Cia Hering Report 2016

Page 1

Annual Report | 1


Summary Message from the Management................. 4 Our Purpose ............................................... 8 Our Business Model ................................... 10

Product and Store.............................. 18

Network Management........................ 21

Brand Management............................ 27

Channel Management........................ 48

Economic Performance...................... 56

Our Relationships........................................ 60 Staff.................................................... 64 Suppliers............................................. 76

Franchises and Multi-brand Stores.... 84

Consumers......................................... 87

Environmental Management............... 91

Hermann Hering Foundation.............. 96

GRI Attachments......................................... 100

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About the Report................................ 102

Add-ons to Indicators......................... 106

Summary of Contents........................ 111

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Message from the Management

O

ur strategy focused on Product and Store, aimed at improving the shopping experience of our customers, moved

forward during 2016, and we are confident that it will boost a new cycle of growth in Cia. Hering. The maneuvers we have been performing in the company, including relevant improvements to the Management Model, strengthen our network performance in face of the challenging economic scenario. Our operational focus was the retail, after the continuous growth in the retail chain in recent years. We have successfully fulfilled the Hering Store Reform Plan – the largest in our history, with 100 outlets refurbished in 18 different states. The new stores feature improvements that impact the shopping experience, such as product exposure and ambiance, visual merchandising (VM), lighting, among others.

W

e also improved the supply of stores, making the inventory management smoother.

Accordingly, we reduced the volume of leftovers and old-collection items. With technological advances and the implementation of new functionalities, our webstores showed expressive sales revenue in 2016, representing a growth of 20.3%. Such improvements, aimed both at enhancing the flow of visits and increasing the conversion, contributed to the good result achieved for the period and provide us with an optimistic perspective of accelerated growth of the channel in the years to come. Focused on the multi-brand channel, we started an important project to create a point-of-sale segmentation model, considering different criteria, which will allow a better management of the relationship with shopkeepers. Our goal is to boost the sales and the investments we make in this channel. With regards to the product development, we launched the Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) in order to review the creation process of our collections, which will result

Management Development Annual Report | 4

GRI 102-14

in efficiency gains and further increase the synergy between Design, Research and Product Development teams.

GRI 102-14

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W

e also launched Redesign and Total Quality projects, which aim, respectively, to

I

n spite of these achievements, our results – especially our sales – were affected by the economic downturn

ensure the consistency and standardization

and its effects on the consumer environment.

of measurements in our products and to

Our investments for the year amounted to R$

enhance aspects related to the quality of our

51.3 million, and were mainly directed to the

products from the choice of raw materials,

industry and the stores. Regardless of the fall

production and training of suppliers, to

in EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes,

delivery to the final consumer.

depreciation and amortization), the free cash

Hering held its ground as one of the 25 Most

generation was fostered by better working-

Valuable Brazilian Brands, according to

capital management and lower investments,

research by Interbrand. Regarding children’s

accumulating R$ 209.4 million in 2016,

brands, PUC established new partnerships

representing 82.5% increase if compared to

and Hering Kids was the brand with the

2015.

highest growth of stores and the best sales results of the company in 2016. The brand

We remain confident in our business strategy

Hering for you, after two years of testing and

and in our ability to resume the company’s

feasibility evaluations, stopped operating

growth history based on a distinguished

exclusive stores and became a product line

business model, strong brands and solid

within the brand Hering. While DZARM., with

base of management and leadership.

a new positioning, launched its first “light franchise”: smaller stores with lower costs involved in the operation. The project will be monitored and can become an important

Ivo Hering - Chairman of the Board of Directors Fabio Hering - President

path for growth outside big cities.

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GRI 102-14

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steps, recalling the emotion of the first stolen kiss, the joy of

the first party with friends, the greatest achievements. We wear the moments that are only yours. We dress life with contact and affection, life clothed with aliveness! That’s why our closet is filled up with emotions. We’re

essentially casual and always authentic! Our history, woven over a century ago, interlaces people who dream and make their dreams come true. People who accept the challenge of the unknown and undertake it. Dreams that take shape, color and texture in the hands of those who dare and transform.

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GRI 102-16

Dressing life is to be member of a group of people who dream, believe, make dreams come true and realize that, no matter what comes, we will live together another emotion.

H

ere, we dress life since its first

O

ur path was not invented. It was lived and learned! It was built from the relationship with

partners who believe in our choices and share our values. From industry to retail, we are currently the largest clothing franchise chain in Brazil. We are a casual lifestyle multi-brand organization with a strong product competitive differential. We manage brands and we know what to produce and deliver, because we know our consumers. We are who we are because we work in a large network. We are present all over Brazil and we spread our casual DNA to Latin America. We live the present with the mildness of knowing who we are, but committed to everything we believe. For us, dressing life is to take pride in our history and to preserve it in the form of a museum and of memories that interweave our people.

Here we dress up life! GRI 102-16

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Our Business Model

Our Brands Designing parts with the best cut is basic. Expressing your identity through clothing is unique. It’s basic. It’s unique. Hering

644 stores

*

www.hering.com.br

* We have 18 franchises of Hering in Uruguay, Bolivia and Paraguay.

Here we dress up life!

106 stores

Collections combining fun

We are a casual lifestyle multi-brand organization with a strong product competitive differential.

F

and style, targeting kids living childhood at its best. We believe children’s clothing should be at the service of play and a well-lived childhood, rich

**

www.heringkids.com.br

in discoveries and learning.

** In 2016, the three stores of Hering for you were converted into Hering Kids. The brand became a line within Hering and is available in Hering physical stores and in the webstore.

rom industry to retail, we are currently the largest clothing franchise chain in the country.

A striking brand that draws

With over 135-year history, our casual

attention and positively influences

DNA is present all over Brazil and also in

its surroundings.

Latin America, interlacing entrepreneurs

Simply letting children be children

who dream and make dreams come

in a cheerful, dynamic, fun and

true. Our network is formed by 834

very comfortable way.

63 stores

www.puc.com.br

stores among proprietary units and franchises, including those located in Uruguay, Bolivia and Paraguay. We know our consumers and we enable them to make smart purchases through our brands, aimed both at children and adults, offering distinguished, affordable and high-quality fashion products.

A brand that believes in the female sensuality and that woman is powerful by nature. It allows women to express all their power in a sophisticated way but with a hint of irreverence, without

3 stores

www.dzarm.com.br

being vulgar.

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I

Our Numbers n addition to its proprietary stores

outsourcing and purchase of finished

and franchises, our complete

products from Brazilian and foreign

line of clothing and accessories

suppliers.

is marketed through 17,500 retailers

Thus, we evaluate the market

operating in multi-brand retail and six

opportunities and choose the best option,

webstores, in which consumers purchase

balancing aspects such as costs, logistics

all items with safety, technology,

operations and product quality.

convenience and innovation. We further

In our operational structure, we have

have 7 Hering Space proprietary stores,

nine manufacturing units, distributed in

which sell items of all our brands from

three production poles - Santa Catarina,

current and former collections in the outlet

Goiás and Rio Grande do Norte. In 2016,

format.

we closed the plant activities in the

O

municipality of Ibirama, relocating part of ur hybrid production model

the employees to other units in order to

is a competitive differential

expand our logistics capacity and optimize

because it guarantees flexibility

our operations.

and agility to meet our consumers’ needs. It combines our own production,

7,7

834

6

webstores

9

units

proprietary stores and franchises

thousand employees

17,5

thousand retailers in the multi-brand channel

1.527

supplier audits

Over

3.000 cities covered

2

distribution centers

6

R$

1.475

million net revenue

R$

51.3

million invested

collections per year

*In 2016

Santa Catarina

Rio Grande do Norte

* Headquarters in Blumenau * Industrial units: Bom Retiro; Itororó, in Blumenau and Encano, in Indaial * Distribution Center in Blumenau

Goiás

Goiás

* Industrial units in Goianésia, Santa Helena, Paraúna, Anápolis - Daia and São Luís de Montes Belos * Distribution Center in Anápolis Rio Grande do Norte * Industrial unit in Parnamirim São Paulo

São Paulo Santa Catarina

*Office in the city of São Paulo

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GRI 102-3 | 102-4 | 102-7

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Our History

For us, dressing life is to take pride in our history and to preserve it in the form of a museum and of memories that interweave our people.

T

o reinvent ourselves is a mark of our history. Our entrepreneurial

spirit and capacity for innovation has been present in the way we conduct our business since we were founded by the brothers Hermann and Bruno Hering, in 1880.

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We are constantly

ourselves TIMELINE

Here we face a new challenge. 1966 was the year of the IPO, and the year we spread the casual DNA outside Brazil, with the beginning of exports.

In Blumenau-SC, the brothers Hermann and Bruno Hering believed in a dream and wrote the first lines of a story filled with emotions.

1880

1935

1966 In order to dress up the lives of our staff with well-being and development, and in tribute to the centennial of Hermann, we created the Hermann Foundation.

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1979

We are entrepreneurs by nature, so here we undertake a new challenge: to start in retail, with our first Hering Family Store.

1993 To dress life since its first steps, we launched the children’s brand PUC.

1994 We decided to build a different way to be a retailer: the beginning of the first stores under the franchise model.

We joined the BM&FBovespa New Market segment.

We are essentially authentic, and here we start dressing up life with DZARM brand. Time to face a new challenge: our first e-commerce platform was launched.

1998

2000 A 2006 Ano de embarcar em um novo desafio: lançamos nossa primeira plataforma de e-commerce.

2007 Our way of making it happen was not invented. It was lived and learned. From 2000 to 2003 we went through a financial restructuring and from 2003 to 2006 we restructured our operations.

Always Reinventing! This is one of our greatest passions. We improved the management of our brands with a new team structure and the repositioning in the market.

2010 Check who arrived full of energy to dress up life in an spontaneous way: Hering Kids, after becoming a brand of the Company in 2005, launches its first proprietary store.

2013 A 2015

We completed the implementation of SAP systems and improved the shopping experience of consumers with the Hering Store Reform Plan.

2015

2016

was a year for great achievements! We celebrated in style the Company’s 135 years of history, inaugurated our new Industrial Unit in São Luís de Montes Belos (GO) and completed the implementation of the ERP system, which allowed for evolutions in stock management. Annual Report | 17


Product and Store

O

ur business growth strategy is

by operational and administrative areas.

based on two pillars: Product

The initiatives conducted in 2016 aimed

and Store. On these grounds, we

at speeding up the development of new

opened a new cycle of innovation, placing

collections, further improving the shopping

the consumer as the focus of all projects and

experience in physical stores, streamlining

investments made.

the sale of products in our webstores and

The most recent version of our strategic

ensuring the adequate supply of products

planning was defined in 2014, with objectives

according to the fashion trends as well as

and targets to be achieved by 2020, and

the delivery of value proposition for the

distributed in corporate projects developed

consumers of the brands.

Competitive advantages

Our path was not invented. It was lived and learned! It was built from the relationship with partners who believe in our choices and share our values.

I

n the textile retail industry, our

Financial soundness

network model has competitive

Cash generation capacity

advantages that leverage our growth

and the value generation. In 2016, Hering ranked 19th in the ranking of “Most Valuable Brazilian Brands�, according to a survey with more than one thousand interviewees conducted by Interbrand consulting. According to Guia Exame Maiores e Melhores - 2016, we are the second most profitable company in the industry.

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Power of the brands

Low debt

Wealth generation

Return to

for the network

shareholders

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Investments and free cash generation

A

mong the main achievements

82.5% compared to 2015. Investments

for 2016 is the extension of the

amounted R$ 51.3 million, representing a

company‘s integrated management

reduction of 47.1% on the same basis of

system for sales and logistics fronts provided

comparison – as a result of a smaller amount

by SAP, which makes operations more

allocated to technology implementations

dynamic and consistent. Additionally, the

and industrial facilities, after the completion

completion of the implementation allowed

of São Luís de Montes Belos (GO) unit. Two

for the reduction of the company’s average

of the main investment fronts in 2016 were

stock of products throughout the year,

the remodeling of proprietary stores and the

which minimized the need for investments

purchase of some points of sale. Additionally,

in working capital and improved cash

the Reform Plan also provided incentives

generation.

to franchisees in the form of subsidies and

Last year, R$ 209.4 million free cash was

financing by the company (see more on page

generated, representing an increase of

51).

