Relationship with suppliers

We believe that proximity is essential for quality. The closer we are to where food is produced, the easier it is to ensure its freshness and quality. Buying locally also means that transport routes are shorter, which helps reduce greenhouse‑gas emissions and the environmental footprint associated with our products and operations. Local economies also benefit, as these partnerships promote regional businesses and create employment opportunities.

That is why our strategy is based on going local, wherever we are. We adapt our product assortment to consumer trends and the specific characteristics of each market. At Group level, more than 90% of the food products we sell come from local suppliers.

We consider our suppliers as long-term partners, working together with the common goal of offering the best products to our consumers. To support this, we have strict guidelines and provide training in environmental and quality standards, thus promoting compliance with our sustainability strategy and building more resilient supply chains.

A responsible sourcing policy is essential to ensuring more sustainable supply chains. Together with our suppliers, we work to combat deforestation and prevent the destruction of tropical forests linked to the ingredients used in the products we sell. Our efforts focus on the raw materials most associated with deforestation risk: palm oil, paper/wood, beef and soy.

To ensure alignment with our Corporate Responsibility principles, we carefully select and monitor suppliers for perishables and Private Brand products, conducting regular audits in three key areas: food safety and quality, environment and social.

Food safety and quality are central to our supplier evaluation and monitoring processes. We conduct audits during the selection of new suppliers for perishables and Private Brand products, as well as throughout the development and production stages. These audits assess:

• hygiene standards,
• traceability,
• food safety practices,
• labour-related aspects.

Environmental audits – both during selection and throughout the partnership – evaluate process and systems management, as well as product formulation. Suppliers must meet minimum requirements to be selected, and those already working with us must follow corrective action plans if they fall short. Failure to comply may result in suspension or termination of the partnership.

Social audits are a key part of our due diligence process, especially for suppliers with annual purchases exceeding one million euros. These audits assess labour practices and human rights compliance, helping suppliers understand and address social risks. Conducted by independent entities, the audits follow international best practices and include interviews with employee – especially those from vulnerable groups – to ensure transparency and fairness.