Originally specialising in food, it has [[Diversification (strategy)|diversified]] into areas such as [[clothes|clothing]], [[consumer electronics]], consumer [[financial services]], retailing and renting [[DVDs]],<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.tescodvdrental.com/visitor/home.html | publisher=Tesco | title=Tesco DVD Rental|accessdate = 2006-07-27}}</ref> [[compact discs|CDs]],[[music downloads]], [[Internet service provider|Internet service]], consumer [[telecoms]], consumer [[health insurance]], consumer [[Dental insurance|dental plans]] and [[software]].
Originally specialising in food, it has [[Diversification (strategy)|diversified]] into areas such as [[clothes|clothing]], [[consumer electronics]], consumer [[financial services]], retailing and renting [[DVDs]],<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.tescodvdrental.com/visitor/home.html | publisher=Tesco | title=Tesco DVD Rental|accessdate = 2006-07-27}}</ref> [[compact discs|CDs]],[[music downloads]], [[Internet service provider|Internet service]], consumer [[telecoms]], consumer [[health insurance]], consumer [[Dental insurance|dental plans]] and [[software]].
[[Image:20040801-008-tesco.jpg|thumb|First self service Tesco, St Albans, England]][[Jack Cohen (Tesco)|Jack Cohen]] founded Tesco in 1909 when he began to sell surplus groceries from a stall in the East End of London. The Tesco brand first appeared in 1924. The name came about after Jack Cohen bought a shipment of [[tea]] from ''T.E. Stockwell''. He made new labels using the first three letters of the supplier's name (TES), and the first two letters of his surname (CO), forming the word "TESCO".<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.tescocorporate.com/page.aspx?pointerid=D01B1F9C28E346B38DA0479EF0BE8FC3| title = Our history| accessdate = 2006-11-10| publisher = Tesco plc| quote = The name comes from the initials of TE Stockwell, who was a partner in the firm of tea suppliers, and CO from Jack's surname}}</ref>
The first Tesco store was opened in 1929 in [[Burnt Oak]], [[Edgware]], Middlesex. Tesco floated on the London Stock Exchange in 1947 as '''Tesco Stores (Holdings) Limited'''.<ref name="Tescohistsite"/> The first self service store opened in [[St Albans]] in 1947 (still operational in 2007 as a Metro),<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.corporatewatch.org.uk/?lid=252 |title=Tesco Plc: Overview |accessdate=2007-08-17 }}</ref> and the first supermarket in [[Maldon]] in 1956.<ref name="Tescohistsite">{{cite web| url = http://www.tescocorporate.com/page.aspx?pointerid=D01B1F9C28E346B38DA0479EF0BE8FC3| title = Tesco: Our History| accessdate = 2007-03-27| date = | work = www.tescocorporate.com| publisher = Tesco plc}}</ref>
During the 1950s and the 1960s Tesco grew organically, but also through acquisitions until it owned more than 800 stores. The company purchased 70 [[Williamsons]] stores (1957), 200 [[Harrow Stores]] outlets (1959), 212 [[Irwins]] stores (1960), 97 Charles Phillips stores (1964) and the [[Victor Value]] chain (1968) (sold to [[Bejam]] in 1986).<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.icmr.icfai.org/casestudies/catalogue/Business%20Strategy3/BSTA085.htm| title = TESCO in 2003| accessdate = 2007-03-27 |publisher=ICFAI}}</ref>
===Management and strategy changes===
Founder Jack Cohen was an enthusiastic advocate of trading stamps as an inducement for shoppers to patronise his stores. He signed up with [[Green Shield Stamps]] in 1963, and became one of the company's largest clients.<ref>{{cite web | title=Seminar Papers 2004 | url=http://cep.lse.ac.uk/seminarpapers/24-05-04%20-%20Background%20paper%20by%20Geoffrey%20Owen.pdf | format=PDF | publisher=LSE | accessdate = 2006-12-23}}</ref>
In 1973 Jack Cohen resigned and was replaced as Chairman by his son-in-law [[Leslie Porter]]. Porter and managing director [[Ian MacLaurin]] abandoned the "pile it high sell it cheap" philosophy of Cohen which had left the company "stagnating" and with a "bad image".<ref name="maclaurin1988">{{cite news| first = Karen| last = Hoggan | title = Tesco Tycoon: Interview with Tesco's fortunes chairman Ian MacLaurin| work = Marketing | publisher =Haymarket Publishing Services|date=1998-11-17| accessdate = 2007-03-27}}</ref> In 1977 Tesco launched "Operation Checkout" with the abandonment of Green Shield stamps, price reductions and centralised buying for all stores. The result was a rise in market share of 4% in two months.<ref name="maclaurin1988"/>
===1980s===
In May 1987 Tesco completed its hostile takeover of the [[Hillards]] chain of 40 supermarkets in the North of England for £220 million.<ref>{{cite news | first = Margareta| last = Pagano| title = Shocked Hillards attacks greed of Prudential: Hartley disgusted with institutions after Tesco wins takeover battle | work = The Guardian| publisher = the sun|date=1987-05-16| accessdate = 2007-03-27}}</ref>
===1990s===
In 1994, the company took over the Scottish supermarket chain [[William Low]]. Tesco successfully fought off [[Sainsbury's]] for control of the [[Dundee]]-based firm, which operated 57 stores. This paved the way for Tesco to expand its presence in Scotland, which was weaker than in England. [[Inverness]] was recently branded as "Tescotown",<ref>{{cite_news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/4618972.stm|publisher=BBC|title=Tesco accused of 'near monopoly'|date=[[January 17]] [[2006]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.tescotown.co.uk/ | title = Inverness: Tescotown | accessdate = 2006-03-13}}</ref> because well over 50p in every £1 spent on food is believed to be spent in its three Tesco stores.<ref>{{cite_news |url=http://observer.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,6903,1676049,00.html|author=Lorna Martin |publisher=The Observer|title=The supermarket that ate a town |date=[[2006-01-01]]}}</ref>
In 1995, Tesco became the UK's market leader in the supermarket sector, beating [[Sainsbury's]]. {{Fact|date=September 2007}}
Tesco introduced a [[loyalty card]], branded '[[Clubcard]]', in 1995 and later an [[Internet]] shopping service. As of November 2006 Tesco was the only food retailer to make online shopping profitable.<ref>{{cite news| first = Gaelle | last = Walker | title = Online failing todeliver | work = The Grocer | publisher = William Reed Publications | page = 6|date=2006-11-11| accessdate = 2007-01-27}}</ref>
[[Terry Leahy]] assumed the role of chief executive on [[21 February]] [[1997]], the announcement having been made on [[21 November]] [[1995]].<ref>{{cite news| title = Business as usual for Sir Terry after 10 years in charge| work = Birmingham Post| publisher = Midland Independent Newspapers| page = 24|date=2007-02-22| accessdate = 2007-03-30}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| first = Neil| last = Buckley| title = People: Leahy rings Tesco's tills| work = Financial Times| publisher = The Financial Times| page = 40|date=1995-11-22| accessdate = 2007-03-30}}</ref>
On [[21 March]] [[1997]] Tesco announced the purchase of the retail arm of [[Associated British Foods]] which consisted of the [[Quinnsworth]], [[Stewarts Supermarkets|Stewarts]] and [[Crazy Prices]] chains in the [[Republic of Ireland]] and [[Northern Ireland]], as well as associated businesses for GB£640 million.<ref>{{cite news| first = Sarah| last = Cunningham| title = Tesco pays £630m for ABF's Irish business| work = The Times| publisher = Times Newspapers|date=1997-03-22| accessdate = 2007-03-30}}</ref> The deal was approved by the European Commission on [[6 May]] [[1997]].<ref>{{cite news| title = Tesco's Irish move approved| work = Financial Times| publisher = The Financial Times|date=1997-05-07| accessdate = 2007-03-30}}</ref> This acquisition gave it both a major presence in the Republic of Ireland, and a larger presence in Northern Ireland than Sainsbury's which had begun its move into the province in 1995.
