// Tesco reunites with trade association BRC after three years
// The grocer left the BRC after changing its business model due to the £4.7bn merger with wholesaler Booker
Tesco has reportedly rejoined the BRC three years after quitting the trade association saying that it wants to “play our part” in industry discussions.
The Big 4 grocer reunited with the trade association as the retail sector seeks to rebuild in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Tesco’s decision to re-join the BRC will provide a huge fillip to the trade body, Retail Week reported.
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The BRC has lobbied the government on a number of issues during the health emergency, including business rates, the furlough scheme and the rent moratorium, which it wants to extend beyond the current June 30 deadline.
The addition of Tesco will add a further boost to those initiatives.
Tesco left the BRC back in May 2018, which came after it changed its business model following its £4.7 billion merger with wholesaler Booker.
The grocer said at the time that it was looking at a new set of issues and the decision would help lead on those debates that are important to its customers, colleagues and supply partners.
However, Tesco’s stance has now changed following the pandemic as well as the arrival of new chief executive Ken Murphy, who replaced Dave Lewis in October last year.
Tesco said it has rejoined BRC at an important moment for retail.
“The retail sector today faces many challenges, particularly as we look ahead to the longer-term impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, and we want to play our part in that dialogue,” Tesco said.
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