About this report

Transparent reporting

We are confident that transparent reporting helps us to better manage our business operations and meet the demands of various stakeholder groups. The standards of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) form the basis of our reporting. This Corporate Responsibility Report 2017/18 was prepared in accordance with the GRI standards and fulfils the ‘Core’ option.

The GRI Content Index can be found here.

In contrast to previous years, this report does not continue the section of goals. However, these are also included in the respective chapters of this report.

Reporting period

The reporting period is the financial year 2017/18 (1 October 2017 to 30 September 2018). To provide updates on developments, information has also been included that relates to periods prior to 2017/18. In the interests of topicality, we have also taken into account events which occurred up to the time of going to press (11 December 2018). The frame of reference for each of our goals and measures is indicated in the relevant section.

METRO reports on its sustainability performance each year by publishing either a progress report or a Corporate Responsibility Report. A progress report was produced for financial year 2016/17, which was published on 13 December 2017.

Limitations of the report

The scope of applicability of the information is given in the respective texts, key performance indicators or goals.

United Nations Global Compact

Since 2010, METRO has subscribed to the principles of the UN Global Compact, a United Nations-led global initiative that aims to encourage businesses to adopt universal sustainability principles. By subscribing to the United Nations Global Compact, we have committed ourselves to continuous improvements in the areas of human rights, labour standards, environmental protection and anticorruption measures. With this Corporate Responsibility Report 2017/18 that is available online, METRO meets its obligation to demonstrate how improvements have been made within these areas.

Independent external assurance of the CR Report 2017/18

We strive to continuously improve our sustainability management. Having our report audited externally is a means of emphasising the credibility and transparency of our sustainability reporting. The quantitative and qualitative sustainability performance information included in the scope of the assurance engagement that was conducted by KPMG AG Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft according to ISAE 3000 and ISAE 3410 is marked with the symbol [#KPMG] in the column ‘Links within this Report’ of the GRI Content Index. It was not part of the engagement to review product and service related information, references to external websites and information sources, as well as future-related statements in the Report. The certification from the independent auditor can be viewed under audit certification.

Disclaimer

This Corporate Responsibility Report contains forward-looking statements that are based on certain assumptions and expectations at the time of its publication. These statements are therefore subject to risks and uncertainties, which means that actual results may differ substantially from the future-oriented statements made here. Many of these risks and uncertainties are determined by factors that are beyond the control of METRO and cannot be gauged with any certainty at this point in time. These include future market conditions and economic developments, the behaviour of other market participants, the achievement of expected synergy effects as well as legal and political decisions. METRO does not feel obliged to publish corrections to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that occur after the publication date of this material.

Join in the dialogue

Dialogue with our readers is important to us because it shows us what you expect of our company and where we can make further improvements. We would therefore like to hear any questions or comments you may have about the METRO Corporate Responsibility Report 2017/18 and our sustainability activities in general.

To share your thoughts, use one of our online dialogue tools or send us an e-mail: CR@metro.de