COMMUNITY  DEVELOPMENT 

 

Global crisis affects the quality of life of the people, one of the many pieces of evidence is the rise in poverty. Today, social issues such as climate change, human rights, and labor practices are becoming increasingly important. As a result, businesses need to be aware of the current social issues to ensure that they meet the expectations of their stakeholders and remain a sustainable and responsible business.

BJC, as a responsible corporate citizen, recognizes the significant impact that its business operations can have on the environment and the communities where it operates. The company understands that its activities can lead to potential conflicts with local communities and negatively affect the environment, which can have long-term consequences for both the company and its stakeholders. Therefore, BJC is committed to conducting its business in a manner that is socially and environmentally responsible.

BJC believes the strength of a nation lies in the ability of its people to work together in harmony and develop as part of a strong community. Each year, BJC continued to prioritize community contribution and development as the company realized that in order to achieve sustainable growth and success, it must create business growth while also addressing societal needs and challenges in the communities where BJC’s business operations are located across the country.

BJC even went beyond societal expectations for community contribution and development. To promote education, which the company perceives as the foundation of knowledge and success, BJC did not only support students but also teacher’s capabilities, learning facilities as well as the company’s business partners. For nurturing the environment, throughout the year, BJC constantly encouraged the engagement of its employees, customers, and community members in all environmental activities. Moreover, to support public health and well-being, not only community members and medical personnel received healthcare support, but the company also improved the community’s economy and standard of living through various projects such as upgrading local grocery stores. 

 

Community Development Management Approach

According to BJC's Group-wide CSR Strategy, the focus areas included Education, Environment, Public Health & Community and Religion & Culture.  In 2022, the company realized that in the past years, COVID-19 pandemic and resulting economic fallout caused significant hardship to the economy and unemployment remained high throughout 2020 – 2021.  To support communities’ economy, BJC enhanced its focus in the area even more and adjusted the CSR strategy accordingly, i.e., from Public Health & Community to Public Health & Community Well-being.

Moreover, in 2022 BJC had enhanced its commitment in community contribution and development by setting a long - term target for each focus areas. By 2032 the company aimed to achieve the following targets;

 

Focus Areas	2032 Target	2022 Performance	Unit
Education
	15,000 students receive the benefits	5,510	Students
Environment
	150,000 trees planted 1,500 tons of waste in communities have been managed	9,140 130	Trees Tons of waste
Public Health & Community Well-being
	1,500,000 people receive food surplus 150,000 tons of agricultural products have been supported 1,500 activities supporting community health and well-being have been conducted.	49,570 24,320 196	People Tons of products Activities
Religion & Culture
	1,500 activities supporting religions and cultures have been conducted.	45	Activities

As a responsible corporate citizen, BJC recognizes the significant impact its business operations can have on the environment and communities in which it operates. To address this, BJC has been monitoring and evaluating its performance closely to ensure the satisfaction of all stakeholders, particularly community members. In 2022, there were no complaints received from communities regarding its operations and activities.

BJC also recognizes the importance of creating value and enhancing the quality of life in communities in accordance with their way of life and needs. To achieve this, BJC fosters collaboration between communities and employees from the outset of each project. By surveying the opinions, concerns, and needs of communities and identifying issues that impact them, BJC can ensure that its projects truly meet their needs and expectations. BJC continuously monitors its projects and collaborates with employees, communities, and society to make joint improvements. This approach ensures that BJC not only delivers sustainable and responsible business practices but also contributes to the betterment of society.

Community Communication Channels

All of BJC's business units and subsidiaries have prioritized community relations, particularly those surrounding local communities at factories and operating sites. Along with regular CSR and community engagement activities, the company makes certain that all voices in its surrounding communities are heard and that the activities and operations meet their expectations. The standard communication channels where all community members can voice their feedback and concerns are as follows;

• Facebook channels which consist of BJC and subsidiaries’ Facebook pages such as BJC House, BJC Big C Share, CSR BJC Cellox, Your TBC, TGI.BJC Glass and Big C Big Service
• BJC’s head office at Berli Jucker House, 99 Soi Rubia, Sukhumvit 42 Road, Phrakanong, Klongtoey, Bangkok
• BJC’s main phone line at 0-2146-5999
• Direct contact at BJC and subsidiaries’ operation sites, where the contact details are publicly available on the website https://www.bjc.co.th/contact

Apart from the standard communication channels, BJC also takes proactive approach to ensure two-way communication with its communities, which includes the following actions;

• All operation sites make inquiries about complaints from government offices in the areas every year to ensure community satisfaction.
• Regular sharing sessions with the local communities are conducted at the communities surrounding operation sites.

