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Tesco

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FY2015 Annual Report · Tesco
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Annual Report and  
Annual Report and  
Financial Statements  
Financial Statements  
2015
2015

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“ Continue to work on customer 
service – it makes a big 
difference.” 
Newton Abbot

“ I think the store is 

genuinely trying to 
improve performance 
and there is evidence  
of progress.” 
Ipswich

“ When I shop in Tesco 
now there is an overall 
better feel.” 
Maldon

“ Please keep the 
prices low, the 
shelves well 
stocked and the 
tills manned with 
enough staff.” 

Aylesbury

“ The store is of vital importance  
to the local community, long  
may it continue to be so.” 
London

In this report:
Strategic report
Chairman’s statement
CEO introduction
Three priorities
Our business model
Key performance indicators
Financial review
Environmental and social review
Principal risks and uncertainties
Corporate governance
Financial statements
Other information

Page
2
3
5
8
10
12
18
22
26
72
146

FINANCIAL HEADLINES

£69.7bn

Group sales

£1.4bn

Group trading profit

£961m

£(6.4)bn

9.42p

Underlying profit  
before tax

Statutory profit/(loss) 
before tax

Underlying diluted 
earnings per share

£(8.5)bn

Net debt

(13/14: £70.9bn)

(13/14: £3.3bn)

(13/14: £3.1bn)

(13/14: £2.3bn)

(13/14: 32.05p)

(13/14: £(6.6)bn)

The champion for customers

Our business was built with a simple 
mission: to be the champion for customers 
– to help everyone who shops with us 
enjoy a better quality of life and an easier 
way of living.

which they can buy easily. Wherever we 
work, they want us to do the right thing 
– for them, their communities and the 
environment. It’s our job to work hard  
to make life easier, every day.

With our reach, our skills, our expertise, 
our passion and our capabilities, we have 
everything inside our business we need to 
succeed in the future. The keys to Tesco’s 
future already exist within our business. 

Over the years we’ve done this through 
lots of little, helpful differences: new 
stores and ways of shopping; service 
which saves time and makes life simpler; 
helping to make great food available  
to all.

Our mission is the same today. Our 
customers are hard-pressed for both time 
and money. They want great value and 
great service. They expect great products 

Those keys are in the hands of every 
single colleague who works for us. 

Around the world, Tesco is made  
up of over half a million colleagues.  
If every one of us gave one customer  
an experience of Tesco which was better 
than they expected every day, we’d 
change the views of millions of people 
every week. That is the change we want 
to achieve over the coming years.

Small actions, big difference. Helping  
to make our customers’ lives easier,  
every day.

In other words: Every Little Helps.

We have changed our reporting this year  
to reflect our approach across the business 
– that is, to keep it simple. The strategic report 
is our top level of reporting, with signposting 
to further detail online at www.tescoplc.com

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

517,802

7,817

Over 80m

£18m

colleagues at year end

shops around the world

shopping trips per week

raised for Diabetes UK

685,000

children have learned  
about food through our  
Eat Happy Project

John Allan
Chairman

First impressions

It is a genuine privilege to have been 
appointed Chairman of this company. 

I am acutely aware that this has been  
a difficult year for the company. This is 
reflected in the financial results contained 
in this report. As Chairman, my primary 
duty is to shareholders, and I believe the 
best way to deliver shareholder value is  
to regain our absolute focus on customers 
and on improving the shopping trip.

A key priority for me will be to ensure  
that the governance of the business  
is as it should be. Our shareholders expect 
their company to be run in a responsible, 
sustainable and transparent manner.  
On behalf of the Board, I would like to 
express sincere regret for the impact of the 
commercial income issue on this company, 
and would like to assure you that we have 
moved swiftly and decisively to address 
this serious matter. An explanation of  
this issue is set out on page 33. With my 
colleagues on the Board, I am determined 
that Tesco will be known for the highest 
standards of corporate governance  
and ethical leadership.

I would like to thank my predecessor  
Sir Richard Broadbent, who has been 
resolute in addressing the numerous 
challenges and handled the scrutiny which 

the company has been under with great 
dignity. I would also like to thank Patrick 
Cescau, Jacqueline Tammenoms Bakker, 
Liv Garfield and Gareth Bullock who have 
recently retired as Non-executive Directors 
and also Ken Hanna and Stuart Chambers 
who have decided not to seek re-election 
to the Board at the AGM. I’m delighted  
to welcome Richard Cousins, Mikael 
Olsson and Byron Grote to the Board. 

Tesco is lucky to have an outstanding new 
management team led by our CEO, Dave 
Lewis, and our CFO, Alan Stewart. They are 
supported by a first-class team of people 
who have begun the hard work of putting 
this great business back on its feet. 

As I have visited stores and other sites  
I have been struck by the commitment, 
enthusiasm and capability of Tesco’s 
people. I am very confident that with  
their support Tesco will be successful  
in refocusing on customers, rebuilding 
trust and over time delivering 
progressively better returns. 

The challenges Tesco faces remain 
significant and fixing them will take  
time. However, I firmly believe we have  
the right team and the right strategy  
to deliver the longer-term performance  
our shareholders expect and deserve.

John Allan 
Chairman

Visit www.tescoplc.com/ar2015  
to hear more from John Allan  
on his first months at Tesco

2

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015 
A fresh start

It was a huge honour for me to be asked to 
lead Tesco. It’s a business I had worked with 
for 27 years. As a supplier, I always had 
enormous admiration for Tesco – its people, 
passion, and expertise. So when I was invited 
to come in and lead this great organisation,  
it was an opportunity not to be missed. 

I arrived at a time of significant challenge. 
Clearly, for a number of years, the global  
retail market has been highly competitive.  
We were losing market share in our critical 
home market and the growth momentum  
we had enjoyed internationally had faltered. 
The channel shift to online and convenience 
presented both challenge and opportunity, 
but the bottom line was that we had stopped 
growing. 

In addition, or perhaps as a result of this  
lack of growth, we had significant internal 
challenges. The commercial income issue 
identified in September was a significant  
blow and has resulted in a SFO regulatory 
inquiry. We have been cooperating fully with 
the inquiry and as we work on a programme 
of change across Tesco, we must ensure this 
never happens again.

Alongside these issues is a deeper challenge 
of trust. For customers to choose to shop  
with us, they have to place their trust in us – 
on price, quality, service and as a brand.  
But over a number of years, we’ve seen a 
gradual erosion of that trust for a number  
of reasons. Earning that trust back is 
fundamentally important to Tesco. We will  
do this not by any quick fix or short term 
initiative, but rather by continuous and lasting 
changes in what we do and how we behave.

Despite the challenges, at no point during 
these first few months has my belief in the 
potential of Tesco diminished. As I got to  
know the different parts of our business 
across Europe and Asia, I have found an 
energy and engagement by colleagues  
which is incredible – beyond anything I had 
expected. That passion to do the right thing 
for customers and the expertise to make it 
happen still beats strongly within our business. 

I am extraordinarily proud of the way that 
colleagues have responded to the challenges 
we face. The business has started a long 
journey of renewal and change. In particular, 
the way colleagues from across the business 
worked so hard to deliver a fantastic Christmas 
showed me the strength and depth of retailing 
expertise which exists within our business.

The action we have taken so far has helped 
to reset the business and restore our 
customer focus. The reality is that it will 
require concerted action to get Tesco  
back to where it should be. 

In this report we are publishing losses  
of £6.4bn for 2014/15. These losses were 
largely the result of a series of one-off 
charges representing our past performance. 
They recognise a number of issues: the value 
of the property we own has fallen; the cost 
of dealing with our excess stock levels and 
restructuring costs, as well as the cost of  
the retail sites we are no longer developing. 
Our reduced trading profit of £1.4bn reflects 
the challenges we have seen in the UK and 
in our overseas markets. 

While these results reflect the difficulties our 
business has faced over a number of years, 
we are also beginning to see early promising 
signs from the changes we have made. By 
focusing on the fundamentals of availability, 
service and targeted price reductions over 
the last six months, we have seen a steady 
increase in footfall, transactions and, most 
significantly, volumes. Our like-for-like sales 
volumes are now up for the first time in four 
years. Every day we are seeing our customers 
recognise this. Put simply, more customers 
are now buying more things at Tesco.

Our task now is to build on this and nourish 
these small green shoots of recovery. We 
need to continue to listen to our customers 
and they will guide us. Tesco became a great 
business by putting our customers at the 
heart of everything we do and we shall do 
that again.

Customers today are hard pressed for  
both time and money. They want prices 
which are simple and stable, as well as low. 
Wherever they shop, they want great choice 
and outstanding service which makes their 
shopping easier. Above all they want help  
to make life a little simpler, every step of  
the way.

With our reach, our footprint, our skills and 
capabilities, we are perfectly placed to lead 
and offer this kind of service. When I look at 
our business, I see a sea of opportunity. What 
we need to do now is unlock the potential 
which exists within Tesco – and to do that,  
we need to do some key things differently.

In October, we set out our three  
strategic priorities:

1.  Regaining competitiveness in core UK business 

2.  Protecting and strengthening the balance sheet 

3.  Rebuilding trust and transparency

3

Dave Lewis 
Group Chief Executive

Tesco has always  
been a champion for 
customers. It’s in our 
DNA. The last few years 
have been challenging, 
but we are confident that  
if we get back to doing  
an unbeatable job for 
customers, our best  
days lie ahead.

Visit www.tescoplc.com/ar2015  
to hear more from Dave Lewis

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Other informationGovernanceFinancial statementsStrategic report“ We firmly believe that if we give colleagues more  

power to choose the right actions, we’ll do a better  
job for customers”

Over the last six months we have  
taken action to deliver on each of  
these priorities – sharpening our focus 
on availability, service and selectively  
on price; undertaking a significant 
programme of restructuring and 
financial discipline; and launching  
a programme of renewal to restore  
trust in every aspect of the brand.  
A key part of our early work has been  
to simplify our organisation in all  
our markets and to make sure that 
customers are the absolute focus  
of all parts of the Group. 

In many cases this has involved very 
difficult decisions. The consequence  
on our business and importantly  
on our colleagues has been significant.  
In the face of these changes they have 
been brilliant at all times, putting  
the needs of the customer and the 
business first, and I would like to thank 
them for that. Through these difficult 
changes we are confident that we give 
ourselves the chance to be great again. 

