Walmart CSR Overview
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is a critically important aspect of the business for any company of a large size, including Walmart. Walmart CSR strategy rely on the following three principles[1]:
- Creating economic opportunity for our employees, suppliers and people who work in retail and retail supply chains beyond Walmart
- Enhancing the sustainability of operations and product supply chains for people and the planet
- Building strong communities where the retailer operates
Walmart’s aims to achieve the following 3 aspirational goals formulated in 2005 by Lee Scott, who was Walmart CEO at the time:
- Supply the company with 100 per cent renewable energy
- Create zero waste
- Sell products that sustain people and the environment
Walmart CSR strategy concentrates on increasing the use of renewable energy
The company releases Global Responsibility Report annually and it includes the details of Walmart CSR programs and initiatives engaged by the company. The table below illustrates highlights from the latest report for 2015:
| Categories of CSR activities | Walmart Performance |
| Supporting local communities | In UK, Asda donated more than 10,000 grants as part of the Chosen By You, Given By Us program in 2014More than USD 100 million awarded in state and neighbourhood grants by Walmart and Walmart foundation in the US
Walmart employees in the US volunteered over 1.5 million hours in their local communities in 2015 USD 14 million was donated by Walmart to the causes in “dollar-for-doer” grants |
| Educating and empowering workers | Results if a survey involving more than 2 million employees worldwide indicate that 4 or 5 are proud to work at WamartIn February 2015, the company announced a USD1 billion investment in U.S. hourly associates to provide higher wages, more training and increased opportunities to build a career with Walmart.[2]
More than USD 100 million grants will be funded by Walmart foundation to accelerate mobility of retail workers from entry- to middleskills jobs, |
| Labor and human rights | No information found |
| Employee health and safety | Walmart publishes Standards for Suppliers specifying company’s expectations in regards to the treatment and safety of workers |
| Gender equality and minorities | 57% of Walmart employees are womenWalmart’s Global Women’s Economic Empowerment Initiative provides training, access to markets and career opportunities to nearly 1 million women, many on farms and in factories.
32 percent of Walmart corporate officers are women, and 22 percent are people of color Since Memorial Day 2013, Walmart has hired more than 77,000 veterans, nearly 16,000 as part of Veterans Welcome Home Commitment. The company has announced its five-year commitment to hire 100,000 veterans by 2018 The company is expected to source about USD 20 billiion from women-owned businesses, helping to train nearly 1 million women on farms, in factories and in retail |
| Environment a) energy consumption
b) water consumption
c) recycling d) CO2 emissions
|
117,618 kWh less energy was used by Walmart in 2015 compared to the previous year45,573 kWh converted to clean renewable sources (printing plant using RECs)
Walmart is aiming to reduce energy consumption by 20 per cent by 2020 compared to 2010 baseline 417,714 fewer gallons of water was used by Walmart in 2015 compared to the previous year Walmart recycling initiatives saved 894 trees in 2015 426 metric tons of greenhouse gas was offset by Walmart in 2015 82.4 per cent of waste materials in the US and 68 per cent of materials internationally is diverted Thanks to transition to less HFC-reliant systems in refrigerating, Walmart refrigerant emissions have been reduced from 2.8 million metric tons in 2009 to 2.5 million metric tons in 2013 Walmart double US fleet efficiency anabled Walmart ot avoid more than 15,000 metric tons of CO2 in 2015 |
| Sustainable sourcing | Nearly 1,300 Walmart suppliers are using the Sustainability Index to engage in more sustainable productionWalmart managed forestry program resulted in the preservation of 4.65 acre of forestland |
| Other initiatives | During the last 10 years more than USD 43 million in cash was given by Walmart to various countries struck by disasterWalmart and the Walmart Foundation gave over USD 70 million in cash to programs aimed at enhancing nutrition and alleviating hunger |
Walmart CSR performance[3]
Walmart Stores Inc. Report contains a criticism of Walmart CSR programs and initiatives. The report also illustrates the application of the major analytical strategic frameworks in business studies such as SWOT, PESTEL, Porter’s Five Forces, Value Chain analysis and McKinsey 7S Model on Walmart. Moreover, the report contains analysis of Walmart’s marketing strategy along with discussion of its leadership and organizational structure.
[1] Global Responsibility Report (2015) Walmart Stores Inc.
[2] Annual Report (2015) Walmart Stores Inc.
[3] Figures taken from Walmart Annual Report (2015) and Walmart Global Responsibility Report (2015)