A spin quickie: Wal-Mart goes green

Updated: Almost a month ago now, Wal-Mart Canada launched its new campaign, For the greener good. The ad campaign, which most of you who own a TV have seen by now, highlights the corporation's new environmental goals: "1) to produce zero waste, 2) to be powered 100 per cent by renewable energy, and 3) to make more environmentally preferable products available to customers."

Now, it's great that one of the largest retailers in the world is turning green but is it enough to boost its dismal corporate reputation up a few notches? I'm not sure...the new initiative doesn't seem to be purely window-dressing as it already has demonstrated results, but isn't the corporation's biggest issue with the public the fact that it screws so many people out of money and business?

It looks like they're targeting the people that hate them most (middle-high income, environmentally-concerned, small business supporters - people who wouldn't shop at Wal-Mart anyway...) with the world's hippest movement. All the while, they're still ignoring the true root of their problems.

Thoughts?

Some words from Bill Sledzik @ Tough Sledding

As for WalMart being “green,” let’s remember that Wally is moving more and more into high-end merchandise (electronics, mostly) and seeking to curry favor with a customer base that has a higher income and education level than past targets. Green sells to that market. And Wally know how to sell.

WalMart also must woo local and state officials if it hopes to continue its expansion. The company’s “bulldozer diplomacy” of old doesn’t play well in the more tony suburban areas. Of course, Wally could be doing the green thing because it’s the right thing to do, but — nah!