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new policy and expansion of team organic newcomers: smoked sausage, dairy, textiles, and more a better grip on our production chain new: sustainability training for purchasing officers and other employees
2014 sustainability report
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contents 12
23
2014 facts and figures sustainability policy stakeholders sustainable products responsible chain management our part in society definitions
4 6 9 11 17 21 24
15 4 9
7 # makes the ordinary extraordinary
11
Since 1926, # has been providing products that make the daily lives of its customers easier and more fun. Without charging a lot of money for it. After all, we believe that excellent quality and a striking design should be within everyone’s reach. # makes the ordinary extraordinary.
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foreword ‘# makes the ordinary extraordinary.’ With this promise, we refer to our unique combination of excellent quality, a striking design, and a ‘# price’. In 2014, ‘making the ordinary extraordinary’ has become the ‘ordinary’ term for us to use, and it now includes sustainability as well. Since 2014, sustainability has been one of the pillars of our strategy. In this report, you will read about the steps taken by # in 2014 in the area of sustainability, the results we have accomplished, and which ambitions we have formulated for the coming years. This increased focus on sustainability is also reflected within our organisation. In 2014, we formulated a sustainability policy with concrete targets. An important step in 2014 was our investment in two new employees specialised in sustainability. They will put flesh on this policy and help further implement it. In addition, we have obtained a better grip on the production chain, for example by expanding our audit team in Asia with two new employees. Despite the drop in consumer expenditure and consumer confidence in 2014, we have noticed that customers continue to appreciate the combination of price, quality, and sustainable products. And we feel that # has an important responsibility in this. We have taken new steps to improve the circumstances
in which our products are manufactured. We have intensified our collaboration with suppliers and have entered into partnerships in order to raise the overall level within the chain, together. We have introduced dozens of new, sustainable products and added sus-
Service department, we are in dialogue with our customers about sustainability. We have noticed that customers, colleagues, and suppliers are identifying more and more opportunities for sustainability and are keen to contribute. Sustainability is achieved
tainable alternatives to our range. A fine example is the organic smoked sausage, which is a sustainable alternative to one of the traditional ‘# heroes’.
together, and I am proud to be a part of it!
On Facebook and Twitter, as well as via our Customer
Board member # BV
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2014 facts and figures
9,500
employees in
the Netherlands shops
682 shops in 7 countries 5 online shops in 5 countries 11,000 employees in 9 countries
Over 500 suppliers and 1,100 manufacturers
in 56 countries
8,283
employees head office
The Netherlands 9,579 employees
Luxembourg 26 employees
529 shops
4 shops
Belgium 893 employees
UK 28 employees
98 shops
3 shops
France 388 employees
Spain 11 employees
37 shops
1 shop
Germany 116 employees
Asia 58 employees
10 shops
(purchasing offices in Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Dhaka)
30 new shops in
2014
17 in the Netherlands 9 in France 1 in Spain 3 in the UK
539
200 # restaurants in
2 countries
191 in the Netherlands 9 in Belgium
employees bakeries
246
employees distribution centre
511
employees
# has Bangladesh, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cambodia, China, Cyprus, Denmark, Germany, Egypt, UK, Finland, France, Georgia, Greece, Guatemala, Hungary, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Latvia, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malaysia, Morocco, Mauritius, Mexico, Myanmar, the Netherlands, Nepal, Norway, Austria, Pakistan, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Slovakia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Czech Republic, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, US, Vietnam, South Africa, South Korea, Sweden, and Switzerland
30,000
own products and services in the product categories of food, hard goods, and fashion & textiles.
# design rules
affordability must never compromise quality
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sustainability policy In 2014, sustainability was given a prominent position in the # strategy. The following pillars have been formulated: • amazing value our unique combination of price, quality and design • convenience and accessibility • experience buying everyday things should also be special • sustainability sustainable products are manufactured in fair circumstances
way, we will help customers make well-considered choices. With our sustainability policy, we remain true to ourselves. Despite the reorganisations, changes and expansions that # is going through, such as our establishment in many different countries abroad, our core remains the same. We consider the developments in the area of sustainability we see around us as opportunities to reinforce our own policy and our own initiatives wherever we can. In addition, we collaborate with other parties in our branch and production chain* to raise sustainability throughout the branch to a higher level. Eva Ronhaar, senior advisor sustainability with #.
