(15 April 2019 – 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, took part in the “Earth Hour” lights-off campaign advocated by World Wild Fund for Nature (WWF) for the tenth consecutive year. NWDS’ stores across the nation switched off electrical installations such as non-essential lights, neon lights, large advertising lightboxes and signage lightboxes for an hour from 8:30 in the evening of 30 March 2019. A total of 2,206 kWh of electricity was saved, which is equivalent to approximately 1.6 tonnes of carbon emissions.

To call for the public’s attention towards the recent decline in biodiversity, “Earth Hour” activities around the world were commonly themed “Connect to Earth” this year. The campaign was supported by many major cities in the mainland. Famous landmarks such as the Olympic Tower in Beijing, the Oriental Pearl Radio & TV Tower in Shanghai, the Yellow Crane Tower in Wuhan, etc. turned off their landscape lights on time to give planet Earth a breather. NWDS’ stores across the nation did much more than switching off the lights. Twelve branches joined up with regional authorities, commercial organisations, education or art groups, as well as local bands to co-organise “Unplugged Concerts”. Performing groups were invited to play in the atria or plazas of the stores, using acoustic instruments such as the piano, wooden guitars, etc. for their music and singing. Some of the performances even featured songs and dances as a means to promote low-carbon living to the public. Stores also stepped up their publicity efforts by leveraging new media and partnering with other industries to roll out themed markeing events. Tianjin Store, for example, released its promotional video clips on Youku and TikTok and worked with a new energy vehicle operator to offer in-store rebates. The event not only promoted low-carbon driving, but also drew foot traffic to the store. Chengdu Store, on the other hand, collaborated with a beverage bottler to stage a low-carbon concert. Passers-by were invited to take part in an interactive trivia game about the environment and put up their hand-written pledges for protecting the environment onto the campaign logo of “60+” made with beverage racks. These activities not only strengthened people’s environmental awareness, but also encouraged them to practise green in everyday lives.

As a leading retailer in the mainland and a member of the global village, NWDS has always attached much importance to the environment and has been actively implementing measures to actualise green operations. The Company strives to optimise its operational practices to achieve higher energy efficiency and carbon reduction, which could in turn lower operating costs. During the first half of the financial year 2019, the Company spent 35.8% less on water and electricity than the same period of last year. NWDS also actively practises green retailing. On top of promoting green products to consumers through its direct sales business, the Company also requires its suppliers to adhere to its sustainability principles. Nationwide green activities have been organised year after year to spread the message of “use less, waste less” to the public. Going forward, NWDS will continue to perfect its efforts in conserving energy and reducing emissions to live up to its commitment to protecting the environment and to demonstrate the ethos of caring for the planet.

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