Morris Plains, N.J. — Natural and organic foods retailer Whole Foods Market has adopted Honeywell’s Solstice® N40 (R-448A) lower global-warming-potential (GWP) refrigerant in its stores across the United States as it seeks to reduce refrigerant emissions under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s GreenChill program. Whole Foods Market will retrofit its commercial refrigeration systems at more than 100 stores with Honeywell’s reduced-GWP alternative, replacing high-global-warming-potential refrigerants R-404A and R-22. Based on hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) technology, Solstice N40 offers a GWP that is approximately 68% lower than legacy hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerants like R-404A. …
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Cheshire, Conn. — Park Assist® has been awarded the Parking Guidance System (PGS) contract at Whole Foods Market’s headquarters and flagship store in Austin, Texas. The multinational supermarket chain, founded in 1980, quickly rose in popularity thanks to its focus on quality, sustainability, and natural and organic foods. The parking installation is set to go live by the end of 2020. Whole Foods’ headquarters and flagship store see an extremely high traffic volume, causing parking shortages within the underground garage. Employee parking is often overfilled, and team members are left …
Austin, Texas — Whole Foods Market has opened its 35,000-square-foot store at Saltillo, a mixed-use development in East Austin by Endeavor Real Estate Group. The new store was originally slated to open as one of the Austin-based grocer’s 365 concepts. When the pandemic set in, Endeavor Real Estate Group pivoted to have the store serve as a fulfillment center for other regional stores. It has served as a fulfillment center during most of the COVID-19 pandemic. The store now offers fresh produce from 75 different growers, full-service meat and seafood …
Washington, D.C. — On April 22, 2019 (Earth Day), the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) unveiled a new initiative identifying U.S. retailers committed to taking leadership action to reduce potent greenhouse gases used in cooling, hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). As part of this initiative, ALDI U.S. intends to add 100 more stores in 2019 with HFC-free refrigeration systems. “In a time of acute need for leadership on climate change, the U.S. retail sector has remained a laggard in adopting climate-friendly cooling compared to their counterparts in rest of the developed world,” says Avipsa …
Porter Ranch, Calif. — With opening a couple months away, The Vineyards already is generating anticipation as Southern California’s newest upscale and pedestrian-friendly shopping and entertainment center. What’s more, The Vineyards will also feature some of the region’s latest and most sustainable operating systems and eco-friendly fixtures.
Seattle — Online retail giant Amazon has agreed to acquire high-end grocery chain Whole Foods Market Inc. for $13.7 billion. The all-cash transaction amounts to $42 per share and includes the Austin, Texas-based grocer’s net debt. Whole Foods Market will continue to operate stores under the Whole Foods Market brand. John Mackey will remain CEO of Whole Foods Market, and the company’s headquarters will remain in Austin.