About nexeye
nexeye is an international retail organisation with optical chains Hans Anders, eyes + more and Direkt Optik. With more than 700 stores across five countries, nexeye aims to make eye and hearing care accessible to everyone in an affordable, reliable and responsible way.
Sustainability is not a side issue. The company deliberately takes steps to create positive impact for people, the environment and society, with ESG fully integrated into its business strategy.
The challenge
nexeye had always paid attention to sustainability. In addition, the Works Council made a clear call: we can. and must. do more. In a structural, measurable and transparent way. Not as a paper exercise, but as a shared ambition across the organisation.
With new legislation such as the CSRD, rising stakeholder expectations and growing internal urgency, it became clear that the time had come for a robust ESG framework. One that fits the reality of a fast-growing and ambitious retail organisation.
Through a previous collaboration with one of our network partners, nexeye got in touch with The Overview Effect.
“From the start, our vision was clear: sustainability should not be a paper story owned by a single ESG specialist behind a desk, but something the entire organisation stands behind. Something that is truly ours.”
— Rian van Koulil, Director Brands & Corporate Communications at nexeye
The collaboration
Together with The Overview Effect, nexeye developed a strategy designed to create impact. On paper and in practice.
What we did together
Developed an ESG framework and strategic direction
We supported the development of a Value Creation Model, the materiality assessment and the formulation of ESG objectives, including a roadmap towards CSRD compliance.
Structured data, analysis and reporting
We supported footprint calculations, the DMA, gap analyses and the structuring of ESG data flows. The ESG Reporting Manual helps finance teams ensure consistent and reliable reporting.
Embedded ESG into business and culture
ESG did not become a standalone project. It was built on the pragmatism that makes retail effective. From the start, nexeye chose to work with a cross-functional working group including colleagues from HR, procurement, operations and corporate communications. People with influence over the processes that truly matter, and with intrinsic motivation for sustainability.
This approach ensured the strategy aligned naturally with the business, its processes and its culture. The Overview Effect helped provide direction to the working group and translate ambitions into concrete actions that teams could act on. This approach is now being continued. The newly appointed Head of Sustainability leads the working group and works closely with HR directors across all countries on a DE&I strategy that is both inspiring and grounded in how nexeye operates.
“What you don’t have in-house as an organisation, you need to organise externally. But always in the form of a true partnership.”
— Rian van Koulil, Director Brands & Corporate Communications at nexeye
The results
Support from leadership to shop floor
ESG did not become a side project, but a topic the entire organisation could connect to. By making abstract ambitions tangible through concrete themes, sessions with engaged teams and translation into operational objectives, ownership emerged at every level. From the management team to shop-floor teams, sustainability became everyone’s responsibility.
Better insight, better decisions
By investing in data quality and the structure of internal processes, nexeye gained a clear understanding of where it stood and where opportunities lay. This led to stronger analyses, more targeted actions and more consistent external communication. External partners such as auditors and other stakeholders now also experience greater clarity and transparency.
Real impact, not just compliance
The first (carefully framed) sustainability report marked a turning point. For the first time, mission, vision and ESG ambitions came together coherently in a document that was also shared externally. This created internal confidence. Nexeye showed where it stands, where it is heading and that sustainability is a visible part of the organisation.
CSRD was not approached as a box to tick, but as an opportunity to structurally improve ESG performance. With clear roadmaps, defined KPIs and a solid ESG governance model, nexeye is actively reducing negative impact while strengthening long-term value for customers, colleagues, investors and society. Compliance became a by-product rather than the end goal.
Looking ahead
nexeye continues to build long-term, sustainable value for customers, colleagues and society. ESG is not a project, but a structural shift in direction. And The Overview Effect continues to support as a partner along the way.