Governance Here we dress up life! We live the present with the mildness of knowing who we are, but committed to everything we believe.

T

o support the development of our strategic planning and business growth initiatives, we have in place

a corporate governance structure, policies and practices that value transparency

Investments and free cash generation (R$ millions)

and ethics in our relationships with all our stakeholders. We are a publicly traded corporation and, for ten years, we have been part of BM&FBovespa New Market, a segment that gathers together the companies with the highest governance standards within the country. The Board of Directors is the highest body in our management structure, composed of nine members - five of which are independent - with a two-year mandate. The board members (8 men and 1 woman) were elected by the shareholders in the General Meetings. In order to ensure the alignment between governance discussions and operational strategies and activities, our President integrates the highest governance

T

he board member’s choice takes into account not only their professional history, but also their

skills and knowledge in different areas of activity with potential to generate value for the company. In 2016, two new members of the Board of Directors were elected representing shareholders with relevant interest in Cia. Hering’s capital stock. To see the members of the Board of Directors and the Executive Board, as well as their biographies and qualifications, access the Investors Relations website of Cia. Hering (www.ciahering.com. br/ri).

body and all advisory committees.

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Stock ownership breakdown 12/31/16

Among its functions are the

Finance Committee

15,7%

2016

48,1%

evaluation of the business plan and the monitoring of the annual budget execution.

15,1%

People Management Committee

7,4% 7,3%

Among other attributions, it proposes the company’s organizational structure model and discuss strategies for attracting and retaining professional talents.

6,2%

Advises the Board of Directors,

0,2%

Gávea Investimentos 15,7%

Cambuhy Investimentos 6,2%

Coronation Fund Managers 15,1%

Treasury Stock 0,2%

Inv. e Partic. Inpasa S/A

Others

Ivo Hering

7,4%

Strategy Committee

proposing policies, guidelines and actions for the company and Gávea Investimentos 15.7% its business units.

48,1

7,3%

T

he Board of Directors activities are supported by three advisory committees,

2016 to improve evaluation and

O

management of strategic guidelines

The performance of our executive officers

all of which are coordinated by independent members. The Strategy Committee was established in

ur Executive Board is formed by

is evaluated once a year as to the effective

seven executives who leads and

delivery of the targets agreed upon, through

monitors the implementation of

a 360 review – a process applied to all Cia.

the strategic planning and related projects.

Hering employees (see more on page 70).

and investment opportunities.

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GRI 102-18

GRI 102-18

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Ethics and Compliance

T

Risk management structure

he Ethical principles and conduct

by audits, which minimizes the risk of fraud.

codes that guide our business and

This management structure also promotes

our relationship with stakeholders

the fight against corruption covering all our

are set forth in Hering’s Code of Ethics and

Senior

Management

operations.

the Code of Conduct for Suppliers. Both documents are available on the company’s

With regards to our supply chain, we conduct

Investor Relations website.

on-site supplier audits with our own teams to evaluate the regularity of documentation, the

External Audit

collection of taxes and the labor obligations,

1st defense line

Management Controls

2nd defense line

3rd defense line

Controllership Internal Controls

Internal Audit

Safety Internal control measures

Compliance

processes implement

T

compliance, safety and

T

By making use of these mechanisms, we

controls in the areas

quality, which help to

of governance, risk

identify, monitor and seek to mitigate the

for which they are

improve and monitor the

management and internal

This monitoring includes aspects related to

main risks related to economic, social and

responsible, aiming to

first defense line controls,

controls, including how

compliance with economic and social (people

environmental aspects that may impact on

mitigate the economic,

are responsible for

the first and second

management) rules and regulations. Where

our brand, reputation and value-generation

social and environmental

consolidating data and,

defense lines meet

nonconformities are identified, the audit

capacity – such as legal the compliance of

risks, supervising

therefore, evaluating the

management and control

teams assess the situation and define the

suppliers, compliance with environmental

processes and controls.

performance of targets

targets.

action plans. In purchasing operations, for

laws, among others.

The application of these ethical guidelines is

as well as the working environment

constantly by the audit area, which is divided

conditions (read more on page 76).

into internal auditing and supplier auditing teams.

example, significant price changes in orders

T

Quality

he operational managers that handle the

he areas of controllership, internal controls,

he internal audit provides for assessments

on the effectiveness

and indicators that help in the management.

placed to suppliers are immediately verified

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GRI 102-16 | 103-2 | 103-3 | 205-1

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W

ith regards to the market risks

The management of these risks is the

identified in our business, the

responsibility of the financial board, which

management is carried out

relays on external consulting support to

based on the Financial Risks Management

prepare reports of exposure to risks and

Policy and the Cash Management Policy.

adherence to the policy.

The risks for which we seek protection are:

• Credit risk: mitigation

• Interest rate risk:

of possible losses due to

minimization of possible

customer default.

losses arising from

Brand Management We manage brands and know what to produce and deliver because we know our consumers.

fluctuations in interest rates on financial assets and liabilities..

• Price risk: monitoring

• Exchange rate risk:

possible price fluctuations

protection against adverse

of inputs used in the

exchange rate fluctuations,

production process.

especially dollar, which may lead to an increase in the price of raw materials and products purchased by the company.

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GRI 102-16 | 205-1

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“G

ood Value for Money” is an English

summarizes our value proposition for the

expression commonly used to

consumers of all our brands: to develop

say that the quality of a product

differentiated garments featuring comfort,

makes the purchase worth. This sentence,

style and well-being at a price that is worth

without a literal translation into Portuguese,

paying.

Good Value for Money

PLM

Design

M PL

lue Va ey d o n Go Mo r o f

value for money

Seeks different product constructions that fit the style required (quality , finishing, cutting, etc.), ensuring margin and price strategy.

Go fo od Va r M l o n ue ey

good

Value proposition

P&D

PL M

Follow the trends, understands consumer and has a sell-out vision, assessing what works in the store.

Cost efficiency

DCO

Style

Innovation and alternatives in inputs Develops and brings innovation to the process, with new fibers, fabrics, etc., that make the brands differentiated and competitive.

consistency

Pillars of brand management

purchasing experience

Promotional Calendar

Communication

Innovation

Mix and Price Strategy

Proprietary Style

Branding

O

ne of the projects we carried

in turn, is shared by all brands to generate

out in 2016 in order to assure

synergy and efficiency gains in processes

the delivery of such value to

and innovations - such as the use of new raw

our consumers was the Product Lifecycle

materials, for example. This way, we ensure

Management (PLM), focused on product

that the pillars of brand management - our

lifecycle management. Through this initiative,

differentials and strengths - are applied

we restructured the product development

in all our collections in a consistent and

area to ensure the alignment of Style, DCO

continuous way. The consistency of these

(Product Development and Purchasing) and

pillars is important both for our customers

P&D (Product Research and Development)

who perceive Good Value for Money and for

teams. In Style and DCO teams, each brand

our franchisees and multi-brand customers

has a team of professionals focused on the

that trust in our brands’ value, our products’

development of collections. The P&D team,

attractiveness and the sales increase.

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W

e create six collections a year

from the project design to the delivery in

for our brands - Holidays,

stores. The PLM, the new organizational

Autumn, Winter, Spring,

structure and the improvement of the

Summer and High Summer – which arrive at

processes shall also bring us, as of 2017,

the stores in cycles of two to three weeks.

more and more agility to deliver to our

One of our challenges is to reduce the

customers and consumers news items of the

development time of such new products,

fashion trends.

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Performance of Brands Among the brands in our portfolio, Hering remained responsible for the largest share of our sales in 2016.

Quality and knowledge

A

nother two ongoing projects at Cia. Hering are also

Gross revenue in the domestic market by brand

aimed at strengthening the

delivery of Good Value for Money to our customers and consumers. One of tthem is the Total Quality, which aims to enhance the perception of the quality feature in our products. In this sense, we create strategies and actions that cover the entire production chain, such as refining the choice of inputs in the collections, selecting and training suppliers and evaluating production processes, so that clothing and accessories are free from any manufacturing failures or defects. We further operate a strong campaign of engagement and awareness among our employees.

The second initiative underway is Redesign, which broadens our knowledge about the consumer’s profile and the ability to develop products with a better fitting and standardized modeling.

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H

aving a T-shirt that fits everything is basic. Creating clothes

suitable to any occasion is unique. Always choosing the best fabrics is basic. Being recognized for that over a

IT’S BASIC. IT’S UNIQUE. HERING

century is unique. Designing parts with the best fitting is basic. Expressing the identity through clothing is unique.

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4

IN 2016

tary proprieunched stores

1.3 bi

R$

la

revenue

#SelfiecomHering: consumers were invited

Where to find hering.com.br/store

facebook.com/CiaHering instagram.com/hering_oficial/ twitter.com/Hering_Oficial

best photos were awarded with a Hering

to post on Facebook and Instagram

Store gift card and an invitation to attend

pictures wearing our products taken in

the À La Garçonne runaway show at São

the fitting room of stores selling Hering

Paulo Fashion Week.

(franchises and multi-brands) - the most

Mother’s day promotional gift: For

creative ones have been awarded with

every R$ 149.99 purchase in our stores,

shopping vouchers. The action had the

consumers were given a scarf made from

engagement of 3,200 people.

leftover fabrics. 200 thousand printed

#HeringVintage: in order to promote the

units were produced and delivered, which

partnership between Hering and À La

contributed to the reduction of waste

Garçonne, consumers were invited to post

generation and stimulated conscious

pictures wearing their oldest Hering t-shirts,

consumption.

given that vintage was the theme of the À

#Diadabásica: action on Instagram to

La Garçonne collection. The authors of the

celebrate the brand’s 136 years. The two posts published had more than 120 thousand views and impacted about 180 thousand users of the Race and Walk against the Breast Cancer network: we participated as co-sponsors of two editions of the event (in Rio de

Hering brand, characterized by its wide acceptance in all social classes and age groups,

Janeiro and São Paulo). We produced and donated 9,630 t-shirts for the participants of the race in Rio and 11,880 in São Paulo.

presented a decrease of 10.2% in sales in 2016, influenced by the performance of multibrand channels and franchises.

Breast Cancer in the Blue Target of Fashion

R

enewal has always been

As the first Brazilian brand to support the

present in our DNA. In 2016,

campaign Breast Cancer in the Target of

we started the Hering Branding

Fashion, Hering refers R$ 6.50 of each item

Project, aimed at understanding the

with the blue target sold to the Brazilian

brand strengths and the changes in

Institute of Cancer Control (IBCC).

consumer behavior. The project supports

The partnership, which already has been

us in consolidating the evolutions in our

lasting for over 20 years, contributed

products and communication, preserving

significantly to investments in infrastructure

the contemporary and desired status of the

improvements and patient care.

brand.

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S

mall and greater experiences from which children learn what they like, what makes them happy, what

enchants them. Being a child is a unique experience. Unique in time. Unique in life. Unique for each of them. And this is the phase of life that will leave a mark in each

The perfect childhood is that where the child exercises the freedom to be, to know, to explore. Because for the child everything is new. To be a child is to exercise the discovery. The fascination. The amusing attempt. The Selfknowledge, whenever they wish to do so.

Annual Report | 36

and every child the personal and nontransferable meaning of identity, personality and authenticity. Hering Kids believes that children’s clothing should be at the service of the full childhood, allowing children to be free, to discover themselves and discover the world through the use of their abilities, respecting their time and pace; always wearing what suits their way to explore and experience the world. Hering Kids, driving childhood discoveries.

