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Country Road Group

OVERALL

Owned
ZAF
Rating
Praises, some criticism

Clothing

Founded in 1974, South Africa's Woolworth Holdings secured a controlling interest in Country Road in 1998. Solomon Lew owned a strategic 12% stake for 17 years, which he sold in 2014 during Woolworths' acquisition of David Jones. Acquired Witchery in 2012 and Politix in 2016.

Company Ownership

Country Road Group Pty Ltd   AUS     website   email   facebook   twitter
  Woolworths Holdings Ltd   
   owns 100% of Country Road Group Pty Ltd  
ZAF     website   email      

Retail and financial services

Founded in South Africa in 1931. Today the South African investment company has retail operations throughout Africa and into the Middle East, plus they own Australian retail chains Country Road and David Jones. It is not related to Woolworths Ltd in Australia.

> About the Ratings

Company Assessment

PRAISE CRITICISM INFORMATION
Country Road Group Pty Ltd
Environment Australian Packaging Covenant signatory
Signatory to the Australian Packaging Covenant, a voluntary agreement to encourage waste minimisation.
Source: Australian Packaging Covenant (2020)
Social Bangladesh Safety Accord signatory
This company has signed the 'Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh', a program endorsed by Bangladeshi and international unions and labor rights organizations. The ground-breaking program includes independent safety inspections with public reports, mandatory factory building renovations, the obligation by brands and retailers to underwrite the cost of repairs, and a vital role for workers and their unions – all in a legally-binding, enforceable agreement.
Source: Bangladesh Accord (2019)
Social COVID Fashion Commitments
In 2020 Baptist World Aid Australia released The COVID Fashion Report, a special edition of their Ethical Fashion Report. The report is framed around six COVID Fashion Commitments that ask companies to demonstrate the steps and measures they are taking to protect and support the most vulnerable workers in their supply chains. This company showed evidence of actions that cover ALL areas of the COVID Fashion Commitments.
Source: Baptist World Aid Australia (2020)
Social A grade in 2021 Ethical Fashion Report
A grade in Baptist World Aid Australia's '2021 Ethical Fashion Report', which grades companies, from A to F, on the strength of their systems to mitigate against the risks of forced labour, child labour and worker exploitation in their supply chains, as well as protect the environment from the harmful impacts of the fashion industry. Assessment criteria fall into five main categories: policy & governance, tracing & risk, auditing and supplier relationships, worker empowerment and environmental sustainability.
Source: Baptist World Aid Australia (2021)
Social Efforts to pay a living wage
Oxfam Australia's Company Tracker compares the big clothing brands on their efforts to pay a living wage to the women working in their factories. This company has released the names and addresses of at least 70% of their supplier factories, has taken some action towards paying a living wage within a set timeframe in the supply chain, and has made a commitment to ringfence wages.
Source: Oxfam Australia (2021)
Social Turkmen Cotton Pledge signatory
This company has signed the Cotton Pledge with the Responsible Sourcing Network, signifying a public commitment to not knowingly source Turkmen cotton for the manufacturing of any of their products until the Government of Turkmenistan ends the practice of forced labor in its cotton sector. Each cotton season, Turkmen public sector workers are forced by the government to fulfill cotton picking quotas and private businesses are forced to contribute to the efforts financially or with labor. This places a huge burden on the health, education, and general well-being of Turkmen citizens.
Source: Responsible Sourcing Network (2021)
Social Workers rights in Bangladesh
According to Oxfam's 2019 report, "Made in Poverty - The True Cost of Fashion", this company sources from Bangladesh and Vietnam. Some of the many disturbing findings of the research in Bangladesh were that 100 per cent of workers interviewed were not paid a living wage, nine out of ten could not afford enough food for themselves and their families until their next monthly pay and seven out of 10 could not pay for medical treatment when they were sick or injured. In Vietnam, 99 per cent were not paid a living wage and seven out of 10 women interviewed felt their pay was not enough to meet their needs.
Source: Oxfam Australia (2019)
Business Ethics 2/5 on Good On You
This company owns brands rated 'Not good enough' by Good On You, whose rating system considers the most important social and environmental issues facing the fashion industry to assess a brand's impact on people, the planet and animals.
