Welcome to The Circuit series. Meet our next interviewee:
Tesco is one of the world’s largest retail organisations and among the oldest supermarkets in the UK. But while almost everyone knows the firm from its stores, many may be unaware of the technology used in its operations.
In an exclusive interview with UKTN, Tesco product manager Fatemeh Barani discusses the technology that goes into millions of people’s shopping, how data redefined the retail industry and why artificial intelligence is already making huge waves in the sector.
How much of the UK supermarket experience today is shaped by data science?
More than people might think, especially at Tesco. Our customers are at the heart of every decision we make, and data science is helping us serve them better every day by guiding smarter, more data-driven choices.
From making our products and services more accessible, to helping our customers make healthier choices, personalising rewards and improving how we run our business – data plays a vital role in how we deliver for our customers, communities and the planet.
We believe that we know our customers better than anyone else, and it is our responsibility to put this insight to work for them.
What technologies support Tesco’s work that shoppers may not know about?
We use data to help reduce food waste and to get good food to the people that need it most. As a Product Manager in the Stock Surplus team, this is what I think about every day and is something I care deeply about. I am proud that my work supports our customers and colleagues and has a wider environmental and social benefit too.
We know, as the UK’s leading retailer, we have got a big role to play. By combining technology with Tesco’s reach in communities across the country, we can make a real difference.
Over the past 10 years, we have redistributed more than 300 million meals through partnerships with community organisations and volunteers – supported by 57,000 Food Waste Hero volunteers. Every month, there are around 29,000 collections taking place across the UK.
Here is how it works. When food is close to expiry, we reduce it in store. If it has still not sold, local charities are notified and offered a slot to collect what they need. After that, any remaining food is offered to colleagues or repurposed as animal feed or renewable energy. It is a simple process on a huge scale, made possible by great technology.
It is the kind of challenge that makes working in Tesco Technology so exciting. With thousands of technology colleagues and Tesco Labs – our dedicated innovation and research team – we are constantly thinking about what comes next. It is a collaborative effort with a huge variety of roles and space to learn, test and grow.
What extent do third party tech company partners play in Tesco’s work?
We love building things ourselves and we have got the tech, data, skills and investment to respond to some of the biggest challenges of today. That said, we often work side-by-side with expert partners to find better, smarter ways of doing things.
A great example of this is our work with FoodCloud. Together, we developed an automated solution that makes it quicker and easier to donate surplus food to local charities.
The API we build with FoodCloud connects our systems with charity partners like FareShare, and other platforms like Olio the local sharing app, so donations can be processed and collected without delay.
Because we know our customers, communities and colleagues so well, we can make sure any tech-driven systems or processes we design – ourselves, or with partners – are easy to use and intuitive.
What recent technological development has shaped how modern retail works the most?
Artificial intelligence is moving from pilots to production. You can feel it in the small improvements that quickly add up – from smarter markdowns that reduce waste, to route planning that removes 100,000 transport miles a week. In one year, that is 5.2 million miles and 6,000 tonnes of carbon saved. It is a real, tangible example of how innovation can deliver positive change that matters.
This is just the beginning. In my team, we are now looking at next generation barcodes that hold far more useful information like batch numbers, expiry dates and ingredients – right from the moment a product leaves a supplier.
Among other things it will help us keep stock fresh, so we know exactly which products need markdown and which should be donated. With AI and data science, we will even be able to pinpoint the best time to reduce an item – maximising the chance that it is bought and enjoyed, not binned.
Will AI technology form a significant element of Tesco’s work in retail going forward?
Tesco has always used technology to serve customers better. Thirty years ago, we changed the game with the launch of Clubcard – and today, data science and innovation continue to power improvements right across the business.
Much of it happens behind the scenes, but the impact is felt everywhere – from how we design our stores and develop products, to how we create more personalised experiences like Clubcard Challenges. Innovation has always been part of who we are, and we never stand still.
We are also investing in our people and in our own technology, so we can go further, faster. When it comes to embedding AI, we will use it to support our colleagues – our greatest asset – by making their jobs simpler and helping them deliver an even better experience for customers and we are doing it in a way that’s responsible, ethical, and always guided by our values.
