That was shared by Ms. Nguyen Bang Lang, Head of Sustainable Development & External Relations, AEON Vietnam at the Seminar "Dual Transformation: Stories of Pioneering Enterprises" organized by Investment Newspaper on the morning of August 12, 2024.

AEON Vietnam with "green initiatives"

Ms. Lang believes that retailers play an important role in the global supply chain, acting as a direct bridge between manufacturers and consumers. In the context of digital transformation and sustainable development, AEON has implemented two key strategies to contribute to the country's green growth goals.

The first strategy is to green and digitalize retail operations, and implement green and digital transformation in operations. This includes reducing plastic waste and food waste, as well as optimizing energy use in retail stores.

Ms. Nguyen Bang Lang, Head of Sustainable Development & External Relations, AEON Vietnam. (Right cover)

This person also said that since 2020, in areas selling processed foods, AEON has stopped using plastic and nylon products, replacing them with biodegradable bags and food containers made from sugarcane bagasse.

“In addition to gradually replacing traditional packaging with environmentally friendly materials, the Company has also gradually stopped selling disposable plastic products, especially converting membership cards from plastic to electronic codes on mobile devices, as well as replacing paper vouchers with electronic vouchers,” said a representative of AEON Vietnam.

Converting traditional membership cards to mobile applications not only reduces the time it takes for customers to redeem points, but also increases the accuracy of the service. In the past, manual code entry could lead to errors, but with the application of digital technology, these errors have been significantly reduced, thereby improving customer satisfaction.

Assessing the benefits after applying dual conversion to operations, Ms. Lang said that the costs of printing cards, plastic bags and paper receipts have been significantly reduced. “For example, the plastic bag reduction program has helped AEON save costs related to 200 tons of plastic bags in the period from 2019 to 2024, while contributing to environmental protection when a large amount of this plastic bag is not discharged into nature,” said an AEON representative.

In addition, AEON also develops its own Topvalu brand products in Vietnam, meeting COC standards with many strict environmental regulations. These products not only meet consumer needs but are also designed and manufactured according to sustainable standards, from raw materials to production and packaging processes.

AEON’s second strategy is to promote green and digital consumption behavior in the community. AEON has been implementing many programs to encourage customers to use reusable bags instead of plastic bags - an important step in reducing plastic waste.

One of the outstanding programs is "Rent a Bag" - an environmental bag rental service, helping customers gradually form the habit of using Eco bags. In 2023, AEON also organized the "No Plastic Bag Day" activity and received a lot of response from customers.

In addition, the Company has also set up green cashier counters where customers can make cashless payments, thereby enhancing the modern and convenient shopping experience. This not only helps to minimize the use of cash and receipts, but also reduces customers' waiting time at the cashier counter, contributing to making the payment process faster and more efficient.

It can be seen that AEON Vietnam's "green initiatives" not only contribute to the goal of environmental protection but also strongly support the Company's business and development goals. Specifically, optimizing operational processes through digital technology has helped reduce errors and save long-term costs such as card printing costs, plastic bag costs, etc., thereby creating a difference for the brand.

Joining hands for sustainable development goals

Ms. Lang said that AEON has coordinated with relevant agencies such as the Institute of Strategy and Policy on Natural Resources and Environment and the Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade to participate in plastic reduction initiatives, including becoming a member of the Alliance of retailers reducing plastic bag consumption.

Through this, AEON has the opportunity to contribute to the State’s policy-making process by providing factual data and expert opinions. This not only helps raise public awareness but also promotes cooperation between businesses and government agencies in realizing the common goal of sustainable development.

In Vietnam, the Government has been consistent in issuing mechanisms and policies to support businesses in implementing these transformations, especially in promoting the development of technical infrastructure. This not only helps businesses take advantage of opportunities for sustainable development but also meets international commitments on environmental protection and climate change response, such as the Net Zero target that Vietnam has committed to.

The benefits of dual transformation are clear. First of all, digital transformation helps businesses improve operational efficiency, optimize processes and reduce costs. New technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data and the Internet of Things are creating opportunities for businesses to automate processes, thereby reducing human error and increasing competitiveness in the international market.

At the same time, green transformation focusing on minimizing negative impacts on the environment also plays an important role in protecting resources and building a sustainable business environment.

By adopting clean technologies and reducing carbon emissions, businesses not only meet international standards but also build a positive image in the eyes of consumers, especially as environmental awareness in society increases.

AEON's No Plastic Day takes place in 2023.

However, Ms. Lang said that the dual transformation also poses many challenges. First is the issue of cost, investing in digital technology and green solutions often requires large capital, which not all businesses can afford.

Furthermore, changing organizational structures and adjusting operating procedures to adapt to new technologies is not easy. This requires businesses to have a long-term vision and support from government policies.

A major challenge for businesses in the digital transformation process is facing cybersecurity risks. Building a strong security system to protect important data and information from increasingly sophisticated cyber attacks is essential.

At the same time, when implementing green transformation, businesses must also ensure that environmental solutions do not negatively affect their competitiveness and profitability.

In this context, AEON has set a goal of becoming a leading enterprise in green transformation and digital transformation. Ms. Lang said that AEON's goal is to become a model corporate citizen in each location where the Company operates.

“AEON hopes that, through pioneering initiatives, the company can create a positive impact, not only on customers but also on suppliers, motivating them to join hands for sustainable development goals,” Ms. Lang expressed.