Our responsibilities
IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE, TODAY AND TOMORROW
Corporate social responsibility is rooted in our group values. We believe in taking
responsibility for our impact on society and the earth. It makes good common sense
to do so - it is important to customers, employees and other stakeholders and helps
us to run our business more efficiently.
SAFE, HEALTHY AND RESPONSIBLE FOODS
MANAGING ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
We are committed to improving the quality of life of our
customers, employees and the communities we serve.
We do this by:
Managing our business in a responsible, ethical and
transparent way.
Giving customers safe, healthy foods produced under
responsible conditions.
Being a great place to work where employees are treated
fairly and can have a fulfilling career.
Minimizing the negative, and maximizing the positive,
social and environmental impact of our supermarket,
foodservice and logistics operations.
Being a proactive corporate citizen through dialogue with
key stakeholders, and by building strong relationships in
those communities where we do business.
All of our customers expect their food to be safe. Providing
safe products in all of our markets is a fundamental, non-
negotiable priority.
Increasingly, people are looking for healthy choices and
products produced in a responsible manner. We therefore
offer an organic assortment across all of our retail markets.
And in light of increased fish consumption and over-fishing,
our companies in the United States, Sweden and the
Netherlands have developed initiatives to help create
sustainable fisheries.
to improve labor conditions among the workers of their
suppliers in high risk countries.
Our companies are committed to limiting the negative
environmental impacts of our supermarket, foodservice and
logistics operations. We are working hard to reduce waste
and energy usage, to minimize the use of ozone-depleting
substances and to make distribution of products to our
stores and foodservice customers more efficient.
Our U.S. supermarkets, Albert Heijn and ICA identify stores
with unusually high energy consumption and perform
detailed energy analyses and take corrective measures.
To increase efficiencies, we use continuous replenishment
systems, which integrate store ordering systems with those
of distribution centers and suppliers. We also aim to reduce
negative environmental impacts associated with distribution
through optimal truck utilization and safe and efficient
driving. For example, in order to minimize emissions and
reduce costs we maximize the volume of products we deliver
to stores per truck.
Reducing energy usage and waste not only lessens our
impact on the environment, it also helps keep our cost base
down. This is good for our business, the environment and
our customers.
In addition, we undertake activities that aim to advance the
position of suppliers in the developing world. The Ahold
Sustainable Trade Development program has brought fair
trade and organic products from Africa to be sold in ICA and
Albert Heijn stores. The Ahold Coffee Company supplies Utz
Kapeh certified responsible coffee for the corporate brands
of Ahold retailers in the Czech Republic, the Netherlands,
Norway, Sweden and the United States. In 2005 Ahold
joined the Business Social Compliance Initiative, a
European alliance of 50 retailers and importers with the aim
Our operating companies are committed to their individual
markets by directly participating in community events,
sponsoring charitable causes and organizing fundraising
activities that are important to the communities they serve.
Charitable giving is especially important to our operating
companies in the United States.
In 2005, our Stop Shop/Giant-Landover arena continued
to play a significant role in supporting charitable
organizations such as Dana Farber, the Jimmy Fund, the
AHOLD ANNUAL REPORT 2005
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