We’re committed to engaging all our stakeholders, both internally and externally, to become the most sustainable, responsible company we can be. By listening to, partnering with and considering the perspectives of our associates, customers, shareholders, academic leaders, government, NGOs and even our competitors, we’re truly saving our customers money so they can live better.

Our engagement with each stakeholder group differs and, in an effort to adapt to changing needs and issues, continues to evolve. As we pursue our corporate responsibility goals, we intend to further strengthen these relationships. Together, we’re establishing transparency and enhancing our relevancy with the customers and communities we serve.

Associates

Regular communications and engagement, via channels that include our WalmartOne.com site, monthly associate magazine, Associate Engagement Surveys and the Open Door Policy. Based upon hire date and position, associates may become eligible to be formally evaluated on their performance each year. Through the performance management program, managers and associates engage in open, transparent and ongoing conversations to provide clarity on performance expectations as well as to identify learning and growth opportunities for the associate.

Customers

Daily engagement with customers in our stores and clubs, and through select social media outlets, including our sustainability blog, walmartgreenroom.com. In some markets, we also conduct customer satisfaction surveys on a regular basis.

NGOs

Regular meetings with NGOs to find common solutions in order for our efforts to exceed anything we could achieve alone. We discuss strategy development, execution and best-practice sharing.

Shareholders

Quarterly and annual financial reporting, annual meeting of shareholders, periodic individualized mailings and conference calls among senior management, investors, and/or analysts and rating firms. In addition, we hold three full-day interactive meetings with the investment community each year to discuss company strategies.

Suppliers

Regularly engage with suppliers to promote and institute sustainability solutions. One example includes our Women-Owned Business Advisory Council, which consists of suppliers working with our Women’s Economic Empowerment team to unlock sourcing opportunities. Major projects from 2013 include the Sustainability Index, supply chain greenhouse gas (GHG) program and sustainable agriculture.

Multi-stakeholder collaborations

We actively support industry efforts to drive sustainability in consumer goods supply chains. These efforts, involving groups such as The Sustainability Consortium (TSC), Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA), Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) and Consumer Goods Forum (CGF), allow us to collaborate with and engage our suppliers and competitors in industrywide sustainability initiatives.