Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement 2024

Introduction

The Modern Slavery Act 2015 (MSA) requires businesses with an annual turnover of over £36 million, to be transparent about their efforts to eradicate slavery and human trafficking. At The Nursery Store Limited (known hereafter as ‘The Nursery Store’) we have made an ongoing commitment to ensure that we have no modern slavery or human trafficking in any part of our business or supply chain. We also require the same considerations to be made from our suppliers.

This statement will be made available on our website to any and all who engage with us, whether in employment or in business, so that those parties may familiarise themselves with the contents.

The Organisation and Our Colleagues

The Nursery Store is an online retailer selling top-branded, discounted nursery goods alongside our own branded offerings (4baby and Puggle). These are available at the most competitive prices and delivered in the quickest possible timeframe. We currently employee around 50 employees based in the North West of England.

We recognise that we may be at risk of slavery, human trafficking and other breaches of human rights within our supply chain, although we have a zero tolerance approach to any forms of modern slavery or human rights breaches in our supply chain business or our business as a whole.

We are confident that there is little risk of slavery or human trafficking in our own operation given that all of our employees are employed permanently by our company at only one site and the appropriate due diligence is carried out.

As part of the organisation’s induction process and throughout workers’ employment with us, we train all staff to treat others with respect and courtesy as well as ensuring they adhere to all relevant laws, regulations and standards. This is an ongoing due diligence process. We focus on continually raising awareness to our management team to be alert to modern slavery but also upskill them to address concerns raised by their team or any suppliers.

Our Policies

We allow all individuals who work or provide services to us the right to freely choose employment and the right to associate freely with other individuals.

Workers are free to choose whether to join a trade union or not and as a result of our training, we offer an environment which is free from harassment and unlawful discrimination. We ensure our working practices are in accordance with the Equality Act 2010 and all employment legislation. We do not engage in forced or involuntary labour and have a zero-tolerance approach to the same. Therefore, we do not tolerate any of our suppliers engaging in such conduct. We require suppliers to certify that they do not participate in any forced or involuntary labour with their workers, subcontractors, agents, or associates.

Our employment policies on Equal Opportunities, Dignity at Work, Grievance, Whistleblowing and Anti-Bribery and Corruption, support our endeavours to encourage a positive working environment free from harassment and unlawful discrimination.

Suppliers

The Nursery Store’s principal suppliers are Allison Baby/Joie, Ickle Bubba, and Mamas & Papas. We establish a relationship of trust and integrity with all of our suppliers, which is built upon mutually beneficial factors. All of our suppliers must have a zero-tolerance approach to modern slavery. The Nursery Store conduct supplier risk assessments and/or supplier questionnaires with all new suppliers to ensure they uphold the zero-tolerance approach to modern slavery and comply with all relevant legislation and standards relevant to their industry, including human rights, bribery and anti-corruption and health and safety.

Any instances of non-compliance with the MSA, or allegations of potential modern slavery in either The Nursery Store, or in relation to any supplier would be thoroughly investigated and dealt with appropriately on a case-by-case basis. Any allegations of non-compliance would always be reported to The Nursery Store’s Board of Directors.

Continuing Focus

The Nursery Store will continue in its efforts to train managers and employees on the signs of modern slavery, and what to do should they suspect that modern slavery is present within our business, or that of our suppliers. As part of this continuing training, we have visual aids in multiple languages within our sites to prompt potential victims to come forward, speak up and seek help.