In 1996, the typeface of the logo was changed to the current one shown on the top of the page with stripe reflections underneath the typefaces as Tesco used them on their carrier bags. The "typewriter" typeface that the company had been using since the 1970s for its in-store signage was also dropped during this period.
In 1997, Tesco Stores Limited and [[Esso]] Petroleum Company Ltd (now part of [[Exxonmobil]] Corporation) came together to form a business alliance. The agreement included several petrol filling stations on leases from Esso, where Tesco would operate the store under the Express format. In turn, Esso would operate the forecourts and sell their fuel via the Tesco store. Ten years later, over 600 Tesco/Esso stores can now be found across the United Kingdom.
===2000s===
[[Image:Tesco shelter.jpg|thumb|Trolley shelter]]
In July [[2001]] it became involved in internet grocery retailing in the [[USA]] when it obtained a 35% stake in GroceryWorks.{{Fact|date=March 2007}}
In [[2002]] Tesco purchased 13 [[HIT hypermarkets]] in [[Poland]]; to date there are over 350 [[Tesco Stores]] in Poland and this portfolio is still growing with the introduction of [[Tesco Express]] stores around all major cities.{{Fact|date=December 2007}} It also made a major move into the UK convenience store market with its purchase of T & S Stores, owner of 870 convenience stores in the [[One Stop]], Dillons and Day & Nite chains in the UK.<ref>{{cite_news|url=http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0DQA/is_2002_Nov_7/ai_94447960 |title=Convenience boost for Tesco - Tesco PLC acquires One Stop, Day and Nite convenience stores from T. and S. Stores PLC |publisher=Eurofood |date=[[7 November]] [[2002]]}}</ref>
In October 2003 it launched a UK telecoms division, comprising mobile and home phone services, to complement its existing [[Internet service provider]] business. In June 2003 Tesco purchased the C Two-Network in [[Japan]].<ref>{{cite_news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/2977358.stm |title=Tesco buys Japanese retailer |publisher=BBC News
|date=[[June 10]] [[2003]]}}</ref> It also acquired a majority stake in [[Turkey|Turkish]] supermarket chain [[Kipa (supermarket)|Kipa]].{{Fact|date=March 2007}}
In January 2004 Tesco acquired Adminstore, owner of 45 Cullens, Europa, and Harts convenience stores, in and around London.<ref>{{cite_news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/3419635.stm |title=Tesco snaps up Cullens and Europa |publisher=BBC News |date=[[22 January]] [[2004]]}}</ref> In August 2004, it also launched a [[broadband]] service.
In [[Thailand]] Tesco Lotus was a joint venture of the [[Charoen Pokphand]] Group and [[Tesco]] but facing criticism over the growth of [[hypermarket]]s. CP Group sold its Tesco Lotus shares in 2003.
In late 2005 Tesco acquired the 21 remaining [[Safeway (UK)|Safeway]]/[[BP]] stores after [[Morrisons]] dissolved the Safeway/BP partnership.{{Fact|date=March 2007}}
In mid 2006 Tesco purchased an 80% stake in Casino's Leader Price supermarkets in Poland. They will be rebranded into small Tesco stores.{{Fact|date=March 2007}}
On [[July 14]], [[2007]], fourteen Tesco stores across the UK were temporarily closed after a 'bomb scare' and a criminal investigation launched after threats were made.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6899218.stm BBC NEWS | UK | Tesco stores shut after threats<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> A 'suspect device' was found in one store on [[July 16]], [[2007]] causing the store and surrounding area to be sealed off while the Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit disposed of the package.<ref>{{cite_news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/bristol/6900729.stm |title= Suspect package blown up at Tesco |publisher=BBC News |date=[[16 July]] [[2007]]}}</ref>
In 2007, Tesco joined forces with [[O2]] in [[Ireland]] to form Tesco Mobile, using the 089 prefix. Tesco owns 50% of the network, with [[O2]] owning the remainder. Tesco has not built its own network in [[Ireland]], but uses the [[O2]] infrastructure already in place, similar to the arrangement in the UK. By doing this, Tesco has saved money and already has 99.6% population network coverage and 95% geographical coverage.
In 2007 Tesco was placed under investigation by the UK The [[Office of Fair Trading]] (OFT) for acting as part of a [[cartel]] of five supermarkets (Safeway, Tesco, Asda, Morrisons and Sainsburys) and a number of dairy companies to fix the price of milk, butter and cheese. In December 2007 Asda, Sainsburys and the former Safeway admitted that they acted covertly against the interests of consumers while publicly claiming that they were supporting 5,000 farmers recovering from the [[foot-and-mouth]] crisis. They were fined a total of £116M. Tesco, which maintains that it was not a part of the cartel, is still under investigation by the OFT.
Tesco plc is a British-based international grocery and general merchandising retail chain. It is the largest British retailer by both global sales and domestic market share with profits exceeding £2 billion. In 2008, the company overtook German retail giant Metro AG to become the world's fourth largest retailer, the first movement among the top five since 2003.[3]
Jack Cohen founded Tesco in 1909 when he began to sell surplus groceries from a stall in the East End of London. The Tesco brand first appeared in 1924. The name came about after Jack Cohen bought a shipment of tea from T.E. Stockwell. He made new labels using the first three letters of the supplier's name (TES), and the first two letters of his surname (CO), forming the word "TESCO".[5]
The first Tesco store was opened in 1929 in Burnt Oak, Edgware, Middlesex. Tesco floated on the London Stock Exchange in 1947 as Tesco Stores (Holdings) Limited.[6] The first self service store opened in St Albans in 1947 (still operational in 2007 as a Metro),[7] and the first supermarket in Maldon in 1956.[6]
During the 1950s and the 1960s Tesco grew organically, but also through acquisitions until it owned more than 800 stores. The company purchased 70 Williamsons stores (1957), 200 Harrow Stores outlets (1959), 212 Irwins stores (1960), 97 Charles Phillips stores (1964) and the Victor Value chain (1968) (sold to Bejam in 1986).[8]
Management and strategy changes
Founder Jack Cohen was an enthusiastic advocate of trading stamps as an inducement for shoppers to patronise his stores. He signed up with Green Shield Stamps in 1963, and became one of the company's largest clients.[9]
In 1973 Jack Cohen resigned and was replaced as Chairman by his son-in-law Leslie Porter. Porter and managing director Ian MacLaurin abandoned the "pile it high sell it cheap" philosophy of Cohen which had left the company "stagnating" and with a "bad image".[10] In 1977 Tesco launched "Operation Checkout" with the abandonment of Green Shield stamps, price reductions and centralised buying for all stores. The result was a rise in market share of 4% in two months.[10]
1980s
In May 1987 Tesco completed its hostile takeover of the Hillards chain of 40 supermarkets in the North of England for £220 million.[11]
1990s
In 1994, the company took over the Scottish supermarket chain William Low. Tesco successfully fought off Sainsbury's for control of the Dundee-based firm, which operated 57 stores. This paved the way for Tesco to expand its presence in Scotland, which was weaker than in England. Inverness was recently branded as "Tescotown",[12][13] because well over 50p in every £1 spent on food is believed to be spent in its three Tesco stores.[14]
In 1995, Tesco became the UK's market leader in the supermarket sector, beating Sainsbury's. [citation needed]
Tesco introduced a loyalty card, branded 'Clubcard', in 1995 and later an Internet shopping service. As of November 2006 Tesco was the only food retailer to make online shopping profitable.[15]
On 21 March1997 Tesco announced the purchase of the retail arm of Associated British Foods which consisted of the Quinnsworth, Stewarts and Crazy Prices chains in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, as well as associated businesses for GB£640 million.[18] The deal was approved by the European Commission on 6 May1997.[19] This acquisition gave it both a major presence in the Republic of Ireland, and a larger presence in Northern Ireland than Sainsbury's which had begun its move into the province in 1995.
