What: With consumers prioritizing environmental sustainability, Amazon and Target unveiled stores that aim to use less energy than they produce.

Why it is important: The large retailers are committing to run their companies in a more environmentally sustainable manner, a commitment that could appeal to eco-conscious consumers.

Target's first net zero energy store located in Vista, California, will act as a testing site for innovations that will inform future store design. Target will also be designing all of its private label products for a circular future by 2040. In order to do this, Target will use more recyclable, durable, and sustainably-sourced materials.  From a facilities perspective, Target's store has solar carports, an electric HVAC system, CO2 refrigeration and LED lighting. Drawing from its experience, Target said it plans to add CO2 refrigeration to all of its stores by 2040.

The new Amazon Fresh store, which is pursuing net zero carbon certification, is located in Seattle. The store features a CO2-based refrigeration system, steel byproducts to reduce embodied carbon and electricity sourced from the company's renewable energy projects.  Amazon said that some of the upgrades will be used at all of its Amazon Fresh grocery stores going forward, such as the lower-carbon concrete flooring. Amazon will use an internal system created by Amazon Web Services' Professional Services Sustainability Practice to track its Seattle store's environmental impact.

Target and Amazon debut sustainable store concepts