SA retailer recognised for good business initiative

The accolade recognises the retailer's commitment to embed its five-year Good business journey through all facets of its business. The journey, announced in April 2007, is designed to change the way the company does business and addresses the issue of sustainable growth in the context of the changing social and environmental needs of South Africa. The plan sets challenging targets and commitments centred on four key priorities: accelerating transformation, driving social development, enhancing the environmental focus and addressing climate change.

Woolworths was one of only two retailers to be short-listed outside Europe. The other five retailers are C&A Europe (Germany), Carrefour Group (France), Sainsbury's (UK), Tesco (UK) and The Warehouse Group (New Zealand). Last year's winner was UK-based retailer, Marks and Spencer.

The panel of judges reviewed the entries at the World Retail Congress in Barcelona, Spain, looking for retailers who demonstrated an overall strategy and approach towards corporate responsibility that was embedded in their business and its operations. They sought companies that set new world-class standards of good practice through initiatives that 'added ethical value' and represented a long-term commitment in the areas of employment practices, sourcing, environmental policies, fair trade and supply chain.

Woolworths CEO Simon Susman said, “This [award] recognises that our Good business journey is a timely and correct strategy. We know that sustainable growth can only be achieved through paying greater attention to the world around us than has been the case in the past. The links between economic growth, transformation, social development, the environment and climate change must create a better world for everyone, and we believe that this is part of our responsibility to the communities in which we trade. Together we can and will make a difference.”