Target Announces LEED® Certification for All 2013 Store Locations

124 stores receive top environmental certification – a first in Canadian retail

MISSISSAUGA, ON, June 26, 2014 /CNW/ - Target is pleased to announce that all 124 store locations that opened across Canada in 2013 have been awarded Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) certification. Previously, Target announced certification of the first 68 stores and with today's announcement the remaining 56 stores that opened in 2013 are now LEED certified. 

"This past year marked a major milestone for Target as we delivered on the unprecedented goal of opening 124 stores across ten provinces," said Mark Schindele, president, Target Canada. "LEED certification of these 124 stores reinforces Target's commitment to the environment, making Target a leader among Canadian retailers when it comes to sustainable buildings."

Target stores were awarded LEED certification through the U.S. Green Building Council's (USGBC) LEED Volume Program, which streamlines the certification process for buildings in both Canada and the U.S In order to obtain certification, Target stores had to undergo various rounds of audits throughout 2013, and meet stringent criteria across five LEED categories, including: Sustainable Sites, Water Efficiency, Energy and Atmosphere, Materials and Resources, and Indoor Environmental Quality.

"LEED is a rigorous leadership standard, and obtaining even a single certification is a significant achievement," said Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO and founding chair, USGBC. "For Target, securing certification for 124 stores is truly extraordinary – we congratulate and commend them for their demonstrated commitment to creating healthier buildings and communities throughout Canada."

Target will pursue LEED certification for the nine additional stores opening throughout 2014, including the three stores that opened in March in Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia. The remaining six Target locations will open in Ontario, with single store additions planned for Quebec and Manitoba.

About Target

Minneapolis-based Target Corporation (NYSE: TGT) serves guests at 1,916 stores—1,789 in the United States and 127 in Canada—and at Target.com. Since 1946, Target has given 5 percent of its profit through community grants and programs; today, that giving equals more than $4 million a week. For more information about Target's commitment to corporate responsibility, visit target.ca/corporateresponsibility.

SOURCE: Target Canada

Lisa Gibson, Target Public Relations, [phone], Target Media Hotline, [phone]