The Strategy Story

TESCO – British Retailer that redefined Grocery Shopping

The first time I visited a ‘Tesco Extra’ store was at midnight, making an emergency run for next morning’s breakfast. The store seemed to occupy the area of an entire football field in Ashby-De-La-Zouch, UK. Even at an ungodly hour, Tesco was well-lit with visiting customers.

Inside, there were never-ending aisles lined up with groceries, food items, clothing, electronics, and whatnot. It was easy to lose way and lose track of time in the colossal supermarket.

I thought to myself that this would be the only store of its kind in the county, but I was wrong.

Tesco has 4008 stores across the UK and Republic of Ireland , with 7005+ stores and franchises across the world. In Europe, Tesco has established itself in Hungary, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Poland and Turkey. In Asia it has stores in Thailand, South Korea, Malaysia, Japan and China.

TESCO is much more than a chain of supermarkets selling a million products. It’s a giant conglomerate, spanning across so many verticals. It’s the equivalent of one of the FAANG companies but in the Grocery & Retail sector. It becomes imperative for business enthusiasts like you and me to understand the business model of this retail giant called Tesco.

It’s considered a part of the ‘Big Four’ supermarkets alongside ASDA, Sainsbury’s, and Morrison’s in Europe.

Infographic: The UK's favourite supermarkets | Statista

The Birth of Supermarkets in Britain

Founded in 1919 by a war veteran – Jack Cohen , Tesco began as a grocery stall in the East End of London, making a profit of £1 on sales of £4 on day one. Tesco’s first store was launched in 1929, selling dry goods & its own brand of Tesco Tea. A hundred more Tesco stores were opened in the next 10 years.

With 100+ mom-and-pop stores in Britain, Jack wanted to expand his product range. He traveled to the US in 1946 and noticed the self-service system, where customers would select different products on the shop floor and finally checkout at a counter. Jack brought this concept back to Britain, giving birth to Tesco Supermarkets and changing the face of British Shopping. His motto was to “stack ‘em high, and sell ‘em low (cheap).”

Tesco has a wide range of supermarkets depending upon their size, range of products, and location. This also helps regulate their Supply Chain to reduce wastage.

tesco business plan 2021

Tesco Business Model is based on various verticals

Tesco has deep-rooted its businesses in the European market so well, it’s difficult to miss out on the Tesco hoarding anywhere. Its Businesses and subsidiaries are:

tesco business plan 2021

A glimpse into the Complex Supply Chain

A supply chain is one of the critical aspects of the business model of a giant retailer like Tesco. Tesco has its priorities set when it comes to procuring products from different parts of the world:

  • Use expertise to offer a better range of products at reasonable prices
  • Use economies of scale to buy more for less
  • Leverage and maintain relations with global branded suppliers
  • Grow the brand

It procures goods from over 44 countries, majorly China. A stock of up to 90,000 different products (30% are food & beverages) is transferred via the global sourcing office located in Hong Kong. Keeping wholesalers out of the loop, Tesco procures directly from suppliers. The conglomerate has developed and maintained long-lasting relations with suppliers’ world over—the main ones being General Mills, Kellogg, Mars, and Princes.

Tesco has set up a separate division to regulate its supply chain, “the machine behind the machine” – Tesco International Sourcing (TIS). It can be compared to the East India Company of the 18 th -19 th Century, catering to only one customer – Tesco.

TIS is connected to over 1000+ suppliers across 1200+ factories . It’s responsible for over 50,000 Tesco product lines in terms of quality control, sourcing, production, designing, timely delivery, and sorting trading/customs documentation.

All activities are coordinated centrally at TIS, with just 533 staff members. These staff members undergo rigorous training to detect & analyze Supplier-violations and conduct Auditing.

tesco business plan 2021

Tesco coordinates with TIS on a daily basis to procure products in the following ways:

  • The local team uses customer insights to create a Product Brief (new or modified) specified for each region.
  • TIS analyzes the product brief and develops a Product Sourcing Plan depending upon – stores that need this product and figuring out minimum transport time and cost, as per the region.
  • The Plan is executed, and specific demands are handed out to Suppliers all over the world. Expert TIS Buyers make sure the best deal is made.
  • Inbound logistics are consolidated at specific Tesco Depot to receive the product efficiently from Suppliers.
  • Local teams then make sure the product is distributed to different Tesco stores from the Depots.

Tesco adding eCommerce to the mainstream business model

Being in the Top 50 retailers globally as of 2021 , Tesco’s annual revenue worldwide in 2020 was £58.09B , a 9.1% decline from 2019 (due to the Pandemic & disposing of its Asia operations , to focus on the core business in Europe).

It shifted from Brick & Mortar to Brick & Click stores. The Click+Collect functionality on its website accounts for 43% of E-grocery sales in the UK. The Click+Collect concept enables customers to place their orders online and collect their orders a few hours later at the nearest Tesco Depot. Tesco created these specialized Depots for online orders only.

Despite shutting down most its mall operations, Tesco survived 2020 through its online retail store Tesco.com , with double the orders. Its E-commerce net sales had shot up by 31% from 2019-2021.

tesco business plan 2021

A Global Operations & Technology Center in Bengaluru was also set up in 2004. This center serves as the backbone of distribution operations for Tesco worldwide. Its business functions are- Finance, Property, Distribution Operations, Customers & Product. The employees at this Center are Engineers, Analysts, Designers, and Architects.

Tesco’s Marketing Strategy

Tesco has always believed in acquiring loyal customers and regaining stakeholders’ trust. It aims to reach customers from all financial backgrounds. So it launched 2 of its own sub-brands – Tesco finest for the affluent customers and Tesco Everyday Value for the rest of the crowd.

Tesco also launched the Club Card in 1995 as a Membership card, to maintain customer loyalty and keep them coming back. The Card operates on a point-based system with discounts on products, & other subsidiaries like double data on Tesco Mobile. With 5 Million subscribers in the first year , Tesco finally overtook its competitor – Sainsbury’s to become No.1 in the UK.

The Club-card strategy was used to obtain customer data and observe buying habits. This data was analyzed, allowing Tesco to put the right products on shelves while eliminating unpopular ones. Tesco realized that the Club Card isn’t just a quick fix & temporary promotional tool; it’s a promotion in itself. This made the Tesco Club Card unique and long-lasting.

Tesco also realized that spending Billions on traditional marketing efforts and maintaining a ‘one-size-fits-all’ brand image wouldn’t work. It decided to hyper-target specific customers and to earn their trust. For starters, thousands of head-office staff and senior executives were sent to work in stores – to demonstrate how Tesco values its customer. Customization became key for its new marketing strategy; sending out discounts on birthdays via Emails and campaigning from door-to-door.

Tesco also made a partial shift to Digital Marketing which costs much lesser and has a wider outreach. It created well-tailored profiles on all social media platforms. On Twitter, it has more than 15 accounts, separate for each of its business units. The online customer care account on Twitter is active 24-7.

All supermarkets commonly advertised themselves to have quality products at a reasonable cost; Tesco wanted to differentiate itself as a unique brand. It introduced step-by-step Recipes prepared from ingredients available at any Tesco store, with Chef Jamie Oliver as its Health Ambassador . Tesco Food and its variety of recipes were a massive hit. Later on, the monthly Tesco Magazine as a food & lifestyle magazine was also launched, with 4.65Million readers worldwide.

The beginning of the pandemic in March 2020 left people apprehensive about visiting a physical store to buy groceries. To deal with customers’ concerns, Tesco came up with an instructional advertisement in April ‘20. With crisp instructions similar to that of an in-flight safety video, this ad showed customers how to physically shop and behave at Tesco stores. It was considered to be the most effective advertising and communications campaign of 2020 as per YouGov BrandIndex .

Competition

Tesco’s earliest competitor has been Sainsbury’s since the 70s. The Tesco Club Card strategy in 1995 helped it overtake Sainsbury’s to become the No.1 Retailer in the UK, but not for long. The ‘Big Four’ supermarkets in Europe have been in close competition throughout the years. Tesco has acquired a 28% majority stake in the UK market.

The horse meat and accounting scandals were a real setback for Tesco, letting competitors take over the European market. The newest German entrants – Aldi and Lidl had caught customers’ attention and market share in a short span of time.

With a combined market share of 12%, these German retailers posed a threat to Tesco. So much so that Tesco began the ‘ Aldi Price Match ’ campaign to curb the growth of the German discounter and win back customers. Tesco started price-matching thousands of its products with that of Aldi, offering better quality and branded products at Aldi’s prices.

Tesco has a majority market share in Britain, with Sainsbury’s and ASDA in tow:

tesco business plan 2021

Tesco Adding Sustainability to its business model – The Little Helps Plan

It’s a well-known fact that giant conglomerate retailers are one of the major causes of rapid climate change and increasing carbon footprints. Tesco realized its impact on the planet and launched the Little Helps Plan as a core part of business in 2017. This plan serves as a framework to attain long-term sustainability. Its four Pillars – People, Products, Planet, and Places are aligned with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

tesco business plan 2021

Until now, the Plan has enabled Tesco to:

  • Permanently remove 1 Billion pieces of plastic from its packaging
  • Redistribute 82% of unsold food, safe for human consumption
  • Remove 52Billion unnecessary calories from foods sold

Apart from this, it also aims to increase sales of Plant-Based Meat alternatives by 300% by 2025. At present, it has 350 plant-based meat alternatives on the shelf.

Apart from partnering with various other organizations, Tesco entered a 4-year partnership with World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) to address one of the biggest causes of wildlife loss – the global food system. It aims to eliminate deforestation from products, promote recyclable/compostable packaging and minimize food waste.

Tesco is one of the few successful retailers in the world, with a compelling history. Tesco has overcome numerous issues across its supply chain, faced global criticism, and still stands undeterred in the European market with its rock-solid business model. It has always adapted to its unpredictable consumers and continues to do so while caring for the planet.

The business is healthy. We said we would rebuild the relationship with the brand and consumers; you will see that in every measure of customer satisfaction we do that. The business is healthy, vibrant and there is a lot of optimism of what we can do going forward. CEO Dave Lewis, who took over Tesco in 2014 (during the struggle years) & stepped down in September 2020

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tesco business plan 2021

An Engineering grad, currently working in the fields of Big Data & Business Intelligence. Apart from being immersed in Tech, I love writing and exploring the business world with a focus on Strategy Consulting. An ardent reader of Sci-Fi, Mystery, and thriller novels. On my days off, I would spend time swimming, sketching, or planning my next trip to an unexplored location!

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Tesco Business Model

Tesco Business Model Canvas - Tesco Business Model

The Tesco Business Model offers customers a wide range of products and services at competitive prices. The company achieves this through several key activities, such as product sourcing, store operations and marketing, and customer engagement. Tesco works with many suppliers to source products at the best possible prices. It also has its in-house buying team that helps to negotiate favorable terms with suppliers.

Also, Tesco operates a network of stores in the United Kingdom and worldwide. The company’s stores are designed to be convenient and easy to shop in. Tesco also offers various services, such as online grocery delivery and home shopping, to make it even easier for customers to shop with the company. 

In addition, Tesco invests heavily in marketing and customer engagement. The company uses a variety of channels, including advertising, social media, and its Clubcard loyalty scheme, to reach its customers. Tesco also uses data analytics to understand its customers’ needs and preferences. Its business model has been successful in helping the company to grow into one of the largest retailers in the world.

The company’s focus on providing a wide range of products and services at competitive prices has helped to attract and retain customers. Tesco’s investment in marketing and customer engagement has also helped build the company’s brand and customer loyalty.

Tesco Key Information - Tesco Business Model

A brief history of Tesco

Jack Cohen, a Polish-born Jewish immigrant, founded Tesco in 1919. He started his business selling war-surplus groceries from a market stall in the East End of London. The company’s name comes from the initials of the supplier of the first tea that Cohen sold, Thomas Edward Stockwell, and the first two letters of his surname.

Tesco quickly grew from a small market stall to a major retailer. In 1924, the company opened its first self-service store, and in 1931, it opened its first supermarket. Tesco continued to expand throughout the 20th century, and by the 1990s, it had become one of the largest retailers in the world.

Cohen was a visionary entrepreneur who saw the potential of the supermarket industry. He was also a shrewd businessman who always sought ways to cut costs and improve efficiency. These factors helped Tesco to overgrow in its early years. In the 1920s, Tesco expanded its operations to include a chain of grocery stores.

The company also began to develop its private-label brands, which helped to keep prices low. In the 1930s, Tesco opened its first self-service store, a revolutionary concept.

After World War II, Tesco continued to increase — the company opened new stores across the United Kingdom and expanded into international markets. In the 1950s, Tesco introduced its Clubcard loyalty scheme, which helped to boost customer loyalty.

In the 1960s, Tesco continued to expand its international operations. The company also began to open hypermarkets, large-format stores offering a wide range of products. In the 1970s, Tesco acquired several smaller supermarket chains, which helped to strengthen its position in the market.

In the 1980s and 1990s, the company opened new stores in some new countries and began offering a more comprehensive range of services, such as home delivery and online shopping. In the 1990s, Tesco became the largest retailer in the United Kingdom.

In the 2000s and 2010s, Tesco faced increasing competition from online retailers. The company responded by investing heavily in its online business. Tesco continued expanding its international operations, opening stores in several new countries, such as China and India.

In the 2020s, Tesco faced several challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine. However, the company has responded to these challenges by investing in its digital capabilities and expanding its online business. Tesco also focuses on its core markets, such as the United Kingdom and China.

Tesco is a major player in the global retail industry and will likely continue to play a significant role. The company’s focus on customer service, innovation, and global expansion will help it to remain competitive in the ever-changing retail landscape.

Who Owns Tesco

Tesco is a public limited company (PLC), meaning its shares are traded on the stock exchange. This means that anyone can buy shares in Tesco, and as a result, the company has many different shareholders. The largest shareholder in Tesco is The Vanguard Group, Inc., which owns approximately 8.9% of the company’s shares.

Other significant shareholders include BlackRock, Inc., Schroders plc, and Fidelity International. Ken Murphy is the current CEO of Tesco. He was appointed in October 2020 and is the first Irish person to lead the company. Murphy has over 20 years of experience in the retail industry, and he previously worked at Boots, where he was the group managing director.

Tesco Mission Statement

Tesco Mission Statement - Tesco Business Model

Tesco’s mission statement is s erving shoppers a little better every day, reflecting Tesco’s commitment to providing its customers with the best possible shopping experience.

How Tesco works

Tesco works by understanding its customer’s needs and preferences and developing a product assortment and marketing strategy that meets those needs. The company also invests heavily in its distribution network and customer service. This allows Tesco to provide a high-quality shopping experience to its customers.

First, Tesco identifies its target customers by analyzing demographics, psychographics, and buying behavior. This helps the company to understand what products and services its customers want and need. Once Tesco understands its target customers, it develops a product assortment that meets their needs. The company does this by considering price, quality, and variety.

Next, Tesco sets competitive prices that reflect the value of its products. The company also uses pricing strategies, such as discounts and promotions, to attract customers. It promotes its products through various channels, including advertising, social media, and a Clubcard loyalty scheme. It also uses data analytics to target its promotions to the right customers.

Tesco distributes its products through various channels, including stores, third-party retailers, and online. The company also uses data analytics to optimize its distribution network. Finally, Tesco provides excellent customer service to its customers. A dedicated customer service team is available to answer questions and resolve problems.

How Tesco makes money

Tesco Revenue (2021-2023) - Tesco Business Model

Tesco makes money through retail, primarily Clubcard and financial services. Others include rental income and advertising. Below are more details about how Tesco makes money:

  • Retail sales

Tesco’s primary source of income is from retail sales. The company sells various products, including groceries, clothing, and homewares. Tesco’s retail sales are driven by its extensive network of stores in the United Kingdom, Europe, and Asia. The company also sells its products online through its website and mobile app.

Tesco’s Clubcard loyalty scheme is a major source of revenue for the company. Members of the scheme earn points for every purchase they make, which can then be redeemed for discounts or vouchers. Tesco’s Clubcard scheme has over 19 million members, generating billions of pounds annually.

  • Financial services

Tesco offers various financial services, including insurance, banking, and credit cards. These services generate revenue through fees and interest payments. Tesco’s financial services business is growing rapidly and is now a significant contributor to its overall revenue.

Tesco owns significant property, including its stores and distribution centers. The company generates rental income from this property. Tesco’s property portfolio is worth billions of pounds and is a major source of long-term income for the company.

Tesco also generates revenue from various other sources, such as advertising and marketing. For example, Tesco sells advertising space on its website and stores. The company also generates revenue from its data analytics business, which helps Tesco to understand its customers’ needs and preferences.

Tesco Business Model Canvas

The Tesco Business Model can be explained in the following business model canvas :

Tesco Business Model Canvas - Tesco Business Model

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tesco business plan 2021

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Tesco Customer Segments

Tesco’s customer segments consist of:

Tesco Value Propositions

Tesco’s value propositions consist of:

Value Propositions for Consumers

  • Value : Tesco’s Clubcard loyalty scheme offers consumer benefits, such as discounts on groceries and other products;
  • Convenience : Tesco’s online shopping service allows consumers to shop from home and have their groceries delivered to their door;
  • Quality : Tesco’s own-brand products are often considered high quality, and the company offers some guarantees;
  • Customer service : Tesco’s customer service team is known for being helpful and responsive. The company also offers some ways for consumers to contact customer service, which makes it easy to get help when needed.

