‘We recognise that value is one of the most important factors for customers’

Joe Manning, Commercial Director, Tesco Ireland addressing the attendees at the Tesco Supplier Conference 2026

The Tesco Ireland Supplier conference was recently held in Co. Meath

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Tesco Ireland recently held its Supplier Conference 2026 in Co. Meath, bringing together more than 700 suppliers, management and buying teams to discuss growth, innovation and the future of Irish food retail

The Tesco Ireland Supplier conference was recently held in Co. Meath.

Tesco Ireland recently held its Supplier Conference 2025 in Co. Meath, which was hosted by Joe Manning, Commercial Director, Tesco Ireland.

The event was attended by over 700 Tesco suppliers from across Ireland as well as key members of the retailer’s management and buying teams. The day offered networking opportunities, panel discussions, insights from the Tesco team into commercial priorities across categories as well as the much-anticipated Supplier of the Year Awards.

In his role with Tesco Ireland, Manning is responsible for ensuring the integrated commercial success of the business in Ireland. He joined Tesco in 2014 as Ambient Category Director, championing Irish suppliers and in 2017 he took on the Fresh Category Director role, where he made sourcing locally produced food a priority.

Manning was then appointed Commercial Director in 2018. In addition to the Commercial strategy, he oversees Sourcing and Food Waste elements of Tesco’s ESG strategy, supplier relationships and its support of Irish agribusiness. Tesco Ireland is known in the retail sector for championing Irish suppliers, prioritising locally sourced products and supporting the growth of homegrown businesses through long-term partnerships and investment in the Irish agri-food sector.

Manning talks to ShelfLife about the success and highlights of this year’s Tesco Supplier Conference 2026.

Q: Growing together was the theme of this year’s Tesco Supplier Conference. What does growth look like for Tesco Ireland in 2026, and what are the key drivers behind that ambition?

A: Being relentlessly focused on the customer and understanding what they both want and need is the most important way in which Tesco and our suppliers can grow together, and this was a core theme running through this year’s conference. By investing in value, quality and service, and bringing more of Tesco to more customers, we enable our business to grow and our suppliers to scale. Our expanding store network across Ireland along with our market-leading online grocery shopping reach is bringing more customers to Tesco and the investment we’re making in our stores and the innovative, high-quality ranges we’re stocking keeps them shopping with us. These priorities position Tesco to remain a trusted, competitive, and community-rooted retailer for the long term.

Q: Value continues to be a major priority for shoppers. How are initiatives such as Clubcard Prices and Aldi Price Match helping Tesco deliver value while maintaining customer loyalty in an increasingly competitive market?

A: We recognise that value is one of the most important factors for customers, and they are looking for help with keeping the costs of their weekly shop at a more affordable level when they continue to be under broader inflationary pressure with their bills. The powerful combination of Clubcard Prices and Aldi Price Match allows Tesco to offer affordable value in the market, rewarding the loyalty of our Clubcard customers whilst also offering price reassurance on the everyday products customer buy most often.

Q: Can you tell us more about your current food ambassadors, Marcus O’Laoire, Eunice Power and Dr. Aisling Farrell and how they support Tesco’s food credentials?

A: Our three Tesco food ambassadors, or our ‘Foodies’ are Marcus O’Laoire, Eunice Power, and Dr Aisling Farrell, and they play a central role in strengthening our food credentials and bringing our “It’s not a little thing. It’s everything.” platform to life for Irish shoppers.

Each ambassador contributes a distinct expertise that helps us elevate our authority in food, while reinforcing our commitment to Irish quality and provenance. Marcus brings fresh, modern food inspiration that helps customers see the fun and creativity behind our ranges. Eunice champions Irish produce and seasonality, reinforcing our relationships with local suppliers, while Dr Aisling adds trusted nutrition expertise, ensuring healthier choices and wellbeing stay central to the food offer.

Q: How are initiatives such as the Blas na hÉireann award winners helping to showcase the quality and diversity of Irish food producers?

A: We are incredibly passionate about the food we sell in our stores, particularly the Tesco own label ranges we create with our local Irish suppliers. The Blás na hÉireann awards spotlight the quality of Irish food, and the depth of talent within Ireland’s producer community. By bringing these award winners onto shelves nationwide, Tesco helps customers discover exceptional local products they might not otherwise encounter, while giving small and emerging producers a scale of visibility that’s hard to achieve alone.

We were incredibly proud to win 84 Blás awards last year for our own-label ranges, with our branded suppliers winning many, many more awards too.

