Breaching advertising codes

This company has been criticised for offensive advertising. In 2011 Ad Standards upheld a complaint about a tv ad by this company on the grounds that it breached advertising codes. The ad was subsequently discontinued or modified.

Source: Ad Standards (2011)

Breaching advertising codes

This company has been criticised for offensive advertising. In 2014 and 2015 Ad Standards upheld complaints about ads by this company on the grounds that they breached advertising codes. The ad was subsequently discontinued or modified.

Source: Ad Standards (2015)

Alcohol - direct involvement

Directly involved in the sale of alcohol as a core business.

Source: company website (2020)

ABAC signatory

This company has signed the ABAC Responsible Alcohol Marketing Code, which is designed to regulate alcohol advertising and marketing within Australia.

Source: ABAC (2021)

Alcohol - direct involvement

Directly involved in the distribution of alcohol as a core business.

Source: company website (2020)

Renewable energy use

Greenpeace's Reenergise campaign ranks Australia's biggest electricity using companies on their commitments and actions regarding renewable energy use. This company has: not committed to powering their operations by 100% renewable electricity by 2030; not signed a power purchase agreement (PPA) to buy power from a wind or solar project; has invested in on-site solar.

Source: Greenpeace (2021)

Palm oil scorecard - WWF

The 2024 WWF Palm Oil Buyers Scorecard evaluates the progress and performance of 285 major retailers and manufacturer companies, focusing on actions companies have taken to ensure their own palm oil supply chain is sustainable and free of deforestation, natural ecosystem conversion, and human rights abuse. This company failed to respond to WWF's requests for information.

Source: WWF Palm Oil Scorecard (2024)

Tobacco - indirect

Involved in sale of tobacco-related products as a non-core business.

Source: company website (2020)

Yellow rating in Canned Tuna Guide

Yellow rating in Greenpeace Canned Tuna Guide. "IGA's private labels came 7th. IGA has made big improvements to labelling and transparency in the past, but they still need to get to know their supply chain better. IGA needs to improve its sustainability and social responsibility policies. Labelling on catch method and tuna species is inconsistent across its private labels. IGA needs to improve its transparency in backing up its claims. Some IGA stores stock the worst performing brand, Greenseas, but individual store owners determine stocklines." [Listed under Information due to age of report]

Source: Canned Tuna Guide (2017)

Previous involvement in gambling

Between 2012 and 2015 Metcash bought five Queensland pubs, all with gambling operations, including poker machines. However by 2016 Metcash had sold all but one, The Envy Hotel in Broadbeach, which it sold in 2022.

Source: news article (2022)

Political donations

According to the democracyforsale.net website, this company donated $128,950 to Australia's major political parties between 2012 and 2022, as disclosed to the Australian Electoral Commision (AEC).

Source: Democracy For Sale (2023)

Employer of Choice for Gender Equality

This company is listed by the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) as a Employer of Choice for Gender Equality citation holder. The citation is designed to encourage, recognise and promote active commitment to achieving gender equality in Australian workplaces.

Source: WGEA (2022)

CSR claims

This company has Corporate Social Responsibility claims on its website under the headings People & Community, Responsible Sourcing, and Environment.

Source: company website (2020)

Previous link to APP

In July 2011 Greenpeace revealed that IGA was buying its toilet paper from Indonesia's most notorious rainforest destroyer, Asia Pulp and Paper (APP). Metcash terminated its contract with APP shortly afterwards.

Source: Greenpeace (2011)

CDP Climate Change score of C

In 2023, the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) asked companies to provide data about their efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate change risk. Responding companies are scored across four key areas: disclosure; awareness; management; and leadership. This company received a CDP Climate Change score of C.

Source: CDP (2023)

Alcohol - direct involvement

Directly involved in the manufacture, distribution or sale of alcohol as a core business.

Source: company website (2020)

Modern Slavery disclosure quality

Human Rights Law Centre's 2022 report, "Broken Promises: Two years of corporate reporting under Australia's Modern Slavery Act", examines statements submitted to the Government's Modern Slavery Register by 92 companies sourcing from four sectors with known risks of modern slavery: garments from China, rubber gloves from Malaysia, seafood from Thailand and fresh produce from Australia. Modern slavery statements are analysed to see if they comply with the mandatory reporting requirements, identify or disclose obvious modern slavery risks, and demonstrate effective actions to address risks. This company's modern slavery disclosure statement received a rating in the 41-60% range. The average score was 44% and the highest score was 89%.

Source: Human Rights Law Centre (2022)

43/100 S&P Global ESG Score

This company received an S&P Global ESG Score of 43/100 in the Food & Staples Retailing category of the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment, an annual evaluation of companies' sustainability practices (last updated 21 Oct 2022). The rankings are based on an analysis of corporate economic, environmental and social performance, assessing issues such as corporate governance, risk management, environmental reporting, climate strategy, human rights and labour practices.

Source: S&P Global (2022)