Leaders and Laggards
In what has become an increasingly competitive race to the top, some retailers are consistent high performers or have demonstrated considerable progress in recent years to phase out hazardous chemicals and plastics and move toward safer solutions. In contrast, others are clear laggards that have not publicly disclosed even the most basic steps to ensuring safer chemicals, products, and packaging.
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RETAIL LEADERS: Who are the top-performing retailers? -
MOST IMPROVED: Which retailers have made the greatest progress over time?
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THE TOXIC HALL OF SHAME: Which retailers lag far behind their peers on toxic chemicals?
Retail leaders
Four retailers received the highest grades: Apple (A), Sephora (A-), Target (A-), and Walmart (A-). The next tier of retailers that earned the highest marks were Whole Foods Market (B), IKEA (B), and Ulta Beauty (B-). These retailers’ chemicals management practices serve as a model for competitors.
Most improved
Of all 50 retailers assessed, Ulta Beauty earns the distinction as the most improved retailer of 2024, nearly doubling its score from 2021 to 2024.
More than one in three retailers improved their scores
A number of retailers have been working across all of the Four Essential Elements for a Safer Marketplace to improve the safety of the chemicals and materials they use and sell. Across the board, 38 percent of retailers improved their numerical score since the last retailer report card was published in 2021. Five retailers, Canadian Tire, Metro, Restaurant Brands International (RBI), Starbucks, and Ulta Beauty, also saw their letter grades improve since 2021. The retailers with improved numerical scores include:
Improved overall scores reflect a range of initiatives, including new safer chemicals policies, requirements on suppliers for chemical information, restrictions on chemicals or plastics of high concern, and, in a few cases, investments in safer solutions.
2024 Toxic Hall of Shame
While some retailers have shown leadership, many continue to fail to address toxic chemicals and plastics in their products, packaging, and supply chains.
Failing grades
Seventeen retailers earned failing grades, landing in the 2024 Toxic Hall of Shame:
The number of retailers earning failing grades increased from 12 in the previous 2021 Retailer Report Card. These retailers are failing to take basic steps to address the growing toxic chemical and plastic pollution crisis.
Seven of the 17 2024 Toxic Hall of Shame retailers also received an F in 2021, including 7-Eleven, Alimentation Couche-Tard, Nordstrom, Publix, Sally Beauty, Sobeys, and Subway.
Six retailers saw their scores and grades go down from the D range in 2021 to failing in 2024, largely due to the updated criteria: Chipotle, Inspire Brands, Macy’s, McDonald’s, Trader Joe’s, and Yum! Brands. There was little indication that Ahold Delhaize has continued to implement its chemical policies since 2021; its grade decreased from C- to failing.
Three of the four newly added retailers to the 2024 report card received failing grades, including Five Below, LL Flooring (Lumber Liquidators), and Sherwin-Williams.
2024 Retailer Report Card scores: percent of total possible points earned
The 2024 Report
- I. Executive Summary
- II. Introduction
- III. Grades
- V. Key Findings
- VI. Recommendations
- VII. Resources
- VIII. Methodology
- IX. About this Report
More
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Tell retailers that got an “F” to step up and make toxics elimination a priority.