6 October 2010 | Lindsay Clark
Supermarket giant Tesco plans to launch an “academy for suppliers” in Poland this month to improve supplier relationships in the country.
The revelation was made in its financial results, published yesterday. The academy will build on the seven regional meetings for current and future local suppliers that have already been held in the country. “Our buying and technical teams met with approximately 350 suppliers, offering them advice on working with Tesco,” the company said.
“We have also run a regional buying event in Hungary, attracting more than 70 companies,” it added.
Tesco’s interim results show how seriously the firm is taking supplier relationships. In March, the company surveyed 3,887 suppliers – 54 per cent of its international supply base – seeking their views on the relationship. “We achieved particularly strong scores in Japan and the US,” it said.
As part of an effort to reduce its contribution to climate change, the retailer has written to 450 of its major suppliers to seek their collaboration on its commitment to cut carbon emissions for the products it sells by 30 per cent by 2020. “(We) are receiving an encouraging response already,” it said.
Meanwhile, Tesco is encouraging its UK customers to understand more about its suppliers through taking part in “community fairs”. “We have organised 100 community fairs this summer, which have helped customers get more involved in their communities, with charities and local groups signing up volunteers, and positive feedback from customers,” said the company.