The changes we are making are 
significant and are likely to result  
in an increased level of volatility  
in our performance over the short  
term. We are still in an extremely 
challenging market and face tough 
trading conditions in the UK and 
overseas. The benefit of at least  
some of the changes we are making  
will only be seen over time. Crucially, 
however, the approach we are taking 
now is based on a clear commitment  
to reinvest any savings or 
outperformance in the shopping  
trip. The better our offer is for 
customers, the more customers will 
shop with us, and the stronger our 
business will be over the long term.

As we continue the work of transforming 
Tesco, my overriding message to the 
business is this: work as one team  
and keep it simple. Too often in the  
past we have added in layers of 
complexity where simplicity was  
needed. The result is that we have 
sometimes lost focus on what our 

customers think and feel. This needs  
to change.

A crucial part of that is about giving 
more power to colleagues – empowering 
them to do the right thing for customers. 
We firmly believe that if we give 
colleagues more power to choose  
the right actions, we’ll do a better job  
for customers and achieve greater 
success for our business. And one  
of the reasons I believe this, are the 
stories I receive each day of colleagues 
going out of their way and doing 
exceptional things for our customers.

A few months after I arrived at Tesco,  
I was asked what had most surprised  
me since joining the business. My 
answer was how big its heart is. I have 
never met a business with so many 
colleagues doing so many things to help 
customers and communities on a daily 
basis. Whether it’s raising millions for 
charity, taking hundreds of thousands 
of children on food education tours, or 
leading the charge against food poverty, 
the work colleagues do is simply 
awe-inspiring. This kindness and spirit  
is also in the DNA of Tesco and I’d like  
us to show it just a little more.

As we embark on this journey of  
renewal and change, we recognise  
the responsibility and opportunity  
that comes with the choices we make. 
Doing the right thing for customers  
in a way that supports communities  
and the environment will be crucial  
to our future success.

Tesco is a great British success story.  
We grew into a successful business  
by focusing on the customer and helping  
him and her with both the big and  
the little things. These are challenging 
times, and we must be prepared for 
further volatility in the coming months, 
but we are emerging stronger and we 
believe our destiny is in our own hands. 
If we keep focusing on our customers, 
and challenging ourselves to make  
every single customer experience better  
every day, we know we can succeed. 

Dave Lewis 
Group Chief Executive

4

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015regain

Our starting point is the market where  
we serve the most customers: the UK. 

The UK represents more than two-thirds 
of our sales. So if we regain our 
competitiveness and do a better job  
for customers in this market, it will  
have a dramatic impact on the 
performance of the Group.

We have been focusing on four things 
for our customers:

•  Service. Our business is based  

on great service, but we haven’t  
got this right in recent years. To help 
fix this, we have invested in 4,652  
new colleagues in customer-facing 
roles. We have also asked everyone 
who works in our offices to spend 
time working in store.

•  Range. Over the last few years,  

we have significantly increased the 
number of products in our ranges.  
This has put extra pressure on our 
store colleagues – and it’s also left 
many customers confused. So over 
the course of this year and into the 
next we have started to review our 
ranges across all categories to make 
them simpler. As part of this we’ve 
already met with over 100 suppliers. 

•  Availability. Partly because of an 

increasing range, we did not leave 
enough space for the most popular 

products and important items have not 
been available at peak times. We have 
now given more space to the top 1,000 
lines in each store, resulting in marked 
improvements in product availability at 
peak times during the day. 

•  Price. Along with great service and 
availability, we want to make those 
products which are most important  
to our customers as affordable as we 
can. As an example of this, we focused 
on the ‘Festive Five’, the five vegetables 
people most want with their Christmas 
lunches. Since January, we have 
dropped prices on hundreds of 
branded products and essential 
own-brand products. We are also 
committed to simpler, lower and  
more stable prices wherever we can. 

As a result of these changes, our 
customers are responding. Although  
we have work still to do, since October  
we have improved our competitiveness 
and every day more people are choosing 
to shop at Tesco.

In addition, we have identified cost 
savings across the Group of £400m.  
We have also taken a difficult decision 
to close 43 unprofitable stores in the 
UK, and not to proceed with plans for  
49 new stores. These decisions have 
been difficult but have been made  
to put the needs of the business  
and customers first.

5

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Other informationGovernanceFinancial statementsStrategic reportprotect

We need to protect and strengthen  
our financial position so that we can 
maintain the flexibility to invest in  
a better shopping trip for customers. 

As a business we have too much debt 
with total leverage of £(22)bn. We need 
to reduce that, both to deliver value  
for our shareholders, but also to free  
up money to invest in the shopping trip. 

In October we began an end-to-end 
review of all costs in the business.  
This has led to a number of significant 
decisions, including the decision not  
to pay a final dividend for 2014/15. 

Other key areas of focus include:

•  Capital spending. We are committed  

to stronger financial discipline around 
capital spending. This year, we will  
be reducing capital expenditure  
to £1bn.

•  Pension fund. We have started  

a consultation to replace our defined 
benefit pension scheme for all 
colleagues. We are committed  
to protecting the pensions that 
colleagues have earned, and also to 
continuing to provide a competitive 
pension scheme for all colleagues.

•  Property. We have undertaken  

a detailed review of our property 
portfolio, including the leases which 
drive our £1.5bn annual rent bill.  
As an example of this, we have 

completed an asset swap with British 
Land to regain sole ownership of 21 
superstores, increasing the proportion 
of owned stores within our estate.

•  Portfolio. As part of our review of the 

portfolio, all three Blinkbox businesses 
(movies, music and books) and Tesco 
Broadband have been sold or closed.  
We have also appointed advisors to 
consider our options for dunnhumby.

Alongside these structural changes  
is a cultural shift. Every pound we  
spend needs to be considered from  
the point of view of our customers.  
We want every spending decision to  
be weighed up against how many hours 
of store service the same investment 
would provide.

6

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015rebuild

Our third priority is to rebuild trust  
and transparency. 

We rely on the trust customers, 
suppliers, communities and 
shareholders place in us. Regrettably, 
this trust has been undermined, 
following the commercial income  
issue identified in September. 

What happened is a matter of profound 
regret for everyone at Tesco. We have 
acted swiftly and decisively to ensure 
that it can never happen again. Across 
the business, we have brought in a wide 
ranging programme of change and 
renewal, which includes:

•  New management who are 

transforming our commercial model to 
create long-term, mutually beneficial 
partnerships, with a greater focus on 
cost prices than on the commercial 
income we receive back from suppliers 
for promoting their products.

•  A new Code of Business Conduct, 
supported by a company-wide 
training programme to help 
colleagues follow key policies.

•  A speak-up culture, with a stronger 

focus on ethics and compliance. Code 
compliance and ethical leadership  
are now key factors in performance 
management and reward. In addition, 
we now have protector lines for both 
colleagues and suppliers, so any 
concerns with business conduct  
can be raised confidentially. 

Restoring trust is not just about process 
and structure. It’s about culture and 
individual actions. In the same way  
that every colleague holds the key  
to better customer service, so every 
colleague can help us to be a better  
active corporate citizen. 

We recognise the impact we can have  
on the lives of many – not just through 
our global reach but also in the way we 
run our business. For our customers, 

communities and the environment,  
we want our actions to make a big 
difference for everyone – and we are 
restless to build on the foundations  
we have in place.

Key highlights this year include:

•  Helping on health. In 1994 we were  
the first supermarket to take sweets  
off checkouts in our big stores. This  
year we became the first to do it in  
every UK store, including Express.  
We also announced our partnership 
with Diabetes UK and the British  
Heart Foundation to help tackle these 
diseases. It builds on our partnership 
with Diabetes UK which started in  
2013 and raised over £18m.

•  Helping to tackle food poverty. Over  

the last three years we have pioneered  
a national programme of food 
collections working with FareShare  
and the Trussell Trust. Together with 
customers we’ve now provided over 
21.5m meals for those in need.

7

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Other informationGovernanceFinancial statementsStrategic reportOur business model

Tesco grew into a big business  
by focusing on the little things. 

Not because we developed a highly complex 
business strategy. Nor because we developed  
a radical, revolutionary business model.  
We were successful because customers were  
our number one priority and everything we  
did was about doing the right thing for them. 

Our aim today is to regain that total focus  
on serving customers. We have refocused our 
business under three operational headlines:

•  listening to, understanding and reaching out  
to customers to create the best possible offer

•  working with growers and suppliers to make 

great products, and helping to deliver the best 
value to customers

•  and working across different channels  
to get those products to customers in  
the most convenient way possible. 

Our aim is to make sure everything in the  
business is set up in the most efficient way  
to create value for customers. 

By refocusing on these three areas – and with  
the capabilities, reach, insight and skills we have 
within our business – we are uniquely placed to 
deliver the best offer we can and in doing so earn 
our customers’ loyalty. By creating value for our 
customers, we will create sustainable value for  
our shareholders too.

8

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Customers

Tesco exists to serve customers –  
and our business model has customers  
as our number one priority. 

Our scale and reach mean we have the 
expertise to really understand our customers; 
allowing us to focus on the delivery of an offer 
with real value in all areas of price, quality, 
range and service. This focus means that 
we will champion our customers at every 
level and earn their loyalty.

Reinvest

Our clear priority is to improve Tesco  
for customers. As we do this, we have committed  
to reinvest any savings or outperformance  
into further improvements in our shopping trip.

The reason for this reinvestment is clear:  
the better job we do for customers, the more  
we will improve our sales, and the more our  
sales improve, the more we can invest further  
in the shopping trip. 

Channels

To bring the best products to  
customers easily, we work through  
a range of channels – from small shops  
to large shops, and through our growing  
online business. We were the first retailer  
to offer 24-hour shopping and today  
we have thousands of Click & Collect  
points across the country. 

As part of improving our offer, we will 
invest in making our channels even 
more efficient and convenient  
for our customers.

Product

The offer we create for  
customers is developed by  
our Product team. They work with  
our suppliers to source the best possible  
range of quality products which meet  
and anticipate our customers’ needs. 

Our relationships with suppliers are  
crucial to delivering our customer offer. 
Since October, we have been reviewing 
our partnerships to make sure  
we focus on delivering the  
best possible value  
to customers.

