‘Sourcing with integrity’ means forming mutually productive partnerships with our suppliers that help them raise environmental and social standards, and move towards genuine sustainability.
It’s about fairly-priced products that are healthier for our customers and minimise the impact on the environment. And it’s about producing the food we sell in a way that is better for the animals, farmers and growers involved.
Sourcing with integrity is central to our ability to deliver great products at fair prices. In practice it means working with our suppliers to ensure the sustainability of our products in the round, taking into consideration their economic, environmental and social impacts.
In the past few years sourcing has become one of the most high-profile issues for our industry. Our customers are much more aware of where their food and household products come from, and they expect us to exert a positive influence on the firms and farmers in our supply chain. And that is exactly what we are doing.
We offer over 30,000 total products in our stores – which makes sourcing a complex and challenging task. We have a team of Brand Sustainability and Agriculture & Health experts dedicated to improving the sustainability of the products we sell. We have also established a series of industry leading Development Group schemes designed to help our farmers and suppliers produce more sustainably. (Read more about our Development Groups)
We have been supporting British farming for over 140 years, and we are committed to offering British products at their best, when in season and when the quality meets customers’ expectations. We have also been working more extensively with other farmers across the world, helping them improve their skills and position their businesses for the long term. As the world’s largest retailer of Fairtrade products, we know that we make a positive impact by not only providing trade but also through the payment of social premiums to local communities that improve schools, healthcare and local infrastructure among other projects.
Our views on the issues that are important to our stakeholders.
Case studies
Commitments and progress
| Title | Description | Progress |
|---|---|---|
| Being best for British | We will source great-tasting British products when in season, wherever these meet our customers' expectations for quality and authenticity | Achieved and Ongoing – we remain committed to supporting UK farmers and continue to source British products, both when in season and in certain categories all year round |
| Being number one supermarket for animal welfare | We will offer the widest range of higher welfare products of any UK retailer | Achieved – we both offer the widest range of Freedom Food higher welfare products and sell more than any other UK retailer |
| Sourcing responsibly and ethically | We will be the largest UK retailer of Fairtrade products (by sales value) | Achieved – we are the world's largest retailer of Fairtrade by value |
Create your own report
Follow us
