Auchan publishes 2021 Sustainability Report

Among the most important categories included in the report are the sustainability strategy, the promotion of a healthy diet and the fight against food waste, the fight against plastic pollution, the reduction of the carbon footprint, but also the circular economy and the implemented projects, the people in the company and sustainable communities.

The included data covers both the period January 1, 2021 - December 31, 2021, and on a rolling year, for the period October 1, 2020 - September 30, 2021. In 2021, Auchan celebrated 15 years on the Romanian market.

Auchan mentions that it supports local producers, collaborating with over 85% suppliers from Romania, and the food range consists of over 90% products from Romanian companies, currently having 24 own branches.

"Auchan's sustainability strategy is aligned with the UN's sustainable development goals. The retailer fights food waste and plastic pollution and has adopted measures to reduce its carbon footprint, promoting social commitments," the report says.

In 2021, Auchan contributed to the recycling of 14,000 tons of waste at store level, and through the "Zero Waste" program, also extended to 14 convenience stores (supermarkets and MyAuchan stores), it helped to save 4.3 million products food, but also avoiding more than 4,000 tons of CO2 from reaching nature.

Also, the packaging of Auchan own-brand gastro products has become 100% eco-friendly. At the same time, from May 2021, Auchan has removed all single-use plastic packaging from its stores. And in 2021, Auchan continued its partnership with the "Bank for the Collection and Distribution of Food" by contributing and encouraging food donations.

Also at the recycling level, through the initiative to collect used cooking oil, initiated in October 2019, more than 220,000 liters of oil were collected by the end of 2021, the company making household consumers responsible and contributing to education towards responsible consumption.

Auchan launched in January 2021 the "A new life" project, focused on the circular economy of textiles, a first on the local retail market. The project is part of the company's strategy to reduce the carbon footprint, through which the clothes already worn are reused, being gradually expanded, and at the end of 2021, 12 shop-in-shops were opened in stores all over the country. Also, the Textile Collection and Recycling Project initiated in 2020, through which products could be donated for recycling or to help disadvantaged families, continued in 2021.

Auchan signs agreements with all its partners, through which they commit to comply with its sustainability policies, which include the impact on the environment or the presentation of offers that support social responsibility, and in 2021 all freight suppliers used only vehicles in their fleets that meet the Euro 5 or Euro 6 standard.

At the level of collaborations, the company supports over 40 social projects. Among other things, during 2021 the collaboration with the FARA Foundation continued, whose main goal is to combat poverty through education, donating over RON 300,000 (€60.000) for social causes.

The report also presents data about the company as a responsible employer. Within Auchan Romania, equal opportunities are promoted, with employees having numerous benefits and opportunities for development. Auchan says it supports gender equality, and more than 53% of management positions are held by women.

In 2021, Auchan continued the Personal Sustainability Program of employees launched in 2020, offering all over 8,000 employees the opportunity to get involved in various sustainability and social responsibility actions, with over 3,900 employees taking part in the actions started in 2021 Auchan Romania.

The sustainability report is structured in chapters, each covering a different strategic area and analyzes the company's activity in terms of vision, values ​​and the evolution of the number of stores, governance, ethics, the relationship with Auchan's partners and suppliers, but also elements of human resources, diversity and inclusion in work, as well as the assumed community commitments. At the same time, information is presented regarding the sustainability strategy, the performance from the perspective of sustainable development, the concrete actions undertaken, the major projects in which the company is involved, as well as objectives for the future.

"The launch of the second Sustainability Report represents the voluntary way in which we decided to communicate transparently and make available to all stakeholders the results and impact of our actions in 2021 regarding sustainability in Auchan. In addition to transforming our business model to a trade based on responsible production and consumption, we also place a strong emphasis on community involvement and honouring our commitments to protect the environment. In the report, you will find our vision, projects and constant efforts to contribute to the creation of a climate of proximity and fairness towards employees, communities and partners", said Corina Dospinoiu, Auchan Retail Romania CSR Manager.

Auchan Romania has 327 stores in its portfolio, including 33 hypermarkets, 7 supermarkets and 287 ultra-proximity MyAuchan stores, of which over 270 in Petrom stations, as well as the online store auchan.ro. The company has a turnover with taxes in 2021 of over €1.2 billion.