9

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Other informationGovernanceFinancial statementsStrategic reportKey performance indicators

Our business has always been at its  
best when we’ve made customers our 
number one priority. Colleagues want us 
to make it easier to put customers first. A 
key part of that is the way we measure 
performance and reward success. 

For a long time, we measured our 
performance using the Steering Wheel. 
This served us well for many years, but  
as time has gone on, it has become too 
complex, with over 40 different measures. 

We now have just six simple, key 
business performance measures. It’s 
about alignment and focus: if we give 
our colleagues more power to choose 
the right actions, we’ll do a better job  
for customers and achieve greater 
success for our business.

1. Customers recommend 
us and come back time 
and again 

2. Colleagues recommend 
us as a great place to work 
and shop

3. We build trusted 
partnerships

70% 
work

77% 
shop

58%

The best result we can ever achieve  
is that our customers are so pleased  
with their experience at Tesco that  
they recommend us to friends and  
shop with us again and again. 

We define loyal customers based on  
their frequency of shopping with us  
and average weekly spend. Over the  
past year, we have seen a (2.5)%  
decline in this measure. 

Going forward, this measure will  
provide a clear indication of our  
progress in regaining competitiveness.

For customers to recommend us, we need 
to start with our colleagues and make sure 
Tesco is a great place to work. 

In our latest survey, 70% of colleagues told 
us they would recommend Tesco as a great 
place to work, and 77% said they would 
recommend us as a great place to shop. 

As part of our business transformation 
plan, we are committed to being more 
open, transparent and responsive to what 
really matters to colleagues. We are already 
making important changes, including new 
weekly calls between all store managers 
and senior leadership teams.

Our business is built on strong partnerships. 
At a national level, we need to build 
trusted partnerships with suppliers to 
provide the best offer for customers. We 
also rely at a local level on partnerships 
with communities and wider society as 
part of our licence to operate.

We survey our suppliers to capture how 
they feel about their relationship with 
Tesco and the latest figures indicate that 
58% feel satisfied. We have already 
started to make significant changes to the 
way we work with suppliers as part of our 
goal of restoring trust and transparency.

10

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 20154. Grow sales

5. Deliver profit

Sales including fuel and VAT

£69.7bn

 (1.3)%*

Sales excluding fuel and VAT

£55.9bn

 (1.4)%*

£1,390m

 (57.5)%*

6. Improve operating 
cash flow
£1,860m

 (59.6)%*

If we do a better job for our customers,  
we will grow sales and achieve a stronger 
financial position. 

Last year, our Group sales** declined by 
(1.4)%, reflecting a challenging backdrop 
and our own underperformance in the UK. 
While we must be prepared for further 
volatility, our focus will remain on our 
customers and we’re working hard to have 
a positive impact on their shopping trip.

As customers recommend us and  
keep returning to shop with us, our 
profitability will improve and we will 
achieve a stronger financial position.

Group trading profit declined to £1.4bn in 
2014/15, driven by a challenging year for 
the UK business. We have taken action to 
start to restore our competitiveness and 
have committed to reinvest any savings 
back into the shopping trip to help our 
business be stronger over the long term.

We need a strong cash flow so we can 
keep the business running and invest  
in our customers and the shopping trip.

In 2014/15, our retail cash flow declined 
to £1.9bn, reflecting both an extremely 
challenging year for Tesco and a year  
in which we began a process of 
considerable change. 

*  Growth is on a 52 week basis – see the Glossary on page 155.
**  Excluding VAT, fuel and IFRIC 13.

11

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Other informationGovernanceFinancial statementsStrategic reportFinancial review 

The reported year has been both an extremely challenging year for Tesco and a  
year in which we began a process of considerable change. Against this backdrop  
we delivered sales of £70bn in 2014/15, (1.3)% below last year on a 52 week basis  
at constant currency. Trading profit declined by (58.1)% to £1.4bn principally as a 
result of a fall in like-for-like sales, the accumulated costs of inefficiencies within  
our operations and the changes we have made in the second half to stabilise the 
business. Our statutory loss before tax was £(6.4)bn, after charging one-off items of 
£(7.0)bn. Of these one-off items, £(0.6)bn will result in a direct cash outflow, with the 
remaining amounts being non-cash adjustments to balance sheet carrying values.

Alan Stewart
Chief Financial Officer

Group results 2014/15 (on a continuing operations basis)

On a continuing operations basis

Group sales (including VAT)*

Sales growth excluding fuel

Group trading profit

–UK

–Asia

–Europe

–Tesco Bank

Underlying profit before tax

Statutory loss before tax

Underlying diluted earnings per share

Diluted losses per share

2014/15

£69,654m

£1,390m

£467m

£565m

£164m

£194m

£961m

£(6,376)m

9.42p

(70.24)p

52 week  
% change** 
(actual exchange  
rates)

52 week 
% change** 
(constant exchange 
rates)

53 week 
% change 
(actual exchange 
rates)

(1.3)%

(1.3)%

(57.5)%

(78.8)%

(15.3)%

(31.1)%

0.0%

(3.0)%

(3.2)%

(58.2)%

(78.8)%

(18.4)%

(31.9)%

0.0%

(68.4)%

n/a

(70.5)%

n/a

(1.7)%

(1.9)%

(58.1)%

(78.7)%

(18.4)%

(31.1)%

0.0%

(68.5)%

n/a

(70.6)%

n/a

*  Group sales (inc. VAT) exclude the accounting impact of IFRIC 13 (Customer Loyalty Programmes).
**  52 week growth rates exclude week 53 (the 7 days ended 28 February 2015) for the UK and Republic of Ireland.

Protecting and strengthening  
our balance sheet
Upon our arrival as a new management 
team we identified protecting and 
strengthening the balance sheet as one  
of our three priorities. This resulted in a 
number of steps to begin to address our 
balance sheet leverage of £(21.7)bn, which 
we define more broadly to include net debt, 
discounted rent or lease commitments and 
our IAS 19 net pension liability:

•  Liquidity and funding: We have 

underpinned our liquidity and funding 
position with access to £5bn of credit 
facilities, which remained undrawn  
at the year end. These facilities are secure, 
multi-year credit lines ensuring we have the 
flexibility to address our three immediate 
priorities over an appropriate timeframe. 

•  Capital expenditure: In 2014/15  

we reduced our capital expenditure  
from £2.7bn to £2.0bn. Based on a 
comprehensive analysis of the Group’s 
requirements we expect to further reduce 
our capital expenditure to £1.0bn in 2015/16, 
net of disposals, without adversely affecting 
our business. 

•  Dividends: Following the reduction  
in the interim dividend, the Board has 
recommended not to pay a final dividend.

•  Pension: A plan to fund the deficit  
has been agreed with the Trustee  
with a payment of £270m per annum  
and we are consulting with our colleagues  
to replace our defined benefit pension 
scheme with a defined contribution scheme.

•  Property: We have undertaken a detailed 
review of our property portfolio, including 
where appropriate to review our lease 
commitments. In addition we have taken  
the difficult decision to close 43 unprofitable 
stores and not to proceed with 49 new  
store developments. In March 2015 we  
also announced an asset swap with British 
Land, regaining sole ownership of 21 
superstores and reducing our exposure  
to indexed rent reviews. 

•  Portfolio: In October we said that we would 
review our portfolio. To date, this process has 
resulted in the sale or the closure of Blinkbox 
and Tesco Broadband and the appointment  
of advisors to review our options for 
dunnhumby. This process is on track.

In 2015/16, we will retain our focus on 
financial discipline. 

Enhanced disclosure
Restoring trust and transparency is also one  
of our three priorities and part of this objective 
will be met by progressively enhancing our 
disclosure. In this review we provide greater 
clarity around commercial income and the 
valuation and ownership of our property. The 
Notes to the accounts also include enhanced 
disclosure of segmental assets (in Note 2 on 
page 94), net debt (in Note 30 on page 135), 
JVs and associates (in Note 13 on page 110) 
and operating leases (in Note 34 on page 137). 

Importantly, for 2015/16 we will also move to a 
simpler profit measure based on operating profit 
adjusted only for large and distorting impacts. 

Visit www.tescoplc.com/ar2015  
to find PDF and Excel downloads  
of our financial statements

12

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Segmental results
UK

UK sales* (inc. VAT)

£48,231m

UK revenue* (exc. VAT) 

£43,573m

We’ve seen some improvement recently 
with fourth quarter like-for-like sales 
performance of (1.0)% driven by positive 
volumes which represents an encouraging 
response to the customer-focused 
initiatives launched in the third quarter.  

UK trading profit (£m)

52 week % 
change 
(1.7)%

(1.8)%

(78.8)%

UK trading profit

Trading margin  
(trading profit/revenue)

£467m

1.07%

(394)bp

*  Excludes the accounting impact of IFRIC 13.

2,191

Full year UK sales declined by (1.7)%  
on a 52 week basis. This included a 1.8% 
contribution from new space. Following  
the year end we completed the closure  
of 43 stores which we expect to impact  
our 2015/16 sales by around (0.4)%. 

UK like-for-like sales performance* (%)

11/12
1H

11/12
2H

12/13
1H

12/13
2H

13/14
1H

13/14
2H

14/15
1Q

14/15
2Q

14/15
3Q

14/15
4Q

0.5

(0.5)

(0.6)

(0.1)

(0.5)

(1.0)

(2.2)

(3.7)

(4.2)

* Including VAT, excluding fuel.

(5.4)

Like-for-like sales, including VAT and 
excluding fuel, fell by (3.6)%. This reflected 
a challenging and deflationary market back 
drop – and our own underperformance. 

Prior year
commercial
income adj.

Direct
impact
of LFL
sales
decline

Prior 
initiatives

3Q and
4Q
investment
in offer

Other
including
net cost
base
inflation

467

UK trading
profit
FY 14/15

UK trading
profit
FY 13/14

Our full year UK trading margin was  
1.07%, a reduction of almost four 
percentage points year-on-year.  
The decline principally reflected the 
combination of the deterioration in 
like-for-like sales and the impact of 
previous initiatives. The fundamental 
change to the way we do business with  
our suppliers, with significantly less focus 
on commercial income, further impacted 
profitability. The investment we have  
made in service, availability and, selectively  
in price in the second half is also a 
contributing factor.