# feels that sustainability should be within reach of a broad public and intends to realise this by making it affordable and understandable. To many
“Our goal has two objectives. While minimising our negative impact, we want to increase our positive impact. For example by providing healthier food and drinks. Or by providing information to our customers regarding more sustainable choices and the differences these make. Of some products, we only provide a sustainable version. Our milk, for example, is always organic. Of other products, we provide sustainable alternatives next to the traditional ones. For example our famous smoked sausage, which has an organic as
people, sustainability is rather a vague concept. That is why we pursue transparency in our sustainability policy and in our product range. Whether this concerns the origin of products and resources, our production methods, or the additives we use. This
well as a non-organic version. The reason we cannot completely switch to sustainable products is that these are sometimes insufficiently available on the market, or that we are unable to sell them at a ‘# price’,” Eva Ronhaar, senior advisor sustainability, explained.
our ambitions: • # feels that sustainability should be within reach of a broad public and intends to realise this by making it affordable and understandable. • # wants to increase its range of sustainable products. • # pursues fair conditions for people, society and the environment throughout the production chain.
07 / 25 prominent position for sustainability In 2014, we have given sustainability a prominent position within the # organisation. The sustainability policy has become a part of the strategy for the term 2015 - 2018. #’s sustainability policy involves an organisation-wide approach. As such, the policy and its implementation concern head office, distribution centre, bakeries, the shops in all countries, as well as all agents.
tasks and responsibilities The policy is the responsibility of the product quality and sustainability department (Productkwaliteit en Duurzaamheid). This department is led by two newly appointed executives: a senior advisor sustainability and an advisor responsible chain management. They report to the head of the department. A member of the board of directors of # bears the final responsibility for the policy.
department tasks: • preparation and monitoring of ambitions and targets • knowledge centre and sustainability representation • risk analysis and due diligence* in the production chain • audits* and development • sustainability training
sustainability policy
sented to the member of the board and take on the form of an advice, accompanied by the corresponding context analysis, risk factors, and required means. When the board member agrees, the advisors will support the senior managers and their teams in the implementation. For example, they will advise product managers about the development of products, and purchasing officers about purchase conditions regarding sustainability. Furthermore, we have formulated ‘# design rules’, in which the # promise is contained, of which sustainability is a part. These are included in this report. In addition, we have extended the tasks and responsibilities of our agents and purchase offices in Asia where sustainability is concerned. Also, we have appointed two extra auditors in order to get a better grip on the production chain.
We are proud of our introduction of organic smoked sausage in 2014!
implementation policy The implementation of the sustainability policy has been laid down in a plan of approach for 2015 – 2018. In this plan, we have described the objectives, results, activities, responsibilities, and preconditions.
The advisors support the senior managers in their
It is essential that our employees are aware of the importance of sustainability and that they know how to contribute to it. This way, we will be able to act in a consistent manner and realise our ambitions. That is why we have started up the sustainability training for purchasers and new employees of the # head office. Moreover, as a company, we are in a position
setting of priorities and targets on the basis of the current product range. We also collaborate on a regular basis with our stakeholders, including nongovernmental organisations*, branch organisations, and governmental bodies. The objectives are pre-
to positively influence customers and suppliers by raising their awareness and making suggestions for improvement. We continuously monitor to what extent our objectives are achieved. And where responsible chain
New in 2014: organic dairy products.
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management is concerned, we also make use of audits. Our agents and purchasing offices report to the advisors on a monthly basis. And each quarter, the senior managers report to the advisors regarding the progress in the area of sustainability. These reports represent the input for meetings with the management regarding progress, evaluation of results, and adjustments, if necessary. For the audits, we make use of international directives, industrial standards, and tried-and-tested audit methods. These are explained in the chapter Responsible chain management.
In 2014, we introduced organic house wine (red and white).
sustainability policy external developments in 2014 The year 2014 showed challenging market circumstances with a drop in consumer expenditure and consumer confidence in some countries. As a result of these poor economic circumstances, there was an increased pressure on prices and quality. Consumers are willing to spend less, and retailers tend to buy cheaper products by switching to other suppliers or accepting more economical resources or processes. However, this involves the risk of compromising quality and sustainability, which is unacceptable to us. Instead, # is sticking to its quality standards and has chosen to intensify its collaboration with suppliers. This way, we maintain our grip on the chain, in order to be able to keep our promise to our customers where quality and sustainability are concerned. In 2014, there has been a lot of public discussion regarding the multitude of quality marks and their reliability. Consumers felt they were hardly able to make a responsible choice.
