Retailers under the microscope

The WWF had ten important food retailers and the three largest wholesalers in Switzerland rated by the rating agency Inrate according to their environmental performance (study "WWF Environmental Rating 2015, Wholesale and Retail/Food and Near-Food"). The companies were compared with a visionary next-generation company, still fictitious today, whose business model is geared to the ecological sustainability of our planet and to a maximum global warming of two degrees Celsius. The following were evaluated six areas important for the environmentManagement system, investments, products, assortment & suppliers, policy & framework conditions as well as anchoring of environmentally friendly behavior in society.

The results

Coop and Migros make it into the "pioneer" category. With their environmental commitment, the two are far ahead of the rest of the industry, as the WWF points out. They sell more products with recognized sustainability labels and orient their actions more consistently toward goals and the greatest possible impact. They also do a better job of promoting environmentally responsible practices among their suppliers and society as a whole. No company made it into the "runner-up" category. There are seven companies in the "upper midfield" category and two in the "lower midfield". Volg and the Pam chain of stores in western Switzerland did not answer the questions - they are therefore in the "intransparent" category.

Further findings from the rating

It is gratifying that practically no company is left empty-handed when asked about its environmental performance. In principle, however, Swiss wholesalers and retailers still have a long way to go, according to the environmental organization. The results vary greatly depending on the field of action. While almost all participating companies had already taken some measures in the areas of sustainability strategy and management or investments in energy and CO2, only a few - if any - ecological requirements were imposed on pension fund investments. Far too few companies would still consistently address the most relevant challenges when solving environmental problems. Participation in industry initiatives, which carry more weight vis-à-vis multinational corporations and in politics, is also relatively limited, according to the media release. According to WWF, wholesalers and retailers must develop business models that are oriented toward the carrying capacity of the planet and counteract global warming of more than 2 degrees. To this end, the environmental organization says, those measures that have the greatest impact should be implemented consistently.

The Ranking of wholesalers and retailers in the WWF environmental rating

• Category trailblazer: Coop, Migros
• Chaser category: none
• Upper midfield category: Aldi Suisse, Denner, Lidl Switzerland, Manor, Pistor, Saviva, Transgourmet Switzerland
• Lower Midfield Category: Globe, Spar
• Category Intransparent: Pam, Volg