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015

13

Other informationGovernanceFinancial statementsStrategic report 
Financial review continued 

Asia

52 week % 
change  
at actual 
rates

52 week % 
change at 
constant 
rates

Asia sales*
(including VAT)

Asia revenue*
(excluding VAT)

Asia trading 
profit

Trading margin
(trading profit/revenue)

£10,501m

(4.1)%

(0.9)%

£9,884m

(4.1)%

(0.9)%

£565m

(18.4)%

(15.3)%

5.72%

(100)bp

(97)bp

*  Excludes the accounting impact of IFRIC 13.

Sales in Asia declined by (4.1)% including  
a (3.2)% impact from foreign exchange. 
Like-for-like sales were (4.4)%. In South 
Korea, the impact of the DIDA regulations 
has remained significant whilst in Thailand 
the recovery in consumer spending has 
been slower to materialise than initially 
anticipated. Our trading performance in 
Malaysia has been impacted by protests 
against some Western-owned businesses 
and a challenging economic environment.  
Our trading profit in Asia was (15.3)% lower 
year-on-year at constant rates, primarily  
due to the operational gearing effect from 
the impact of negative like-for-like sales 
performances in all three markets.

Europe

52 week % 
change  
at actual 
rates

52 week % 
change at 
constant 
rates

Europe sales*
(including VAT)

Europe revenue*
(excluding VAT)

Europe trading 
profit

Trading margin
(trading profit/revenue)

£9,898m

(8.5)%

(0.6)%

£8,515m

(8.5)%

(0.7)%

£164m

(31.9)%

(31.1)%

1.93%

(66)bp

(64)bp

*  Excludes the accounting impact of IFRIC 13.

Sales in Europe reduced by (8.5)% on a  
52 week basis including a (7.9)% foreign 
exchange effect as the Euro fell to seven-year 
lows against Sterling by year-end. Whilst we 
saw some improvement in the fourth quarter, 
the like-for-like sales performance was mixed 
over the course of the year. We have seen 
strong competition from discount retailers 
and this held back our sales performance, 
particularly in Ireland which saw a like-for-like 
sales decline of (6.3)%. The profitability of 
our Central European businesses continued 
to be under pressure and in Turkey included  
a £(30)m charge relating to the write-off  
of a fuel debtor.

Recent legislative changes in Hungary, 
including mandated store closures on 
Sundays and the introduction of a ‘food 
supervision fee’ from 1 January 2015,  

Visit www.tescoplc.com/ar2015  
to find PDF and Excel downloads  
of our financial statements

14

will have a material impact to ongoing 
market profitability.

Consultation started in March 2015 on  
a significant restructure of the leadership  
team for Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland 
and Slovakia to move from operating as 
individual country teams to one regional 
team. This restructuring will create 
substantial buying and operational 
synergies, helping us to unlock more 
opportunities to invest in the customer offer.

Tesco Bank

Revenue

TY

£1,024m £1,003m

LY YOY Change
2.1%

Trading Profit

£194m

£194m

0.0%

Lending to 
customers

Customer 
deposits

Net interest 
margin

Underlying cost: 
income ratio

Bad debt asset 
ratio

Risk asset ratio

Loan to deposit 
ratio

£7,720m £6,915m

11.6%

£6,913m £6,079m

13.7%

4.2%

4.4%

(0.2)%

65.0%

64.0%

(1.0)%

0.7%

18.8%

1.0%

17.7%

+0.3%

+1.1%

111.7% 113.8%

+2.1%

In highly competitive market conditions, 
Tesco Bank’s revenue was up 2.1% to 
£1,024m driven by strong growth in lending 
to customers. We have expanded our range 
of mortgage and loan products and, in June 
2014, we launched our personal current 
account. Our motor and home insurance 
business has seen 3% growth in accounts 
having expanded our underwriting 
providers and implemented digital 
improvements to enhance the customer 
experience. Trading profit was £194m,  
in line with the prior year, with strong 
underlying growth offset by our ongoing 
investment in personal current accounts.

One-off items

PPE impairment and 
onerous lease charges

Goodwill and other 
impairments

Stock

Restructuring

Commercial income 
adjustment

TY 

LY*

£(4,727)m

£(636)m

£(878)m

£(570)m

£(416)m

–

–

–

–

–

£(165)m

 –Recognised in 13/14

£(53)m

 –Recognised in years  

prior to 13/14

Other

£(155)m

£(223)m

Total one-off items
£(801)m
*  Last year’s number is before a £(540)m write-down 
of goodwill relating to discontinued operations. 

£(7,022)m

During the year the Group incurred £(7.0)bn 
of one-off and restructuring charges, largely 
reflecting the weak industry environment and 
the initiation of a number of measures to 
turnaround the performance of the Group.  
Of this amount, £(0.6)bn will result in a direct 

cash outflow, with the remaining amounts 
being non-cash adjustments to balance sheet 
carrying values. These charges included: 

•  Fixed asset impairment and onerous 
lease charges: At each balance sheet 
date we review the carrying value  
of our stores to ensure that they are 
supported by their value in use or their 
fair value less the costs of disposal. 
Against the backdrop of challenging 
industry conditions and the decline  
in our profit, our review resulted in an 
impairment and onerous lease charge  
of £(3.8)bn against our trading stores.  
A further impairment charge of £(925)m 
is recognised in property related items, 
relating to the impairment of work-in-
progress balances and charges relating 
to the closure of stores.

•  Goodwill and other impairments:  
We have booked further goodwill and 
other impairments totalling £(878)m.  
These include an impairment of £(630)m 
relating to our investment with China 
Resources Enterprise Ltd (CRE), £(116)m 
relating to Dobbies and other UK 
businesses, and an impairment of £(82)m 
in our investment in joint ventures which 
principally relates to the strategic 
decision to slow the roll out  
of Harris + Hoole and Euphorium sites.

•  Stock: The one-off items include a 

£(570)m charge to the Group inventory 
position, principally due to the adoption 
of a forward-looking provisioning 
methodology. The charge also includes a 
£(168)m impact of a reduction in the level 
of in-store costs capitalised to inventories.

•  Restructuring: We have described  
a restructuring of central overheads,  
a simplification of store management 
structures and increased working-hour 
flexibility, which will deliver ongoing 
savings in the region of £400m per year. 
These efficiencies will result in a one-off 
cost of £(350)m of which around £(300)m 
has been recognised in our 2014/15 
results. The remaining balance includes 
a further £(41)m relating to restructuring 
in the first half and a £(20)m one-off 
cost relating to UK store closures.
•  Commercial income adjustment:  
The commercial income adjustment 
refers to the impact on prior years of  
the commercial income issues that we 
announced last September. At the time 
of the interim results, the impacts on 
prior years were estimated as resulting  
in the profit before tax for the year 
ended 22 February 2014 being 
overstated by £70m, and for the years 
prior to this being overstated by £75m – 
a combined total of £145m relating  
to prior years. Subsequent to October 
2014, we continued to focus on this area 
and identified some further amounts, 
bringing the total one-off adjustment to 
£208m for our UK and Irish businesses.

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Joint ventures, interest and tax 

Joint ventures and associates
Losses from joint ventures and associates 
were £(13)m, down from a profit of £60m 
last year. The movement was primarily 
driven by a loss from our partnership with 
China Resources Enterprise Ltd (CRE) which 
was formed in May 2014. UK property joint 
ventures also made lower profits.

Net finance costs

Interest receivable and  
similar income

Interest payable on short 
term bank loans and 
overdrafts

Finance charges payable 
under finance leases

TY

LY

£90m

£132m

£(101)m

£(68)m

£(9)m

£(10)m

Interest payable on medium 
term notes and bonds

Capitalised interest

£(433)m

£(448)m

£44m

£79m

Underlying net finance costs £(409)m

£(315)m

IAS 32 and IAS 39 effect

£(26)m

£(11)m

Non cash element of IAS 19 
Pensions charge 

Net finance costs

£(136)m

£(571)m

£(106)m

£(432)m

Underlying net finance costs increased  
to £(409)m from £(315)m last year. The 
increase in net finance costs reflected  
a higher level of debt and the set up costs 
relating to new credit facilities. Finance 
income reduced primarily reflecting  
the redemption of a medium term note 
and the expiry of the associated hedging 
instrument resulting in lower derivative 
income. Capitalised interest reduced by 
£(35)m to £44m, in line with reduced  
levels of work-in-progress. 

Taxation
The effective rate of tax for the Group was 
20.7%, with a charge of £(199)m based on 
underlying profit. Last year’s rate of 15.4% 
reflected the one-off effect of a lower UK 
corporate tax rate on deferred tax liabilities.

Earnings per share
Underlying diluted earnings per share were 
9.42p, (70.6)% lower year-on-year at actual 
tax rates ((70.5)% lower on a 52 week basis), 
driven by the decline in our trading profit 
performance. Statutory losses per share 
were (70.24)p reflecting one-off items.

Dividend
As announced in January, the Board has 
taken the decision not to recommend a final 
dividend, with the full year dividend charge 
solely reflecting the interim dividend of 1.16p 
paid on 19 December 2014. Future dividends 
will be considered within the context of the 
performance of the Group, free cash flow 
generation and the level of indebtedness.

Capital expenditure

UK

Asia

Europe

Tesco Bank

Group

TY
£1.3bn

£0.4bn

£0.2bn

£0.1bn

£2.0bn

LY
£1.6bn

£0.7bn

£0.3bn

£0.1bn

£2.7bn

Capital expenditure was £2.0bn, a decrease 
of £0.7bn year-on-year, with lower spend  
in each region. As we described in January, 
we are planning a significant reduction in 
Group capital expenditure for the current 
year to £1.0bn.

15

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Other informationGovernanceFinancial statementsStrategic reportFinancial review continued 

Retail cash flow and net debt

Cash generated from retail 
operations before changes in 
working capital*

(Increase)/decrease in 
working capital

Interest paid

Corporation tax paid

Net cash generated from 
retail operating activities

TY £m

LY £m

715

4,327

1,145

(609)

(347)

280

(490)

(612)

Cash capital expenditure 

(2,244)

(2,774)

Free cash flow

Other investing activities

Net cash used in financing 
activities and intra-Group 
funding and intercompany 
transactions

Net (decrease)/increase in 
cash and cash equivalents

(1,340)

253

731

66

239

160

(848)

957

Exclude cash movements in debt 
items

(1,010)

(374)

Fair value and other non-cash 
movements

(26)

(583)

Movement in net debt

(1,884)

–

* 

Includes both continuing and discontinued operations.

