Prostability Analysis: Kohl's Department Store Sustainability

Kohl’s is an American department store, founded by Maxwell Kohl in 1962. In 1946, Maxwell operated his first store which is known as Kohl’s Food Store. After the success of Kohl’s Food Store, he opened his first department store which is Kohl’s Department Store (present). Since that year, it has been operating in the retail industry and it offers clothing, furniture, accessories, electronics, and house ware products. During the 2000s. Kohl’s has expanded nationwide in the United States. Also, Kohl’s is the second largest retail store in the United States. In addition, the target group of Kohl’s are upper middle and upper class individuals especially families.(Gennrich, 2012)

Many firms are learning that being environmentally friendly and sustainable has numerous benefits. (O.C Ferrell, Fraedrich, Ferrell, 2015). This could enable them to increase goodwill from various stakeholders and also save money in the long term. This will mean that they are being more efficient and less wasteful of resources, which will enable them to be more competitive by satisfying stakeholders. The CEO of

Target Corporation uses energy conserving Windows, low wattage bulb fixtures, motion sensors and refrigerator that earns energy stars as well as saves energy cost through these initiatives (Target Sustainability, 2015). Target Corporation energy efficient sustainable building is a commitment to support community and environment using solar energy. Solar energy generation eases the burden of the local power supply company. The more Target Corporation leads with an environmentally sustainable initiative, the Target Corporation brand name becomes popular and more people aware of the brand within the community (CSR, 2014). Target Corporation focus on the growth also based on the customer convenience by building urban stores near mass transit saving an enormous amount of transportation cost and lowering carbon footprint. These urban stores bring more traffic and more sales outperforming the competitors in the same area.

As of the end of fiscal 2012, Kohl’s achieved 752 Energy Star-certified locations, adding 75 stores in 2012 with a goal to reach 800 certified locations by 2015. The retailer also purchased more than 1.5 billion kWh of renewable energy credits; offsetting 100 percent of the company’s purchased electricity use and achieving net zero emissions for the third consecutive year. It also operated 137 solar arrays at stores and corporate facilities, including 16 new locations added in 2012.

American retailer Kohl’s has become a prevalent fixture for the purchase of discounted clothing and home goods in the mid-west for over twenty-five years. The history of the company however has roots much more modest than present day market dominance would suggest. Dating back to a Wisconsin supermarket in 1946, founder Max Kohl grew his small business to the most successful chain of supermarkets in the Milwaukee area (12). By 1962 Kohl opened his first department store in Brookfield, Wisconsin where an eclectic selection of merchandise, from sporting goods, motor oil and candy, was sold (11). In 1972, the Kohl’s Company which by then consisted of 50 grocery stores, six department stores, three drug

S.C Johnson & Son Inc. has a business-level strategy that focusses on environmental protection. According to Green Choices SC Johnson 2013 Public Sustainability Report the company is focusing on minimization of landfill waste, reducing greenhouse gas emission and improving on product chemistry. The company also wants to continue on improving product packaging to ensure that they are attractive to consumers and that they are environmentally friendly. SC Johnson launched two wind turbines in its largest manufacturing facility, these together with the existing cogeneration units enables the facility to generate 100 percent of its power need onsite (SC Johnson, 2010). With generation of power through renewable sources the company experiences low power costs resulting in cost savings. The company launched a five year strategy which aims at ensuring less waste, creating winning products and reducing environmental footprints. SC Johnson is

In the ever-evolving world of manufacturing and marketing, companies are required to adapt to maintain relevancy or remain competitive. Adaptation techniques in business includes inventing a completely new product, revolutionizing an already existing product, or merging with an existing powerhouse company to extend the reach of one’s services and/or products to a larger customer based globally or domestically. Kohl’s has stood the test of time for over 70 years and has maintained relevancy with its customers by consistently reinventing itself to keep up with the needs of the consumers.

In contrast, many people and organizations have argued that Walmart is not holding true to their original sustainable commitments. According to the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, Walmart's greenhouse gas emissions have continued to grow over the last 10 years, and it’s percentage of renewable energy is inadequate compared to other major corporations. Stacy Mitchell, the author of the report and a senior researcher at the Institute believes that the core issue behind Walmart’s lack of action is that they will not change their unsustainable business model to make sustainable advancements. She says that, "Walmart has a highly unsustainable business model, built on shipping goods long distances, selling mountains of very short-lived products,

- Kimpton’s environmental sustainability initiatives have proven successful and beneficial both in terms of its environmental and business benefits. Environmental improvement is one of the benefits of diverting waste. Some of the benefits are exemplified in their rollout phases, including: introducing non-disruptive and cost-reducing operational practices such as a recycling program, non-toxic cleaning products, promotional materials printed on recycled paper, complimentary coffee that was organically grown,

Perhaps this is giving Walmart a free ride in the media/marketing as being sustainable without any parties doing their due diligence to verify the actual numbers. As Senge explained, perhaps “Walmart is using going green to offset negative press for treatment of its employees” due their recent lawsuit losses and settlements (Senge, 2010, p. 114). Although Walmart should be commended for its sustainability portfolio, I believe the results of their goals need to be looked at from proportional aspect as well as how/where Walmart sources their products.

In 2012, the United States Environmental Protection Agency awarded PepsiCo its prestigious Energy Star “Partner of the Year Award for Sustainable Excellence.” PepsiCo was honored with this award because of the continued effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). Even with an increase in products, the company has been able to maintain their carbon footprint. Their goal is to improve energy efficiency by twenty percent and to keep greenhouse gas emissions at a level amount. Some of the ways

We use sustainable environmental practices to grow responsibly in a world of finite resources. Kimberly-Clark sets their company rules and regulations are below the government expectations therefore remaining in compliance of the government. Example, Sustainability 2015 Goal: We strive to manage our waste

Due to increasing environmental imbalances, it is necessary for firms to achieve competitive advantages in the area of environmental convergence as well. Wal-Mart is putting continuous efforts from a long time for environment sustainability and energy conservation. It also received Aspen Institute Energy and Environment award for Corporate Energy Efficiency in 2009. Here are a few steps that Wal-Mart has taken to encourage environmental sustainability:

Wal-Mart also has a green goal. It claims that their environmental goal is to be supplied 100 percent by renewable energy, to create zero waste and to sell products that sustain our natural resources and the environment(Wal-Mart website 2008).

Their stores were also designed with the environment in mind, even though there had been no directive to do so from the executive level. These initiatives, as well as their more environmentally friendly manufacturing practices, such as using rail for shipments instead of trucks were, very much in line with the company’s corporate philosophy and culture.