Annual Report | 37


Hering Kids sales, focused

IN 2016

13

storesong

ed, am launch hises and franc ietary propr es stor

R$

2m1i8llio,n2

on children from all walks of life, grew by 6.6% in 2016, the best result among Cia. Hering’s brands. This performance was supported by a good product offer, store experience and communication. The brand has expanded its chain, accounting the net opening of 13 points of sale for the year.

revenue

Play Day: In partnership with the paid TV channel Nickelodeon, we encouraged kids to leave their

Where to find

homes and have a fun day during the June break. The event joined

heringkids.com.br/store

by over 5,400 people, was held at

facectomia/heringkidsoficial

TietĂŞ Sports Center, in SĂŁo Paulo.

instagram.com/heringkidsoficial

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C

hildren symbolize life. They are the epitome of joy of living. Always with a smile on the

fac e and wondering eyes, children are enchantment in the form of people. It doesn’t matter what was going on before them. After their arrival, everything is changed.

Every child carries an energy that is unique and transforming. Children have a striking and vibrant presence. They have their own glow. Their energy can be sensed from afar. They radiate happiness.

Annual Report | 40

PUC believes that children’s clothing should intensify the colors of childhood, making this phase even more vibrant and energetic. With that in mind, PUC brings a creative, optimistic, and striking look to its pieces so as to express all the boiling energy children carry to their inner selves and to the world.

PUC. Because childhood is contagious.

Annual Report | 41


In 2016

R$

118illi,o7n mrevenue

7

tary proprsiaend 26 store ises in franch zil Bra

#PUCoficial: PUC invited parents to interact with the brand by posting pictures of their children wearing the clothes of the collections and published the images on its official website. During 2016, there were more than 1,500 mentions to the hashtag #PUCofficial on Facebook.

Where to find

Support to the Orientavida NGO:

puc.com.br/store

The organization maintains hundreds

instagram.com/puc_oficial

of artisans from Vale do ParaĂ­ba in

facebook.com/pucoficial

continuous activity (SP), providing constant training, social and educational lectures, psychosocial support, labor gymnastics and food support. Orientavida has produced 380 articles

P

UC sales decreased 8.8% in 2016 compared to the previous year, mainly as a

result of the net closing of nine stores

with fabrics donated by Liberty Art Fabric, a traditional English brand of stamping, with which PUC has a cobranding partnership.

in the year and the sales downturn in the multi-brand channel. The brand, which underwent adjustments in its value proposition and distribution network, presented signs of stabilization in the results from the end of the year.

Annual Report | 42

Annual Report | 43


Focused on the female public, DZARM. is a brand with strong tradition and quality that was repositioned in the market in 2015. The brand inspires and is inspired by different types of women that want to be cool, fashion, urban and versatile.

Annual Report | 44

O

ur collections feature trends, distinguished modeling and exclusive prints, with a portfolio

that suggests different looks for various occasions. DZARM. Is present in more than 3,500 points of sale and has two proprietary stores in SĂŁo Paulo.

Annual Report | 45


IN 2016

R$

64illi,o6n

1

anchigshet r f w e n e li ed in th launch hise model franc

mrevenue

I

n 2016, the brand invited fashion bloggers to SĂŁo Paulo Fashion Week, to cover the biggest fashion event in

Brazil wearing a look from the collection.

Where to find

The Brand sales for the year decreased by 21.6%, if compared to 2015, as a result of

DZARM.com.br/store

the new positioning and stricter customer

facebook.com/dzarm.oficial

selection criteria in the multi-brand channel.

instagram.com/dzarmoficial/

In spite of the short-term impact, we believe that the strategy will bring good results to the brand in the long term.

In its new strategy, DZARM, a brand dedicated exclusively to the young female audience, has launched its first light franchise, a model with potential expansion outside large centers. The pilot store was launched in 2016 in the city of Alfenas (MG).

Annual Report | 46

Annual Report | 47


Channel Management

T

Here we dress up life

he continuous improvement of the

Among the main initiatives were the

relationship with franchises and

immersion of employees, including officers

multi-brand store owners is key

and managers, in the stores during the

to meet our strategic goals and to boost

Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and Christmas

value generation throughout all publics of

campaigns. Over 160 employees experienced

our chain. In this sense, we work to develop

the retail experience, assisting store teams in

and strengthen the retail culture among our

all activities - from inventory management to

employees, and the main tool to serve this

customer service.

purpose is the program named VAREJÁr.

VareJÁr Week, held in stores of Blumenau

Launched at the end of 2015, VareJÁr

and Goiás, was intended to provide retail

performed its main actions last year, focusing

knowledge to the administrative and

on the experience of retail employees.

industrial public. The purpose is to raise

By these means, our professionals could

awareness that consumer focus is our top

understand the main challenges in the

priority and drives the improvements in

ur chain is the core of our business

store operation and intensify the search

processes and products

model, involving people with an

for solutions and innovations favorable to

entrepreneurial spirit and that

our customers and improve the consumer

We are what we are because we work in a large network. We are present all over Brazil and we spread our casual DNA to Latin America.

O

Customer Focus and Retail culture

face challenges. As the grounds of our

purchasing experience.

business model, the channel management combines proprietary stores, franchises, multi-brands stores and webstores. This

Hering Stores, with incentives to franchisees

model ensures that our products obtain

in the form of subsidies (see more on

capillarity and reach more than 3,2 thousand

page 51) and financing part of the amount

municipalities, in all Brazilian states, in

invested. In the period, we inaugurated 26

addition to Uruguay, Bolivia and Paraguay.

units and closed another 32, closing the year

In our P&L (Product and Store) strategy,

with a total of 834 stores, considering our

the retail drives our business growth. In

own stores and the franchises of all brands.

2016, our investments and projects were

Another important initiative in 2016 was the

focused on improving operation and

development of a segmentation model for

customer’s experiences in our own stores

multi-brand retailers, taking into account

and franchises, thus building on a good

variables that impact on their business, such

relationship with multi-brand customers

as the establishment’s location and profile.

and training commercial audiences - store

The initiative aims to classify our partners

managers, franchisees, franchise consultants

since 2017 in different segments, which will

/ representatives acting for multi-brand

allow us to manage policies and guidelines

channels (read more on page 85). One of

customized to each identified group.

the main initiatives in 2016 was to refurbish

Annual Report | 48

Annual Report | 49


I

n 2016, franchises and the multi-

and the increase in unemployment levels

brand channel sales accounted for,

impacted the performance of our channels,

respectively, 38.6% and 43.2%. The

whose sales fell 8% compared to 2015.

downturn in the economy of the country

A

Domestic Gross Revenue per Channel 2,3%

15,9%

2016

43,2%

Refurbishing of stores s a priority in our performance

proprietary stores, we referred another R$ 8.4

strategy in 2016, Hering Store

million to support the refurbishment of stores

Stores Reform Plan aims to improve

owned by franchisees.

consumers’ purchasing experience in the

The cost of the works had an average

points of sale as well as boost our growth.

reduction of between 30% and 40%, due

During the last year, 100 stores in 18 Brazilian

to optimization of the use of items that are

states have been refurbished.

not visible to customers (such as inventory

The project, which selected points of sale

cabinets) and negotiation of prices and

on the street and in shopping malls, brought

payment terms with suppliers.

Multi-brand

developments in visual merchandising,

We further adjusted the project in order to

Franchises

storefront, and interior lighting of stores;

shorten the execution period for refurbishing

Proprietary stores

product organization per refurbished

– the average time for the closing of each

Webstores

sections for jeans and basics, among

unit for the refurbishment thereof was 17

other modernizations. In addition to

days.

38,6%

the investments in the refurbishment of

Multi-channel strategy Proprietary stores

P

rovides direct and permanent

Franchises

B

oosts the expansion of our brands

Multi-brand

T

akes our brands and products to

Webstores

P

resents full collections to consumers

contact with

• Encourages

all states of Brazil

• Generates

customers

entrepreneurship and

• Enables our

information and

• Allows pilot projects

job creation

presence in more

knowledge about

and standardized

• Maintains

than 3,2 thousand

consumer’s behavior

processes, which will

standardization

municipalities

and preferences

be a reference for

and enhances

• Ensures capillarity in

• Enables

franchises

differentiated

countryside towns

commercialization

• Generates

purchasing experience

• Creates value for

of items from old

visibility to brands

small and medium

collections

and differentiated

entrepreneurs

purchasing experience for the customers

Annual Report | 50

A

dding up the 87 stores that had

new architectural project. As of 2017,

already been refurbished in 2015

store refurbishing will return to the regular

and new stores already in the

implementation pace, without the subsidy

new format, we account for approximately

program implemented last year

30% of our base that is aligned to the

Annual Report | 51


Franchises Hering Store Performance

T

he performance of Hering Store

the stores and to a reduction in the volume of

chain, which includes sales to end

commercialized items. Considering the Same

users through proprietary stores

Store Sales (SSS) criterion, which measures

and franchises, decreased by 8.9% in 2016

the performance of stores opened 12 months

compared to the previous year, a result

ago and excludes the doesn’t consider the

impacted by the Brazilian economic scenario,

refurbishing periods, the reduction for the

which contributed to a fall in the movement in

period was equivalent to 8.6%.

S

ales for franchises amounted R$ 1.2 billion in 2016, representing a decrease of 11.1% compared to

Gross revenue in franchises (R$ million)

the previous year. This performance, resulting from lower orders throughout the year, reflects the

-11,1% 727,0 646,0

decrease in sales to final consumers observed in stores. The downturn was sharper in the fourth quarter, as a result of the greater volume invoiced from the High Summer collection in the third quarter, as part of the network’s preparation for the year-end sales season.

2015

2016

Proprietary stores

S

ales from proprietary stores grew by 2.9% compared to 2015. Hering Spaces (in

Gross revenue in proprietary stores (R$ millions)

the outlet format) contributed to this double-digit growth. The result was also

2,9%

positively influenced by the net addition of five stores in the year and the better

257,9

265,4

2015

2016

management of the stores, specially related to improvements in VM (visual merchandising) and supply.

Annual Report | 52

Annual Report | 53


Multi-brand The multi-brand channel dropped 11.4% in the last year, reflecting the net closing of approximately 700 points of sale in the country and the lower average volume of sales per customer. In order to improve our relationship with this channel, we started in 2016 the structuring of a new management model aimed at boosting the sales and investments made by the group.

T

Webstores

the commercial establishment, evaluating

S

is a result of the consolidation of a sound

also drove an approximate growth of 6%

the amount of consumption, the location of

digital platform, which supports features

in the number of new visitors and 30% in

the store, the size of the population of the

such as payment with two cards, look-book

recurrent visits. In 2017, we plan to invest

municipality and other aspects. The goal

(purchase of the complete look), wishlist,

in the optimization of the position of the

is that, as of 2017 our clients begin to be

inclusion of suggestion of articles, videos

pages on search tools (like Google) and

classified in different segments, for which

and images with models dressed with the

the improvement of consumer experience

different policies and guidelines will apply.

clothes for the consumer to check details

through tools like smartphone apps, which

With such categorization, we will be able,

of the pieces. Another tool is the unified

also make possible campaigns based on the

for example, to evaluate the customers that

checkout between all brands, which allows

geolocation.

need minimum stocks or where there are

consumers to shop in all of our virtual stores

he first step was the development of a segmentation model of store owners, according to the profile of

ales of products in our webstores

and make the payment in a single check-out

grew by 20.3% in 2016, compared to

process.

the previous year. This performance

The investments made in digital media

opportunities to explore cross-selling actions of our brands. Hence, we have increased the capacity to generate value for Cia. Hering and our chain.

Gross revenue in webstores (R$ million) 20,3%

Gross revenue in multi-brand stores (R$ million)

38,0 31,6

-11,4% 815,9 722,7

2015

2015

2016

2016

In the last year, we launched the Hering Space webstore, which is an outlet store in the same unified platform of all other Hering brands. www.outletespacociahering.com.br

Annual Report | 54

Annual Report | 55


Economic and Financial Performance

Net Profit (R$ million)

-29,1%

281,2

I

EBITDA (R$ million)

-21,0%

262,9

n 2016, our net income decreased by

result of the lower amount allocated to the

29.1% compared to the previous year,

industrial facilities after the cycle that resulted

closing at R$ 199.4 million. The 8%

in the launch of the plant in São Luís de

reduction in gross sales and a 4.7% increase

Montes Belos (GO) and the modernization

in operating expenses also impacted the

of the Distribution Center located in Goiás.

EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes,

Additionally, upon the completion of SAP

depreciation and amortization), which

implementation in early 2016, there were

dropped 21% in the same period.

lower demands on information technology

In the last year, our investments amounted

and systems investments throughout the

R$ 51.3 million, a reduction of 47.1%

year.

207,6

199,4

2015

2016

2015

2016

compared to 2015. This difference is a

Total Gross Revenue (R$ million)

T

free cash, a number R$ 94.7 million higher

W

than that observed in 2015. At the end of the

implementation of the strategy based on

period, there was R$ 204.8 million in cash

Product and Store (P & L), which, together

and financial investments expenses, and net

with economic recovery, should contribute

cash of R$ 177.0 million.

to the recovery of the sales growth and

In the year, the portion intended to

consequent improvement of results

shareholder’s compensation amounted R$

throughout the year.

199.1 million, which represents 99.8% of the

The developments carried out in the Product

net profit for the period (payout ratio). Of this

fronts become more evident.

total, R$ 124.1 million had already been paid

All as brands add changes to the fall and

in 2016 as dividends and interest on own

winter collections of 2017, with innovations

capital (JCP).

in design and Good Value for Money, which

he lower need for investments and working capital favored the generation of R$ 209.4 million in the

e started 2017 expecting a steady improvement of the economy and growth

of the Brazilian GDP. Our focus is on the

is reflected in the growth of orders from both franchise channels and multi-brand stores in the latest showrooms.

Annual Report | 56

GRI 103-2 | 103-3

GRI 103-2 | 103-3

Annual Report | 57


Distribution of Added Value

C

ia. Hering’s added value in

From the total distributed, we highlight the

2016 amounted R$ 723 million,

portion intended for compensation, benefits

representing a decrease of 7.6%

and FGTS of employees, which accounted

compared to the previous year, mainly due to

for 34% of the amount.

the lower revenues in the period.

Distribution of Added Value (DVA) in 2016 (R$ thousand) 2016

R$ 75.350

10%

R$ 243.326

17%

2016

R$ 85.137

12%

R$ 192.967

27%

Distribution of Added Value (DVA) in 2015 (R$ thousand) 2015

R$ 149.131

19%

R$ 132.039

17%

R$ 74.906

10%

Annual Report | 58

R$ 247.809

32%

2015 R$ 176.085

23%

GRI 103-2 | 103-3 | 201-1

34%

R$ 124.067

Here we dress up life

Annual Report | 59


Annual Report | 60

“

Our history, woven over a century ago, interlaces people who dream and make their dreams come true. People who accept the challenge of the unknown and undertake it.

“

Dreams that take shape, color and texture in the hands of those who dare and transform.

Here we dress up life. Annual Report | 61


Our relationships With our network performance model, we share with all publics our purpose of Dressing Up Life, as well as the commitment to the construction of a fair and sustainable fashion chain.

T

hrough communication channels, programs and actions, we promote the engagement of our suppliers, employees, customers,

consumers and the communities surrounding our industrial sites, focusing on entrepreneurship and mitigation of social and environmental impacts. We support and encourage entrepreneurship by connecting suppliers, representatives, multi-brand retailers and franchisees that promote job creation and income generation in all regions of the country. In our network, we encourage the formal labor relations, the respect for human rights and the adoption of the best management practices to strengthen all businesses.

To enhance this positive interaction with

have six stores, our partnership with ADIAL

our chain, we take part in associations

(Association for the Industrial Development

and endorse external commitments that

of the State of Goiás) contributes to our

are aligned with our values and have the

performance as an agent for change and

capacity to provide greater capillarity to

development of the municipalities in which

the dissemination of the best practices. We

we operate. As a publicly-held company,

participate, for example, in the Management

we also participate in ABRASCA (Brazilian

Committee and in the Working Group (WG)

Association of Publicly-Held Companies),

Committee of ABVTEX (Brazilian Textile

an important space to exchange good

Retail Association), which brings together

accounting practices and service the

fashion retailers and promotes an extensive

investor’s market.

certification program as well as compliance

Our way of contributing to the sustainable

monitoring of suppliers. Learn more about

development is further optimized by the

how we operate on page 76.

activities of Hermann Hering Foundation,

We were one of the companies that, in

responsible for the management of Cia.

2005, founded the SCMC movement (Santa

Hering’s social investments. The institution

Catarina Fashion and Culture), with the

formalizes partnerships with organizations

purpose of sharing knowledge about fashion

and movements to carry out projects such

and design with educational institutions,

as the Affective Weave, which benefit local

students and other companies, strengthening

communities and foster entrepreneurship in

the textile segment and the fashion and

the fashion chain (read more on page 96).

design chain in the state. In Goiás, where we

ut ore abo m d a e R on ticipa ti our par ms an d in for u ge s on pa n o i t a i c asso 107

Annual Report | 62

GRI 102-12 | 102-13

Annual Report | 63


Employees We dress life with contact and affection, life clothed with aliveness! That’s why our closet is filled up with emotions. We’re essentially casual and always authentic!

D

ressing Life” is what connects us, is the purpose that directs us to build good

relationships with our partners. “Dress up Life” means to recognize that each of our 7,700 employees is important to generate value and to strengthen the relationships existing in our network. It is to value our history and build the future on a daily basis with commitment, partnership, dialogue and cooperation.

Our people management is based on three principles:

To establish a single culture, a single vision and a single purpose: Dress Up Life reflects the experiences of our employees over the 135 years of history of Hering Company. Connected to a large network, people who share our values and culture find opportunities to innovate, develop and share experiences.

To Ensure that people are trained and engaged in the chain and with the chain: the professional development occurs in face of new challenges and through continuous learning. To contribute to the growth of our employees strengthens their engagement in the chain and with the chain.

Annual Report | 64

Have the right person, in the right place and at the right moment: to evaluate and recognize employees for their skills and accomplishments broadens their engagement with our strategic objectives. To retain talents in our company boosts our growth and contributes to the development of professionals who know and connect to the business.

Annual Report | 65


Profile of our Employees

W

Development

e are more than 7,700

In the year, the number of temporary

employees working in the

contractors increased by 92%, due to the

South, Southeast, Midwest

extension of contracts for store teams in

and Northeast regions,

Natal. This variation in the year-end period,

where we have our industrial operations,

the most heated period for the retail, is the

administrative structures, management of

greater seasonality in our activities and

brands and products and proprietary stores.

occurs to guarantee the quality service to our

By the end of 2016, women represented

consumers.

about 72% of our employees.

Total employees

Dress Up Life is to be the owner of your own professional development and choose the paths and challenges that you want to face. We believe that Cia. Hering can offer learning and growth opportunities to all employees. When they match with the employees’ professional goals, we build an organization with the right people in the right place.

W

e understand that the perfect development model combines formal and

practical learning, which are experienced and faced in each new challenge and discovery. Such model can be divided as follows:

10% 2.116 is the learning that results from the

5.632

practice, in daily working activities.

70% 20%

314 7.434

is the formal education.

is the development that obtained from others.

re See mo on the details of our profile team on 6 page 10

Annual Report | 66

GRI 102-8

GRI 103-2 | 103-3

Annual Report | 67


Our training actions are designed and conducted aimed to supplement, support and speed-up the daily learning of our employees. In 2016, we conducted 35 thousand hours of in-company training. Technical-functional training for industrial operations and sales force employees represent the highest volume of hours and relates to the activities required for the function.

T

Average hours of classroom training per employee*

2016 Mulheres 0,0

Homens 5,3

Total 4,6

he contents for leadership

Hering’s succession process.

Board

positions are focused on business

The trainings conducted in-company are

Management

16,4

11,9

13,4

management and strategy. The

evaluated by the participants and the results

Coordination

4,7

4,5

4,6

greatest volume of hours intended to this

are used to make changes to the contents or

Administrative

2,1

2,4

2,2

public was mainly for managers, thus

to develop new actions.

Operational

4,4

6,2

4,9

Total

4,2

5,6

4,5

strengthening the leadership skills and Cia.

* Covers only training in company. Training hours for presidency and board are not considered, since they took place at events and external activities.

Annual Report | 68

GRI 103-2 | 103-3 | 404-1

GRI 103-2 | 103-3 | 404-1

Annual Report | 69


Talent management

G

Safety of Employees

evaluating employees’ performance. All

In 2016, we included in the GIP process the

D

that can not be done safely and with risk

five principles were also disseminated and

professionals hired at least 3 months before

operational staff from industrial plants. In

prevention.

reinforced in our internal communication

the beginning of the evaluation cycle take

this group, given the large number of people,

In 2016, we made significant advances in the

channels and in an explanatory booklet,

part in the process, which includes the 360

the feedbacks were made at the beginning

sense of avoiding accidents and increasing

additionally to the SIPAT (Internal Week for

evaluation (managers, pairs, colleagues from

of 2017. Additionally, the employees of

the safety of our employees in the worksite.

Occupational Accidents Prevention).

other areas and self-assessment), formal

administrative areas, brands and products

In this year, we launched the Occupational

feedback from the manager to the employee,

were evaluated, as well as the store teams,

definition of PDI (Individual Development

whose process is carried out on a semi-

Plan) and settlement of individual goals for

annual basis given the retail dynamics.

IP (Integrated Performance

ensuring the monitoring of all stages, as

Management), implemented since

well as the availability of information to the

2013, is our annual process for

employees evaluated and their managers.

ress Up Life also means wearing

Health and Safety Principles and our

health and safety in everything we

managers were trained to disseminate in

do. No activity or task is so urgent

their units the concepts proposed. The

the next cycle. GIP is fully registered in a specific system,

Principles of Occupational Health and Safety

Evolution of GIP in Cia. Hering 2013

2014

2015

252 1.162 employees evaluated

employees evaluated

New competency model.

Inclusion of store managers, analysts and process specialists.

360 evaluation for board members, managers and coordinators.

Cascading of goals to all managers.

2016

2.200 6.060 employees evaluated

employees evaluated

Inclusion of assistants in the process.

Inclusion of the operational teams of the industrial units in the process.

Implementation of pilot project with the operational public (quality area in SC). Cascading of goals to all publics evaluated. Coaching, mentoring and counseling process.

Annual Report | 70

GRI 103-2 | 103-3 | 404-3

Semi-annual evaluation for store teams.

1. Ensuring a safe

2. Training and

3. Complying with

and healthy work

development

safety policies and

environment

W

standards

4. Valuing the safe

5. Communicating,

behavior

informing and acting

e also implemented the Loss

guidelines of the OHSAS 18001 standard

Control program was also

to determine controls, liabilities, and safety

implemented in the period,

procedures in factories and offices.

which formalizes the physical and material

Another improvement registered in the year

losses incurred as a result of accidents

was the expansion of the Communication

as may occur in our sites. Although our

tool, launched as a pilot project at ItororĂł

operations are not certified, we follow the

unit in 2015, and later extended to all units. GRI 103-2 | 103-3

Annual Report | 71


The tool is a formal channel through which

performance and contribute to the

any employee can fill out a form to send

reduction of accidents. The indicators

questions, suggestions and complaints to

related to the theme are monitored

our occupational health and safety teams.

monthly, including the Safety Index, which

We also cherish and recognize good

combines frequency and severity rates. In

practices. The Record challenge is a

2016, the Security Index remained at 2.85.

celebration initiative for units that manage

Thus, we reach the goal set for the period –

to be four months without registering

to be below 3.27.

accidents requiring medical-leave. The celebration takes place in the cafeterias and encourages employees to adopt safer

A

Among the main types of occurrences

falls or slips. Neither fatalities nor cases of

recorded among our employees are

occupational diseases involving our staff or

injuries of low complexity, mainly due to

third parties were recorded for the period.

ll accidents requiring the employee’s medical-leave are communicated to the company

behaviors, as well as to be aware of risky

leaders by e-mail. Thus, we share the

situations to which colleagues may be

information on the causes of occurrences

exposed.

and cause managers to verify - and

In our management model, in addition

mitigate - similar risk situations in the other

to complying with all legal requirements,

units.

we adopt practices that improve our

Safety Index

(the lower, the better)

t how re abou o m d a f Re safety o itor the n o m e ir w th d ees an d y lo p m our e e 109 on pag parties

5,47

3,43 2,85

2014

2015

2016

In 2016, we registered improvement in all indicators of health and safety at work compared to the previous year:

Accidents frequency rate

Lost-Days Rate

(number of reportable accidents for every 200,000 man hours worked)

(days lost for every 200 thousand man hours worked)

4,19

53,7%

less accidents that do not require medical-leave

19,8%

less accidents that require medical-leave

15,88

17,7%

2,67 10,41

less days lost due to medical-leave

2014

Annual Report | 72

GRI 103-2 | 103-3 | 403-2

9,08

1,62

2015

2016

2014

2015

GRI 103-2 | 103-3 | 403-2

2016

Annual Report | 73


Volunteer Work

Communication

Dress Up Life also means to cooperate and to undertake collective works for a better society.

