Go-Green Retail is hot, REALLY HOT.

On the cusp of the global warming debate, traditional storefront and internet retail outlets are burgeoning with earth-friendly products and services.  Green retail products range from hybrid autos to organic foods and cosmetics, energy efficient light bulbs, and water heaters, to name a few.

Retail Alliance Go Green Week, focuses on Virginia's new Energy Star Sales Tax Holiday and offers an opportunity for retailers and businesses to tout eco-friendly inventory. During the week of September 30 - October 8, Retail Alliance is offering discounted advertising opportunities, star-studded events with actor/activist Ed Begley, Jr., and resource materials for the Energy Star Tax Holiday weekend.

The week will kick off with a special Go Green Sunday tabloid insert in The Virginian Pilot.  Retail Alliance members and event sponsors can take advantage to promote for green products and services.

Actor Ed Begley, Jr., star of HGTV's "Living with Ed," will make a first-time personal appearance in Hampton Roads to promote Go Green Week.  The New York Times has called "Living with Ed," "a delight - a 'Green Acres' for an era in which we have come to expect Connecticut to feel like Cuba well past Columbus Day."  Begley first came to audiences' attention for his portrayal of Dr. Victor Ehrlich on the long-running television series, St. Elsewhere, for which he received six Emmy nominations.  Since then Begley has moved easily among feature, television and theatre projects. 

He will spend two days promoting retailers that sponsor the Go-Green Picnic Luncheon, Wednesday, October 3 at the Norfolk Botanical Gardens. The Go Green Picnic is the grand finale of Begley's shop-green visit. See invitation below.

Friday, October 5, retailers and consumers in Hampton Roads and statewide kick off the Energy Star Holiday which lasts through Sunday, October 8. Virginia is giving a tax break to consumers who buy Energy Star Certified appliances and other products. However, Virginia has blessed all retailers with the ability to pay the tax for consumers on any products in their stores and promote a full-store Go Green Sales Tax Holiday.

For more information, please contact Margaret Ballard, Retail Alliance, (757) 406-9431, mballard@retail-alliance.com