Improving product sustainability

Our customers have high expectations of us – and they should. They expect us to bring them a broad assortment of merchandise at everyday low prices, and that we’ll help them save money so they can live better. But they also expect that the products they buy from us are produced responsibly. We believe customers shouldn’t have to choose between products they can afford and products that are produced in an environmentally responsible way.

Together with our suppliers and NGO stakeholders, we’re working hard to exceed those expectations. We’re making sustainability part of how we buy and sell merchandise around the world. In doing so, we’re taking a leading role in addressing the most important issues facing the consumer goods industry, helping our suppliers become more competitive businesses, creating a more resilient supply chain and increasing our customers’ trust in us and the brands we carry.

In 2013, to deliver on our commitment to sustainable products, we expanded engagement, deepened integration and led major initiatives in key hot spots in our supply chain.

Expanded engagement

• Expanded Sustainability Index scorecard rollout to more than 700 categories
• Piloted the Sustainability Index in six markets
• Trained more buyers and suppliers on sustainability in their businesses

Deepened integration to drive progress

• Utilized Sustainability Index scorecards in key merchandising and sourcing processes
• Set goals across U.S. merchandising to drive accountability
• Improved Sustainability Index results across the business

Led initiatives in key hot spots

• Launched or expanded product and supply chain innovation projects in every major business unit
• Convened supplier summits to tackle key issues
• Improved outcomes in hot spots across the value chain