CSR department of each business unit is responsible for the communication channels. The following is a proper process of remediation that BJC follows when it receives a complaint from a community:

 

1. Acknowledge the Complaint: The company acknowledges the complaint as soon as possible, either by phone or in writing, and express its concern for the issue raised. This shows the company's commitment to transparency and responsiveness.
2. Investigate the Issue: The company conduct a thorough investigation of the complaint to determine the validity of the claims and the root cause of the problem. The investigation involves relevant stakeholders such as local community members, employees, and experts to ensure a comprehensive investigation.
3. Develop an Action Plan: Based on the investigation, the company develops an action plan to address the issue and remediate any negative impacts on the community. The action plan is comprehensive, time-bound, and include measurable targets.
4. Implement the Action Plan: The company implements the action plan and monitor progress regularly to ensure that the issue is being addressed effectively.
5. Engage with the Community: Throughout the remediation process, the company engages with the community to ensure that their concerns are being heard and addressed. This could involve regular updates, community meetings, or other forms of communication.
6. Evaluate the Outcome: Once the remediation process is complete, the company evaluate the outcome to determine whether the issue has been fully addressed and whether any further actions are necessary.
7. Learn from the Experience: The company learn from the experience and take steps to prevent similar issues from arising in the future. This could involve reviewing policies and procedures, conducting training for employees, or implementing new monitoring and evaluation mechanisms.

 Corporate Philanthropy Activity and CSR Budget Allocation

In 2022, BJC allocated a budget to the focused areas of Corporate Philanthropy Activity and Corporate Social Responsibility as follows:

 

 

Philanthropic Contributions

BJC employed a group-wide CSR strategy to guide philanthropic activities and to assess program effectiveness. The company had also made certain that its corporate citizenship and philanthropy programs are in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

In order to effectively support the group-wide CSR strategy in Education, Environment, Public Health & Community Well-being and Religion & Culture throughout the year, all related business units work together. They tracked the monetary value of corporate citizenship and philanthropic contributions for each of the following categories: cash contributions, employee volunteering during paid working hours, in-kind giving, and management overhead, as shown below:

Constantly, CSR team gathered updated data on corporate citizenship and philanthropic contributions and philanthropic activities. The data was then summarized into a quarterly informative report for the Sustainable Development Committee to monitor and plan budget allocation. Furthermore, the committee ensured that the budget and resources were effectively allocated in accordance with the material topics and corporate strategy.

Moreover, a stakeholder satisfaction survey was conducted for each activity to confirm its effectiveness and to identify areas for improvement. BJC CSR team distributed a questionnaire to employees and community members involved in the activities, and the satisfaction scores were then summarized for each activity.

BJC has made it a priority to incorporate lessons learned into its operational policies and procedures. For instance, when community satisfaction is low, BJC takes a proactive approach to identify the root cause of the issue and address it through changes to its operational policies and procedures. The company has incorporated regular community engagement activities and feedback mechanisms into its operational policies and procedures.

By incorporating lessons learned from past sustainability-related issues into its operational policies and procedures, BJC is better equipped to identify potential issues and address them proactively. This approach ensures that BJC not only operates responsibly but also contributes to the long-term well-being of the communities in which it operates.

 

Education     

BJC has laid out social activities to support education and youth in accordance with the business approach: creating activities that create a full range of benefits from upstream, midstream, and downstream. To enhance the quality of education from upstream or teachers who create the future of the nation, midstream, namely schools and educational institutions, and downstream: youth or students.

• Kru Thai Khong Phan Din (BJC Thai Teachers of the Land)

Since 2014, the project has been contributing to the quality of education in Thailand by improving teacher competency in innovative teaching methods and recognizing role model teachers.  In 2022, BJC remains committed to driving education to integrate and bringing results to youth, society and the nation. The company continue to follow up on the application of knowledge in the teaching of the trained teachers in all regions. This is to contribute to the creation of academic potential and quality of life for the youth, supporting them to grow up to be good and talented people of families, society, and the country.

