National Vision, Inc. Releases First Corporate Responsibility Report

Rhea-AI Summary

National Vision, Inc. has released its inaugural Corporate Responsibility Report titled A World Worth Seeing. The report emphasizes the company's commitment to enhancing transparency in its environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives. Key highlights include over $2.3 million donated to nonprofits for global vision issues, improved employee benefits such as extended parental leave, and completion of a Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory. Additionally, National Vision has established a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) strategy. The report aligns with recognized standards like SASB and GRI.

Positive

• Donated over $2.3 million to address the global vision crisis.
• Enhanced employee benefits based on feedback, including extended paid parental leave.
• Completed the first Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory.
• Achieved gender parity among independent directors.

Negative

• None.

DULUTH, Ga.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- National Vision, Inc., the nation’s second largest optical retailer providing quality, affordable eye care and eyewear, today released its first Corporate Responsibility Report, A World Worth Seeing, as part of its ongoing efforts to increase transparency in its environmental, social and governance (ESG) activities.

“As a low cost healthcare provider to primarily uninsured Americans living on tight budgets, our business provides an inherent social good,” said CEO Reade Fahs. “This report is National Vision’s first attempt to lay out in detail all the things we are doing to be responsible citizens and to bring eye care and eyewear to low income Americans and people around the world.”

The new report builds on the company’s 2019 philanthropic impact report and for the first time, expands disclosure across key ESG areas. Beyond data, the report presents National Vision’s approach to corporate responsibility and leverages the company’s “SEE+G” framework to focus activities and reporting within four key pillars – Social, Employees, Environment, and Governance.

Highlights from the company's "A World Worth Seeing" report include:

• Results of the company’s first-ever Corporate Responsibility “materiality assessment”
• Progress in each of the SEE + G focus areas, including:
  • Social: Donated more than $2.3 million to strategic nonprofit partners to alleviate the global vision crisis
  • Employees: Enhanced benefits to align with what associates said mattered most to them, such as extending the amount of paid parental leave
  • Environment: Completed the company’s first Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory
  • Governance: Board composition and diversity overview, including achieving gender parity among independent directors
• Response to COVID-19, including supporting the safety and wellbeing of associates, doctors, patients and customers
  • Our Crisis Relief Fund granted more than $900,000 to associates and doctors in need
• Efforts to foster a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion:
  • Launched new DEI strategy and goals

“Our stakeholders are increasingly interested in the role of ESG activities,” said Jared Brandman, Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, of National Vision. “Our commitment to corporate responsibility is built into the core of National Vision’s business and identity, and we are excited to have the opportunity with this inaugural report to share a more comprehensive view of our SEE + G framework and progress on our ESG journey. This report is a big step forward in our ongoing commitment to disclosure and transparency."

To address areas of most relevance for its investors and stakeholders, the report is aligned with recognized guidelines, such as the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB), the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

The full report is available here: https://nationalvision.com/media/1583/fa-210825-nvi-corporate-responsibility-report.pdf

About National Vision Holdings, Inc.
National Vision Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: EYE) is the second largest optical retail company (by sales) in the United States with over 1,200 stores in 44 states and Puerto Rico. With a mission of helping people by making quality eye care and eyewear more affordable and accessible, the company operates five retail brands: America’s Best Contacts & Eyeglasses, Eyeglass World, Vision Centers inside select Walmart stores, and Vista Opticals inside select Fred Meyer stores and on select military bases, and several e-commerce websites, offering a variety of products and services for customers’ eye care needs. For more information, please visit www.nationalvision.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211021005326/en/

Media:

Racheal Peters

Racheal.Peters@nationalvision.com

(470) 448-2303

Investor Relations:

David Mann, CFA

David.Mann@nationalvision.com

(470) 448-2448

Source: National Vision, Inc.

FAQ

What is the main focus of National Vision's Corporate Responsibility Report?

The report highlights National Vision's commitment to transparency in its environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives.

How much did National Vision donate to nonprofit partners for vision issues?

National Vision donated over $2.3 million to nonprofit partners to help alleviate the global vision crisis.

What new benefits has National Vision provided to employees?

National Vision has improved employee benefits, including extending the amount of paid parental leave.

How does the report align with industry standards?

The report aligns with recognized guidelines such as the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) and the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI).

What initiatives did National Vision introduce related to diversity?

National Vision launched a new Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) strategy and goals.