Value Propositions for Investors

  • Strong financial performance : Tesco’s revenue has grown by an average of 4% per year over the past five years. The company’s profit margin has also been consistently high;
  • Attractive dividend yield : Tesco’s dividend yield has been consistently above 4% for many years. The company has a history of increasing its dividend payments, which is a good sign for investors;
  • Growth potential : Tesco is expanding its international operations. The company also invests in new technologies, such as online grocery delivery. This growth potential could benefit investors in the long term;
  • Brand strength : Tesco is a well-known and respected brand. The company has a strong brand presence in the United Kingdom and is gaining market share in other countries;
  • Management team : Tesco has a strong management team. The team has a proven track record of success and is committed to delivering shareholder value. The team is led by Ken Murphy, who has been CEO of Tesco since 2020.

Value propositions for suppliers:

  • Large customer base : Tesco is a large retailer with a global customer base. This allows suppliers to reach a large number of customers through Tesco’s stores;
  • Strong brand : Tesco is a well-known and respected brand. This allows suppliers to associate their products with Tesco’s brand, which can help increase sales;
  • Competitive prices : Tesco is a price-competitive retailer. This means that suppliers can expect to receive competitive prices for their products;
  • Fast payments : Tesco pays its suppliers quickly. This gives suppliers the confidence that they will be paid for their products promptly;
  • Good communication : Tesco has a sound communication system with its suppliers. This allows suppliers to communicate with Tesco about their products and any issues;
  • Support for innovation : Tesco is supportive of innovation. This means that suppliers can approach Tesco with new product ideas, and Tesco is open to working with suppliers to develop these ideas.

Tesco Channels

Tesco’s channels consist of:

  • Social media

Tesco Customer Relationships

Tesco’s customer relationships consist of:

  • Loyalty program
  • Personalized marketing messages
  • Customer service
  • Community engagement

Tesco Revenue Streams

Tesco’s revenue streams consist of:

Tesco Key Resources

Tesco’s key resources consist of: 

  • Customer base
  • Distribution network
  • Financial resources
  • Intellectual property
  • Strong relationships 

Tesco Key Activities

Tesco’s key activities consist of:

  • Financial services: 

Tesco Key Partners

Tesco’s key partners consist of: 

  • Distribution partners
  • Technology partners
  • Financial partners

Tesco Cost Structure

Tesco’s cost structure consists of

  • Cost of sales
  • Staff costs
  • Depreciation and amortization
  • Marketing and advertising costs
  • Administration costs
  • Other costs include the cost of insurance, the cost of security, and the cost of legal fees.

Tesco Competitors

  • Asda is a British supermarket chain founded in 1949 by Jack Cohen. Asda is the second-largest supermarket chain in the United Kingdom, after Tesco, and is owned by Walmart. Asda is known for its low prices and wide range of products, including groceries, clothing, and homewares. It has over 630 stores in the United Kingdom and operates some online stores. Asda’s headquarters are located in Leeds, United Kingdom. It employs over 320,000 people and has an annual revenue of over £50 billion. Asda is a major competitor to Tesco, Sainsbury’s, and Morrisons;
  • Sainsbury’s is a British supermarket chain founded in 1869 by John James Sainsbury. Sainsbury’s is the third-largest supermarket chain in the United Kingdom, after Tesco and Asda. The company is known for its high-quality products and its commitment to sustainability. It is committed to reducing its environmental impact, and it has some initiatives to reduce food waste, such as donating surplus food to charity and composting food waste. Sainsbury’s has also pledged to reduce its carbon emissions by 50% by 2030 and to use 100% sustainable packaging by 2025. It is a significant player in the retail industry, and it is likely to continue to be a significant competitor to Tesco in the years to come;
  • Aldi is a German discount supermarket chain that has been expanding rapidly in the United Kingdom in recent years. The company was founded in 1961 by Theo Albrecht and headquartered in Essen, Germany, with over 900 stores in the United Kingdom. Aldi’s annual revenue is over £10 billion. It is known for its low prices and limited range of products, and its stores are typically smaller than traditional supermarkets, offering a limited selection of products. This allows Aldi to keep its prices low. Aldi is a major competitor to Tesco in the discount supermarket segment;
  • Morrisons is a British multinational retail company that operates a chain of supermarkets in the United Kingdom and Ireland. It is the fifth-largest grocery retailer in the UK, with a market share of around 10%. Morrisons is known for its fresh food and its focus on local produce. It also offers many other products, including groceries, household goods, and clothing. It was founded in 1899 by William Morrison. The company began as a small grocery store in Bradford, West Yorkshire. Over the years, Morrisons has become one of the largest retailers in the UK. It operates over 490 supermarkets and employs over 130,000 people. Morrisons is known for its fresh food, including its own-brand products. It has a strong focus on local produce, and many of its products are sourced from farms in the UK. Its prices are competitive, and it often runs promotional offers;
  • Lidl is a German discount supermarket chain that operates stores in over 20 countries. Known for its low prices and wide range of products, including groceries, household goods, and clothing, Lidl was founded in 1973 by Dieter Schwarz and has since grown to become one of the largest supermarket chains in the world. Lidl also offers some private-label products, often cheaper than name-brand products. The company is also known for its high-quality products and excellent customer service.

Tesco SWOT Analysis

Below, there are Tesco’s swot analysis .

Tesco SWOT Analysis - Tesco Business Model

Tesco Strengths

Here are Tesco’s strengths.’

  • Strong brand image : Tesco is one of the most well-known and trusted brands in the UK. The company has been operating for over 90 years and has a long history of providing quality products and services. Tesco’s brand is synonymous with convenience and value, one of the most popular brands in the UK;
  • Extensive store network : Tesco has a vast network of stores across the UK, including supermarkets, convenience stores, and online stores. This gives the company a significant reach and allows it to serve a wide range of customers. Tesco’s store network is constantly expanding, and the company is now in over ten countries worldwide;
  • Efficient supply chain: Tesco has a very efficient supply chain, which allows it to keep its prices low. The company works closely with its suppliers to ensure a steady supply of products at competitive prices. Tesco’s supply chain is one of the most efficient in the world, and it is a critical factor in the company’s success;
  • Innovative technology: Tesco is constantly investing in new technologies, such as online shopping and self-checkout. This allows the company to provide customers with a more convenient and personalized shopping experience. Tesco is one of the most innovative retailers in the world, and its use of technology is helping it to stay ahead of the competition.

Tesco Weaknesses

Below, there are Tesco’s weaknesses

  • Over-Reliance on the UK market : Tesco’s revenue heavily relies on the UK market. In 2021, 91% of Tesco’s revenue came from the UK. This makes the company vulnerable to changes in the UK economy, such as the Brexit vote. If the UK economy were to experience a recession, Tesco’s revenue would likely decline;
  • Price competition : Tesco faces intense competition from discount retailers like Aldi and Lidl. These retailers can offer lower prices because they operate with more negligible overhead. This has put pressure on Tesco’s profit margins. To compete with these discount retailers, Tesco may need to lower its prices, which could further reduce its profit margins;
  • Food quality scandals : Tesco has been involved in some food quality scandals, such as the horse meat scandal in 2013. These scandals have damaged the company’s reputation and have led to customer losses. To regain the trust of its customers, Tesco needs to ensure that its food is of the highest quality;
  • Slow adoption of new technologies : Tesco has been slow to adopt new technologies, such as online shopping. This has put the company at a disadvantage to its competitors, who have been more successful in the online market. To compete with these competitors, Tesco needs to invest in new technologies and improve its online presence.

Tesco Opportunities

Below, there are Tesco’s opportunities: 

  • Focus on customer experience : Tesco can focus on improving the customer experience by offering more personalized services and by making it easier for customers to shop. For example, Tesco could offer a loyalty program that rewards customers for their purchases. The company could also make it easier for customers to shop online by providing a more comprehensive range of products and improving its website;
  • Invest in new technologies : Tesco can invest in new technologies, such as artificial intelligence and blockchain, to improve its operations and provide customers with new services. For example, Tesco could use artificial intelligence to predict customer demand and optimize its supply chain. The company could also use blockchain to track the provenance of its products and to ensure that they are sustainable;
  • Expand into new product categories : Tesco can expand into new product categories, such as clothing and home goods, to reach a broader range of customers. For example, Tesco could open a chain of clothing stores or a home goods store. The company could also partner with other companies to offer these products, such as Amazon or Alibaba;
  • Partner with other companies: Tesco can partner with other companies, such as tech companies and food delivery companies, to offer new services to customers. For example, Tesco could partner with a tech company to develop a new mobile app that makes shopping easier for customers. The company could also partner with a food delivery company to offer grocery delivery services.

Tesco Threats

Below, there are Tesco’s threats:

  • Rising competition: The grocery retail industry is highly competitive, and Tesco faces competition from other large retailers, including Sainsbury’s, Asda, and Aldi. These retailers constantly innovate and expand their product offerings, which pressures Tesco to keep up. For example, Aldi has been very successful in the UK by offering low prices on a limited range of products. Tesco needs to find ways to compete with Aldi without sacrificing its quality or its range of products;
  • Economic uncertainty : The global economy is uncertain, which could harm Tesco’s business. For example, if there is a recession, consumers may have less money to spend on groceries, which could lead to a decline in Tesco’s sales. Tesco needs to have a solid financial position to weather any economic downturns;
  • Changing consumer preferences : Consumer preferences are changing, and Tesco needs to adapt its business to meet these changes. For example, consumers are increasingly demanding healthier and more sustainable food options. Tesco needs to ensure that its product offerings reflect these changes to remain competitive. Tesco could do this by expanding its range of healthy and sustainable products or partnering with companies offering these products;
  • Technological disruption : The retail industry is being disrupted by technology, and Tesco needs to adapt its business to meet these changes. For example, online grocery shopping is becoming increasingly popular, and Tesco needs to ensure a strong online presence to compete with other retailers. Tesco could do this by investing in its online platform or partnering with online grocery delivery companies.

-> Read More About Tesco’s SWOT Analysis

Tesco is a leading multinational retailer that has been serving customers for over 100 years. The company is firmly committed to providing affordable, healthy, and sustainable food. Tesco also aims to help customers enjoy a better quality of life and an easier way of living. In recent years, Tesco has faced challenges, such as increased competition from online retailers and changing consumer habits.

However, the company has responded to these challenges by investing in its digital infrastructure and expanding its product offerings. Tesco is also committed to reducing its environmental impact and becoming a more sustainable business. Overall, Tesco is a well-established retailer with a strong track record. The company is well-positioned to continue to grow and succeed in the future. Its commitment to sustainability is evident in its recent efforts to reduce food waste and packaging.

The company is also investing in new technologies, such as self-checkout and online grocery delivery, to make shopping more convenient for customers. Tesco is a major employer in many countries, and it is committed to providing its employees with an excellent work-life balance.

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The Business Model And Main Competitors Of Tesco

PV Vyshnavi

PV Vyshnavi

Tesco is one of the biggest multinational conglomerate companies in the world, that mainly focuses on grocery and general merchandise retailing. The company has its headquarters based in Welwyn Garden City, England. It is now said to be the third-largest retailer in the world if measured in terms of its gross revenue, while if the conglomerate is measured based on its total revenue it stands in the Ninth spot in the world.

There is no doubt when we say that Tesco is the market leader of groceries in countries like Hungary, Thailand, Ireland and the UK. In the United Kingdom, the company is known to hold over 28.4% of the overall market share. Besides that, it also has its outlets in seven countries of continents like Europe, North America and Asia. Tesco is probably one of the most recognizable retail names in the United Kingdom especially when it comes to grocery shopping.

But what you may not know is that the company also completes with other retailers like convenience stores and general merchandise. The British conglomerate has made a name for itself through organic growth and most notably through a series of strategic acquisitions it’s acquired and its subsidiaries since it was first created. The Tesco business strategy believes in expanding into a combination of acquisitions of new stores, retail services and adapting to the needs of consumers.

The main aim of the Tesco business model is to serve the customer not just in the UK but around the world and make them happy. This is more cost-effective for the business than acquiring new ones. According to some studies, the company's record-breaking sales is said to be more than £1billion a week and which was better than the expected annual profits of over £3.4billion for 53 weeks to 28 February 2010, despite the impact of the global downturn.

In the UK, Tesco currently has more than  2,200 stores that can range from the large Extra hypermarket style stores to other small-sized Express high street style outlets. Tesco online success is due to the expansion of its customer base via its online website and app through which it attracts more than a million regular customers and sells a huge variety of original product categories when it comes to groceries. Tesco digital marketing strategy is also responsible for making its customers return.

While its general merchandise sector has now diversified and has its foothold in industries such as banking, insurance services, electrical consumer goods, telephone gadgets and quality airtime. This article will tell you just how Tesco business model made the company so successful and will also contain Tesco competitors analysis.

The Business Model of Tesco The Four Components of Tesco Business Model What is Unique about Tescos Business Model? Key activities of Tesco The value proposition of Tesco The Main Competitors of Tesco Frequently Asked Questions

tesco business plan 2021

The Business Model of Tesco

Tesco is one of the largest commercial and grocery store chains in the world , while the Tesco online market share is the largest when we regard the European market. Not only is Tesco marketing strategy and business model very successful in terms of selling its products but it’s also known to be extremely unique and professional in its ways of handling business and further possibilities. The Tesco business model is designed in a way wherein the company buys, moves and sells its various products and services to their customers to get insight in order to do a bit better each time.

Tesco business model focuses on four major components. The first step to Tesco business model analysis is in bringing in more feedback and insights into what customers want and try to understand their needs. By doing that Tesco can sell and distribute their products and services to their customers. The business model of Tesco is flexible, as the company is also willing to adjust or and improve its four components to accommodate the different types of customers that shop with them, this process also makes their shopping experience better and easier.

The Four Components of Tesco Business Model

The Tesco model offers its customers quality products that are developed by their Product team. Tesco company products are said to be of high quality because its team has an absolute focus on fair, transparent, mutually beneficial relationships with suppliers. The Product team works with our suppliers to source the best possible range of quality products that meet and anticipate our customers’ needs.

Tesco online success is because the company brings the best products to customers even through its online portals. Tesco online business model works through a range of channels from small shops to large shops and also focuses on growing their online business. As part of improving our offer, the company is investing in making our channels even more efficient and convenient for our customers.

Tesco business relies on serving its customers and its business model has customers at its core. We listen to our customers and act on what is important to them to deliver the best shopping trip: price, service, range and availability.

The main focus is to improve Tesco for customers. With the Tesco strategic plan 2021, the company aims at becoming more efficient and reinvesting some of the savings we make to improve the shopping trip. The reason for this reinvestment is clear, the better a job we do for customers, the more we will improve sales; the more our sales improve, the more we can reinvest.

tesco business plan 2021

What is Unique about Tescos Business Model?

Tesco has is one of the most unique business models when you analyze its rapid expansion first throughout the United Kingdom . It has expanded its footprint over the whole Eastern European area especially along the side of Ireland and Scotland. Tesco gains its large number of stores by simply buying off other small-sized stores in large quantities and also by purchasing the midsized grocery store chains.

This way instantly resulted in Tesco gaining numerous new stores, which were then connected with one business transaction. So what makes Tesco different from competitors? These are some unique factors about Tesco business model are:

Buying huge quantities of produce to then sell cheap

Everyone knows that the more someone buys from a product, the cheaper the product will become. The company maintains highly competitive prices up to the point where it has started to self-produce most of its grocery products in order to become even cheaper and give way to further specialization.

The company is self-producing

Tesco has also been extensively successful because it’s been producing its own grocery products in its own factories for a long time now. This way it can work at way lower rates than its competitors who do not have the means to produce their own goods. The company has become so successful in terms of self-producing its goods that these days it’s also been dealing with the production of premier quality products which are sold under Tesco’s brand name.

It has Online gateways

Tesco has opened its website and app through which it has been selling its products online with massive success especially in countries like the UK and other countries throughout Europe. Many people are not aware that this creates a unique situation as Tesco is the only chain of its kind in Europe that could keep its online shopping system successful and profitable.

Increasing the number of stores

Tesco has started to diversify and increase its stores, in order to make its services products more widely available for a larger crowd of people. This way, one doesn’t need to travel to another city or town whenever they want to shop at a Tesco. It’s enough to pop in for a quick shopping in a Tesco Express or in a Tesco Metro which was established for this exact reason.  

tesco business plan 2021

Key activities of Tesco

When you do a Tesco market segmentation analysis, you will find that these are the main segments that the company focuses the most on.

  • Procurement
  • Customer federalization
  • Diversification
  • Buying and selling consumer goods
  • Effective distribution system
  • Analyze consumer demand
  • Warehousing and logistics

The value proposition of Tesco

Tesco business strategy covers all segments of the market like:

  • One-stop shopping place
  • Good prices
  • Complementary services
  • Wide range presence and selection
  • Variety combined
  • 24/7 shopping experience
  • Convenient online shopping
  • Business diversification (telecom, gas station, banking and photo)

tesco business plan 2021

The Main Competitors of Tesco

Tesco's competitors are Sainsbury’s, ASDA, Waitrose and Morrison’s. These four companies are called the Big Four in the United Kingdom. Tesco competitors analysis shows you how over the past few years, grocery companies like Aldi and Lidl have started to grow exponentially and become strong competitors to Tesco.

The conglomerate also competes with the local convenience stores , which are slowly gaining popularity as they cater to customers based on their different tastes. The local convenience store market is highly fragmented.  According to a research done, in the U.K. grocery market leader because it has 26.9% of market share, while Tesco main competitors is Sainsbury's followed by ASDA, which have 15% and 14.1% of market share respectively.

Asda logo

ASDA is a British supermarket chain that is one of Tesco main competitors. The company was founded as a joint venture between the Asquith family and a Yorkshire company known as Associated Dairies back in 1949. The company was earlier a major subsidiary of Walmart until 1999 but was later brought over by Zuber and Mohsin Issa and TDR capital in 2021.