Attendees enjoying the Tesco Ireland Supplier Conference

Panellists discussion at the Tesco Ireland Supplier Conference

Q: This year marks the beginning of a new chapter as Tesco Ireland steps in as Street Feast’s partner for the next three years. By working together, Tesco can help to support more neighbourhood gatherings across Ireland this summer. Can you tell me more about this partnership?

A: We are excited to have signed a three-year partnership with Street Feast, a much-loved neighbourhood-gathering initiative. For us as a retailer, the partnership reinforces our commitment to building stronger, more connected communities, not just through stores, but through shared food experiences that bring neighbours together.

Working together this year we supported Street Feast to grow to support more than 1,400 Street Feast events across Ireland at the end of May, bringing thousands of people together through food.

Q: Highlighting your continued commitment to Irish exports, in March this year Tesco Ireland announced a €10 million fund in new contract wins for four Irish suppliers into your UK and Central European (CE) businesses, with Irish food now stocked in hundreds of Tesco stores across the United Kingdom, Czechia, Hungary, and Slovakia. Can you tell me about how this growth for Folláin, Keohane Seafoods, Killowen Farm and Bandon Vale (all of whom produce premium products for Tesco own brand) is supporting suppliers to scale sustainably and helping to support local employment across Ireland?

A: Ireland is known the world over for its world class produce, and we are proud of the strong partnerships we have with more than 500 Irish food and drink suppliers, with many of those relationships spanning more than 30 years.

As the world’s biggest retail buyer of Irish food and drink, we’re proud to champion Irish products to consumers at home and overseas.

We are delighted to see some of these well-known brands expand into markets overseas, with their success abroad driven by a combination of quality, innovation and a growing appetite among UK and Central European customers for Irish food. Their success reflects the strength of Ireland’s food industry and our shared ambition to help Irish producers grow confidently in international markets.

Q: Tesco’s leadership in climate action and sustainability was also highlighted at the conference. How are you working with suppliers to drive progress on shared sustainability goals, and what are the key priorities for Tesco Ireland on the environmental agenda over the next 12 months?

A: Climate change is a global challenge with far reaching implications for our business, supply chain, colleagues, and customers. Together with environmental sustainability, it is recognised as a principal risk to our organisation, which is why reducing climate emissions is one of our core ambitions.

We work closely with our suppliers to support them in setting their own climate targets and net zero ambitions; maintain high sourcing standards; measure and reduce food waste in their operations; and adopt more circular packaging solutions.

Snap happy at the Tesco Ireland Supplier Conference

Q: Looking ahead, what are the biggest opportunities for growth within the Irish grocery sector, and where do you see Tesco Ireland leading the way over the coming year?

A: Changing shopper expectations, a continued focus on value, and more digital convenience are three areas front of mind for Tesco as one of Ireland’s leading retailers.

We will continue to invest in keeping prices competitive for our customers, expanding and improving our online and rapid-delivery services, while further strengthening our own-brand ranges to meet evolving customer needs.

Partnerships like the one with Street Feast, ongoing support for local producers, and supporting customers where they live through vehicles such as the Community Fund will help us to deliver social impact alongside commercial growth.

Tesco Supplier Conference Award Winners 2026

Tesco Ireland named No. 1 Supplier of Choice for 10th consecutive year

Joe Manning, commercial director with Hayley Claasens, Client Service director, Advantage Group

Tesco Ireland has been named Supplier of Choice for the tenth year in a row, following independent feedback from more than 400 suppliers in the Advantage Group Voice of Supplier Ireland 2025 programme.

The annual benchmarking study evaluates Ireland’s leading grocery, discount, forecourt and wholesale operators across key areas of commercial and operational performance.

Tesco Ireland once again achieved the highest overall ranking, reflecting a decade of consistent leadership and strong supplier partnerships.

Suppliers rated Tesco Ireland best in class across several critical areas, highlighting the strength and consistency of its operations. They praised the retailer’s capable and accessible teams, noting a highly collaborative approach to joint business planning.

The retailer’s supply chain was recognised for its trusted consistency, transparency and confidence in service, forecasting and delivery.

Suppliers also commended the company’s retail execution, citing its ability to deliver agreed plans in store, protect investment and drive shared growth. In addition, Tesco Ireland was acknowledged as market-leading in retail media and e-commerce, reflecting strong digital capability and activation.

