Around the globe

The Philippine retail company Ayala Corporation has pledged to focus on sustainability practices to combat climate change. The company’s CEO and chairman, Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, announced during Ayala’s first Integrated Corporate Governance, Risk Management and Sustainability Summit that the climate is the “biggest and probably the most important threat to humanity”. 

“We have to start thinking creatively about how to prepare ourselves for potential climate change risks,” he said. “I think we should be contributors [to] resilience and help minimise the contributions we make in worsening the situation.”

After several provinces were damaged by a series of typhoons recently, Ayala Group was one of the first businesses to leap into action, sending support to Batangas, Rizal, Quezon Province, Oriental Mindoro, Albay, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte and Catanduanes. It is also conducting ongoing relief operations in Cagayan, Isabela and areas in the Greater Manila Area.

Zobel said there is a need to “embrace a proactive rather than a reactive approach to climate change”. The company illustrated how they plan to do so via their Ayala Sustainability Blueprint, which is aligned with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Each business unit is assigned a specific objective, such as instigating campaigns that raise awareness of climate change.

“Ayala Corporation believes that long term value is created when you focus on sustainable businesses that benefit all stakeholders,” said the company’s chief financial and sustainability officer, TG Limcaoco. “We are thankful for the substantial recognition we have received from local and international rating agencies. We will continue our commitment to pivoting our businesses towards a more resilient future for Filipinos.”

Dell halts retail in Singapore, Malaysia

Computer giant Dell has ended its partnership with bricks-and-mortar stores in Singapore and Malaysia, as it moves to a direct-to-consumer online sales model. Dell shared the news with its retail partners in a memo, which was then leaked to the tech news site Lowyat.net. The transition will be finalised by the end of January 2021.

“Dell Technologies has announced plans to transition out of the retail market in Singapore and Malaysia. Customers will still have access to the full complement of our products and services through Dell direct,” the company confirmed in a statement.

Dell reportedly plans to exit brick-and-mortar retailing in other international markets, but a list of locations is yet to be confirmed. Dell has maintained an online business model in the US and other western markets for several years now, and was sold in Singapore and Malaysia through the appliance and furniture retailer Courts. Dell also confirmed it would honour its contractual commitments with retail partners and customers. 

“Our team is on hand to work with our partners to coordinate a seamless transition,” the company said in a memo.

Nike Unite connects locals with sport

Nike is taking the concept of ‘shop local’ to the next step with its newest campaign, Nike Unite, that will see stores fitted out to showcase individual communities through design and product selection. The idea is to help locals connect more closely with sport in their area through in- and out-of-store experiences run by the sportswear retailer.  

Retail spaces are being “designed to be a reflection of [that community’s] heart and spirit”. Upon entry, customers will see a wall that showcases the store’s employees and local partnerships, and tells the story of the community. The product range is also selected according to the demand of the residents in the area, including everyday essentials as well as seasonal pieces.

As part of the Nike Unite campaign, as many staff as possible will be recruited from the local area, and the company will also initiate local partnerships and sponsorships to benefit the community. 

“Whether serving athletes in the digital spaces that speak to them, supporting local schools and nonprofits that give children more opportunity to stay active through Made to Play or participating in the Nike Community Ambassador program (which trains Nike store employees to be coaches), these measures allow Nike Unite doors to bring members closer to sport, and closer to one another,” the company said in a statement.

The company is slated to have nine Nike Unite stores up and running by the end of the year, with five already open in South Korea, the UK and the US, and four more set to open in the US and China. 

Tesco leads the UK’s biggest food drive this Christmas

UK supermarket Tesco has urged locals to donate to its food collection, which is the country’s biggest, as well as support the charities the Trussell Trust and FareShare in the lead up to Christmas. The Tesco Food Collection happens every year, but is particularly urgent this year due to the pandemic. Last year’s collection saw shoppers donate more than three million meals’ worth of food. 

In a statement, the company this year’s collection is more important than ever. People were able to start donating in Tesco Express stores on November 16, and large stores from November 19. 

“Every year Tesco customers are incredibly generous,” said Tesco’s head of community, Claire De Silva. “But this year is not a normal year, and the two charities we work with need to provide more food than ever this Christmas. A single tin of tuna or vegetables may not seem like much to give, but if enough people make a small donation then together those donations can make a really big difference to people who need our help this winter.”

The Trussell Trust’s network of food banks is preparing to give out six emergency food parcels per minute during winter.

“The pandemic has shown the power of what happens when we stand together in the face of adversity and how much people are willing to give in order to support their local community,” the charity’s chief executive, Emma Revie, said. 

“To have the ongoing support of Tesco and their customers is crucial. Items donated during this year’s Food Collection will allow food banks in our network to provide the best possible help to people in the run up to Christmas. Every donation will make such a difference in communities across the UK so please do consider donating in store.” 

Amazon Pharmacy unveils medicine home delivery

Amazon.com has rolled out two new pharmacy services to allow people to conveniently prescription medications online. Customers can place orders through Amazon Pharmacy, where they can set up a secure profile that includes their insurance information and allows them to manage prescriptions.

“We designed Amazon Pharmacy to put customers first – bringing Amazon’s customer obsession to an industry that can be inconvenient and confusing,” said Amazon Pharmacy’s vice-president, TJ Parker. “We work hard behind the scenes to handle complications seamlessly so anyone who needs a prescription can understand their options, place their order for the lowest available price, and have their medication delivered quickly.”

Amazon Prime members will receive unlimited, free two-day delivery on orders from Amazon Pharmacy. They can also cut costs when paying for medication without insurance: up to 80 per cent off generic and 40 per cent off brand name medications. The savings also extend to more than 50,000 participating pharmacies nationwide.  

“As more and more people look to complete everyday errands from home, pharmacy is an important and needed addition to the Amazon online store,” said Doug Herrington, Amazon’s senior vice-president of the North American Consumer division. “PillPack has provided exceptional pharmacy service for individuals with chronic health conditions for over six years. Now, we’re expanding our pharmacy offering to Amazon.com, which will help more customers save time, save money, simplify their lives, and feel healthier.”