So far Asda is known to have over 635 retail locations, more than 584 of which are supermarkets. Besides being one of the top grocery company in the UK, it also operates larger format superstores, which sells clothing and furnishing in addition to groceries. ASDA's competitive strategy aims at keeping its prices low and improving its store layouts and online sales channel so it can easily revolve according to the shopper's habits.

tesco business plan 2021

Sainsbury is one of the top Tesco competitors in the UK. Sainsbury was founded in London England in 1869. Like Tesco, Sainsbury also has its foothold in industries such as in the logistics, wholesale and retail distributor’s space. But compared to Tesco, Sainsbury’s is said to generate over $47.3 billion less revenue. Its efforts in its marketing have led the company to become the second-largest grocery chain in the United Kingdom, it currently has 1,415 locations across the country

The company to charges a premium for grocery products, though price reduction has been an important element of its recent competitive strategy and this is why Sainsbury is tesco's biggest competitors. To increase customer engagement, Sainsbury's is experimenting with different store layouts, expanding its offering to general merchandise categories and promoting its in-store banking services. ‌‌  

Morrisons logo

Morrisons is another top contender for Tesco which is headquartered in Bradford, England. The company was founded in 1899 and is in the Hypermarket and Supercentres industry. The company has more than 492 supermarkets and has over 50 convenience stores. Morrisons operates 18 plus food manufacturing facilities, it also has eight distribution centres, and directly engages farmers to get fresh and good quality poultry, meat and produce.

Morrisons is a tesco competitor because it is working towards making improvements in its stores along with its vertically integrated structure while reducing everyday prices. The company aims in creating a more balanced approach to promotional pricing is also an important element of the strategic price review. Morrisons has recently adopted a new strict capital expenditure budget, Which is why most of the new stores opening are in the smaller convenience format.

tesco business plan 2021

Aldi is a top Tesco competitor and a popular German grocery chain which have its headquarters based in Essen, Germany. It operates in over 10,000 stores in 20 different countries. Aldi is one of the top discount grocers in the whole of Europe. This Tescos competitors offers low priced grocery items with a disproportionately high private label offering. Similar to Tesco marketing strategy, Aldi does not accept manufacturer coupons but does offer huge discounts on groceries. Besides that, it holds Aldi holds weekly specials on general merchandise products.

Waitrose logo

Waitrose is one of tesco's biggest competitors and another British grocery supermarket chain. The company was founded in 1908 and has its headquarters based in London, England. Like Tesco, Waitrose has a foothold in industries like logistics, wholesalers and retail distribution space. Waitrose operates in over 336 locations most of which are supermarkets. Some supermarket stores include restaurants that serve hot foods, while other locations specialize in general merchandise in addition to food.

Tesco is one of the biggest supermarket chains in the whole world because of its innovative business strategies. Tesco is a brand in itself as it has its own factories and its online shopping comes with benefits. Tesco has its own brand of mobile phones and telecommunications, besides that, it also has its petrol stations which add to the fact that tesco has been succefull in not just the grocery sector but other industries too. And these factors are what makes tesco different from competitors.

tesco business plan 2021

Frequently Asked Questions

What is tesco.

Tesco is one of the biggest multinational conglomerate companies in the world, that mainly focuses on grocery and general merchandise retailing.

What is Tesco's business strategy?

Tesco's main business strategy is aggressive expansion into overseas grocery markets.

What makes Tesco a successful business?

From the analysis of the 4Cs ( which are Customer Benefit, Customer Cost, Customer Communication and Convenience) marketing strategy used by Tesco.

Who are Tesco's main competitors?

Tesco main competitors are Sainsbury's, ASDA, Waitrose and Morrison's, which are often called the Big Four in the United Kingdom.

Is Tesco multinational?

Yes, Tesco is a multinational conglomerate as it is into different industries like banking, telecommunication, insurance, etc.

Who are the Tesco competitors in India?

The Tesco competitors in India are Big Bazaar, Dmart, Reliance Fresh, Spencers Retail, Hypercity, Star Bazaar, etc. as they provide groceries at cheaper prices.

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Discover details on Tesco Plc’s annual and quarterly financial performance covering key metrics like revenue, net income, growth ratios, equity ratios, profitability ratios, cost ratios, liquidity ratios, leverage ratios and so on. This section also provides graphical representation of Tesco Plc's key financial ratios.

Performance Chart

Key financial charts, sales growth, net income growth, annual ratios.

Ratio type Key Ratios Units 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 Growth Ratios Sales Growth % -9.11 -.35 Growth Ratios Operating Income Growth ### ### ### ### ### ### Growth Ratios EBITDA Growth ### ### ### ### ### ### Growth Ratios Net Income Growth % -23.54 513.18 Equity Ratios EPS (Earnings per Share) ### ### ### ### ### ### Equity Ratios Dividend per Share ### ### ### ### ### ### Equity Ratios Dividend Cover ### ### ### ### ### ### Equity Ratios Book Value per Share ### ### ### ### ### ### Profitability Ratios Gross Margin ### ### ### ### ### ### Profitability Ratios Operating Margin ### ### ### ### ### ### Profitability Ratios Net Profit Margin ### ### ### ### ### ### Profitability Ratios Profit Markup ### ### ### ### ### ### Cost Ratios Operating Costs (% of Sales) ### ### ### ### ### ### Cost Ratios Administration Costs (% of Sales) ### ### ### ### ### ### Liquidity Ratios Current Ratio ### ### ### ### ### ### Liquidity Ratios Quick Ratio ### ### ### ### ### ### Liquidity Ratios Cash Ratio ### ### ### ### ### ### Leverage Ratios Debt to Equity Ratio ### ### ### ### ### ### Leverage Ratios Net Debt to Equity ### ### ### ### ### ### Leverage Ratios Debt to Capital Ratio ### ### ### ### ### ### Efficiency Ratios Asset Turnover ### ### ### ### ### ### Efficiency Ratios Fixed Asset Turnover ### ### ### ### ### ### Efficiency Ratios Inventory Turnover ### ### ### ### ### ### Efficiency Ratios Current Asset Turnover ### ### ### ### ### ### Statement Parameters Units Aug-2022 (26 Weeks) Feb-2023 (26 Weeks) Aug-2023 (26 Weeks) Feb-2024 (26 Weeks) Equity Ratios ### ### ### ### ### ### Equity Ratios ### ### ### ### ### ### Equity Ratios ### ### ### ### ### ### Equity Ratios ### ### ### ### ### ### Equity Ratios ### ### ### ### ### ### Profitability Ratios ### ### ### ### ### ### Profitability Ratios ### ### ### ### ### ### Profitability Ratios ### ### ### ### ### ### Profitability Ratios ### ### ### ### ### ### Profitability Ratios ### ### ### ### ### ### Profitability Ratios ### ### ### ### ### ### Cost Ratios ### ### ### ### ### ### Cost Ratios ### ### ### ### ### ### Cost Ratios ### ### ### ### ### ### Cost Ratios ### ### ### ### ### ###

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TESCO SWOT analysis

TESCO SWOT 2024 | SWOT Analysis of TESCO

tesco business plan 2021

Company:  Tesco PLC CEO:  Ken Murphy Year founded:  1919 Headquarter:  Welwyn G arden City, Hertfordshire, UK Number of Employees (2024):  336,926 Public or Private: Public Ticker Symbol:  LSE: TSCO Market Cap (May 2024):  £21.65Billion Annual Revenue (2023): £65.762 billion Profit | Net income (2023): £0.744 billion

Products & Services:  Groceries | F&F Clothing | Tesco Club card | Tesco Bank | Tesco Mobile Competitors:  Argos | Waitrose | Aldi | Icelan d | InstaCart | Safeway | Sainsbury | Morrisons | Giant Eagle | Carrefour | Lidl | Costco | Walmart | Target | Amazon | Whole Foods

Fun Fact: Did you know that Tesco is one of the largest supermarket chains in the world? It has a grocery retail market share of 27.4% in the United Kingdom, where the firm was founded more than 100 years ago.  Founder Jack Cohen’s motto was “Pile it high and sell it cheap.”

Table of Contents

An Overview of Tesco

By 2011, Tesco became the largest retailer in UK. and third-largest in the world based on annual revenue. While it still holds the rank of largest retailer in the UK, it was ranked 14th globally in 2021 . 

Tesco eventually expanded beyond the UK to 11 other countries including the US, where Tesco operated from 2007 to 2013.  By 2021 it had pulled out of all but 5 countries (the UK, Ireland, Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic.)  

Subsidiaries include Tesco Bank, which offers banking and insurance services, and Tesco Mobile, a mobile phone provider. 

Ken Murphy is the current CEO of Tesco PLC.  

Explore more about the company in this article and learn facts and figures through its SWOT analysis.

SWOT Analysis of Tesco

The SWOT analysis of Tesco is demonstrated below:

Tesco’s Strengths

Strengths include Tesco’s dominant presence in its home market. Despite pulling out of some markets, the number of stores continues to grow, and Tesco has continued its efforts to diversify its product offerings.

1. Biggest grocery retailer in the UK 

Tesco is the leading grocery retaile r and No.1 supermarket in the UK. It has higher sales and revenue than other supermarket chains in Great Britain. According to Tesco’s 2023 annual report , its revenue was £ 65.76 Billion.

2. Leading market share

Amongst the big four supermarkets, Tesco dominates the grocery retail market of Great Britain with 27.4% of the market share . I t has also been among the most popular supermarkets in Ireland.

3. A growing number of stores

From 3,751 stores in 2008, Tesco now operates 4859 grocery retail stores worldwide. Its revenue is increasing every year because of the addition of new stores in its operational chain.

Tescos worldwide stores

Source: Statista

4. Diversified stores

Tesco has launched different types of stores. Its diversified divisions of stores include Tesco Extra , Tesco Express , One Stop , and Tesco Superstores .

5. Diversified market and product range

Tesco’s diversification strategy has proven to be quite successful for the company. It has a clothing range, home-ware items, mobile phones business, music downloads and DVD rentals, books, clothing, electronics, furniture, toys, school uniforms, financial and telecom services, and cotton fair trading across the globe.

6. One-Hour Delivery

Tesco introduced a one-hour home delivery service ( Whoosh ), initially to over 100 stores. It had plans to expand the service to at least 600 stores by the end of 2023.  However, partway through 2023, Tesco had exceeded this target and expanded the delivery service to 1,000 stores.

7. Large Employer

With a workforce of 336,926 people in fiscal year 2023, Tesco ranks 11th on a list of the 25 Biggest Companies in Europe ranked by number of employees.

8. Obtained several international awards

Due to its successful commercial performance, Tesco has achieved several awards. These include Britain’sFavourite Supermarket (in a survey of 7,000 shoppers), The ‘Grocer’s Own Label Food and Drink Awards’ (25 awards), The ‘Grocer of the Year’, ‘Waste Not Want Not‘ Award, and ‘Best Grocer’ Award.

9. Superior technology usage

Tesco uses technology in an optimal way to enhance the shopping experience, which helps grow the number and loyalty of its customers. It has introduced a new RFID-enabled barcode system to count the products automatically. It also has an advanced M-commerce facility and mobile payment app .

10. Efficient supply chain network

With a simplified business model , reduced incurring costs, and efficient waste management policies , it has created a reliable and efficient supply chain network. Tesco bears profitable relationships with suppliers.

11. Online shopping

Tesco saw more than 60% growth in its online sales compared to pre-COVID, and it hired over 16,000 employees to support the online boom.

12. Checkout-Free Stores

Tesco has a number of checkout-free stores under the Tesco Express banner. GetGo is available to customers through the ClubCard App.  It allows users to scan a code when entering participating Tesco Express stores. The use of sensors and cameras tracks what shoppers pick up, and they are automatically charged. Tesco says it is adding more GetGo stores regularly.

13. Tesco Offers Opportunity to Pay without a Card or any Cash

More payment options helps to make sure Tesco keeps up with customer demands and competitor advancements in this area.

Millions of Tesco customers can now pay without a credit card or cash . The retail giant has introduced an innovative and enticing way for its 20 million shoppers to pay for their items. Tesco has launched its Tesco Clubcard Pay+ , which can only be used by Clubcard members. The Clubcard Pay+ is a type of debit card that offers pre-payment features thanks to Tesco Bank.

Clubcard members will now be able to top-up the card using any UK bank account via the Tesco banking application. Customer will also be able to use their debit card to make online purchases . However, you will only be able to spend money that you’ve transferred to the card.

Tesco’s Weaknesses

Heavy reliance on a single market and failed attempts to expand internationally are among the company’s weaknesses, along with a few controversies and scandals that have resulted in negative publicity.

1. Dependence on UK market

Since reducing operations from 12 countries to just 5 in recent years, Tesco has become more reliant than ever on its home market. Of the company’s 4859 locations, 3712 are in the UK.

This UK focus makes Tesco vulnerable to economic shifts, disruptions, or changes in the markets in which it operates.

2. Failed International Operations

Tesco had to exit from two huge markets –  the American and Japanese markets – in 2012 and 2013 respectively. Its failed export operations forced the company to close stores in Japan after nine years and the US after 6 years.  

While it was a blow to lose these two large markets, the largest market withdrawal, in terms of the number of stores involved, was Thailand. Tesco began operations in the country in 1998 and had 1,914 stores at its peak.  Tesco pulled out of Thailand in 2021. Experts suggest one of the reasons for the withdrawals was that Tesco didn’t carry out sufficient market research before entering into these markets .

3. Fraud Trial and Accounting Scandal

In 2017, Tesco was investigated by the Serious Fraud Office for a false accounting declaration and misrepresentation of company profits. The company agreed to pay a fine of £129m to end the matter, but this did not solve the reputational damage, which was long-lasting.

4. Fined for selling expired food

Tesco was recently fined £7.5 million for selling 67 expired food items , such as pizza, flavored milk, soup, etc., in 3 stores between 2015-2017. The company pleaded guilty to undermining consumer safety, delivering another blow to consumer trust and loyalty.

5. Low-cost strategy

Although Tesco strives to be the price leader in the UK market, its low-cost strategy can lead to reduced profit margins.

6. Clubcard controversy

In January 2018, Tesco switched up its Clubcard scheme (so customers got less for redeeming points in some situations) without giving prior notice to customers. It faced a massive backlash from angry customers.

7. Unfair business practices

Recently, UK regulators found that Tesco has been preventing landlords from renting their properties to other supermarkets in locations close to its stores. Restricting rivals is not only unlawful but also unethical since it goes against the spirit of fair competition.

8. Exploitative labor

An internal review of Tesco’s operations in Malaysia and Thailand revealed widespread exploitation and abuse against migrant workers at its distribution centers. The review’s allegations were based on interviews with migrant workers, and included illegal wage reductions, retention of workers’ passports, and excessive overtime hours.

9. Negative publicity

Consumers hate companies with greedy executives, particularly in trying times. In June 2020, Tesco’s shareholders voted against a greedy decision to inflate the bonuses paid (£2.8 million) to a departing chief executive.

Tesco’s Opportunities

While international expansion didn’t work out in the past, it remains an opportunity for growth in the future if done correctly. Price matching and other strategies to gain a competitive edge can also lead to growth for Tesco.

1. Strategic alliances with other brands

Tesco’s thousands of locations across the UK and trusted brands offer opportunities to strategically partner with other brands to win market share. By developing strategic partnerships with reputed companies, Tesco can offer opportunities for expanded business, direct consumer engagement, and access to new customers. For example, with a size of Tesco could partner with technology-focused companies to engage in the growing space of smart retail, an industry valued at $30.25 billion in 2022 , with an estimated CAGR of 29.1% from 2023 to 2030 . 

Effective strategic partnerships are an excellent opportunity for Tesco, enabling the company to offer more products and services and attract more customers. Focusing on partnerships that engage underperforming market segments, entice customers to shop loyally, and draw sustained interest to the brand are growth paths. 

2. Joint ventures

There is an opportunity for joint ventures in the regions where Tesco stores did not do well. By entering into a joint venture with a regional brand, Tesco would have the opportunity to build its business while reducing the risk of standing up operations in an unfamiliar market. Tesco’s expansion into a larger market such as China via joint venture is an opportunity to capitalize on an estimated e-commerce total addressable market of $1.47 trillion and a projected CAGR of 9.95% in the 2024 – 2029 period . 

Among the benefits of these ventures is that local companies can provide profound market knowledge, which can help improve performance in such regions.

3. Emerging markets

New and emerging markets give Tesco huge opportunities for expansion. The BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India, and China) are estimated to have an e-Commerce retail sales CAGR of over 9% in the 2024 – 2029 period . Total e-commerce retail sales in all emerging economies is estimated at nearly $900 billion . As these markets develop, Tesco can engage with focused product offerings that bring the unique Tesco brand to local consumers. 

Although Tesco has tried to move into other markets in the past, expanding its business to emerging economies can be a profitable opportunity for the company, provided sufficient market research is conducted and past mistakes are corrected.

Tesco’s Threats

Although it is a long-time leader in the UK market, Tesco can’t afford to ignore the competition. Costs and supply chain issues can also lead to problems for the company.

1. Intensifying Competition

While Tesco still leads the market in the UK with a 27.4% market share, it is facing increased competition .

Competitors include Sainsbury’s, with a market share of 14.9%, and ASDA, which has a market share of 14%.

With rising growth and performance of WalMart (which acquired ASDA), Carrefour, and Aldi, Tesco’s dominant market position can be threatened.

2. Christmas ad controversy

Advertising campaigns intended to build loyalty and goodwill can sometimes have the opposite effect.

