The Community

A great responsibility towards the community is triggered when a store or shopping center of the Falabella Group is built in a new location, not only because of the potential impact on the environment, but also because of the opportunity that the company has to have a positive influence and create value.

The different companies in the Group are aware of this reality and implement several initiatives aimed at working with and for the communities where they will set up business, which may range from specific volunteer activities to organized programs intended to contribute to areas such as education, culture and infrastructure. During 2013, each company chose to measure the impact of one of all of the activities that they perform in the aim of perfecting each initiative. Collaborators have also been encouraged to participate in these activities and dedicate part of their working hours to them. The sustainability reports of each company contain details on those activities. Below most emblematic programs are described:

- Haciendo Escuela Program:
Support is provided in infrastructure, technology and learning to schools near Department Stores. Falabella sponsors one school in every municipality where a Falabella store is located.
- 87 schools throughout the region.
- Benefitting 75,000 students.

- Entrepreneurship program:
This is a Mall Plaza Program to encourage new entrepreneurs. More than 150 entrepreneurs were benefitted in 2013 in the different areas that have been defined (fairs, stands, shops in Mall Plaza’s and sidewalk stands).

- The Good Neighbor Program:
This is a volunteer program organized by Sodimac in which the community can present projects, which are evaluated for their positive impact. 140 projects were implemented in 2012 and 2013 through 3,819 volunteer employees, benefitting 20,291 individuals.

- A Regional Partnership with América Solidaria (Solidary America): This is an initiative supported by the Financial Services area of Falabella, geared towards projects that improve the quality of life in the poorest communities on the continent through volunteer work by the collaborators.

- An alliance with foundations and NGOs to deliver the donations of spare change made by Tottus customers.