Commenting on the achievement, Andrew Johnston, managing director, Advantage Group UK & Ireland, said:

“Reaching the No. 1 position for ten consecutive years is an exceptional accomplishment. It reflects Tesco Ireland’s unwavering commitment to partnership, consistency and performance. In a fiercely competitive market, suppliers continue to recognise Tesco Ireland as a trusted, collaborative and forward thinking customer.”

Joe Manning, commercial director, Tesco Ireland, added:

“We are incredibly proud to be recognised by our suppliers for the tenth year running. This award is a testament to the strength of our relationships, the dedication of our colleagues and our shared ambition to deliver for customers. We remain committed to building even stronger partnerships and driving sustainable, mutual growth across the industry.”

PepsiCo Snacks wins Tesco Overall Supplier of the Year

PepsiCo snacks range

Winning Tesco’s Overall Supplier of the Year is a milestone achievement for PepsiCo Snacks team, and a recognition it is immensely proud of. More than an award, it reflects the strength, ambition, and consumer first mindset that defines its partnership with one of Ireland’s most influential retailers.

At the core of this success is a shared commitment to understanding and serving shoppers better. Together, PepsiCo and Tesco have built a relationship grounded in trust, insight, and collaboration – one that consistently pushes boundaries to elevate the customer experience across every touchpoint.

This partnership has enabled it to deliver insight led innovation and exceptional execution, seamlessly connecting in store theatre with high impact out of store activation. Campaigns such as Stranger Things, Cheetos, and the FIFA World Cup brought its brands to life in bold, engaging ways – from standout displays to Ireland’s first national branded delivery van campaign, extending visibility far beyond the store.

Through joint business planning, data driven decision making, and aligned objectives, PepsiCo Snacks and Tesco continue to unlock incremental value and drive sustainable category growth. Its collaboration ensures it remains focused on what matters most: delivering meaningful experiences for consumers and creating long term value for the retail environment.

This award ultimately reinforces PepsiCo’s position as a trusted, forward thinking partner — one that combines creativity, executional excellence, and commercial discipline to deliver for shoppers, for Tesco, and for the future of the categories it jointly leads.

trü frü has been awarded Tesco Ireland’s Best New Product Launch of the Year 2026

The team at trü frü picking up their Best New Product Launch of the Year 2026 award

trü frü products

trü frü, the premium frozen chocolate-covered fruit brand, has been awarded Tesco Ireland’s Best New Product Launch of the Year 2026, recognising its standout performance and exceptional popularity among Irish shoppers.

The award highlights the growing demand for innovative, indulgent snacking options and cements trü frü’s position as a breakout success within the frozen category. Since launching in Ireland, the brand has quickly built a loyal following, driven by its unique combination of real fruit and high-quality chocolate.

This recognition reflects strong shopper engagement and repeat purchases, with consumers embracing trüfrü as a go-to treat that delivers both quality and excitement.

Siobhan McAuley, Health and Wellness Irish Marketing Lead, comments:

“We’re incredibly proud to receive Tesco Ireland’s Best New Product of the Year 2026. This award is a testament to the response we’ve seen from shoppers across Ireland and to the strength of our partnership with NSR and Tesco. trü frü is truly a special brand that brings something new and different to the category, and it’s amazing to see that resonate so strongly”.

Available in Tesco stores nationwide, trü frü offers a range of frozen fruit snacks, coated in layers of premium chocolate for a distinctive taste and texture experience.

Heineken Ireland celebrates Tesco success

The team at Heineken Ireland

Heineken Ireland has been awarded the Convenience Supplier of the Year 2026 by Tesco Ireland. Winning this award reflects the strength of its ongoing collaboration with Tesco and its performance within one of retail’s most competitive and demanding channels. It truly values the relationships and ways of working it has collectively established, a collaborative partnership focused on value, insight, and execution.

This award reflects the strength of this partnership, built across commercial, marketing, supply chain, and field sales, with its teams working together, innovating, and utilising insights, to expand the category and enhance the shopper experience.

Shopper trends continue to evolve at a pace, and its customer-first mindset at Heineken Ireland ensures it considers and delivers the right range, formats, and in-store activation to best meet shoppers’ convenience needs. Through working closely with its Tesco partners, including Liliana Caruto, Layla Egan, Kern Kinnear, and Ciaran Dorney, it has been able to effectively deliver strong product availability, impactful merchandising, and standout activation in-store across key trading periods, the length and breadth of the country.

As the convenience channel continues to grow, this recognition provides a strong platform for the future, and we look forward to many more years of collaboration with Tesco Ireland and collectively leading the category forward.

Many thanks for awarding Heineken Ireland the Convenience Supplier of the Year 2026 award.