In 1996, the typeface of the logo was changed to the current one shown on the top of the page with stripe reflections underneath the typefaces as Tesco used them on their carrier bags. The "typewriter" typeface that the company had been using since the 1970s for its in-store signage was also dropped during this period.
In 1997, Tesco Stores Limited and Esso Petroleum Company Ltd (now part of Exxonmobil Corporation) came together to form a business alliance. The agreement included several petrol filling stations on leases from Esso, where Tesco would operate the store under the Express format. In turn, Esso would operate the forecourts and sell their fuel via the Tesco store. Ten years later, over 600 Tesco/Esso stores can now be found across the United Kingdom.
2000s
Trolley shelter
In July 2001 it became involved in internet grocery retailing in the USA when it obtained a 35% stake in GroceryWorks.[citation needed]
In 2002 Tesco purchased 13 HIT hypermarkets in Poland; to date there are over 350 Tesco Stores in Poland and this portfolio is still growing with the introduction of Tesco Express stores around all major cities.[citation needed] It also made a major move into the UK convenience store market with its purchase of T & S Stores, owner of 870 convenience stores in the One Stop, Dillons and Day & Nite chains in the UK.[20]
In October 2003 it launched a UK telecoms division, comprising mobile and home phone services, to complement its existing Internet service provider business. In June 2003 Tesco purchased the C Two-Network in Japan.[21] It also acquired a majority stake in Turkish supermarket chain Kipa.[citation needed]
In January 2004 Tesco acquired Adminstore, owner of 45 Cullens, Europa, and Harts convenience stores, in and around London.[22] In August 2004, it also launched a broadband service.
In Thailand Tesco Lotus was a joint venture of the Charoen Pokphand Group and Tesco but facing criticism over the growth of hypermarkets. CP Group sold its Tesco Lotus shares in 2003.
In late 2005 Tesco acquired the 21 remaining Safeway/BP stores after Morrisons dissolved the Safeway/BP partnership.[citation needed]
In mid 2006 Tesco purchased an 80% stake in Casino's Leader Price supermarkets in Poland. They will be rebranded into small Tesco stores.[citation needed]
On July 14, 2007, fourteen Tesco stores across the UK were temporarily closed after a 'bomb scare' and a criminal investigation launched after threats were made.[23] A 'suspect device' was found in one store on July 16, 2007 causing the store and surrounding area to be sealed off while the Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit disposed of the package.[24]
In 2007, Tesco joined forces with O2 in Ireland to form Tesco Mobile, using the 089 prefix. Tesco owns 50% of the network, with O2 owning the remainder. Tesco has not built its own network in Ireland, but uses the O2 infrastructure already in place, similar to the arrangement in the UK. By doing this, Tesco has saved money and already has 99.6% population network coverage and 95% geographical coverage.
In 2007 Tesco was placed under investigation by the UK The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) for acting as part of a cartel of five supermarkets (Safeway, Tesco, Asda, Morrisons and Sainsburys) and a number of dairy companies to fix the price of milk, butter and cheese. In December 2007 Asda, Sainsburys and the former Safeway admitted that they acted covertly against the interests of consumers while publicly claiming that they were supporting 5,000 farmers recovering from the foot-and-mouth crisis. They were fined a total of £116M. Tesco, which maintains that it was not a part of the cartel, is still under investigation by the OFT.
Corporate strategy
An "inclusive offer". This phrase is used by Tesco to describe its aspiration to appeal to upper, medium and low income customers in the same stores.[citation needed] According to Citigroup retail analyst David McCarthy, "They've pulled off a trick that I'm not aware of any other retailer achieving. That is to appeal to all segments of the market".[25]
One plank of this strategy has been Tesco's use of its own-brand products, including the upmarket "Finest" and low-price "Value".
Tesco implemented the Clubcard rewards program to gather necessary customer information, which it then used to cater to specific customer needs and potential wants. When shoppers signed up for the card, they automatically submitted their age, gender and address. Tesco was able to segment their shoppers based on these factors. As soon as the shopper used the card when shopping online or in-store, purchased product information was automatically uploaded into Tesco database. Product information was used to cross-sell additional products and services such as grocery delivery services.[26]
Beginning in 1997 when Terry Leahy took over as CEO, Tesco began marketing itself using the phrase "The Tesco Way" to describe the company's core purposes, values, principles, and goals[27] This phrase became the standard marketing speak for Tesco as it expanded domestically and internationally under Leahy's leadership, implying a shift by the company to focus on people, both customers and employees[28].
Brand image
Tesco operates a "good, better & best" policy for its products, encompassing several product categories such as food, beverage, home, clothing, Tesco Mobile and financial services.
Tesco Value - These products minimise Tesco's costs, including simple packaging to keep the retail cost as low as possible. This range has recently expanded into small home electrical items like kettles, toasters, microwaves, vacuum cleaners, food steamers, blenders and floor heaters. The packaging of these products is in a standard design across the whole range and is increasingly being removed from the ranges in many stores.
Tesco Brand - Standard products at "mid range, own label store prices".
Tesco Finest - These products use "superior" ingredients and in some cases, Tesco claim they are designed/recommended by top chefs. Has also moved into the Non-Food segment of the market, with Finest Health and Beauty, Home and Clothing lines being stocked in Extra stores.
Healthy Living/Light Choices - Usually contains lower fat, sugar and salt content than in standard Tesco Brand.
Organic - Tesco's own brand range of organic foods, has also moved into the Non-Food market, with organic bedding and clothing planned.
Tesco Kids - Brands aimed at children, although this range is being phased out in certain areas and replaced with a dual branding with Disney.
Best Of British - British speciality foods.
World Foods - Speciality foods from around the world.
Tesco Wholefoods - Range of natural, unprocessed products such as, dried fruit, seeds & nuts.
Tesco Bakery has pastries and breads baked daily, including cookies, although many of these items tend not to be produced in store, with the stores own bakery preferring to focus its resources on faster selling items[citation needed]
Free From - Food that does not contain certain ingredients (e.g. wheat, gluten, dairy & nuts).
Tesco Christmas - Seasonal goods that Tesco only stock during the Christmas period.
Clothing at Tesco - comprising several exclusive brands including Cherokee, Stone Bay, True and F+F (formerly Florence for women, and Fred for men) - Tesco's own clothing label.
Technika/Digilogic - Range of Tesco own brand electrical items (from DVD players to televisions and computers).
Tesco Mobile - Tesco's own mobile network has 5 pay as you go tariffs; Value tariff, Standard tariff, Standard Plus tariff, Extra tariff and the Staff Tariff for employees.
Cocopia - A range of premium boxed chocolates made in the UK and Ireland exclusively for Tesco. Similar to Hotel Chocolat.
