New World Department Store China : “Green Mid-Autumn Festival – Moon Cake Box Recycling Campaign” 2017 Converged Support from Caring Customers, Recycling Close to 2...

02 November 2017

(2 November 2017 - Hong Kong) New World Department Store China Limited ('NWDS' or the 'Company'; Hong Kong stock code: 825), one of the largest owners and operators of department stores in Mainland China, organized its nationwide green activity 'Green Mid-Autumn Festival - Moon Cake Box Recycling Campaign' (the 'Campaign') for the seventh consecutive year. The Campaign, together with the 'Be a Green Giver - Moon Cake Donation Drive' which returned by popular demand, was concluded in mid-October. This year, 'New World' department stores across the country and 'Ba Li Chun Tian' branded stores in Shanghai successfully collected close to 2,200 idle moon cake boxes and 950 unconsumed mooncakes. These were transferred to recyclers for resources reproduction or donated to those in need through social and charitable organizations. The two initiatives promoted the message of 'use less, waste less' and demonstrated NWDS' care for the community at the same time. Collected close to 28,400 moon cake boxes and 1,900 moon cakes in total since their inception, the initiatives have successfully converged green energies from major cities in the mainland.

To improve customer engagement and enrich the in-store experience, more than 15 stores have rolled out fun craft workshops themed 'Mid-Autumn Festival Fun for Children' during the Campaign period, providing opportunities for parents and children to immerse themselves into the festivity and become more connected. Amongst the stores, Tianjin New World Department Store transformed its e-Sport stadium into an ancient Mid-Autumn Festival market. Children could try on Han costumes, experience traditional culture and etiquettes, as well as create their own moon cakes, paint on kites and play puzzles in the market and those who completed their tasks won copper coins to redeem festive delicacies. Many other stores also organized parent-child moon cake DIY workshops, which were much welcomed by customers. Yibin New World Department Store, for example, invited a baking instructor to teach parents and children how to create a sweet-and-savory ham baked moon cake. The moon cake class attracted up to 60 participants and was highly praised. The above-mentioned experiential sessions did not only deepen children's knowledge about traditional Chinese festivals, but also instill the concepts of appreciating and cherishing food. Besides interacting with customers, the Company also cares about the underprivileged in the society. Chengdu New World Department Store donated all the proceeds from the recycled mooncakes, as well as the donations from customers and volunteer teams to the international charitable organization SOS Children's Villages to support the everyday needs and education development of under-resourced children in the country. Volunteers from many stores visited elderly homes and financially challenged families, bringing them caring moon cakes, everyday supplies and festive wishes.

NWDS has always attached a lot of importance to sustainability. In the resources-rich society of today, excessive festive food or over-packaging could both easily result in wastage. Noting the situation, NWDS hopes to set an example and encourage its customers and staff to render their support to environmental protection, food saving and waste reduction. The Company also inspires everyone to turn caring hearts into helping hands for those in need. Entering its seventh year, the Campaign has already become one of the sustainability hallmarks of NWDS, demonstrating the Company's commitment to the environment and its active involvement in charitable events, and spreading care throughout the community.

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