Founded in 1926 in Amsterdam, HEMA has become a beloved Dutch retail brand known for its accessible, high-quality products and strong values. With a growing number of stores across Europe, HEMA continues to evolve its business model to meet modern expectations—especially in the realm of sustainability.
Laying the foundation: people, planet, and governance
HEMA’s sustainability journey is deeply rooted in its commitment to doing good for both people and the planet. The company’s initial motivation was to ensure fair and safe working conditions across its supply chains, leading to its early adoption of amfori BSCI in 2003. Over time, HEMA’s approach has expanded to encompass environmental and governance dimensions, forming a comprehensive ESG strategy.
“We see ESG risk management as a continuous process,” a HEMA representative explains. “It’s about identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks across our value chains, with transparency, collaboration, and data-driven decision-making at the core.”
HEMA’s ESG framework is designed to evolve with changing regulatory landscapes and stakeholder expectations. The company actively monitors risks, engages suppliers and other stakeholders, and uses data to inform targeted interventions particularly in areas like CO₂ reduction and supply chain transparency.
The amfori partnership: A dual-track approach to ESG
HEMA’s partnership with amfori began in 2003 with the adoption of amfori BSCI, aimed at improving social conditions in its supply chains, especially in the textile sector. In recent years, HEMA has expanded its use of amfori solutions by implementing amfori BEPI to strengthen environmental due diligence.
“amfori BSCI helped us ensure decent working conditions, but as our understanding of sustainability matured, we needed more granular data on environmental impacts,” says a HEMA spokesperson. “amfori BEPI now complements amfori BSCI, allowing us to manage our environmental footprint more effectively.”
Together, these solutions support HEMA’s broader ESG approach, enabling the company to assess supplier performance, identify high-risk areas, and implement targeted improvement plans.
Supplier engagement: Progress and challenges
HEMA’s suppliers, particularly in the textile sector, are generally familiar with amfori and respond positively to its solutions. In the hardware sector, adoption has been slower, but most partners are willing to cooperate. In the food industry, as amfori is not widely used, HEMA continues to explore ways to increase engagement.
One notable improvement has been the significant increase in the percentage of suppliers completing the self-assessment. This has laid the groundwork for more targeted follow-up actions and improved transparency across the supply chain.
Measurable impact: Data-driven ESG performance
HEMA has seen measurable improvements in its ESG performance, particularly in supplier engagement and risk identification. The rise in completed self-assessments has enabled more effective auditing and the development of CO₂ reduction plans for high-risk suppliers.
“amfori’s tools have helped us structure and scale our ESG efforts,” the company notes. “We’re now able to make more informed decisions and take proactive steps toward sustainability.”
Looking ahead: Expanding reach and deepening insights
HEMA’s next steps involve deepening its risk-based approach by auditing collected data and developing tailored CO₂ reduction plans. The company also aims to expand the reach of amfori solutions in sectors like food and hardware.
“We appreciate amfori’s support in enhancing data integration capabilities,” says a HEMA representative. “More actionable insights will help us drive meaningful change.”
Capacity building: Empowering teams and suppliers
The amfori Capacity Building programme and the amfori Academy have played an important role in HEMA’s sustainability journey. These resources provide accessible, practical training that supports continuous improvement and alignment with ESG goals for both internal teams and suppliers.
“They’ve helped us and our partners understand and implement the solutions effectively,” HEMA shares. “It’s about building knowledge and fostering a culture of responsibility.”