Tuesday, July 17, 2007: Wal-Mart Canada's Corporate Values Report an open book
First complete record of Wal-Mart Canada's practices and goals related to
employment, community involvement, ethical sourcing, environmental
sustainability and more
MISSISSAUGA, ON, July 17 /CNW/ - Today, Wal-Mart Canada published its
first-ever Corporate Values Report. The 60-page document outlines the
company's vast social responsibility platform, covering many of the topics
Canadians find most intriguing about the company. The report includes
descriptions and statistics related to Wal-Mart's efforts to remain a
favourite employer, to source merchandise ethically, to invest in Canada and
contribute to local communities, and to provide corporate leadership in
environmental sustainability.
"There is an enormous amount of interest in our company," said Mario
Pilozzi, President and CEO, Wal-Mart Canada Corp. "Our Corporate Values Report
is an open book - the most comprehensive first-hand account of topics linked
to the continued success of our business and our people, as well as the social
responsibility of our company."
In 2006 Wal-Mart Canada established a corporate social responsibility
(CSR) task force, involving all senior executives, and hired a CSR director.
The Corporate Values Report is a major step in Wal-Mart Canada's commitment to
document its CSR progress. The report, and a related public feedback
mechanism, is available online at www.wal-mart.ca.
"Wal-Mart is built on a culture of continuous improvement," said John
Lawrence, Wal-Mart Canada's director of corporate social responsibility. "With
this report we've opened ourselves to public review because while we're making
progress on many fronts, we know we're not perfect. There is compelling
dialogue and change occurring within our business that can only benefit from
public and expert feedback."
The company anticipates the report, which will be published annually,
will find an audience among those who most frequently inquire about the
company - from its own associates and suppliers, to NGOs and government of all
levels, to business school students and public school teachers.
The report outlines Wal-Mart Canada's commitments, 2006 achievements and
future goals in five categories, listed below, including the following
highlights, unknown to most Canadians.
Investment in Canada: For each new store, Wal-Mart Canada invests
approximately $20 million into the local economy, creating hundreds of jobs.
Through new stores alone, Wal-Mart has invested nearly $4 billion and created
more than 55,000 new Canadian jobs since 1994, making it one of Canada's
largest employers. In 2006, the company created 6,000 jobs and, looking
forward, will invest approximately half-a-billion dollars this year for new
stores nationwide. At the same time, the company sources most of its products
and services from Canadian companies, and last year did approximately
$11 billion of business with more than 7,000 Canadian suppliers. By
illustrating how the company builds stores, stocks its shelves, and hires
individuals reflective of Canada's diverse communities, the Corporate Values
Report outlines how Wal-Mart is investing in Canada one "Store of the
Community" at a time.
Investment in People: Wal-Mart Canada's associate-retention rate is about
15 per cent better than the industry average, but the competition for retail
talent remains tight. This year, Wal-Mart made "being Canada's favourite place
to work" its number-one corporate imperative, pioneering various programs
building on the respect, diversity, open communication and excellence required
to engage a workforce of more than 70,000 Canadians. As a result, the company
has been named one of Canada's top 50 best places to work (Hewitt Associates);
most respected corporations (KPMG); most admired corporate cultures
(Waterstone Human Capital); and diverse employer of the year (JVS). The
Corporate Values Report details Wal-Mart's plan to remain a favourite retail
employer, itemizes associate benefits and rewards, and looks at exciting new
programs like the ongoing formation of the company's first Diversity Council.
Environmental Sustainability: While Wal-Mart Canada has always aimed to
meet environmental standards, in 2006 it turned its focus to demonstrating
environmental leadership through new and vastly improved environmental
sustainability programs. Last year the company announced three aggressive
goals: 1. To be supplied 100 per cent by renewable energy; 2. To produce zero
waste; and, 3. To sell products that conserve resources and protect the
environment. In 2006, the company kept 120 tonnes of waste from landfills,
enough renewable energy to power approximately 12 stores, and made a
$2.5 million commitment to bring green space to numerous Canadian communities.
These and other future programs - including packaging reduction,
energy-reduction strategies, and green product rollouts - are outlined in the
Corporate Values Report.
Ethical Sourcing: Wal-Mart owns no factories and relies entirely on
suppliers for the products it sells. As such, the company has rigorous
standards for its large and complex supplier base, applicable to factories all
over the world. The standards dictate working conditions, labour and human
rights practices, and environmental safeguards, among many other criteria. In
addition to training factory management on supplier standards, Wal-Mart also
conducts announced and unannounced factory audits to ensure they are enforced.
In 2006, Wal-Mart introduced expanded audit programs for categories such as
fashion, sporting goods and toys, and initiated a greater proportion of
unannounced factory audits. The Corporate Values Report details the company's
audit methodology, factory rating systems, and future plans including the
introduction of environmental standards for supplier factories.
Community Involvement: Wal-Mart Canada raises and donates nearly $300,000
every week to community groups and charitable organizations. Nationally, the
company has become Canada's number-one supporter of Children's Miracle
Network, Breakfast Clubs of Canada, and Canadian Red Cross. Locally, with
"matching grants" from the company, each Wal-Mart store is empowered and
required to support programs that are meaningful to local associates and
customers. The result is that thousands of organizations throughout the year -
from sports teams to women's shelters - receive Wal-Mart's support through
time, marketing, and money. The Corporate Values Report outlines specific
programs and the company's plans to increase its support for local causes,
expand its signature charity event, the Wal-Mart Walk for Miracles, and grow
long-term partnerships like its recently announced $1 million support for the
Juno Beach WW II Memorial and Information Centre.
