Our social engagement
Value creation needs people - from the employees in resource extraction and production to the end customers. For global value chains to be sustainable and serve the long-term well-being of all those involved, people's rights must be consistently upheld. We are committed to conducting our business relationships responsibly, respecting and protecting human rights and promoting education and equal opportunities - wherever we operate.
KiK MAIN PRODUCTION COUNTRIES
We collaborate with independent companies around the world to manufacture our products. Every supplier we work with is required to sign our Code of Conduct in addition to meeting our high quality standards. Compliance with these requirements is verified through regular on-site audits. An overview of all our suppliers can be found here.
People in the value chain
We are committed to the well-being of our employees as well as all individuals along our value chain. This responsibility is an integral part of our work and is reflected in both our management approaches and our daily operations.
Our direct and indirect value chain includes workers involved in resource extraction, spinning mills, and logistics. Many of the production sites are located in emerging markets. We aim to provide a positive and safe working environment for everyone in our supply chain. To this end, we strive for close and long-term business relationships with our suppliers. Our audit program covers the entire process – from initial selection to ongoing monitoring of all partners.
Audits
To ensure that processes and policies meet the required standards and comply with the principles outlined in our Code of Conduct, we regularly audit our suppliers. Each year, we conduct over 1,000 social, quality, and environmental audits – some of which are carried out by external verification bodies. Since 2017, we have also conducted unannounced audits.
Our social audits go beyond factory inspections. They include off-site interviews with workers to gain a more accurate understanding of working conditions. These audits examine aspects such as working hours, social benefits, wages, discrimination, and procedures for subcontracting.
Quality audits assess whether the factories meet defined process and product requirements, as well as applicable quality standards.
Environmental audits focus on compliance with legal regulations, environmentally relevant practices, and environmental standards.
Equal Treatment and Equal Opportunities
At KiK, we firmly oppose all forms of discrimination. In line with our Human Rights Policy, we promote the equal treatment of all individuals – regardless of gender, national or ethnic origin, social background, health status, disability, sexual orientation, age, political affiliation, religion, belief, trade union membership, or any other personal characteristic.
Women’s Cafés in Bangladesh
Since 2022, our Women’s Cafés project in Bangladesh has aimed to strengthen the self-determination and confidence of women in our supply chain. We have established five cafés to date, creating safe spaces where women can engage in open dialogue on topics such as women’s rights, health, hygiene, and maternity benefits. This initiative is carried out in cooperation with the Awaj Foundation. Each year, we are able to provide training to 6,200 workers. A similar KiK project is planned for India.
Education for everyone
As part of our comprehensive education initiative in Bangladesh, we currently fund six institutions, including kindergartens, primary schools, and secondary schools. In cooperation with the GIZ (German Agency for International Cooperation) and the BMZ (Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development), we launched the "KiK makes the Difference" program. This initiative provides financial support to more than 3,000 marginalized and disadvantaged pupils and students.
Our commitment includes awarding scholarships for various university degrees as well as promoting the TVET (Technical Vocational Education Training) program. Our long-term goal is to become the largest private provider of education in Bangladesh—from early childhood education to higher education.
Other projects and initiatives
We were among the first signatories of the Bangladesh Accord on Fire and Building Safety in 2013, as well as its successor, the International Accord for Health and Safety in the Textile and Garment Industry. This legally binding agreement between global apparel brands and international trade unions aims to ensure health and safety in the workplace across the textile and garment sector.
In December 2022, KiK became the first company to sign the Pakistan Accord. Modeled after the successful Bangladesh Accord, this agreement seeks to establish a safer, more socially responsible, and healthier textile and garment industry in Pakistan. Prior to this, we had already been active in the country through our “Building Safety Initiative” launched in 2017, which led to measurable improvements in fire protection and electrical safety.
In 2023, KiK launched the Fire & Building Safety Initiative in India to promote safer working conditions in the textile sector. Structural, fire safety, and electrical inspections were carried out at five factories – representing 10% of our direct suppliers in the country. Building on the successes of similar programs in Bangladesh and Pakistan, this initiative marks an important step toward expanding the International Accord to India in the long term.
Partners and memberships
For KiK, active participation in multi-stakeholder partnerships is the right approach to achieving social, environmental, and structural improvements within the textile industry.
We collaborate with the Deutsche Gesellschaft for International Cooperation (GIZ) GmbH on various projects, including initiatives focused on occupational safety and employment injury insurance (Employment Injury Scheme - EIS), as well as within the framework of the "KiK makes the difference" program.
The Partnership for Sustainable Textiles is a multi-stakeholder initiative with around 120 members, bringing together actors from business, politics, civil society, trade unions, and standard-setting organizations. Together, they work to improve social and environmental conditions in the global textile sector.
For more information: https://www.textilbuendnis.com
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KiK is for everyone
We believe that everyone has the right to afford beautiful things. That is why, as a true local retailer, we are there for our customers on almost every corner. KiK offers textile and non-food products for everyday needs for the whole family. In addition to women’s, men’s, children’s and baby clothing, our range also includes household items, home textiles, party and gift items, toys, decorative products and much more. We stand for good quality at affordable prices - across Europe.