DATA TRANSPARENCY
For us, sustainability represents a journey – one that will continue to evolve, and we are dedicated to developing along the way. Overall, JYSK is committed to being compliant with legislation across the global business. Traditionally, we have focused more on ensuring internal processes and ways of working and less on external communication of these. Moving forward, communication and transparent insights into our processes will also be a priority for us.
Our Double Materiality Assessment (DMA) has helped us sharpen our sustainability focus. We will share more data around our work with sustainability and the progress that we make on the areas which are found material in the DMA. We acknowledge that there initially can be gaps in our data, but we are committed to addressing this over time to increase our data transparency in JYSK.
Our goal is to provide clear and accessible updates about our sustainability work, enabling customers to make informed decisions by increasing their knowledge of how we approach and work with sustainability at JYSK.
In the following sections, we will explain more about:
Double Materiality Assessment
Sustainability Reporting
JYSK Sustainability Governance Structure
Double Materiality Assessment
Our DMA from 2024 evaluates our business from both inside-out and outside-in perspectives, identifying the areas that are most material to JYSK based on the negative and positive impacts, risks, and opportunities (IROs) we face. Our actions within sustainability will be in line with the findings of the DMA, as we will prioritise the most material topics.
As a large and growing international retailer, we recognise that we have a negative impact in certain areas, and the DMA process has been a method for JYSK to gain further insights into these areas. We therefore also see this as an opportunity to understand where we can implement positive change. Naturally, the DMA has provided the foundation for us to outline our sustainability strategy, A Great Offer for Generations.
The DMA identifies 13 areas, referred to as Sustainability Matters, covering Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) aspects within our operations and our value chain. These areas include:
Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions
As a large and growing retailer, JYSK contributes to significant greenhouse gas emissions through the energy-intensive materials used in our products. Operating 3,500 stores and 10 distribution centres also requires a substantial amount of energy. Our science-based targets are an important part of our commitment to lowering our greenhouse gas emissions.
Environmental Impact from Materials and Products
At JYSK, we use a variety of materials in our products, and the farming, production, and processing of these materials can have a negative environmental impact. For example, cotton farming requires significant amounts of water, while wood-based products are associated with biodiversity loss. JYSK is working with certifications such as FSC® and Better Cotton to mitigate some of these impacts.
Circularity
The world is rapidly developing in terms of circularity and minimising waste. This is also a focus area at JYSK, where we work with Global Recycled Standard on recycled textiles and offer spare parts for selected products to enable repairs.
Working Conditions in Our Operations
As a large employer, we prioritise the well-being of our employees, ensuring they feel safe, content, and valued at work. However, a large workforce also presents potential risks in areas such as health and safety and employee well-being. We are dedicated to addressing these challenges through training, improvements to the physical work environment, and ongoing monitoring of accident developments.
Equal Treatment and Opportunities
Our efforts within Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion – such as our focus on diversity in both hiring and promotions as well as our extensive work with training and skill development – have a positive impact on our employees. Additionally, like many other retailers, JYSK experiences high employee turnover and is continuously focusing on mitigating this e.g. through our career development offerings.
Workers in the Value Chain
JYSK has a responsibility for workers in our value chain, which includes areas such as working conditions, safety, and working hours. At JYSK, we take a risk-based approach to mitigating these challenges, where we, in risk countries, work with amfori BSCI. As a member of amfori BSCI, JYSK adheres to a common code of conduct with specific requirements regarding the working conditions in the factories where JYSK’s products are produced. amfori BSCI also performs audits at the manufacturers to follow up on the aspects described in the code of conduct.
Health and Safety of Consumers
The safety of our products is a key focus area for JYSK. We have a rigorous testing setup and clear safety standards, such as those concerning Substances of Very High Concern, which JYSK has chosen to exclude from our products.
Corporate Culture
At JYSK, we are proud of our company culture and strong values (Tradesmanship, Colleague, and Corporate Spirit), which tie the company together and have a positive impact on employees. Employees are continuously trained in the JYSK values and leadership, formalising the learning around our corporate culture.