T

hrough Program A.GENTE QUE FAZ, we act to support and promote the volunteer work in our

units and stores, contributing to the formation

O

ur communication practices and management approaches contribute to the alignment of employees with the company’s strategies.

of professionals increasingly connected with the vision of acting in a network, besides encouraging the construction of a collaborative, entrepreneurial and learning space. A.GENTE QUE FAZ aims not only to stimulate a citizenship culture but also to develop competences useful to the company, such as teamwork and project leadership. Through the program, Cia. Hering is present and promote positive impacts in communities

Endomarketing

Management Approach

• Celebration of

• Coffee with the manager

commemorative dates

• Coffee with the director

• Extranet

(Mother’s Day, Father’s

• DSQ (Safety and Quality

• Digital Wall

Day, Labor Day and

Dialogue)

• Email

Christmas)

Communication Channels • Intranet

• Communication Agents

• Basic Day • Day of Kindness • Sweet Home Company

surrounding the industrial, administrative and store operations.

Over

55 actions

Over

200

volunteers

carried out

Over

700

hours

undertaken

Over

R$

100

thousand raised in charity bazars

12 institutions

benefited in 2016 (SC, SP, GO and RN)

Annual Report | 74

Annual Report | 75


B

Suppliers

T

y the end of 2016, we had 850

The volume of purchases increased by

active suppliers of inputs, 444 of

9% among the factions, especially on the

factions and 181 of sourcing. Our

Midwest region, where there are better

expenses with the suppliers of the three

competitive conditions for our operations.

groups in the last year amounted R$ 805.5

About 70.5% of purchases were ordered

he suppliers play an important role

consumers’ needs.

million, 14.3% less than in 2015, given the

with suppliers within Brazil, representing an

in our network complementing

Our supply chain is divided into three main

scenario of greater economic downturn. The

increase of 23% compared to 2015. This

our own production and ensuring

groups:

most significant reduction was in sourcing

result was driven by the greater participation

purchases, because we directed part of the

of national partners in the purchases of

production to our own units.

inputs and sourcing and by the increase

About 50% of the total expenses was

on the percentage spent with factions - all

directed to the suppliers of inputs, 27% to

national suppliers located near the industrial

the sourcing and 23% to the factions.

units.

that the collections of all brands meet our

Inputs, raw material and services: suppliers of fabrics, jersey, buttons, lines, among other materials, and suppliers of services

tion informa e r o m See asing r purch u o t u o ab local e nt with m e g a n ma ge 108 s on pa r ie l p p su

that enable the logistics or support areas of the company.

Proportion of expenses with local suppliers (%)*

Factions: small-sized partners located near our productive units performing activities such as sewing, embroidery, laundry, among others, which complement our own production.

Sourcing: national and international manufacturers from which we purchase finished items for our collections. We add accessories, footwear, handbags, wallets and other garments to our product mix through our partnerships with these suppliers. all suppliers located in Brazil were considered a location. In the case of factions, the suppliers are located in the same regions where Cia. Hering units to which their products are supplied are located.

Annual Report | 76

GRI 102-9 | 103-2 | 103-3

GRI 102-9 | 102-10 | 103-2 | 103-3

Annual Report | 77


Monitoring of Factions

S

ince 2012, we have developed the

relationship with partners are performed

Sustainable Fashion program, which

by different areas of the company and

aims to stimulate our suppliers to

monitored by the Sustainable Fashion

adopt the best management practices,

Committee, whose multidisciplinary

mitigate risks and enhance the positive

formation features employees from different

social and environmental impacts of

areas. In 2016, the Committee recorded ten

their activities. The actions related to the

formal meetings.

T

he factions with which we

compliance with environmental legislation,

work are important source

we have compliance teams in each region

of employment and income

where we operate in partnership with these

generation for the regions where our units

partners (South, Midwest and Northeast),

are located. in order to mitigate the risk

which monitors and encourages the best

of precarious labor relations and non-

management practices.

The 444 Cia. Hering partner factions create

Sustainable Fashion on four fronts

1.492 jobs in Santa Catarina

Formalization: all our suppliers undertake to respect our Suppliers’ Code of Conduct. The

3.376

jobs in the Northeast (RN, CE and PB)

4.106 jobs in GoiĂĄs

document is available to all interested parties at Cia. Hering’s website. Monitoring: we promote audits in factions per internal teams, assessing the compliance with environmental and labor laws. Moreover, sourcing suppliers are further certified by ABVTEX.

W

henever a new supplier is

the management of our partners, which helps

hired, we perform an on-

to mitigate risks in our chain.

site audit for approval of its

facilities. Once a year each faction undergoes new audits, without prior scheduling, to evaluate the working conditions and regularity of the documentation.

Third-party regularization index (November/15 to October/16)

82%

Once a month, all suppliers also provide Relationship: We offer the Ombudsman

a proof of tax collection and payment

channel (ouvidoria@ciahering.com) for

of wages and labor obligations, such as

receiving claims related to the conduct

FGTS and INSS. The consolidation of these

of suppliers that are inconsistent with the

documents is used to compose the Third-

guidelines provided in our Code of Conduct

Party Regularization Index, which measures

or the legislation. It is also open to questions

the compliance of our factions and influences

related to our conduct before the supply

the performance evaluation of our industrial

chain.

In addition to the Regularization Index, the

managers.

Chain Turnover is another relevant indicator

In order to calculate the Regularization

in our performance model. It reflects the

Development: we promote meetings

Index, we consider the suppliers with at

average number of audits per supplier

with Suppliers and the offering of courses

least three-month billing with Cia. Hering

throughout the year and represents our

and lectures seeking to promote the

between the months of November and

efforts to monitor this chain. The frequency

management skills of partners.

October of the following year. In 2016, the

of audits varies according to the contracts

third-party regularization index reached 82%,

signed and the performance of each partner.

an increase of 10 percent compared to 2015.

In 2016, we carried out 1,527 audits,

This improvement reflects the improvement in

achieving a turnover of 3.39.

Annual Report | 78

GRI 103-2 | 103-3

72%

2015

2016

GRI 203-2 | 103-2 | 103-3

Annual Report | 79


Chain Turnover

When the audits carried out by us identify any pend-

(average audits per supplier)

ing matters or need for improvement, we define action plans together with our suppliers in order to solve the problems found. In these cases, we make new 3,39

visits to the company during the year to verify the compliance with the established commitments. This process is formalized in our Compliance Regulation and is based on a checklist with 16 evaluation dimen-

2,09

sions (see table). It covers 100% of the factions we work with and a few other sourcing suppliers. Read 2015

2016

more about our supplier assessment on page 82.

Sourcing Management Sourcing suppliers are companies located in Brazil and abroad from which we purchase finished products, such as accessories, garments, jewelry and shoes to complement our collections. By the end of 2016, we had 79 Brazilian suppliers and 102 international suppliers - mainly located in Asian countries.

M

ore than 99% of partners located in Brazil are certified by ABVTEX, whose audits evaluate labor

practices, aspects of health and safety, environmental management, among other aspects. Besides requiring the certification, we promote compliance audits in line with those applied to factions in our network. In 2016, we audited 34 national sourcing providers and another 33 second-level audits – in the service providers of these companies. At the international level, we seek to work with partners with at least one of the following

What we assess in our suppliers

certifications, which are recognized for ensuring the adoption of best management practices: BSCI, WRAP, SMETA and SA8000. • Formalization of the company

By 2016, 22.6% of suppliers had at least

• Occurrence of child labor

one of these certifications. Those that fail to

• Occurrence of forced labor or

present a certification are either old or small

slavery-like work

partners, cases in which we have evoked our

• Use of foreign workers in irregular

best efforts to stimulate them to obtain the

conditions

certification in order to allow the maintenance

• Presence of minors in the workplace

of our commercial relations.

• Guaranteed freedom of association • Mechanisms to fight discrimination • Mechanisms to fight abuse and harassment • Health and safety at work • Monitoring and documentation • Overtime Compensation • Control of hours worked • Payment of benefits • Environmental management • Monitoring of the production chain* • Validation of the subcontractors’ list* * For sourcing suppliers.

Continuous improvement

A

mong our sourcing suppliers’

for improvements.

relationship practices, we promote

In the Suppliers’ Meetings, we discuss

the continuous improvement and

together with our partners the main

gains in productivity and quality among our

challenges of the fashion chain and share our

partners. Since 2008, we have carried out

knowledge and good practices. Furthermore,

a monthly evaluation of the delivery quality

we disclose the three best suppliers of the

index (right amount of items in the lot, levels

domestic ranking, thus recognizing their good

of production defects, etc.) with individual

performance.

feedback to each supplier, and suggestions Annual Report | 80

GRI 103-2 | 103-3

GRI 103-2 | 103-3

Annual Report | 81


Supplier Evaluation

I

Management of labor risks

n 2016, 588 suppliers from our

our partners, which meet the requirements

basis were evaluated (combining

assessed more often, and the refinement

factions and sourcing companies).

of our base, since the evolution in the

We identified the need for improvement

compliance process has caused us to

in on-site infrastructure, employees’

terminate agreements with suppliers that

safety, document controls and records

do not meet our requirements and do not

in 412 of our suppliers. In all cases, we

show adherence to our principles.

recommended action plans and monitored

I

n the audits that carried out in our

claim is reported, it is immediately assessed

suppliers, ten evaluated items are

and can be solved in the same day or within

considered mandatory and cause

5 business days (depending on the location

the immediate interruption of the supply

of the suppliers involved in the case and

contract, if noncompliant. These include the

the need to involve different areas of the

In the environmental sphere, suppliers

occurrence of child labor, forced labor or

company).

their compliance through subsequent

with a relevant risk are laundries, mainly

slavery-like work, work of undocumented

audits. We terminated supply agreements

because of the use of chemicals and the

aliens and the presence of minors in the work

with 13% of the companies within

generation of effluents. We monitored the

environment. In 2016, we do not identify any

this scenario for not implementing the

performance of these partners with regards

such occurrences among our suppliers.

necessary corrections and noncompliance

to the compliance with the restrictions and

We also act raising awareness

with the standards required.

the validation of environmental licenses,

of our partners, issuing

The number of failure for mandatory items

and no real impact was identified in the last

recommendations at each

dropped by 30% compared to 2015. This

year.

visit and including the

evolution reflects both the improvement of

I

n the last year, the channel received 37 communications. Among which 34 were claims, but none of them were related to the occurrence of child labor, forced labor or slavery-like work in our suppliers. There was an increase in the number of

topic both in our Code

communications in comparison

of Conduct and the

with previous years (there were

agenda of Supplier’s

7 in 2015 and 4 in 2014), and

Meetings.

we believe this fact relates

I

to the greater trust of our n addition to raising awareness before our partners, we have a team with

stakeholders in the channel, and the understanding that we want to act as partners, stimulating the adoption of good

nine employees and a proprietary system for

practices and having a positive impact on our

conducting audits. In 2016, we started using

supply chain.

an application that enable auditors to have more agility in their analysis and notes.