Reflecting the lower level of underlying 
profitability, £(0.6)bn in interest paid due  
to underlying finance costs and the timing 
of interest payments, and £(0.3)bn of cash 
corporation taxes, net cash generated from 
retail operating activities was £0.9bn. After 
cash capital expenditure of £(2.2)bn this 
resulted in a free cash outflow in the year  
of £(1.3)bn. This, combined with other 
movements led to a net debt movement  
of £(1.9)bn. 

Pension
On an accounting basis, the Group’s net 
pension deficit after tax increased from 
£(2.6)bn last year to £(3.9)bn at the year 
end. This was driven by a reduction of 80 
basis points in real corporate bond yields, 
leading to a corresponding reduction in  
the discount rate used to measure our long 
term liabilities, partially offset by a strong 
asset performance. On an actuarial basis, 
the deficit at 31 March 2014 was £(2.8)bn  
and a plan to fund the deficit with cash 
contributions of £270m per annum has been 
agreed with the Trustee. We are consulting 
with our colleagues to replace our defined 
benefit pension scheme with a defined 
contribution scheme.

Total indebtedness
We define our balance sheet leverage more 
broadly to include net debt, discounted rent 
and lease commitments and our IAS 19 
pension liability. On this basis our total 
leverage or indebtedness was £(21.7)bn,  
an increase of £(3.1)bn driven by increases 
in both net debt and our pension liability. 

904

3,505

Net debt* 
(excludes Tesco Bank)

Discounted operating  
lease commitments

Pension deficit, IAS 19 basis 
(post-tax)

TY £m

LY £m

(8,481)

(6,597)

(9,353)

(9,419)

(3,885)

(2,559)

Total indebtedness (including 
lease commitments and 
pension deficit)
* 

(18,575)
 Includes both continuing and discontinued operations.

(21,719)

Our discounted minimum operating lease 
commitments were broadly unchanged at 
£(9.4)bn, whilst our operating lease expense 
in the year increased by £72m to £1,486m. 
Around £35m of this expense related to 
inflation-indexed rent which will not recur  
as a result of the British Land asset swap 
entered into post year end. The transaction 
will also result in the consolidation of net 
debt of around £450m. 

Outlook
The market is still challenging and we don’t 
expect this to change in the immediate 
future. Over the next 12 months we will 
continue to focus on our three priorities: 
regaining competitiveness in our UK 
business; protecting and strengthening  
the balance sheet; and rebuilding trust and 
transparency in the business and the brand.

We are already making good progress  
on these initiatives and on the basis of 
actions already undertaken they will deliver 
significant cost savings in 2015/16. The 
immediate priority for these and any other 
savings delivered is reinvestment in the 
customer offer in order to further restore  
UK competitiveness.

Alan Stewart 
Chief Financial Officer

We opened 1.6m square feet of gross new 
space in the year, but this was offset by the 
closure of 1.1m sq. ft. of space, primarily  
in Turkey and Hungary and the repurposing 
of 0.6m sq. ft. of space, mainly in Asia.  
We continue to grow our franchise store 
network. In the year, we opened 1m sq. ft. 
of space in our franchise stores, mostly in 
South Korea, and are planning to open  
a further 0.6m sq. ft. this year.

Property
As at the year end, the estimated market 
value of fully-owned property across the 
Group was £22.9bn. This represents a 
reduction of £7.6bn year-on-year driven 
mainly by the weakening of the UK and 
Central European property markets. This 
represents an estimated surplus of £2.7bn 
over the net book value.

The estimated market value excludes  
our share of property joint ventures. 
Including this, the valuation would increase 
by £0.9bn, net of the debt in the joint 
ventures. Last year’s disclosed property 
valuation of £34.1bn included £1.2bn 
relating to our Chinese operations now 
disposed to our joint venture and £2.4bn 
from our share of joint venture property, 
before deducting debt.

In March 2015, the British Land asset swap 
added a further £0.7bn to the value of  
our property as we took ownership of 21 
superstores. Including this increase, our 
Group freehold ownership percentage is  
now 55% by value and 60% by selling space.

UK

Asia Europe Group

Property* –  
wholly owned

 –Estimated  

market value

£10.5bn £8.3bn £4.1bn £22.9bn

 –Net book value** £10.5bn £6.1bn £3.7bn £20.2bn

Proportion of 
owned net  
selling space

Proportion of 
owned space  
by value***

41% 66% 75% 59%

40% 71% 74% 53%

*  Stores, malls, investment properties, offices, 

Distribution Centres, fixtures and fittings and WIP. 
Excludes JVs.

**  Property, plant and equipment excluding vehicles.
***  Excluding fixtures and fittings.

Visit www.tescoplc.com/ar2015  
to find PDF and Excel downloads  
of our financial statements

16

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Commercial income 
Commercial income represents part of our 
overall economic relationship with suppliers. 
Consistent with standard grocery market 
practice, we negotiate a very wide range of 
payments to and from our suppliers including 
fees, contributions, discounts, multiple offers 
and volume rebates. Whilst we have embarked 
on a fundamental review which will significantly 
simplify our approach, in total we currently 
use over 20 different categories of variation  
in payment terms. Many of these relate to 
adjustments to a cost price and can be 
considered (and are in practice) a part of  
the standard unit price variations that can  
be expected under normal, competitive 
market conditions. As such these amounts 
are recognised in the income statement as  
a deduction to the cost of goods sold.

A number of commercial income categories 
can be conditional on the satisfaction of 
certain actions or performance conditions  
by either Tesco or the supplier in question, 
including the achievement of agreed sales 
volume targets, the provision of certain 
benefits such as marketing materials or 
promotional product positioning, and  
costs incurred for unplanned variations  
in product specification. In most instances,  
the arrangements that set out these terms 
cover periods that are within or end at the 
same point as our financial year.

Where agreements are in place across a 
period end, judgement can be required  
to assess if the conditions will be met,  
and therefore to estimate the period  
end amounts payable and receivable. For 
example, where there are volume-related 
allowances spanning different account 
periods, the Group assesses the probability 
that targeted volumes will be achieved based 
on historical and forecast performance, 
recognising the appropriate amounts in the 
period end balance sheet and income 
statement.

Commercial income is reflected in a number 
of balance sheet categories – principally due 
to differences in timing between recognition 
of income, receipt of cash and sale of goods. 
In order to provide greater clarity on the 
accounting for commercial income – 
including those instances where judgement 
and estimates are used – we are increasing 
our disclosure to show the effects of 
commercial income on the following balance 
sheet accounts:

• Inventories: The carrying value of 
inventories is reduced by the value of 
commercial income which will be earned 
when the associated stock is sold.

• Trade and other receivables: Amounts 
that have been invoiced to suppliers but not 
yet received are included within trade and 
other receivables.

• Accrued income: Any amounts earned but 
not yet invoiced to suppliers are included in 
accrued income. The majority relates to 
amounts outstanding under large supplier 
agreements or promotional allowances that 
run up to the period end. The balance 

primarily reflects amounts due under 
long-term agreements for volume rebates.

• Trade payables: Most agreements with 
suppliers enable income earned to be offset 
against amounts owed. These balances are 
included as a deduction within trade payables.

• Accruals and deferred income: Any 
amounts received in advance of income 
being earned are included in accruals and 
deferred income.

The impact of commercial income on each of 
these accounts for the years to 28 February 
2015 and 22 February 2014 is shown below:

Current Assets

Inventories 

Trade and other receivables 

–Other receivables 

–Accrued income

Current Liabilities

Trade and other payables

–Trade payables

–Accruals and deferred income

2015
Group 
£m

(93)

97

158

347

(53)

UK 
£m

(67)

54

117

173

(53)

2014
Group 
£m

(82)

89

230

547

–

UK 
£m

(52)

22

173

368

–

17

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Other informationGovernanceFinancial statementsStrategic reportEnvironmental and social review

Wherever we work, we want to help make life  
a little easier for our customers, colleagues  
and communities.

Our approach
We want to help everyone who shops 
with us enjoy a better quality of life  
and an easier way of living. 

We also want to help tackle wider social 
and environmental challenges which  
our customers care about and which  
are material to our business, for example 
making it easier for customers and 
colleagues to live healthier lives; 
reducing food waste and tackling food 
poverty; and working with our suppliers 
to source responsibly and sustainably. 

While the last year has been challenging 
for Tesco, we remain incredibly proud  
of the efforts we have made to tackle 
sustainability issues, support important 
causes and help local communities.  
As we begin the process of renewal  
and change, we are committed to 
listening to and working with our 
customers, colleagues and stakeholders 
from across society to ensure that we 
align our approach to value creation  
with their expectations. 

Our reporting
As we reset many aspects of our business, 
so we have changed our approach to 
reporting. This report looks at our 

business in the round and sets out  
our strategic priorities; our corporate 
responsibility is a fundamental part  
of these. Instead of a separate, printed 
corporate responsibility report, we  
now publish further details on our 
corporate responsibility, our policies  
and our key data online. In addition  
we are refreshing our approach to our 
materiality assessment as we continue 
listening to ensure we understand what 
matters most to our customers, colleagues, 
suppliers and stakeholders. All of this can 
be found at www.tescoplc.com/society. 

Our governance
Our new Chairman, John Allan,  
has taken on the role of chair of our 
Corporate Responsibility Committee 
following the retirement of Jacqueline 
Tammenoms Bakker from the Board. 
More detail about the governance of this 
Committee can be found on page 40.

We also work closely with our Expert 
Advisory Panel, made up of four 
independent corporate responsibility 
advisors, who meet four times a year  
to provide valuable input and act as  
a critical voice to our activities. More 
information on this can be found online 
at www.tescoplc.com/ourpanel.

Visit www.tescoplc.com/society 
for information on:
• Our approach
• Ongoing activities
• Our latest case studies

18

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015As an example of our approach 
to creating sustainable value 
chains, take a look at our work 
on bananas:

We’re proud to be the first retailer  
to publish data on food waste within 
our own operations, and we’re 
working with our suppliers and 
customers to reduce food waste  
from the farm to the fork. 

