Replies to Please Close the Door

Holland & Barret

Being the UK’s leading health food store we have been committed to ‘green’ for many years now. Holland & Barrett 'Plan-It Green' environmental policy extends from care and responsibility in the community, to climate change and reducing waste. Throughout our history we have supported the manufacture and supply of the products we sell, in ways which help to protect the world's natural resources and habitats.

Our commitment is not only to our ‘local’ environment, but we endeavour to minimise the implications of our operations to the global community. We aim to reduce our carbon emissions and, if they cannot be eliminated, invest in carbon offsetting programmes to achieve carbon neutral status. We have invested in our own recycling centre based at our main distribution depot, which processes 95% of all our recyclable waste. By 2012, we aim to make all our consumer packaging on our own label packaging recyclable and our carrier bags biodegradable.

We still have a way to go, to minimalise our carbon footprint,but we have made significant improvements over a number of years. The retail sector is competitive and open door strategies are used by many retailers large and small to encourage customer footfall into store,a key driver of the business, helping us remain competitive and maintain employment for approx. 3500 employees across the UK. We are continually looking at ways in which to improve our green credentials, and will look into the specific issue you have raised, again.

Thorntons

All our stores have air-conditioning fitted to ensure that a cool temperature is maintained throughout. This is to ensure that our products are kept at their best before purchase. However, I would like to assure you that the Store Managers do have the authority to close external doors in extreme weather conditions.

Our Store Managers and Area Business Managers work hard to provide an environment where it is a pleasure to both work and shop. I have also passed your comments onto our Retail and Shop Development departments for future reference.