Tesco faced a social media backlash from some consumers when it launched its Christmas ad in 2017. Some people threatened to boycott the store claiming a disrespectful act from Tesco against the Christian faith. Others however welcomed the diversity shown in the ad, which featured a Muslim family.

3. ‘Fake Farm’ legal threat

Tesco was accused of misleading customers with fake farm brand names and marketing its food products under the fake name of “ Woodside Farms .” It faced severe legal threat proceedings over the issue in 2017.

4. Brexit Referendum

With Britain no longer in the European Union, different trade deals and increased costs posed a threat for Tesco.

5. Economic crisis and credit crunches

Government regulations , legal and tax matters, credit crunches, and economic upheavals can affect the operational efficiency of any business. Tesco stores in critical regions are not immune to these effects.

6. Rising costs

Recent events across the globe have increased the cost of doing business and affected the bottom line of many companies.

Tesco estimated that the extra costs it incurred that can be attributed to the recent health crisis were between $650 million and $925 million .

7. Supply chain issues

Tesco’s operations and profitability are threatened by shortages due to supply chain issues. The retailer was forced to limit essential items a customer could buy after its supply chain was disrupted by the recent health crisis. 

Additional disruptions in the supply chain, caused by factors like natural disasters or political instability, can affect the availability of products and potentially increase costs .

8. Faces Hygiene Investigation

Store and product cleanliness, especially in the food business, are essential – not only to meet regulations, but to reassure customers.

Tesco was the subject of a hygiene investigation after someone found a gnawed bag of popcorn sparking all sorts of food security and handling questions. That particular store location was ordered to immediately carry out an investigation into the matter.

Moreover, there was a second complaint that warranted another investigation into Tesco’s East London outlet. The environmental health and hygiene investigators from the WFC (Waltham Forest Council) claimed that Tesco had a very bad cleaning standard across the store where the gnawed popcorn bag was found.

swot analysis if tesco

Swot analysis of Tesco

Recommendations

Tesco, a leader in the UK, has a huge market potential in the grocery industry. With strategic decision-making and effective marketing tools, Tesco can increase its revenues and compete effectively with its rivals . Here are some recommendations for Tesco:

  • Explore emerging markets and expand its stores in Asian and African countries. 
  • Perform in-depth market research and market analysis before entering a new market to avoid failure and losses. A lack of research has been cited as one reason for failed expansion efforts in the past.
  • Resolve controversies by addressing sensitive issues quickly and in a transparent manner.
  • Upgrade online business and e-commerce sites to provide a simpler, more pleasant, modern shopping experience for customers.
  • Take customer feedback regarding the launches of new ads and marketing schemes. Prior consultation and feedback can prevent any potential disapproval from the public and the related negative publicity.
  • Resolve legal and financial matters, including high debts, tax payments, and credit card crunches.
  • Boost marketing and advertising activities to grab more new customers than its competitors, and keep current customers. 

 References & more information

  • Wood, Z. (2020, February 14). Tesco stopped rivals opening nearby stores, watchdog finds . The Guardian
  • Davey, J. (2020, February 25). Tesco completes China exit with a $357 million stake sale . Reuters
  • Lee, L. (2020, May 16). British grocer Tesco’s slavery review reports abuse in Malaysia . Reuters
  • Jahshan, E. (2020, May 31). Tesco faces shareholder revolt over CEO’s bonus hike . Retail Gazette
  • Vizard, S. (2020, March 5). Tesco becomes the first supermarket to directly price match with Aldi . Marketing Week
  • Davey, J. (2020, April 8). Tesco defends dividend payout as warns coronavirus costs could top $1 billion . Reuters
  • Wilson, B. (2020, March 8). Tesco limits sales of essential items . BBC News
  • Metro News (2022, January 15) ‘Gnawed bag of popcorn’ discovery at Tesco store triggered hygiene investigation
  • Tesco (2023) Tesco Annual Report
  • The Grocer (2023, July 4) Grocer Gold Awards 2023
  • Yahoo Finance (2023, April 25) 25 Biggest Companies in Europe by Employees
  • Retail Week (2023, March 23) Tesco Expands Whoosh
  • Investopedia (2023, June 27) Who are Tesco’s Main Competitors?
  • Grand View Research (2023) https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/smart-retail-market  
  • Statista (2024) https://www.statista.com/outlook/emo/ecommerce/china?currency=usd  
  • Statista (2024) https://www.statista.com/statistics/256598/global-inflation-rate-compared-to-previous-year/
  • Statista (2024) https://www.statista.com/forecasts/220177/b2c-e-commerce-sales-cagr-forecast-for-selected-countries

 Tell us what you think? Did you find this article interesting? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments section below.

tesco business plan 2021

Brianna Parker

She is a creative writer, corporate storyteller and global brand consultant, who has a unique combination of a business and creative mindset.

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Υour means of telling everything in this piece of writing is genuіnely nice, every one cɑn without difficulty know it, Thanks a lot.

It’s a very usefull and helpfull article. I wish the authour good luck and thank you!

Thanks Alesia, I am glad you liked the article !

Great article, very informative

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Article was last updated on Jan 4, 2024 Author: Brianna Parker

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Tesco: Business Model, SWOT Analysis, and Competitors 2024

Inside This Article

In this blog article, we will delve into the business model of Tesco, one of the largest multinational retailers in the world. As we explore Tesco's business model, we will also conduct a SWOT analysis to identify the company's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Furthermore, we will examine the competitive landscape of Tesco, analyzing its key competitors and how they may impact the company's performance in the year 2024. Join us as we examine Tesco's strategies, assess its position in the market, and anticipate the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

What You Will Learn:

  • Who owns Tesco and the significance of its ownership structure
  • The mission statement of Tesco and how it guides the company's actions and goals
  • The various ways in which Tesco generates revenue and makes money
  • An explanation of Tesco's Business Model Canvas and how it helps to understand the company's operations
  • An overview of Tesco's main competitors and their impact on the market
  • A comprehensive SWOT analysis of Tesco, highlighting its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.

Who owns Tesco?

Ownership structure of tesco.

When it comes to the question of who owns Tesco, the answer is not as straightforward as one might think. As one of the largest retailers in the world, Tesco has a complex ownership structure that involves various stakeholders, both institutional and individual.

Shareholders

At the core of Tesco's ownership structure are its shareholders. These are individuals or institutions that own shares in the company, which represent their ownership stake and give them certain rights, such as voting at annual general meetings. Tesco has a diverse base of shareholders, including both retail investors and institutional investors.

Institutional Investors

Institutional investors play a significant role in the ownership of Tesco. These are large financial institutions, such as pension funds, insurance companies, and mutual funds, that invest on behalf of their clients or members. Some of the notable institutional investors in Tesco include BlackRock, Vanguard Group, and Legal & General Investment Management.

Directors and Executives

Another group of individuals with ownership in Tesco is its board of directors and executives. These individuals hold shares in the company as part of their compensation packages or as a reflection of their vested interest in the company's success. Their ownership stakes may vary depending on their positions and tenure within the organization.

Employee Ownership

Tesco also encourages employee ownership through various programs, such as employee share schemes and stock options. This allows employees to become shareholders and benefit from the company's performance. Employee ownership not only aligns the interests of employees with the company's goals but also creates a sense of ownership and pride among the workforce.

Retail Investors

Additionally, Tesco has a sizeable number of retail investors, who are individual shareholders that have purchased shares in the company through brokerage accounts or investment platforms. These retail investors may include individual investors, Tesco employees, or even loyal customers who want to invest in the company they believe in.

In conclusion, the ownership of Tesco is widespread and comprises a diverse range of stakeholders. While institutional investors and shareholders hold a significant portion of the ownership, the company also values employee ownership and encourages retail investors to be part of its ownership structure. This diverse ownership base reflects Tesco's commitment to a broad and inclusive ownership model, ensuring that multiple perspectives and interests are represented in the company's decision-making processes.

What is the mission statement of Tesco?

The mission statement of tesco: "to be the most admired company, delivering sustainable and profitable growth.".

Tesco, one of the world's largest retail companies, has a clear and concise mission statement that guides its operations and overall business strategy. The mission statement states, "To be the most admired company, delivering sustainable and profitable growth."

This mission statement reflects Tesco's commitment to not only achieving financial success but also ensuring sustainability in all aspects of its operations. By aiming to be the most admired company, Tesco prioritizes earning the respect and trust of its customers, employees, shareholders, and the communities it serves.

One key aspect of Tesco's mission statement is its focus on delivering sustainable growth. This means that Tesco aims to grow its business in a way that is responsible and considers the long-term impact on the environment, society, and the economy. Tesco recognizes the importance of addressing environmental and social issues and incorporates sustainable practices into its operations.

Profitable growth is another important element of Tesco's mission statement. While the company is committed to sustainability, it also recognizes the need for profitability to ensure its long-term success. By consistently generating profits, Tesco can invest in innovation, expand its product offerings, and provide value to its customers.

Overall, Tesco's mission statement encapsulates its ambition to be a respected and successful company that not only focuses on financial performance but also prioritizes sustainability and responsible growth. By striving to be the most admired company, Tesco aims to build strong relationships with its stakeholders and make a positive impact on the communities it serves.

How does Tesco make money?

Tesco's revenue streams.

Tesco, one of the largest supermarket chains in the world, generates revenue through a variety of sources. Let's take a closer look at how Tesco makes money:

1. Retail Sales

The primary source of Tesco's revenue comes from its retail sales. It operates a vast network of stores, offering a wide range of products including groceries, clothing, electronics, and household items. Tesco's retail segment includes both physical stores and online platforms, catering to the diverse shopping preferences of its customers. By consistently delivering high-quality products and competitive prices, Tesco attracts a large customer base, resulting in significant revenue from its retail operations.

2. Tesco Bank

Tesco Bank is a subsidiary of Tesco that provides financial services to its customers. It offers a range of banking products such as current accounts, savings accounts, credit cards, and insurance. Tesco Bank generates revenue through the interest and fees associated with these financial products. Additionally, by leveraging its extensive customer base, Tesco Bank can cross-sell its services to existing Tesco shoppers, expanding its revenue streams even further.

3. Tesco Mobile

Tesco Mobile is Tesco's own mobile virtual network operator (MVNO). By partnering with an established telecommunications provider, Tesco offers mobile phone services to its customers. Tesco Mobile generates revenue through the sale of mobile handsets, monthly contracts, pay-as-you-go services, and additional features such as international calling and data packages. This diversification into the telecommunications industry allows Tesco to capitalize on the growing demand for mobile connectivity and increase its overall revenue.

4. Tesco Clubcard

The Tesco Clubcard is a loyalty program that incentivizes customers to shop at Tesco by offering rewards and discounts. It not only enhances customer loyalty but also serves as a valuable source of revenue. Tesco collaborates with various partners, including restaurants, hotels, and entertainment venues, to provide exclusive offers to Clubcard holders. In return, Tesco receives a percentage of the sales generated through these partnerships, contributing to its overall revenue.

5. International Operations

Tesco has a significant presence in multiple international markets, including Europe and Asia. Through its international operations, Tesco generates revenue from retail sales, similar to its domestic operations. By adapting its business model to suit local market preferences and investing in strategic acquisitions, Tesco has successfully expanded its global footprint and diversified its revenue streams.

In conclusion, Tesco's revenue streams encompass various sectors, including retail sales, financial services through Tesco Bank, mobile phone services through Tesco Mobile, the loyalty program Tesco Clubcard, and international operations. Through these diverse sources, Tesco continues to strengthen its financial position and maintain its position as a leading retailer in the global market.

Tesco Business Model Canvas Explained

What is the business model canvas.

The Business Model Canvas is a strategic management tool that allows businesses to visualize and analyze their business model in a clear and concise manner. It was developed by Alexander Osterwalder and Yves Pigneur, and has become widely used across various industries.

The Key Components of Tesco's Business Model Canvas

1. customer segments.

Tesco's customer segments are diverse and cater to a wide range of needs. They target both individual customers and businesses, offering products and services that appeal to different demographics and market segments. From everyday groceries to clothing, electronics, and financial services, Tesco aims to serve a broad customer base.

2. Value Proposition

Tesco's value proposition is centered around offering quality products at affordable prices. They focus on providing a convenient and accessible shopping experience, with a wide range of products available under one roof. Additionally, Tesco has developed their own brand products, providing customers with good value for money.

3. Channels

Tesco's channels primarily consist of physical stores, online platforms, and mobile applications. Their extensive network of brick-and-mortar stores allows customers to shop in person, while their online platforms offer the convenience of home delivery and click-and-collect services. Tesco's mobile applications further enhance the accessibility and convenience of their channels.

4. Customer Relationships

Tesco aims to build strong customer relationships by providing excellent customer service and personalized experiences. They offer loyalty programs, such as the Tesco Clubcard, which rewards customers for their loyalty and encourages repeat purchases. Tesco also maintains an active presence on social media platforms, engaging with customers and addressing their concerns.

5. Revenue Streams

Tesco generates revenue through various streams, including the sale of products, financial services, and additional services such as phone contracts and insurance. They also generate revenue through advertising partnerships, where brands pay to promote their products within Tesco's stores and online platforms.

6. Key Activities

Tesco's key activities involve sourcing and procuring products, managing their supply chain, operating physical stores, and maintaining their online platforms. They also invest in marketing and advertising campaigns to promote their products and services.

7. Key Resources

Tesco's key resources include their physical stores, distribution centers, online platforms, and technology infrastructure. They also rely on a network of suppliers to provide a diverse range of products to meet customer demand.

8. Key Partnerships

Tesco collaborates with various suppliers, manufacturers, and brands to ensure a wide selection of products for their customers. They also establish partnerships with financial institutions to offer banking and insurance services. Additionally, Tesco forms partnerships with local communities and charitable organizations to support social initiatives.

9. Cost Structure

Tesco's cost structure includes expenses related to sourcing products, maintaining physical stores, operating online platforms, marketing and advertising, employee salaries, and logistics. They strive to maintain cost-efficiency in order to offer competitive prices to their customers.

By utilizing the Business Model Canvas, Tesco is able to clearly define and analyze the different aspects of their business model. Understanding their customer segments, value proposition, channels, customer relationships, revenue streams, key activities, key resources, key partnerships, and cost structure allows Tesco to continuously innovate and adapt in a highly competitive retail industry.

Which companies are the competitors of Tesco?

Introduction.

When it comes to the retail industry, competition is fierce. Tesco, one of the largest supermarket chains in the United Kingdom, faces stiff competition from various companies. These competitors strive to capture market share and attract customers with their unique offerings and strategies. In this section, we will explore some of the prominent companies that pose a challenge to Tesco's dominance in the retail sector.

Competitors of Tesco

1. sainsbury's.

Sainsbury's is one of Tesco's main competitors in the United Kingdom. With a similar market presence and extensive product offerings, Sainsbury's directly competes with Tesco across various retail categories. Both companies engage in fierce price wars, promotions, and marketing campaigns to entice consumers. Sainsbury's supermarkets are known for their wide range of fresh produce, quality own-brand products, and strong online presence. This fierce rivalry between Tesco and Sainsbury's has spurred innovation and competitive pricing strategies in the industry.

Asda, owned by Walmart, is another major contender in the retail market that competes head-on with Tesco. Asda focuses on offering lower prices and has a reputation for being a budget-friendly supermarket. The company has a vast network of stores across the UK and a strong online presence. Asda's commitment to value for money attracts price-conscious customers, putting pressure on Tesco to remain competitive in terms of pricing, promotions, and customer service.

3. Morrisons

Morrisons is another significant competitor that poses a challenge to Tesco. Known for its focus on fresh food and produce, Morrisons targets customers looking for high-quality groceries. The company has been expanding its product range and investing in improving customer experience through innovations such as the Market Street concept, which offers a wide selection of fresh and prepared foods. Morrisons' emphasis on quality and differentiation sets it apart from Tesco and appeals to a specific customer segment.

4. Aldi and Lidl

While Tesco competes with various traditional supermarket chains, it also faces competition from discount retailers like Aldi and Lidl. These German grocery chains have gained popularity in the UK by offering low prices, a limited product range, and unique promotions. Aldi and Lidl have disrupted the market by attracting budget-conscious customers with their no-frills approach and focus on private-label products. Tesco has responded by introducing its own budget range, but the competition remains intense.

5. Online Retailers

In recent years, the rise of online grocery shopping has introduced a new wave of competition for Tesco. Companies like Amazon, Ocado, and Iceland have made significant strides in the online retail space. With their efficient delivery systems, vast product selections, and competitive pricing, these online retailers pose a threat to Tesco's traditional brick-and-mortar dominance. Tesco has made efforts to strengthen its online presence and improve delivery options to counter this growing competition.

Tesco faces fierce competition from various companies operating in the retail sector. From traditional supermarket chains like Sainsbury's, Asda, and Morrisons to discount retailers such as Aldi and Lidl, Tesco must continually adapt and innovate to maintain its market share. Additionally, the rise of online retailers like Amazon and Ocado presents a new challenge for Tesco's traditional business model. By closely monitoring and responding to the strategies of these competitors, Tesco can strive to stay ahead in this highly competitive industry.

Tesco SWOT Analysis

Strong brand reputation: Tesco is one of the leading retail brands in the world, known for its quality products and excellent customer service. Its strong brand reputation gives it a competitive advantage in the market.

Wide product range: Tesco offers a wide range of products, including groceries, clothing, electronics, and household items. This allows the company to cater to diverse customer needs and attract a large customer base.

Efficient supply chain: Tesco has a well-established and efficient supply chain management system. This helps the company in maintaining a steady supply of products and reducing operational costs.

Online presence: Tesco has a strong online presence with its e-commerce platform. This allows customers to conveniently shop from the comfort of their homes, contributing to increased sales and customer satisfaction.

