Walgreens’ Randy Lewis Opens Final Day of the 2012 RILA Sustainability Conference
Arlington, VA – The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) opened the final day of its 2012 Retail Sustainability Conference on Friday with a heart-felt and riveting presentation from Randy Lewis, senior vice president of supply chain management for Walgreens.
Randy shared the story of how Walgreens has used their distribution centers as employment opportunities for diverse populations. Almost 40 percent of the workforce at these facilities has a cognitive or physical disability – and these are the most efficient and productive of their distribution centers. Randy provided a personal and inspirational example of how retailers can be successful while also promoting the welfare of the people in their communities.
“Walgreens is fortunate to have made the commitment to invest in employing people with disabilities, people who make such an enormous contribution to our company, customers and community, and who succeed in pursuing their dreams and careers,” said Lewis.
Rounding out the day were working sessions devoted to exploring tools available for energy data collection and collaborative approaches to sustainable product and packaging goals. Another panel highlighting case studies in retailer and product manufacturer partnerships offered insight for businesses looking for co-marketing opportunities that foster sustainability ideas.
Finally, Majora Carter, green power broker and host of “The Promise Land” shared her inspired ideas and fierce persistence in bringing the South Bronx’s first open-waterfront park and scoring $1.25 million in federal funds for a greenway along the front. She stressed the importance of partnering with all constituencies and approaching issues from an economic development perspective in order to achieve important goals for businesses and communities.
“We couldn’t be more pleased about this year’s event. As we celebrate the closing of RILA’s fifth annual Retail Sustainability Conference, we look forward to bringing attendees valuable content in the future and fostering innovative approaches in retail sustainability,” said Adam Siegel, vice president of sustainability and retail operations.
RILA’s 2013 Retail Sustainability Conference will be held September 29 to October 2, 2013, in Orlando, Florida.
RILA is the trade association of the world’s largest and most innovative retail companies. RILA members include more than 200 retailers, product manufacturers, and service suppliers, which together account for more than $1.5 trillion in annual sales, millions of American jobs and more than 100,000 stores, manufacturing facilities and distribution centers domestically and abroad.
Randy shared the story of how Walgreens has used their distribution centers as employment opportunities for diverse populations. Almost 40 percent of the workforce at these facilities has a cognitive or physical disability – and these are the most efficient and productive of their distribution centers. Randy provided a personal and inspirational example of how retailers can be successful while also promoting the welfare of the people in their communities.
“Walgreens is fortunate to have made the commitment to invest in employing people with disabilities, people who make such an enormous contribution to our company, customers and community, and who succeed in pursuing their dreams and careers,” said Lewis.
Rounding out the day were working sessions devoted to exploring tools available for energy data collection and collaborative approaches to sustainable product and packaging goals. Another panel highlighting case studies in retailer and product manufacturer partnerships offered insight for businesses looking for co-marketing opportunities that foster sustainability ideas.
Finally, Majora Carter, green power broker and host of “The Promise Land” shared her inspired ideas and fierce persistence in bringing the South Bronx’s first open-waterfront park and scoring $1.25 million in federal funds for a greenway along the front. She stressed the importance of partnering with all constituencies and approaching issues from an economic development perspective in order to achieve important goals for businesses and communities.
“We couldn’t be more pleased about this year’s event. As we celebrate the closing of RILA’s fifth annual Retail Sustainability Conference, we look forward to bringing attendees valuable content in the future and fostering innovative approaches in retail sustainability,” said Adam Siegel, vice president of sustainability and retail operations.
RILA’s 2013 Retail Sustainability Conference will be held September 29 to October 2, 2013, in Orlando, Florida.
RILA is the trade association of the world’s largest and most innovative retail companies. RILA members include more than 200 retailers, product manufacturers, and service suppliers, which together account for more than $1.5 trillion in annual sales, millions of American jobs and more than 100,000 stores, manufacturing facilities and distribution centers domestically and abroad.