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2014 Registration Document
Social responsibility
2
CSR at Carrefour
2.1.2.2
2014: A practicality test to validate
the approach
Analysing the practicality of CSR challenges consists of defining the
Group’s priorities based on its business, the benefits to stakeholders,
and its capacity to act on a particular issue. This involves analysing the
external and internal factors related to challenges and opportunities that
affect Carrefour, such as regulations, stakeholder expectations, and
sector-specific practices.
The aim of the practicality test was to compare internal perceptions
(based on the analytical and stakeholder methods described above)
with an external perspective. It was conducted by KPMG using a three-
step method:
■
reviewing the literature for significant challenges in the retail sector
based on analysis of Carrefour’s publications, a benchmark of non-
financial reporting and communications practices in the retail sector,
and analysis of media coverage and the main references;
■
gathering opinions from a panel of stakeholders at Carrefour. Five
internal Carrefour employees (store, property, purchasing, and the
Sustainable Development department) and ten external persons (extra-
financial investors, consumer representatives, NGOs, and trade unions)
were chosen and then interviewed in person or over the phone using a
questionnaire to determine their expectations. Carrefour chose to hire
an external third party to gather this information so as not to influence
the opinions of the stakeholders;
■
classifying the challenges based on the consultant’s practicality rubric
(70 challenges in total). Each challenge is classified according to its
financial and regulatory impact on investor confidence, customer
loyalty, employee satisfaction and reputation.
The 10 challenges that were shown to be “practical” were:
Employee health and life balance
(organisation of working hours, well-being, work/life balance)
Reliable, transparent labelling for consumers
(nutritional information, price, etc.)
Food waste management
Reliable product traceability
Assessment of suppliers on human rights issues
Sustainable supplier relationships
Support to the local economic and procurement fabric
Reduced store energy consumption and associated
greenhouse gas emissions
Reduction and recycling of waste from activities
Improved product nutritional quality
Environment
Fair practices
Human rights
Labour relations and conditions
Consumer issues
Communities and local development
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
Medium
IMPACT ON BUSINESS
IMPORTANCE FOR STAKEHOLDERS
Low
High
Medium
High
AB
C
D
E
F
G
H
J
I
The following GRI G4 indicators were considered prerequisites
and therefore do not appear on the list of challenges: following regulations.
Reducing absenteeism. Preventing and reducing the severity
of work accidents. Respecting the rights of indigenous populations.
Others subjects shown to be “practical” : general policy for responsible
listing and purchasing (in particular clothing and sustainable fishing) ;
improved energy efficiency in transportation and associated greenhouse
gas emissions ; assessment of suppliers’ labour, environmental,
and societal performance
This analysis shows that Carrefour’s CSR approach is effectively aligned
with the practical challenges identified: tackling wastage and protecting
biodiversity were among the most practical challenges. Carrefour and
its stakeholders also share the same opinion on challenges related to
supporting partners: promoting human rights and supporting the local
economic fabric both emerged as practical challenges.
Carrefour plans to build upon the practicality test by asking a panel
of stakeholders who were not already involved in 2014 to give their
opinions on this mapping.