Delhaize Issues 2015 Annual, Sustainability Reports

Delhaize Group has published its 2015 Annual Report, which highlights the Brussels-based retail conglomerate’s accomplishments over the past year, and Sustainability Progress Report, which shows steps the company has taken toward its 10-year goal of attaining “Supergood” status as a sustainability leader in all of its local markets by 2020.

“Our Annual Report highlights our solid 2015 performance and underscores our continuous commitment to customers, ensuring that they remain at the center of everything we do," said Delhaize Group President and CEO Frans Muller, adding: "Our financial performance goes hand-in-hand with our sustainability targets. Those efforts contribute directly to a more efficient company.”

Muller particularly singled out the company’s work in regard to sustainable seafood. “As of the end of 2015, 87 percent of our private-brand seafood sales – fresh, frozen and canned – are coming from sustainable sources,” he noted.

Among Delhaize’s other sustainability achievements were inclusion in the Dow Jones Sustainability World and Europe Indices; a 40 percent increase in sales from organic products since 2014; 60 percent of total waste recycled (diverted from landfills or incinerators); a 13 percent decrease in carbon dioxide emissions per sales area since 2008; 51 percent of stores and warehouses regularly donating unsold food to local charities; 37 percent of private brand products sold at Delhaize America earn at least one Guiding Star; and a 100 percent score earned by Delhaize America on the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index for the fifth straight year.

“Associates across the company, along with community partners on three continents, are collaborating to make our business more sustainable every step of the way,” observed Marc Croonen, Delhaize Group's chief human resources officer and EVP of sustainability.

The complete Annual Report and Sustainability Progress Report are both available online.