We work with suppliers and service providers as business partners because they are key elements in building the value proposition of our brands and banners.
We govern our activity based on five main pillars:
We aim to ensure that the commodities used in our products are of a sustainable origin.
We endeavour to incorporate social and environmental concerns in our product and packaging development processes.
Whenever possible, we favour long-lasting relations with local suppliers.
We have designed a sustainable fishing strategy to reduce our impact on ecosystems.
We feed our animals quality food and endeavour to improve animal welfare.
Our Code of Conduct establishes a set of ethical principles and values which we believe our suppliers should share with us and that may have an impact on the quality and safety of the products made available to our customers.
We endeavour to contribute collectively to the eradication of forced labour – as defined by the International Labour Organisation – along the supply chains of our banners and to continue to ensure its non-existence in our operations. We therefore support The Consumer Goods Forum’s Resolution and its Priority Principles: all workers should have freedom of movement; no worker should pay to work and/or be in debt to work or be coerced into it.
Suppliers of Perishables and Private Brands are regularly audited with the view to periodically assessing and monitoring management and control processes, the quality system implemented and the product formulation. The audits we carry out, both with internal teams and with the help of independent external entities, include topics such as quality and food safety, environmental, labour and social criteria, among others.
We also privilege a relationship with suppliers who are certified in Food Safety, as recognised by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI).
In addition, one of our commitments is to carry out at least 50 environmental audits of Private Brand and Perishables suppliers and at least 40 environmental audits of service providers every year.
We are committed to conducting at least 50 environmental audits of Private Brand and Perishables suppliers and at least 40 environmental audits on services providers, every year.
Information related to new suppliers selected based on environmental and social criteria, negative social impacts on the supply chain and actions taken, assessment of the health and safety impacts of products, number of audits conducted on Private Brand and Perishables suppliers, and on service providers, was verified by an external and independent entity for the Group’s 2019 Annual Report.