Four Core Themes

Defined in November 2016
As of September 2019

In November 2016, MARUI GROUP defined four core themes related to inclusion to guide it in its quest to help build a flourishing and inclusive society that offers happiness to all. Inclusion entails including and reaching out to all those who have previously been excluded, and this concept is congruent with the direction set by the principles of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Accordingly, MARUI GROUP aims to make proactive contributions to the accomplishment of these goals through co-creation with all of its stakeholders.

Process for Establishing Core Themes

Focusing our concept of co-creation management and the impact this approach will have on society, the environment, and natural capital, we examined the issues and opportunities this approach will create, based on which we defined four core themes for initiatives from the perspective of inclusion. In formulating these themes, we held meetings with ESG-minded investors, sustainability experts, nonprofit organizations, and other stakeholders in the greater society as well as with customers, business partners, and Group officers and employees. In addition, we referenced the ratings of ESG evaluation institutions; internal and external guidelines, such as those of the Global Reporting Initiative, ISO 26000, the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board, and the International Integrated Reporting Council; and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

STEP 1Stakeholder Engagement

In identifying the expectations for MARUI GROUP as well as the themes it should prioritize, we held meetings with long-term investors, ESG-minded investors, sustainability experts, nonprofit organizations, and other stakeholders in the greater society as well as with customers, business partners, and Group officers and employees.

STEP 2Identification and Organization of Social Issues

With a focus on co-creation management; the impact of this co-creation management on the economy, society, and the environment; and its relationship with our medium-term management plans and human resource strategies, we identified and organized the issues facing society while referencing internal and external guidelines, such as those of ESG-rating institutions, the Global Reporting Initiative, ISO 26000, the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board, and the International Integrated Reporting Council, along with the SDGs.

STEP 3Management-Level Discussions and Decisions

At meetings of a committee headed by the president, a series of discussions were held among the relevant officers and divisions to decide four core themes pertaining to inclusion. Responsibility for these themes was assigned to the Sustainability Department and the ESG Promotion Department, and the themes themselves were disclosed in Co-Creation Sustainability Report 2016 and in the sustainability section of MARUI GROUP's website.

STEP 4Verification of Activities and Quantification of Results

Activities are verified at least once a year as we continuously practice engagement with stakeholders. In 2019, we unveiled MARUI GROUP's 2050 Vision and long-term targets and also established the Sustainability Committee as an advisory body to the Board of Directors to guide efforts toward the accomplishment of this vision and target. Based on issues that have been identified, we are examining possible financial and pre-financial key performance indicators that can be disclosed with regard to our long-term targets.