Terry Babbs, Tesco's international law and trading director has called for a common code of practice governing ethical sourcing practices in countries such as India saying its needed in order to reduce confusion and improve standards (there are more than a thousand labour codes in existence.) That's the view of one of the world's largest retailers, which believes that the bewildering array of ethical codes governing procurement across the world does nothing to help those who should benefit most from global sourcing. The sourcing policies of a number of leading retailers have come under increasing scrutiny after a series of high profile investigations involving labour practices on the Indian subcontinent. Primark and Tesco are just two companies facing criticism after questions were raised over the ethical standards of their suppliers.
Asda has delivered impressive like-for-like growth of 6.5% (ex-fuel) over 2008, concluding a year of strengthening like-for-like performance with a same store sales uplift of 7.2% (ex-fuel) in Q4 2008. Early indications of trading in 2009 point to a further strengthening of sales growth.
Free range producers have welcome the announcement by Sainsbury’s that it is ending the sale of cage eggs a year ahead of schedule. The supermarket chain had originally intended to stop cage egg sales in 2010. In the last few weeks, however, the supermarket chain announced it had decided to bring forward the move away from battery production. Its embargo on cage eggs began on February 5, making Sainsbury’s the first major retailer to do so.The company says all of its own label free range and organic eggs "will now be sourced from 202 UK Woodland farms specially selected for their commitment to raising hens in a more natural environment."
The Co-operative Group plans to close Somerfield's head office in Bristol next year, putting hundreds of jobs at risk.Co-operative Group chief executive Peter Marks said that the closure will be part of the integration of Somerfield, The Independent reported. The Co-op will next month complete its £1.57bn acquisition of Somerfield and expects to convert more than 650 Somerfield stores to its fascia over the next few years
A petition urging Tesco to help end unfair treatment of migrant workers will be handed in to the company's head office. The Unite union believes "harsh and divisive conditions" exist in many of the firms which supply meat to the supermarket giant. And it wants Tesco to use its influence to ensure fair working conditions between temporary and permanent workers. Demonstrations have taken place at supermarkets across the country, with protesters dressing up as giant chickens. They handed out leaflets and brandished a giant Valentine's card addressed to Tesco chief executive Sir Terry Leahy.
Tesco is poised to become the UK's biggest Easter egg retailer after buying forward orders of its exclusive lines destined for now-defunct Woolworths.The deal means Tesco's Easter egg range will show "a huge increase", said Tesco executive director, corporate and legal affairs, Lucy Neville-Rolfe. One gift pack will sell for just £2.49.Prior to its administration, Woolworths was the largest seller of Easter eggs. Easter is the second biggest chocolate-selling occasion after Christmas.
Waitrose is appealing to its 'foodie' customer base by offering them the chance to get involved in the development of its new products through My Waitrose, its new food club. While most other loyalty schemes focus on price savings, Waitrose's commercial director Richard Hodgson said that My Waitrose is about engaging customers on a new level, ‘offering them a unique insight into the world of Waitrose and food retailing'. The mywaitrose.com site launches today and customers will receive personal invites from Waitrose MD Mark Price to join what it claims is the ‘biggest ever tasting panel'.