In order to protect its brand image, and given its expansion plans in Thailand, Tesco has recently been employing a policy of launching defamation proceedings. In November 2007, Tesco sued a Thai academic and a former minister for civil libel and criminal defamation. Tesco is claiming that the two pay £1.6m and £16.4m plus two years' imprisonment respectively. They have been alleged to have misstated that Tesco's Thai market amounts to 37% of its global revenues, amongst criticism of Tesco's propensity to put small retailers out of business.[29]
Advertising
Tesco's main advertising slogan is "Every little helps". Its advertisements in print and on television mainly consist of product shots (or an appropriate image, such as a car when advertising petrol) against a white background, with a price or appropriate text, e.g. "Tesco Value", superimposed on a red circle. On television, voiceovers are provided by recognisable actors and presenters, such as James Nesbitt, Jane Horrocks, Terry Wogan, Ray Winstone, Neil Morrissey, Martin Clunes, David Jason and Kathy Burke among others.
Corporate tax structure
In May 2007 it was revealed that Tesco had moved the head office of its online operations to the tax haven of Switzerland. This allows it to sell CDs, DVDs and electronic games through its web site without charging VAT.[30] The operation had previously been run out of the tax haven of Jersey, but had been closed by authorities who feared damage to the islands's reputation.[30]
In February 2008 a six month investigation by The Guardian revealed that Tesco has developed a complex taxation structure involving offshore bank accounts in the tax haven of the Cayman Islands.[31] Tesco is in the process of selling its UK stores, worth an estimated £6 billion, to Cayman Island based companies set up by Tesco. These companies then lease the stores back to Tesco. This arrangement enables Tesco to avoid an estimated £1 billion tax on profits from the property sales, and also to avoid paying any tax on continuing operation of the stores, as the rate of corporation tax in the Cayman Islands is zero. Tesco have defended this arrangement, saying it has a duty to organise its affairs in a tax-efficient manner, and pointing out that the corporation already pays a lot of tax, including VAT on behalf of its customers, and PAYE and National insurance contributions on behalf of its employees.
Following these revelations, several MPs called for an inquiry into Tesco's tax avoidance schemes.[32]
Tesco issued a libel writ against the Guardian five weeks later. Tesco denied that it had avoided paying £1 billion corporation tax, but refused to answer further questions, or to clarify the purpose of the complex artificial tax structure they had created. Further investigations by the Guardian discovered that the tax structures were aimed at avoiding Stamp Duty Land Tax, and not corporation tax as originally thought. SDLT is leveled at 4%, and corporate tax at around 30%, so the figure of £1 billion tax avoided by Tesco has been revised to an estimated £90-£100 million.[33] According to the Guardian "Tesco has been involved in a game of cat and mouse with HM Revenue & Customs since 2003. On three occasions when the government has closed a loophole to prevent avoidance, Tesco has taken advantage of ingenious schemes to get around it. Tesco still has 36 stores wrapped up in UK limited partnerships - with Cayman Islands registered partners - which were established in 2006 before the latest loophole was closed."[33]
Corporate social responsibility
Tesco has made a commitment to Corporate social responsibility, in the form of contributions of 1.87% in 2006 of its pre-tax profits to charities/local community organisations.[34] This compares favourably with Marks & Spencer's 1.51% but not well with Sainsbury's 7.02%. Will Hutton, in his role as chief executive of The Work Foundation recently praised Tesco for leading the debate on corporate responsibility.[35] However Intelligent Giving has criticised the company for directing all "staff giving" support to the company's Charity of the Year.[36]
In 1992 Tesco started a "computers for schools scheme", offering computers in return for schools and hospitals getting vouchers from people who shopped at Tesco. Till 2004, £92m of equipment went to these organisations. The scheme has been also implemented in Poland."BITC - Tesco Computers for Schools". Retrieved 2006-01-19.
UK operations
Stores
Tesco's UK stores are divided into five formats, differentiated by size and the range of products sold. these are shown below
The first Extra opened in 1997. The 100th store opened in the 2004/05 financial year (specifically opening 29 November2004, located on the Newport Road in Stafford, Staffordshire). The number of these is now being increased by about 20 a year, mainly by conversions from the second category.
The largest store in England by floor space is Tesco Extra in Pitsea, near Basildon with floorspace of 11,600 m2 (125,000 sq ft) and the largest in Scotland is the Port Glasgow store, which opened in July 2007 with a floorspace of 10,200 m² (110,000 sq ft).[37]. The largest in Wales is the Tesco Extra in Culverhouse Cross, Cardiff, 9,800 m2 (105,000 sq ft) constructed in 2007.[38]
Other large stores include Bar Hill Extra, Cleethorpes Extra, Newcastle upon Tyne Extra, Milton Keynes Extra and Stockton-on-Tees Extra which are all in the 11,000 m2 (120,000 sq ft) range. Newer Tesco Extra stores are usually on two floors, with the ground floor for mainly food and the first floor for clothing, electronics and entertainment. Most Tesco Extra stores have a café.
Tesco superstores are standard large supermarkets, stocking groceries and a much smaller range of non-food goods than Extra stores. They are referred to as "superstores" for convenience, but this word does not appear on the shops. It is the "standard" Tesco format. Most are located in suburbs of cities or on the edges of large and medium-sized towns. The typical size is 2,900 m² (31,000 sq ft).[citation needed]
Tesco Metro stores are sized between Tesco superstores and Tesco Express stores. They are mainly located in city centres, the inner city and on the high streets of small towns such as Rowlands Gill and Nelson. Typical size is 1,100 m² (12,000 sq ft).[citation needed] The first Tesco Metro was opened in Covent Garden, London in 1992. Tesco Metro, Manchester, England on New Years Eve 2007 Since then all Tesco branches that have a high street format including those which opened before the Covent Garden branch have been subsequently rebranded from Tesco to Tesco Metro probably to give an identity to the Tesco high street sub brand. The Tesco store in Devizes was the last store to finish rebranding, in September 2006. The store had not been renovated for over 20 years.
Tesco Express stores are neighbourhood convenience shops, stocking mainly food with an emphasis on higher-margin products (due to lack of economies of scale) alongside everyday essentials. They are found in busy city centre districts, small shopping precincts in residential areas, small towns and on Esso petrol station forecourts. There were 654 stores at 25 February2006 year end, with a typical size of 190 m² (2,100 sq ft).[citation needed]
One Stop are the only category which does not include the word Tesco in its name. These are the very smallest stores. They were part of the T&S Stores business but, unlike many which have been converted to Tesco Express, these will keep their old name. However, some have Tesco Personal Finance branded cash machines. There are more than 500 of them. One Stop Stores also work on a different pricing and offers system to the other Tesco stores, and generally have later opening hours than all except the 24-hour Tesco stores. Typical size 125 m² (1,350 ft²).[citation needed]
In May 2005 Tesco announced a trial non-food only format in Manchester and Aberdeen,[39] and the first store opened in October 2005:
Tesco Homeplus stores offer all of Tesco's ranges except food in warehouse-style units in retail parks. Tesco is trying this format because only 20% of its customers have access to a Tesco Extra, and the company is restricted in how many of its superstores it can convert into Extras and how quickly it can do so. Large units for non-food retailing are much more readily available. It plans to open at least three more Homeplus stores in 2006.[40] As of 2 October2006 Homeplus remains a "trial" format and no decision has been taken on expansion beyond the three stores already open and two that will open shortly.[41] The Staines branch opened on 27 November2006. The newest Homeplus branch opened in Bromborough on 26 March2007.
