Tesco presents its free online community: the Tesco Supplier Network
The number one retail chain in the UK launched an online resource, in January 2015, open to all of Tesco and its suppliers and producers from around the world: the Tesco Supplier Network. It exists to create a common vision between Tesco and its suppliers by connecting them not only with each other, but also with industry experts; this way, the community strengthens the business of the whole supply chain through knowledge exchange and industry insights.
With over 3,200 active suppliers, 50+ countries represented, 40+ webinars with Tesco teams and industry experts, 2 advisory panels; the Tesco Supplier Network provides its suppliers with the information they need, when they need it.
Connecting you with other businesses & experts
There are more than 800 active fresh produce suppliers on the network, across all of the regional hubs (Europe, Africa, Asia, Americas) and all of the subcategories in Produce (salad, fruit and vegetables). You can use these businesses to seek advice and recommendations from anything from installing solar PV panels and reed beds for water recycling, to ideas about how to motivate your workforce. This is an ideal place for crowdsourcing answers to your questions! There are also opportunities to sign up to a range of visits to different supplier sites, showcasing best practice technology.
The Tesco Sustainable Potato Group is an excellent example of how suppliers are collaborating around common supply chain issues. Frequent news and technology updates foster debate around new solutions help suppliers make decisions that are appropriate for them.
Connecting you with Tesco
We are in the middle of a series of 'meet the team' webinars that introduce suppliers to their technical and commercial teams within Tesco. This is an opportunity for you to ask about the direction of the produce category and what it means for you.
There is an area to anonymously ask questions about the Tesco's technical standards and audits – supporting suppliers on maintaining and improving compliance. This has been particularly popular as suppliers can get a quick response on how to interpret parts of the standards.
Tesco also provide monthly updates on what the UK customer is interested in through the 'Life in Britain' series and Dunnhumby resources. In addition, quarterly commercial updates are also produced by Tesco product category teams to keep you in the loop. Using the event calendar, you can see where you can connect with other suppliers and Tesco in person.
Connecting you with industry
Produce suppliers are invited to get involved, and many have contributed to topical discussions, for example on salinity and irrigation, EU pesticides, mitigation strategies for El Niño, new crop varieties, drought in California and chlorate residues.
Alternatively, you can download and look through a host of useful materials: recorded sessions with experts in water footprinting, energy savings, and Tesco’s standards; e-learning modules on food waste and what to do with it; case studies from other suppliers on successful initiatives; and much more!
Tesco Supplier Network is one of the largest networks of its kind. If you are a company that supplies or produces products to Tesco then sign up to the Tesco Supplier Network today!
Tesco Supplier Network
Register now at: www.tescosuppliernetwork.com
Or contact us at: supplier.network@uk.tesco.com