-de<
Value chain
rr
Ml
F
Suppliers
Ahold Delhaize
1
1
1
1
1
Open
The material sustainability topics
we’ve identified not only impact
the work we do “within our
four walls.”
Overview
Business review Governance
Financials
Investors
Ahold Delhaize Annual Report 2016
Hill
it
They are often areas where we can have a
significant impact by partnering with suppliers,
customers and other stakeholders to improve
sustainability throughout the full value chain.
We are committed to making a meaningful
contribution through such partnerships,
building on our promises to be a better
place to shop, a better place to work, and
a better neighbor.
Making the full value chain more sustainable
is not an easy task. Transparency of products’
environmental and social impacts along the
chain, for example, is increasing, but remains
a challenge for a company with our global
spread of suppliers, production locations and
farmers. It requires a continuous effort to map
and understand the supply chain in order to
assess how, for instance, natural resources
are used or how good working conditions
are monitored in actual practice. The merger
brought us an even wider spread of partners
in the supply chain, but at the same time
the opportunity to make an even bigger
impact. Another challenge we have taken on
is to help make it easier for our customers to
reduce waste at home, through projects such
as education around shopping to reduce
leftovers and giving away free containers to
help preserve food longer.
Raw materials
The products we sell come
from farms and natural
resources around the world
and in our own backyards.
Raw materials
We implement stronger
product safety and
sustainability standards
to conserve resources at
the start of our value chain.
Production
Raw materials are
combined into products
and packaged for sale.
Production
We partner with suppliers
on innovations that
drive more sustainable
production practices
and reduce food waste.
Distribution
Products are delivered
to our warehouses and
prepared to reach stores
or pick-up points.
Distribution
We make our distribution
centers and transportation
more energy-efficient
to reduce our carbon
footprint.
Retail operations
We engage and empower
our brands’ diverse teams
of associates to improve
health and sustainability,
supporting the long-term
success of our business.
Communities
We support local communities
Retail operations
We sell our products
in stores and online.
Consumption
We help associates and
customers eat better
and reduce food waste
to support healthier
communities.
Consumption
Our products are
consumed, ideally in
ways that benefit our
customers and the
broader communities
we serve.
Pick
uP