This is not Tesco's first non-food only venture in the UK. Until the late 1990s/early 2000s there were several non-food Tesco stores around the country including Scarborough and Yate. Although not in a warehouse style format, the stores were located on high streets and shopping centres, they did stock similar items to Homeplus stores. In both cases this was because in another part of the shopping centre was a Tesco Superstore which stocked food items only.
As of 24 February2007, at the end of its 2006/07 financial year, Tesco's UK store portfolio was as follows.
In common with most other large retailers, Tesco draws goods from suppliers into regional distribution centres, for preparation and onward delivery to stores. Tesco is extending this logistic practice to cover collection from suppliers (factory gate pricing) and the input to suppliers, in a drive to reduce costs and improve reliability.[42]RFID technology is taking an increasing role in the distribution process.[43]
Road
In 2007 Tesco was facing national disruption to its distribution network after a dispute with drivers at its distribution depot in Livingston, Scotland.[44] In response to fears over increasing road congestion, fuel prices, and concern over its carbon footprint, Tesco is switching some of its supply chain to alternative modes, detailed below.
Rail
Tesco has been transporting goods by rail since 2006 using its distribution partner Eddie Stobart Group.[45] Volumes are set to increase in 2007 with new routes.[46]
Canal
In October 2007 Tesco started using the Manchester Ship Canal to transport wine from Liverpool to a Manchester distribution facility. Combined with sea transport from the south coast where the wine was previously offloaded, this new mode replaces road journeys from the south coast to Manchester.[47]
Other Businesses
Garden Centres
Tesco announced its intention to purchase Dobbies Garden Centres for £155.6 million on 8 June2007. Dobbies operates 21 garden centres, mainly in Scotland.[48] The deal was confirmed as successful by the board of directors of Tesco on 17 August2007 when the board announced that they had received 53.1% of shares (or 5,410,457 shares) which confirmed conditions set out in the offer made on 20 June2007. Although the deal had been confirmed by Tesco the offer remained open to Dobbies shareholders until 20 August2007.[49]
Tesco acquired Dobbies Garden Centres in September.[50]
Tesco has a banking arm called Tesco Personal Finance, a 50:50 joint venture with the Royal Bank of Scotland. Products on offer include credit cards, loans, mortgages, savings accounts and several types of insurance, including car, home, life and travel. They are promoted by leaflets in Tesco's stores and through its website. The business made a profit of £130 million for the 52 weeks to 24 February2007, of which Tesco's share was £66 million.
This move towards the financial sector has diversified the Tesco brand and provides opportunities for growth outside of the retailing sector.
Tesco personal finance offers loans, car loans, instant access saving accounts, business credit card, bonus credit card (the credit card that pays you interest back), Clubcard credit card (where you can earn 1 point for every £4.00 spent on it) and mortgages. Tesco also offer insurance including travel insurance, pet insurance, car insurance, life insurance, home insurance and car breakdown cover in association with Green Flag. A key marketing strategy is Tesco offering Clubcard points or free petrol when you buy Tesco Car Insurance.
The company is currently trialling a finance centre in the Glasgow Silverburn Extra store providing free financial advice and quotes for insurance and loans, this service is staffed by trained Royal Bank of Scotland staff. The centre also has a Euro cash machine providing commission free Euros and a Bureau de Change run by Travelex. If successful this trial will roll out to a number of other key and flagship stores.
Telecoms
Tesco operates ISP, mobile phone, home phone and VoIP businesses. These are available to UK residential consumers and marketed via the Tesco website and through Tesco stores.
Though it launched its ISP service in 1998, the firm did not get serious about telecoms until 2003. It has not purchased or built a telecoms network, but instead has pursued a strategy of pairing its marketing strength with the expertise of existing telcoms. In autumn 2003 Tesco Mobile was launched as a joint venture with O2, and Tesco Home Phone created in partnership with Cable & Wireless. In August 2004 Tesco broadband, an ADSL-based service delivered via BT phone lines, was launched in partnership with NTL. In January 2006, Tesco Internet Phone, a Voice over Internet Protocol, VoIP, service was launched in conjunction with Freshtel of Australia.[51]
Tesco announced in December 2004 that it has signed up 500,000 customers to its mobile service in the 12 months since launch. In December 2005, it announced it had one million customers using its mobile service. In April 2006 it announced that it had over one and a half million telecom accounts in total, including mobile, fixed line and broadband accounts. Template:PDFlink
On 19 December2006 Tesco Ireland announced that it would enter into a joint venture with O2 Ireland to offer mobile telecommunications services.[52] The service, which will be Ireland's first MVNO, will use the O2 network but operate separately. It will be allocated the STD code 089. As with Tesco's similar service in the UK, it will be branded Tesco Mobile.[52] The network is due to start operating in Ireland on October 29, 2007.
Tesco first started selling petrol in 1974. Tesco sells 95, 97 and 99 RON (a fuel developed by Greenergy of which Tesco is a shareholder) petrol on a retail basis from forecourts at most superstore and Express locations. Tesco have recently diversified into biofuels, offering petrol-bioethanol and diesel-biodiesel blends instead of pure petrol and diesel at their petrol stations, and now offering Greenergy 100% biodiesel at many stores in the southeast of the United Kingdom.
Tesco's own 99 Octane branded petrol as supplied by Greenergy has been the control fuel used by all the cars in the British Rally Championship since 2006. This partership will continue in 2008.
Tesco has been criticised with claims that they had been alerted to the problem as early as 12 February2007. Affected motorists are facing bills of several hundred pounds to repair their cars and, with up to 10,000 cars needing repair, the suppliers could be liable for compensation claims of up to £10 million.[57] However, on 6 March, Tesco offered to pay for any damage caused by the faulty petrol, after printing full page apologies in many national newspapers.[58]
Of the major supermarkets in the UK, only Tesco and Sainsbury's offer a loyalty card-scheme to customers. Tesco's Clubcard scheme has been operating since 1995 and has now become the largest loyalty card in the UK, with around 13 million active Clubcard holders.[citation needed]
Customers can collect one Clubcard point for every £1 (or €1 in Ireland) they spend in a Tesco store, Tesco Petrol or Tesco.com. Customers can also collect points by paying with a Tesco Credit Card, or by using Tesco Mobile, Tesco Homephone, Tesco Broadband, selected Tesco Personal Finance products or through Clubcard partners, Powergen and Avis. Each point equates to 1p in store when redeemed or 4p when used with clubcard deals (offers for holidays, day trips, etc). Clubcard points can also be converted to Airmiles.
Holders receive quarterly Clubcard statements offering discount coupons which can be spent in-store, online or on various Clubcard deals.
Tesco was cited in a Wall Street Journal article[59] as using the intelligence from the Clubcard to thwart Wal-Mart's initiatives in the UK.
Tesco operates the world's largest grocery homeshopping service[citation needed], as well as providing consumer goods, telecommunications and financial services online.
Tesco has operated on the internet since 1994 and was the first retailer in the world to offer a robust home shopping service in 1996. Tesco.com was formally launched in 2000. It also has online operations in the Republic of Ireland and South Korea. Grocery sales are available within delivery range of selected stores, goods being hand-picked within each store, in contrast to the warehouse model followed by Ocado. This model, which is now used by Sainsbury's, allows rapid expansion with limited investment, but has been criticised for a high level of substitutions[citation needed]. Nevertheless, it has been popular and is the largest online grocery service in the world. In 2003, tesco.com's CEO at the time, John Browett, received the Wharton Infosys Business Transformation Award for the innovative processes he used to support this online grocery service.
