With August in full swing and many cities reaching critical limits when it comes to energy usage, we really have to hand it to large, big box retailers who are doing their part to be conservative. When leaving our local Target this weekend, we ran across this sign:
Although all of our small steps to conserve energy are fantastic and make a difference, all of that hard work can be washed away from retailers who are turning the AC up in order to keep stores cooler.
We actually found our local Target to be more enjoyable with lights dimmed, less registers and cashiers and more associates on the floor to help customers. We didn't miss the extra light or couple of degrees on the thermostat and applaud them for taking a stance against a much larger issue.
Do you support energy-conservative retailers in your area? Let us know below!
Image: Too-Hectic
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It makes me crazy to be wearing summer clothes only to freeze in most air-conditioned establishments -- and buses. It is such an unnecessary use of energy to keep everyone freezing. These stores should try keeping the thermostat a little higher on a regular basis!
Yes! As long as I'm not groping around in the dark, it's nice to see a retailer conserving power.
There was a story in the Washington Post recently about stores keeping their doors open with the air conditioning at full blast, letting all the cold air out, because they say it brings in more customers and lets them know the store is open.
I walked past a few such establishments this weekend and didn't go inside. The blast of cold air out on the sidewalk was a painful reminder of the sheer magnitude of senseless waste we've grown used to.
I think if I encountered a sign like the one above it would make an impression on me.
Now if only they stop giving vast quantities of money to politicians' campaigns, I might shop there again.
Same here, Sistervashti. After I heard about how much Target gives to very conservative causes (including anti-gay-marriage groups!) I just can't shop there, even if individual stores are trying to be more thoughtful. :(
But yes, while I really appreciate AC, I also appreciate stores and restaurants that don't blast theirs into the frigid zone. I get cold easily, so I hate that I actually have to carry around a sweater in summer in case I go into an icy building.
I really appreciate large businesses laying out plans to conserve when needed. As a Target team member, I know there was much thought, logistics planning and preparation into changing the environment of one store (not to mention many more!) so I'm really proud that store leaders thought it neccessary to thoughtfully integrate it. As for earlier comments I feel I must make it clear that Target did not give money directly to specific politician's campgains, but rather to one pro- business group that unfortunately also backed a republican candidate in MN who is opposed to same-sex marriage. The reason this is a problem is because I KNOW that Tom Emmer's stance on same-sex marriage and GLBT equality is NOT in line with Target's commitment to GLBT equality. I see it everyday - my peers at work, guests in the store, and the relationship Target has in our community. That's why this is such a big deal - b/c we have that strong bond, but it's in trouble of being broken. I know our CEO understands that and realizes the process of donating to pro-business groups need to change to make it truly void of party favortism, and I'm confident I will see those changes.
Thank you for clarifying Target's position on the political campaign contribution, @mochi11. I was just about to echo @sistervashti and @Kaete's sentiments. Will have to research a little more before returning to Target!
yep. It's the anti gay marriage that sent my shopping dollars elsewhere.
oops. posted before I was finished.
I appreciate that the CEO will revisit their contributions, and I also appreciate the very visible support they exhibit at our Pride celebration.
I look forward to more consistent politics, and will shop there again when I'm convinced.
I agree with other comments; some stores have such high AC it feels like it's going to snow. Then I've actually seen people leave their cars running, windows up while they shop so they can have AC in the car. So obnoxious.
I try to shop at local stores. No matter how "eco friendly" some stores are, they don't even ask customers if they need a bag, and use a plastic bag even for single items.
Plus the excessive packaging. I don't mind paying a bit more for our local health food store, who have local produce, have a bag-share program and many products with little or no packaging.
I have to echo @sistervashti on this one. Yay for the environmental impact of saving that energy - can't wait for Target to figure out the mess of their political contributions so that I can shop there again. I'm 100% boycotting them for the $150,000 campaign contribution they made.
anti-worker, anti-union, anti-gay, anti-myshoppingdollars!
Just in case anyone ever returns here to this post, please note that Target now has same-sex marriage registries. They've got my dollars back.
Chick Fil-A? They lost mine long long ago