Retail Case Study Thirty-one retailers made Newsweek magazine’s 2014 list of “America’s Greenest Companies,” which ranked 500 of the largest U.S. companies on corporate sustainability and environmental impact. Such sustainability efforts generally come from the top and incorporate multiple goals, such as achieving zero waste, reducing carbon footprint, and making environmental conservation a priority. Sustainability initiatives are also seen as beneficial to the bottom line, because they can improve a retailer’s image, both literally and figuratively. With more than 1,000 department stores in 49 U.S. states, one retailer was facing a major turnaround: It had been on such “top companies” lists in the past, but a new CEO was being brought in to return the company to profitability.

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