After evaluating the company’s achievements with regard to sustainability, Maxima Latvija 4th time in a row received a Gold rating in the Sustainability Index for its responsible and sustainable business practices—looking after the well-being of the public and its employees, as well as implementing environmentally-friendly solutions in the everyday operations of the business—for the fourth year in a row.
“This year has undoubtedly shown us all the importance of public health and helping those around us. Maxima Latvija continues to work towards the health of the public by implementing strict preventive measures to limit the spread of COVID-19 and ensuring the availability of high-quality groceries to everyone. To encourage low prices, we have urged the government to lower the Value Added Tax (VAT) rate for all fresh food product categories including fresh meat, fish, eggs and dairy products. This year, we will also continue to support the recovery and rehabilitation of children and young people, youth sports organisations and community activities, in addition to implementing a range of measures in support of non-governmental organisations and cultural initiatives,” explains Viktors Troicins, Head of Maxima Latvija.
Last year, as a company belonging to Maxima grupe, Maxima Latvija became a member of the United Nations Global Compact Initiative, committing to uphold the ten principles of the Global Compact in the spheres of human rights, environmental protection, work environment and anti-corruption. Maxima Latvija has also committed to implementing the 17 sustainable development goals included in the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. To ensure these goals, the company has developed and confirmed a Corporate Sustainability Strategy, defining its aims and initiatives for social responsibility in three of the most important areas: People, Planet, Products.
Last year, when aiming for the sustainable growth of the business, Maxima Latvija focused on three significant areas of operation: public health and active lifestyle; environmental protection; and employee involvement and growth.
Public health and active lifestyle
The company has made significant investments in various socially and publicly significant initiatives to promote public understanding of an active, healthy lifestyle; ensure that all children have the same opportunities to grow up healthy; and support various less-fortunate sectors of society. The total amount given in support of different public support initiatives last year was more than 560,000 Euro.
In 2019, Maxima continued its partnership with the Latvian Athletics Association, the Latvian Ice Hockey Federation, and Ghetto Games, and supported other sports activities for children, young people and families. The company’s investment gave organisations the chance to develop their sporting infrastructure and training processes to make them more interesting, innovative and accessible. Meanwhile, in the sphere of children’s health and rehabilitation, Maxima has worked closely with the Poga rehabilitation centre and the Children’s Hospital Fund, promoting the recovery of Latvia’s youngest patients. Similarly, the company continued its active support of large families, disabled and elderly organisations, the NGO sector outside of Riga, and children’s and young people’s organisations. In 2019, support was given to a total of more than 100 initiatives and organisations.
Environmental sustainability
Last year, for environmental sustainability, energy-efficient solutions were introduced into stores and warehouses; environmentally-friendly packaging was used when manufacturing food products; and initiatives expanding the availability of recycling and reducing food waste were implemented.
Maxima Latvija has developed smart digital solutions for its stores to reduce potential food waste, and has actively participated in the advancement of amendments to the Law On the Supervision of the Handling of Food, resulting in laws coming into force in 2019 allowing certain food to be donated to charity after its minimum sell-by date has passed. The company has worked with partners in the waste processing sector to provide waste and packaging recycling points near its stores in Riga and elsewhere, and stores throughout Latvia have been equipped with special collection points for batteries and small household electronics. In total, since 2019, twice as much packaging was turned in for recycling at Maxima stores as in 2018.
Similarly, the company is actively involved in the introduction of a well-considered, transparent deposit system which offers good value to the public.
Employee involvement and growth
Maxima is the largest private employer in the country—at the end of 2019, the company employed 7,425 people who worked to ensure the highest level of customer shopping experience. To promote employee growth and involvement, the company updated its work environment and offered opportunities for the professional growth and development of employees, including expanding its scholarship programme for employees beginning their studies in institutions of higher education.
Significant investment was made in improving the work environment, unveiling new and renovated stores with more spacious, comfortable and well-considered premises for shoppers and staff. Meanwhile, for employee and customer convenience, the company continues to expand its network of self-service checkouts throughout Latvia and introduce innovative technologies into the working day including electronic price tags, a produce monitoring system, and artificial intelligence solutions monitoring shelf stocking and checkout lines remotely, among others.
For the well-being of employees, the company provides transport to and from work, accommodation for employees from other regions who have come to work in Riga, and free lunch for store and logistics employees. Similarly, Maxima Latvija employees are offered flexible working hours, enabling a successful work-life balance. The company offers discounts, gives gifts on special occasions, encourages employees and their families to take part in various events promoting physical activities and a healthy lifestyle, and organises parties and a scholarship programme for employees’ children, among other benefits.
This year, Maxima Latvija continues its active collaboration with government institutions and involvement in decision-making in the interests of the public, such as encouraging a reduction in VAT for fresh produce like meat, bread and milk, making them more accessible and supporting local producers.
The company has received a Gold rating three times before, as well as Silver and Bronze ratings, reflecting Maxima Latvija’s targeted investments in and long-term support for improving the environment and public welfare.
The Sustainability Index, organised by the Institute for Corporate Sustainability and Responsibility, is in its eleventh year. It is a strategic management tool based on internationally-recognised methods which help businesses to evaluate the sustainability of their operations and level of corporate responsibility in five areas: strategy, market relations, work environment, environment and society.
Information for the media:
Liene Dupate-Ugule
Head of Communications, SIA "Maxima Latvija"
Tel.: 26425420
