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Hutch expands sustainability efforts in retail by opening 4th Signature+ outlet in Galle

HUTCH Sri Lanka is the telecommunications division of CK Hutchison Holdings, one of the world's Fortune 500 companies. The company has opened a new HUTCH Signature+ outlet in Galle as part of its Island Wide Retail Outlet's Sustainability Centric Modernization Plan.

The Signature+ concept, which aims to set a new paradigm in Sri Lanka's retail sector, opened outlets in Colombo Fort, Kandy and Negombo earlier this year. Now the empty outlet has also been added to the list.The Hutch Signature+ outlets are designed in a completely different way from the design of conventional outlets. About 90% of the interior decorations are made of reusable materials.

Natural and reusable materials, including wooden planks of recycled wooden boxes, rotating seeds, Kumburu seeds, areca nut leaves, and banana bats, have been converted into modern décor items for sustainable use. Every surface and decorative item is marked with the labour of the local artisans who made them. This will not only bring in the principle of circular economy, but will also provide direct economic benefits to the local communities. The Galle station, which is a continuation of the Signature+ outlets, is also running on renewable energy. In addition, the Hutch Signature+ outlets take a holistic approach that integrates various aspects of sustainability, from material reuse to renewable energy and systematic disposal of electronic waste.

Moreover, beyond the design, the Empty Hutch Signature+ outlet has been designed to provide a completely different experience to the customers. As soon as you enter, you can feel the elegance of the craftsmanship carried out with sobriety and care in every aspect. Customers can choose from the products and services they need, as well as the environment in which they live, and visitors can spend time in the comfort of their lives.

CK Hutchison Group, which operates Hutch in Sri Lanka, is a global retail company. It is also the world's largest retail chain in the health and beauty care sector through its A.S. Watson brand name. The CK Hutchison Group operates more than 17,000 retail outlets worldwide. Out of these, more than 4,000 outlets have already been converted to Green Retail. At the same time, CK Hutchison Group is a leading producer of renewable energy through its energy division. Globally, about 65 percent of the electricity required for the company's telecommunications networks is already sourced from renewable energy sources.

The CK Hutchison Group operates in more than 50 countries across six of the world's seven continents. As a result, the sustainability approach has taken a prominent place in all the activities of the organization and its programmes are being carried out in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Commenting on the launch, Soumitra Gupta, Chief Executive Officer, Hutch Sri Lanka said, "The new Signature+ outlet for the people of Galle is one of the most significant initiatives we have undertaken so far. The importance we attach to environmental sustainability aligns very closely with the status of Galle being recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage City. The conservation of archaeological heritage and the protection of the environment in Galle are carried out in a way that complements each other. This presents a great opportunity to work together on the integration of both the aspects. Sri Lanka is already aiming to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. We are making our best efforts to achieve this goal in the country by implementing the best practices from our Group's global experience in Sri Lanka.

We are pushing sustainability initiatives with a focus on people, retail and infrastructure. We are implementing them in a simple way so that people can see them firsthand, understand their benefits

and apply them in their lives. Our goal is to create sustainable and positive change

in the long run."