New in 2014: men’s polo shirt made of organic cotton.
Another development has been the global increase of sustainable resources and production methods. Particularly the availability of, for example, sustainable cotton has given us the chance to switch to sustainable products.
These external developments not only affected #, but the branch as a whole. However, they did not just represent a threat, but an opportunity as well. These challenges are stimulating retailers, suppliers and other stakeholders to join forces and come up with, and implement, solutions together. The plan of approach for a more sustainable textiles and clothing sector in the Netherlands is a fine example of this. In 2014, # hosted the annual conference. By means of concrete targets, the sector – in close
results in 2014
collaboration with international NGOs, trade unions, and governmental bodies – initiated the process of improvement. An important message from the plan is that collaboration is needed to achieve structural change.
• to initiate sustainability training for all business units, purchasing offices, and agents • to see how we can communicate our sustainability message even more clearly during the coming years
• sustainability indicated as one of the pillars of the # strategy • sustainability policy drawn up for 2015 - 2018 • two advisors hired at the head office and two employees in the purchasing offices in Asia • sustainability training for purchasers and new employees
ambitions
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stakeholders # is right in the middle of society, close to the people. We want to be good to customers, employees, suppliers, and everybody else around us. These are the most important stakeholders in the area of sustainability.
2. employees 8. forms of collaboration
1. customers
3. suppliers and chain partners • suppliers • manufacturers • chain partners • International Labour Organisation • Business Social Compliance Initiative • Better Cotton Initiative • Bangladesh Accord • quality certificates
5. media 6. government
• Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs • Dutch Ministry of Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation • Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority
• Not For Sale • Return to Sender • Earth Concepts • Fiep Westendorp Foundation • LINDA.foundation • KWF Kankerbestrijding • MOAM
4. investor • Lion Capital
7. non-governmental organisations • Milieu Centraal • Milieudefensie • Stichting Proefdiervrij • Stichting Wakker Dier
9. branch organisations • Raad Nederlandse Detailhandel • Vereniging van Grootwinkelbedrijven in Textiel • Modint
# design rules
each new design starts with the question: can we make it greener?
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sustainable products # feels it is important to know where its products, resources and processes used for manufacture come from. Also where our own product development is concerned, we are increasingly looking for sustainable alternatives for resources and production methods. It is #’s ambition to increase its range of sustainable products. Thanks to the global increase of sustainable production methods, we are succeeding in this. For example, sustainable cotton is becoming more widely available, and therefore affordable, each year. Another way to guarantee the sustainable origin is by purchasing from certified suppliers. Customers recognise this by the quality certificate.
recognisability To increase the recognisability of our sustainable products, we have provided these with our own sustainable logo, representing a small green leaf, with an explanation of what it is that makes the product sustainable. This way, customers will see at a glance what they are choosing. If applicable, a quality mark is shown as well. Nevertheless, it remains a challenge to substantiate and communicate sustainable choices. During the coming years, we will assess how we can communicate our sustainability message even more clearly. # looks critically at the resources and materials
The green leaf is the # sustainability logo.
incorporated in its products and the production processes used to manufacture these. Where environmentally unfriendly or unhealthy substances and processes are concerned, we will look for alternatives together with our suppliers. And where hazardous or toxic substances and processes are concerned, we can be pretty clear: if they can damage public health, animal health, or the environment, we will not use them at all. Also, in collaboration with suppliers, we search for opportunities to reuse residual waste from the manufacturing process in order to save resources, energy and water. As a result, we were able to introduce the eco pantyhose in 2013, for example. This is an ecological pantyhose made from fibres spun from residual waste of the regular pantyhose manufacturing process.
category fashion & textiles Eight percent of our products in the category fashion & textiles (including underwear) is made of organic cotton. No artificial fertiliser and chemical pesticides are used to grow this cotton. Our manufacture meets
In 2014, we introduced healthy vegetable juices and organic drink concentrates: 100% natural!