On 1 October2006, Tesco announced that it will be selling six own-brand budget software packages for under £20 each, including office and security suites, in a partnership with software firm Formjet.[60] As Formjet is exclusive distributor for Panda Software and Ability Plus Software, packages from these companies are likely to feature.
High-tech services
Tesco offers broadband services.
The company also has a digital photo shop that offers products such as, mugs, shirts, celebration cakes and table mats. The service is powered by Pixology.
Tesco offer an internet-based DVD rental service, which is operated by LOVEFiLM . Music downloads are also available.
International operations
Tesco's international expansion strategy has responded to the need to be sensitive to local expectations in other countries by entering into joint ventures with local partners, such as Samsung Group in South Korea (Samsung-TescoHome plus), and Charoen Pokphand in Thailand (Tesco Lotus), appointing a very high proportion of local personnel to management positions. It also makes small acquisitions as part of its strategy for example, in its 2005/2006 financial year it made acquisitions in South Korea, one in Poland and one in Japan.[61]
In late 2004 the amount of floorspace Tesco operated outside the United Kingdom surpassed the amount it had in its home market for the first time, although the United Kingdom still accounted for more than 75% of group revenue due to lower sales per unit area outside the UK. Tesco regularly makes small acquisitions to expand its international businesses.
In September 2005 Tesco announced that it was selling its operations in Taiwan to Carrefour and purchasing Carrefour's stores in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Both companies stated that they were concentrating their efforts in countries where they had strong market positions.
China
Tesco entered China by acquiring a 50% stake in the Hymall chain from Ting Hsin of Taiwan in September 2004. In December 2006 it raised its stake to 90% in a £180 million deal.[62] Most of Tesco China's stores are based around Shanghai, but according to Tesco it plans to equip the business to expand more quickly and in different areas. Tesco has been increasing its own brand products into the Chinese market as well as introducing the Tesco Express format.[63]
Tesco opened its first store in the Czech Republic in 1996 and now has over 84 stores, with further planned.[64] Tesco opened its first stores in the Czech Republic by buying US corporation Kmart's operations in the country and converting them into Tesco stores. Tesco is also keen to expand non-food items and has already opened petrol stations and offers personal finance services in the Czech Republic.[65]
Hungary
Tesco launched in Hungary in 1994 after purchasing KMart's operations in the area. It also opened it's first hypermarket in Hungary in the same year. Tesco operates through 101 stores in Hungary with further openings planned.[66] Tesco offers its value, standard, healthy living and finest range in it's stores. Tesco Hungary also offers a clothing line and personal finance services.[67]
Ireland
Tesco entered the Irish market in 1997 after the purchase of Power Supermarkets Ltd. It now operates from 101 stores across Ireland. It, like Tesco UK offers a home delivery shopping service available to 80% of the Irish population as well as petrol, mobile telephone, personal finance, flower delivery service and a weight-loss programme.[68] Also available is Tesco's loyalty programme, the Clubcard.
Tesco is now the grocery market leader in the Republic of Ireland, with a reported November 2005 share of 26.3%.[69] Tesco Ireland also claims to be the largest purchaser of Irish food with an estimated €1.5 billion annually.[70]
Japan
Tesco Japan first began operations in 2003. It was bought about by a buy-out of C Two stores for £139 million in July 2003 and later Fre'c in April 2004.[71] Tesco has adopted an approach which focuses on small corner shops operating similarly to its Express format rather than opening hypermarkets. It has also launched its range of software in Japan.[72]
Malaysia
Tesco opened its first store in Malaysia in May 2002. Tesco partnered with local conglomerate Sime Darby Berhad which holds 30% of the shares.[73] Tesco also acquired Makro, a local wholesaler which was rebranded Tesco Extra and provides products for local retailers. Tesco Malaysia offers a value range, own branded range, electronic goods, the loyalty clubcard and clothing.
Tesco entered the Polish market in 1995. It currently operates from 280 stores and has plans to open even more.[74] Tesco Poland offers the value, healthy living and own branded line of products as well as regional produce, petrol, personal finance services and on-line photo processing. Tesco Poland is keen to promote it's green credentials.[75]
Slovakia
Tesco Slovakia opened in 1996 as part of Tesco's international expansion aims. It now operates from 48 stores and has plans to introduce Tesco Express like local stores.[76] Tesco Slovakia has recently put great emphasis on organic products. However, Tesco Slovakia caused controversy amongst the Slovak government when it was found to have come foul of food safety laws in 2006.[77]
South Korea
Tesco launched its South Korean operations in 1999 and partnered with Samsung, Tesco holds 81% of the shares in the venture.[78] It operates both hypermarkets and its express format as well as a home delivery shopping service. It is the largest foreign food retailer in South Korea, although significantly behind its local rivals such as Lotte, and Shinsegae Group.[79]
Tesco entered Thailand in 1998 and operates through 380 stores as part of a joint venture with Charoen Pokphand and named the operation Tesco Lotus. This partnership was dissolved in 2003 when Charoen Pokphand sold its shares to Tesco. Tesco Lotus sells a diverse range of products from value food products to electronics to personal finance services. The company is keen to promote its green values and has partnered with the UNEP. Tesco Lotus claims to serve 20 million customers every month and that 97% of its goods are sourced from Thailand.[80]
Turkey
Tesco entered Turkey in 2003 and uses the trading name "Kipa". Tesco remains focused on building infrastructure in Turkey to complete its expansion plans and has already introduced the Tesco Express format into Turkey. There are plans to increase the rate of expansion as basic infrastructure is built.[81]
In February 2006, Tesco announced its intention to move into the United States market, opening a chain of convenience stores on the West Coast (Arizona, California and Nevada) in 2007 named Fresh & Easy.[82] The company established its U.S. headquarters in El Segundo, California at 2120 Park Place. The first store opened in November 2007 with 100 more expected in the first year. They plan to open a new one every two-and-a-half days in America, to mimic the successful expansion of pharmacy chains such as Walgreens in the U.S.
The following table shows the number of stores, total store size in area and sales for Tesco's international operations. The store numbers and floor area figures are as at 24 February2007 but the turnover figures are for the year ended 31 December2005, except for the Republic of Ireland data, which is at 24 February2007, like the UK figures. This information is taken from the Template:PDFlink.
Note 1: The business in China was a joint venture at February 2006 (now a 90% owned subsidiary; see above) and its turnover is not reported in Tesco's 2006 brokers' pack.
Note 2: Tesco owned a French chain called Catteau between 1992 and 1997. Its existing single store in France is a wine warehouse in Calais, which opened in 1995 and is targeted at British day trippers. Wine is much cheaper in France than in the UK because the duty is far lower. Turnover is not reported separately.
Note 3: Tesco Stores (Malaysia) Private Limited was incepted on 29 November2001, as a strategic alliance with local conglomerate, Sime DarbyLimited of which the latter holds 30% of total shares. On 31 January2007, Tesco Stores (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd's CEO Chris Bush announced in a letter published on Makro Cash & Carry (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd's website that it was purchasing Makro and converting and refurbishing all its stores to a new format called Tesco 'Extra'. [2] It is not known whether the format will be similar to Tesco UK's format.
