MMSZ Green Chapter: Green Club meeting at Auchan – ESG will only work together

By: Barok Eszter Date: 2024. 09. 11. 12:35

The June meeting of the Green Chapter of the Hungarian Marketing Association (MMSZ) began with a short introduction by Hajnalka Széll, marketing and customer relations director of Auchan. Next CSR director Ildikó Varga-Futó presented the retailer’s strategy.

This article is available for reading in Trade magazin 2024/8-9

In 2022 Auchan laid down its environmental, social and governance (ESG) strategy for the period until 2025, which is in line with the parent company’s 2032 vision. Its pillars are eating well and living better, while also preserving the planet. As regards CO2 emissions, Scope 3 represents the biggest challenge. By 2030 Auchan plans to cut greenhouse gas emissions from store operations by 46%, while the same figure for CO2 emissions related to product life cycle and transportation is minus 25%.

Hajnalka Széll, marketing and shopper relations director of Auchan

“Our commitment to climate protection is implemented – among other things – through the ‘Partners for decarbonisation 2030’ initiative, which relies on our suppliers. In order to successfully meet this challenge by 2030, we need 4 drivers for action: engagement, cooperation, implementation and development. Our contribution isn’t only linked to the fight against climate change, but thanks to this joint effort we are also preparing for a future where sustainability is at the heart of our business model”,

told Ildikó Varga-Futó.

Diversity of the company is important, Auchan has been employing people living with disabilities for more than 10 years – Ildikó Varga-Futó, Auchan’s CSR Director pointed out

What should we communicate?

Promoting sustainable products and credible, educational communication are important. Auchan stores sell second-hand clothes and second-hand mobile phones. The New Life By Auchan brand has been a flagship programme for almost two years, which also puts great emphasis on customer education. Auchan has been employing people with disabilities for more than 10 years and the retailer firmly believes that this strategy isn’t just charity, but a win-win practice.

“Our employees have become more open and tolerant in their daily work, not only with other colleagues but also with customers. We work with a number of external organisations for professional support and recruitment, and we ensure the accessibility of our premises for our staff and customers through audits and technical improvements”,

explained Ildikó Varga-Futó.

Last year, we celebrated the 100 millionth kilogram that we saved and were able to distribute among those in need – said András Nagygyörgy, Head of Communications of the Hungarian Food Bank

Food Bank: more than 100 million kilograms of food saved

The Hungarian Food Bank Association is an important strategic partner of Auchan. Ildikó Varga-Futó talked to András Nagygyörgy, the association’s director of external relations about Food Bank’s objectives and its cooperation with Auchan. Food Bank operates a 3,000m² central warehouse and works with 8 supermarket chains, 600 charities and more than 6,000 volunteers. Last year they celebrated the 100 millionth kilogram of food that was saved and distributed among people in need. In partnership with Auchan alone, the association rescued and donated 5,400 tonnes of food over the past 10 years.

András Nagygyörgy revealed that every year they receive less and less food from stores, which is a good thing, since the original goal was reducing food waste, but on the other hand it also means that alternative solutions are needed for donations – and Auchan is regularly involved in the latter. After the presentations István Nagy, store manager of the Auchan in Budaörs took MMSZ Green Chapter members on a guided tour around the store. //

István Nagy, director of the Auchan department store in Budaörs presented the latest developments and sustainability solutions to the members of the MMSZ Green Chapter