The new report comprehensively covers the objectives, actions and results of Kesko's responsibility programme and responsibility work.
The theme sections of the report discuss impact on society, wellbeing at work, work towards mitigating climate change, responsible purchasing and sales, and healthiness. The report is divided into four sections: introduction, themes, management and GRI indicators.
The trading sector employs young people
Every year, Kesko and K-retailers employ thousands of summer employees and job trainees. Most trainee and summer jobs are provided by K-stores.
In 2011, 28% of the Kesko personnel in Finland were younger than 26 years.
Management model for wellbeing at work
In early 2011, a management model for wellbeing at work was adopted in all of Kesko's companies and operating countries. Of the 1,200 supervisors in Finland, 500 participated in trainings providing information on uniform practices and initiatives concerning wellbeing at work.
Excellent results from improving energy efficiency of buildings
New stores feature solutions that reduce the consumption of materials and energy during the lifecycles of properties. In 2011, special attention in building contracting was paid to the heat insulation capacity of the outer shell of the building and to improving its insulation.
A ground heating system was adopted at the Veturi shopping centre, opening in Kouvola in autumn 2012, already at the construction stage. The shopping centre only needs district heat in very low sub-zero temperatures.
Increasingly small amounts of waste go to landfills
The recovery rate of waste from Kesko Food's warehouse and terminal operations improved to nearly 95% in 2011. At the end of 2011, the recovery rates of K-food stores complying with the new waste management system were around 90%. The recovery rate of the new logistics centre for home and speciality goods is over 99%.
Kesko's 12th Corporate Responsibility Report has been published in Finnish and English and it can be downloaded at www.kesko.fi/responsibility. A printed copy can be ordered at www.kesko.fi/media.
In November 2011, Kesko's 2010 Report was chosen as Finland's best corporate responsibility report in the 'Responsibility Reporting' contest. Kesko has been included eight times on 'The Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in the World' list.
Further information
Merja Haverinen, Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications and Responsibility, Kesko Corporation, tel. +358 1053 22764
Helena Frilander, CR Manager, Kesko Corporation, tel. +358 1053 23143.
Kesko (www.kesko.fi) is a retail specialist whose stores offer quality to the daily lives of consumers. Kesko has about 2,000 stores engaged in chain operations in the Nordic and Baltic countries, Russia, and Belarus.