Initiatives for the SDGs and a Sustainable Society Through Business Activities

「In the environmental area, we expanded the number of stores participating in our ongoing clothing collection program and the types of items collected this fiscal year. As a result, the collection volume increased by 9,077 kg from the year-earlier period to 12,837 kg.」

「To reduce food waste, the company is optimizing ordering and production plans to prevent waste at stores. In addition, it is working with customers to reduce household food waste through food drives, which were being conducted at 54 stores as of the end of fiscal 2025.」

「From 5 March 2026, we expanded the number of stores participating in clothing collection. At a total of 36 AEON and AEON Supercenter stores in Hokkaido, we are collecting unwanted clothing and promoting resource recycling.」

「As part of its sustainable management initiatives, the company promotes environmental and social contribution activities rooted in local communities. It newly began cleaning activities at Es Con Field HOKKAIDO, the home stadium of the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters, and around the company's stores located nearby. It also invites boys and girls involved in baseball to interact with Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters players and attend games, advancing co-creation with the local community.」

「During the current fiscal year, we newly launched food drive activities at 10 stores, bringing the total number of participating stores in Hokkaido to 45.」

「As part of its efforts to promote sustainable management and social contribution, the company opened its stores as “cooling shelters.” A total of 84 company facilities in 10 cities across Hokkaido have been designated for this purpose, allowing customers to use in-store rest areas as places to escape the heat while shopping. In addition, from June the company introduced electronic receipts, which help reduce receipt paper usage, and established an environment in which customers can use them at 128 stores in Hokkaido by presenting Aeon's iAEON all-in-one app.」

「The food drive, launched in 2022 to promote understanding of and cooperation in reducing food waste, was started at 3 additional stores during the cumulative first-quarter period, bringing the number of participating stores to 38.」

「Decarbonization (CO2 emissions) Fiscal 2025 25% reduction versus fiscal 2010 16.1% reduction Plastic reduction Fiscal 2025 35% reduction versus fiscal 2018 30.5% reduction Food-waste reduction Fiscal 2025 19.0 kg per ¥1 million in sales 18.2 kg per ¥1 million in sales Human capital management Percentage of women in management Fiscal 2025 20% 13.7%」

「As part of our partnership with local communities, we further promoted the food drive, bringing the number of participating stores to 32 at the end of the third quarter. We also signed a comprehensive partnership agreement with Rakuno Gakuen Educational Institution to promote local economic circulation. Going forward, we will advance sustainable initiatives, including providing food waste generated at stores free of charge for effective use as feed and compost and selling the fattened beef cattle in stores.」

「Regarding collaboration with local communities, the company further advanced its food drive, including conducting it for the first time at an SM store in Hakodate. The number of participating stores reached 27 as of the end of the second quarter. In addition, as product-planning initiatives directly linked to social contributions, the company conducted 2 donation campaigns based on the quantity of eligible products purchased, to support organizations associated with children's cafeterias and sports.」

「As part of our partnership with local communities, we promoted the food drive to encourage understanding of and cooperation in reducing food waste, expanding the number of participating stores from 2 to 16, including all GMS stores in Sapporo. In May, we also participated in the 4th Hokkaido Minami-Furano Town Tree-Planting event held by Minami-Furano and the AEON Environmental Foundation, with local volunteers and employees planting 2,000 trees.」

「Regarding collaboration with local communities, to expand the use of renewable energy, PPA (Power Purchase Agreement) providers newly installed solar panels at 2 stores and began purchasing and using the generated power for on-site consumption, bringing the total to 4 stores.」

「Regarding collaboration with local communities, the company began a food drive this year to raise awareness of food-waste reduction and also launched the initiative at Aeon Kamiso store in Hokuto in October. In addition, as a new social contribution initiative beginning this fiscal year, the company launched Aeon Heartful Volunteer, which encourages employees to promote activities rooted in their local communities more actively than before. As part of this initiative, it newly conducted a beach cleanup volunteer activity on the coast of the Higashi district of Ishikari.」

「As part of our partnership with local communities, we began a food drive at AEON Sapporo Hiraoka in June to raise awareness of and reduce food waste.」

「As part of our SDGs initiatives, we conducted the “AEON Ukraine Children’s Relief Fundraising Campaign,” hoping that children in Ukraine can once again live in safety and security. The campaign was held at 165 stores and business locations, raising approximately ¥28.08 million, which was donated to the Japan Committee for UNICEF. In addition, in May, we participated in the 3rd Minami-Furano Town Tree-Planting event held by Minami-Furano and the AEON Environmental Foundation, with local volunteers and employees planting 2,000 trees.」

「To expand the use of renewable energy, a PPA (Power Purchase Agreement) provider installed solar panels at 2 stores, Maxvalu Numanoha store and Maxvalu Yayoi store, both in Tomakomai, and began purchasing and using the power generated for on-site consumption.」

「As part of its SDG initiatives, the company began installing clothing collection boxes at 32 stores on a phased basis from October to promote effective use of resources, thereby launching its clothing collection initiative. The company also issues locally themed WAON cards under comprehensive partnership agreements with local governments and others, and on this occasion donated approximately ¥37 million, representing part of the amount spent using the cards, to local governments and others.」

「In a joint campaign with SAPPORO BREWERIES LIMITED, the company donated approximately ¥840,000 to “Yell for Medical Care in the North,” a donation project conducted by Hokkaido to protect regional healthcare, based on the number of “Sapporo Black Label Draft Beer” units sold. In addition, as part of its comprehensive partnership agreements with local governments, the company has provided Aeon Chitose from May and Aeon Mall Asahikawa Nishi from June as venues for mass COVID-19 vaccinations operated by local governments.」

「As part of its SDG initiatives, the company newly introduced equipment for in-store vacuum packaging in the seafood sections of 12 stores, mainly revitalized stores, as an initiative that also contributes to reducing food waste and using resources effectively.」

「The rate of customers declining shopping bags remained high at approximately 86%, with many customers understanding and cooperating with the initiative. The company also focused on promoting awareness and expanding use of locally themed WAON cards with grant programs. The number of locations accepting the cards increased by approximately 3,000 over one year to approximately 11,200, while donations totaled approximately ¥37 million in the fiscal year and approximately ¥198 million cumulatively since 2011.」

「In addition, we are working to achieve the SDGs by aiming to realise a sustainable society and grow the company through our business activities. As part of our diversity initiatives, our efforts relating to the employment of people with disabilities were recognised in October, and we received the FY2020 Chairperson’s Award for Outstanding Efforts by an Excellent Workplace for the Employment of Persons with Disabilities from the Japan Organization for Employment of the Elderly, Persons with Disabilities and Job Seekers.」

「In May, we signed an agreement on support and cooperation during disasters with Hokkaido Gas Co., Ltd. to facilitate emergency disaster response and recovery measures in Hokkaido and support safe and secure lives in local communities.」

「In response to the mandatory introduction of charges for plastic shopping bags at retail stores from July, the company took the lead from April by ending the free distribution of shopping bags at all directly operated sales areas, and began charging for all shopping bags, whether plastic or paper, based on its policy of sustainably procuring and using resources. The proceeds from paid shopping bags are donated annually to local governments and organizations for use in local environmental conservation activities. Approximately ¥8.25 million in proceeds from paid shopping bags in fiscal 2019 was donated to the local governments where the stores are located.」

「We are working to achieve the SDGs, with the aim of realizing a sustainable society and achieving corporate growth through our business activities.」