PRSM Weekly

The Home Depot helps organize Moore, Okla., tornado recovery

24 May 2013 10:25:44 CDT

When disasters strike, like the F5 tornado that swept through Moore, Okla., on May 20, The Home Depot takes on a whole new character, quickly transforming into command central for first responders and relief agencies. See how the retailer in Moore rapidly engaged with civil and volunteer organizations to spearhead the relief effort. And how the company's flexible culture has guided them through a recent spate of disasters across the southwest region.

Walgreens mobilizes aid for Oklahoma tornado survivors

24 May 2013 10:25:44 CDT

Responding to Monday’s tornado in the Oklahoma City area, Walgreens mobilized increased shipments of essential supplies to its area stores, made an initial donation of three semi-trailers of food, water and first aid supplies to the Oklahoma chapter of the American Red Cross and offered customers an opportunity to make donations at its Oklahoma drugstores.

ISSA's online registry for purchasing enviro-friendly cleaning products

24 May 2013 10:25:44 CDT

Transpare is a free online purchasing resource from ISSA, the worldwide cleaning industry association, and its partner Ecoform. It offers product buyers an easy way to identify, compare, and select environmentally-friendly cleaning products.

Sustainable retail operations offer retail facilities managers a great deal

24 May 2013 10:25:44 CDT

A lot of focus in the retail industry centers on environmentally friendly store design and construction bur retailers can reap profit from green strategies in store operations and maintenance. Regardless of whether you lease or own your space, operations and maintenance can have significant impacts every day on the well being of your employees and customers, the environment and your budget.

High-level Starbucks exec heads to Kohl's

24 May 2013 10:25:44 CDT

Just three weeks after Starbucks shuffled three of its top executives, one has left for the department store chain Kohl's. Michelle Gass, like the other two Starbucks executives, had long been considered a possible replacement for Howard Schultz when he again steps down as CEO.

Apax Partners to take rue21 private in $1.1 billion deal

24 May 2013 10:25:44 CDT

Private equity firm Apax Partners LLP has agreed to acquire rue21 Inc. for about $1.1 billion, attracted by the teen-apparel retailer's growth and cash flow and keen to add to a retail portfolio that includes Cole Haan and Takko Fashion. Rue21 said that Apax, whose old funds already own a 30 percent stake in the company, will pay $42.00 per share in cash, representing a premium of 23 percent to its Wednesday close. Shares of the company jumped to $41.90.

L'ORÉAL USA's New Jersey Research & Innovation Facility is awarded LEED® GOLD Certification

24 May 2013 10:25:44 CDT

L'Oréal USA announced that the renovation of the company's hair and skincare laboratory, has been awarded LEED® Gold certification. The company's U.S. laboratories are located in Clark, New Jersey and this is the third of L'Oréal USA's facilities to receive LEED certification established by the U.S. Green Building Council and verified by the Green Building Certification Institute. The company's Franklin, N.J., manufacturing plant was awarded LEED® Silver for the expansion of its operations in December 2010 and its Berkeley Heights, N.J., administrative offices, which is home to over 400 employees, was awarded LEED® Gold in March 2011.

Simon plans $170 million renovation, expansion of Woodbury Common

24 May 2013 10:25:44 CDT

Simon Property Group announced that it plans to enhance and expand Woodbury Common Premium Outlets, in Central Valley, N.Y. The $170 million project will include architectural improvements to existing buildings and the development of new retail spaces and facilities, landscape improvements, and the integration of new customer amenities.

13 ways to painlessly improve profitability in 2013: Online resources

24 May 2013 10:25:44 CDT

How can energy become a profit center? Over the last 13 weeks we've provided a guide on how that can be done utilizing simple, low-cost/no-cost tips. We've covered a wide array of topics in the series from showing you how to decipher your electricity bill and conduct your own energy audit to motivating your staff to become energy/water misers and scheduling energy usage just like you do your staff. As we close the series, we'd like to leave you with a treasure trove of websites where you can find out more about the topics covered.

Alberta retail sales growth best in Canada

24 May 2013 10:25:44 CDT

Year-over-year retail sales growth in Alberta in March was the highest in Canada as the province hit its second highest monthly total ever, according to Statistics Canada. And the arrival of retail giant Target is sure to spur additional sales in the province in the near future as consumers signal continued confidence in the economy by their spending habits.

Tesco sets 3 social responsibility goals

24 May 2013 10:25:44 CDT

Tesco has published its first Tesco and Society Report, setting out three new social ambitions for its business – to reduce food waste globally, provide opportunities for young people, and help customers and colleagues live healthier lives.

Record results for Dollar Tree in Q1

24 May 2013 10:25:44 CDT

Dollar Tree achieved the highest first-quarter operating margin in its history for the first quarter ended May 4. Consolidated net sales for the first quarter ended May 4 were $1.9 billion, an 8 percent increase from $1.7 billion for the quarter ended April 28 last year. The value retailer saw a comparable store sales increase of 2 percent on top of a 6 percent increase for the first quarter last year.

Tim Hortons diverts 70 percent of waste from landfills

24 May 2013 10:25:44 CDT

In 2012, Tim Hortons diverted 70 percent of its manufacturing and distribution waste from landfills and aims for a 10 percent increase in waste diversion by the end of 2014, according to its recently released third annual sustainability report. The chain also achieved LEED certification on its pilot restaurant in Hamilton, Ontario, and registered another four locations in 2012. By 2016 the goal is to register a minimum of 30 new restaurants for LEED certification.

Procurement: Lowest price doesn't always mean lowest cost

24 May 2013 10:25:44 CDT

Maintenance and engineering managers in the process of specifying products and technology for institutional and commercial facilities need to remember that suppliers are in business to make money. Negotiating the lowest possible price does not necessarily translate into the lowest possible cost. These proven strategies can help lower your total acquisition costs and, more importantly over the long term, total cost of ownership.

Confidence improves as US consumers' views on economy mend

24 May 2013 10:25:44 CDT

Consumer sentiment advanced, an indication that gains in housing and stock markets are bolstering Americans’ outlooks on the economy. The weekly Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index increased to minus 29.4 for the period ended May 19 from minus 30.2 the prior week. A measure of personal finances was positive for a sixth consecutive week, the longest stretch in more than five years.