Sustainability
Every great story has a higher purpose. Ours is to enrich people’s lives through the power of movies. Something we pursue by being the best cinema operator, the best marketer and the best real estate manager. And being the best includes going the extra mile for people and planet.
From the energy behind the scenes to the smiles in front of the screen, our commitment to a better tomorrow is present in everything we do. You’ll find the ins and outs behind that statement in our first CSRD-compliant sustainability report – something no other cinema group has done before.
But time is precious, like Gandalf said to Frodo in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring. So, we captured the essence of our sustainability progress in 13 telling figures.
Lights. Action. Impact.
Green & Resilient Building and Infrastructure
Laser projection
In line with the latest technology developments, Kinepolis goes all in on laser projection. In short, you get a sublime image quality, while using 40% less energy than xenon lamp projectors. By the end of 2024, 745 of 1 152 screens (or 65% of all Kinepolis, Landmark and MJR screens) were equipped with laser projectors.
Intelligent Building Management Systems
To minimize the ecological impact of our cinema infrastructure, building management systems (BMS) play a crucial role. These automated platforms integrate and control a building’s technical equipment like HVAC and lighting. In 2024, 7 additional European cinemas received a 100% tailor-made BMS, bringing the total to 24 out of 64 cinemas in Europe. In North America, most of our cinemas are equipped with a ‘light’ BMS system.
Transition plan
In 2024, we voiced a commitment to achieve Net Zero. That means Kinepolis will no longer add to the total amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere by 2050. We are currently finalizing our climate transition plan, supported by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). Soon, we will be joining a global community of nearly 11 000 companies with science-based targets and commitments.
Responsible Waste Management
In 2024, Kinepolis was the first cinema chain in the Netherlands to introduce deposit return machines. The idea: visitors get a deposit back when they return empty bottles or cans for recycling. Previously, we already had collection points, but the deposit was automatically donated to charities. The new machines give visitors the choice between donating and receiving their deposit into their bank account.
A selection of our other efforts to reduce, sort and recycle waste:
- Dedicated bins at theatre entrances and exits
- Paper drinking straws and snack bags in most European locations
- Nacho trays and popcorn packaging made from recycled cardboard
- Information on waste sorting during pre-shows
- Electric dryers instead of towell rolls in restrooms
- Combatting food waste with Too Good To Go in Canada
Development, Empowerment and Well-being of Employees
Sometimes, the simplest words can carry the deepest meaning. Take the now-classic line from Lilo & Stitch: “Family means nobody gets left behind.” At Kinepolis, that sentiment resonates deeply because our people – both frontstage and backstage – are at the heart of what we do.
Self-learning organisation
Kinepolis strives to be a ‘self-learning’ organisation by giving as many people as possible responsibility for departmental targets and budgets, and encouraging them to show initiative and learn from each other. In its day-to-day operations, Kinepolis creates and stimulates learning networks through its so-called ‘operating reviews’, among other things. Here, employees in similar positions but from different cinemas talk to each other in order to gain new insights and learn from each other. In this way, Kinepolis invests in a work environment that revolves around feedback and entrepreneurship.
Talent on the move
Talents within the company are identified with an eye to the possibility of development and promotion, with job opportunities always communicated internally. After all, internal mobility ('talent on the move') leads to greater employee commitment and employability. ‘Talent reviews’ are organised with managers throughout the year and employees are encouraged to give their input regarding their own career in open dialogue with their line managers.
First work experience
Student workers at Kinepolis commit themselves to working in the cinema on at least one weekday and one weekend day per week. The duties vary: from working at the cash desk or in the shop, to cleaning and the coordination of events. In this way, Kinepolis helps them to acquire a whole range of professional skills, such as working in a team and taking on responsibility. Many of them stay with Kinepolis for years and there are numerous examples of students who have signed a permanent contract and have a rewarding career at Kinepolis.
Customer Experience Excellence
At Kinepolis, we take inspiration from the classics. One of our favourites? Don Corleone’s infamous line in The Godfather: “I’m gonna make him an offer he can’t refuse.” It may seem unusual, but it perfectly reflects our approach to customer experience. By prioritizing customer satisfaction and care, we create an unforgettable journey designed to be an offer no moviegoer can resist.
Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI)
Visitors who buy tickets online and leave their email address receive an invitation to tell Kinepolis about their experience within 24 hours of their cinema visit. The questions relate to various aspects of the customer experience: how did they like the film, the quality of the picture and sound, the service, cleanliness, customer friendliness, waiting times and so on. The CSI enables Kinepolis to constantly collect customer feedback at a very detailed level, with the results reported and assessed on a daily basis at team, cinema and national level.
The Ultimate Movie Experience
The quality of the movie experience that we offer significantly determines customer satisfaction. Kinepolis strives for the highest quality standard, and continues to invest in product innovation and experience concepts. The majority of these innovations fit in with a further broadening of the product range, whereby Kinepolis wants to respond optimally to the wishes of different target groups. Customer satisfaction is, on average, higher in Premium auditoriums (e.g. Laser ULTRA, IMAX, etc.), which indicates the customer’s willingness to pay more for more experience.
A film programme for everyone
In addition to seating comfort and image and sound technology, the film itself also plays an important role in the customer experience. The aim of Kinepolis’ relationship marketing strategy is to guide customers optimally through the offer available and make recommendations based on personal preferences. Kinepolis is committed to having a film programme for various target groups at all times, including cultural minorities. In addition to the blockbusters, Kinepolis programmes and promotes author films, numerous local and multicultural films, event cinema (including concerts, sporting competitions and stand-up comedy), and has developed its own successful cultural programme (opera, ballet, theatre, art).
Business Integrity and Good Governance
Integrity is always at the forefront of business operations at Kinepolis. Kinepolis has a strict policy with regard to anti-corruption and bribery, with efforts being made to raise awareness of this policy among employees and management. Every permanent employee is mandated to sign the Kinepolis Code of Conduct when entering employment and all managers must make a formal declaration every year that they complied with the stipulations of this code.
Kinepolis has also implemented an ethical code for commercial partners (such as, but not limited to, suppliers, tenants and service providers) to ensure that the company’s values regarding working conditions, health, safety, environment and ethics are also respected by its suppliers. This code can be found here: Code of conduct commercial partners | Kinepolis Group