Shaping ESG strategy for a multinational grocery retailer

A leading multinational grocery retailer recognized the growing importance of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues, particularly around sustainability, climate change, health, marketing to children, packaging, and human rights. These issues were not only becoming increasingly significant from a reputational perspective, but were also being closely scrutinized by investors, regulators, and consumers. The company sought to ensure it was aligned with evolving ESG best practices, keeping pace with competitors and demonstrating its commitment to sustainability to key stakeholders. The challenge was to benchmark the company’s existing ESG commitments, evaluate its positioning, and build a strategy that would enhance its credibility, strengthen its market position, and make meaningful progress on key issues.

• Supported the company’s first ESG investor day, ensuring that the event effectively communicated the company’s ESG goals, progress, and long-term strategy to investors.
• Conducted a competitor analysis, benchmarking the company’s ESG commitments against industry leaders and competitors, evaluating strengths and areas for improvement.
• Analyzed key environmental and social issues to assess the company’s current positioning and identify gaps in its strategy.
• Collaborated with the executive and functional teams to define clear ESG priorities and develop a roadmap for integrating these priorities into the company’s core business operations.
• Provided recommendations on how to enhance ESG reporting and communication strategies to improve transparency and build stronger relationships with investors and other stakeholders.

Our guidance and support enabled the company to demonstrate to investors and other key stakeholders how sustainability was being effectively integrated into its business model. This increased investor confidence, strengthened the company’s reputation as an ESG leader, and provided a clear path forward for continued progress. By showcasing its commitment to evolving best practices and addressing key social and environmental issues, the company not only enhanced its market positioning but also demonstrated its dedication to creating long-term value for stakeholders. As a result, the company gained a stronger competitive edge in an increasingly ESG-conscious market.