Supply chain

A sustainable and transparent supply chain is one of the focus areas in the Stockmann Group’s sustainability work in both divisions. Business success is based on choosing business partners who share the company’s values and with whom the company works together to maintain strong relationships and high ethical standards. 

The most important criteria in the selection of suppliers are the needs of the customers, suppliers’ know-how and ability to deliver, quality and price, sustainability in terms of working conditions and environmental aspects in particular, and the potential for long-term cooperation.

In our Group’s operations, the supply chain involves significant social responsibility aspects in terms of working conditions and occupational safety, for example. Stockmann’s reporting on the supply chain is based on risk assessment and the company’s ability to exert an influence.

Close cooperation with partners improves quality and transparency and increases sustainability expertise throughout the supply chain.

The Stockmann Group has five local purchasing offices that play a key role in developing working conditions and identifying risks. The purchasing offices review the procedures of each factory that they use before placing any orders. After the initial inspection, the systematic responsibility work continues. Almost all of Lindex products and about half of Stockmann’s products are bought via the purchasing offices. 

Suppliers are committed to the Group’s Code of Conduct

The Stockmann Group’s Code of Conduct underpins the purchasing practices of both Stockmann and Lindex. All suppliers are expected to follow the Supplier Code of Conduct, the SEDEX standard, or the amfori BSCI operating principles complemented with the divisions’ additional requirements, which are set based on detected human rights risks and other risks.

These include a ban on the sandblasting of jeans, fundamental requirements for animal rights and restrictions on chemicals.

Unauthorised subcontracting poses a risk to compliance with the Code of Conduct. Producers are always required to inform Stockmann in advance about the use of subcontractors. As a result of our risk analysis, all use of subcontractors has been banned in Bangladesh. The Stockmann Group follows a zero-tolerance policy in this respect, and no more orders will be placed if the ban is violated. 

Most of the Stockmann Group’s employees work in countries classified as low-risk countries for human rights violations. In 2022, Stockmann continued the due diligence project in which it assesses the fulfilment of human rights in Lindex’s sales and franchising countries and evaluates human rights from the perspective of key stakeholders. 

code of conduct

The Stockmann Group’s Code of Conduct defines ways of working for all employees and management staff without exception. Stockmann also requires its goods suppliers and other partners to follow the principles of this Code of Conduct.

ANTI-CORRUPTION POLICY

The purpose of our anti-corruption policy is to provide further guidance and instructions to the standards of conduct regarding corruption and conflicts of interest as set out in Stockmann Group’s Code of Conduct by outlining nonacceptable behaviors in order to prevent and detect corruption.