What: A new report indicates efforts ranging from saving energy through LED lighting to stepping up sourcing from minority-owned businesses.

Why it is important: Besides energy consumption reduction to restricted substance list for private brands, Macy’s also commits to being more diverse and inclusive.

By 2025 the retailer expects to reduce energy consumption by 10% from a 2018 baseline, and reduce water use by third-parties manufacturing Macy’s private brands by 25% against a 2019 baseline in areas of “high water stress.”

Macy’s is developing for the first time restricted substance lists for private brands. By 2025, Macy’s intends to have 40% of its private brand products made with preferred sustainable fibres. Also by 2025, all beauty, baby care, personal care and household cleaning products on Macy’s website will be required to disclose their ingredients.

Since 2010, Macy’s has reduced total energy consumption by more than 17.8% through LED lighting retrofits at many of its locations. On solar power, Macy’s has more than 100 active solar sites nationwide. Through a partnership with Volta Charging, the retailer has free electric vehicle charging stations at 37 store locations.

Aside from the environment, the Macy’s report covers the agenda to become more diverse and inclusive in its employee makeup and its matrix of suppliers.

Macy’s said that as of 2020, only 24% of those at the senior director level and above were ethnically or racially diverse, while 76% were White. Even as many companies set aggressive targets to increase racial diversity in their senior management, Macy’s said its goal is simply to reach 25% diversity at the senior director level and above this year, and 30% by 2025. With suppliers, Macy’s intends to achieve 5% spend penetration on diverse suppliers and triple its spend with Black-owned businesses by 2023.

Macy’s Elevates Sustainability and D&I Goals

Macy's Inc Sustainability Report 2020