“Now, more than ever, is the time for truly effective sustainability actions” – Tokmanni presents its sustainability work in its Sustainability Report 2022
Tokmanni Press release 22 March 2023 at 12:30 p.m.
Tokmanni has published its Sustainability Report 2022 today, Wednesday 22 March 2023. In its sustainability report, Sustainability available for all, Tokmanni demonstrates how it combines low prices with sustainability. In addition to highlighting its successful actions, Tokmanni describes challenges in sustainability work. In addition to its English-language sustainability report, which is prepared in accordance with the GRI standards*, Tokmanni has published a Finnish-language summary of its sustainability work.
Tokmanni’s goal is to be the most sustainable variety discount retailer and do its part in building a better future, says Mika Rautiainen, President and CEO of the Finnish variety discount retailer.
“In our sustainability work, we at Tokmanni focus on actions that make a real difference. These actions matter now more than ever. Our sustainability actions are guided by the sustainability targets in Tokmanni’s strategy.”
A significant role in society
Retail sector plays a significant role in society, and in uncertain times this role is even more vital. Tokmanni wants to respond to its customers’ needs by ensuring the lowest possible price level for our products – without compromising on sustainability.
“Although we are living in uncertain times, our customers need to be able to shop with confidence. In 2022, we made progress in our sustainability work by, for example, commissioning independent factory-specific human rights assessments in the risk countries of Türkiye and Cambodia, increasing the share of sustainable cotton in our product assortment, and reducing the amount of plastic in the packaging of our private label products. In addition, as the coronavirus pandemic subsided, we were able to once again start carrying out our own factory inspections in China, Bangladesh and Türkiye.”
“It is important that we at Tokmanni, as well as our customers and other stakeholders, not only demand but also make concrete and increasingly responsible choices. For example, we are determined to increase the number of sustainability-certified and traceable products in our selection,” Rautiainen adds.
Internationally recognised climate work
Tokmanni actively participates in mitigating climate change and believes that it is very important to assess and reduce the impacts of its operations broadly and reliably.
Tokmanni has made progress in its climate work in accordance with its climate targets that are officially approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).
“We have continued to invest in, for example, emission-free solar energy and optimising our energy consumption. We have also increased the use of renewable heat and encouraged many of our suppliers to set science-based climate targets,” Rautiainen says.
In 2022, Tokmanni achieved the second-best score for the first time in the CDP Climate Change assessment. The CDP is an international organisation that monitors companies’ climate measures and environmental reporting. In addition, Tokmanni was once again highly ranked on the Europe’s Climate Leaders list published by the Financial Times. Tokmanni has now been ranked twice (2021 and 2022) as the leading company in the Finnish retail sector in terms of emission reductions relative to revenue growth. At the same time, Tokmanni was the third best among Finnish companies for the second year in a row.
Charity work and Tokmanni employees’ well-being are also important
For a long time, Tokmanni has supported organisations such as the Finnish Red Cross, Hurstinapu charity, MIELI Mental Health Finland, and the John Nurminen Foundation. In addition, in 2022, Tokmanni donated money towards humanitarian aid in Ukraine through the Finnish Red Cross’ Disaster Relief Fund. In total, Tokmanni’s different forms of support for various charitable causes added up to almost 300,000€ in 2022.
A responsible company also takes care of its employees. Tokmanni cannot succeed without its professional and motivated staff, Rautiainen points out.
“We care about our employees’ well-being. Among other things in 2022, we offered all Tokmanni employees a well-being survey with tips to support, for example, exercise, nutrition and recovery,” he says.
Examples of Tokmanni’s sustainability highlights in 2022
Tokmanni develops its sustainability work in line with its strategy and main sustainability themes (Business Integrity, People, Products and Sourcing, and Climate).
In 2022, Tokmanni, for example:
- utilised almost 100% of its waste
Tokmanni reused 48% and recycled 34% of its waste. 17% of Tokmanni’s waste was recovered for uses such as recycled fuels to replace fossil fuels.
- reached its emissions target ahead of schedule
Tokmanni reduced its own emissions by 40.6% compared to the previous year. At the end of 2022, emissions from Tokmanni’s own operations had decreased by 78% compared to our 2015 baseline. Target of 70% was set for 2025.
- improved its CDP Climate Change score and made it into Leadership category
Tokmanni systematically reduced its negative climate impacts, driven by science-based targets.