1. Suppliers

We want to make sure no edible part  
of the banana crop is wasted, so we 
work with dedicated banana farms  
to use as much as possible of the 
banana crops they produce. We sell 
small bananas in our Everyday Value 
and Goodness ranges, and we sell 
single bananas in our One Stop stores.

2. Own operations

To minimise damage to the bananas  
in our stores, we train our colleagues  
in how to treat food. A key part of that 
is our ‘Love Bananas’ campaign –  
this helps colleagues to understand 
how to handle bananas in order  
to minimise bruising. 

3. Customers

Customers tell us they want to reduce 
waste within their own homes, and 
we’re doing lots of little things to help 
– including adding WRAP food waste 
hints and tips on our fresh food 
packaging, and creating a meal 
planner on our Real Food website, 
which suggests recipes for customers 
who want to use up their food.

What’s next? 

Within our own operations, our 
overriding priority is always to 
minimise any food waste – but where 
waste does occur, customers tell us 
they want us to give edible food to 
charity. We have made great progress 
on this over the last year, and we will 
be looking at what more we can do  
to ensure no edible food is wasted.

19

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Other informationGovernanceFinancial statementsStrategic reportEnvironmental and social review continued

Our people

Our approach
The challenges our business has faced 
over the last year have been incredibly 
difficult for our colleagues, but despite 
this, we are extremely proud of the focus 
which colleagues have continued to place 
on doing the right thing for customers 
and delivering outstanding service. 

A key principle throughout the 
transformation process has been, 
wherever possible, to make sure 
colleagues are the first to know of any 
changes within the business which will 
affect them. This commitment to be open 
and transparent will continue once the 
transformation process is complete.

We have worked hard to do everything we 
can to support colleagues and offer expert 
advice as they face changes to their roles 
and the organisation. We have continued 
to expand our training programmes to 
help colleagues grow and develop. The 
importance of diversity in the broadest 
sense also remains critical to our business, 
and the ratio of male to female colleagues 
at year end is outlined below. In addition, 
the pay gap between men and women  
is less than 1%.

Our diversity 
Board of Directors*
Senior managers  
– Directors
Senior managers 
– Directors and 
managers

Male
10 77%
614 76%

Female
3 23%
195 24%

3,847 69%

1,732 31%

All employees

220,257 43% 297,545 57%

*  Changes since year end mean that our Board is  
now made up of nine men and one woman.

Respecting human rights
We are determined to respect the human 
rights of our customers, our colleagues 
and our suppliers, within all of the 
communities they work. 

We are committed to upholding basic 
human rights and fully support the UN 
Universal Declaration of Human Rights 
and the International Labour Organization 
Core Conventions. We are a founding 
member of the Ethical Trading Initiative 
and our industry-leading team of labour 
standards experts support our suppliers  
to work towards fully implementing its 
Base Code. We always investigate 
allegations of human rights infringements 
and take action when needed to ensure 
people’s rights are respected.

We want everybody to have their human 
rights upheld and we know our customers, 
colleagues and suppliers do too.

•  Our customers want to buy great 

products that are produced safely and 
responsibly. Only by protecting human 
rights can we give our customers this 
confidence, as well as ensuring we are  
a good neighbour wherever we operate.

•   We have strong, consistent people 

We know that consistently addressing 
human rights risks and concerns across  
a global supply chain can be complicated. 
Only by being open and responsive and 
having strong relationships, can we find 
out about issues and work to solve them. 
We must work in partnership to do this – 
both with our suppliers and with experts 
and non-governmental organisations 
(NGOs) on the ground. It is also why we 
were strong supporters of the UK 
Government’s new Modern Slavery Bill 
and the clause on transparency in supply 
chains, and look forward to reporting 
against this in future years.

Governance and monitoring 
Our governance committees consider 
financial and non-financial risks to our 
business and the Compliance and 
Corporate Responsibility Committees  
in particular consider risks related to  
our Human Rights Policy, which are 
maintained on our company risk register.

This year we launched a new Code  
of Business Conduct, supported by  
a company-wide training programme  
to help colleagues follow key policies;  
this included a section on our approach  
to human rights.

policies that are designed to make Tesco 
a great place to work; where everyone  
is welcome and feels confident to be 
themselves in a safe environment.

Furthermore, we now have protector  
lines for both colleagues and suppliers, 
so any concerns with business conduct  
can be raised confidentially.

•  We are building even stronger partnerships 
with trusted suppliers so we can ensure 
that we deliver great, safe products that 
are responsibly produced.

To review our full policy visit  
www.tescoplc.com/humanrights.

20

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Food waste

In 2014/15 we have calculated that 
55,400Δ tonnes of food were wasted  
in Tesco stores and distribution centres 
in the UK which is equivalent to 0.9%Δ  
of the number of food products we sold 
in our stores over the same period. The 
chart on the right shows the breakdown 
of this food waste by category. This has 
decreased by 1,180 tonnes compared  
to 2013/14.

Δ 

Independent limited assurance provided by KPMG 
LLP. It is important to read the data in the context  
of KPMG’s full statement and Tesco’s reporting 
criteria at www.tescoplc.com/foodwastefigures.

Greenhouse gas emissions

Tesco UK food waste by category breakdown
(% breakdown of total tonnage value)

55,400 
tonnes

Food waste in our 
own operations (UK)

Bakery 36%
Produce 25%
Convenience 9%
Dairy 8%

Impulse 6%
Meat, Fish & Poultry 5%
Grocery 4%
Beers, Wines & Spirits 3%

Frozen 2%
World Foods 2%

Our net carbon footprint in 2014/15  
was 5.6 million tonnes of CO2e. 

Our overall net carbon intensity per square 
foot of retail and distribution floor space 
decreased by 4.3% compared to last year, 
and 40.9% since 2006/07, surpassing our 
2014/15 annual reduction target.

For more information on our carbon 
targets and how we calculate our carbon 
footprint, including reporting standards 
and an Independent Assurance 
Statement from our auditors (ERMCVS), 
see www.tescoplc.com/carbonfigures.

GHG emissions data for period 23 February 2014 to 28 February 2015

Base year 2006/07

Scope 1

Scope 2

Scope 1 and 2 carbon intensity (kg CO2e/sq. ft. of stores and DCs)
Scope 3

Total gross emissions

CO2e from renewable energy exported to grid
Total net emissions

Overall net carbon intensity (total net emissions kg CO2e/sq. ft. of stores and DCs)

1,311,109

2,503,597

49.63

1,129,699

4,944,405

–

4,944,405

64.33

Global tonnes of CO2e 
2013/14

1,320,122

3,036,282

30.65

1,287,661

5,644,066

163.63

5,643,902

39.71

Visit www.tesco.com/society for more 
information on our policies and disclosures

2014/15

 1,313,291 

 3,145,907 

 30.11

 1,166,743 

 5,625,941 

 680.16 

 5,625,261 

 37.99

21

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Other informationGovernanceFinancial statementsStrategic reportPrincipal risks and uncertainties

We have an established risk management process to identify the 
principal risks that we face as a business. The risk management 
process relies on our judgement of the risk likelihood and impact and 
also developing and monitoring appropriate controls. We maintain  
a Group Key Risk Register of the principal risks faced by the Group  
and this is an important component of our governance framework  
and how we manage our business. Our risk management process is 
cascaded down the Group. The content of the Group Key Risk Register 
is considered and discussed through regular meetings with senior 
management and review by the Executive Committee and the Board. 
Our process for identifying and managing risk is set out in more detail 
on page 44 of the Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015. 

The table below sets out our key risks, their movement during the year  
and examples of relevant controls and mitigating factors. The Board 
considers these to be the most significant risks faced by our Group 
that may impact the achievement of our three strategic priorities as 
set out on page 3. They do not comprise all of the risks associated  
with our business and are not set out in priority order. 

Additional risks not presently known to management, or currently 
deemed to be less material, may also have an adverse effect on  
the business.

In September 2014, we identified an overstatement of the expected 
financial results. This is now the subject of an investigation by the 
Serious Fraud Office and civil proceedings in the United States. 
Details can be found on page 33 and in Note 32 on page 136  
of the Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015. There  
are significant uncertainties as to the outcome of the existing 
investigation and proceedings, as to whether further proceedings 
may be brought against the Group in connection with the 
overstatement of the expected financial results and as to whether 
any proceedings brought against the Group would be likely to  
have a significant effect on the results of its operations or its 
financial condition.

Key to risk movement
   Risk increasing
   No risk movement
   Risk decreasing

Principal risks

Customer

If we do not meet customer needs and 
compete on price, product range, quality and 
service in the competitive UK and overseas 
retail markets, then we lose our share of 
customer purchases

By not considering the customer at the heart 
of our decision-making processes, we 
adversely impact our relationship with 
customers 

Financial strategy

There is a risk that the financial strategy is 
unclear or unsustainable 

Weak performance could put further pressure 
on free cash flow and impact our ability to 
improve our credit rating

Our ability to operate successfully in 
international markets may be restricted  
if we cannot get the returns required in  
each market and this could adversely impact 
our profitability

There is a risk that future legal and regulatory 
changes to the pension scheme could 
introduce more onerous requirements and 
increase our financial liability and that the 
deficit on the existing scheme could increase 
due to changes in assumptions on inflation, 
mortality and discount rates applied in 
determining liabilities of the scheme and  
the performance of its assets 

Investor support may be impacted if it takes 
longer than expected to demonstrate that our 
strategy is achieving the turnaround 

Brand, reputation and trust

Our brand will suffer if we do not rebuild trust  
and transparency in our business 

If we cannot be firm in the face of ethical, legal, 
moral or operational challenges, our reputation 
may be damaged

22

Risk movement

Key controls and mitigating factors

•  We have strategically re-positioned our business to focus on the customer

•  We are investing further in our customer proposition, reducing prices across  

our ranges and improving service with additional colleague hours

•  Our performance is tracked within our business against measures that customers tell  

us are important to their shopping experience

•  Customer perceptions of Tesco and our competitors are regularly monitored  

to allow us to react quickly and appropriately

•  Strategic matters are regularly reviewed by the Executive Committee and Board and  

we seek external advice as required

•  We have clear processes for the evaluation and identification of underperforming assets  

to ensure that appropriate action is taken

•  Our plans and budgets are developed and presented to our Executive Committee and 