 

In 2022, The trainings on enhancing digital tooling skills have been conducted and resulted in the following benefits;

• Social benefits: the project has trained 106 teachers, from 80 schools from all over the country, benefiting over 5,000 students. Since 2014, 2,400 teachers from all over Thailand have been participated in the project.
• Business benefits: By providing access to quality education and skilled teachers, individuals in society can develop the knowledge and skills needed to pursue sustainable career paths. This, in turn, can lead to more stable and sustainable incomes. When people have a sustainable income, they have greater purchasing power, which can positively impact the economy by contributing to higher sales volume at Big C stores. By prioritizing education, BJC not only contributes to the long-term economic growth of society but also benefits its business by increasing the potential customer base and overall sales volume.
   

• Remote School Project

From the past survey, there were schools all over the country needed building, learning facilities and renovation.  The remote school project was then initiated in 2003, aiming to help schools in need, especially for buildings and facilities. Since 2003 to date, BJC has built 59 school buildings in total, for 58 schools nationwide, contributing over 90 million baht. The buildings and facilities would enhance the quality of teaching and for the students and teachers to have a modernized and safe school building.

 

In 2022, BJC undertook a renovation program for damaged school building at Wat  Punhathayikawas School, Pathun Thani province.

• • • Social benefits: In 2022, the renovation of Wat Punhathayikawas School benefited 510 students. Moreover, each year over 30,000 students and teachers are utilizing the school buildings, or more than 500,000 people received the benefits from the project since 2003.
• Business benefits: The project not only created a safe and proper learning environment for students, but it also strengthened education within society. By providing access to quality education, BJC had invested in the future of Thailand's economy. As the economy grows stronger, and the society recognizes BJC's commitment to education, there is a greater potential for increased customer numbers at Big C stores, resulting in higher sales volumes. By supporting education, BJC is not only contributing to the development of society but also creating a long-term positive impact on its business operations. Moreover, in 2022, over 240 BJC employees volunteered to participate in the project, contributing to higher employee engagement rate.

 

Environment for Community

            Continuously operating every year, BJC’s Responsible Consumption and Production Initiative focuses to promote responsible and sustainable consumption and production at local communities nationwide. The initiative consists of 3 highlight projects with 2022 updates as follows:

(1) The Green Shelter Project: Improved from The Green Roof Project established in 2010, the project has been producing roofing sheets from recycled beverage boxes shelters of victims and communities in need, across Thailand. In collaboration with Friends in Need (of “Pa”) Volunteers Foundation, in 2022, over 160 Big C stores were a collection center of the project.

• Social/Environmental benefits: in 2022 the project has collected used beverage boxes for 16,910 kilograms, produced roofing sheets for 50 households in need. Since 2010, the project has collected used beverage boxes for 2,461,370 kilograms and 68,000 roofing sheets have been produced.
• Business benefits: positive image and brand awareness have been created among local communities all over Thailand and via Facebook fan page https://www.facebook.com/ThaiGreenShelter/, reaching almost  80,000 people.  These people in the fan page are engaged with the activity and likely to become Big C’s potential customers.

 

 

(2) Surplus Food Donation Project: Started in 2020, in collaboration with Scholars of Sustenance Foundation (SOS), this on-going project aims to reduce food loss and waste by donating food surplus to local communities in need.

• Social/Environmental benefits:  in 2022 the project has donated 33,485 kilograms of food surplus to low-income communities, homeless shelters, schools, hospitals and other public organization.  The donated amount is 140,637 meals served equivalent.  Moreover, 84,717 kilograms of carbon dioxide have been saved by preventing surplus foods from going into landfills.
• Business benefits: The reduction of 81,657 kilograms of food surplus is equivalent to 52,019 baht of food waste management cost saved.

 

(3) Exchange Silk Tissue Project: BJC Cellox has been encouraging surrounding communities of its factories (Bang Pli and Prachin Buri) to separate waste and reduce waste.  After waste separation, the communities then exchange paper waste with Cellox tissue products. BJC then uses the waste as raw material to produce more tissue products.

• Social benefit:  in 2022 the project has received 59,398 kilograms of recyclable tissue paper from 66 local communities, where they also received tissue products in total of 118,796 tissue rolls in exchange. The household expenses have decreased by 1,781,940 baht.
• Business benefits: the received recyclable tissue paper have been used to produced 39,203 kilograms of new tissue paper, which has reduced the production cost in 2022 for 392,207 baht

Extra Environmental Projects

1. Biggie Bear Recycling Project

More than 190 large-scale Big C branches nationwide are open as drop points for depositing recycled materials, plastic bottles and aluminum cans, which to be passed into the right processing process. For 2022, In collaboration with Resources management for Sustainability (3R) Foundation and Prostheses Foundation of HRH the Princess Mother;

• 2,046 kilograms of plastic bottles collected, accounted for 2,119.1 kilograms of carbon dioxide.
• 117.3 kilograms of aluminum collected, accounted for 1,070.6 kilograms of carbon dioxide

 

2. BJC Cellox’s Big Tree Planting Project

In collaboration with suppliers and surrounding communities, BJC Cellox plant tress to increase green space for communities as well as to reduce global warming. This on-going project has been organized since 2020.  In 2022, BJC Cellox has planted 1,640 trees, with 8 local communities engaged.  Since 2020, 6,204 trees have been planted.

