmental friendly and honest products is big. Below you can find an overview of how some big international food retailers adapt to this development.

Marks & Spencer (United Kingdom)
FairTrade in optima-forma. The British supermarket chain Marks & Spencer named 5 objtectives: reducing the level of CO2, less garbage, fair trade, sustainable products and motiving the customer to live healthy. In the cafetarias of the Marks & Spencer for example you can only find FairTrade-products. All supported by various communication media to present and promote the Plan A.

Migros (Switzerland)
Continue low pricing and a FairTrade-bonus is one of the warranties of the Swiss supermarket chain Migros. The bonus is being used in worldwide social projects, for example building schools in India. These constructions are done with environmental-friendly materials, good working conditions and minimum wages.

Globus (Czech Republic)
Without demand products will not be offered. In Czech Republic for years there has been limited demand of fair-trade-products. Globus started to offer fairtrade-products in their assortment, following the worldwide trend of fairtrade-products. By offering fairtrade-products a demand was created, creating new opportunities for this German retailer in Czech Republic.

WAAR (The Netherlands)
This new Dutch formule of the FairTrade-organization improves the world by giving. Giving opportunities and telling a story. Every product is different, the origen differs and every product therefor has his own story. This is clearly communicated in the store (first store opened in Nijmegen, The Netherlands), where a big assortment of “honoust products” can be found.

Contact data:

Jos de Vries The Retail Company BV

Safariweg 6-11

3605 MA Maarssen

P.O. Box 1194

NL-3600 BD Maarssen

The Netherlands

Tel. : +31(0)346 - 563764

Fax : +31(0)346 - 572722

maurice@josdevries.eu

Retailtrends: biological products in the supermarket

2009-07-22T01:09:00.000-07:00

Retailtrends from all over the world. This item appears monthly in the German magazine for food professionals Rundschau für den Lebensmittelhandel and Jos de Vries The Retail Company is responsable for the articles where the latest trends on the different topics are presented.

Just a small assortment and referral to these products are not sufficient anymore, biological products are “hot”. How do big retailers adapt to this trend? Below you can find some sales ideas which you find at some big European and Northern American retailers.

Supercoop (The Netherlands)
The Dutch supermarket chain Supercoop developed an own biological zone in their supermarket. Customers can find a wide range of biological and health products. The department is specially excitrated, support with communicative messages and special graphical materials. Everything focussed with special spot-lightning to bring full atention to this wide range of biological products.

Planet Organic (Ireland)
Who wants to sell biological products with success has to present it in an interesting manner and offer authentical products. The British chain Plant Organic succeeded at both points. This formula, with currently 4 stores, goes for the most exclusive quality (communicative supported with POS-material and the packaging) and for a wide range of organic products. The products are considered to be fresh, healthy and unique in the market.

Hediard (France)

Luxery products are also available in the assortment of biological products, this we see at the French supermarket chain Hediard. This formula is famous for the premium-quality of biological products, where the origen of the product and the quality check are the central points.

Whole Foods (United States)
The big American food retailer Whole Foods made a big change to biological and ecological products. In the 270 stores there is a wide range of fresh, biological produced fruits and vegetables. The products directly come from the field what guarantees the freshness and quality.

www.jdv-trc.blogspot.com

The Retourette: Recycling point in Dutch supermarkets

2009-07-22T01:08:00.000-07:00

Retourette is a collection point of all the small houshold garbage, batteries, paper, glas, carton, clothes, can, shoes and empty places can be delivered to the Retourette points. The customers can hand in everything at one point and it is all for free.

The new Retourette stores are developed in a way that it gives everybody a good feeling to think environmental friendly, the delivery point is an interactive way to learn how to think green, for young and old. Children get to know Ronnie the Rainbow Caterpillar. Ronnie learns the children what the effects and advantages are of recycling your garbage. Children see the importancy of thinking green.

