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Supermarket giant looks to trade with North East businesses
Thu 12th Nov 2009, 3:30pm
SMALL and large businesses in the North East have an opportunity to learn how to become a supplier to supermarket giant Tesco at a ‘Meet the Buyer’ event in Durham.
Tesco is running the event on Tuesday November 17 with the North East Chamber of Commerce (NECC) to talk to local companies and make it easier for them to sell products in its stores.
Businesses will be able to take samples of their produce and present them to the supermarket chain as well as airing their concerns about the process of becoming registered suppliers.
Smaller companies, which may not have the capacity to supply the larger Tesco stores on a regular basis, will be able to discuss supplying smaller chains, such as Tesco Express.
The event held at NECC’s offices at Aykley Heads, Durham, is principally for companies in the food and produce sector.
It has been organised by NECC as part of its Buy North East campaign, which encourages more trading between North East businesses. According to figures from the North East Regional Information Partnership (NERIP)a third of the total value of private sector contracts tendered in the North East are awarded to North East businesses.
Pat Chambers, Head of Partners at NECC said: “Engaging in causes like Buy North East creates huge opportunities whether you’re a small business or a big name brand.
“Trading between small local suppliers and large corporate multinationals like Tesco can be hugely beneficial to both parties. Tesco benefits by sourcing local produce, supporting the local economy and reducing its carbon emissions, while local producers benefit by selling in to a hugely successful brand.”
Smaller businesses will also be able to talk through the difficulties they face in tendering for supply contracts with Tesco.
Mrs Chambers added: “The forms and pre-qualification questions needed by Tesco before a company can be considered as a supplier, can be daunting for small businesses that often have limited resources.
“We hope this event will enable Tesco to talk through these concerns with some potential suppliers and even lead to more North East products on the shelves of our supermarkets.”
NECC member Northumbrian Larder has also helped drum up support for the event among its members.