The Report aims to provide a comprehensive presentation of our company, capturing the value created for the market, our employees, our suppliers, society at large, and the natural environment. We consider the alignment of our activities with broader sustainable development issues at a corporate, sectoral, local, and national level to be of particular importance; for this reason, we use the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a benchmark for our accountability and strategy. Our goal is for this Report to serve—within the framework of accountability and transparency—as a platform for dialogue with all our stakeholders, meeting their needs and expectations while acting as a tool to improve our performance regarding the most material sustainability issues that concern us and to which we can contribute.

Up until the 2021-2023 reporting period, the reports have been prepared in accordance with the latest version of the GRI (Global Reporting Initiative) Standards. Simultaneously, they serve as the Company’s Communication on Progress (CoP) regarding the 10 Principles of the UN Global Compact and reflect the Company’s commitment to adhering to the AA1000APS Principles. 

The 2024 Sustainability Report has been developed in a magazine format, highlighting the key pillars of our CSR strategy. Its structure focuses both on actions and performance within our value chain and on initiatives implemented beyond it.

For the year 2024, the Sustainability Report—at both the Schwarz Group and Lidl Stiftung levels, covering all countries where Lidl operates—follows international standards and European directives.