ESG Requirements and Communication
ESG requirements are increasing rapidly, and at JYSK, this is seen as an opportunity to communicate more transparently about our sustainability efforts. Additionally, from a financial perspective, compliance with other ESG legislation comes with substantial costs.
Ethical Business Conduct
JYSK operates across many countries, and it is acknowledged that employees might encounter bribery. Certain functions and countries have a higher risk of this occurring, and mitigating actions are implemented accordingly. JYSK has a whistleblower service that is open to both internal and external cases.
Supply Chain Management
As a retailer, JYSK has a potential impact on our supply chain, particularly through our ethical conduct towards suppliers. For product suppliers, we implement auditing schemes (amfori BEPI & BSCI) and utilise these in our dialogue with suppliers. If a supplier receives a score that does not meet the requirements, we work with them to facilitate their improvement.
Access to Products and Services
JYSK strives to be a local and accessible option for all customers. JYSK is for everyone, and our small store concept enables us to maintain a widespread store network.
Taxation
With legal representation in each country of operation, JYSK aims to have a positive impact by ensuring compliance with local tax obligations.
Sustainability Reporting
JYSK is required to comply with the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) starting in 2025, and is obliged to report to our parent company, Lars Larsen Group. At JYSK, it has been decided that, in addition to reporting through Lars Larsen Group, JYSK will also initiate its own independent reporting.
The first step in this project is to publish our aforementioned DMA, as we have done here on our website. The next step will be pilot reporting for our FY2025, while further relevant data points will be shared for FY2026 (starting from September 2025). Independent sustainability reporting represents a valuable opportunity for JYSK to further enhance our communication about our sustainability journey as well as increase our data transparency.
As an international business operating in over 29 countries, we recognise that not all countries are at the same level of maturity regarding sustainability. Our approach involves making decisions that apply across all our operations, which may represent small steps in some countries and larger strides in others.
Internally, we promote transparency by benchmarking our countries on various topics, including emissions, employee satisfaction, gender balance, and more. This helps us build a stronger foundation of transparency within JYSK.
Our Sustainability Governance Structure
At JYSK, sustainability is integrated across various departments and levels, ensuring it is embedded in our operations. Each department focuses on specific sustainability initiatives tailored to their areas, and we systematically share knowledge among departments.
Our sustainability governance structure is divided into three levels:
The Sustainability Management Group
The Sustainability Team
The ESG Core Groups
The Sustainability Management Group comprises the CEO, CFO, EVP of Purchasing, Sustainability Director, Compliance & Quality Director, and Communications Director. This group is responsible for setting the strategic direction and prioritising JYSK’s sustainability efforts, as well as discussing risks and resource allocation. The group reviews and approves any changes or adjustments proposed by the Sustainability Team and/or ESG Core Groups. It maintains a direct link to the Executive Management Team (EMT) to ensure alignment with the broader business strategy.
The Sustainability Team acts as the strategic umbrella, guiding JYSK’s sustainability journey through a wide range of initiatives. This team is responsible for defining the sustainability direction, tracking progress on initiatives, and ensuring coordination across departments. Additionally, the team regularly reviews the Double Materiality Assessment (DMA) to ensure it accurately reflects JYSK’s impacts, risks, and opportunities. This process ensures that our approach to sustainability remains relevant and aligned with our business goals. The Sustainability Director reports directly to the CFO.
The ESG Core Groups consist of two tracks: an Environmental track and a Social and Governance track. These groups include representatives from key departments, such as Sustainability, Purchasing, Logistics, Retail Development, Real Estate, HR, Communications, Marketing, and Country Management. These groups meet regularly to provide updates on their sustainability initiatives, report on progress, and align with JYSK's overall sustainability KPIs. The purpose of these meetings is to ensure that each area contributes its expertise and decision-making power, facilitating knowledge sharing and agreeing on strategic sustainability priorities based on the impact and effort of each focus area.