Charities and community

Race for Life, Enfield Trent Park, June 2006

Introduction

Our customers tell us that above all, they want us to provide a good shopping trip. But they also want to be assured that businesses are responsible, fair and honest.

Local communities and residents’ groups have increasing expectations of our contribution to local communities, and the past year has seen rising expectations of supermarkets in terms of delivering community benefits.

Wherever our customers find us – in supermarkets large and small, in garage forecourts, on the high street or on-line – Tesco aims to serve everyone in the community. We give consumers access to quality products and healthy food at low prices. We provide jobs with decent pay and benefits, often in deprived areas (see Being a good employer). We are committed to the local communities in which we operate and make a positive contribution to them as a good corporate citizen and a friendly neighbour.

We demonstrate that commitment by mobilising the energy, compassion and generosity of our staff and customers to support local and national charities and good causes. This has a positive effect on staff morale and helps us to develop strong links between our stores and our neighbours.

“We are very different to the young, small organisation which began to work with Tesco in 2005. Instead, we’re maturing into a competitive national charity. The partnership with Tesco will be remembered as the turning point in our history.”

Ruth Owen, Chief Executive, Whizz-Kidz