Another important factor is the increasing

We have an open channel (ouvidoria@

debate about the liability of the fashion

ciahering.com.br) to receive claims related

chain within the civil society, which causes

to irregularities in our suppliers. Our

more people to engage in identifying the

Ombudsman’s Office allows for anonymous

traceability of items acquired in our stores.

claims and, in all cases, the identity of the authors is kept confidential. Whenever a

Annual Report | 82

GRI 103-2 | 103-3 | 308-2 | 414-2

GRI 102-17 | 103-2 | 103-3 | 408-1 | 409-1

Annual Report | 83


Franchises and multi-brand Franchises We are the largest apparel franchise network in the country, with 299 franchisees (totaling 746 stores) selling our products to final consumers.

O

ur network operational model allows the generation of value for these audiences by offering quality

products that deliver our value proposition (Good Value for Money) to our consumers. Every year we conduct a survey with our franchisees aimed at evaluating the level of satisfaction with the services provided,

Network Supply

S

ince 2015, we have structured a project to improve the supply of stores focusing on reducing inventories of past collections. In 2016, the evolutions made in the model included the biweekly recommendation of assortment for each store, considering factors such as location of the establishment and frequency of consumers. Addition to contributing to the operational management of franchisees and improving profitability by reducing re-pricing, this model reduces product disruption, enhancing the consumer purchasing experience. In 2017, we plan to move forward with the

definition of the assortment for the chain and the development of technologies that allow the quick and expeditious replacement of basic parts. We also intend to expand the use of VER (Electronic Visitor Report), a digital tool that improves the monitoring of the store performance and action plans to increase sales. Over the past year, we have conducted a pilot initiative in the Southern Region to test the app and identify gains in aspects such as customer purchasing experience and visual merchandising. The investments in training and development favoring these partners’ business management development.

Our approach goes beyond the mere

On-site training

commercial behavior, and seek to contribute

In addition to the virtual platform, we also

to the improvement of the operational

invested in on-site training to reinforce the

management of the stores and the

customer culture. These capabilities impact

commercial model. One of the main tools

both the franchisees and the employees

we have to improve this relationship are the

working in retail. In 2016, over 4,700 people

network trainings, structured as follows:

were trained in these capacities. Among the

Portal Tecendo Conhecimento Distance

trainings applied in 2016 for this audience,

Education Platform (EAD), which offers

we highlight:

identifying opportunities for improvement and reinforcing the strengths of this relationship. Aspects such as product, purchasing planning, delivery logistics, sales support, operational support, information and management, suppliers, relationship, corporate image and commercial conditions are evaluated. In 2016, 68% of the franchisees were satisfied with the actions developed.

Cia. Hering franchisees generate*

courses and e-learning training for managers and supervisors of proprietary stores and franchisees. In 2016, the portal had over 30.3 thousand accesses and 1,329 thousand

8.600 jobs in Brazil

180

jobs in Latin America (Bolivia, Paraguay and Uruguay)

users.

• Integration Program with 18 new franchisees. • PDF (Franchise Development Program), with 53 participants. • PDG (Management Development Program) with 54 participants. • TG (Management Training), with 40 participants.

Once a year, we assess the satisfaction of franchisees with the content of Tecendo * Numbers are estimated based on the average number of employees per store.

Annual Report | 84

GRI 103-2 | 103-3

Conhecimento through a survey. In the last year, the approval rate stood at 91%, with actions to improve the clarity and objectivity of information presented.

GRI 103-2 | 103-3 | 203-2

Annual Report | 85


Customers

Multi-brand Our network also connects 17,500 multibrand stores, which buy our collections and enable our products to be present in more than 3,000 municipalities, in all Brazilian states. In this scenario, 423 partners take part in the Qualified Retail segment - stores where our products represent at least 80% of revenues.

T

he goal of Qualified Retail is to guide the point of sale as to the proper presentation of our brands, through standardization

of the store, application of branding and visual

Here, we dress up life Here, we dress life since its first steps, recalling the emotion of the first stolen kiss, the joy of the first party with friends, the greatest achievements. We wear the moments that are only yours.

W

e work everyday to dress the life of our customers with emotion, joy and celebration.

Those wearing our clothes is the core o four business and our strategic planning.

merchandising. All participating customers receive

Therefore, we offer products as a smart

differentiated support in their operation.

purchase option, which makes people perceive and experience the Good Value for

The service to multi-brand retailers is done through

Money (read more on page 28).

300 commercial representatives, who received investments in distant and on-site training on routine

Through the social media and promotional

management (agenda planning, time-management

actions, we have established a close bond

and management of prospecting and loyalty actions),

between our brands and their audiences,

as well as support for multi-brand customers on retail

increasing the recognition of our products’

issues - such as store layout, inventory optimization

features. In 2016, the number of followers

and visual merchandising.

of Hering Kids on Facebook and Instagram

All representatives attended trainings, in groups

increased by 260% and 240%, respectively.

segmented according to the region. Therefore, we

On the same platforms, PUC presented

have broadened our positive impact on the chain,

an

sharing Cia. Hering’s knowledge and market expertise.

increased their followers by 128% on

increase of 113% and 350%. DZARM.

Playing Manual, launched by Hering Kids, is an example of the way we act to be present in all moments o four customers’ lives.

W

e seek to listen and to know our customers through the development of researches

that, besides supporting subsidiarem the development of new collections, show us the opportunities to improve the way our brands operate and position themseves in the market.

Instagram and by 26% on Facebook. The

Customer service channels SAC – Customer Service | 0800 47 3114 | sac@ciahering.com.br

Annual Report | 86

GRI 103-2 | 103-3

Annual Report | 87


Hering, a Democratic brand Our customers elected Hering as one of the 20 most democratic brands in Brazil, in 2016. The ranking was prepared by magazine Consumidor Moderno, in partnership with the consulting firm A Ponte EstratĂŠgica.

We want our consumers always close. In 2016, three of them - who use Hering Card in our stores - were invited to visit our headquarters in Blumenau (SC), to get a closer look at the stories and relationships that stitch together our nature. Three employees from proprietary stores and franchises were also present in this visit.

T

he study conducted discussions panels with consumers (focus

group) and a quantitative survey with more than 1,200 people. At the end of this process, the most qualified brands were identified

Here we dress up life.

in attributes such as consumer identification, accessibility, consistency and engagement.

Annual Report | 88

Annual Annual Report Report | 89| 89


Environmental management

Health of our consumers

W

e are committed to offering

to extend to all our lines the restrictions

reliable products that do not

on chemicals applicable to children’s

pose any health risk to our

products. Thus, we not only reduce risks to

consumers. This concern is essential for

our customers, but also optimize internal

meeting the quality requirements associated

monitoring and quality efforts.

with our brands, in line with the values

When our consumers have any type of

we believe in. In this sense, we carry out

complaint related to these aspects, we

several analyzes during the development

receive the complaints through the Customer

and production process, among which we

Service Department or the store teams of the

analyze the composition of yarns, dyes and

different channels in which we operate, then

chemicals and the solidity of dyeing and

we investigate the causes of these problems

at a small hydroelectric

prints. All our products go through these

in depth. Worth mentioning that such

assessments, including audits of the factions

occurrences are extremely rare.

plant, installed in Foz do

working with us.

T

Before launching a new product, we develop usage tests with customers and employees,

the electric energy we consume is generated

Chopim, in the state of ParanĂĄ.

o exemplify the concern we have, we are rigorously assessing the application of compounds that

from which we can identify improvements

act as insect repellents in our items. This

in the items. When we start the production,

is a market trend we will only adopt in our

we monitor through the FISPQ (Chemical

portfolio after careful analysis of its possible

Product Safety Data Sheet) the compliance

effects, ensuring the safety of consumers

of items with our health and safety standards,

and their satisfaction with the quality of our

and any noncompliant item are to be

products.

disregarded. Another practice adopted is

Approximately 80% of

T

he management of the

(Internal Commission for Conservation

environmental impacts in our

and Energy), a group responsible for the

hybrid production model,

control and evaluation of water, energy &

which combines our own production with

fuel consumption, waste management and

outsourcing, is complex and demands

effluents indicators. CICE has a monthly

investments in continuous chain monitoring

meeting to analyze the results obtained

and process improvements to mitigate risks

in the industrial plants and the possible

to the environment and to our reputation.

opportunities to develop improvement

In our industrial plants, we adopt the best

projects.

practices and technologies to increase our

A

efficiency, in addition to complying with all legal requirements. In the supply chain, we encourage our

Annual Report | 90

GRI 103-2 | 103-3 | 416-1

mong the aspects monitored by ICC is the validity of all environmental licenses necessary

partners to make the same commitments and

for the operation of our plants. In our

to have their procedures verified and audited

structure, we have an area aimed to assist

in order to ensure they also act in compliance

both in these licenses renewal processes

with applicable rules and regulations.

and in the fulfillment of the environmental

The monitoring of our performance and

constraints. Based on this management

the proposition of actions that improve

method, we did not incur fines and sanctions

our environmental performance are

for noncompliance with environmental

discussed within the scope of the CICE

regulations in 2016.

GRI 103-2 | 103-3

Annual Report | 91


Water management

T

he constant search for solutions

collect water. The raw material is collected

that reduce the need to use water

from Rio Ribeirão do Gato and undergoes

in our production processes

chemical treatment and filtration before

meets the requirements of environmental

being used in production. After this step, the

agencies, concerned with the preservation

generated effluents are treated and the water

of water bodies, and local communities less

is returned to Ribeirão da Velha water body,

exposed to resource scarcity in the region.

according to the environmental legislation

In the design of a new industrial plant or

specifications.

in the purchase of new equipment, water

The unit is also engaged in reusing water

consumption is one of the aspects evaluated

for washing sidewalks and for toilet water

for the decision making of investments.

supply, and has a modern water treatment

Itororó unit, where we process jerseys

system by reverse osmosis, in which part can

and rotate stamping, has the highest

be reused in the process. At the end of the

consumption of water within our production

year, the unit also received a system capable

process, but we did not record any significant

of collecting rainwater to be used in the

impacts on the water body from which we

process.

T

he water consumption

with the purpose of increasing the quality

measurement covers the units

and durability of the product, also brought

of Santa Catarina, Anápolis,

impacts on the total water consumption.

Goianésia, Paraúna and Parnamirim, and

In view of this scenario, we understand the

the data were obtained using flow meters.

relevance of developing our processes and

The variation between 2015 and 2016

we are investing in new dyeing Technologies

reflects the increase in the production of

and new dyeing and washing options for

items demanding greater consumption of

prints so as to allow a greater eco-efficiency

water in their dyeing or printing processes,

in our operations, following the market trends

such as dark color products or products

and our consumers’ expectations in the

with filled-background prints. The bio-

delivery of the product.

polishing process, implemented in 2016

Waste Management

I

n our production process, the largest

use state-of-the-art software and machinery

amount of waste generated is related

to achieve the greatest possible use of the

to the production waste and the sludge

material and decrease the generation of

produced at the effluent treatment plant.

waste. Currently, we have a reuse rate of

Our management is focused on reducing

around 80% of the raw material.

ur headquarters in Blumenau,

this generation and ensuring the appropriate

Leftovers and flaps generated in the

supplied with water collected

disposal of these materials, in compliance

production process are mostly marketed

from the dam built on-site,

with the environmental legislation.

to a partner who resells this material. Part

adopted the same measures to increase our

The effluent treatment plant of Itororó, where

of this material can also be reused for the

eco-efficiency. In the other units, the supply

the most demanding water consumption

production of new items or promotional

is made through artesian wells or through

production processes are concentrated, has

items, such as those for Mother’s Day at

the local public water system. In these

technologies that reduce sludge generation.

Hering stores (read more on page 35). Or

poles, the use is practically all intended for

In addition, the service provider operating the

even in projects like Trama Afetiva (read

human consumption and, therefore, the

facility is encouraged to always maintain the

more on page 98). In 2016, our operations

reduction actions are focused on campaigns

minimum level of production of that waste.

generated a total of 1.1 million tons of waste.

and awareness programs. In 2016, our water

In the areas for jersey and fabric cutting, we

O

consumption totaled 1.7 million m³

Volume of water captured per source (in thousand m³)

Annual Report | 92

GRI 103-2 | 103-3 | 303-2

Non-hazardous waste per disposal method in 2016 (t)* Landfill Reuse (Sales of chips to third parties) Recycling (paper, cardboard and plastic) Total * In 2016, 1,666,948m3 of sludge from effluent treatment were also discarded. We do not generate hazardous waste in significant volumes in our operations.

