Tesco is Winning Awards for Its Use of Augmented Reality in Supplier Auditing

If a brand wants to have a diverse chain of suppliers from which to acquire the goods it needs to perform its core function, it must have a way to vet and audit those suppliers in as streamlined and effective a manner as possible.

As the UK’s biggest retail brand, supermarket chain Tesco understands this better than most. With the need to fill its shelves with a range of household and grocery products from all over the world – and locally sourced goods unique to each store location – Tesco needs to juggle a vast portfolio of diverse suppliers.

To better manage this portfolio, Tesco has deployed an award-winning augmented reality solution which empowers the supermarket giant to carry out technology-based remote supply chain compliance monitoring.

Using augmented reality technology, Tesco can carry out virtual site visits all over the world, without the need to travel between countries. For example, a Tesco auditor successfully completed virtual site visits across three countries in a single day – an endeavour which previously required two weeks of travel time.

“While COVID-19 accelerated this virtual audit initiative, the advantages are felt immediately and growing over the long term,” said Tesco Head of Standards, Clare Rapa-Marley. “Remote auditing technology provides strong benefits in worker productivity and safety, as well as timely, consistent supplier audits, therefore maintaining high standards for our customers.”