Dependence on the UK market: Tesco heavily relies on the UK market for its revenue. This makes the company vulnerable to any economic downturn or changes in consumer spending patterns in the UK.

Limited international presence: Although Tesco has expanded its operations to several countries, it still has a limited international presence compared to some of its competitors. This limits the company's opportunities for growth and diversification.

Negative publicity: Tesco has faced negative publicity in the past, such as accounting scandals and controversies related to labor practices. This can damage the company's reputation and affect customer trust and loyalty.

Increasing competition: The retail industry is highly competitive, with the presence of both traditional brick-and-mortar stores and online retailers. Tesco faces intense competition from both local and international competitors, which can impact its market share and profitability.

Opportunities

Expansion into emerging markets: Tesco has the opportunity to expand its operations into emerging markets, such as China and India, where there is a growing middle class with increasing purchasing power. This can help the company tap into new customer segments and drive revenue growth.

Focus on online sales: With the increasing popularity of online shopping, Tesco can further enhance its e-commerce platform and focus on boosting online sales. This can help the company reach a wider customer base and increase its market share.

Sustainability initiatives: There is a growing demand for sustainable and eco-friendly products. Tesco can capitalize on this trend by introducing more sustainable products and implementing eco-friendly practices in its operations, which can attract environmentally conscious customers.

Expansion of product offerings: Tesco can explore opportunities to expand its product offerings by partnering with other brands or introducing new product lines. This can help the company attract new customers and increase customer loyalty.

Economic uncertainty: Economic uncertainties, such as recessions or inflation, can impact consumer spending and purchasing power. This can negatively affect Tesco's sales and profitability.

Changing consumer preferences: Consumer preferences and shopping habits are constantly evolving. Tesco needs to adapt to these changes and offer products and services that meet the changing demands of customers. Failure to do so can result in loss of market share.

Increasing competition from discount retailers: Discount retailers, such as Aldi and Lidl, have gained popularity in recent years. These retailers offer lower prices and attract price-sensitive customers. Tesco faces the threat of losing customers to these discount retailers.

Regulatory changes: Changes in regulations, such as food safety regulations or labor laws, can impact Tesco's operations and increase compliance costs. Failure to comply with these regulations can result in penalties and damage the company's reputation.

Key Takeaways

  • Tesco is owned by a wide range of shareholders, including institutional investors, individual shareholders, and members of the Tesco management team.
  • The mission statement of Tesco is to "be the most highly valued business by customers, employees, suppliers, communities, and shareholders."
  • Tesco primarily makes money through the sale of groceries and general merchandise in its retail stores, as well as through online sales and financial services.
  • The Tesco Business Model Canvas is a tool that visually represents how Tesco creates, delivers, and captures value. It outlines key elements such as customer segments, value propositions, channels, customer relationships, revenue streams, key activities, key resources, key partnerships, and cost structure.
  • Some of Tesco's main competitors include other major retailers such as Sainsbury's, Asda, Morrisons, and Aldi. In addition, online retailers like Amazon and Ocado also compete with Tesco in certain areas.
  • A SWOT analysis of Tesco reveals its strengths in a strong brand and market presence, a wide range of products and services, and a strong focus on customer satisfaction. However, it also faces weaknesses such as intense competition and increasing costs. Opportunities include expanding into new markets and growing its online presence, while threats include economic downturns and changing consumer preferences.

In conclusion, Tesco is owned by a diverse group of shareholders, including institutional investors and individual shareholders. The mission statement of Tesco is to be the most trusted retailer where people love to work and shop. Tesco makes money through various revenue streams, such as selling groceries, clothing, and other household items, as well as providing financial services and operating fuel stations.

The Tesco Business Model Canvas explains how the company creates value for its customers through key activities, resources, and partnerships, while maintaining a strong cost structure and revenue streams. This comprehensive framework enables Tesco to effectively meet customer needs and remain competitive in the market.

Tesco faces tough competition from several companies in the retail industry, including Sainsbury's, Asda, Morrisons, and Aldi. These competitors constantly strive to gain market share and attract customers with their unique offerings and pricing strategies.

Lastly, a SWOT analysis of Tesco highlights its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Tesco's strengths lie in its strong brand reputation, extensive product range, and global presence. However, the company also faces weaknesses such as increased competition and declining profitability in some markets. Opportunities for Tesco include expanding into new markets and diversifying its product offerings, while threats include changing consumer preferences and economic uncertainties.

Overall, Tesco's ownership, mission statement, revenue generation, business model, competitors, and SWOT analysis all contribute to its success and ongoing efforts to meet customer demands in the ever-evolving retail landscape.

What is a SWOT analysis for Tesco?

SWOT analysis for Tesco:

  • Strong brand reputation and recognition globally.
  • Diverse product offerings, including groceries, clothing, electronics, and financial services.
  • Extensive network of stores, both physical and online, providing convenient access to customers.
  • Effective supply chain management, enabling efficient distribution and inventory management.
  • Strong customer loyalty programs, such as Clubcard, fostering customer retention.
  • Well-established presence in international markets, providing opportunities for growth and expansion.

Weaknesses:

  • High competition in the retail industry, leading to price wars and margin pressures.
  • Overdependence on the UK market, making Tesco vulnerable to economic fluctuations.
  • Controversies surrounding unethical practices, such as supplier relationships and employee treatment, damaging the brand image.
  • Limited market share in certain international markets, limiting growth potential.
  • Inefficient store layout and customer flow, leading to a poor shopping experience in some locations.

Opportunities:

  • Expanding online retailing and e-commerce capabilities to cater to the growing online shopping trend.
  • Growing demand for organic and healthy products, allowing Tesco to diversify its product offerings.
  • Expanding into emerging markets with rising disposable incomes, such as India and China.
  • Technology advancements, such as automation and artificial intelligence, offering opportunities for operational efficiency and improved customer experience.
  • Increasing focus on sustainability and environmentally-friendly practices, allowing Tesco to differentiate itself in the market.
  • Intense competition from both established retailers and online giants like Amazon.
  • Economic downturns and fluctuations affecting consumer spending patterns.
  • Changing consumer preferences and shopping habits, including increased demand for convenience and online shopping.
  • Regulatory changes, such as stricter food safety regulations, impacting Tesco's operations and costs.
  • Negative impact of Brexit on the supply chain, imports, and exports, affecting pricing and availability of products.

What are the weaknesses of Tesco?

Strong competition: Tesco operates in a highly competitive retail market, facing strong competition from other supermarket chains such as Sainsbury's, Asda, and Morrisons. This can put pressure on Tesco's market share and profitability.

Dependence on the UK market: Tesco heavily relies on its home market, the UK, for a significant portion of its revenue. Any economic downturn or changes in consumer behavior in the UK can have a significant impact on the company's performance.

High debt levels: Tesco has a significant amount of debt on its balance sheet, which can limit its financial flexibility and increase interest payments. This can put pressure on the company's profitability and ability to invest in future growth.

Negative public perception: Tesco has faced negative media coverage and public perception regarding issues such as worker conditions, supplier relationships, and environmental practices. This can damage the company's reputation and lead to a loss of customer trust.

Online competition: The rise of online grocery shopping and the presence of online-only retailers like Amazon Fresh pose a threat to Tesco's traditional brick-and-mortar business model. Tesco needs to continually invest in its online presence and delivery capabilities to compete effectively in this space.

International operations: While Tesco has expanded its operations internationally, particularly in Asia, it has faced challenges in some markets. Economic instability, regulatory hurdles, and cultural differences can pose risks to Tesco's international operations and profitability.

Vulnerability to economic downturns: As a retailer, Tesco is susceptible to changes in consumer spending patterns during economic downturns. In times of economic hardship, consumers may cut back on discretionary spending, affecting Tesco's sales and profitability.

What is a SWOT analysis for a supermarket industry?

A SWOT analysis for the supermarket industry examines the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats affecting the industry. Here is an example:

  • Wide range of products: Supermarkets offer a diverse selection of products, including groceries, household items, personal care products, and more, which attracts a large customer base.
  • Convenience: Supermarkets are generally located in easily accessible areas, providing convenience to customers who can find everything they need in one place.
  • Established customer base: Many supermarkets have built a loyal customer base over time, which can contribute to repeat business and customer retention.
  • Supply chain management: Supermarkets often have efficient supply chains in place, ensuring consistent product availability and reducing stock-out situations.
  • Intense competition: The supermarket industry is highly competitive, with various players attempting to capture market share, which can put pressure on profit margins.
  • Low-profit margins: Due to intense competition and price-sensitive customers, supermarkets often face low-profit margins, making it challenging to maintain profitability.
  • Limited differentiation: Some supermarkets struggle to differentiate themselves from competitors, which can lead to a lack of customer loyalty and price-driven purchasing decisions.
  • High operational costs: Operating a supermarket requires significant investment in infrastructure, inventory management, staffing, and marketing, which can impact profitability.
  • Online grocery shopping: The increasing trend of online grocery shopping presents an opportunity for supermarkets to expand their customer reach and cater to changing consumer preferences.
  • Health and wellness: As consumers become more health-conscious, supermarkets can capitalize on this trend by offering a wider range of organic, natural, and healthy food options.
  • Sustainability: Supermarkets can embrace sustainability initiatives such as reducing packaging waste, promoting locally sourced products, and supporting fair trade practices, which can attract environmentally conscious consumers.
  • International expansion: Supermarkets can explore expansion into emerging markets or establish partnerships with international suppliers to diversify their product offerings and reach new customers.
  • E-commerce giants: Online retailers like Amazon have entered the grocery market, posing a threat to traditional supermarkets by leveraging their wide customer base and logistics capabilities.
  • Price wars: Intense competition can lead to price wars, which may negatively impact profit margins and erode the value proposition of supermarkets.
  • Changing consumer behavior: Changing consumer preferences and shopping patterns, such as increased demand for convenience stores or local farmers' markets, can pose a threat to traditional supermarkets if they fail to adapt.
  • Economic downturns: During economic downturns, consumers may reduce spending or shift towards lower-priced alternatives, impacting the profitability of supermarkets.

What are the strategic issues of Tesco?

Some of the strategic issues that Tesco faces include:

Intense competition: Tesco operates in a highly competitive market, with rival supermarket chains such as Sainsbury's, Asda, and Morrisons. Additionally, discount retailers like Aldi and Lidl pose a threat to Tesco's market share. The company needs to continually develop strategies to stay ahead of the competition.

Changing consumer preferences: Consumer preferences are constantly evolving, and Tesco must adapt to these changes. For example, there has been a shift towards healthier eating and sustainability, which Tesco needs to address by offering a wider range of organic and sustainable products.

Online retail: The growth of e-commerce has significantly impacted the retail industry. Tesco needs to invest in its online presence and ensure a seamless online shopping experience for customers. Additionally, the company needs to compete with online-only retailers like Amazon, which have entered the grocery market.

International expansion: Tesco operates in multiple countries, including the UK, Ireland, Hungary, and Thailand. Each market has its own unique challenges and Tesco needs to carefully navigate these complexities to ensure successful expansion and growth.

Pricing and promotions: Price competition is fierce in the retail industry, and Tesco needs to carefully manage its pricing strategy and promotional activities to attract and retain customers. Balancing competitive pricing with profitability is a constant challenge.

Supply chain management: Tesco's supply chain is complex, involving numerous suppliers, distributors, and logistics operations. Any disruptions or inefficiencies in the supply chain can impact the availability of products and customer satisfaction. Tesco needs to continually optimize its supply chain to ensure timely and cost-effective delivery of products.

Brand reputation: Tesco has faced some challenges to its brand reputation in the past, including accounting scandals and controversies over supplier relationships. Maintaining a positive brand image is crucial for Tesco to retain customer trust and loyalty.

Technological advancements: Technology is rapidly changing the retail landscape. Tesco needs to embrace digital innovations such as data analytics, artificial intelligence, and automation to enhance operational efficiency and customer experience.

Overall, Tesco needs to address these strategic issues to remain competitive, adapt to changing consumer demands, and ensure sustainable growth in the highly dynamic retail industry.

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Tesco SWOT Analysis – The Retailer’s Weaknesses and Threats

Key takeaways, tesco brief history, current financial performance, tesco swot analysis, large variety of products, experienced and well-trained employees, leading market share, various store formats & large store networks, customer loyalty programs, superior technology & innovation, success in different industries, tesco mobile, poor market performance outside of europe, safety-related issues, clubcard controversy, growth-sustaining problems, weak csr initiatives, international expansion, focusing on sustainable products, boosting youth employment rates, joint ventures, creating new store formats, price competition, post-brexit rules, rising costs & supply chain issues, disruptive technologies, everchanging shopping habits, very steep competition in the uk, aldi’s swot, sainsbury’s, sainsbury’s swot, morrisons swot, question: what market challenges does tesco face, question: why do retailers like tesco rely on swot analyses, question: how do retailers like tesco maintain their competitive advantages, bottom line.

Tesco is the largest UK retailer with an impressive client database and a wide range of products. As you’ll discover below, Tesco has many strong points and opportunities but also faces a few critical threats. Moreover, it should work on improving some of its weaknesses that could impact its current leading position.

As a business professional, I consider SWOT analyses essential to any successful company. It’s an effective planning tool that helps business managers create their plans and strategies. You must read the following SWOT components of Tesco. Otherwise, you won’t discover these metrics’ purpose. They help the retailer establish its market position. Moreover, Tesco’s SWOT analysis helps the firm’s experts in their decision-making process.

  • Tesco is a well-known UK retailer with a significant market share;
  • This grocery store provides numerous other goods. Those include clothing, electronics, and household items;
  • Tesco is known for its convenience stores and hypermarkets. But it also has a robust online presence through the company’s mobile app and website;
  • Over the years, Tesco has maintained its leading position. That’s due to its impressive financial performance. It also experienced constant profit growth and significant revenue values;
  • From my experience, I’m aware of how dependent Tesco is on the UK market, despite the retailer’s presence in other countries;
  • Tesco has dealt with challenges in foreign markets. That occurred because of unique client preferences. It also faced unstable and highly competitive market landscapes.

Tesco, as we know it, was created in 1924. It’s a business launched in London and was first a small market stall that sold imported tea. The founder, Jack Cohen, expanded the company in the ’30s by building a new headquarters building. His business was the first modern warehouse in the United Kingdom that sold groceries and other food products

In 1946, Tesco introduced the self-service option after traveling to the US and being inspired by this idea. The following year, Tesco started to sell its shares on the Stock Exchange. Between 1955 and 1960, the retailer has known a quick growth, buying over 500 additional stores. In 1958, the first Tesco supermarket was opened.

The year 1979 represented the end of the founder’s era. Jack Cohen passed away that year.  By 1989, when I was born, Tesco had created its first ad campaign and began its initiative to help Britain eat healthier .  After 1990, the company invested in social causes and education, helping schools across the UK . In 1992, a smaller and more specialized format appeared as Tesco Metro.

An important expansion took place in 1995 in several European countries and a few places across Asia. Tesco Clubcard is launched the same year. After 2010, Tesco has focused more on putting its clients at the core of its every initiative.

Over the years, Tesco did great or just fine in the financial performance department. In 2022, the company’s revenue exceeded 60 billion British pounds. It was an improvement of more than billions compared to the previous year. Still, compared to 2022, this year, Tesco has had smaller profits of only 4.4 billion dollars. The decrease was caused by the recent economic instability and very high inflation levels.

But all these challenges don’t seem to scare those at Tesco. The retailer plans to invest more in renewable energy. They also want to encourage clients to follow sustainable diets and cut plastic use.

Although in 2021, Tesco sales faced a severe drop, they achieved a 6% boost in 2022.

Tesco’s biggest strength is its board product range translated into market leadership. Below, I’ve detailed all the retailer’s strengths, weaknesses, market opportunities, and threats.

At Tesco, you’ll find an extensive product range representing the company’s most important strength. Unlike other retailers, Tesco has a diverse customer base. Its clients can shop for almost anything they need, from clothes to groceries, in one place. That’s highly convenient and time-saving.

Besides finding the things that are on your shopping list, you can also discover new products at any Tesco supermarket. This allows you to try new goods that you haven’t tried before. Whether you’re searching for daily essentials or luxury goods, Tesco will catch your attention due to its product variety.

Most Tesco employees (at least the ones I’ve talked to) are proud members of this retailer’s staff. According to them, the company culture and working conditions are very good. Moreover, the management makes sure each of them is well-trained before being placed in one of Tesco’s supermarkets. In fact, Tesco’s approach to employee training is excellent.

It relies on a flexible training program. The program addresses the employees’ needs and level of experience. Some of them will develop new abilities during this process, whereas others will improve their already-existing skills. Tesco claims it treats staff members the way its employees want to be treated.

The retailer has a tall or hierarchical organizational structure. Its chain of command is pretty long, but each manager benefits from a narrow control span. Working at Tesco is different from any other supermarket. That’s because most employees feel a sense of belonging.

In Great Britain, Tesco is the number one grocery retailer, owning almost 28% of the total market share. In Ireland, Tesco is the most popular supermarket and has been so for a long time. As the market’s leader, the company enjoys great brand recognition. I can tell you that all these strengths translate into a powerful influence that Tesco has over its suppliers.

Tesco has opened many store formats. The most popular are hypermarkets and supermarkets. But, clients also like Tesco’s small convenience stores. I’m sure many of you know about Tesco Extra, One Stop, Tesco Express, or Tesco Homeplus. Each of these store types targets specific market segments and caters to those clients’ unique needs. This strength leads to higher flexibility. Simply put, Tesco can adjust its strategy to changing market conditions while creating a broad customer base.