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sustainable products
the standards of the Organic Content Standard quality mark and the Global Organic Textile Standard certificate.
# has 273 products made of paper and wood bearing the FSC quality brand. Diaries, printer paper, Swedish torches, and many more!
In 2014, we made preparations to become a member of the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI). This collaboration initiative intends to make the global cotton production more sustainable, so that it is no longer harmful for cotton workers and the environment. We have specifically looked at more sustainable materials for stuffing purposes, because we neither use angora wool nor eiderdown from live geese and ducks. For example, in 2014, we used bamboo for the stuffing of newly introduced bamboo jackets for women, men and children. Where the reuse of residual waste from manufacturing processes is concerned, we introduced curtains in 2014 that were made of residual cotton from T-shirt production.
In addition, we introduced the eco bag in 2014. This is an ecological bag made from recycled PET bottles.
award # received the Schiphol Corporate Responsibility Award 2014 for its efforts in the area of sustainability. Particularly regarding the close collaboration with suppliers, resulting in clever and sustainable products such as the ecological bag and the ecological pantyhose..
category hard goods
Bamboo jackets for women, men and children, stuffed with sustainable bamboo fibres instead of down.
273 of our products have the FSC quality mark. These are made of wood from sustainably managed plantations. With it, the number of FSC products has increased by seven percent compared to 2013. Each year, we introduce many new products with the FSC quality mark, including new garden furniture, picture frames, and diaries.
promotion of sustainability
All cosmetics and skin-care and hair-care products are registered by Stichting Proefdiervrij, indicating
Introduction in 2014 of the ecological bag - a bag made from more than two recycled PET
that no laboratory animals have been used for their development. All baby-care products and the # natural beauty line meet the COSMOS standard. These are products of which at least 95 percent of the ingredients are from natural sources.
bottles. When customers show the ecological bag, or their own alternative, they are given a 25% discount on the sustainable product of the fortnightly promotion period.
# design rules
good food should be available for everyone
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sustainable products results in 2014 category fashion & textiles • introduction of curtains made of recycled yarn • introduction of seamless underwear made of organic cotton • introduction of socks made of organic cotton • introduction of basic men’s polo shirts made of organic cotton • introduction of bamboo jackets for women, men and children • preparation Better Cotton Initiative (BCI)
category hard goods category food Where food is concerned, we have introduced many new products in 2014. Also, we are continually trying to improve our products, for example by only making use of natural colourings, reducing the salt or sugar content, or using healthier fats. By selling smaller portions, we help avoid waste.
• introduction of ecological bag • expansion of product range bearing FSC quality mark
ambitions • to manufacture all cotton products from sustainable cotton • to reuse more residual waste from the manufacturing process • to introduce more products with FSC quality mark • to make the conventional beauty-product range more sustainable • to bring good food within everybody’s reach • to reduce the salt and sugar content and make use of healthier fats • to make products free from artificial aromas, colourings and flavourings • to sell sustainable fish and meat products
category food
In cases where ingredients are produced by factory farms, we will request suppliers to come up with more sustainable and animal-friendly alternatives. A major part of the meat we supply, in particular beef, is organic. An important step in 2014 was the introduction of organic smoked sausage, the sustainable alternative to our traditional smoked sausage. A major part
• introduction of superfoods • introduction of balanced salads • introduction of organic house wines (red and white) • introduction of vegetable juices • introduction of organic smoked sausage, frankfurters, and sliced meat products • introduction of organic milk, buttermilk, yoghurt, and yoghurt drinks • introduction of organic crunchy muesli • introduction of organic rice cakes • introduction of ‘Jip & Janneke manna’ puffed rice
of the fish we supply has the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) quality mark. This guarantees that the fish has been caught in a sustainable manner. In 2014, we introduced organic dairy products.
• introduction of organic drink concentrates elderberry flower and raspberry • introduction of smaller portions single and double meals
New in 2014: healthy balanced salads and super foods: smaller portions, rich in vitamins and fibre.