1.137.450 2.255 686 1.140.391

GRI 103-2 | 103-3 | 303-1 | 306-2

Annual Report | 93


Other

initiatives

Traceability of paper: Bags and packaging used in Hering Stores are certified by the FSC® (Forest Stewardship Council), what ensures the legal origin of the wood used in the paper-making process and the use of good forest management techniques.

Pioneer Reforestation: In Blumenau, where we are headquartered, we maintain 8.5 million m² of green area, of which 750 thousand m² correspond to legal reserve. The area purchased by the founders of Cia. Hering was deforested and reforested, an initiative that gave Bruno Hering the title of “pioneer of Brazilian reforestation”, in 1906.

Annual Report | 94

Logistics: Our products are distributed throughout Brazil through two Distribution Centers, which receive packaged and labeled products from production plants and outsourcing suppliers. In this sense, we have been able to optimize delivery routes, thus reducing environmental impacts and transportation costs.

Annual Report | 95


Hermann Hering Foundation

We believe in the creative and entrepreneurial potential of people and want to contribute to building a society where talents are well used to build stories of capacity and courage.

T

Entrepreneurship

T

he pillar covers qualification

70 small companies, generating productivity

programs targeted at local

gains and reducing costs and production

communities around our industrial

time. Since 2014, when the project began,

units to provide knowledge and generate

252 factions have been trained. The Art of

skilled work opportunities. In the last year,

Sewing project began in the last year and

the projects carried out were: the Production

was carried out in the region of our unit in

Chain - Sustainable Fashion and the Art of

São Luís de Montes Belos (GO), aimed at

Sewing.

training local residents in the profession

In the Production Chain - Sustainable

of industrial sewer. The action relied on

Fashion, held in partnership with

the partnership of Senai Goiás and local

Sebrae, factions are trained to stimulate

municipalities, which offered an area for the

entrepreneurship, improve people

conduction of technical courses. The first

management, increase product quality

two classes, each with 16 students (men and

and improve financial and production

women), took place in the municipalities of

management. In 2016, the initiative impacted

Iporá and Bom Jardim (GO).

hat is what Hermann Hering Foundation works for; while remaining faithful to the principles

that led to its creation in 1935. The Foundation was born to support employees in aspects such as education, health and housing. The institution has evolved in its performance and governance model and is currently responsible for the management of our private social investment. With investments, it promotes entrepreneurship and the social and economic development of communities in the regions where we operate. The projects developed by the Foundation are based on three pillars: Entrepreneurship, Creative Culture and Retail Connection. In 2016, we invested a total of R$ 1,254 million with our own funds and R $ 30,000 raised in accordance with tax incentive laws.

Annual Report | 96

Annual Report | 97


Creative Culture

I

Cia. Hering Memory

and trends in our market. This vision

from many Brazilian states and propose

T

materializes in the project Trama Afetiva,

innovations concerning the use of waste

Hering Memory Center.

which promoted a collaborative learning

from our production processes. Among the

Open and free for the population, the

experience in upcycling (transformation of

creations resulting from such experience are

Museum guarantees a tour throughout

waste into value-added products), in 2016.

products such as the “wall orchid”, a fabric

our history, with interactive resources

In São Paulo, we invited three renowned

structure for setting vertical gardens indoors.

and shows from different periods within

n this regard, we fostered the

Marcelo Rosenbaum and Patricia Centurion

innovative vision of youths, so that

- to coordinate study panels and creative

they contribute with new perspectives

workshops with 11 young designers

designers - Alexandre Herchcovitch,

he Foundation is further responsible for the maintenance of Hering Museum in Blumenau

(SC) and for the coordination of Ingo

the company’s 136 years. The exhibit includes panels and videos about our journey, letters from the founders, statements from our employees, interactive stations with iconic items and campaigns that made history, among

The contents generated in Trama Afetiva and the discussions between the members and project leaders were made available in social networks to broaden the scope of the knowledge developed. Access on Facebook: /FundacaoHermannHering.

other attractions. The museum also has a design room, where visitors can develop items and prints. In 2016, the museum received 16,840 visitors, including 1,908 Brazilian and local students – amounting over 81.8 thousand visitors since its establishment. The Memory Center is an indoor area that ensures the preservation of documents, machinery, work tools, photos and historical records. Kept for decades by our collaborators, this heritage with thousands of items, of which more than 24 thousand have already been cataloged, contributes for the inspiration and development of new collections and are also available to

Retail Connection

O

researchers and students query.

n this front, we work with the

We also want to establish connections with

purpose of preparing youths for a

our consumers, thus creating synergistic

journey of learning and knowledge,

and enriching relationships. We are in the

enabling them a professional performance in

evaluation phase of the projects to be

fashion retail.

encouraged and developed in this front.

Annual Report | 98

Read More Visit Hermann Hering Foundation website http://fundacaohermannhering.org.br/

Annual Report | 99


“

“

Our Annual Report has developed and start being published, as of 2017, in full alignment with GRI (Global Reporting Initiative) guidelines and indicators.

Here we dress up life.

100 Annual Report ||100

101 Annual Report ||101


GRI Attachment About the Report We are one of the first companies in Brazil to adopt the new version of GRI Standards, internationally launched in October 2016.

T

he adoption of these higher global standards for reporting our strategy

1.

Pre-classification of themes: we

channels, such as the Ombudsman’s Office,

analyze benchmarking and studies

the Customer Service Department (SAC)

in the industry, which are topics

and the investor relations’ channel. These

often discussed by the press and the civil

inputs allowed us to understand the context

society, agendas of organizations linked

in which we are inserted and the main trends,

to the fashion chain, and references to

risks, opportunities and expectations of civil

sustainability reports, as well as inputs

society concerning our value chain.

from Cia. Hering’s permanent engagement

and business performance is

another important step in strengthening our accountability transparency towards all our stakeholders. The information presented in this document, for the period from January 1st to December 31st, 2016, was collected from Cia. Hering’s departments and approved by our Management. As in the previous report, published in the first half of 2016, only economic and financial data

2.

Engagement of publics: we prioritize

retailers, shareholders and non-governmental

our stakeholders, taking into

organizations. Then, we promoted a panel

account criteria as the intensity and

for in-depth analysis of the topics proposed

frequency of relationships and the level of

in the query, gathering 6 franchisees and

dependence and influence of the publics

4 consumers for qualitative discussions.

covers the same units considered in the

in relation to the company. From this point,

To ensure alignment of the matrix to our

preparation of Financial Statements and previous

we promoted an online survey with 752

business, we also conducted interviews with

data were not represented, which broadly allows

respondents from different priority audiences:

7 managers of Cia. Hering, thus enhancing

its integration with other company documents.

suppliers, franchisees, consumers,

the these leaders’ vision on key aspects of

In order to continuously improve our Annual

employees, representatives, multi-brand

our strategy and operations.

were verified by external audit. The publication

Report, we count on your feedback regarding this document. Therefore, share with us your impressions, doubts and suggestions through the e-mail comunicacao@ciahering.com.br.

Materiality Matrix

I

3.

Consolidation: the listening and

issues were identified, we also carefully

analysis were consolidated into a

consider the composition of topics that could

materiality matrix, which correlates

represent the main risks, impacts and social,

n 2016, we conducted a materiality

and alignment with strategic perspectives of

process in line with GRI guidelines. In

our leadership.

themes regarding their impact on the

economic and environmental opportunities

order to define the most relevant topics

Structured on three fronts, this process

company and relevance to the public’s

related to Cia. Hering.

for our business and for the decision-making

comprises the principles of inclusion of

decision making process. When priority

process of our publics, we conducted an

stakeholders, the context of sustainability,

intensive study on the external perspectives

materiality and completeness.

trends, the listening to our prime audiences,

Annual Report | 102

GRI 102-32 | 102-45 | 102-48 | 102-50 | 102-51 | 102-52 | 102-53 | 102-56

GRI 102-40 | 102-42 | 102-43

Annual Report | 103


A

s a result of this entire process, we identified five material issues guiding the content of the Annual Report.

Cia. Hering Material Issues

retailers and representatives, we understand

this purpose is key to establishing an unified

our role as “educators of the chain” by

culture and vision. In order to empower and

sharing knowledge and contributing to

engage employees in and to our network,

the development of our stakeholders. We

we encourage the entrepreneurship and the

believe that our positive influence must go

development through experiences provided

beyond the generation of jobs and income,

by our business model, which goes from

seeking to be a benchmark of ethical posture,

the industry to retail. Posing new challenges

Consumer Relations | We are a network

value generation, which involves generating

best practices and values in each of our

aimed at having the right person in the right

company focused on the consumer.

economic value, we also create value for

relationships.

place at the right time matches the employee

Knowing our consumer and building closer

communities impacted by our network.

People Development and Attraction | Our

goals with the company goals, in addition to

relationships every day is how we keep

Connecting and driving a large network

purpose is to dress up life, which connects

drive the growth both of our personnel and

connected to the constant market changes.

of people is the challenge that moves us

us and motivates us every day. Ensuring

our company.

Besides reinventing and broadening our

forward and keeps us in constant evolution.

that our personnel are also connected to

dialogue channels and points of contact with the use of new technologies, formats and languages, we understand the importance

Management of environmental impacts | We live in the present, committed to

of providing differentiated interaction and

everything we believe in and proud of

engagement experiences with our brands

a history marked by responsibility and

as well as the relevance of delivering

environmental awareness. We know that

items according to our consumers’ value

the impacts generated by the consumption

proposition, design and quality expectations.

of water, solid waste and CO² emission are

We are a centennial company, which clothe

global challenges and we are also aware

1 out of 2 Brazilians. We have followed

of the responsibility of every individual and

several movements over the years and we

organization. As part of the society, we

know our role, through our brands, in positive

understand our role in the constant search

reflections on new consumption methods

for eco-efficiency, aiming, therefore, to

and opportunities in the fashion chain.

reduce water consumption, waste generation

O the top of these material issues,

and CO2 emissions in our processes.

Ethics | We are a network organization with

the aspects related to governance &

values essentially guided by respect to all

Accordingly, investing in new technologies,

transparency, ethics & innovation are the

of those somehow connect to out business.

Entrepreneurship and wealth generation

rethinking the use and reuse are developing

core of Cia. Hering, and were considered in

We believe that honesty, commitment and

| We are a network organization and this

processes that are in line with this vision

the construction of content once they are

reliability are essential aspects for ethical and

activity drives us to develop skills and

are premises for the management of

essential to the constant improvement of

business success.

competencies for the engagement and

environmental impacts.

our management and relationships, driving

Governance and transparency | Through

strengthening of this chain. We know the relevant role we play as influencers of entrepreneurship and good management

positive impacts on our networking. Network development | Dress Up Life also means to stimulate our partners to adopt

indicators and targets, the Corporate

Innovation | Innovating is a constant and

Governance & Transparency is connected

determining process for the maintenance

to the long-term constant presence of the

practices and as the protagonist of the

good management practices and share the

individual career journey. Through our

of an organization. We understand that

business. It represents our commitment in

values and commitments of Cia. Hering. With

business model, we contribute to the

innovation is a core topic for the evolution

planning the evolution of material issues, in

our strong and sound business and based

wealth generation in partners connected

and consolidation of material issues in the

addition to implementing, monitoring and

on structured actions and programs for our

to us. Based on the principle of shared

company’s strategy.

communicating processes and results.

supply chain, franchise network, multi-brand

Annual Report | 104

GRI 102-44 | 102-46 | 102-47 | 102-49 | 103-1

GRI 102-44 | 102-46 | 102-47 | 102-49 | 103-1

Annual Report |105 | 105


Additional Information to Indicators

GRI Standard 102-11 | Precaution principle

O

ur environmental investments

like work is reported among our suppliers,

currently meet the legal

the contracts are terminated in cases where

requirements. We understand the

our audits fail to prove, but indicate that the

applicability of the precautionary principle in

GRI Standards 102-8 and 102-41 | Information on employees and other workers; Agreements and collective agreements

A

the social dimension. If child labor or slavery-

GRI Standard 102-13 | Participation in associations

ll employees are hired in line with

observe an increase in the number of

the requirements of the Brazilian

employees in the Southeast region, due

Labor Laws (CLT) and are covered

to the opening of new stores, and a more

by agreements or collective agreements with

significant reduction in the South region, as

unions. At the end of 2016, we had 7,748

a result of the transfer of some productive

employees, 5.3% less than in the previous

activities to the Midwest region.

year due to changes in structure in the

Only apprentices, hired according to Law No.

period.

