Asda targets 30% female store managers by 2025

Asda has announced a new diversity target of increasing the proportion of female general store managers to 30% by 2025, as part of its second Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) report.

The report, which provides an annual update on the supermarket’s progress on the key issues which matter to its business and customers, also revealed a continued reduction in operational carbon emissions – down 35% since 2015, on the way to hitting the 50% reduction target by 2025 and to reach net zero emissions by 2040.

In addition during the period it increased the proportion of own-label packaging that can be recycled at the kerbside to 85% (with a further 4.5% recyclable in store) and once again sent zero operational waste to landfill.

It also confirmed an 18% increase in surplus food donations to local charities in 2021 – meaning since 2018 Asda has donated over 8.2 million meals from in-store donations to local communities.

Its charitable focus also saw it provide over £3.7m in grants to 10,000 groups through the Asda Foundation, as well as colleagues volunteering for 367,000 hours of time – equivalent to £5.15m in social value.

Jacki Simpson, VP of Reputation at Asda, said: “The last 12 months have been extremely challenging for our customers which is why we are doing all we can to support them during the cost-of-living crisis whilst not losing sight of our ESG responsibilities.

“We have made lots of progress across key areas, and it is extremely important that we continue to aim high and make change within our business which will have a positive effect on our planet and the communities we serve, making it easier for customers to make decisions which can have a positive impact on their environment.”