Updated June 09, 2011
What are the greenest of the green retail chains in the U.S. retail industry? According to the most recent ImagePower Global Green Brand Survey, five of the top ten green brands in the U.S. are major retail chains, based on consumer opinion and perceptions.
The annual ImagePower Global Green Brand Survey is conducted by consultancy firms Cohn & Wolfe, Landor Associates, and Penn, Schoen & Berland Associates, and reveals which products and companies are top of mind for American consumers when they think about "green."
What follows is a complete list of U.S. retail chains that were named as Global Green Brands in 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011. The number in the left column is the ranking that the company was given, based on a total of 10 companies and brands that were mentioned most often by consumers as top green brands.
In looking at the comparison between the survey results, it's easy to see that consumer perception about the greenness of retail companies changes quickly. But there are a few companies, like Whole Foods, that sustain their green brand image with a long-term commitment to being green that is much more than just a clever marketing strategy.
2011 Image Power Global Green Brands (U.S.)
2 Whole Foods
5 Trader Joe's
6 The Walt Disney Company
9 Apple
10 Starbucks
2010 Image Power Global Green Brands (U.S.)
2 Whole Foods
4 Trader Joe's
5 Google
8 Publix
10 IKEA
2009 Image Power Global Green Brands (U.S.)
5 Toyota
7 Wal-mart
8 IKEA
9 Disney
2008 Image Power Global Green Brands (U.S.)
1 Whole Foods
3 Trader Joe's
5 Toyota
7 Honda
2007 Image Power Global Green Brands (U.S.)
1 Whole Foods
2 Wild Oats
3 Trader Joe's
4 Toyota
5 Honda
7 IKEA
8 The Body Shop
10 Aveda
