Modco was founded in 1960, with the opening of the first Modco discount store, and was incorporated as Modco Stores Inc. in January 1970. The company’s shares were listed on the NYSE in 1975. Modco has a full range of groceries and general merchandise in a single store. Modco is proud of the fact that it offers its customers a one-stop shopping experience and is one of the largest private employers in the United States and one of the world’s largest retailers. It has more than 8,000 retail units under several banners in 15 countries. They all share a common goal of promoting the idea, “Better life for people by helping them save money.” Modco has 2 million employees worldwide and generated net sales of $200 billion during fiscal year 2017. Since 2005, Modco has published its annual report on its website. According to its CEO, Modco’s annual report reflects the social and environmental dimensions of its activities and its constant and progressive work toward social responsibility issues. Modco’s 2017 annual report states how its emphasis on sustainability has helped the company to be the retail leader in the market. According to the report, Modco has investments in education, health, commitments to fight hunger, support for local farmers, and access to healthier and affordable food. Such reports portray an image of the company as a role model on corporate social responsibility (CSR). 

Company Conflicts There is a national class action against Modco which started nearly a decade ago. Plaintiffs allege that female employees in Modco retail stores were discriminated against based on their gender, regarding pay and promotion to top management positions. In 2011, the relevant U.S. District Court issued a judgment in favor of the class action. Modco unsuccessfully appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals. Later Modco appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, which reversed the Appeals Court’s decision in May 2017, concluding that the millions of plaintiffs and their claims did not have enough in common. In September 2017, the plaintiffs’ lawyers filed an amended lawsuit limiting the class to female Modco employees in the district where the company head office was located. The new lawsuit alleges discriminatory practices against approximately 100,000 women regarding pay and job promotion, as well as requiring nondiscriminatory pay and promotion criteria. 

At the end of 2016, it was announced on the local radio that Modco was using child labor at two factories in Bangladesh. Children aged 10–14 years old were found to be working in the factories for less than $50 a month, making products of the Modco brand for export to the United States. Modco’s annual report, called “Global Responsibility Report,” covers the three dimensions of “People, Planet, Profit.” This report emphasizes gender equality and a diverse workforce. In 2015, Modco took the commitment one step further with the incorporation of the Advisory Board on Gender Equality and Diversity, with the specific function of providing equal and enhanced opportunities for all in top leadership roles. Modco has also committed itself to selling products that sustain people and the environment. 

Required: 

Assume that you are part of a research team examining the sustainability reporting and stakeholder relations policies of large companies. Evaluate the policies of Modco.