Dialogue with and support for the communities surrounding our operations (stores, distribution centres and other operating facilities) are material to our actions as a responsible organisation, as we already carry out supply chain due diligence through the principles established in our Sustainable Sourcing Policy, the Code of Conduct for Suppliers and other sustainability-related practices, such as fighting deforestation, carrying out social and environmental audits of suppliers, and the sale of certified-sustainable products, actions which we detail throughout this chapter.
Not only do we seek to understand the needs of surrounding communities we support through dialogue mechanisms, but we also measure the impact of our direct and indirect support on the charities and their beneficiaries in order to enhance and expand the positive benefits to society. We have also set targets and objectives to better and more broadly measure our social impact.
The strategy of building close ties with local communities and supporting the most vulnerable population groups exposed to socio-economic risks, is carried out through associations and charities, among other social welfare organisations. In line with the local before global principle, the Group supports projects and initiatives that have a positive impact on the quality of life of communities, and the preservation and dissemination of the cultural heritage of the countries where it has operations.