Board for approval to ensure targets and objectives are clear and consistent

•  Our Group Property strategy ensures that there is a clear plan to address and control retail 
space, re-purpose space effectively where needed and ensure the right balance between 
freehold and leasehold space

•  We are consulting on the closure of our UK pension scheme to all future accrual which,  

if approved, would stop the future growth of liabilities and significantly reduce liability risk  
in the scheme

•  External expert advisors and the pension scheme Trustee are fully engaged to consider  

the funding position and fund performance of the pension scheme as well as the impact  
of legislative and regulatory changes

•  There has been a triennial revaluation of the pension scheme assets and liabilities  

in the year and a deficit funding plan has been agreed with the Trustee

•  We engage regularly with our investors to communicate details of our strategy and plans

•  Further detail on the management of financial risks is set out on page 25 and in Note 22 

on page 120 of the Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015

•  Rebuilding trust and transparency in our brand is one of our three strategic priorities

•  Our Group processes and policies set out how we can make the right decisions  

for our customers, colleagues, suppliers, communities and investors

•  We have developed communication and engagement programmes to listen  

to our stakeholders and reflect their needs in our plans

•  We maximise the value and impact of our brand with the advice of specialist external 

agencies and in-house marketing expertise 

•  We are developing new Corporate Responsibility goals that are aligned with customer 

priorities and our brand

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Principal risks

Risk movement

Key controls and mitigating factors

Data security and privacy

Increasing risks of cyber-attack threaten  
the security of customer, colleague and 
supplier data 

We must ensure that we understand the types 
of data that we hold and secure it adequately 
to manage the risk of data breaches

Transformation

If the scale of the change across our business 
disrupts our focus, there is a risk that we will 
not transform the business to where it needs 
to be

There is a risk that we underestimate the wider 
impacts of the changes that we are making 

Competition and markets

If we fail to address the differing challenges of 
the budget retailers, the premium retailers and 
online entrants, it may adversely impact our 
market share and profitability

Performance

If our strategy is not effectively communicated 
or implemented, our business may 
underperform against plan and competitors

The delivery of long term plans may be 
impacted if the business focuses on short  
term targets only

Political and regulatory

In each country in which we operate, we may 
be impacted by legal and regulatory changes, 
increased scrutiny from competition 
authorities and political changes that affect 
the retail market

The regulatory landscape is becoming more 
restrictive in many markets and may impact 
our trading

Product

Our business may suffer if we fail to work with 
our suppliers to ensure that our products are 
designed and delivered to meet a high standard 
and to ensure we can trace their provenance

If we do not build mutual and trusting 
relationships with our suppliers, this could 
impact our range and price proposition

If we do not manage our supply chain, we may 
risk not being able to ensure the quality and 
security of product supply for customers

•  We have active monitoring processes to identify and deal with IT security incidents

•  A new Cyber Security team has been established to investigate and mitigate  

the risks of cyber-attack

•  A Group-wide Information Security Blueprint has been rolled out across  

our businesses 

•  There is a programme of compliance monitoring and review being rolled out  

with training across our businesses

•  A programme to review the use, storage and security of customer data is in progress

•  There is Executive sponsorship of the Transformation programme with the creation  

of a Transformation Director role

NEW

•  New Group structures have been designed to simplify our business and clarify accountability

•  A new Programme Management Office has been established to manage the 

Transformation programme and will be supported by experienced resource from  
within the business and externally as required

•  We actively seek to be competitive on price, range and service as well as developing  

our online and multiple formats to allow us to compete in different markets

•  Our Executive Committee and operational units regularly review markets, trading 

opportunities and competitor strategy and activity 

•  Our Board, Executive Committee and operational units meet regularly to review 

performance risks 

•  All businesses have targets based on a new balanced scorecard of performance against 
KPIs and financial targets. Plans are monitored and reviewed regularly by the Executive 
Committee and the Board

•  An ongoing communication process informs our colleagues about the long term 

strategy and ensures that they understand their part in it

•  There are clear guidelines and policies set out to ensure that there is an appropriate 

focus on balance between short term and longer term delivery

•  We engage with government and regulatory bodies to represent the views of our 
customers, colleagues and communities and to manage the impact of political  
and regulatory changes

•  We aim to contribute to important discussions in public policy wherever we operate

•  Country developments are monitored by our local management teams

•  Group and country Compliance Committees monitor and guide legal and regulatory 
compliance with support from our Group Regulatory Ethics and Compliance team

•  The Tesco Bank Executive and Treating Customers Fairly Board oversee Tesco Bank’s 

compliance with regulatory requirements

•  Group and country Compliance Committees have been re-structured to simplify the 

identification and monitoring of the risks associated with products, suppliers and operations

•  We publish results of internal testing (e.g. provenance tests of content in our food) and  

we have in place ethical trading teams working with suppliers

•  Appropriate controls are in place around: product development; supplier management, 

including the introduction of a new Supplier Feedback forum and an independent Protector 
Line and Helpline; distribution standards; third party contract management; and compliance 
with regulatory standards

•  Clear procedures are operated globally to ensure product integrity and comprehensive 

supplier audit programmes are in place to monitor product integrity and labour standards

•  A comprehensive compliance programme is in place to promote, monitor and review 

compliance with the Groceries Supply Code of Practice in the UK. Appropriate programmes 
are in place in other markets

•  Sustainability considerations are integrated into our long-term decision making to ensure 

that the development of our products is aligned with our goal of reducing our impact on the 
environment. We look, in particular, at sustainable sourcing, improved security of supply and 
mitigating the impact of climate change

23

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Other informationGovernanceFinancial statementsStrategic reportRisk movement

Key controls and mitigating factors

•  Our IT strategy is reviewed and approved by the Executive Committee 

•  We have governance processes in place around new system implementations and 

change management of existing IT, adherence to which is closely monitored

•  There is a clear programme of investment to maintain the integrity and efficiency  

of our IT infrastructure and its security

•  Business continuity plans are in place for key business processes

•  The Executive Committee meets regularly to review and monitor people policies  

and procedures and talent development

•  We seek to understand and respond to employees’ needs by listening to their feedback 
from open conversations, social media, colleague surveys and performance reviews

•  Talent planning, training and people development processes are embedded across  

our Group

•  Objectives and remuneration arrangements for senior management are approved  

by the Executive Committee and have been re-designed to reward behaviours as well  
as delivery of results

•  Standards for Health and Safety are defined for all of our sites, monitoring processes  
are in place and we have created a Group team whose primary objective is to ensure 
that safety standards are met

•  Product safety standards are communicated to our suppliers and tested through audit 

programmes

•  Procedures and controls are set out across the business to reduce fraud and compliance 

risks, including our Group Accounting Policy, key financial controls self-assessment 
programme, IT access controls and appropriate segregation of duties. Group Loss 
Prevention and Security monitors fraud, bribery and other compliance risks

•  Compliance Committees monitor compliance with relevant laws and regulations

•  Our Group Code of Conduct has been recently refreshed and re-launched with 
appropriate training across the Group. This sets out clear behavioural guidance, 
consistent with our Values 

•  We have comprehensive guidance across the Group to ensure compliance with  

the UK Bribery Act (and applicable local legislation) and use an externally managed 
Whistleblowing service (Protector Line) to allow colleagues to report any instances  
of inappropriate behaviour

•  A Fraud Blueprint setting out risks, controls and operational strategies informs  

a preventative approach

•  The Bank has a defined ‘Risk Appetite’, approved and regularly reviewed by both the 
Bank’s Board and the Tesco PLC Board, which sets out the key risks, their optimum 
ranges, alert limits and the controls required to manage them within their approved 
tolerance limits

•  The Bank has formed good working relationships with the Prudential Regulation 

Authority and Financial Conduct Authority

•  There is a comprehensive structure of governance and oversight in place, including 

through the Bank’s Governance and Conduct Committees, to help ensure the Bank’s 
compliance with applicable laws and regulations

•  The Group is actively engaged in developing and implementing plans to respond  

to interchange fee developments to manage the impact on our profitability

Principal risks

Technology

Any significant failure in the IT processes of  
our retail operations in stores, online or in our 
supply chain could impact our ability to trade

If we do not invest enough or efficiently  
or invest in the wrong areas, we may not  
be able to deliver our customer proposition 
which could impact our competitiveness

As we develop new technologies, we must 
maintain the controls over existing platforms or 
it may impact systems availability and security

People

Failure to attract, retain, develop and motivate 
the best people with the right capabilities 
across all levels, geographies and through  
the business transformation process could 
limit our ability to succeed

There is a risk that our leaders may not play 
their critical role in shaping the organisation 
that we want to be and that they do not inspire 
great performance from our teams

Safety, fraud, control and compliance

If we do not implement safety standards 
effectively, we may endanger our customers  
or colleagues

Given the existing size, geographical scope  
and complexity of our Group, the potential  
for fraud and dishonest activity by our suppliers, 
customers and employees increases

There is a risk that if the compliance 
monitoring to our Group standards and 
policies is not sufficient, we could fail  
to identify weaknesses or breaches

Tesco Bank

The continually changing regulatory 
environment could impact the levels of  
capital and liquidity the Bank expects to hold, 
could impact the earnings profile as a result  
of interchange fee caps, and may affect the 
governance of the Bank as the new regulatory 
Senior Managers Regime is finalised

24

Principal risks and uncertainties continuedTesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Financial risks review
The main financial risks faced by the Group relate to the availability of funds to meet business needs, fluctuations in interest and foreign 
exchange rates and credit risks relating to the risk of default by parties to financial transactions. Further explanation of these risks is set out  
in Note 22 on page 120 of the Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015. An overview of the management of these risks is set out 
below. Details of the main financial risks relating to Tesco Bank and the management of those risks can be found in Note 22 on page 123  
of the Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015.

