- New measures include an Armed Forces Network and an offer of additional paid leave
- Announcement builds on the commitments made from signing the MOD’s Corporate Covenant
- This year Tesco will be replacing the ‘O’ on the front of 14 of its stores with a poppy
CHESHUNT, England, 2015-11-12 — /EPR Retail News/ — Tesco will significantly improve the support it offers war veterans and reservists, the retailer announced today.
Tesco has a proud record of supporting the Armed Forces dating right back to founder Jack Cohen, who set Tesco up with his demob money after serving in the First World War. Last year Tesco became the first retailer to sign up to the Ministry of Defence’s Military Corporate Covenant – a public commitment to do more to support serving personnel, veterans and reservists.
In a move designed to strengthen this commitment, Tesco will:
- Launch a brand new Armed Forces Network, which will help provide vital support for veterans and members of the reserve forces working for Tesco;
- Launch a new, industry leading reservist package that includes two weeks’ full pay for mandatory training and an additional five days fully paid leave for additional military activities.
The Armed Forces Network will bring together ex-military and reservist colleagues to help former and serving Armed Forces personnel have successful careers at Tesco. Members of the network will also look outside Tesco to support servicemen and women leaving the Armed Forces, helping them adjust to life after the military.
Robin Terrell, Tesco Chief Customer Officer, said:
“We have many serving and former military personnel working for us at Tesco, and they bring an immeasurable number of skills and benefits to the service we provide our customers.
When we signed the Corporate Covenant we made it clear we would do everything we can to do more for them, many of whom have put their lives on the line for our country.
We believe every little help can make a big difference and today’s announcement will make it easier for reservists and ex-military colleagues to achieve their ambitions at Tesco.”
Julian Brazier, Minister for Reserves, said:
“We are delighted that Tesco, which was the first retailer to sign up to the Armed Forces Covenant, is increasing their support for Armed Forces veterans and reservists. Veterans and reservists have much to offer to the private sector – with skills such as professionalism, discipline, leadership, management and team work – and it’s good to see companies like Tesco making the most of the talent available, and supporting them all the way.’’
For this year’s Poppy Appeal, Tesco has swapped the ‘O’ with a poppy on the signs of 14 stores in areas with a large military community. Tesco customers are one of the biggest supporters of The Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal; since 2005, Tesco customers have raised over £30 million for Armed Forces charities including Help for Heroes.
Last year, customers smashed records by donating a record £5.3 million during the year’s Poppy Appeal, surpassing the previous year’s total by £1 million.
Notes to editors
· The MOD’s Corporate Covenant is a voluntary pledge of support for the armed forces community and includes two key principles – that no member of the armed forces community should face disadvantage in the provision of public and commercial services compared to any other citizen, and that in some circumstances special treatment may be appropriate, especially for the injured or bereaved.
· The 14 stores displaying poppies are as follows: Aldershot, Catterick Garrison, Tidworth, Plymouth Transit Way, Edinburgh Colinton, High Wycombe Loudwater, Kensington,Colchester, Lincoln, Salisbury Bourne Centre, Sandhurst, Portsmouth, Greenock, Trowbridge) plus on Cirrus A office building in Welwyn Garden City.
For more information please contact the Tesco Press Office on 01992 644645
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SOURCE: Tesco