(9 April 2015 – 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 Mainland China, participated in the global lights-off event, “Earth Hour”, for the sixth consecutive year. 42 NWDS stores and offices across the country turned off non-essential lighting such as neon signs, large billboard lights and signs from 8:30 pm to 9:30 pm on 28 March. To further engage its customers and the public, three stores across different operating regions held their first spectacular “Unplugged Concerts” in cooperation with local bands and arts organizations during the lights-off period to call for public support on cherishing natural resources.

Founded by the World Wide Fund for Nature in 2007, “Earth Hour” encourages people to practice low-carbon lifestyle by turning off non-essential lights for one hour and reducing energy consumption in order to create a sustainable future together. This year’s “Earth Hour” theme in China is “Switch off, Blue on” which encourages people to reduce the use of fossil fuel and to develop renewable energy, in order to cope with the air pollution issue in China.

NWDS has always strived to promote environmental protection. This year 42 NWDS stores and offices across the country took part in the lights-off event. Among them, Yancheng New World Department Store, Zhengzhou New World Department Store and Xi’an New World Department Store held “Unplugged Concerts” in cooperation with local bands and arts organizations. “Unplugged Concerts” are electricity-free concerts which stage performances involving acoustic instruments, singing and dancing, in order to promote energy conservation. For example, Yancheng New World Department Store partnered with Jinbo Jazz Club to present an amazing drum performance which heated the on-site atmosphere. Xi’an New World Department Store partnered with Hong Gao Wen Hua, Xi’an Bo Yue Art Training Centre and indie musicians to present singing and instrument performances. To further boost public awareness on “Earth Hour”, Xi’an New World Department Store incorporated activities such as “glow stick waving” and “Earth Hour logo making” with candles during the concerts, arousing enthusiastic response from around 2,500 audience to help brighten the night with the glitter from candles.

Apart from the lights-off activitiy and “Unplugged Concert” at physical stores, NWDS held the “NWDS‧Earth Hour” Weibo retweeting activity on NWDS CSR Weibo from 27 March to 4 April to further promote the green message of “Earth Hour”. The activity received enthusiastic response from internet users, having nearly 18,000 participants to help spread the green message collectively.

Ms. Rebecca Woo, Corporate Affairs Director and Chairman of Sustainability Steering Committee of NWDS, said, “The concept of ‘Earth Hour’ is to urge everyone to make small changes in everyday life to create a dramatic environmental improvement. The collective power of the household practice of turning off unnecessary lights can effectively reduce carbon emissions. ‘Earth Hour’ has been NWDS’ signature green activity since 2010. We took a step forward this year to pioneer the ‘Unplugged Concerts’ to gather the public and our customers together with good music while promoting energy conservation and a low-carbon lifestyle.”

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