Fair Trade Is Green

It’s no secret that “green” is red hot. You’ve surely noticed the marketing campaigns and retail trends that appeal to consumers’ eco-conscience, and small businesses can’t afford to ignore the profit possibilities. Here’s something else you already know: the big boys have cornered the discount goods market. There’s no way to top the buying power of chain stores without undercutting your own bottom line. Small retailers must set themselves apart in order to survive, and buying the same mass produced... 

Recycled Movie Handbags

The first thing customers do when they see recycled movie film handbags is smile and say something like, “OMG,” or, “I can’t believe it,” or, “Wow, I know someone who this bag would be perfect for!” Then they spend at least several minutes, and often longer, trying to figure out what movies they recognize in the bags. This product is definitely an item that keeps folks in your store, or brings them in to see what films they might recognize. Store owners see the delight in shoppers’ faces when they... 

Wal-Mart Implements Greener Standards for Its Suppliers

The nation’s largest retailer is taking further steps toward an environmentally sound business model–specifically by evaluating its supply chain. Wal-Mart announced on Thursday that it planned to cut as much as 20 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions, which would be the environmental equivalent of taking 3.8 million cars off the road. In order to achieve this goal, the company’s suppliers are being asked to rethink the manner in which they source, manufacture, package and transportgoods with the highest embedded carbon.... 

Create an Eco Buzz: Sell Hemp

It happens nearly every time; whether it is at a street fair, the New York Fashion Boutique Show, a store, or a Grateful Dead show, the first thing a person does when they encounter products made from 100 percent hemp fabric is pick it up and smell it. Countless wholesale and retail customers all agree: this is the predominant reaction to someone’s first exposure to product made from hemp (Cannabis Sativa L.). This nasal curiosity is quite a buzz because according to the Webster’s Dictionary, and the U.S. government, hemp products are... 

Kohl’s Leads the Pack in Green Energy

Department store chain Kohl’s—already the number-one ranking retailer as far as green power purchases—has officially gone to the next level. The company has announced that it has achieved 100 percent green power. “Starting 2010 at 100 percent green power helps reduce our carbon footprint and brings us another step closer to achieving our goal of reaching net zero greenhouse emissions by the end of the year,” said Ken Bonning, Kohl’s Executive VP of Store Planning & Logistics. Kohl’s has purchased nearly 1.4 billion kilowatt-hours... 

Go Green & Grow With The BAGGLER

People agree that there are two major product sectors that will experience growth, in a marketplace that has seen general declines in retail sales. Products that fall into the categories of (1) Health & Wellness and (2) Go Green, will benefit by anticipated increases in demand. The BAGGLER Company manufactures and sells products that provide ergonomic and eco-friendly solutions. Keeping in line with our product philosophy and Mission Statement, we market our cornerstone products together, to form a single retail item called, The BAGGLER Combo... 

Conserving for Profit

The environment and the economy go hand in hand. The time has come for the environment and conserving natural resources to be factored into consumer products’ and is essential for a competitive economy in the 21st century. For example, when CFC’s were found to create holes in the ozone layer, businesses and consumers alike made changes to accommodate for the problems created. And today, no business could thrive using CFC’s in their product. Environmental concerns must be factored into our business decisions, in order to sustain...