Policies

To be a leader in the field of electrical retailing, or indeed any industry, means being able to demonstrate a commitment to responsibility within the wider community. For Dixons Retail this means listening and responding to our employees, to customers, investors, regulators and to our business partners and suppliers.

Corporate Responsibility

It is our view that corporate responsibility begins with the need to comply with legislation and extends towards best practice and the achievement of the Group's over-arching philosophy of 'Being the Best'.

We have divided our CR activity into four areas:

Workplace
The satisfaction and engagement of our people is critical to the success of our business. We apply a cradle to grave approach to CR best practice in the workplace, from recruitment to post-retirement programmes. Employees are encouraged to work within our Being the Best principles, creating a working environment in which respect for each other, customers and suppliers is paramount.

Marketplace
Marketplace activity relates to the way that the Group manages its business relationships. This encompasses everything from our supplier relationships and sourcing policies to the provision of product information and aftersales support. We are committed to innovation in the development of new customer services.

Community
We aim to foster good relationships in the communities where we operate. We encourage our employees to participate in charitable and voluntary activities, and recognise those who develop the most innovative approach to volunteering at our annual Switched on to Volunteering awards. The Group's registered charity, the DSG international Foundation, supports employee volunteers in addition to the charities and community groups it funds.

Environment
We are committed to increasing our understanding of the impacts of our business on ecosystems and resources. Taking steps to reduce these impacts is high on our agenda. Our environmental considerations encompass the full manufacture and usage chain, from the design of products through to their sale, use and ultimate disposal, with particular focus on energy, resource use, and waste management.

Diversity Policy

Dixons Retail plc is committed to developing a diverse workforce and equal opportunities for all. The Board recognises the importance of diversity, including gender diversity, in the boardroom and the senior management team.

The Board has considered the recommendations of the Davies Report and recognises the valuable contribution that women make in achieving the right mix of skills, knowledge and experience that enables the Group to maximise its corporate potential.  The Board supports the spirit of the report, however, at the present time, it is not supportive of specific quotas, believing that individuals should be appointed on merit.  The Board will take opportunities to increase boardroom and senior management diversity as roles and suitable candidates become available and will seek to make demonstrable progress in this regard by 2015.

The Group currently has two female Board directors (22.2% of the Company’s Board) and two members of the senior management team are female (29%).

Anti-Bribery

The UK Bribery Act bought in new anti-bribery and corruption rules impacting companies.  Dixons Retail believes wholeheartedly in the principles behind this legislation, and would never want our business tainted with any accusations of unethical behaviour.

Our Anti-Bribery Policy provides guidance as to how we should conduct ourselves in our day to day activities in light of the legislation.

Anti-Bribery Policy - September 2011 (108 Kb PDF)