Sustainability practices and reporting by general retailers in South Africa

Abstract

Sustainability reporting has become increasingly important as companies respond to growing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) expectations from regulators and stakeholders. This study examines the extent and comparability of sustainability reporting practices among general retailers listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) in South Africa, within the context of regulatory guidance such as the King IV Code. A qualitative content analysis was conducted on integrated reports published by 28 JSE-listed general retailers over the period 2010 to 2020. The analysis applied the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) frameworks, including the G3, G4, and 2016 Standards, to evaluate reporting levels and consistency across firms and over time. The findings reveal only marginal improvements in sustainability reporting during the study period, with substantial inconsistencies remaining across companies. These inconsistencies are primarily attributed to uneven adoption of GRI indicators and the lack of standardized reporting practices, which continue to undermine the comparability of disclosures. The study concludes that, despite increased regulatory emphasis and heightened awareness of sustainability issues, sustainability reporting by South African general retailers remains fragmented and insufficiently comparable. To address these challenges, the study underscores the need for stronger alignment and more consistent application of recognized reporting frameworks. Enhanced standardization of sustainability reporting practices would improve transparency, support meaningful comparison across companies, and strengthen stakeholder confidence in corporate sustainability disclosures.