As one of Thailand’s most well-known retailers, Tesco Lotus has been serving the nation for 22 years. Beyond offering high-quality products at affordable prices, the company has built a strong reputation for corporate social responsibility, consistently giving back to underprivileged communities.
Back to School Shoe-Donation Programme
Tesco Lotus launched the Pa-Nong-Pai-Rong-Rean initiative, meaning “Walk Kids to School,” to provide proper footwear for underprivileged schoolchildren. The initiative operates on a simple yet impactful mechanism: for every pair of shoes sold, a portion of the proceeds is donated to fund new shoes for children whose families cannot afford them.
Research revealed that 40% of Thai students lack proper school shoes, often resorting to slippers or going barefoot, as families prioritize books and uniforms over footwear. Without proper shoes, children face difficulties walking to school, especially during rainy days when floods, mud, and disease-carrying insects pose additional risks. Additionally, their ability to participate in playground activities is limited due to safety concerns.
To address these challenges, Tesco Lotus partnered with the Ministry of Education and NGOs focused on child welfare and education. Through this collaboration, schools with the greatest need were identified, and a pre-survey was conducted to ensure the right shoe sizes were available for each student.
Overwhelming Community Support and Impact
The campaign encouraged customer participation by allowing direct donations, which Tesco Lotus matched. The response was remarkable, resulting in 63,039 pairs of new shoes distributed to students—far surpassing the initial goal of 22,000. Each child received not only shoes but also two pairs of socks and a new lunchbox.
The success of the campaign gained widespread media attention, with social media coverage exceeding two million views. This heightened visibility strengthened Tesco Lotus’s reputation as a committed advocate for local communities, reinforcing its belief that “every little help makes a big difference in society.”
Commitment to Long-Term CSR Initiatives
Beyond individual campaigns, Tesco Lotus has a dedicated CSR team managing initiatives at both corporate and local store levels. One of its long-standing programs is 365 Volunteer Day, which encourages employees to contribute to community service throughout the year. Additionally, Community Day allows employees to take a day off specifically for volunteering activities.
Through these sustained efforts, Tesco Lotus continues to demonstrate that even large corporations can make meaningful and far-reaching contributions to society, setting an example of responsible and impactful corporate citizenship.
