Tesco’s distribution teams have partnered with 15 of the retailer’s major suppliers to reduce the number of trucks on the road this Christmas.

The retailer’s ‘road traffic control’ team has been busy reviewing which suppliers deliver to the same locations, and has now been able to consolidate and streamline the routes suppliers use when delivering to distribution centres. 

The process finds products that can neatly fit into spaces on a truck by filling in the gaps - and has led to savings of over 400,000 truck miles per year, equating to 17 trips around the world. The change has taken more than 3,400 trucks off the road so far, leading to a saving of over 450 tonnes of CO2.

Trudy Wilson, Head of Supplier ordering, Tesco, said:

“By working closely with our suppliers and joining them up to use each other’s transport routes, we’re delighted to have delivered savings in emissions and costs for suppliers. The ‘Tetris’-style project helps us use as much space as possible in our trucks over the Christmas period, making the most of every journey and helping to keep trucks off the road at a busy time of year."