Source: Good On You (2020)
Social Breaching advertising codes
This company has been criticised for offensive advertising. In 2014 the Advertising Standards Bureau upheld complaints about an internet ad by this company on the grounds that it breached advertising codes. The ad was subsequently discontinued or modified.
Source: Advertising Standards Bureau (2014)
Social Workers rights in Australia
In Nov 2021 the United Workers' Union (UWU) launched a campaign and petition against Country Road Group, claiming the workers in its warehouse had been left feeling "disrespected, mistreated and underpaid." According to the UWU, workers faced rampant insecure work, low pay, and pressure and intimidation from managers when they speak out and take action. Almost half the workers on site were employed as labour hire casuals, and Country Road's predominantly female warehouse workforce makes $10 less per hour than male-dominated warehouse workers in the area. After almost two weeks on strike, workers at Country Road Group returned to work after securing an agreement that includes a substantial pay rise and 20 new permanent positions.
Source: UWU (2021)
Environment CitySwitch signatory
This company is a signatory to CitySwitch Green Office, a national tenant energy efficiency program run in partnership between business and local government. The program works with office tenants to improve their energy efficiency, thereby reducing carbon pollution.
Source: CitySwitch (2018)
Environment Renewable energy use
Greenpeace's Reenergise campaign ranks Australia's biggest electricity using companies on their commitments and actions regarding renewable energy use. This company has committed to powering their operations by 100% renewable electricity by 2030, and invested in on-site solar. However they have not signed a power purchase agreement (PPA) to buy power from a wind or solar project.
Source: Greenpeace (2021)
Animals Fur free retailer
This retailer has committed to being a fur free retailer, as recognised by the International Fur Free Retailer Program.
Source: Fur Free Retailer (2019)
Animals PETA-Approved Vegan
Bags from Mimco's 'Gala Collection' are made from apple leather and use the "PETA-Approved Vegan" logo.
Source: PETA (2020)
Animals Use of RWS-certified wool
This company has committed to making products with RWS-certified wool. The Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) is a voluntary global standard which ensures that sheep are treated with respect to their five freedoms and also ensures best practices in the management and protection of the land. However PETA claim the RWS is a kind of greenwash. (http://bit.ly/2oH56o6)
Source: Responsible Wool Standard (2018)
Business Ethics Social responsibility claims
This company has a number of corporate responsibility claims on its website covering the areas of ethical trade, animal welfare, environmental code of practice, waste reduction, and charitable giving.
Source: company website (2020)
Business Ethics Leather Working Group member
This company is a member of the Leather Working Group, a multi-stakeholder group who's objective is to develop and maintain a protocol that assesses the compliance and environmental performance of tanners and promotes sustainable and appropriate environmental business practices within the leather industry.
Source: Leather Working Group (2019)
Business Ethics Textile Exchange member
This company is a member of the Textile Exchange, a global non-profit that works closely with its members to drive textile industry transformation in preferred fibres, integrity and standards and responsible supply networks. They identify and share best practices regarding farming, materials, processing, traceability and product end-of-life in order to reduce the textile industry's impact on the world's water, soil and air, and the human population.
Source: Textile Exchange (2019)
Business Ethics Banksia Sustainability Award 2017
This company won the Large Business Sustainability Leadership Award at the 2017 Banksia Sustainability Awards.
Source: Banksia Foundation (2017)
Business Ethics Misleading conduct
In May 2011 Country Road payed former CEO John Cheston $1.1m to settle a lawsuit. Cheston was suing the company for $6.5m for misleading conduct in his hiring and breach of contract when dismissing him without notice.
Source: news article (2011)
Woolworths Holdings Ltd
Environment CDP Climate Change Score of B
In 2021, the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) asked companies to provide data about their efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate change risk. Responding companies are scored across four key areas: disclosure; awareness; management; and leadership. This company received a CDP Climate Change Score of B.
