SCHWARZ Gruppe views success and social responsibility as inseparable. The family-owned group operates the Lidl and Kaufland brands in 30 countries. The group’s CSR strategy aims to set benchmarks for sustainability. Some 1,700 organic products are available at Kaufland, and a third of the group’s facilities are powered by renewable energy. New and renovated facilities boast solar panels and EV charging stations. The group helps consumers to “give back” with a rounding-up initiative that has raised €2m, and bottle deposit campaigns that netted €17m. The BV judging panel confirms Schwarz Gruppe winner of the 2021 award for Best Retail Corporate Governance (Germany).