Retail

City Wire, February 3, 2014 Wal-Mart has plenty of fans and critics when it comes to the retailer’s sustainability initiatives. When former CEO Lee Scott boldly announced the retailer’s sustainability platform eight years ago, there were doubters that Wal-Mart would stay the course. While the journey to a Green Wal-Mart is a long one, there is … Read More

Shreveport Times, January 30, 2014 After more than 20 years in business, another neighborhood restaurant will close its doors Friday. Cafe Pierremont, known for its fresh vegetables and daily lunch specials, joins the handful of local restaurants that have closed in the past few months. “It’s time to turn the page,” said owner Barbara Landman, who … Read More

Time Magazine, January 6, 2014 Alaska state officials are hosting Walmart executives in the state capital this week in an effort to resolve a months-old dispute over Alaskan salmon fisheries’ sustainability credentials. The seeds of the quarrel were planted in 2012 when several Alaskan fisheries decided to end their relationship with the Marine Stewardship Council–the preeminent … Read More

Gothamist, January 5, 2014 There’s no denying that Mayor Bloomberg dramatically changed the landscape of NYC through bike lanes, new buildings construction, and rezoning. In some ways—like with improved and increased street space—this has been a very good thing. But in other ways—like the homelessness epidemic and with the loss of affordable housing to taxpayer subsidized … Read More

E&E Daily, December 10, 2013 A glance at Environmental Defense Fund President Fred Krupp’s environmental allies presents a strange picture: They include Wal-Mart CEO Mike Duke; former President George H.W. Bush counsel C. Boyden Gray; and executives from Anadarko Petroleum, Noble Energy and Encana. But the ethos of EDF under Krupp’s 29-year reign has been atypical: … Read More

Truth Out, December 7, 2013 Next time someone tells you they shop at Walmart because it’s cheap or convenient, share this. Despite 1,500 protests nationwide against Walmart, the world’s biggest retailer claimed its most lucrative Black Friday ever in 2013. Our friends and neighbors flock there. They do – even those who have seen mom-and-pop stores … Read More

The Daily Journal, December 6, 2013 Locally-owned shops versus national retail stores? An afterthought for us, but for small businesses it can mean life or death. “I made my living in this community,” said 79-year-old Paul Cardosi as he was having his watch band repaired at Andaul Jewelers in Bourbonnais. “Why not shop locally? People supported … Read More

Various Sources, November 25-30, 2013 ILSR was mentioned in a number of stories related to the start of the holiday shopping season. Below are links to some of those stories: Locally owned businesses participate in Cyber Monday – WHAS The Institute for Local Self-Reliance and 150 Local Business organizations representing over 40,000 Local Independent businesses across … Read More