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sustainable products
results before 2014 # basic T-shirts, made entirely of organic cotton # clothing that does not contain any hazardous pigments # neither uses angora wool nor eiderdown from live geese and ducks # printed textiles are free from so-called softening agents # washing and cleaning agents are optimally environment-friendly # denim effects have been produced without blasting # ecological pantyhose produced using residual waste from the pantyhose manufacturing process # wood and paper products with FSC quality mark # only processes merino wool if it is mulesing* free # cosmetics, skin-care products and haircare products have been developed without the use of laboratory animals # baby-care products meet the COSMOS standard # natural beauty line meets the COSMOS standard # supplies organic meat and dairy products # makes use of free-range eggs wherever possible # tea has the Fair Trade quality mark # coffee has the Rainforest Alliance quality mark # pastry is free from artificial aromas, colourings and flavourings, with the exception of the photo cake, which is rather too elaborate to realise this # confectionery contains only natural aromas, colourings and flavourings # chocolate is fully UTZ certified
An overview of the quality marks.
All # basic T-shirts for women, men and children are made of organic cotton.
In 2014, we introduced socks made of organic cotton.
# tea has the Fair Trade quality mark.
The # ecological pantyhose is produced using residual waste from the pantyhose manufacturing process.
All # chocolate is UTZ certified.
# design rules
each link should be as strong as the next
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responsible chain management At #, we consider good circumstances during the manufacture of our products to be of the utmost importance. Throughout the production chain, we pursue fair conditions for people, society and the environment. where do the # products come from? # has more than 500 suppliers and over 1100 manufacturers in 56 countries. Choosing a supplier or manufacturer is a careful process. A keen purchasing price is important to #; however, it should be balanced by other considerations, such as reliability, continuity, and sustainability. # has three ways in which it has its products manufactured: directly via the supplier in the country concerned, via agents, and via our own purchasing offices in Shanghai and Hong Kong (China) and Dhaka (Bangladesh).
how do we collaborate with suppliers? The basic principle is our Company Code. This code describes how we handle integrity, the environment, safety, and working conditions. Everyone working for us – including employees, suppliers and agents – is to sign the code and observe the rules and agreements listed in it. These concern combating corruption and bribery, respecting human rights, acting in a child-friendly manner, and observing the legal occupational health and safety rules in the country concerned. Our Company Code is based on the Standards and Fundamental Principles and Rights at
Work by the International Labour Organisation (ILO)*. For more information, please see our corporate website.
anti-corruption and anti-bribery policy # intends to do business in an honest and transparent way. We expect our employees and suppliers to act soundly. We do not tolerate bribery, in whatever shape or form. That is why, next to our Company Code, we use a specific anti-corruption and anti-bribery declaration, which we require all employees and suppliers to sign. By doing so they promise to observe our rules in that area.
challenge It is a great challenge to raise awareness throughout our production chain and get all parties to produce in a sustainable manner. After all, the laws and regulations in the different production countries differ. Moreover, the resources and semimanufactures are often difficult to trace, because this requires a sophisticated administrative and logistic management process for all parties in the chain. Sometimes, suppliers are unable to guarantee a sustainable origin.
18 / 25 Collaboration with other branch members, as well as governmental and non-governmental organisations, is essential in order to stimulate transparency and progress in the chain. In 2014, we intensified our collaboration with suppliers. We have particularly joined forces with suppliers in China, Bangladesh and Turkey. To assess manufacturers and guarantee their observation of our rules and standards, we make use of the following three steps:
step 1. self-assessment* Manufacturers fill in a special checklist and questionnaire, drawn up by us, and sign these. The answers
Bangladesh Accord In 2013, # co-signed the Bangladesh Accord, which is an initiative focussed on improving the working conditions in the textile industry in Bangladesh. This initiative was taken after the Rana Plaza building in Bangladesh had collapsed. This building particularly accommodated textile manufacturers. And although # did not do business with them, we are actively involved in the Bangladesh Accord. Via our purchasing office in Dhaka, we have been able to gain insight into the local circumstances, allowing us to anticipate problems as well as opportunities. Our team in Dhaka pays daily visits to our production sites, providing support where needed in order to make progress.
responsible chain management give us a good idea of the size of the production site and the extent to which the supplier meets our standards in the areas of social compliance and environmental protection. Moreover, we are given insight into the operations of suppliers with a relatively high risk profile. In 2014, 293 self-assessments were submitted.
