About three years before the economic crisis hit, Wal-Mart began efforts to rejuvenate a tired brand and sagging stock price by quietly cutting distribution costs, cosmetically improving stores with brighter lighting and wider aisles and flexible scheduling of store workers to meet peak shopping hours.

FORBES: Discounters

The store, with hardwood floors and sleek lighting fixtures, echoes Apple's airy retail concept.

WSJ: Sony Revamps Retail Stores

General Electric alumnus Robert L. Nardelli did a huge store face-lift--better lighting, signage and a new range of appliances to win back women who ditched Depot for archcompetitor Lowe's.

FORBES: Repair Job

This in contrast to the HD-DVD demo which was in the back of a store on a much less expensive TV in less than ideal lighting conditions.

ENGADGET: Blu-Ray Demo impressions HD

At an Albert Heijn pilot store in Harlem, customers enter a circular marketplace with soft focused lighting, rather than the neon-lit, grid-like labyrinth of most supermarkets.

FORBES: The Anti-Wal-Mart

Renewable resources to batteries and smart grid systems to store that -- and transmit that energy, to technologies like advanced lighting that help conserve energy.

WHITEHOUSE: VP Biden Announces "Retrofit Ramp-Up" Awards

Brighter lighting, improved displays and wider aisles of refurbished stores are succeeding in keeping shoppers in the store longer, according to America's Research Group president Britt Beemer.

FORBES: A Whole New Wal-Mart

Homebase says it works "very closely with suppliers and in-store colleagues to ensure that customers are informed about how to reduce light pollution and considerate lighting when they purchase outdoor lighting".

BBC: Light pollution: Is there a solution?

To make this possible, Walgreens will equip the new store with more than 800 roof-top solar panels, two wind turbines, geothermal wells , LED lighting and energy-efficient building materials.

FORBES: Walgreens Wagers on Net-Zero Energy