Sustainability trends, cutting costs dominate open-forum discussions.

The article presents an edited transcript from a forum-discussion at the 2008 Retail Retreat in California sponsored by "Retail Construction Magazine." The forum focused on issues such as cost controls and green/sustainability trends. Rich O'leary of J.C. Penney said that they broke ground their first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) store in November 2008 and it will serve as a model for prototypes in 2009. Tony Poma of True Religion Brand Jeans cited the return on investment from being certified by the Green Restaurant Association.