Żabka's ESG activities generated an added value of PLN 9.1 billion (€2.14 billion) in 2023 in Poland, contributing significantly to the country's economy during the year.
The amount marks an increase of more than 30% year-on-year compared to 2022, according to Żabka's recently published ESG report.
Tomasz Blicharski, EVP of the management board, and chief strategy and development officer of Żabka Group, stated, "This translates, among other things, into creating favourable conditions for the development of entrepreneurship, increasing the number of jobs we provide, which currently stand at more than 63,000, and making a difference in the shopping experience of over three million customers who visit our more than 10,000 stores across Poland every day."
Blicharski added, "The actions we took in 2023 have been recognised for the second consecutive year in the prestigious EcoVadis rating, and today we are ranked among the 1% of companies worldwide that best integrate ESG factors into their strategies and operations."
The sixth edition of the report summarises the implementation of Żabka Group’s Responsibility Strategy (ESG) in 2023, the company noted.
Annual Highlights
In 2023, Żabka launched the 'Porcja DobreGo!' campaign to help customers make better nutritional choices, which resulted in an 85% increase in sales of private-label products with NutriScore A and B labels.
The company implemented measures to improve animal welfare and promote the sustainable sourcing of private-label products, including the removal of caged eggs from the ingredients of private-label products.
The branded products available at Żabka stores, meanwhile, offer only certified palm oil.
Żabka opened more than 1,000 stores during the year and introduced two new formats: Żabka Drive and Żabka Non Stop.
The retailer offers its franchisees a fully equipped shop and training, as well as solutions such as the OptiPlan programme and the Cyberstore app to support store management.
The company's franchisee NPS satisfaction scores increased by as much as 10 points during the year, with 44% of franchisees rating their collaboration with the chain at nine or 10 on a scale of 10 in the December 2023 satisfaction survey.
Other Initiatives
Żabka launched the 'Clean Business' platform last year to consolidate collaboration with its business partners.
The platform provides space for exchanging experiences, inspiration, initiatives and joint actions for sustainable development.
In 2023, Żabka received the highest score among the more than 20 retail chains that participated in a nationwide supplier satisfaction study (NFS).
Elsewhere, the company featured among the world-leading workplaces whose employees demonstrated the highest level of commitment for the second successive year.
It won the Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award 2024 to become the first and only Polish company to receive this distinction.
The Gallup Institute ranked Żabka among the top 26% of organisations worldwide that have the most engaging working environments.
Various plastic recycling measures implemented by the company resulted in a 30% decline in the use of virgin plastics.
The company achieved plastic neutrality for its private-label products for the fourth year in a row.
Through its 'Green Renewal' pilot programme in Zielona Góra and Bydgoszcz, Żabka encourages and enables consumers to return plastic packaging and cans for recycling.
