Tesco Lotus announces continuous drive to promote Thai exports, targeting 15 billion baht export volume in 2013

London – 15 November 2012: Tesco Lotus has been investing and contributing to the Thai economy for over 18 years. Today, Tesco Lotus announced further support for Thailand by targeting exports of 15 billion baht of Thai products in 2013 and promising to promote Thai products to customers shopping at over 6,500 Tesco stores in the UK, Central Europe, USA and Asia.

Tesco Group Chairman Sir Richard Broadbent made the announcement during the visit of Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to Tesco’s Kennington Superstore in the United Kingdom.  Tesco Lotus worked with the Ministry of Commerce to set up booths in the store to promote Thai rice and ‘Thai Select’ products to customers.

 

Said Sir Richard, “As one of the world’s leading retailers, with stores in 13 countries, we want to use Tesco’s scale to benefit the Thai economy and local Thai suppliers.  We are delighted to welcome the Prime Minister of Thailand to one of our typical stores in the UK. The Prime Minister has asked Tesco Group for further support in promoting and purchasing more Thai products.  In response to this, we are pleased to announce a new target to purchase 15 billion baht worth of Thai products in 2013 for sale in our stores in the UK, Central Europe, the US and Asia.”

 

In past years Tesco has made commitments to increase Thai exports to Tesco stores around the world and has been making great progress in delivering those commitments.  This year Tesco will attain its overall Thai export target of 13.5 billion baht, representing significant growth from the 8 billion baht recorded three years ago.

 

Tesco Lotus currently exports Thai shrimp, chicken, canned food, vegetables, fruit, rice and electrical appliances to the network of Tesco stores around the world. These products reach around 65 million customers worldwide, including 13 million customers who shop at Tesco stores in the UK each week.

 

Tesco Group has launched many initiatives to promote Thai exports. For example, Tesco Lotus has worked with the Thai Ministry of Commerce on the ‘Taste of Thailand’ Thai fruit promotion events in Tesco stores in the UK for the past five years. As a result, Thai fruit export volume doubled last year.  Tesco Lotus has also worked with the Department of International Trade Promotion to arrange business matching events between Thai companies and Tesco buyers.

 

Tesco Lotus CEO John Christie added, “Our support to the Thai economy and Thai businesses will not stop here. We look forward to continuing to work with the Royal Thai government to bring more Thai products into Tesco stores around the world.”