(6 March 2013 – Hong Kong) New World Department Store China Limited (“NWDS” or the “Company”; Hong Kong stock code: 825), one of the largest owners and operators of department stores in the PRC, is renowned for its caring for society and commitment to help the needy. Aiming to provide assistance to under-resourced children, the Company will launch its first annual nationwide sustainability activity “Care for Schoolchildren” donation campaign from 8 to 24 March 2013. Through collecting school supplies such as second-hand books, stationaries and recreational materials from customers, the Company strives to make study easier for the under-resourced children while promoting resource recycling and fostering sustainable development in the society.

NWDS has been dedicated to promoting corporate sustainable development and made continuous efforts in the field of environmental protection, volunteer services, staff training and charity. To be in line with New World Development’s sustainability initiatives and to incorporate them into the Company’s everyday operations, the NWDS Sustainability Steering Committee has been established in May 2012 to serve the propose. To ensure customers a cheerful shopping experience amid charity efforts, the Company will launch a wide range of privileges to participating customers during the campaign. Customers donating one piece of used book and recreational material or two pieces of stationeries will be given a caring coupon which offers them extra discounts upon purchase in any of our stores and the opportunity to be NWDS VIP members. Furthermore, NWDS VIP members and co-branded credit card owners will be eligible for additional rewards. Upon the completion of the campaign, all materials collected will be donated to charitable organizations and schools in the respective regions for further distribution, landing in the hands of the schoolchildren-in-need ultimately. 

To coincide with the campaign, NWDS will correspondingly set up “Cheer-up Love Station” at stores to spread out positive energy as well as blessing to under-resourced children. Participating customers will be given a “Cheer-up Note” to write down encouraging messages to the children, which will be put up on a large backdrop displayed in a prominent in-store position. Additionally, VIP Clubs will concurrently organize education seminars which school tutors and child education experts are invited to give talks and interact with parents on parenting, tips for inspiring and happy learning and other relevant interesting experience. 

Ms. Rebecca Woo, Director of Corporate Affairs and Chairman of Sustainability Steering Committee of NWDS said, “Children are an invaluable asset to the society and their comprehensive development is a widely concerned issue. In accordance with our image as a social responsible company, we have been actively promoting sustainable development through organizing environment protection activities and spreading the spirit to care for and give back to society. Following the success of “NWDS Green Mid-Autumn Festival- Moon Cake Box Recycling Campaign” in September 2012, we hold this donation campaign to further reinforce public awareness on resources recycling while transferring the collected materials to under-resourced schoolchildren to address to their needs on school supplies, drawing more public attention on the development of under-resourced children, so as to enhance social harmony and social mobility.”

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