10.097 / 200, work part-time.

A

BVTEX (Brazilian Textile Retail

of practices among member companies,

Association): is the most relevant

fostering innovation and anticipating trends

entity of the industry to our

and regulatory demands.

business, since it allows for the exchange of information between retailers, the

Analyzing the table per region below, we

alignment of interests in the debate with civil society and government agencies, and

Employees per employment contract *

2016 Permanent

2015

Temporary

Total

Permanent

2014

Temporary

Total

Permanent

Temporary

complaints are grounded.

Total

Per gender

A

BRASCA: (Brazilian Association of Publicly-Held Companies): the institution represents the interests

the monitoring of our sector’s chain through

of all companies listed in Brazil and is an

the Supplier Certification Program. We take

important space for exchanging good

part in the Management Committee, the

practices of accountability and services

highest level of governance in the entity, as

to the investor market, thus helping to

Female

5.405

227

5.632

5.918

125

6.043

6.035

92

6.127

well as the Suppliers’ Working Group, which

strengthen our transparency and dialogue

Male

2.029

87

2.116

2.101

38

2.139

2.254

60

2.314

coordinates the certification program. Over

with other entities on regulatory changes.

Total

7.434

314

7.748

8.019

163

8.182

8.289

152

8.441

the year, we contributed financially to an

Midwest

2.757

4

2.761

2.822

0

2.822

2.467

2

2.469

South

2.586

81

2.667

3.060

44

3.104

3.682

45

3.727

Northeast

1.196

12

1.208

1.280

4

1.284

1.352

9

1.361

Southeast

895

217

1.112

857

115

972

788

96

884

A

7.434

314

7.748

8.019

163

8.182

8.289

152

8.441

Per region

Total

* Data related to our employees are monitored by a specialized team from the department of Organization & People Management and registered in a computerized system.

Employees per type of employment

2016 Full time

2015

Part time

Total

Full time

2014

Part time

Total

Full time

Part time

Total

ABVTEX initiative aimed at promoting the positive impacts of the fashion chain through the articulation with the Ministry of Labor and

DIAL: We have six industrial units in the state of GoiĂĄs and we are committed to our role as agents

Employment and the generation of positive

of change and development in the cities

guidelines through the press office of the

where we operate, through our own units and

entity.

our faction network. ADIAL is an important

A

partnership to reinforce our commitment to BIT (Brazilian Association of the

the region, in addition to providing a space

Textile and Apparel Industry)

for exchanges between companies from the

and IDV (Institute for Retail

most varied sectors within the region.

Development): forums that are relevant to the

Per gender Female

5.609

23

5.632

6.036

7

6.043

6.036

91

6.127

representativeness of the industry before the

Male

2.102

14

2.116

2.136

3

2.139

2.251

63

2.314

government and to the debate and exchange

Total

7.711

37

7.748

8.172

10

8.182

8.287

154

8.441

* Data related to our employees are monitored by a specialized team from the department of Organization & People Management and registered in a computerized system .

Annual Report | 106

Annual Report | 107


GRI Standard 102-17 | Mechanisms for instructions and claims related to ethical conducts

I

GRI Standard 403-2 | Health and Safety Indicators

claims through suppliers’ on-site audits and

In order to seek guidance on ethical conducts

T

activities is not performed by Cia. Hering.

contractors before the Ministry of Labor. We

through customer service, but we do not

that are suitable to our values, our employees

In the integration of these professionals,

started monitoring the number of accidents

have a formal process for recording such

are always encouraged to talk with their

we recommend that any occurrences are

occurred with this public in our units and this

communications. All of them, however, are

managers.

referred to the unit’s outpatient clinic for

information shall be made available in our

appropriate medical care. When an accident

2017 Annual Report.

n addition to the Ombudsman’s

assessed according to the same procedures

Office (read more on page 83), we

applied to the information received by the

may also receive contacts with

Ombudsman’s Office.

he control over third-parties

occurs, the companies are required to send

accidents’ frequency rate acting

a copy of the relevant CAT (Work Accident

mainly in reception and restaurant

Report), which shall be filed by these

GRI Standard 204-1 | Proportion of expenses with local suppliers

T

he location of suppliers is not

of the factions, the proximity to industrial

a prime factor in our selection

units contributes not only to efficiency gains

Frequency rate of accidents with employees

process, except in the case of

in logistics operations, but also to optimize

Per gender

the audit activities in these partners, further

Female

1,1

2,1

3,3

facilitating the continuous monitoring of the

Male

chain and the agility in the decision making.

Total

2,9 1,6

4,4 2,7

6,5 4,2

Midwest

1,6

1,2

1,3

South

2,1

2,5

5,5

Northeast

1,6

8,7

9,0

Southeast

0,6 1,6

0,1 2,7

0,3 4,2

factions. In general terms, we seek to balance, in competition processes, aspects like quality and agility in supply and price in

2016

2015

2014

Per region

order to meet business demands. In the case

Proportion of expenses with faction suppliers by region (%) Midwest Northeast South

2016 55,0 27,3 17,7

2015 53,3 28,0 18,7

2014 51,9 30,5 17,6

Total

* Indicator calculated according to OHSAS 18001 methodology: number of reportable accidents for every 200 thousand man hours worked.

GRI Standards 307-1 and 419-1 | Environmental, Social and Economic Compliance

W

e operate in strict compliance

minor occurrences of small amounts (up to

with all laws and regulations

R$ 5 thousand), mainly related to quotas

applicable to our business.

for apprentices and disabled people, which

We have business areas especially dedicated

totaled R$ 42 thousand in the year. In

to the monitoring of new legislation and

the environmental sphere, we received a

compliance with our environmental licenses’

notice for the acquisition and use of images

constraints. Additionally, we are in constant

from Pico das Agulhas Negras without a

dialogue with other companies in entities

consent from the Chico Mendes Institute

and forums of the industry with regards to

(ICMBio). After the receipt of such notice, we

the changes and updates in laws, among

suspended the sale of the items containing

other topics related to the business. In 2016,

the image, reviewed our procedures to avoid

we did not undergo significant sanctions

new occurrences and started negotiations

or fines for environmental, social and

with the Institute for the use of the image.

Frequency rate of occupational illnesses among employees *

2016

2015

2014

Per gender Female

0,00

0,00

0,03

Male

0,00

0,09

0,13

Total

0,00

0,02

0,06

Midwest

0,00

0,00

0,00

South

0,00

0,07

0,14

Northeast

0,00

0,00

0,00

Southeast

0,00

0,00

0,00

Total

0,00

0,02

0,06

Per region

* Indicator calculated according to OHSAS 18001 methodology: days lost for every 200 thousand man hours worked.

economic noncompliance. We recorded Annual Report | 108

Annual Report | 109


Rate of lost days due to accidents with employees * Per gender Female Male Total Per region Midwest South Northeast Southeast Total

2016

2015

2014

4,5 21,3 9,1

7,6 18,0 10,4

6,6 32,3 15,9

14,2 7,9 6,1 0,6 9,1

6,5 16,6 11,4 2,8 10,4

3,2 28,3 8,2 1,0 15,9

GRI Table of Contents GRI Standard GRI 101: Fundamentals 2016 General Indicators

* Indicator calculated according to OHSAS 18001 methodology: days lost for every 200 thousand man hours worked.

Employees’ absentee rate* Per gender Female Male Total Per region Midwest South Northeast Southeast Total

2016

2015

2014

2,6% 0,6% 3,3%

3,8% 1,0% 4,8%

4,4% 1,2% 5,5%

1,9% 0,9% 0,3% 0,2% 3,3%

2,3% 1,7% 0,7% 0,3% 4,8%

2,2% 2,2% 0,8% 0,3% 5,5%

* Indicator calculated by the total absence hours, justified or with medical certificate over the total man hours available.

GRI 102 | General Indicators 2016

Annual Report | 110

Indicator

Page

Omissions

102-1 102-2 102-3 102-4 102-5 102-6 102-7 102-8 102-9 102-10 102-11 102-12 102-13 102-14 102-16 102-17 102-18 102-22 102-24 102-32 102-40 102-41 102-42 102-43 102-44 102-45 102-46 102-47 102-48 102-49 102-50 102-51 102-52 102-53 102-54

Cia. Hering 10, 11 and 12 13 13 21 10, 11 and 12 13 66 and 106 76 and 77 12 and 77 107 63 63 and 107 4, 5 and 6 8, 9 and 24 83 and 108 21, 22 and 23 21 21 102 103 106 103 103 104 and 105 102 104 and 105 104 and 105 102 104 and 105 102 102 102 102 This report was prepared according to GRI Standards: Essential Option

-

102-55 102-56

111, 112 and 113 102

-

GRI 102-55

Annual Report | 111


Material topics Consumer Relations

GRI 416 | Customer’s Health and Safety 2016

Entrepreneurship and wealth generation GRI 201 | Economic Performance 2016

GRI 203 | Indirect economic impacts 2016

Material topics

103-1

104 and 105

-

103-2 103-3 416-1

90 90 90

-

103-1

104 and 105

-

103-2 103-3 201-1 103-1

56, 57 and 58 56, 57 and 58 58 104 and 105

-

103-2

-

203-2

76, 77, 78, 84, 85 and 86 76, 77, 78, 84, 85 and 86 79 and 84

103-1 103-2 103-3 303-1 303-2 103-1 103-2 103-3 306-2 103-1

104 and 105 91, 92 and 93 91, 92 and 93 93 92 104 and 105 91 and 93 91 and 93 93 104 and 105

-

103-2 103-3 307-1

24 24 108

-

103-1 103-2 103-3 204-1 103-1

104 and 105 76, 77 and 78 76, 77 and 78 108 104 and 105

-

103-2 103-3 308-2 103-1 103-2 103-3 408-1

79, 80, 81 and 82 79, 80, 81 and 82 82 104 and 105 83 83 83

-

103-3 Management of environmental impacts GRI 303 | Water 2016

GRI 306 | Effluents and residues 2016

GRI 307 | Environmental Compliance 2016

Network development GRI 204 | Purchase Practices 2016

GRI 308 | Environmental evaluation of suppliers 2016

GRI 408 | Child labor 2016

Annual Report | 112

GRI 102-55

Consumer Relations

GRI 409 | Forced Labor or slavery-like work 2016

GRI 414 | Social evaluation of suppliers 2016

Attracting and developing people GRI 403 | Occupational Health and Safety 2016

-

GRI 404 | Training and Education 2016

Innovation Ethics GRI 205 | Fight against corruption 2016

Governance and transparency GRI 419 | Social & Economic Compliance 2016

103-1

104 and 105

-

103-2 103-3 409-1 103-1

83 83 83 104 and 105

-

103-2 103-3 414-2

79, 80, 81 and 82 79, 80, 81 and 82 82

-

103-1

104 and 105

-

103-2 103-3 403-2 103-1 103-2 103-3 404-1 404-3

71, 72 and 73 71, 72 and 73 72, 73 and 109 104 and 105 67, 68, 69, 70 and 85 67, 68, 69, 70 and 85 68 and 69 70

-

103-1 103-2 103-3 205-1

104 and 105 24 24 24

-

103-1

104 and 105

-

103-2 103-3 419-1

24 24 108

-

GRI 102-55

Annual Report | 113


Credits Coordination People Management Dir. Corporate Responsibility team GRI Consulting and editorial coordination Usina82 Graphic design and layout Johnny Cipriani Photography Collection Cia. Hering Collection Hermann Hering Foundation

Annual Report | 114

Annual Report | 115


Annual Report | 116


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