Tesco has numerous stores all over the globe. I love it when a brand it’s readily accessible to all its clients. It creates opportunities for the expansion of the retailer’s customer base. Moreover, through this type of advantage, a company can enter new markets. I always advise financially-potent businesses to penetrate new markets and open new stores. This will improve their brand awareness and visibility.

Tesco’s customers receive plenty of perks and benefits through the company’s Clubcard program. It’s mostly about the retailer’s loyalty program. It enables clients to buy discounted-priced goods. Meanwhile, the company collects valuable information for its database. So, it’s a win-win situation. These strategies encourage shoppers to revisit Tesco stores, buying more products.

Also, they boost loyalty among Tesco customers. Finally, the company learns a lot about the things shoppers prefer to buy more frequently. It also discovers their purchasing behavior.

I genuinely appreciate Tesco’s focus on innovation. Their tech-related initiatives have led to a highly convenient shopping experience. The company does its best to improve how its customers shop and spend time in their stores. That’s achieved through superior technology.

For instance, using Tesco’s new barcode system helped me count my purchased items automatically. I could also pay for my groceries through a mobile payment app. Besides excellent automated client services, the retailer offers self-checkouts and many other perks. I must mention how effectively it relies on AI-based inventory management.

Besides the classic Tesco supermarket, the company has been successful in other areas and industries. Telecommunications and finance are two of those examples.

Tesco Bank offers loans, insurance, and credit cards. Managing your account is fairly simple. Clients can use their Clubcard Pay+, which enables them to save money on every purchase they make. One can safely use these bank services overseas.

UPDATE! While Tesco Bank was highly successful, entering the financial market was quite challenging for the company. I was baffled when I heard that they want to shut down all Tesco Bank operations by the end of this year. The reason behind this decision seems to be that the clients don’t prioritize their current accounts.

On the Tesco Mobile website, you’ll find mobile phone deals, SIM contracts, and more. It was launched 20 years ago.

Even here, clients benefit from using their Tesco Clubcard. Their payment plans are flexible, and clients can choose their desired tariffs. Tesco’s mobile virtual network operator functions in several countries like the UK, the Czech Republic, Ireland, and Slovakia. Families with multiple members as Tesco mobile clients receive additional perks.

For some reason, it seems that Tesco can’t achieve the same level of success in other countries as it has across Europe. At first, that baffled me. Then, I thought about how the retailer had failed to maintain its stores and services in the US market. Things didn’t look better in the Japanese market. Once I did thorough research, the reason revealed itself to me: this was a matter of export failure.

Tesco lasted only five years in the States, leaving Japan after nine years. Hence, the company had no choice but to exit these international markets. The retailer left the American market because of its small store formats and poor store locations. It finally exited the US in 2013. Tesco had to sell all its stores before the exit.

Their effort to adjust their foods to fit the American public’s lifestyle didn’t work out. As for Japan, Tesco left that market in 2011 after nine years. It seems that Japan was a challenging market for Tesco’s trade. The retailer faced difficult customer demands and high trading costs. Despite its impressive investment, Tesco didn’t manage to win that market over.

Tesco even tried to enter the Chinese market, but it was a bit late, and the company couldn’t secure the locations of its stores. It also failed to gain a large-enough market share in due time. Moreover, most Chinese people prefer to do their shopping online. This could be another reason for Tesco’s lack of success in China.

These problems are about product quality and safety standards. They have considerably damaged Tesco’s brand reputation. One example would be the well-known horsemeat scandal. Customers bought what they believed to be beef products. But Tesco had included horsemeat without informing anyone.

Another huge mistake that Tesco made was to display and sell expired products. For that, they had to pay a steep fine of over 170,000 British pounds.

In 2018 many angry clients expressed discontent. That happened when the company introduced the Clubcard scheme. Through this program, customers could double or quadruple their shopping points. Still, none of them were aware of that. You can imagine the kind of backlash Tesco faced with this mistake.

Tesco is too large and has a significant market share. These two, put together, make the retailer’s expansion very difficult, especially when it comes to its core markets. Moreover, entering new markets and selling new products is risky and challenging.

That’s the truth, from my experience, regardless of the business’s size or financial power. One must adapt its strategies to fit the regulations and conditions of a local market. Also, this process involves significant investment.

Talented and skillful employees are hard to find, especially with Tesco’s negative publicity regarding its CSR initiatives. From what I’ve seen, younger generations are skeptical when working for retailers that don’t have solid and clear sustainability policies. Another aspect appreciated by youngsters these days is involvement in social causes.

To overcome this weakness, I suggest Tesco engage more in CSR processes. It should be transparent toward its customers and communicate everything it does in this regard. Moreover, Tesco must prove that its products are ethically sourced by featuring solid actions as well as measurable results.

Opportunities

Tesco should grasp the opportunity and expand into new countries to target new clients. This would help the company increase its revenue stream. It has already successfully entered other markets, including Hungary and Thailand. However, its representatives should consider other regions, such as South America, other parts of Asia, and Africa.

International expansion is a great way to diversify a company’s risk.

The aim should be to provide healthy and sustainable goods. That’s a consequence created by more health-conscious clients. Also, consumers are more environmentally oriented. Hence, Tesco must capitalize on these market trends. I suggest providing a more comprehensive selection of eco-friendly, healthy, and organic products.

This is a significant opportunity, considering that the retailer is a major European employer. I was intrigued to see that Tesco was among the few companies that hired more employees during the pandemic instead of terminating contracts. As long as the retailer buys new stores and expands into new markets, it could also boost its youth employment rates.

The retailer should consider its underperforming markets and seek joint venture opportunities in those areas. If Tesco collaborates with local companies, it will gain a lot from those businesses’ profound market knowledge. Hence, it could seriously improve its performance in those regions.

I agree that Tesco already has several effective store formats, including smaller shops and hypermarkets. However, I would include more modern urban stores and specialized locations. In my vision, these would target more specific niches, offering well-determined product categories. Through these stores, Tesco could change the current shopping habits and address customers with evolved preferences.

Any retailer in the same industry as Tesco deals with steep competition, including in the pricing department. For instance, I can think of two important Tesco competitors (top of mind) that offer discounted prices: Lidl and Aldi. This threat can put extra pressure on the company’s profit margins.

To avoid losing its current market share, Tesco might have to adopt one or both of the following tactics:

  • Introduce more promotional activities;
  • Lower its prices.

On the other hand, any of these measures could impact Tesco’s profitability.

The harsh rules implemented by the EU after Brexit represent a crucial threat to Tesco. Combined with inflation and government regulations, this threat could affect the retailer’s activity. From what I’ve seen, Brexit has affected retailers’ supply chains the most. This translated into stock shortages for numerous products.

I have several relatives and close friends who live in the UK. They’ve told me about this issue and how strange it was to enter a supermarket and see many of the shelves completely empty.

Brexit and other recent events have led to higher business costs. They influenced many companies. War-related and health crises have made Tesco spend an extra sum of around 900 million to one billion dollars.

And, since misfortunes never come alone, Tesco has also experienced supply chain issues. Product shortages threaten Tesco’s profitability and operations. To address that, the retailer had to reduce the number of essential goods a customer could purchase.

Digital and tech transformation are challenges that Tesco must overcome one way or the other. The bad part is that disruptive technologies appear all the time. The good part is Tesco has managed to adapt so far by using cloud-based programs, AI, and big data.

On-demand delivery and online marketplaces are two innovative things that could produce a glitch in Tesco’s system. But, as long as the company knows the proper way to address those, it will be able to transform them into opportunities.

This is another major threat since clients tend to buy less than before. Moreover, they aren’t as loyal to one supermarket and willing to switch from one retailer to another. This threat was paired with boosted online shopping that more and more customers prefer – including myself. However, Tesco handled this situation by releasing a new online service called click and collect.

Although the common consensus is that Tesco is the most popular UK retailer, it seems that no one is actually leading the race. There are, however, a few companies that are more profitable than others: Tesco, Aldi, and ASDA. Allow me to explain just how high the competition is within the UK’s retail market. The country occupies third place on the globe for its competitiveness.

In terms of online retail, the UK lands in the first place, globally speaking.

See also: Walmart Business Model

Tesco Competitors

Here are Tesco’s main competitors. In the UK, competition is steep. Most retailers play on a pretty plane field. Still, most people consider Tesco as the most popular brand, followed by Asda and Aldi.

ASDA was launched in 1949. It’s a popular supermarket chain in the UK. Today, the company has over 145,000 employees and more than 630 stores. They sell groceries, home items, beauty products, and general merchandise.

  • Strengths – competitive prices; wide product range; large store network; great brand recognition;
  • Weaknesses – limited international presence; steep competition; quality perception issues; ownership changes;
  • Opportunities – online presence expansion; customer experience enhancement; international expansion; partnerships and acquisitions;
  • Threats – online and offline competition; consumer preferences; technological disruptions; reputational risks; economic fluctuations.

Lidl was founded over 90 years ago and has a strong reputation across Europe. Its headquarters are in Germany, and it has more than 310,000 employees. Lidl owns over 10,000 stores. You’ll find this retailer in the US and in 30 European countries.

  • Strengths – affordable goods; international presence; adaptability; strong brand recognition;
  • Weaknesses – limited product range; lower employee satisfaction; limited online presence;
  • Opportunities – eCommerce expansion; product diversification; improving customer experience;
  • Threats – steep competition; economic fluctuations; labor regulations; inflation.

Aldi is successful as a retailer due to its speedy checkouts and generous return policy. It was founded in Germany in 1961. It started as a family-owned business, but it’s now a well-known multinational company. Aldi relies on simplicity and consistency.

  • Strengths – efficient business model; high convenience; quality reputation; sustainable initiatives;
  • Weaknesses – limited brand variety; lack of loyalty programs; intense competition; limited online presence;
  • Opportunities – wider product selection; geographic expansion; diversifying store formats;
  • Threats – economic downturns; supply chain disruptions; everchanging customer preferences; data breaches.

Sainsbury’s has a long history, being founded in 1869. Customers like it for its affordable prices and great quality food. The company holds on tight to its quality reputation and brand heritage. Moreover, the retailer uses its sources with integrity. Sainsbury’s private label products help the business differentiate from other retailers.

  • Strengths – strong online presence, excellent client feedback and reviews, effective promotional strategies;
  • Weaknesses – price increases, a bit expensive, financial instability;
  • Opportunities – global expansion, rural area coverage, embracing new trends;
  • Threats – competition, rules and regulations, controversies.

Morrisons is another British supermarket chain founded in 1899. It has around 110,000 employees and occupies a fifth place as one of the largest UK retailers. The company owns almost 500 stores in England, Scotland, and Wales. It even has a store in Gibraltar. They’re mostly known for their groceries and fresh foods.

  • Strengths – private label brands; sustainability policy; strong and durable partnerships; loyalty programs;
  • Weaknesses – market share decrease; limited international presence; brand perception issues;
  • Opportunities – online operation expansion; store format diversification; strategic collaborations; increased focus on wellness;
  • Threats – steep competition; digital disruption; economic uncertainty; political factors.

Answer: It faces both external and internal challenges. For instance, it could fail to adjust to other markets besides Europe. Rules implemented after Brexit can also be a problem. Tesco was involved in several quality-related scandals. Finally, inflation and competition are among the most important threats of all.

Answer: SWOT is a powerful tool that helps Tesco establish its competitive strategy and market positioning. It’s easier to make informed decisions after completing a SWOT analysis.

Answer: Tesco has numerous strengths that it uses to maintain its competitive advantage. These include a large market share, high adaptability, and significant investments in new technologies.

While Tesco has unique and excellent strengths, it also has common weaknesses that other retailers have. Regardless of the high competition in the retail market, Tesco will continue to remain a top provider in its industry and reap the benefits of that advantageous position.

The company can do that through its robust leadership, innovation, and clever management practices. After all, Tesco has proven its resilience after surpassing both Brexit and the Covid pandemic.

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  • Tesco sales growth year-on-year in Great Britain 2015-2024

Tesco experienced peak sales growth throughout the pandemic. In the 12 weeks ending in July 2020, sales grew by just over 15 percent when compared to the same period in the previous year. Throughout 2020 and 2021, this growth dipped, even reaching a loss of 1.4 percent in November 2021. During the second half of 2022 and 2023, growth picked up again. This coincided with periods of high inflation felt around the world.   A market leader under attack Tesco’s is the biggest of the so-called big four, a group of supermarkets including Sainsbury’s, Asda, and Morrisons that dominate the UK market. However, in September 2022, Aldi overtook Morrisons as the fourth largest supermarket in the UK; Tesco's position as market leader is currently under attack. In April of 2019, a merger, which would have cost the company the number one spot on the British grocery market , of Sainsbury’s and Asda failed. Tesco in numbers Tesco operates just over 4,250 stores in the UK . The company made a revenue of roughly 62.88 billion British pounds in the UK and Republic of Ireland in 2023/24, approximately 14 times the revenue that the company make in Central Europe.

Percentage change in sales at Tesco in Great Britain compared to a year earlier from January 2015 to May 2024

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United Kingdom (Great Britain)

12 weeks ending January 4, 2015 to 12 weeks ending May 12, 2024

Data shows growth compared to the same period last year. Each period is for the 12 weeks ending on each given date. Sales include expenditure through main store tills but exclude petrol and in-store concessions. The source did not provide data for all periods.

Other statistics on the topic Supermarkets in the United Kingdom (UK)

  • Grocery market share in Great Britain 2017-2024
  • Tesco store numbers in the United Kingdom (UK) and Ireland 2012-2024
  • Most popular supermarket chains in the UK Q4 2023
  • Sainsbury's store numbers in the United Kingdom (UK) 2009-2024, by store type

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  • Asda sales growth year-on-year in Great Britain 2014-2023
  • Morrisons sales growth year-on-year in Great Britain 2015-2023
  • The Co-operative sales growth year-on-year in Great Britain 2015-2024
  • Waitrose sales growth year-on-year in Great Britain 2015-2023
  • Iceland sales growth year-on-year in Great Britain 2015-2023
  • Tesco stores numbers in the United Kingdom (UK) 2023/4, by type
  • Number of Morrisons stores in the United Kingdom 2009-2022
  • Co-operative Group Ltd food stores in the United Kingdom (UK) 2011-2023
  • Number of Waitrose stores in the United Kingdom (UK) 2009-2023
  • Number of Marks & Spencer stores 2010-2023, by region
  • Share of new supermarkets opened by discount brands in the UK 2011-2023
  • Aldi brand profile in the UK 2023
  • Lidl brand profile in the UK 2023
  • Aldi sales growth year-on-year in Great Britain 2014-2023
  • Lidl sales growth year-on-year in Great Britain 2014-2023
  • Revenue of Lidl in GB 2020-2023
  • Number of employees of Lidl in the United Kingdom (UK) 2012-2023
  • Number of Aldi Süd store branches in the United Kingdom (UK) 2013-2022
  • Grocery shopping by store type in the UK 2024
  • Grocery shopping by store brand in the UK 2024
  • Online grocery & beverage shopping by store brand in the UK 2024
  • Likelihood to buy supermarket private label products in the UK 2023
  • Likelihood to shop around grocery discounts in the UK 2023

Other statistics that may interest you Supermarkets in the UK

Market overview

  • Premium Statistic Grocery market value in the United Kingdom (UK) 2004-2027
  • Premium Statistic United Kingdom: grocery retail market value 2020-2027, by channel
  • Premium Statistic Grocery market share in Great Britain 2017-2024
  • Premium Statistic Average cost of a shopping basket in the United Kingdom (UK) 2023, by supermarket
  • Basic Statistic Most popular supermarket chains in the UK Q4 2023
  • Basic Statistic Grocery market growth year-on-year in the UK 2016-2026
  • Premium Statistic Cost of Christmas dinner from major supermarkets in the United Kingdom 2023

Store sales

  • Premium Statistic Food store retail sales in Great Britain 2005-2022
  • Basic Statistic Food store retail sales value annual index in Great Britain (UK) 2012-2022
  • Premium Statistic Food store retail sales value percentage change in Great Britain (UK) 2012-2022
  • Basic Statistic Weekly retail sales in food stores in Great Britain (UK) 2014-2023

Supermarket sales growth

  • Premium Statistic Tesco sales growth year-on-year in Great Britain 2015-2024
  • Premium Statistic Sainsbury's sales growth year-on-year in Great Britain 2014-2024
  • Premium Statistic Asda sales growth year-on-year in Great Britain 2014-2023
  • Premium Statistic Morrisons sales growth year-on-year in Great Britain 2015-2023
  • Basic Statistic The Co-operative sales growth year-on-year in Great Britain 2015-2024
  • Basic Statistic Waitrose sales growth year-on-year in Great Britain 2015-2023
  • Basic Statistic Iceland sales growth year-on-year in Great Britain 2015-2023

Supermarket store numbers

  • Premium Statistic Tesco store numbers in the United Kingdom (UK) and Ireland 2012-2024
  • Premium Statistic Tesco stores numbers in the United Kingdom (UK) 2023/4, by type
  • Premium Statistic Sainsbury's store numbers in the United Kingdom (UK) 2009-2024, by store type
  • Premium Statistic Number of Morrisons stores in the United Kingdom 2009-2022
  • Premium Statistic Co-operative Group Ltd food stores in the United Kingdom (UK) 2011-2023
  • Premium Statistic Number of Waitrose stores in the United Kingdom (UK) 2009-2023
  • Premium Statistic Number of Marks & Spencer stores 2010-2023, by region

