Walmart and Target Report

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would cast a shadow over the smaller rival. Still, later on, its low prices have squeezed Target, which has led to the second vast decision. Target could have set itself apart by means of offering something that its rivals did not offer, such as clothing and kitchenware that would have low prices too.

Target has taken efforts in order to reduce environmental impact, and in regard to this, the company has committed to the use of more solar power. Currently, Target places its focus on the increased attention to the consumers. Also, their strategy includes a number of items, implementing of which is expected to lead to the improvement of the company’s impact on the social and environmental aspects. For instance, Target has managed to build their own Sustainable Product Standards, which, apart from the increase in the manufacture sustainability rates, have led to the reducing the packaging impact, as well as the transparency of the used ingredients (Winston 2015). Next important point, although not yet proven in practice, is the fact that company has taken the course on the elimination of the low-scoring products under the banner “Made to Matter” (Winston 2015).

Overall, the growing focus of Target on the consumer end depicts the key elements of their up-to-date sustainability strategy. This includes providing the customers not only with greener but also better options. Such process is also expected to cover system thinking and value chain, transparency and data-driven analysis, as well as radical collaboration not only with the suppliers but also with the competitors.

While Walmart is trying to promote the mainstream products though marking them as the ones “made by sustainability leaders”, Target tries to focus more on the downstream part of the chain (Winston 2015). It also should be mentioned that Walmart and Target introduced Personal Care Sustainability Summit, to which there were invited the biggest representatives of the market for beauty and grooming products. In addition, over the past 5 years, both Walmart and Target have reduced the use of certain chemicals in the production of goods. To sum up, the competitiveness usually results in a number of positive changes for the customers, and in the case of such monster chains as Walmart and Target, for the environment and the society in general.

A positive point of Target it leading towards sustainability because just “recently the company introduced their own brand of ocean-safe canned tuna” and their are four areas that are looked at “policy, initiatives labeling,transparency, and Red List inventory” (Grocer Ranked on Sustainability 2015). This means that seafood is ocean-friendly and does not harm or destroy natural habitats or negligent fishing practices.

Target embraces recycling and sustainability initiatives, according to Gerlat 2016, “Target has recycled for many years in the backroom” and their results are measurable from April to December of 2010, the program recycled approximately about 1.4 million pounds of bottles and cans and more than 170 million shopping bags.

It is rather difficult to argue that Walmart is superior in terms of profitability, however, the sustainability is rather an arguable point.Walmart is also being known for not fair policies in regard to the workers` rights. Still, in general, Walmart has shown an impressive growth and have been using its power predominantly for good. Target, at the same time, still has shown many ways to move forward. This particular company has managed to implement a number of efficient strategies in terms of sustainability, and in the area of human rights, it has definitely demonstrated a vast competitive advantage. Both Walmart and Target are the top retailers that demonstrate impressive results of their functioning and a number of benefits to their customers and employees. Yet, there are also some drawbacks that are also in the limelight of the public attention.

In conclusion, it should be noted that both Walmart and Target being the largest retailers on the market, certainly produce a huge impact on the environment and the aspects of social life. In regard to the community impact, there are different factors that affect the wellbeing of the society. For example, such retail chains provide employment opportunities. At the same time, the rapid growth of large retail chains leads to the decline of small discount stores.

Work Cited

Chen, Michelle. "Here Are All the Reasons Wal-Mart’s Business Is Not Sustainable BillMoyers.com." BillMoyers.com. 09 June 2015. Web. 06 Apr. 2016.

Commitment to Sustainability Spelled Out in Detail. (2012). MMR, 29(8), 52.

Makower, Joel. "Walmart Sustainability at 10: An Assessment." GreenBiz. 17 Nov. 2015. Web. 06 Apr. 2016. <https://www.greenbiz.com/article/walmart-sustainability-10-assessment>.

Winston, Andrew. "How Target Is Taking Sustainable Products Mainstream."Harvard Business Review. 04 Aug. 2015. Web. 06 Apr. 2016.

"Grocers Ranked On Sustainability." Mmr 32.11 (2015): 14. Business Source Complete. Web. 13 Apr. 2016.