Retourette is not only just a recycling point, it is also a sponsor of charity projects. 5% of the total turn-over of Retourette goes to charity projects to maintain and imprive our environment.

Below you can see some impressions of the new Retourette-shop in Aalst (The Netherlands), the Retourette is like other stores, located in a zone of supermarket or shopping mall.

WWW.JOSDEVRIES.EU your partner in green retail

Reducing the use of Plastic Carrier Bags in retail

2009-07-22T01:07:00.002-07:00

One of the most succesfull campaigns about plastic carrier bags was where the market town of Modbury in Devon banned all shoppers from using plastic carrier bags. People were instead provided with biodegradable cornstarch, recyclable paper or reusable cotton and jute bags.

In 2007, hundreds of rich fashionistas queued outside Sainsbury’s to buy a bag designed by Anya Hindmarsh (a designer, see left for an example) carrying the slogan “I’m not a plastic bag”. For a while this became the latest must-have accessory.

In February 2007, the retail industry agreed to reduce the overall environmental impact of carrier bags by 25 per cent by the end of 2008. This is a comprehensive objective aimed at cutting the total amount of raw materials and energy used in bag manufacture and minimising the effect of their disposal. This will involve: reducing the environmental impact (using alternative materials and lighter weight bags); encouraging customers to take or use fewer bags; and enabling the recycling of bags, eg by offering collection facilities.

7 billion plastic bags are given away annually in the UK of which only 1 in 200 are recycled, according to The Guardian. Environmental groups complain that the bags use up natural resources, consume energy to manufacture, create litter, choke marine life and add to landfill waste. It goes without saying, of course, that all those copies of The Guardian, its supplements and blasted wallcharts never add to global warming.

London Councils are to urge the Government to allow them to set a charge of 10p per bag in London. Retailers would oppose this as being too comprehensive.

Waitrose is trialing baglessness: free carrier bags have been removed from all checkouts at the Saffron Walden store and at selected checkouts in fourteen other stores for a two-week trial in May. No results provided yet.

Meanwhile The Guardian is campaigning to encourage shoppers and retailers to support the first ever national plastic bag-free Christmas. We Are What We Do hopes to persuade retailers to tell shoppers that they will not automatically get a plastic bag, and to display a colourful logo saying "Plastic Ain't My Bag". Who thinks these things up?

Dutch soft drink manufacturers plan saving energy

2009-07-22T01:07:00.001-07:00

The Dutch soft drink sector will save yearly 2 per cent in energy costs. This plan will include the yearly saving untill 2020. The cooperation of Soft Drinks, Juices and Waters (Dutch name FWS), including companies like Coca Cola, Vrumona, Refresco, United Softdrinks and Hero, agreed this last Friday with the government.

The focus point of the agreement is to lower the quantity of energy per product, for example looking to reduce the quantity of water. The participating companies are responsable for 80% of the energy use in the soft drinks sector.

Asda Supermarket introduces environmental friendly beef product

2009-07-22T01:06:00.001-07:00

As one of the first UK supermarkets, Asda has achieved an environmentally friendly product in its low carbon beef. Having made efforts to establish and lower the level Co2 emission of its dairy bulls, the store is now offering beef that emits a third less carbon than the standard twenty-four month cattle. The chain has produced the industry's lowest carbon rate in meat produce.

This new method of supply won the Best Head Office Initiative Award at the 2009 Supermeat and Fish Awards in London last week. The supermarket chain, worked closely together with their suppliers, now rearing dairy bulls for 9-11 months in order to reduce the carbon measurement emitted from the dairy bull during its lifetime. The results are smaller and more manageable portions, a more positive impact on the environment, and a cheaper product for consumers.

Asda hopes that the operation can benefit their stores throughout the UK and that it results into a greener and cheaper product which benefits suppliers, retailers and consumers alike. The group hopes to extend this production process into dairy products like eggs.

