I finally caught a free moment, and wanted to catch everyone up.  It has been a wonderfully busy couple of months as we build the work around what we announced a few days ago…the Sustainability Index.  Please take a  look at the webcast; it is definitely worth watching.  www.walmartstores.com/milestone

There was a surprising amount of press about the announcement, which was good, but the think I was most excited about was that most publications kept the spirit of the announcement…collaboration.  It is essential that this project include all the key partners: NGOs, manufacturers, scientists, academics, and yes, retailers too. 

We are starting this Index work with something that is just a beginning step.  You see, before we can really dig into products, we need to learn a little more about our suppliers and help them know what we prioritize.  That is the intent behind an initial questionnaire that contains 15 simple questions.  We worked with a lot of stakeholders to create this small list of questions so that it is simple, clear, and focused on the most important first steps.  I think it comes pretty close to accomplishing this, but obviously, 15 questions will never tell you all you could want or need to know in order to influence your supply chain.  Included in the questions are: whether you are measuring carbon, solid waste, and water; whether you know where ALL the factories are that produce your finished goods, and questions regarding your workforce. 

Now, the real work begins.  The world knows our intent (and hopefully all understand our desires to do this very collaboratively), the supply base has a beginning step as they work to make progress doing the things the 15 questions ask about, and now we are diving into the supply systems for the products we sell.  With great examples of product transparency from folks like SC Johnson,  we have a lot to build from…but the road ahead is long.  Please be patient as we drive it.

PS...the label you see at the top is just a hypothetical...what you might see one day.  But, it is important we don't get caught up in the customer label right now.  That is a future discussion, for now, I believe we need to stay focused on getting the right data the right way.  Who knows, maybe the customer won't even need labels in 5 years...

Every year, we try to find great deals on laptops to ease that expense for mom and dad and this year is no different.  On July 26th, we will have available a Compaq laptop for $298!!!  This is a full functioning laptop with 3GB of RAM memory and 160GB Hard Drive.  I have yet to see a 3GB machine under $300 this season.  Qtys are limited and will begin selling at 8:00 AM on Sunday, July 26th.  (May want to pass that along because we expect this one will be quite popular.)

If its size you're focused on, we're also working with HP on a new netbook coming to stores in August.  And in a few days, we'll lower the price and add to stores a very cool Acer laptop with…no kidding…an 8-hour lasting battery. (That's a full day of classes and more.)

Though school starts in a little over a month, there still is some summertime left so take advantage and enjoy!!

Well, well, well, here we are  AGAIN to blog on color, but also Laptops. It’s officially the Off to College and or back to school time for the whole family.  This year Wal-Mart Stores and Walmart.com have teamed up with Dell to offer you a Great deal on Laptops.

Starting this week, when you go and visit your local store you will see Colors everywhere, from Pink, Blue, Red, Indigo, Green, Yellow, White, Orange and everyones new fav. Purple! In total you will see allot of colors spread out into a array of products from everything needed in the dorm, apartment, bedroom, or the complete house!

Lets get back on track and to Computers. These Dell’s are not only packed with Technology such as a Intel Dual Core Processor, Plenty of Memory, Large Hard Drive and Wireless WiFi Internet for Campus or the Go, they come in 6 Colors. Your local store will carry 3 (Pink, Indigo and Black) and online will have an additional 3 (Blue, Red & Purple) for a total of 6. You will also see color matching Accessories from Logitech, SanDisk and Western Digital (Speakers, Mice, USB Flash Drive and Hard Drives).

For those looking for more, No Problem! Walmart.com has a version that has a Web-Cam and pre-installed with Microsoft Office Home and Student Edition  ready to go. This is the full version (no trail edition) of Office Home and Student which will give them Word, Excel and PowerPoint for their schooling needs all in the same 6 Colors mentioned above.

Need more power in colors? No Problem, Walmart.com has you covered there as well with a Dell full feature 15.6”, a full size Studio 17” Notebook and even one with a Blu-Ray HD Drive built in.  All in a Array of colors that will fit your style.

What ever it is from technology, bedding, furniture, clothes and more, Wal-Mart stores and Walmart.com have you taken care of. Click here to Shop Off To College online selection or stop in at your local store!

A few weeks ago we launched 3G Mobile Wireless Ready Netbooks on walmart.com.

For those that don’t about this product, it will allow you to have internet access anywhere you have a mobile phone signal. The same little chips in your phone that allow you to get a call, go online, update your Tweets or Facebook, etc are now built into a Netbook. This allows you (Once signed up, and have a signal) to get online using a larger screen with your computer.

These products are sold mainly with a new 2 year mobile carrier contract and can net the price down to $99.99 after rebates & with free shipping! We partner with LetsTalk on this product mix and activation.

Click Here to see the product

Lastly, do you have some old phones around your home? Click here to Recycling your old mobile phone and other wireless devices is simple and FREE!