As more retailers and designers seek sustainable solutions for store interiors, A.R.E. is addressing the needs of members and retailers in meeting the challenge. Directing those efforts is A.R.E.’s Green Executive Committee, while A.R.E.’s Green 100 provides input on member needs. Some of our initiatives include:

Identifying Green/Sustainable Retail Environments

Our Sustainable Retail Environments: Product Guidelines and Operational Best Practices is scheduled for release at GlobalShop 2009. Addressing what makes retail environments sustainable, this publication will enable members to explain the sustainable aspects of their store fixtures and visual merchandising products and will help retailers and designers understand how to spec products for green store interiors. It will be updated regularly.

Educating Members, Retailers, and the Industry at Large

Our A.R.E. University webinar series provides industry-focused educational content in a cost-effective, convenient format without the need for the environmental impact of travel. Our first webinar, on CARB Compliance, was geared toward manufacturers including composite wood panels in their fixtures. Coming in 2009 are webinars for fixture providers, visual merchandising product providers, designers, and retailers.

A.R.E. has been integrating sustainable sessions into its existing on-site events, including Convention, Project Management Seminar, The NADI Show, Executive Management Seminar, Manufacturing Seminar, and GlobalShop.

Articles in Retail Environments magazine address specific sustainable issues.

Providing Resources

This frequently updated web section, greenretailenvironments.org, includes links to industry information as well as updates on A.R.E. programs.

Our new Green/Sustainability News category brings you all relevant breaking news in one place, while our new Green Notes column in Retail Environments summarizes and interprets news that may apply to members.

Our Fall/Winter 2008 Green Guide: Resources for Sustainable Retail Environments provides industry-focused information and resources, describes sustainable products and services for retailers, and offers members a vehicle for marketing sustainable products and services to retailers.

Our Ask the Experts service, available to members only through the Green 100, provides answers to specific questions or organizational challenges.

Our LEED Matching service helps members who are studying for LEED Professional Accreditation find mentors.

More to Come
We’re just getting started. Check back for updates on our sustainable initiatives. Be part of the solution — Get involved!