Source: CDP (2021)
Social CDP Water Security Score of B
In 2021, the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) asked companies to provide data about their efforts to manage and govern freshwater resources. Responding companies are scored on six key metrics: transparency; governance & strategy; measuring & monitoring; risk assessment; targets & goals; and value chain engagement. This company received a CDP Water Security Score of B.
Source: CDP (2021)
Social Controversies
Wikipedia lists a number of controversies for this company: In October 2010, Woolworths came under fire as they opted to remove Christian magazines from their shelves and discontinue their sale; In 2012 the South African Advertising Standards Authority ruled that Woolworths' vintage cold drink range was an imitation of a rival soft drinks range; In September 2012 Woolworths was accused of racism by some groups for allegedly discriminating against white job applicants and staff; In October 2013 rumours of plagiarism surfaced when Euodia Roets, a South African artist, accused Woolworths of using her designs that were kept as sample after contract negations which failed.
Source: Wikipedia (2015)
Social Underpaying workers in Australia
In 2020 this company announced that more than 7000 staff members across David Jones and Country Road have been underpaid $3.7 million over the last six years. The company has pledged to pay all money owing.
Source: Inside Retail (2020)
Environment Climate action commitments
As listed on the We Mean Business website, this company has committed to the following climate action initiatives: adopt a science-based emissions reduction target; report climate change information in mainstream reports as a fiduciary duty; commit to smart energy use.
Source: We Mean Business (2021)
Environment Partnership with WWF in South Africa
In Nov 2012 the World Wide Fund for Nature South Africa (WWF-SA) and Woolworths announced a broad-based, multifaceted partnership to drive greater sustainability through selected Woolworths products and operations. The three year partnership "recognises the growing congruence between WWF-SA and Woolworths interests in, among others: the conservation of energy; freshwater ecosystems; the promotion of sustainable agricultural practices; and the protection of fish stocks."
Source: WWF-SA (2012)
Social Uzbek Cotton Pledge signatory
This company signed the Uzbek Cotton Pledge with the Responsible Sourcing Network, signifying a public commitment to not knowingly source Uzbek cotton for the manufacturing of any of their products until the Government of Uzbekistan ends the practice of forced labor in its cotton sector. However the Pledge was lifted in March 2022 after the Uzbek Forum for Human Rights, who monitored the annual cotton harvest since 2010, found no state-imposed forced labor in the 2021 harvest.
Source: Cotton Campaign (2022)
Animals Good Egg Award 2014 (South Africa)
Compassion in World Farming is a UK-based organisation which works with the European food industry to encourage and reward commitment, transparency, performance and innovation in the field of animal welfare. This company won their Good Egg Award in 2014 for their work with free-range eggs.
Source: Compassion in World Farming (2014)
Animals Fur free retailer
This retailer has committed to being a fur free retailer, as recognised by the International Fur Free Retailer Program.
Source: Fur Free Retailer (2019)
Business Ethics Sustainability Champion
This company was designated a "New Sustainability Champion" in this 2010 document (page 42) from the World Economic Forum and the Boston Consulting Group. New Sustainability Champions proactively turn constraints into opportunities through innovation, embed sustainability in their company culture, and actively shape their business environments.
Source: Boston Consulting Group (2010)
Business Ethics Responsible Retailer Award
In 2012 Woolworths Holdings won the International Responsible Retailer of the Year Award at the World Retail Congress for the third time in five years. Improved indicators include carbon footprint, water and packaging reduction, sustainable clothing and food products.
Source: World Retail Congress (2012)
Business Ethics Sustainability reporting
Follow link to see this company's latest sustainability reports.
Source: company website (2015)
Business Ethics Plastics Commitment signatory
This company is a signatory to the New Plastics Economy Global Commitment, whose goal is to eliminate plastic pollution at its source.
Source: New Plastics Economy (2019)
Business Ethics Better Cotton Initiative member
This company is a member of the Better Cotton Initiative, a voluntary program which encourages the adoption of better management practices in cotton cultivation to achieve measurable reductions in key environmental impacts, while improving social and economic benefits for cotton farmers, small and large, worldwide.