Spanish supermarket chain Condis focuses in green retailing by using electric delivery van

2009-07-22T01:05:00.002-07:00

The Spanish supermarket chain Condis gives a new impuls to sustainabilty in retail. The last result is the introduction of the electric delivery van, delivering the internet orders at home. The initiative will be tested first in the region of Barcelona, but there are plans to adapt it also to the rest of the stores in Spain.

The new ecological delivery van reaches a maximum speed of 80 kilometer per hour and has a reach of 160 kilometer with an availability of 2 tons of weigth. The recharge point is located at the central office in Montcada I Reixach (province of Barcelona), where the chain also placed 200 sun panels and biodiesel tank for the current vans.

At this moment the Condis Group posesses 20 delivery vans in the metropolitan area of Barcelona to deliver the internet orders at home. The new delivery van, being the first food distributor in Spain, will not be added to the current number of delivery vans but will replace the traditional ones. The big advantage of this new delivery van is that there is no emission of CO2, next to the lower costs in maintenance there the motor is more easy to repair.

Condis supermarkets are located in Catalonia and in the centre of Madrid, with 193 owned supermarkets and 224 franchisers. In 2008 the Condis Group made a turn-over of 762 million euros.

Delhaize Belgium launches ecological, multi-temperature truck

2009-07-22T01:05:00.001-07:00

Delhaize Belgium launched a new ecological, multi-temperature truck to limite the impact on the environment and mobility. With 2 levels with differing temperatures this truck has more space inside, therefor less trucks are needed to transport the products to the supermarkets. Less trucks results into lower emission of CO2 and less trafic jams. In the strategy of sustainibility Delhaize also makes a lot of efforts in green retailing. The truck drivers were trained in “eco-proactive driving” to drive more ecological. In 2008 a new planning has been introduced, resulting into 40 trucks less, 2 million kilometers and a reduce in emission of CO2 with 21.000ton. The Ecotruck has now been launched to further lower the emission of CO2. The ecotruck will be used for the longer distances.

More products can be transported because of the 60% extra capacity. With 2 levels and different temperatures more product groups can be transported at once. The first results of this new eco-truck are very positive. Delhaize is now thinking of adding 3 new Eco-trucks to their car park.

Sainsbury´s opens new flagship green store in United Kingdom

2009-07-22T01:04:00.001-07:00

Sainsbury’s Dartmouth store is run on renewable energy, reducing CO₂ emissions by 40%.

Sainsbury´s opened a new flagship green store in Dartmouth, Devon (United Kingdom), in August 2008. Built with respect for the use of natural resources, including energy, water, waste, timber and land, the store was specifically designed to reduce both its operational and embodied carbon.

The pioneering store will save 40% of its overall CO₂ emissions, achieved by the use of cutting edge technology. The store’s ‘biomass boiler' will heat both the building and water, using locally sourced wood that would otherwise be wasted. By using renewable energy, the amount of energy consumed from the national grid has been dramatically reduced by 50%.

Sainsbury's Dartmouth has been designed to leak fewer draughts and employs other measures, such as 'quiet revolution wind turbines' ™, to power the checkouts. This is contributing to cutting electricity usage (kWh) by a third overall.

Further carbon savings are made through the use of lower lighting levels and increased use of daylight, and cool air will be collected from chillers to keep the store cool during warmer months.

Rainwater harvesting is one of the techniques being used to reduce water consumption. Collected rainwater is used to flush customer and colleague toilets, and to irrigate plants. The store will save over one million litres of mains water every year, and uses 60% less water overall as a result.

The store's construction is also environmentally responsible, and where possible recycled or recyclable materials have been used or FSC-approved timber. As 200 trees have been used for the frame of the store, Sainsbury's will also re-plant 400 trees in the local community.

The Dartmouth store is an important stage in the plans to roll out sustainable features to the remainder for further expansion of Sainsbury´s in the United Kingdom. These plans make a significant contribution to their overall target to reduce CO₂ emissions per square metre by 25% by 2012.

More information on http://www.j-sainsburys.co.uk/