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How Green is Your Supply Chain?
In Wednesday's issue of The New York Times, Claudia H. Deutsch wrote about the fact that many companies, including retailers, are now "looking at their supply chain as the next frontier for combating climate change." ("For Suppliers, the Pressure Is On," November 7, 2007) She called it "Phase 3 of the greening of corporate America." Wisely this new interest in carbon footprint had been couched in the lingua franca of business, with the emphasis being on the efficiencies, particularly in terms of costs, of green operations.
Here in Canada, Danica has spearheaded a drive to a greener supply chain by switching to shipping exclusively with used boxes and challenging its industry competitors to follow its lead and employ more environmentally-conscious shipping practices. Have other companies in the industry taken up the challenge? Is it something that retailers are asking about?
Another piece of "green" news that landed on my desk today was the report in the Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune ("Holiday Shoppers Hot for 'Green' Gifts" by Jackie Crosby) that "Minnesotans were embracing earth-friendly holiday giving." According to a survey conducted by Deloitte of Twin Cities-area shoppers, 20 percent "say they plan to purchase an eco-friendly product this holiday season." The survey's definition of eco-friendly included organic items, and goods that use less packaging, contain recycled materials, or incorporate energy conservation. Given the fact that the environment has been a top-of-mind concern for Canadians for the better part of the year, it will be interesting to see whether we have a green Christmas.
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Lori Smith, , Editor-in-Chief
Lori Smith is the editor of Gifts and Tablewares, Canada's premiere gifts and tablewares magazine. Written for retailers of gifts, tablewares, housewares, stationery and home furnishing accessories, its objective is to help readers increase their sales and run their businesses more profitably by providing information on new products, merchandising, small business management, customer service, consumer behavior and industry news. The magazine is published six times a year by BIG Magazines, LP, a leading Canadian information company.
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This page contains a single entry from the blog posted on November 9, 2007 6:59 PM.
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