HomePro reinforces its vision for sustainability by participating in the "KTC FIT Talk No. 19" discussion under the theme "Power from Home, Power for the Future," organized in collaboration with KTC, the Ministry of Energy, and leading partners such as SCG and GULF. The event focused on exchanging ideas about clean energy use in households and efficient resource management, in line with the Circular Economy concept aimed at sustainable growth for organizations, society, and the environment.

Mr. Rukpong Arunwattana, Assistant Managing Director of Investor Relations, Strategy, and Corporate Sustainability at Home Product Center Public Company Limited (HomePro), stated that sustainability is not an ancillary activity but a core strategy in operating a comprehensive home goods and services business. HomePro has integrated ESG and SD concepts into every process, from personnel development and collaboration with partners to enhance the supply chain, to developing environmentally friendly products and services. HomePro acts as a "bridge" connecting producers, partners, and consumers to drive sustainability in a unified direction.

Moreover, the clear shift in consumer trends is a significant driving force for HomePro to continuously pursue sustainability. Currently, consumers are increasingly prioritizing products that reduce environmental impact and are willing to support brands that care for the environment and offer eco-friendly products. This behavior reflects that Thai consumers are transitioning from "awareness" to "conscious purchasing," considering not only price but also value, cost-effectiveness, and responsibility towards the environment and society.

Mr. Rukpong added, "HomePro has over 7 million members and records more than 20 million purchases annually. This data helps us understand consumer behavior deeply, leading to the development of strategies that concretely integrate ESG and SD into our business. Additionally, it expands the Circular Economy concept, allowing consumers easy access through product lifespan extension activities, such as free repair services for electrical appliances on 'HomePro Craftsman Day,' to create a sustainable ecosystem for home-related matters from purchasing to usage and post-use management."

Another sustainability strategy that HomePro is seriously implementing to drive the Circular Economy is the "Trade-In" project, which allows customers to exchange old or unused items for discounts on new purchases. HomePro serves as a 'bridge' connecting manufacturers wanting to develop new products with consumers looking to exchange old items in a cost-effective and environmentally friendly manner. HomePro will properly manage the old items, which will be sorted, recycled, and produced into new products known as "Circular Products." Currently, there are over 70 types of products participating in the project, with plans to expand the list to over 8,000 items this year.

Over the past two years, the "Trade-In" project has received positive feedback, with more than 300,000 items exchanged, weighing over 3,000 tons, with over 80% being electrical appliances properly managed through certified operators. This figure reflects consumer cooperation in wanting to contribute to positive environmental change alongside HomePro.

Mr. Rukpong emphasized that Circular Products are not just 'eco-friendly' because they are 'made from recycled materials.' Every product must meet industry standards for quality and durability comparable to new materials. "We want consumers to be confident that the recycled materials from the 'Trade-In' project are of high quality, comparable to new materials. Many times, consumers are using products made from high-quality recycled materials without even realizing it in their daily lives." In the future, HomePro aims to increase the proportion of sales from eco-friendly products made from recycled materials to 20% by 2030 and strives to become a Net Zero organization by 2050 through the implementation of a Lifetime Eco-System that encompasses everything from purchasing, designing, installing, repairing, renovating, to after-sales services, collaborating with partners to reduce environmental impact, support clean energy use, and manage waste properly.

“HomePro is not only focused on business growth but aims to grow alongside society and the environment to fulfill the goal of delivering Better Living or improved quality of life for all Thais,” Mr. Rukpong concluded.