Ideal Bite

On a hot day, ever been lured into a store by the air-conditioned breeze wafting onto the sidewalk?

08.23.2006

Submitted by idealbite on Wed, 08/23/2006 - 5:00pm.

The Bite:

It's a great tactic: retailers bait you by playing to one of the most basic of desires - sweet release from the heat. But as a customer, you've got the power to stop it: just speak up.

The Benefits:

Help beat blackouts. With another summer of record high temps, energy use has soared. Efficient AC use is more important than ever. And "efficient" doesn't mean leaving the door open while the AC's on.
Save trees - stop the cashier when they start wrapping your shirt in tissue paper.
Don't see a recycling bin next to the trashcan? Ask if they've thought about adding one.
Help stores lower their bills - maybe they'll pass the savings on to you. US retailers spend almost $20 billion on energy each year, and 1/3 of this is often wasted. Steps like the ones outlined in this tip are bottom-line convincing.

Personally Speaking:

Just ask. During a recent 102-degree day, Biter Barbara Maynard was driving through Walnut Creek, CA. Many of the stores had their doors open, so she spoke to their managers and as a result, her local Pottery Barn and Tommy Bahama are revising their open-door policies.

Wanna Try:

Managers and comment cards exist for a reason - use 'em.
Summertime Energy-Saving Tips for Businesses - tips to help your business save cash and energy.
Waste Reduction at Retail Stores - ditto, but with a focus on trash-reduction.

Barbara Maynard.

Cocktail Fact

"Butt Brush Factor:" If shoppers are touched from behind, they're likely to become irritated and won't buy. Stores plan aisle widths accordingly.

Bang For The Bite

Since they began an initiative to reduce packaging, Sears saves about $5 million annually. Moral of story: doing the right thing for the environment helps the bottom line - so spread the word!

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