Retailers Reputations Rise Due To Environmental Initiatives

November 9, 2007

Email this story Print this post Add your comments

Marks & Spencer and Wal-Mart drive the ethical agenda of retailers, which has been dominated by environmental issues in 2006-2007, according to the Covalence Retail Industry Report 2007.

Marks & Spencer is a proactive leader, according to the report, appearing in many positive news items and maintaining a low level of negative news. Wal-Mart is more of a reactive leader. After being a target of critical campaigns for many years, the company started a move towards CSR in 2006, as the EthicalQuote reputation curve shows.

Eight out of the top ten positive issues registered for 2006 -? 2007 deal with the environment. These eight issues are: carbon footprint, green, or “Eco Options” labels on products; eco-textile clothing lines; CO2 Emissions cuts in stores or supply chains; Marks & Spencer’s “eco-plan” includes going carbon neutral; pushing suppliers to improve sustainability – Packaging Scorecard; companies reducing the use of conventional plastic bags; and environmentally responsible products.

Major negative issues affecting the ethical reputation of retailers deal with working conditions: international workplace abuses or low wages in the supply chain; anti-union tactics or violations of right to organize; ratio of CEO pay to worker pay; companies forcing employees to work through breaks; unethical behavior; low wages; unfair working conditions at Bangladeshi factories; and violation of ETI due to worker exploitation in supply chains.

Covalence predicts that the ethical reputation of retailers will continue to progress as long as the current environmental wave lasts. Alternatively, a possible climate fatigue and the return of labor issues important in the public scene could bring difficult times. There is a serious risk of being perceived as trading-off, or hiding labor issues behind green credentials that could, according to the report, harm years of efforts in reputation-building.

click to enlarge

Email this story Print this post Add your comments

Advertisers

Stay competitive through sustainability.

Find out how at the SAP Sustainability Resource Center. >>

Unclear about the EPA's new GHG Rule?

Learn how it could affect your business. >>

EPA mandatory emissions reporting starts Jan 1st

CSA Standards can help your organization get ready for compliance. Find out how. >>

Survey Results: Product Environmental Compliance Best Practices

How to achieve compliance at a significantly lower cost. Download the full report. >>

Join the Discussion

Reader Comments

In Canada, Loblaw Company Limited has opened its third bagless supermarket/department store. They have had ‘green products’ under the PC name for over 20 years. Walmart is far back and is not a leader when it comes to being green.
They only want green when it is profitable for them.

Alex | November 9th, 2007

Recent Daily News [ see all ]

11/20/2009
11/19/2009
11/18/2009

Charts [ see all ]

European Paper Industry Cuts CO2 Emissions by 42% since 1990

S. America Takes Most Urgent View of Copenhagen Talks

Nike Tops Annual Climate Action Scores

Oceans May Trap more Carbon than Forests

Jobs

View All Jobs >> Post a Job >>

Comments and Discussions

Trade Association on Trade Group on EPA Chemical Regs: ‘If Everything is a Priority, Then Nothing is a Priority’
"Seriously… that..."

Gary Markowitz on Supermarkets Tackle Emissions Reductions, Fuel Efficiency
"Supermarkets waste over 10 percent of their energy through improper..."

peter in ireland on Ontario May Follow California’s Lead on TV Energy Efficiency
"Governor Schwarzenegger is shooting himself in the foot! 1...."

Environmental Leader on S. America Takes Most Urgent View of Copenhagen Talks
"The survey respondents (the PDF report mentions 4,000 respondents in 38..."

Jake on UPS Trying New Hydraulic Hybrid Trucks
"A point of clarification: the Reuters press release referenced herein reports that 20 UPS will purchase..."

Custom Organic Shirts on S. America Takes Most Urgent View of Copenhagen Talks
"90% of North Americans believe it is urgent to get a global climate..."

peter dublin on California City’s Green Building Ordinance Applies to Commercial Buildings
"Why energy efficiebnt regulation on buildings –..."

Environmental Leader