step 2. MRQ-audit The Minimum Requirement Audit, or MRQ audit, was developed and drawn up by ourselves. The self-assessment forms an important input for this. The audit has been based on a number of minimum requirements that must be met by a manufacturer. During this audit, we focus on a number of points, including the following: • child labour • forced labour • work hours and wages • safety risks • accident insurance • environmental pollution
chain management in numerous industrial sectors. Among other things, BSCI provides an auditing system to monitor and improve the suppliers’ working conditions. By the end of 2014, more than 1,500 companies from 19 countries have joined the initiative. In 2014, we had 212 BSCI audits performed. But despite the importance of audits, we consider them to be a means rather than an end. They often give a mere random indication and do not provide a reliable picture. We regard our collaboration with suppliers and manufacturers as a development process that is to raise awareness, transparency, and training of all parties within the chain.
what if agreements are violated?
The MRQ audit is performed by our own auditors, who operate from the head office and our purchasing offices in China and Bangladesh. They report to our advisors on a weekly basis. Their reports enable us to monitor the progress that is made in the area of sustainability and the changes we may need to make. In 2014, we performed 293 MRQ audits.
If a manufacturer does not meet our requirements, we write a corrective and preventive action plan*. Should this plan not be accomplished, even with the help of our auditors, the production site concerned may not be used to manufacture products for #. Sometimes, it may occur that a manufacturer who used to meet our standard is no longer able to attain the required level. Or that we discover production abuses during a BSCI audit. In those cases, we stop collaborating with the manufacturer involved until the problems have been solved and they have taken demonstrable measures to prevent these from happening again. In all cases, it is a precondition that our minimum requirements are met.
step 3. BSCI-audits
logistics
Business Social Compliance Initiative (BSCI) audits are so-called third-party audits*, which are considered an industrial standard. These audits are performed by independent auditors. In 2003, # was involved in the foundation of BSCI, which focuses on responsible
Our products arrive in the Netherlands in our distribution centre in Utrecht, from where they are distributed to shops in all countries in which we operate. Each year, our lorries travel approximately 5 million kilometres to stock our shops. By planning this transport
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responsible chain management as efficiently as possible, we are able to substantially reduce our fuel and energy consumption and, hence, our CO2 emission.
branches Wherever possible, we invest in low-energy lighting, and energy-efficient equipment, heating and cooling systems for our branches. When we talk about branches, we mean shops, head office, distribution centre, and bakeries.
results in 2014 # distribution centre in Utrecht.
• intensification of our collaboration with suppliers • more grip on the production chain • intention agreement Green Deal ZES signed
ambitions • improve monitoring regarding forms of collaboration • benchmark study of different auditing systems • more sustainable branches
results before 2014 our lorries meet the Euro 5 standard and the Euro 6 standard Lean & Green Star award for structural reduction of CO2 emission our drivers use energy-efficient driving methods we separate our waste and recycle wherever possible the interior façade of our head office has been cladded with FSC-approved timber we digitise wherever possible
awards In 2013, we received the Lean & Green Star award, because we had succeeded in reducing our CO2 emission by twenty percent within five years. In 2014, we reduced this emission even further by investing in new high-efficiency boilers and performing an electricity-reduction programme in our distribution centre. In 2014, we signed the Green Deal ZES (Zero Emission Stadslogistiek) for our distribution centre. This declaration of intent is a form of collaboration between governmental bodies and other parties in order to realise minimum emission during the transport of goods in urban environments.
# design rules
a good design lasts a lifetime
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our part in society # customers and employees reflect society. All Dutch citizens know # and nearly every one of them purchases # products. And more and more people around the world are becoming aware of the # brand. award In 2014, # was declared by the Dutch general public to be the ‘most indispensable brand of the Netherlands’. This title is presented each year by the European Institute for Brand Management (EURIB). It is the seventh time we have been presented this award. A fact we are very proud of! # is in close touch with society and wherever possible we want to contribute to it. Either by ourselves or together with others, we contribute to a more sustainable world.
# employees
Several # shops in the Dutch province of ZuidHolland employ young people with a Wajong benefit. For more than fifteen years, people with a disability have been employed here. In 2014, this number has grown to fifteen percent of the work force.
award For this, # has won the fourth AWVN trophy including employment. The Dutch general employers’ association AWVN presents awards to organisations who have succeeded in providing opportunities to people with an employment disablement.
