Carrefour's stores in Spain no longer put customers' purchases in disposable plastic bags, part of their move to get greener in four categories: (1) develop and sell responsible products; (2) use responsible sourcing; (3) reduce stores' environmental impact; and (4) reduce logistics' environmental impact.As the largest retailer in Europe--and the second-largest on the planet, after Wal-Mart--Carrefour have many opportunities to improve environmental conditions. The CEO also recognises that customers care about green initiatives. "Carrefour’s implication in social and environmental responsibility will become a distinct criteria in our customers’ decision making," he states in the company's most recent sustainability report.
In that report, covering full-year 2008 operations, Carrefour say they reduced the number of disposable plastic shopping bags they distribute to customers by more than one-third in just three years. Other accomplishments include cutting energy usage and increasing the range of eco-friendly products offered to customers. Will smaller retailers follow Carrefour's example and go greener in the coming years?