Source: Better Cotton Initiative (2019)
Business Ethics Leather Working Group member
This company is a member of the Leather Working Group, a multi-stakeholder group who's objective is to develop and maintain a protocol that assesses the compliance and environmental performance of tanners and promotes sustainable and appropriate environmental business practices within the leather industry.
Source: Leather Working Group (2019)
Business Ethics Sedex member
This company is a member of the Supplier Ethical Data Exchange (Sedex), a not-for-profit, membership organisation that leads work with buyers and suppliers to deliver improvements in responsible and ethical business practices in global supply chains. Tens of thousands of companies use Sedex to manage their performance around labour rights, health & safety, the environment and business ethics.
Source: Sedex (2018)
Business Ethics Textile Exchange member
This company is a member of the Textile Exchange, a global non-profit that works closely with its members to drive textile industry transformation in preferred fibres, integrity and standards and responsible supply networks. They identify and share best practices regarding farming, materials, processing, traceability and product end-of-life in order to reduce the textile industry's impact on the world's water, soil and air, and the human population.
Source: Textile Exchange (2019)
Business Ethics UN Global Compact participant
The United Nations Global Compact asks companies to embrace, support and enact, within their sphere of influence, a set of 10 values in the areas of human rights, labour standards, the environment, and anti-corruption. However it's non-binding nature has been widely criticised, and many signatory corporations continue to violate the Compact's values.
Source: UN Global Compact (2020)
Business Ethics CanopyStyle member
This company is a member of the CanopyStyle initiative, which came about when research found that millions of trees are used every year to produce dissolving pulp, a key ingredient for fabrics such as rayon/viscose. The campaign seeks to phase out the use of endangered forest fibre in fabric.
Source: Canopy (2018)
Environment CDP Forests Score of C
In 2021, the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) asked companies to provide data about their efforts towards removing commodity-driven deforestation and forest degradation from its direct operations and supply chains. Responding companies are scored across four key areas: disclosure; awareness; management; and leadership. This company received a CDP Forests Score of C.
Source: CDP (2021)
Business Ethics 24/100 in Fashion Transparency Index
The 2021 Fashion Transparency Index reviewed 250 of the world's largest fashion brands and retailers and ranked them according to how much they disclose about their social and environmental policies, practices and impacts. Brands owned by this company scored 24%, signifying it is doing a bit more than the others when it comes to having policies and commitments in place and auditing and reporting activities, but could be doing more. The average score was 23% and the highest score was 78%.
Source: Fashion Revolution (2021)
Business Ethics 52/100 S&P Global ESG Score
This company received an S&P Global ESG Score of 52/100 in the Retailing category of the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment, an annual evaluation of companies' sustainability practices (last updated 7 Feb 2021). The rankings are based on an analysis of corporate economic, environmental and social performance, assessing issues such as corporate governance, risk management, environmental reporting, climate strategy, human rights and labour practices.
Source: S&P Global (2021)

> About the Icons

Company Details

Type Wholly-owned subsidiary
Revenue 1.1 billion AUD (2019)
Employees 5,600 (2019)
Subsidiaries Laci Pty Ltd 

Mens clothing

Founded in 1975. Australian soccer star Harry Kewell became the face of Politix in May 2008. Acquired by Country Road in 2016.


Witchery Fashions Pty Ltd 

Clothing retail

Founded in 1940. Retailer of ladies clothing and accessories. Bought from the (Solomon) Lew family by Gresham Private Equity in 2006. Acquired by Country Road in 2012.

Contact Details

Address 658 Church St, Richmond, VIC, 3121, Australia
Freecall 1800 801 911
Email customerservice@countryroad.com.au
Website www.countryroad.com.au

Products / Brands

Country Road Group
Country Road Womens Fashion
Country Road Menswear (casual)
Country Road Childrenswear
Country Road Babywear
Mimco Womens Shoes
Politix Menswear (casual)
Trenery Menswear (casual)
Trenery Womens Fashion
Witchery Womens Fashion


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