Statement under the Modern Slavery Act 2015

Statement under the Modern Slavery Act 2015

We have reported on our ethical approach to procurement for a number of years. However this year we are required by law to publish a statement outlining the steps we have taken during the financial year ended 21st January 2017 to ensure that slavery and human trafficking are not taking place in our business or supply chain.

We are a complex business with a variety of different supply chains. We have initiated a review of the supplier arrangements with all of our trading, non-trade and administrative divisions so we can report more comprehensively in the future.

We have tracked procurement in our food division for many years and can confirm that 100% of our food procurement is done through membership of Federal Retail Trading Services Limited which is managed by the Co-operative Group in accordance with their ethical buying policies which we support. The Co-operative Group has stated that it’s committed to developing fair and sustainable relationships with suppliers across its supply chain.

In respect of all other procurement we operate a zero tolerance policy towards slavery and human trafficking. We expect all those in our supply chain and contractors to comply with our values. The senior managers in all divisions are responsible for compliance with the Act in their respective divisions and for their supplier relationships.

This statement is made pursuant to section 54(1) of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and was approved by the board of directors on 28th March 2017.

C. E. Miles – President