(23 April 2014 – 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 pleased to announce that its newly revamped corporate website wins Silver Award in the Web Accessibility Recognition Scheme, while its Hong Kong office was granted the “Class of Good” Wastewi$e Label in the “Hong Kong Awards for Environmental Excellence” scheme, demonstrating that the Company is committed to undertaking corporate social responsibility and promoting social inclusion and environmental protection. 

As a socially responsible department store chain, NWDS understands that in this information technology era, website has been an important means for the public to obtain corporate information and its design should cater to the needs of people from all walks of life. Hence, the Company’s website has always tried to comply with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) promulgated by the World Wide Web Consortium and has won the Ruby Award in “Web Care Award 2011-2012” organized by Internet Professional Association earlier. When the website was revamped this year, the Company further improves its accessibility by adding in various new functions, such as providing text alternatives for non-text content, enabling all content to be accessible by keyboard, providing means to close pop-up window and resize texts, so that people can browse our website for information with ease. On the other hand, in view of people’s increasing use of smartphones and tablets on information searching, the new website was built in responsive web design that the webpages could be adjusted in response to the size of the viewing screen in different devices to make browsing more convenient. 

The new website successfully garnered silver award in the website category of the Web Accessibility Recognition Scheme, recognizing the Company’s dedication of undertaking corporate social responsibility. It is the second year for the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) and the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) to co-organize the scheme which aims to encourage web accessibility adoption so that everyone can gain access to websites’ content and online services at ease through showing appreciation to enterprises and organizations for their efforts to make their websites accessible. To be eligible as a silver award winner, its website has to fulfil all 14 judging criteria so as to provide fundamental web accessibility features. 

Furthermore, NWDS also makes great effort to promote environmental protection and waste reduction through organizing various green activities, including moon cake boxes and spare toys acquisition, and formulates green policies to encourage staff to minimize paper consumption and recycle used paper. The Company’s efforts win a “Class of Good” Wastewi$e Label in the “Hong Kong Awards for Environmental Excellence” scheme organized by the Environmental Campaign Committee (ECC) with the Environmental Protection Department and other nine organizations as supporting organizations. The scheme is established to encourage Hong Kong businesses or organizations in adopting measures to reduce the amount of waste generated within their establishments or through the services and products they provide; and recognize the waste reduction efforts of those companies. Winners are required to fulfill at least three new goals from at least two measuring categories every year. 

Ms. Rebecca Woo, Corporate Affairs Director and Chairman of Sustainability Steering Committee of NWDS, said, “NWDS is one of the largest department stores operators in the PRC and has been proactive in undertaking corporate social responsibility. Besides promoting environmental protection and waste reduction through various means and activities, we also pay close attention to people’s everyday needs. Through establishing an accessible website with the help of advanced technology, we hope that everyone can gain access to information easily and enjoy the benefits of smart living. With this award, we hope to set ourselves as a good example to encourage industry players to join our hands to build a caring and inclusive society.”

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