For example, # gives young, poorly employable people, such as young persons in Amsterdam who receive disablement assistance (Wajong*), an opportunity to demonstrate their capabilities. Groups are intensively supervised while gaining work experience,
In our shops, we also provide work-experience positions and internships. In 2014, over 1,200 trainees worked at #, varying from high-school students gaining work experience for a few weeks only to intermediate vocational students who worked with
with the objective of acquiring a permanent, paid position. The Dutch Minister for Employment, Lodewijk Asscher, visited them. Recently, the second crop with young persons commenced, and a new project with women returners was started up.
us on projects lasting several months. Some students decided to come and work with us on Saturdays as well, or entered into permanent employment with # after concluding their studies. Shops in the Amsterdam region also offer internships
to students of the University of Applied Sciences. They are given the opportunity to join us for a full study year, on average working a 24-hour week. They support the management of a shop and represent a breeding ground for future managers. In 2014, nearly one hundred students, particularly those studying at a University of Applied Sciences, were involved in sixmonth work-study projects. # employs 11,000 people. They have a personnel pass and a pass for a husband, partner, friend or mother that offers fifteen percent discount on purchases. And if you retire from your # job, you still have the right to a fifteen percent discount. # makes use of the Alfred Goudsmit Fonds, a fund that stimulates and supports personal development. Many training courses and coaching projects are eligible, particularly if these contribute to the personal and professional development, employability, or vitality of employees. In 2014, 129 employees made use of the Alfred Goudsmit Fonds.
22 / 25 # design competition Design is an important part of #’s success. The # design competition was established in 1983 and has become an institute for students, academies and designers. After all these years, the basic principle has remained the same: to stimulate national and international students from various design universities to come up with a concept and a design for a # product. It is important to # to provide students with practical experience, while at the same time raising the public’s awareness of design. Thanks to the publicity around the competition, young designers are at the centre of attention - both in their branch and in the general market. # endeavours to at least manufacture one of the designed products each competitive year. A great boost for the participants involved! In 2014, the Blijzetkruk (‘happy occasional stool’) by Simone Post (Design Academy Eindhoven) was introduced in all countries. Altogether, 43 submissions of the # design competition have been taken into production.
International forms of collaboration Not For Sale Since 2013, # and the non-profit organisation Not For Sale have been working together. Not For Sale protects people and communities globally against modern slavery* and human trafficking. Regarding a number of products, # has a cobranding with Not For Sale, which means that the logo of Not For Sale is printed on our products. By selling these products, we generate awareness and
our part in society
financial support for this good cause. In 2014, we introduced # coffee capsules Lungo Ultimo and two types of # espresso coffee beans with the Not For Sale logo. And since 2013, we also sell four organic soups with this logo. Return to Sender Since 2006, HEMA has been involved in the foundation Return to Sender as a founding father. This foundation was established by the popular Dutch actress Katja Schuurman. The first collection of articles from the Return to Sender range was introduced in Dutch # shops in late 2007. Today, the range is available in Belgian shops, as well as in online shops of all countries where we are represented, with the exception of Spain. # and Return to Sender share the objective of helping manufacturers from the poorest regions in the world find a market for their products. This way, they are given the opportunity to build a better future for themselves. # buys directly from these manufacturers. In 2014, some forty Return to Sender products were manufactured in South Africa, Kenya, Nepal, Brazil, Bangladesh, Guatemala, and India and introduced in our shops. These products were manufactured by small-scale manufacturers.
The Blijzetkruk (‘happy occasional stool’) by Simone Post, winner of the # design competition.
The Not For Sale logo on the packaging of coffee beans and soups indicates that part of the proceeds goes to this good cause.
Return to Sender believes that honest trade is the motor behind sustainable economic development. For each Return to Sender product sold, the foundation receives financial support from #. When Return to Sender makes a profit, this is directly returned to the projects concerned.
People who manufacture the Return to Sender products receive a fair price for these.
23 / 25 EARTH Water Since 2011, # and EARTH Concepts have been working together. EARTH Concepts supports drinking-water projects around the world. The net profit made by EARTH Concepts, as a result of the sales of water, coffee and tea, is fully returned to the projects. Earth Concepts includes EARTH Water, which is sold by #. The pure mineral water called EARTH Water is bottled at the small-scale water source of Anl’eau, located in the protected, green nature reserve of Hunzedal, in the Dutch province of Drenthe. EARTH Concepts receives money from # for the sales of EARTH Water. In 2014, we sold over 56,000 litres of EARTH Water in the versions still and sparkling.
