Green Seminars Planned for NRF conference

Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 1/4/2010 12:00:00 AM

Washington —

The National Retail Federtaion's annual conference next week will include a series of presentations about how retailers can boost profits while improving their eco-friendly posture.

Walmart's senior vp of sustainability, Matt Kistler, will lead a major session titled "Sustainability in Retail — Increasing Profitability and Impacting the World" on Jan. 11 from 9:45 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. at the Jacob Javits Center. He will be joined by Peter Graf, chief sustainability officer at SAP.

Other sustainability-related programs include:

"Green Your Supply Chain and See Earnings Go from Red to Black," Jan. 10, 10:15 a.m. Speakers include Ken Bonning, executive vp, logistics, Kohl's, and Rajiv Malik, vp, Old Navy global production & Old Navy Outlet.

Attendees will hear how leading companies have introduced green initiatives into their supply chains and how these initiatives can positively impact "Environmentally Sustainable Retailing: Improving Profitability through Green Remodels," Jan. 11, noon. Speakers include James Thomas, vp, corporate social responsibility, JCPenney, and Scott Bearse, director, Deloitte Consulting.

"Net Zero Buildings: Creating Stores that Save and Make Money," Jan. 11, 1:45 p.m. Speakers include Joseph Nevin, senior principal, Bergmeyer, and Michael Davis, vp, Bergmeyer.

"The Consumer Response to Sustainability," Jan. 12, 1:45 p.m. Speakersinclude Kevin Hagen, director of corporate social responsibility, REI, and Will Ander, senior partner, McMillian Doolittle.

This panel discussion will present an overview of the current outlook through a customer's eyes and will examine customers' preferences and trends "Measuring Sustainability: Presenting the Sustainable Retailing Consortium Scorecard," Jan. 13, 8:30 a.m. The speaker is James Dion, president, Dionco.

The 2010 convention and expo take place Jan. 10–13 at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in New York.