Rethinking Sustainability - Rebuilding our Home

BUSINESS: 428 PRACTICES

Lidl Hellas has been active in Greece since 1999. Today the company employs more than 6700 workers, while its network includes 231 stores and 5 state-of-the-art supply centers. It is included for the 9th consecutive year in "The Most Sustainable Companies in Greece", while for the 7th consecutive year it receives the distinction of "Top Employer" in Greece and Europe.
At Lidl Greece we are proud because we build perspective for all our stakeholders, on solid, sustainable foundations. Business ethics are a source of inspiration for our values and the chain of responsibility becomes an act of sustainable empowerment for our own people, consumers, partners.
Sustainability for us is not a simple wording, but shapes our business profile and runs horizontally through our daily life.
We are moving on the trajectory of a new sustainability strategy, which develops in three dynamic axes: "Good for the planet", "Good for people" and "Good for you" with the individual actions spread over six strategic pillars: climate protection, respect for biodiversity, conservation of resources, business law, health protection and participation in dialogue. It is a functional as well as an innovative approach that allows us to respond with best practices, at the right time, to a variety of challenges. We adapt quickly, build efficiency and remain sustainable, extroverted and beneficial to the whole.
Lidl Hellas' Sustainability Report aims to turn ESG disclosure into a tool for transparency, accountability and business transformation. Under the title “Rethinking Sustainability - Rebuilding our Home”, it presents how the company's sustainability strategy is translated into measurable commitments, everyday decisions and tangible results across environmental, social and governance pillars. At the same time, it makes sustainability reporting accessible to broader audiences, creating a common language between the company, employees, partners, institutions and society.

The Report addresses Lidl Hellas' stakeholders: employees, suppliers, partners, institutions, NGOs, local communities, consumers, media representatives and ESG evaluation bodies.
Reporting cycle 2024, with publication and ongoing use of the Report as a dialogue and strategic planning tool.
Lidl Hellas' latest Sustainability Report was designed as more than a standard annual publication. It was developed as a tool for open dialogue and internal alignment, showing in a clear and evidence-based way how sustainability is embedded in the company's operations. The approach follows the logic of a modern sustainability magazine, combining a clear structure, accessible language, visual storytelling, infographics and concise presentation of complex ESG data.
The content highlights Lidl Hellas' key priorities across five action pillars: climate protection, resource conservation, biodiversity respect, fair business and health promotion. It also presents how the company monitors progress through material topics, SMART targets, measurable KPIs and data linked to the day-to-day operation of stores, logistics, procurement and corporate processes.
The main challenge was twofold: to collect reliable data from different business functions and to present it in a way that would not be addressed only to ESG specialists. For this reason, the Report goes beyond disclosure. It acts as a bridge between commitments and action, making sustainability understandable, verifiable and relevant. The submission is directly connected with the Sustainability Reporting category, as it demonstrates that transparency is not a static obligation, but an active mechanism for improvement, trust and transformation.

The Report provides stakeholders with a consolidated and credible view of Lidl Hellas' ESG performance. Indicatively, it records that since 2022 the company has used 100% green electricity from renewable sources in the facilities it can influence. According to the latest published data, 6,217,232.59 kWh of green electricity were generated in Greece through photovoltaic systems, while 12.2% of stores and 40% of distribution centers covered part of their energy needs through renewable sources.
In addition, 229 out of 231 stores in Greece followed the EDGE standard, while an ISO 50001 energy management system is applied, including LED lighting, BMS and heat pumps across stores and distribution centers. In the social pillar, the Report reflects a contribution to employment in Greece amounting to 38.1 thousand jobs, as well as €1.99 million invested in sponsorships, donations and social and environmental actions.
As a result, the initiative strengthens transparency, facilitates comparability and enables stakeholders to assess the company's actual progress.
Nationwide, through Lidl Hellas' operations and value chain, and digitally through the publication of the Sustainability Report.
The Report was developed through cross-functional cooperation within Lidl Hellas, involving sustainability, communications, store operations, logistics, procurement, human resources and finance teams. Specialized partners also supported the creative and digital presentation of the content, ensuring that the Report is evidence-based, accessible and engaging.
Employees contributed substantially to the process by providing data, documentation and operational insight from different areas of the company. Their participation strengthened the accuracy of the Report and highlighted sustainability as a shared responsibility across the organization.
For Lidl Hellas, the Sustainability Report is a strategic management tool, not only a communication output. It strengthens accountability, organizes ESG data, enables monitoring of targets and supports decision-making for future investments and actions. It also reinforces the company's credibility among employees, partners, institutions and consumers, proving that sustainability is integrated into business operations. The magazine format increases readability and makes ESG content more accessible, supporting both internal alignment and external dialogue.