 

Public Health  & Community Well-being 

BJC believes that everyone should have fair access to healthcare and safety.  Moreover, to contribute to a stronger nation, not only promoting healthcare and safety, the company also enhanced the standard of living and the economy of its surrounding communities through various projects in 2022.

1. Don Jai Project

The traditional grocery stores are one of the oldest businesses in Thailand and the largest group of retail businesses, accounting for more than 40% of the market. Currently, there are over 440,000 traditional grocery stores spread throughout the country. In the past, the type of store was popular among both business owners and consumers because they provided access to a wide variety of products for all groups of consumers. Therefore, these stores have been ingrained in the Thai way of life for a long time and play a significant role in the country's economy, generating income to support communities for a long time.

Currently, the traditional grocery store business is impacted by the growth and expansion of modernized convenience stores, resulting in increased competition and numerous challenges. For example, lack of knowledge and understanding in store management planning, technology, tools, and essential information to help manage various aspects such as store arrangement, product selection, and inventory management are among the significant challenges faced by traditional grocery store businesses. These factors make it difficult for them to compete and survive in the market. Therefore, it is necessary for these businesses to adapt and make changes to remain competitive and survive in the market.

BJC recognizes the importance of small local businesses in communities and their potential to drive sustainable economic growth in Thailand. As a result, the Don Jai project was launched with the objective of helping to address the challenges faced by local grocery stores today.

Building a Strong Ecosystem

BJC has a network of over 3,000 suppliers, with more than 30 strategic key suppliers, which offers a wide range of product options. Stores under Don Jai project have access to over 8,000 specially selected products at special pricing arrangements. One of the main benefits of linking suppliers to the Don Jai project is that manufacturers can make use of the customer data available in the store's sub-databases, such as demographic and buying patterns. This data can be leveraged to develop and produce products that better meet customers' needs, resulting in increased customer satisfaction.

Moreover, the project also serves as a channel for small and medium-sized manufacturers to distribute their products, which helps them increase their market base and improve sales growth. In addition, the manufacturers can also leverage the Don Jai project's network to promote their products effectively and conveniently to both the domestic and international markets. The Don Jai project has thus created a mutually beneficial ecosystem for both the suppliers and the stores.

Store Assistance

The Don Jai project provides assistance to local grocery stores by providing knowledge on systematic and standardized store management, supporting them with tools and technology (Smart SME POS system) and essential information to help store owners manage their stores more efficiently. For example, the store owners can utilize the system to manage their customer relationship management (CRM) and implement a loyalty program for their customers in their own unique format. Moreover, the system can help the owners to manage daily sales for each product category, inventory management, product recommendations, and most importantly, track daily profits from sales.  Thus, the stock can be managed more efficiently without causing shortages or unnecessary excesses.

Moreover, Don Jai also provides a delivery service directly to the stores, allowing store owners to receive their products without having to leave their stores to purchase them elsewhere. Don Jai offers various investment models for store owners to choose from, depending on their suitability in terms of location, store size, and the owner's needs. The project also assists in designing the store layout to make it modern and appealing, as well as helping store owners to consider the appropriate store size. To conclude, Don Jai is a partner in investing in the store, with a contract for business operations that is predetermined, and the store owner is not burdened with any obligations to share profits beyond this contract.

In addition to the various forms of assistance mentioned above through the Don Jai project, BJC has also established a dedicated team to work closely with Don Jai stores across all branches. This team provides guidance, suggestions, and assistance with various tasks to ensure that the stores under the project can compete effectively with both large and small markets and benefit the community in the long run by promoting sustainable growth and contributing to the country's economic development.