Discount supermarkets

  • Premium Statistic Share of new supermarkets opened by discount brands in the UK 2011-2023
  • Premium Statistic Aldi brand profile in the UK 2023
  • Premium Statistic Lidl brand profile in the UK 2023
  • Premium Statistic Aldi sales growth year-on-year in Great Britain 2014-2023
  • Premium Statistic Lidl sales growth year-on-year in Great Britain 2014-2023
  • Premium Statistic Revenue of Lidl in GB 2020-2023
  • Premium Statistic Number of employees of Lidl in the United Kingdom (UK) 2012-2023
  • Premium Statistic Number of Aldi Süd store branches in the United Kingdom (UK) 2013-2022

Shopping behavior

  • Premium Statistic Grocery shopping by store type in the UK 2024
  • Premium Statistic Grocery shopping by store brand in the UK 2024
  • Premium Statistic Online grocery & beverage shopping by store brand in the UK 2024
  • Premium Statistic Likelihood to buy supermarket private label products in the UK 2023
  • Premium Statistic Likelihood to shop around grocery discounts in the UK 2023

Further related statistics

  • Premium Statistic Tesco store numbers in the United Kingdom (UK) 2013, by size
  • Premium Statistic Leading 5 supermarket brands ranked by store numbers in the United Kingdom 2012-2013
  • Premium Statistic Morrisons store numbers of in the United Kingdom (UK) 2013, by size
  • Premium Statistic Co-operative food store numbers in the United Kingdom (UK) 2013, by size
  • Premium Statistic Waitrose store numbers in the United Kingdom (UK) 2013, by size
  • Premium Statistic Marks and Spencer store numbers in the United Kingdom (UK) 2013, by size
  • Premium Statistic Store numbers of leading supermarket chains in the United Kingdom (UK) 2013
  • Premium Statistic Spending change at grocery retailers in the United Kingdom (UK) 2012-2013
  • Premium Statistic Average spend per visit at leading grocery retailers in the United Kingdom (UK) 2013
  • Premium Statistic Average spend at leading grocery retailers in the United Kingdom (UK) 2012-2013
  • Basic Statistic Number of post-Christmas supermarket deals in the UK 2014-15, by store
  • Premium Statistic Supermarkets and grocery stores revenue in the U.S. 2006-2020
  • Premium Statistic E-tailers market share by category in the U.S. 2015
  • Premium Statistic E-tailers revenue in the U.S. 2005-2019
  • Premium Statistic Supermarkets and grocery stores market share by category in the U.S. 2015
  • Premium Statistic Amount of food rescued by Tesco 2018-2021, by donation type
  • Premium Statistic Chile: supermarket sales growth in 2009-2015

Further Content: You might find this interesting as well

  • Tesco store numbers in the United Kingdom (UK) 2013, by size
  • Leading 5 supermarket brands ranked by store numbers in the United Kingdom 2012-2013
  • Morrisons store numbers of in the United Kingdom (UK) 2013, by size
  • Co-operative food store numbers in the United Kingdom (UK) 2013, by size
  • Waitrose store numbers in the United Kingdom (UK) 2013, by size
  • Marks and Spencer store numbers in the United Kingdom (UK) 2013, by size
  • Store numbers of leading supermarket chains in the United Kingdom (UK) 2013
  • Spending change at grocery retailers in the United Kingdom (UK) 2012-2013
  • Average spend per visit at leading grocery retailers in the United Kingdom (UK) 2013
  • Average spend at leading grocery retailers in the United Kingdom (UK) 2012-2013
  • Number of post-Christmas supermarket deals in the UK 2014-15, by store
  • Supermarkets and grocery stores revenue in the U.S. 2006-2020
  • E-tailers market share by category in the U.S. 2015
  • E-tailers revenue in the U.S. 2005-2019
  • Supermarkets and grocery stores market share by category in the U.S. 2015
  • Amount of food rescued by Tesco 2018-2021, by donation type
  • Chile: supermarket sales growth in 2009-2015

Business Management & Marketing

Pestle analysis of tesco.

Pestle analysis of Tesco. TESCO is a British multinational grocery retail and general merchandising company. Jack Cohen was the founder of Tesco and he established the company in Hackney, London, in 1919. The headquarter of the company is situated in Welwyn Garden City, England.

Tesco is one of the leading retailers in the British market. The brand has a network of  7005  retail stores globally in 2021. The company has employed roundabout  423092  employees to manage various operations of its stores worldwide.

Some of the major products and services of Tesco are supermarkets, hypermarkets, Superstores, Convenience Shops, Club Cards, F&F clothing, Tesco Bank, Grocery Items, Tesco Mobile, Rental DVDs, and Music Downloads.

According to a financial report by  Statista , Tesco’s annual revenue was roundabout  53  billion pounds by the end of 2020 and improved by  1.3  billion pounds. The net income of Tesco after minimizing all the expenses was  2.2  billion pounds, and it improved by  360  million pounds since 2019.

Some of the major competitors of Tesco are Safeway, Sainsbury, Morrisons, Insta Cart, Giant Eagle, Iceland, Carrefour, Waitrose, Lidl, Argos, ASDA, and  Walmart .

Today, we’ll study the pestle analysis of Tesco. Here we’re going to focus on the macro-environmental factors that impact the growth of the top store in the British market. If you want to study the internal factors, check out the  swot analysis of Tesco . Here’s the pestle analysis of Tesco as follows;

Political factors affecting TESCO

Government regulations.

Tesco is a multinational brand and operating its business in different countries across the world. The government and political regulations vary from country to country. Therefore, the brand should keep be careful about them and make decisions accordingly. The company follows the safety regulations in different countries to offer safe products.

Political Circumstances

Tesco is operating its business in countries like the Czech Republic, China, Malaysia, Slovakia, Poland, Hungry, Ireland, and many others. The political environments of all of these countries are different. A stable political is key for running a successful business in any country. Britain has got a very stable political environment and it has helped to become top retail in the local market.

Brexit Deal

The Brexit deal (exit of Britain from the EU) has created an environment of uncertainty in the business community. The chairman of Tesco, John Alan, said in an  interview with BBC  that Brexit would increase the prices by approximately 3% to 5%. The British Prime minister said that deal would include tariff-free trade. But it’s not as simple, because there’s administration cost is involved.

According to an estimate, approximately 80% of the food items of the company come from the EU. A little increase in tariff would increase the retail price.

US/China Trade Conflict

The trade conflict between the Chinese government and Trump has been all over the media for 4 years. The US is the major market of Tesco. It’s a British brand and it doesn’t have any direct connection between the US and China.

The Trump administration was following the protectionist policies and it was imposing high on the Chinese made products and all other imports. High taxation on imports and exports impacted the profitability of all the companies that are doing business with the US.

Economical factors Impacting TESCO

Economic recession.

Although Tesco survived the blow of pandemic and months of lockdown and shutdown of business, not many other people did. The lockdown permanently shut down many small businesses and many became unemployed as a result.

The higher unemployment rate creates an atmosphere of financial instability and social unrest among the public. When the buying power drops, they start decreasing their spending to meet the basic need. The lower spending would impact the growth and profitability of all the business. The economists are predicting such changes in the post-pandemic world.

Trade Tariff by Brexit Deal

The chairman of Tesco, John Allan, said in  an interview with Guardian  that without any Brexit deal would have caused more increase in tariff. A deal is better than no deal at all. He said in an interview that people don’t need to panic and worry about the impact of the Brexit deal. The land of the UK still produces enough food to cater to the needs of many. There’ll be a temporary shortage of fresh food for some time, but things would go back to normal.

Market Expansion

The market in developing countries is expanding. But Tesco still relies on the British home market for the majority of its revenue. If the local government introduces new laws on e-commerce, online shopping, and delivery model business. It would directly increase the cost, retail price, sale, and profitability of the company.

Social factors affecting TESCO

Local social trends.

Tesco follows the local social and cultural trends of different communities and serves them food accordingly. For instance, the company uses the label of Halal meat in the UK for Muslim customers. The brand also owns the halal meat label and brand in Thailand and Malaysia. Tesco also offers kosher products for Jewish customers in the UK.

Vegan Trend

People have been switching from meat-based food towards plant-based vegetarian food for the past few years. The vegan trend is growing among people in the western and European markets. The customer demand for vegan products and plant-based food improved by  4.1  billion pounds in 2020.

Tesco is aware of the changing vegetarian trend. The company would amplify the sale of vegan food products by approximately  300%  in 2025.

Cultural Impact

The market demand for certain products in different cultures depends on cultural influence. In other words, the socio-cultural environment influences the purchasing power of customers. They keep on changing gradually from generation to generation every 5 to 10 years. The customers want a sufficient variety of products to choose from. Tesco keeps an eye on the cultural trends and changing attitudes and behavior of customers. It offers them the products according to their requirements.

Social Supermarket

The social supermarket is a new concept of marketing where the businesses and companies offer the unsold inventory at lower prices. It serves two important social functions. First, it decreases the waste and recycling cost, and secondly, the lower-price range serves the needy and decreases the food poverty level. Tesco cares about the society and social welfare of the people. Therefore, the brand should introduce such offers.

Employment Opportunities

According to a study by Guardian, the unemployment rate among the youth of the age of 16 to 24 is boosting. The most important function Tesco performs is to provide employment opportunities to young people.

Technological factors affecting TESCO

Usage of technology.

The usage of technology is increasing among businesses and companies. It helps them to be efficient in various processes and provides a better customer experience. Tesco has also adapted to the latest technology and it’s one of the main reasons for the company’s success. Payment through the mobile application, m-commerce, and barcode scanning system are some of the main examples.

The pandemic of covid-19 has boosted the trend of online shopping and e-commerce. People started ordering groceries online to avoid getting infected with the virus. Tesco survived the pandemic and lockdown of businesses because of staying on the e-commerce platform and delivering the products on time. The company plans to recruit 16000 more people to provide a better delivery service.

Technology from Amazon Go

Amazon is one of the top 5 tech companies like Google , Facebook , Microsoft , and Apple . Tesco partnered up with Amazon Go for the creation of cashier-less billing technology. It revolutionized the retail shopping process by saving customers’ time and provided trouble-free billing.

Legal factors Impacting TESCO

Laws & regulations.

The legal structure and government rules and regulations of different governments are different. Therefore, the brand must follow local and international laws.

For instance, according to a report by Davis in 2018, the European Union introduced laws that restrict companies to perform any anti-competitive activity. It means that Tesco can’t acquire and merge with a big company of its size in Europe. Now Britain is out of Europe. This law won’t be applicable in the UK, but active in the EU.

The brand can’t hire employees and provide them less than required wages. The company also can’t sell alcoholic drinks to young underage teenagers. The courts imposed heavy fines on Tesco for violating these laws in the past.

Gender Bias Allegations

There was a report in 2016 and it claimed that the workplace culture is highly biased. It discriminates against people based on age and gender.

Tesco failed to provide the exact picture of its finances and the company’s profitability in 2017. The courts imposed a heavy penalty on the brand for providing misleading information. The company agreed on a settlement to pay 12 million dollars.

Unequal Pay

Some of the employees filed a lawsuit against Tesco for providing unequal pay to the male and female employees. Such lawsuits are jeopardizing the credibility of the company.

Environmental factors affecting TESCO

Recycling plan.

Tesco has recently launched phase 2 of the recycling plan and it comprises of remove, reduce, reuse, and recycle the plastic. It would help the company to decrease and remove the non-recyclable plastic. Most importantly, it works in a loop and keeps reducing waste. It’s a very good step for cleaning up the environment.

Sustainable Efforts

Tesco is also working on the project of recognizing the illegal fishing boats that are endangering sea life by doing over and non-seasonal hunting. These steps are working towards building a sustainable environment.

Conclusion : TESCO PESTLE Analysis Example Company

After an in-study of the pestle analysis of Tesco, we have realized that Tesco is true of the top retail supermarkets in the UK and worldwide. The lawsuits, controversies, and the uncertain economic environment are serious threats to the company. The company should keep its eyes open to the changing laws and regulations; while paying heed on the external political, economical, social, technological, legal, and environmental factors.

Ahsan Ali Shaw

Ahsan Ali Shaw is an accomplished Business Writer, Analyst, and Public Speaker. Other than that, he’s a fun loving person.

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tesco business plan 2021

Tesco: Number of Employees 2010-2024 | TSCDY

  • Revenue & Profit
  • Assets & Liabilities
  • Price Ratios
  • Other Ratios
  • Other Metrics
  • Dividend Yield
  • Employee Count
  • Tesco total number of employees in 2023 was 336,926 , a 5.02% decline from 2022.
  • Tesco total number of employees in 2022 was 354,744 , a 3.42% decline from 2021.
  • Tesco total number of employees in 2021 was 367,321 , a 13.18% decline from 2020.
  • Tesco total number of employees in 2020 was 423,092 , a 8.92% decline from 2019.
Tesco Annual Employee Count
2023 336,926
2022 354,744
2021 367,321
2020 423,092
2019 464,505
2018 448,988
2017 464,520
2016 476,000
2015 517,802
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
Sector Industry Market Cap Revenue
$32.129B $84.792B
TESCO PLC., is the UK's largest retailer and one of the world's leading international retailers. Tesco has reached this position through consistent focus on their four part strategy for growth: Tesco has a strong, growing core UK business offering customers excellent value, choice and convenience; Tesco aims to be as strong in non-food as it is in food; Tesco follows the customer into new areas like retailing services such as financial products (Tesco Personal Finance), internet shopping (Tesco.com) and telecoms (Tesco telecom offers mobile, fixed line and broadband services) & Tesco is a leading international retailer with a long term strategy for growth. Tesco is a multi-format business, operating hypermarkets, superstores, supermarkets and convenience stores.
Stock Name Country Market Cap PE Ratio
United States $611.953B 31.97
Mexico $54.798B 17.26
United States $38.443B 11.38
Portugal $11.592B 16.16
France $10.983B 0.00
United Kingdom $9.120B 0.00
United Kingdom $9.100B 0.00
United States $1.794B 19.28
United States $1.393B 8.73
United States $0.473B 9.30
Brazil $0.255B 0.00

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tesco business plan 2021

Halliburton cyberattack explained: What happened?

Oil field services provider halliburton reported on aug. 23, 2024, that it was the victim of a cyberattack, adding another to the growing list of cyberincidents..

Sean Michael Kerner

  • Sean Michael Kerner

On Aug. 21, 2024, Halliburton discovered unauthorized access in its systems; however, the exact nature and type of attack have not been disclosed as of Aug. 26. As a result of the unauthorized activity, Halliburton took some of its systems offline to contain any potential impact.

This incident underscores the vulnerabilities in the energy sector, which is increasingly targeted by cybercriminals due to its critical infrastructure status.

One such attack in the past was the one against Colonial Pipeline in 2021. These attacks can have serious implications for global energy markets and may jeopardize national security by disrupting power sources, potentially disabling emergency services.

What is Halliburton?

Halliburton is one of the largest oil field services companies in the world.

Erle P. Halliburton established Halliburton in 1919. The company is headquartered in Houston, with global operations in over 70 countries. Halliburton provides a wide range of products and services to the energy industry, particularly focusing on oil and gas exploration and production.

Halliburton is integral to the U.S. and global energy sectors, providing essential services and technological innovations that support oil and gas production. Its operations are vital for maximizing the value of oil and gas reservoirs to meet global energy demands. The company's role in the energy sector has significant implications for national security, as it supports U.S. military operations and contributes to the stability of energy supplies.

What is the nature of the cyberattack?

There are few publicly disclosed details about the cyberattack as of Aug. 26, but this is what is currently known about the nature of the cyberattack.

On Aug. 21, 2024, Halliburton Company discovered that an unauthorized third party had accessed some of its systems. It is not clear how the unauthorized third party gained access. There is no formal disclosure regarding which specific systems were breached.

The unauthorized access was notable enough that it prompted Halliburton to file a Form 8-K with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Aug. 23, 2024, as required by law, for publicly traded companies when significant events occur.

While the specific type of attack or the extent of the breach was not explicitly stated in the Form 8-K filing, the company's response suggests a significant security incident. Halliburton immediately activated its cybersecurity response plan upon discovering the intrusion, indicating that the company had preexisting protocols for such an event.

What was Halliburton's response plan for the cyberattack?

Halliburton took several actions in response to the cyberattack.

Part of Halliburton's response was to launch an internal investigation with the support of external advisors to assess and remediate the unauthorized activity. As a precautionary measure, certain systems were proactively taken offline to prevent further unauthorized access or potential damage.

Law enforcement was also notified of the incident, further suggesting the serious nature of the breach, even before full details were made public. The company's ongoing efforts include restoring the affected systems and assessing the incident's materiality, indicating the full extent of the impact was not yet known at the time of the filing on Aug. 23.

Halliburton's response extended beyond just technical measures. The company sent communications to its customers and other stakeholders. Additionally, Halliburton emphasized its adherence to process-based safety standards for ongoing operations under its Halliburton Management System, suggesting that the company was striving to maintain normal business operations despite the cybersecurity challenges.

It's important to note that Halliburton's response was partly driven by the need to comply with the U.S. Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) Security Directive Pipeline-2021-01D mandate. This mandate was originally drafted after the Colonial Pipeline incident and requires pipeline owners to report any cybersecurity incidents to TSA. The directive was renewed on May 29, 2024.

Who was affected and what was the impact?

The Halliburton cyberattack has had limited initial impact:

  • Operational disruption. The cyberattack led Halliburton to take some systems offline to prevent further unauthorized access and to protect its infrastructure. This precautionary measure disrupted business operations, particularly at the company's North Houston operations.
  • Global connectivity. The attack also impacted some of Halliburton's global connectivity networks, although the full extent of this disruption is still being assessed.
  • Employee impact. Some employees were instructed not to connect to internal networks, which likely affected their ability to perform certain tasks.
  • Energy services. Despite the attack, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has reported no significant impact on energy services, indicating that critical operations have remained largely unaffected.