- continued its systematic work to improve responsible sourcing
In 2022, Tokmanni sourced approximately 70% of its products from Finland. 98% of Tokmanni’s direct sourcing from risk countries originated from factories with a valid audit.
- used 100% carbon-free electricity
At the end of 2022, there were solar panels producing renewable energy on the roofs of 58 Tokmanni properties. Tokmanni’s solar power plants usually have around 300 to 500 solar panels.
- carried out 75 own factory inspections and comissioned 42 third-party audits
Tokmanni focused its responsible sourcing work on high-risk countries.
- supported different charitable causes by almost 300,000€
In 2022, Tokmanni supported the Finnish Red Cross’ friend volunteer activities and participated in the MIELI Mental Health Finland’s Mielinauha campaign for the fifth time by selling the association’s Mielinauha campaign products. Together with Unilever Finland, Tokmanni donated food products and other daily necessities to the Hurstinapu charity. In addition, 145 Tokmanni stores and Tokmanni’s warehouse gave away food to charity. In 2022, Tokmanni also donated money towards humanitarian aid in Ukraine through Finnish Red Cross’ Disaster Relief Fund and the protection of Baltic Sea through the John Nurminen Foundation.
- offered more choices for responsibility
Tokmanni offered new sustainability-certified and traceable products to our customers. In addition, Tokmanni reduced the amount of virgin plastics used in the packaging of its home textile products by 7,000 kg by introducing alternative packaging materials.
- advanced the management skills, wellness, health, and safety of its employees
Tokmanni offered degree-based training to approximately 300 Tokmanni employees. In addition, Tokmanni launched a well-being programme to promote coping at work and a healthy way of life for all employees and made more than 2,000 safety observations at its stores and in its warehouse.
Examples of Tokmanni’s current sustainability targets
Tokmanni currently has sustainability targets in the following areas, for example. More information can be found in Tokmanni's Sustainability Report 2022.
Climate
Tokmanni
- increases its recycling and recovery rate.
- reduces location-based CO2 emissions at its properties (scope 1 and 2).
- reduces its supply chain emissions in cooperation with its suppliers (SBT, scope 3 target).
- controls greenhouse emissions caused by transport.
Products and Sourcing
Tokmanni
- continues its biodiversity-related work, for example, by setting new targets for products and sourcing.
- reduces the use of virgin plastic in selected products.
- invests in its own factory inspections and third-party audits.
- continues to carry out factory-specific human rights assessments.
People
Tokmanni
- continues its well-being programme by offering external help to balance its employees’ own financial situation and support employees’ healthy lifestyle choices by giving special discounts in its stores.
- increases diversity training.
- continues comprehensive training programmes.
Business Integrity
Tokmanni
- processes the messages received through our whistleblowing channel appropriately.
- has no cases of corruption, privacy violations or non-compliance with environmental laws and regulations or laws and regulations in the social or economic area.
More information about Tokmanni’s sustainability work is available on its website. Tokmanni’s English-language sustainability report and the Finnish summary are available at ir.tokmanni.fi/en/sustainability/sustainabilityreport.
* Tokmanni’s Sustainability Report 2022 is prepared in accordance with the GRI standards. The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) is an international framework for corporate responsibility reporting.
TOKMANNI
For further information, please contact:
Sirpa Huuskonen
Vice President, People, Culture and Sustainability
Tel. +358 20 728 6520
sirpa.huuskonen(at)tokmanni.fi
Maarit Mikkonen
Head of IR and Communications
Tel. +358 40 562 2282
maarit.mikkonen(at)tokmanni.fi
Calls to a corporate number beginning with +358 20 7 from a landline or a mobile phone are EUR 0.0835 per minute + EUR 0.1669 per minute (incl. VAT 24%). Calls from outside Finland are subject to an international call charge.
Tokmanni is Finland’s leading variety discount retailer. Around 4,300 Tokmanni employees make customers’ everyday life and special occasions easier by offering a versatile and up-to-date assortment of Finnish and international brand-name products and other high-quality products at prices that are always affordable. With online stores and more than 200 Tokmanni, Miny, Click Shoes and Shoe House stores, Tokmanni is always close to its customers. In 2022, Tokmanni’s revenue was EUR 1,168 million and comparable EBIT amounted to EUR 86 million. Tokmanni's shares are listed on Nasdaq Helsinki.