Win-win for all Stakeholders

This project is a win-win solution for all stakeholders involved. The stores under the project receive support and development to modernize their businesses, operate systematically, and meet the standards, which can increase their profitability by analyzing various data such as sales, cost, and stock. At the same time, the company benefits from having a larger customer base and an additional distribution channel through Big C. Moreover, the project helps to create and increase brand awareness among customers, promoting diversity in the products sold in each community through partnerships with over 30 companies that offer various brands and products at reasonable prices. In 2022, more than 1,000 local grocery stores were provided with support, increasing access to customers in different regions and allowing them to sell products that match the specific needs of each area.

Overall, the Don Jai Project is a great example of how a responsible corporate citizen like BJC can support local communities and businesses while also advancing its business interests. By promoting sustainable growth, the project offers a path to long-term success for all involved, and local communities all over the country stand to benefit from increased economic activity and job creation.

Don Jai project began its operation since the year 2021. As of December 2022, there are 1,000 Don Jai stores nationwide with entrepreneurs from all over the country joining in to become true owners of their own businesses. They have the freedom to choose products to sell and receive all profits without having to share with anyone else. The project aims to grow and expand its stores to more than 10,000 stores within the year 2027.

 

Don Jai on Tour - At the beginning of the year 2023, the company launched a campaign to promote the "Don Jai on Tour" nationwide, with the aim of raising awareness and knowledge among small business owners throughout Thailand. During the first quarter of the year, the Don Jai team began visiting major provincial capitals, such as Ubon Ratchathani, Khon Kaen, Chiang Mai, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Kanchanaburi, Songkhla, Nakhon Sawan, Rayong, and Khon Kaen. The campaign provided small business owners in these areas with in-depth knowledge and information to help them respond appropriately to changing consumer needs in their respective communities.

In addition to developing and providing knowledge to small business owners, Don Jai project also aimed to improve the education and living standards of children in each community, in line with social and economic conditions. During each tour, the company took the opportunity to donate computers and consumer goods to schools in the area. So far, the company has donated more than 200 computers and consumer goods worth over 330,000 baht.

"We believe that Don Jai stores are an important addition to the development of local grocery store businesses in Thailand, allowing them to grow and meet the diverse needs of consumers. Moreover, having a good management system will make it convenient for both entrepreneurs and customers. Most importantly, it will create a good business ecosystem for all stakeholders, including business owners, partners and suppliers who participate in the project" - Khun Thapanee Techajareonvikul.

 

 

2. Support Farmers

Thai farmers often face significant challenges in their agricultural endeavors, including unpredictable weather conditions, limited access to resources and technology, and fluctuating market prices. These challenges can result in low crop yields and financial instability, making it difficult for farmers to sustain their livelihoods. BJC recognizes the importance of supporting these farmers as key stakeholders in its value chain. By purchasing their agricultural products at fair prices, BJC is helping to provide a stable source of income for these farmers and contribute to the economic recovery of the nation. This support is crucial in helping Thai farmers overcome their pain points and achieve sustainable growth in their agricultural businesses.

In 2022, BJC purchased 24,320 tons of Thai fruits & vegetables directly from the farmers and 7,500 products directly from the farmers and fishermen. This support had provided income to 840 households across Thailand, covering 8,400 Rai of farmland.

 

Religion and Culture

The focus on religion and culture is one of the key goals that BJC is committed to contribute to. Each community member is company’s stakeholder and potential customer.  It is important that BJC constantly creates community engagement and increase satisfaction.  Most communities are religious and the company is thus determined to promote the religions that are in the country, maintain good relationships with the communities, and to continue the traditions and cultures of Thailand.

1. Royal Kathin Ceremony

After the Buddhist lent period, BJC organized the annual merit-making ceremony in which new robes are presented to Buddhist monks. In 2022, BJC organized Royal Kathin Ceremony, in the name of The King, at 5 temples around the country.

2. Islamic Calendar

Islamic calendars are printed and distributed to BJC’s Islamic customers every year.  The calendar accurately provides important details of Islamic activities in accordance with lunar principles.  In 2022, 6,000 households have received the calendar.

3. Big C Art & Culture: Thai Music Preservation

During an era of change towards high technology, modernity, and the influence of foreign cultures, it is widely accepted that "Thai traditional music" has not been given the space it deserves on the international stage or even within our own country.

Therefore, the project "Big C Art & Culture: Thai Music Preservation" is a valuable platform that not only provides opportunities for young people across the country to showcase their skills and creative ideas, but also allows them to receive guidance from a panel of qualified experts who have real-life experience in playing Thai music at both the national and international levels.

In 2022, more than 500 children and youth participated in the competition, resulting in a business benefit as the number of customers using services on the day of the event at Big C Bangna branch exceeded 1,500 people.