Timeline of attack

  • Halliburton detected unauthorized access to its systems, identifying it as a cyberattack.
  • As part of the response, Halliburton took certain systems offline to contain the breach and prevent further unauthorized access. The company began working with cybersecurity experts to investigate the incident.
  • Halliburton continued its investigation into the breach, collaborating with cybersecurity experts to assess the scope and impact of the attack. The company also started coordinating with law enforcement agencies to address the incident.
  • Halliburton publicly confirmed the cyberattack in a filing with the SEC. The company stated that it was focused on restoring affected systems and assessing the potential impact on its operations.
  • DOE reported that the cyberattack had not impacted energy services.

Who was responsible for the attack?

The identity of the perpetrators behind the cyberattack on Halliburton remains unknown. Halliburton has acknowledged that an unauthorized third party accessed its systems, but specific details about who was responsible or their motivations have not been disclosed.

A group has not publicly claimed responsibility for the attack, and Halliburton has not provided any information suggesting the involvement of a specific group or individual.

While there is often speculation in such cases about the possibility of ransomware involvement, Halliburton has not confirmed any details regarding the nature of the attack, including whether a ransom was demanded.

How does this compare to the Colonial Pipeline attack?

The attack on Halliburton is not the first time the energy sector has been the victim of a cyberattack. In 2021, Colonial Pipeline was the victim of a cyberattack that had a wide-ranging impact on the energy sector in the U.S.

While the Colonial Pipeline attack in 2021 had an immediate and severe impact on fuel supply across the Eastern United States, the Halliburton attack in 2024 primarily disrupted internal operations without affecting energy services. Both incidents highlight the critical need for cybersecurity measures to protect essential infrastructure.

Aspect Halliburton (2024) Colonial Pipeline (2021)
Discovered on Aug. 21, 2024 May 7, 2021
Unauthorized access to systems; specific details not disclosed Ransomware attack involving data encryption and exfiltration
Unknown DarkSide
Disruptions at the Houston headquarters; affected some global connectivity networks The complete shutdown of pipeline operations; caused widespread fuel shortages
No impact reported on energy production or supply Significant impact, leading to fuel shortages and emergency declarations
Not disclosed $4.4 million paid to attackers
Ongoing investigation; systems taken offline as a precaution 6 days for initial restoration; weeks for full recovery
Activated cybersecurity response plan, collaborating with law enforcement and experts Paid ransom to receive decryption tool; relied on backups for restoration
Highlights vulnerabilities in the energy sector; emphasizes the need for enhanced cybersecurity Demonstrated potential for national energy crises due to cyberattacks
Confirmed via SEC filing; ongoing investigation Widely publicized; prompted increased focus on cybersecurity policies

What can organizations learn from this attack?

The Halliburton cyberattack highlights energy industry vulnerabilities and the importance of implementing strong cybersecurity measures. This incident is another critical reminder for organizations to upgrade and strengthen their defenses against increasingly complex cyberthreats.

Here are some best practices that organizations can implement to limit cyberattack risk:

  • Implement a zero-trust security strategy. By ensuring that each access request is validated, zero-trust architecture lowers the possibility of unwanted access.
  • Harden authentication and access controls. All users should employ multifactor authentication , especially those with access to vital systems.
  • Conduct risk evaluations. Regular cybersecurity risk assessments are essential for identifying and addressing vulnerabilities to prevent and reduce security incidents.
  • Monitor threat detection. Advanced threat detection tools that continuously monitor network activity can quickly identify irregularities.
  • Conduct security training and awareness. Ensure employees understand current threats and best practices for mitigating them with regular education via a cybersecurity awareness training program .

Sean Michael Kerner is an IT consultant, technology enthusiast and tinkerer. He has pulled Token Ring, configured NetWare and been known to compile his own Linux kernel. He consults with industry and media organizations on technology issues.

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Tesco SWOT Analysis 2024: In-Depth Analysis Report

From a humble East End London stall, Tesco became the UK’s largest grocery and a general goods retailer. Now, Tesco is the world’s 825th company by market cap, with $21.43 billion. To see how an industry giant can thrive despite adversity, let’s investigate through Tesco SWOT analysis.

Table of Contents

Tesco: Company Overview

Tesco
1919
Jack Cohen
Ken Murphy
Hertfordshire, England, UK
354,744+
£61.344 billion (FY 2022)

In 1919, Jack Cohen bought his 1st stock of surplus groceries with his demob money and made £1 profit from £4. By 1924, Cohen sold his branded tea, taking “Tes” from supplier TE Stockwell and “Co” from his surname and forming Tesco. In 1947, Tesco was listed on the stock exchange for 25 pence per stock. Tesco went global in 1995 by opening stores in Hungary and proceeded to expand into the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Ireland, Thailand and Malaysia, and India within the decade.

In 2023, Tesco is a multinational conglomerate investing in groceries, general goods, printing, banking, and more. It’s the leading UK groceries retailing giant, with a TTM revenue of $82.08 billion in 2022. The company operates from Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, England, with a global staff number of 354,744.

Product & Services of Tesco Groceries | Books | Clothing | Electronics | Furniture | Toys | Petrol | Software | Financial services | Telecoms | Internet Services

Tesco Competitors Sainsbury’s | ASDA | Morrison’s | Aldi | Waitrose | Target | Walmart | Argos

Did You Know? In 2016, Walkden’s Tesco Extra was considered to be the largest store in England by floor space. Measured at 185,500 square feet or 17,230 square meters, the store is a little more than 3 times larger than a standard rugby field.

Strengths – Tesco SWOT Analysis

strengths of tesco

Powerful Supply Chain: The core reason behind Tesco’s success, growth, and resilience is its supply chain. The company uses lean thinking principles to create B2B relationships that provide value for the consumers. It’s optimized for low-cost input and connected to every key supplier down to the individual level. Using scorecarding and other performance-checking methods, Tesco has made and maintained a supply chain that is sustainable and long-lasting.

High Resistance To Adversity: Tesco’ is one of the rare few British companies that largely resisted the effects of the pandemic. In fact, by 2021 Q1, the company reported a generated revenue of $36,326,480,000, a staggering 5.9% rise compared to 2019 Q1. Even in the height of the pandemic, Tesco managed to earn a 107.4% profit before tax thanks to its resourcing and logistics strategies. Tesco achieves its high resilience to any form of adversity from its 65,000 container-strong rail-based supply system and willingness to automate home delivery.

Profitable Business Model: Although Tesco’s business model is horizontal, it is a result of backwards vertical integration, which produces a complex dynamic chain of supermarkets that has many verticals in the background. By reaching out and forming B2B connections with manufacturers and suppliers, Tesco can reduce its costs, purchase more in bulk, reduce competition, and serve a larger consumer base. By increasing its reach and sales and lowering overall costs, Tesco can generate more profit the more it grows. Its business model is the sole reason why Tesco can sell over $1.2 billion worth of products in a single week.

Native Market Dominance: In the UK, Tesco stands as the uncontested market leader in the grocers giant industry. From January 2017 till December 2022, Tesco has maintained its dominance by always cornering over 26% of the UK’s market share. By December 25, 2022, it had claimed a market share of over 27.5%, giving Tesco the ability to control and influence market trends and lead consumer preferences. Its closest competitors are Sainsbury’s, Asda, and Morrisons, which respectively had only 15.5%, 14%, and 9.1% of the market share by the end of December.

Gigantic Company Size: Tesco is a conglomerate, monolithic in size and scale of operations. In the 2021-2022 fiscal year, the company made $58,701,330 from UK store sales and ROI, $4,641,019 from central Europe sales, $883,259,865 from the Tesco Bank, and $533,8014,046 from selling fuel. In 2022, Tesco had 4,752 stores globally, and its highest number of stores worldwide was 7,305 in 2014, making its reach and dominance unquestionable. Operating at such large scales allows Tesco room to recoup from mistakes and losses, including the $7.69 billion loss in 2015.

Weaknesses – Tesco SWOT Analysis

weaknesses of tesco

Lapsing Service Quality: Tesco has had issues with its customer service since the very beginning, getting complaints about rude, unhelpful, and inattentive staff. There have been complaints about staff holding up checkout lines due to personal reasons, yelling at customers, blaming customers for their mistakes, and possibly using store goods and re-packaging them. This happens mostly due to Tesco’s high staff turnover of 29.9%, which can be blamed on bad employee retention policies and people seeking temporary jobs or job sampling. Without trained, experienced, and dedicated staff, Tesco can’t improve its customer service quality.

Failing Food Safety: Tesco’s star product is groceries, but it has had many infamous cases of selling products that have failed the mandatory safety margin. In March 2020, a customer found bright green-tinged meat in a chicken he bought and then cooked from Tesco, and in October another found partially digested bird feed in hers. And in 2021, Tesco was fined $9.1 million by Birmingham Magistrates Court after pleading guilty to 22 charges of selling expired food in 3 of its stores in Birmingham. Tesco has been criticized for compromising on product quality for lowering the price from as far back as 2013, and this issue has reached a new extreme in recent years.

Lacking Website Security: Much of Tesco’s current sales come from its virtual marketplace, yet Tesco has had little security in place to protect its platform and consumer data. In October 2021, the company’s website was hit by hackers, and it resulted in the site staying shut down for 2 whole days. Consumers could not place or change their orders, causing more frustration when Tesco took a long time to address the issue. While Tesco claimed that this attack did not impact consumer data, over 2000 consumers’ digital data was leaked online from a 2014 hacking, and Tesco’s bank lost over $2.8 million from another hacking attempt in 2016.

Selling Fake Farm Labels: Tesco prides itself on selling farm-fresh products and chooses to sell branded farm products for assured quality. However, Tesco was found selling its pork and beef under the labels Woodside Farms and Boswell Farms, both of which did not have any B2B relationships with the company. Tesco had been using these brand names since 2016 and did not ask for any approval for their use, nor did it purchase their produce. Both farm owners accused Tesco of tarnishing their reputation , and consumers accused Tesco of potentially selling unethically farmed and unsafe meat products.

Opportunities – Tesco SWOT Analysis

opportunities for tesco

Offering Subscription-based Meal Services: Tesco can offer door-to-door MRE-style meals or preprocessed groceries with recipes for a monthly subscription fee. It can utilize its virtual platform to allow its consumers to pre-plan their meals, check caloric intake, and upsell healthier or more flavorful meals this way.

Offering Bank Client Discounts: Tesco can offer any consumer discount on purchases if they are a client of their bank. This will motivate Tesco Bank’s clients to shop at Tesco, while some consumers may open accounts in the bank for discounts.

Offering Training Programs: As an employee retention measure, Tesco can offer training programs for employees to pursue and reward them if they do. Training improves loyalty and performance, and the rewards give Tesco a positive employer image.

Threats – Tesco SWOT Analysis

threats to tesco

Subscription Services: Subscription-based meal services such as Hello Fresh, Mindful Chef, Able & Cole, and Allplants have become popular due to their low cost, convenience, and doorstep service. These services can take away a significant chunk of Tesco’s customers.

Investing In Low ROI Ventures: Tesco has been investing in low ROI ventures such as photo printing, which have little room for growth. Investing in such dated business models can cause losses in the future.

Data Conscious Consumers: Consumers are now more informed about big data and aware of the threat a security breach can pose. Based on Tesco’s abysmal web security, consumers can refuse to use its virtual platform.

[Bonus Infographic] SWOT Analysis of Tesco

tesco swot analysis infographic template

Recommendations for Tesco

To secure its market dominance, Tesco can try these solutions.

  • Tesco can use CSP, VPN, and IDPS to tighten information access, secure any wireless ports, and frequently change passwords to tighten data security
  • The company should consider purging outdated business models and practices, such as its image printing venture and dated banking practices.
  • It should invest more in talent management and recruitment to improve service and performance.
  • It can arrange random assessments by external experts to ensure food and service quality are consistent across stores.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How can i contact tesco customer service.

You can contact Tesco customer service by dialing 0800 591 688.

Who is Tesco’s current CEO?

Tesco’s current CEO is Ken Murphy.

What is Tesco’s motto?

Tesco's motto is, “Every little helps”.

Final Words on Tesco SWOT Analysis

Tesco has been struggling since 2013, recovering from massive losses, B2B deal fallouts, the pandemic, and then talent and resource management. Despite its struggle, the company has managed to hold on to the largest UK market share for years, but it can’t keep this up forever. To ensure stable growth and sales, the company has to update its security and focus on improving online service quality.

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  • Ojea, S. (n.d.). Tesco’s Market Share Increased in Fiscal Year 2022, According to Kantar’s Grocery Report . MarketScreener.
  • Phagura, S. (2020, October 16). Shocked Tesco customer finds “partially-digested feed” inside £4.75 chicken she bought from the supermarket . Mail Online.
  • Lean Thinking: Overview, Principles, Benefits & Applications Explained . (2023, February 14). Simplilearn.
  • Smithers, R. (2017, December 13). Tesco faces legal threat over marketing its food with “fake farm” names . The Guardian.
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  • Our history . (n.d.). Tesco PLC.
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  • Vyshnavi, P. (2021, September 30). The Business Model And Main Competitors Of Tesco . StartupTalky.
  • Ward, L. (2021, March 17). The History Of Tesco . The Fact Site.
  • Whitney, L. (2021, August 17). Data privacy is a growing concern for more consumers . TechRepublic.

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Kroger’s Nearly $25 Billion Merger Is Bad for Shoppers, F.T.C. Says

The Federal Trade Commission, which is trying to block Kroger’s plan to acquire Albertsons, said in court that the merger of grocery giants would also hurt workers’ pay and benefits.

A woman stands behind a lectern, alongside three other people, some holding signs that say “Stop the Merger,” with cameras in the foreground.

By Danielle Kaye

Reporting from federal court in Portland, Ore.

A trial that could determine whether the two largest supermarket chains in the United States can merge opened in Portland, Ore., on Monday, pitting the grocery giant Kroger against regulators who argue that its takeover of Albertsons would eliminate competition at the expense of consumers and workers.

Before Judge Adrienne Nelson of U.S. District Court, the Federal Trade Commission and the supermarket chains laid out their arguments in court for the first time, as union representatives and workers protested the deal on the courthouse steps. Less competition, the agency’s lawyers said, would give Kroger more leverage to raise prices on millions of consumers.

The highly anticipated proceedings, set to last three weeks, come as high food prices have become a critical focus in the presidential race. Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, has backed a federal ban on price-gouging in the food and grocery industries to combat high grocery costs.

Kroger and Albertsons defended the $24.6 billion deal, which would be the biggest supermarket merger in U.S. history, saying it would bolster their leverage with suppliers and improve competition against major retailers like Costco, Amazon and Walmart. But the F.T.C. — backed by a chorus of unions, consumer advocates, politicians and independent grocery chains — reiterated its position that the merger would probably result in higher prices for groceries and worse conditions for workers.

The deal “would eliminate the competition that shoppers and workers depend on in one fell swoop,” Susan Musser, the F.T.C.’s chief trial counsel, said in her opening statement. “This lawsuit is part of an effort aimed at helping Americans feed their families.”

In bringing the case, the F.T.C. has been joined by the attorneys general of eight states, including California and Illinois, as well as the District of Columbia. It’s part of a regulatory push under the Biden administration to rein in corporate consolidation in an array of industries, including airlines, Big Tech, book publishing and pharmaceuticals.

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IBA Corporate Plan 2024-25 marks milestone!

Our Corporate Plan 2024-25 is now published.

The plan marks 50 years of the Indigenous Home Ownership Program. Since inception, the program has written over 21,000 home loans, improving the lives of thousands of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families, while contributing to the overall housing assistance framework in Australia.

It outlines what we will do to deliver on the second year of our five-year strategy out to 2028.

During the year will deliver our next groundbreaking impact study, which explores the role financial wellbeing plays at the individual, family, and community levels.

Our 2028 strategy takes a wellbeing approach and places impact at the centre. This shows how we understand where our target outcomes fit within the broader needs of the people we serve.

“Informed by our performance and proof of the impact created, we will leverage our partnerships to collaborate and deliver projects and initiatives led by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.” Eddie Fry, IBA Chairperson.

The plan explains our priorities for the year ahead that will contribute to achieving our four strategic goals – Choice, Inclusion, Prosperity, and Excellence.

Investing in these areas will ensure we continue to achieve positive impacts in the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Our Impact Reports demonstrate how our activities directly and indirectly address many of the disparities identified in the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, including those relating to housing, economic participation, education, employment, safety, health, and wellbeing.

IBA supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to achieve financial inclusion and economic empowerment through:

  • home ownership
  • business opportunities
  • investment activities that build wealth.

Read our current and previous plans.

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flag

What's open, what's closed on Labor Day 2024

These stores and businesses plan to be open on Monday, Sept. 2.

CNNWire logo

Whether you're planning to travel this Labor Day or are staying close to home, you might be curious about what stores and businesses will be open and what will be closed on Monday, Sept. 2.

Here are some of the major stores and businesses that plan to be open this Labor Day.

What's open on Labor Day 2024

FILE - People shop at a Walmart Superstore in Secaucus, New Jersey, Thursday, July 11, 2024.

Open normal hours

  • Trader Joe's
  • Walgreens (Some pharmacies may be closed.)
  • AMC Theatres
  • Planet Fitness
  • Chick-fil-A
  • Olive Garden
  • Sam's Club

Operating limited hours

  • Public libraries and government agencies
  • Post offices
  • FedEx (Some FedEx Office locations are open with modified hours.)

RELATED: What to know about Labor Day and its history of celebrating the American worker

ABC Owned TV Stations contributed to this report, modifying copy originally published in 2021.

The-CNN-Wire & 2024 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved.

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  2. Analyzing business model of TESCO

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