All figures below are for the Tesco's financial years, which run for 52 or 53 week periods to late February. Up to the 27 February2007 period end the numbers include non-UK and Ireland results for the calendar year ended on 31 December2006 in the accounting year. The figures in the table below include 52 weeks/12 months of turnover for both sides of the business as this provides the best comparative. Including 60 weeks of non-UK and Ireland sales the figures to 24 February2007 were: revenue £46,600 million; profit before tax £2,653 million; profit for year £2,478 million; basic earnings per share 22.36 pence.[83]
Group revenue for the 26 weeks to 26 August2006 was £20,735 million, compared to £17,170 million in the 24 week interin period reported in 2005. On a comparable 26 week basis group sales increased by 12.7% and group profit increased by 10.3%.[84]
As of its 2006 year end Tesco was the fourth largest retailer in the world behind Wal-Mart, Carrefour and Home Depot. Tesco moved ahead of Home Depot during 2007, following the sale of Home Depot's professional supply division and a decline in the value of the U.S. dollar against the British Pound. METRO was only just behind and might move ahead again if the euro strengthens against the pound, but METRO's sales include many billions of wholesale turnover, and its retail turnover is much less than Tesco's.
At 24 February2007 Tesco operated 1,988 stores in the UK (2.581 million m², 27.7 million square feet) and 1,275 outside the UK (3.75 million m², 40.4 million square feet).
The company has a total market value of about £36,761.71m (April 2007).[85] Tesco is the largest private sector employer in the UK and second to the NHS overall.[86]
UK market share
Graph Showing Market Share of Tesco
According to TNS Worldpanel, Tesco's share of the UK grocery market in the 12 weeks to 20 May2007 was 31.32%, down 0.03% on 12 weeks to 22 April2007. Across all categories, over £1 in every £7 (14.3%) of UK retail sales is spent at Tesco. Tesco also operates overseas, and non-UK revenue for the year to 24 February2007 was up 18% on 25 February2006
Tesco Stores Ltd v Othman-Khalid (Unreported, 10 September2001), Mr Othman-Khalid was dismissed from a Tesco petrol station. CCTV camera had shown him serving himself, playing video games on shift and taking a pack of ten cigarettes that was damaged stock and meant to be returned to the manufacturer. At a disciplinary he lied saying that he had sold the cigarettes to a customer. He claimed that the dismissal was unfair, and the tribunal agreed, because it said too much weight was given to the little pinching of the cigarettes over other factors of his job performance. The tribunal allowed the claim, but reduced his damages by 10% for contributory fault. But on appeal, Underhill QC found for Tesco that dismissal for theft, however small, was within the "reasonable range of responses" of an employer, under s.98(4) of the Employment Rights Act 1996.
Tesco Stores Ltd v Wilson (No.2) (aka, Abrahams v Wilson) (Unreported, 12 January2000), Mr Wilson was an Afro-Caribbean rastafarian who worked for Barkland Cleaning Ltd, as a cleaner contracted to Tesco's site in Mereway, Northampton. Mr Abrahams, one of Tesco' security guards, was on duty in plain clothes. When Mr Wilson drove into the carpark, Mr Abrahams knocked on his window and told him to get out so he could search the car. When Mr Wilson refused, he said "you lot think you can get away with anything" and went and filed a report. Then Mr Wilson was dismissed. He claimed this was unfair, because it was discrimination under the Race Relations Act 1976. He won £5000 damages. Tesco appealed, but lost again. Judge Peter Clark held that "you lot" was certainly intended to refer to race, and that the whole defence of Tesco was meant to depict Mr Wilson as violent and dishonest. This justified an aggravated damages award.
Tesco Group of Companies (Holdings) v Hill [1977] I.R.L.R. 63, a checkout lady did not ring up 18 items worth £7 in one customer's purchase. Tesco started an investigation. She said she felt ill. Tesco called the police. They dismissed her. The Employment Appeal Tribunal held that the dismissal was unfair because she was given no opportunity to state her case when she was in a fit state.
Johnson v Tesco Stores [1976] I.R.L.R. 103, an old case under old law, the employment tribunal found Tesco to have unfairly dismissed Mr Johnson. He had wrongly stated on his application that he had a certain job between 1967 and 1973, when he had not. 18 months later Tesco found out, and they said this was the reason for dismissal. Under the Trade Union and Labour Relations Act 1974 Sch.1, para.6, which refers to conduct during and not prior to employment, conduct prior to the start of the contract could not make the contract itself void. So Tesco was found to have dismissed Mr Johnson unfairly.
Personal injury and safety
Amanda Hardy v Tesco Stores Plc [2006] EWHC 3091, Judge Seymour QC dismissed a claim by Mrs Hardy that she got a back injury while trying to lift some heavy bottles from the conveyor belt at the checkout. It was found her evidence was unreliable.
Tesco Stores Ltd v Pollard [2006] EWCA Civ 393, a 13 month old child fell ill when it ate some washing powder from a product that had a faulty child resistant cap. It was bought from Tesco, but manufactured by another company. When bringing proceedings against Tesco and the manufacturer, Tesco joined the mother for negligence in not properly looking after the child. The Court of Appeal found Tesco and the manufacturer alone liable under the Consumer Protection Act 1987.
W (A Child) v Tesco Stores Ltd [2005] C.L.Y. 3097, in the St Albans County Court, a 10 year old girl won £1600 worth of damages for a nasty injury to her ear five years before. She had slipped in the supermarket.
Tesco Stores Ltd v Harrow LBC [2003] EWHC 2919, in the Harrow store, a customer found a piece of wire in a bap. The local council was found to be entitled to fine Tesco under the Food Safety Act 1990 s.8.
Collins v Tesco Stores Ltd [2003] EWCA Civ 1308, the Court of Appeal (Pill LJ giving the lead judgment) agreed that Mrs Jan Collins' claim for some £24,000 for a workplace injury was statute barred. Because she had not brought the claim within 3 years of knowing the injury to be significant she was too late.
Sutton v Tesco Stores Plc (Unreported, 30 July2002) Mrs Sutton, who was a nurse and was pregnant, slipped on a squashed tomato at the store. She won £7500 in general damages for her anxiety about the baby (who was born prematurely) and painful injury to her wrist.
Harvey v Tesco Plc [2002] 6 Q.R. 11, Mrs Harvey at age 73 slipped on the floor in Tesco and fell, injuring her hand. She had to have a plaster cast, and because of swelling her wedding ring needed to be cut off. She received £4000 in damages.
K (A Child) v Tesco Stores Ltd [2000] C.L.Y. 1670, in the Uxbridge Crown Court a seven year old won £500 damages for minor injuries at the Tesco store. An automatic door had failed to open and the child got bruising for a week, and felt quite ill the next day with a bad bump to the head.
Jacob v Tesco Stores Plc (Unreported, 19 November1998), the Court of Appeal (Henry LJ and Clarke J) held that Mrs Jacob, a Tesco employee, was entitled to damages after a heavy fall probably from a water puddle in the store. Mrs Jacob had hurried to answer a colleague's query, and stepped in a water puddle. She quickly told someone that they should get a cleaner, hurried on 25 paces and fell. Tesco argued that the judge had not applied the leading case, Ward v Tesco Stores Ltd [1976] 1 W.L.R. 810 properly, which uses the res ipsa loquitur doctrine (i.e. if it was not the puddle, how else could it have happened). Tesco argued that there was no way the puddle could have made her slip 25 paces later, but their argument was dismissed because they could not come up with a better explanation.
Peach v Tesco Stores Plc [1998] C.L.Y. 1665, Mrs Peach, 65, slipped on a mangetout (a pea pod) in the store and really hurt her hip badly. She had to have surgery. She recovered after 3 months but she developed deep vein thrombosis. She got £10,000 in compensation.
Watford (A Minor) v Tesco Stores Ltd [1998] C.L.Y. 1672, in the Uxbridge County Court, a little boy, aged 2 at the time of the accident, won £3850 after he slipped on some crisps. He fractured bones in his leg, and it took him three months before he fully recovered.