National forms of collaboration Fiep Westendorp Foundation Since the early nineteen nineties, # and the late artist Fiep Westendorp have enjoyed a special form of collaboration. # has the exclusive right to use her drawings of Jip & Janneke. We sell Jip & Janneke products in all countries. With the purchase of these products, customers support the Fiep Westendorp Foundation. Upon her demise, Fiep Westendorp left the rights to her work to the Fiep Westendorp Foundation. The objectives of this foundation include: management of the copyright, supporting and initiating children’s artistic development, and/or the initiation of projects that bring happiness to children who are in a difficult situation for whatever reason.
our part in society FOUN LINDA.foundation DA TION Since 2013, # and the LINDA. foundation are collaborating. This foundation was set up by Linda de Mol and the magazine LINDA. The fund supports parents, particularly single parents, who are in financial straits. In 2014, the LINDA.foundation purchased products from # and donated these to parents in need. In addition, # provides financial support, which, in 2014, concerned a donation of 50,000 euros. KWF Kankerbestrijding Since 2006, # and the Dutch cancer society KWF Kankerbestrijding have been working together. In the shops, near the customer service desk, is a collection box for empty ink cartridges. The proceeds of these go to the KWF. For each cartridge received, the KWF is donated 1 euro by #. Small effort, nice yield. In 2014, it resulted in a donated sum of 27,000 euros.
In 2014, we donated € 27,000 to KWF Kankerbestrijding (the
In 2014, our shelves presented over forty Return to Sender products.
Part of the proceeds from our Jip & Janneke products goes to the Fiep Westendorp Foundation.
Dutch cancer society) via the collection of empty ink cartridges.
Anyone buying Earth Water from #, supports drinking-water projects.
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MOAM In 2014, # entered into a form of collaboration with MOAM, a platform that links young, artistic talent to large names in the Dutch fashion industry. Together with #, four promising Dutch fashion designers developed a collection of twenty stylish fashion items for men and women, as well as utensils used in daily life. “Offering young talent a platform and the opportunity to work for an iconic brand such as # is special for both parties. It was a unique occurrence for their designs to be manufactured and subsequently sold in the Dutch # shops”, Martijn Nekoui, initiator and founding father of MOAM explained.
definitions
audit Assessment procedure to evaluate the operational management of a production site according to a set of predetermined criteria. corrective and preventive action plan Improvement plan drawn up by # when an audit has demonstrated that a manufacturer does not meet the criteria. This plan describes the corrective and preventive measures needed to meet these criteria. due diligence The performance of risk analyses and impact assessments to reduce or prevent risks in the area of sustainability (people, society, and the environment). International Labour Organisation United Nations agency that supports governments, employers and employees around the world in their efforts to realise sound working conditions. modern slavery The acquisition of labour by means of force, deception or coercion, with the intention of exploiting the people who do the work. mulesing Mulesing is the process whereby parts of the skin of a sheep are removed in
an animal-unfriendly manner in order to prevent infections. non-governmental organisations (NGOs) Organisations that pursue social or political interests, and which are not a part of a government and do not have a profit motive. production chain The subsequent series of processes undergone by a product, from raw material until it reaches the customer. self-assessment An evaluation (on the basis of a # questionnaire) carried out by the manufacturer, in order to gain insight into the extent to which the production site meets the # criteria. third-party audits Audits carried out by an independent third party. Wajong Assistance received by young, disabled people in the Netherlands. Wajong stands for: Wet werk en arbeidsondersteuning jonggehandicapten. This act is intended to help young, disabled people find work.
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# feels that sustainability should be within reach of a broad public and intends to realise this by making it more understandable. We hope that this report has contributed to this. Follow us on social media
colophon This sustainability report has been published by #, PO Box 37110, 1030 AC Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Curtains of recycled yarn, made of residual material from T-shirt production.
copyright No part of this publication may be reproduced and/or published by photocopy or microfilm, or any other means, without the prior permission of #. # cannot be held liable for any errors in this report. Date of publication 25 June 2015
