Sustainability and stakeholder review

Introduction

This Sustainability Report forms an integral part of the Group’s integrated report. In this report, the Group endeavours to provide a transparent, accurate and integrated perspective of its sustainability philosophy by covering not only its economic performance, but also portraying the scope of the Group’s associated social, environmental and governance initiatives. The emphasis is on the link between the Group’s financial and non-financial performance, in an effort to demonstrate how these factors interacted and influenced the business during the past year. The Group views the integrated reporting process as an evolutionary journey that will evolve as global developments in this field mature. The Group has adopted the Global Reporting Initiative’s (GRI) G3 Index for reporting purposes however, reporting has been based on a substance over form principle, in that sustainability issues that are not considered material to JD Group’s business have not been disclosed.

Role of the board and the overarching philosophy

JD Group is committed to creating long-term sustainable stakeholder value through ethical business practices, providing employment, minimising environmental impacts and promoting social and economic development. The board regards JD Group as integral to the South African society and therefore acts as a responsible citizen in its social, environmental and economic interactions with stakeholders. Decisions take cognisance of the impact on sustainability. Current needs are evaluated to ensure that the ability of future generations to meet their needs is not compromised. However, as much as the Group acknowledges that social transformation is important to redress the unfair practices of the past and that sustainability ensures its future wellbeing, JD Group’s business perspective remains aligned first and foremost with the expectations of its shareholders whose capital it manages, because informed investors assess the quality and sustainability of the Company’s economic performance as most essential in this triple-bottom line accord – and as such, anti-competitiveness is not tolerated in any shape or form.

The philosophy of leadership, sustainability and corporate citizenship is core to JD Group’s own strategy and evidenced by the statement of its Chairman, David Sussman: “As one of the leading furniture retailers in South Africa, JD Group embraces any initiative aimed at ensuring the future prosperity of our country, as well as that of the Group. The importance of transformation and upliftment of the communities in which we conduct our business cannot be underestimated. Our existence and future profitability can only be achieved with the continued support of our customers and the communities in which we operate.”