Gulf Marketing Group (GMG), UAE-based wellbeing retail company, has launched its sustainability strategy framework, Make A Difference, marking its efforts to preserve the environment and positively impact society.
A collaboration between GMG and Ernst and Young, the framework features three principles: Planet Forward, Spark People and Own Change.
Planet Forward centres around the company’s energy, water and waste management operations.
Spark People targets the wellbeing of employees through supporting their careers and protecting equality, health and safety.
Own Change encourages continuous growth and operational excellence across business units.
“As a global company, we believe that setting an ESG framework is key to fostering business evolution, mitigating risks and challenges and most importantly, making a positive and responsible impact on people and the environment,” said Mohammad A. Baker, deputy chairman & CEO of GMG.
“Our valued will serve as a compass in guiding our brand while our sustainability framework will reflect our operational ethos as we continue our global expansion journey.”
GMG’s sustainability initiatives align with those of the United Nations and key markets.
For instance, the UAE has established a committee to ensure sustainability initiatives are integrated into the country’s national agenda and environmental goals are in alignment across public and private sectors.
The country was also the first nation in the GCC to set up a data hub tracking progress of its sustainability objectives.
In keeping with its Vision 2030, which overlaps with the agenda of the United Nations, Saudi Arabia developed a National Renewable Energy programme to diversify its energy sources and increase dependence on clean energy.
“The Make A Difference sustainability strategy, which is aligned to key global and local sustainability trends, showcases GMG’s commitment to creating positive, transformative change across the region and beyond through its three strategic pillars – Planet Forward, Spark People and Own Change,” said Yasir Ahmad, partner and leader at EY Middle East and North Africa’s sustainability services division.
“These have been developed to address the issues and topics that matter most to GMG and its stakeholders and create a positive and long-term impact.”
Early next year, the group will release its first report on the progress of its sustainability initiatives.
GMG operates across sports, health and consumer goods retail, and recently entered food retail upon its acquisition of rights to Geant, Monoprix and Franprix, grocery retailers of Groupe Casino, in the UAE earlier this year.
GMG operates over 120 brands in the region, including Sun & Sand Sports, Dropkick, Supercare Pharmacy, Farm Fresh, Classic, Nike, Columbia, Converse, Timberland, Vans, Mama Sita’s and McCain.
