M&S is world’s most sustainable retailer
Dow Jones index praises UK High Street retailer
September 6 2002
Marks & Spencer has topped the retail market sector table in a key index of corporate sustainabilty.
The Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes, which measure the financial performance of sustainability-driven companies worldwide, includes over 300 companies from 23 countries. The Pan-European Dow Jones Sustainability Index includes 180 companies from 14 counties.
Rowland Hill, Corporate and Social Responsibility Manager, Marks & Spencer said: “We are delighted to be both included and finish top of the retail sector indexes. It is good to be recognised for the work we have achieved in all aspects of corporate social responsibility.”
Marks & Spencer has undertaken a wide range of activities in CSR covering everything from improving environmental performance of its products, enhancing the well-being of workers including those people who work for suppliers based abroad, to innovative programmes to reach out to the socially excluded such as the homeless. Its curent in-store food promotion highlights its recent winning of the Compassionate Supermarket of the Year award.
With investors, consumers and legislators all paying closer attention to companies’ credentials in areas such as sustainability and environmental awareness, such accolades are becoming increasingly important.
