Materiality Analysis

GRI 102-45: Entities included in the consolidated financial statements

The report covers REWE Combine companies for Germany and Austria. The sustainability work undertaken by independent retailers is addressed and presented only in individual cases due to the large number of activities and the entrepreneurial autonomy of the retailers. This approach has also been taken for locations outside Germany and Austria. Nonetheless, more than 50 per cent of REWE Group’s employees have been covered. In reporting the data, it is clearly explained where reporting limits deviate. For instance, the data for the pillars of Energy, Climate and the Environment occasionally include independent retailers and locations outside Germany.

GRI 102-46: Defining report content and topic Boundaries

In 2014, REWE Group conducted a comprehensive materiality analysis that still applies for this report. In this work, a representative cross-section of relevant stakeholders was asked in personal interviews about their requirements, thoughts and strategic recommendations. In addition, an online questionnaire was filled out by 115 participants. The survey results were used to develop a ranking of 25 top-priority issues and 13 less critical issues. The latter group included various employee issues, topics of social involvement, transparent marketing, certification and labels, waste management, the circular economy, more sustainable packaging as well as biodiversity. These issues were intensely discussed in REWE Group project groups. It was concluded that all issues are critical to the combine’s continued involvement and to reporting. Because of current developments and scientific findings, more sustainable packaging and biodiversity have become increasingly important for all stakeholders. Therefore, these topics are very important for the involvement of REWE Group.

In March 2015, the PRO PLANET Board of Advisers, in which many NGOs are represented, reviewed and approved the results of the materiality analysis from 2014. The materiality analysis was then discussed and approved by REWE Group’s sustainability strategy group chaired by the former member of the Management Board, Manfred Esser.

Relevance from the Perspective of Internal and External Stakeholders

Classification of significant issues in GRI aspects

GRI 102-47: List of material topics

GRI 102-49: Changes in reporting

For the 2017 sustainability report of REWE Group, the allocation of the aspects to be reported from the 2015/2016 financial year were used again, as a comprehensive strategy process was carried out for REWE and PENNY only in 2016. As part of this, various issues of sustainability involvement with regard to stakeholder expectations and social developments were revised. To address the results in the reporting, new aspects like animal welfare, more sustainable procurement, Green Buildings and biodiversity were added as part of a comparison.