Kitching v Tesco Stores [1995] C.L.Y. 1731, Miss Kitching was a checkout lady, aged 22. She injured her wrist badly when she tried to stop some soft drinks falling on her. She won £5500 for this injury in the course of employment, because experienced, possibly permanently, pain up her arm and she was hindered in her hobbies of swimming and writing to pen-pals.
Commercial cases
Tesco Stores Ltd v Elogicom Ltd [2006] EWHC 403, Tesco won a passing off action against misuse of its internet domain name
Weight Watchers UK Ltd v Tesco Stores Ltd [2003] EWHC 1109, Tesco fended off an action from Weight Watchers, that it using the word "points" for the fat and calorie content in its products was passing off Weight Watcher's name for its own scheme.
Tesco Plc v Customs and Excise Commissioners [2003] EWCA Civ 1367, the Court of Appeal dismissed the claim by Tesco that it did not have to pay any VAT for transactions through its loyalty card scheme.
Tesco Stores Ltd v Pook [2003] EWHC 823; [2004] I.R.L.R. 618, Mr Pook was a senior employee who got a computer company called Delta to pay his own company a "consultancy fee" (i.e. a bribe) to make sure Delta did not lose a supply contract with Tesco. Mr Pook was already serving 3 years jail for theft, and this action was for Tesco to get back that bribe money. It succeeded, because it was held that Mr Pook was in breach of trust through his conflict of interest. Moreover there was an implied term that Mr Pook would not be allowed to exercise his rights under the company ESOP, until he had paid all he owed.
Tesco Supermarkets Ltd v Nattrass [1972] A.C. 153; [1971] 2 W.L.R. 1166; [1971] 2 All E.R. 127, an important case on corporate liability Tesco was found to not be in breach of the Trade Descriptions Act 1968 s.24. This requires that advertisements cannot be misleading, which is a criminal offence. A Tesco store manager (they had 800 odd stores at this time) failed to take down a poster advertising special offers on washing powder. A customer was charged a higher price than on the poster. But it was held that Tesco itself was not guilty of an offence, because the store manager did not represent the "controlling mind" of the corporation. The company's directors had used all diligence necessary to comply with its duties under the Act.
Tesco Stores Ltd v Secretary of State for the Environment [1995] 1 W.L.R. 759; [1995] 2 All E.R. 636, deals with the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, where Tesco wanted to build a superstore outside Oxford.
Kayser Bondor v Tesco Stores (Times, January 25, 1962) Tesco's first reported case, it won an injunction against a retailer to whom it sold goods. Tesco required that the prices sold would not be lower than a certain minimum (resale price maintenance). Granting the injunction, Cross J held that no matter how much Kayser disliked the terms, it was not compelled to enter the contract. If it did it would have to abide by the terms, unless it could convince Parliament to legislate against the practice (see now, Competition Act 1998)
In Thailand, Tesco has been criticised for aggressively pursuing critics of the company. Writer and former MP [Jit Siratranont] is facing up to two years in jail and a £16.4m libel damages claim for saying that Tesco was expanding aggressively at the expense of small local retailers. Tesco served him with writs for criminal defamation and civil libel.[87]
Criticism of Tesco includes allegations of stifling competition due to its undeveloped "land bank",[88] pugilistically aggressive new store development without real consideration of the wishes, needs and consequences to local communities,[89] using cheap and/or child labour,[90][91] opposition to its move into the convenience sector[92] and breaching planning laws.[93]
A recent criticism from 2007 occurred when Tesco failed to deliver groceries via online shopping to a university campus in Sussex, offering no refund or apology. This sparked a local backlash from many customers who had similar dissatisfying experiences with Tesco's online delivery service.[94]
In Thailand Alexander Winstone was arrested for threatening to inject HIV infected blood into Tesco beef steaks because Tesco refused to stop poisoning stray dogs that ventured into its carparks in Thailand.[95]
In 2003 a major controversy erupted when a Tesco worker was arrested for using industrial floor cleaner to poison Twix products in a Bangkok branch of Tesco. A British national was one of the victims.[96]
Despite practising a 'One in front' policy, in December 2006 The Grocer magazine published a study which named Tesco as having the slowest checkouts of the six major supermarkets. Somerfield had the shortest queues with an average wait of 4 min 23 seconds. In order of least time spent at the checkout, the other major supermarkets were Waitrose, Sainsbury's, Asda, Morrisons and Tesco.[97]
The Grocer also named ASDA as the cheapest UK supermarket (based on 33 items). Tesco was second and Sainsbury's and Morrisons joint third.[97] Tesco price check tends to differ saying out of 7134 (compared to ASDA) products, (Survey carried out between 09 July2007 and 11 July2007) Tesco is cheaper:1835 (compared to 1251 the previous week), Tesco is more expensive:975 (compared to 984 the previous week) and Tesco is the same price: 4324 (compared to 4996 the previous week).[98]
Tesco received criticism for bureaucratic and inflexible parking systems in its Bloomfield store in Dublin, Ireland. [99]
Tesco is also mentioned on the track "The Fallen" on the album You Could Have It So Much Better by the band Franz Ferdinand. (Released 2005)"...well who gives a damn about the profits of Tesco...?" Terry Wogan's Radio 2 show is also mentioned.[100]
Tesco is mentioned on Lily Allen's 2006 song "LDN" - 'She Was Struggling With Bags From Tesco'
The 1990s UK indie band Senseless Things entitled one of their songs Fishing at Tesco's.
The six episode television mockumentaryTime Trumpet, which was set as a look back at the past thirty years from the year 2031, included a section about Tesco's invasion of Denmark, turning it into the world's first 'retail country'.
Tesco is mentioned in The Pogues song "Rain Street" - 'There's a Tesco on the sacred ground/Where I pulled her knickers down'
Further reading
Simms, Andrew (2007). Tescopoly: how one shop came out on top and why it matters. London: Constable. ISBN1845295110. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
Humby, Clive (2006). Scoring points : how Tesco continues to win customer loyalty. London & Philadelphia: Kogan Page. ISBN9780749447526. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
Nash, Bethany (2006). Fair-Trade and the growth of ethical consumerism within the mainstream : an investigation into the Tesco consumer. Leeds: University of Leeds. ISBN75272130. {{cite book}}: Check |isbn= value: length (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
^"Our history". Tesco plc. Retrieved 2006-11-10. The name comes from the initials of TE Stockwell, who was a partner in the firm of tea suppliers, and CO from Jack's surname
^Walker, Gaelle (2006-11-11). "Online failing todeliver". The Grocer. William Reed Publications. p. 6. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
^"Business as usual for Sir Terry after 10 years in charge". Birmingham Post. Midland Independent Newspapers. 2007-02-22. p. 24. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
^Buckley, Neil (1995-11-22). "People: Leahy rings Tesco's tills". Financial Times. The Financial Times. p. 40. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
^Cunningham, Sarah (1997-03-22). "Tesco pays £630m for ABF's Irish business". The Times. Times Newspapers. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
^"Tesco builds Korean business". Food & Drink Europe. January 192005. Tesco is the largest foreign grocery retailer in the country, Gregory said, and is third overall behind local players Lotte and Shinsegae. "Both these groups have sales more than double Tesco's, so while this acquisition is unlikely to close the gap significantly, it will help Tesco move away further from the chasing pack - such as Carrefour and Wal-Mart."{{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
Cheshunt, England, UK
£46.6 billion (2007)
People's Republic of China
Czech Republic
France
Hungary
Republic of Ireland
Japan
Malaysia
Poland
Slovakia
South Korea
Thailand
Turkey
United States of America
