Message from the Vice President for
Corporate Social Responsibility
I
n the rapidly changing global market, no
corporation can expect to succeed without
taking a serious look at its contributions to the
wellbeing of the communities where it operates.
Customers expect ethical behavior, and they
want to see evidence of it. At Eddie Bauer, we
readily embrace this responsibility, because it
speaks to our values and our commitment.
Through this report, we are pleased to share with you highlights
of our progress and partnerships.
We take great pride in our community outreach and our
emphasis on promoting education, environmental awareness
and a respect for human rights. Over the past five years, we
have been fortunate to enter successful partnerships with
organizations that excel in addressing issues of environmental
conservation, global labor practices, equal opportunity, race
relations, and higher education. These organizations need your
support, too, in order to have the greatest impact on the issues
that matter to us all.
Indeed, no matter how different we may seem externally, we
all share many of the same issues and agree on many of the same
solutions. Who would argue against planting trees to help our
air quality? Wouldn't we all agree that equal access to quality
education is important for the nation's young people? And no
matter where we live, we want to know that workers around the
world are treated with respect.
At Eddie Bauer, with the support of our parent company
Spiegel, we have institutionalized our commitment. Through
our policies and programs that promote environmental stew-
ardship, community outreach, volunteerism, and human rights
and in partnership with you, our valued customers -- we will
continue to work toward a better world.
John E. Thomas
