Lidl GB becomes the first UK discounter to get onboard with United Nations Global Compact initiative

Lidl GB has announced its membership in the United Nations (UN) Global Compact initiative - a voluntary initiative for the development, implementation, and disclosure of responsible business practices. 

The retailer will now formally align its reporting governance, operations and strategies with the compact’s ten universally accepted principles in the areas of human rights, labour, environment, and anti-corruption, helping to drive forward the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Lidl GB employees will also gain access to the UN Global Compact Academy, offering free learning modules on a range of topics. Launched in 2000, the UN Global Compact is the largest corporate sustainability initiative in the world. It includes more than 20,000 companies based in over 160 countries, and more than 60 Global Compact networks.

Matt Juden, Head of Sustainability at Lidl GB, says. “We believe that access to health and sustainability should be a right, not a luxury. By joining the UN Global Compact, we are committing to democratising sustainable practices across our business.”

“We aren't just here to broadcast our progress, we are here to collectively solve some of the biggest issues facing society. This membership allows us to work alongside global peers to engineer waste out of the supply chain and secure a resilient future.”

2026 RTIH Innovation Awards

Ethical retail will be a key focus area at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards.

The awards are now open for entries and celebrate global retail technology innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.

Our winners will be revealed at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards Ceremony, taking place at The HAC in Central London on Wednesday, 4th November.

Check out our 2025 winners here.

Our 2025 hall of fame entrants were revealed during a sold out event which took place at The HAC on 16th October and consisted of a drinks reception, three course meal, and awards ceremony presided over by award winning comedian, actress and writer Tiff Stevenson.

In his welcome speech, Scott Thompson, Founder and Editor, RTIH, said: “This is the awards’ fifth year as a physical event. We started off with just 30 people at the South Place Hotel not far from here, then moved to London Bridge Hotel, then The Barbican, and last year RIBA’s HQ in the West End.”

“But I’m conscious of the fact that, to quote the legend that is Taylor Swift, You’re only as hot as your last hit, baby. So, this year we’ve moved to our biggest venue yet, and also pulled in our largest number of entries to date and broken attendance records.”

He added: “This year’s submissions have without doubt been our best yet. To quote one of the judges: The examples of innovative developments across both traditional and digital retail spaces were truly remarkable.”

Congratulations to our winners, and a big thank you to our sponsors, judging panel, the legend that is Tiff Stevenson, and all those who attended our 2025 gathering.