Retailer Profiles : TESCO

   Profile Pages such as this one on the site will be dedicated to providing specific information on individual companies that are leaders in the food retailing industry. ( As a reminder, this is a personal website with no direct affiliation to any company )

 

◊ One of the most respected leaders in retailing, they operate over 2,000 stores in a number of formats in over 10 countries in the United Kingdom, Europe and Asia. Among their most successful operations is their " Superstore " concept stores in Britain which has contributed to making them that country's # 1 retailer by sales volume.

◊ In addition to their retail stores Tesco has the world's largest online supermarket business and offer or are involved with a wide range of services including banking, insurance, telecommunication, gas & electricity and most recently, legal services.

◊ Private label products account for nearly 50% of their total sales of $ 76.78 Billion Canadian in their 2003 / 2004 fiscal year. In the area of organic / natural foods they are also the leader with over 1,200 products.

◊ Well known for their service to customers, they continually poll customers and staff through " Customer Question Times ". In 2003 they surveyed over 9,000 customers and 2,000 staff directly for views on their stores and company.

◊ Like many other leading food retailers, they have been very progressive at increasing their sales and operations in the areas of non-food such as clothing and electronics to rival Wal-Mart and Carrefour around the world.

◊ In 2003 / 2004 they continue their expansion into Asia / Japan with the acquisiton of the C Two-Network Corporation which has among their holdings over 75 supermarkets in Japan. Links to some of their worldwide operations :

Tesco - U.K.     Tesco Ireland      Tesco Lotus - Thailand     C Two-Network - Japan     Tesco - Poland

For a free detailed report on Tesco, check the link at the bottom of this page...

 

Did You Know ?

◊ Wal-Mart and many other retailers have looked to Tesco for inspiration. Whether it be store formats, appearances or operations, many companies have used or modified ideas and innovations first developed by Tesco. Check out the following for a comparison ; one shot is a rendering of a Tesco store built in England in 2001, the other is a Loblaws owned Atlantic Superstore in Halifax, Nova Scotia renovated in 2004...definitely similarities although not an exact duplicate :

◊ After a lack of success with their own online offerings, in 2001 Safeway U.S. entered into an agreement with Tesco to help develop and improve their online services in the U.S. at www.groceryworks.com giving Tesco a 35% interest in it.

◊ Some interesting stats on Tesco :

>£1 in every £8 spent in retail in the UK is spent in Tesco stores

>Over 50% of the U.K. population shops regularly with Tesco
> Per week there are over 10 Million transactions with Tesco

◊ Several years ago in Thailand there was an incident where a Rocket Propelled Grenade was fired into a Tesco Lotus store...even the supermarkets haven't been safe from the terrorism that plagues the world.

◊ In 2001 it was publicly rumored that Wal-Mart was shopping to acquire the Sobeys chain in Canada while at the same time rumors by " insiders " claimed it was actually Tesco doing the shopping. They have had the Tesco name, products and services trademarked in Canada since 1999. Don't believe me ? Check out this link : Tesco Trademark ....could be they are protecting their interests or it could be a step to their future in Canada ?

 

Here is a great look at one of their stores located in Newcastle. ( Thanks for the pic Jason ! )

 

◊ As mentioned, this site is not directly affiliated with any company but I do appreciate the consideration and work done by companies such as Coriolis Research in New Zealand who offer reports on their site related to the industry either for purchase or for free. Their most recent free one is on Tesco which you can get on their page from the link below. ( Just click on the picture to take you to there )