Henkel celebrates Tesco award recognition

The team at Henkel receiving their award from Tesco

Henkel extends its heartfelt thanks and appreciation for the recent award it was honoured to receive from Tesco.

Being recognised alongside such a valued partner makes this achievement particularly meaningful for the team.

This award reflects far more than a single milestone—it highlights the strength of its relationship, the trust it has built, and the shared commitment to delivering exceptional outcomes.

It is especially grateful for the spirit of collaboration that defines its relationship. By working closely as one team with both Sarah, Michael & Ruth, it has been able to overcome challenges, seize new opportunities, and deliver results that exceed expectations.

It is this shared ambition and mutual respect that truly sets its partnership apart.

It views this recognition not only as a celebration of what has been achieved but also as a foundation for what lies ahead.

SuperFlora named Tesco’s Best Produce Supplier

The team at SuperFlora collecting their award at the conference

SuperFlora are truly honoured to receive the Best Produce Supplier Award. This recognition means a great deal to its entire team and reflects the dedication, passion, and hard work that goes into everything we do every day.

For SuperFlora this award is about much more than supplying bouquets. It represents the strong partnership we have built with Tesco over the years. The team highly values the trust they place in SuperFlora and appreciate the open communication, collaboration, and shared commitment to delivering the best possible experience for shoppers.

At the heart of its business is a simple goal: to provide beautiful, fresh bouquets while maintaining the highest possible service level. From sourcing and production to logistics and store support, its teams work closely together to ensure consistency, quality, and reliability every step of the way. It continuously looks for ways to improve, innovate, and respond quickly to the needs of the consumer.

Winning this award is especially meaningful because it recognises not only the quality of SuperFlora’s products but also its commitment to service. It motivates its teams to keep raising the bar and to continue delivering value every day.

SuperFlora would like to thank Tesco for their confidence and support, as well as its employees, growers, and other partners in its supply chain whose dedication makes achievements like this possible.

SuperFlora look forward to continuing our successful collaboration for many years to come.

Keelings wins Tesco Retail Media award

(L-R) Robert Williams, Carly Harty, Lynne Sweetman are presented with the ‘Retail Media Activation of the Year 2026’ award by Jeo Manning, commercial director, Tesco Ireland

Keelings took home the ‘Retail Media Activation of the year 2026’ award at the Tesco Supplier Conference in April. This award recognised how shopper insight was brought to life through strong in-store retail media execution paired with impactful creative. The creative proved successful in engaging consumers at the point of sale through the eye-catching visuals while reinforcing the quality and freshness that Keelings are known for.

The effectiveness of the in-store point of sale is a testament to the strong collaboration between Tesco, Dunnhumby, Keelings, THINKHOUSE & Horizon.

The Berry Beds have been successful in amplifying the Keelings promotion in Tesco by bringing consumers that much sought-after in-store theatre to enhance their shopping experience. Keelings look forward to continuing to work with Tesco in further driving shopper’s instore experience in 2026 and beyond.

Britvic Ireland announced as the “Packaged Supplier of the Year” with Tesco Ireland

Britvic Ireland was named Tesco Ireland’s “Packaged Supplier of the Year” at the 2026 Tesco Ireland Supplier Conference

Britvic Ireland is honoured to be named Tesco Ireland’s “Packaged Supplier of the Year” at the 2026 Tesco Ireland Supplier Conference. This award matters because it reflects the strength of the partnership behind the scenes, with joined-up teams working together to deliver consistently for Tesco customers and drive real category performance.

Over the past year, its dedicated team have worked closely with Tesco to deliver tangible results for shoppers. A key milestone was the relaying of the water aisle in February and March, led by Ballygowan, which helped drive category growth throughout the financial year. We also brought fresh innovation to soft drinks with the launch of 7UP Pink and introduced a new seasonal format at Christmas with a 32-pack can option to meet evolving shopper needs and occasions.

It paired product innovation with strong execution across key moments, including the 7UP St Patrick’s Day Gold Can, Pepsi UEFA Champions League activity, and MiWadi FAI campaigns. It delivered engaging, high-impact activities during key trading periods, strengthening visibility and consumer connection.

At the core of this achievement is the strength of its partnership. By bringing together demand planning, category management, and commercial teams, it has been able to fully leverage Tesco’s capabilities and deliver stronger outcomes.

At Britvic Ireland, it remains committed to maintaining exceptional service levels. This award is a proud moment for its entire team and reflects the continued progress it’s making alongside its partners at Tesco.

Read More: Britvic Ireland Keelings tesco

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