Kaufland Romania has published its latest Sustainability Report, the company’s eighth local report, covering the 2024 financial year (March 2024 – February 2025).

The report provides a transparent overview of Kaufland Romania’s operations, covering its stores, two logistics centers, and two administrative headquarters in Romania. It includes data on investments made across the responsibly developed product portfolio, as well as initiatives dedicated to producers, employees, and workplace development. At the same time, the report outlines key information on the company’s supply chain, environmental impact reduction initiatives, and projects with a positive impact on local communities.

“For us, sustainability is not a separate objective, but an integral part of how we build and operate Kaufland every day. From investments in people and communities to concrete measures aimed at reducing our environmental impact, we focus on solutions that create long-term value. The results of this report reflect the responsibility with which we approach our role in society and the expectations of our customers, partners, and employees,” said Marco Hößl, CEO of Kaufland Romania and the Republic of Moldova.

The company’s sustainable approach spans the entire value chain, with progress reported across several key areas:

Suppliers and Product Portfolio

• €2.93 billion of the company’s total supplier spending was directed to Romanian partners;
• In 2024, Kaufland Romania collaborated with 2,500 local suppliers of products and services;
• Over 19,500 food products in the assortment are locally sourced;
• More than 240 organic products are included in the private label portfolio;
• Over 570 eco-friendly products and more than 380 vegan products, including 110 private label items.

The Kaufland Team

• The total financial value of employee benefits exceeded €40.9 million during the reporting period, marking a 15% increase compared to 2023;
• Kaufland Romania was certified as a Top Employer for the tenth consecutive year in Romania and the seventh year in Europe, according to the Top Employers Institute in the Netherlands;
• In 2024, approximately 500 employees with disabilities were integrated through the A.C.C.E.S. program, which was also expanded to the Republic of Moldova, with an additional 500 dedicated positions opened. The program received international recognition through the Zero Project Award 2025, being the only project from Romania awarded under this global initiative;
• At the end of the 2024 financial year, Kaufland employed over 17,530 people, more than 12,840 of whom were women.

Community Engagement

• Total investments with community impact through donations and sponsorships exceeded €9.5 million, representing 4% of the company’s gross profit;
• Two NGO grant programs were implemented: “În Stare de Bine” – 22 projects funded with a €1 million budget, reaching 4,587 direct beneficiaries, and “Start ONG” – 124 projects funded with €500,000, reaching 21,167 direct beneficiaries;
• The company also supported 120 additional projects in areas such as education, environment, social causes, culture, sports, and health, in partnership with 89 organizations, reaching over 1.35 million direct beneficiaries.

Environment – Food, Materials, and Packaging

• Over 32,000 tonnes of food were saved from waste in 2024 through accelerated sales;
• More than 191,444 kg of products were donated to NGOs and food banks, with a total value of approximately €448,000;
• Investments exceeding €1.96 million were made to expand and maintain the recycling machine network. Kaufland operates the most extensive separate collection infrastructure in Romania and was the first retailer to launch a national network of recycling machines, starting in 2021.

Environment – Energy and Emissions

• In 2024, investments of €4.5 million in photovoltaic panels resulted in an annual CO₂ emissions reduction of over 4,000 tonnes;
• In addition to reducing energy consumption and emissions, Kaufland sources 100% of its electricity from renewable energy;
• The company invested over €1 million in electric vehicle charging stations, with 170 stores and both logistics centers equipped with at least one charging point.