Loblaw Issues Fourth Annual Corporate Social Responsibility Report

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(3BL Media / theCSRfeed) BRAMPTON, ON – May 3, 2011 – Today, Loblaw Companies Limited (Loblaw) issued its 2010 Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Report.  The 2010 CSR Report: The Way We Do Business details Loblaw’s social responsibility achievements and key areas of focus. Through its approach to CSR, Loblaw looks to meet the needs of today while laying the foundation to address potential future challenges.

“In 2010 we continued to make progress against CSR targets and I am particularly pleased with our efforts to reduce our environmental impact and improve the sustainability of our food supply,” said Galen G. Weston, executive chairman, Loblaw Companies Limited.  “Looking forward we recognize the increased importance Canadians are placing on making good diet, health and nutrition choices.  We believe Loblaw can and should be a meaningful partner in addressing these concerns.”   

Among the innovative initiatives in 2010 that the Company believes will serve to be building blocks for its long-term vision, Loblaw granted a $3 million gift to the University of Guelph to establish the Loblaw Companies Limited Chair in Sustainable Food Production, and took a leading role in the development of the Conference Board of Canada’s Centre for Food in Canada, which aims to develop a framework for a national food strategy. 

Loblaw’s approach to business is guided by five corporate social responsibility pillars: Respect the Environment, Source with Integrity, Make a Positive Difference in our Community, Reflect our Nation’s Diversity and Be A Great Place to Work. 

2010 Highlights: 

Respect the environment

• Launched 37 new PC® G.R.E.E.N® products.

• Improved fuel efficiency by 2.3 per cent. 

• Loblaw customers used 73 per cent fewer plastic shopping bags and since 2007, Loblaw customers used 2.5 billion fewer plastic shopping bags. 

• Reduced PC® product packaging by 2.3 million kilograms.

• Achieved 70 per cent diversion of waste-to-landfill from Distribution Centres.

• Commenced a project to simplify plastics packaging in order to improve recycling by municipal facilities. 

• Commenced renewable energy (photovoltaic/solar panels) pilot projects at two store locations.

• Recognized as one of Canada’s Greenest Employers by Mediacorp Canada Inc.

  Source with Integrity

• Continued driving our commitment to source 100 per cent sustainable seafood by achieving the next steps in one of the most aggressive, world-leading sustainable seafood commitments:

• Increased the number of Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certified sustainable products on it shelves to 22 and removed four identified ‘at risk’ seafood species from shelves.

• Launched a national public awareness campaign that included providing a documentary about the state of our oceans, End of the Line, to more than 700 Canadian schools across the country and the launch of a sustainable seafood Facebook site and website, www.oceansfortomorrow.com.  

• Sourced up to 40 per cent of produce in Loblaw stores in July and August from Canadian growers, and featured up to 180 products from Canadian growers as part of Loblaw’s Grown Close to Home™ program.

• Became the first national Canadian grocery retailer to require Loblaw private brand suppliers comply with safety standards under the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI).  

Make a positive difference in our community

• Donated more than $12.6 million to local charities across Canada and Loblaw colleagues, employees, customers and vendors donated more than $22.4 million to local charities through in-store fundraising initiatives to help benefit Canadians nationally. 

   

Reflect our nation’s diversity

• Increased the percentage of female store managers to 21.7 per cent.

• Dedicated space for culturally diverse merchandise in 74 per cent of Loblaw corporate and franchise stores. 

Be a great place to work

• Recognized as a top Canadian employer for a second consecutive year and a top employer for young people by Mediacorp Canada Inc.

• Introduced a new program called Above and Beyond the Call of Duty (ABCD) to recognize colleagues for outstanding effort and customer service. 

“We are encouraged by the progress we continue to make against our CSR targets and how our activities are positively impacting our business and the larger community. As we look to the future, we continue to seek new ways to improve, and lead by example,” said Bob Chant, vice-president of corporate affairs, Loblaw Companies Limited.  

Loblaw’s 2010 CSR report can be found online on the recently redesigned Loblaw Corporate website at loblaw.ca/csr. 

About Loblaw Companies Limited

Loblaw Companies Limited, a subsidiary of George Weston Limited, is Canada's largest food distributor and a leading provider of drugstore, general merchandise and financial products and services. Loblaw is one of the largest private sector employers in Canada. With more than 1,000 corporate and franchised stores from coast to coast, Loblaw and its franchisees employ more than 136,000 full-time and part-time employees. Through its portfolio of store formats, Loblaw is committed to providing Canadians with a wide, growing and successful range of products and services to meet the everyday household demands of Canadian customers. Loblaw is known for the quality, innovation and value of its food offering. It offers Canada's strongest control (private) label program, including the unique President's Choice®, no name® and Joe Fresh Style® brands. In addition, the Company makes available to customers President's Choice Financial® services and offers the PC® points loyalty program.

For more information please contact: 

Public Relations Department, Loblaw Companies Limited

pr@loblaw.ca or (905) 459-2500

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