Financial risks

Funding and liquidity risk

Key controls and mitigating factors

The risk of being unable to continue to fund  
our operations on an ongoing basis 

•  The Group finances its operations by a combination of retained profits, disposals of assets, debt capital 

market issues, commercial paper, bank borrowings and leases 

•  New funding of £2.3 billion was raised during the year, including £2.1 billion from long term debt  

and £0.2 billion from property disposals. At the year end, net debt was £8.5 billion (2014: £6.6 billion)

•  The policy is to smooth the debt maturity profile, to arrange funding ahead of requirements and  

to maintain sufficient undrawn committed bank facilities and to maintain access to capital markets  
so that maturing debt may be refinanced as it falls due

•  Tesco has put in place £5 billion of committed facilities consisting of a revolving credit facility and bilateral 

lines as alternate sources of liquidity

•  At the year end, the Group had a long-term credit rating of BBB- (negative) from Fitch, Ba1 (stable)  

from Moody’s and BB+ (stable) from Standard & Poor’s

Interest rate risk

The risk to our profit and loss account resulting 
from rising interest rates

•  Forward rate agreements, interest rate swaps, caps and floors may be used to achieve the desired mix  

of fixed and floating rate debt 

Foreign exchange risk

The risk that exchange rate volatility may have  
an adverse impact on our balance sheet or profit 
and loss account

Counterparty risk

The risk of loss arising from default by parties  
to financial transactions 

Insurance risk

The risk of being inadequately protected from 
liabilities arising from unforeseen events

•  Our policy is to fix interest rates for the year on a minimum of 40% of actual and projected debt interest 

costs of the Group excluding Tesco Bank. At the year end, the percentage of interest-bearing debt at fixed 
rates was 79% (2014: 84%). The remaining balance of our debt is in floating rate form. The average rate  
of interest paid on an historic cost basis this year, excluding joint ventures and associates, was 4.09%  
(2014: 4.5%)

•  Transactional currency exposures that could significantly impact the Group Income Statement are 

managed, typically using forward purchases or sales of foreign currencies and purchased currency options. 
At the year end, forward foreign currency transactions, designated as cash flow hedges, equivalent to  
£2.2 billion were outstanding (2014: £2.9 billion) as detailed in Note 21 on page 116 of the Annual Report 
and Financial Statements 2015. We translate overseas profits at average foreign exchange rates 

•  We only hedge a proportion of the investment in our international subsidiaries as well as ensuring that  
each subsidiary is appropriately hedged in respect of its non-functional currency assets. During the year, 
currency movements increased the net value, after the effects of hedging, of the Group’s overseas assets  
by £5 million (last year decrease of £1,102 million)

•  The Group holds positions with an approved list of highly rated counterparties

•  Tesco monitors the exposure, credit rating, outlook and credit default swap levels of these counterparties  

on a regular basis

•  We purchased assets, earnings and combined liability protection from the open insurance market for higher 

value losses only

•  The risk not transferred to the insurance market is retained within the business with some cover being 

provided by our captive insurance companies, ELH Insurance Limited in Guernsey and Valiant Insurance 
Company Limited in the Republic of Ireland. ELH Insurance Limited covers Assets, Earnings and Combined 
Liability, while Valiant Insurance Company Limited covers Combined Liability only

This Strategic report, which has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006, has been approved  
and signed on behalf of the Board.

Paul Moore
Company Secretary
5 May 2015

25

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Other informationGovernanceFinancial statementsStrategic report26

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Corporate governance

28  Board of Directors
30  Executive Committee
32  Corporate governance report
46  Directors’ remuneration report
70  Directors’ report

27

Other informationGovernanceFinancial statementsStrategic reportTesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Board of Directors

John Allan 
Non-executive Chairman
John joined the Board on 1 March 2015. After  
a career including Marketing, Buying and Retail 
Operations, John became CEO of Ocean Group plc 
in 1994 and then Exel in 2000, following a merger 
with NFC to become the global leader in logistics. 
John joined the Board of Deutsche Post when it 
acquired Exel in 2005 for a share price five times  
of that of 1994, and was CFO from 2007 to 2009. 

John became Chairman of Dixons Retail  
in September 2009. Dixons conducted a 
comprehensive turnaround programme during 
which the share price more than quadrupled, 
culminating in a friendly merger of equals with 
Carphone Warehouse in August 2014 to form 
Dixons Carphone. He is also Chairman of Barratt 
Developments and Chairman of Worldpay.

Dave Lewis 
Group Chief Executive
Dave became Group Chief Executive of Tesco on 
1 September 2014, joining from Unilever. Over 
nearly 28 years, Dave worked in a variety of roles 
with Unilever, which took him across greater Europe, 
Asia and the Americas. His last three roles were 
Chairman for Unilever in the UK and Ireland, 
President for the Americas and Global President,
Personal Care. During his career, Dave has been 
responsible for a number of business turnarounds.
Dave is a Non-executive Director of British Sky 
Broadcasting Group plc.

Alan Stewart 
Chief Financial Officer
Alan joined the Board on 23 September 2014.  
Alan has extensive financial experience in retail 
having been CFO at Marks & Spencer and WH Smith. 
A qualified accountant, he started his career  
in investment banking with HSBC in 1986. He 
became CFO at Thomas Cook Holdings in 1998  
and was appointed UK CEO in 2001. In 2005 he 
moved to WH Smith as Group CFO. In 2008 he  
was appointed CFO at AWAS, a leading aircraft 
leasing business, before moving to M&S in 2010.  
He is also a Non-executive Director of Diageo plc.

Richard Cousins 
Senior Independent Director
Richard was appointed a Non-executive Director  
on 1 November 2014 and became the Senior 
Independent Director on 7 April 2015. Richard brings 
valuable UK and international corporate experience  
to the Board. He has been the Group CEO of the 
Compass Group PLC since 2006 and is also a member 
of the advisory board of Lancaster University Business 
School. Prior to joining Compass, Richard worked  
for 15 years for BPB PLC and was Group Chief 
Executive from 2000 to 2005. Richard was previously 
a Non-executive Director of Reckitt Benckiser Group 
PLC and of HBOS PLC and P&O.

Mark Armour 
Non-executive Director
Mark was appointed on 2 September 2013. Mark 
was Chief Financial Officer of Reed Elsevier Group 
plc (now RELX Group plc) from 1996 until 2012  
and of its two parent companies, Reed Elsevier PLC 
and Reed Elsevier NV. Prior to joining Reed Elsevier 
in 1995, Mark was a partner of Price Waterhouse  
in London. He is a Non-executive Director of the 
Financial Reporting Council and a Non-executive 
Director and Chairman of the Audit Committee  
of SABMiller plc. Mark is a fellow of the Institute  
of Chartered Accountants.

Stuart Chambers 
Non-executive Director
Stuart was appointed on 3 July 2010. He served as 
the Chairman of the Remuneration Committee until 
1 January 2015 and was a Non-executive Director  
of Tesco Bank from 2012 to 2014. Stuart was Group 
Chief Executive of NSG Group from 2008 to 2009, 
and was Group Chief Executive of Pilkington plc 
prior to NSG’s acquisition in 2006. He was a 
Non-executive Director of Smiths Group plc and a 
Non-executive Director of Manchester Airport Group 
plc. Stuart was appointed Chairman of Rexam plc 
on 23 February 2012 and Chairman of ARM Plc  
on 1 March 2014. 

28

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015 
 
 
 
Byron Grote  
Non-executive Director
Byron was appointed to the Tesco Board on  
1 May 2015. He is also currently a Non-executive 
Director on the Boards of Anglo American, Akzo 
Nobel NV and Standard Chartered and was 
previously a Non-executive Director of Unilever. 
Byron served as an Executive Director at BP plc from 
2000 until 2013. He was the Chief Financial Officer 
at BP from 2002 until 2011, following two years  
as Chief Executive of BP Chemicals.

Ken Hanna 
Non-executive Director
Ken was appointed on 1 April 2009 and became  
the Audit Committee Chairman on 5 October 2012. 
Ken was previously Chief Financial Officer of Cadbury 
plc from 2004 until 2009 and prior to that an 
Operating Partner of Compass Partners and CFO  
and then CEO of Dalgety plc. Ken has also been  
CFO of United Distillers and Avis Europe plc. He is 
currently Chairman of Inchcape plc, Aggreko plc and 
Shooting Star CHASE. Ken is a fellow of the Institute 
of Chartered Accountants.

Mikael Olsson 
Non-executive Director
Mikael was appointed on 1 November 2014.  
Mikael brings valuable retail and international 
experience to the Board. He was CEO and President 
of the IKEA Group from 2009 until 2013. During  
his 34 years at IKEA, Mikael held a wide range  
of roles across the IKEA business and was a member 
of the Executive Management Group of the IKEA 
Group from 1995 until 2013. He is a Non-executive 
Director of The Schiphol Group, Volvo Car Corporation, 
Ikano S.A. and Lindengruppen AB.

Committee membership (at 5 May 2015)

 = Nominations Committee
 = Audit Committee
 = Remuneration Committee
 = Corporate Responsibility Committee

There have been a number of changes to the Board 
since last year which are described in the Chairman’s 
statement on page 2 and the corporate governance 
report on pages 32 to 36.

Deanna Oppenheimer 
Non-executive Director
Deanna was appointed a Non-executive Director  
on 1 March 2012 and became Chairman of the 
Remuneration Committee on 1 January 2015.  
She became a Non-executive Director of Tesco Bank 
on 17 July 2012. Deanna previously held various 
senior roles at Barclays, including Vice Chair of 
Global Retail Banking and also as Chief Executive  
of Europe Retail and Business Banking. She has  
also served as a Non-executive Director of Catellus 
and Plum Creek Timber. Deanna is the Founder of 
CameoWorks LLC and is a Non-executive Director  
at NCR Corporation and The AXA Group.

29

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Other informationGovernanceFinancial statementsStrategic report 
 
 
 
 
 
Executive Committee

Our Executive Committee is organised around  
our three core capabilities – customers, channels 
and products – alongside leaders for each of the 
key functions.

Dave Lewis 
Group Chief Executive
Dave became Group Chief Executive of Tesco on  
1 September 2014, joining from Unilever. Over 
nearly 28 years, Dave worked in a variety of roles 
with Unilever, which took him across greater Europe, 
Asia and the Americas. His last three roles were 
Chairman for Unilever in the UK and Ireland, 
President for the Americas and Global President, 
Personal Care. During his career, Dave has been 
responsible for a number of business turnarounds. 
Dave is a Non-executive Director of British Sky 
Broadcasting Group plc.

Alan Stewart 
Chief Financial Officer
Alan joined the Board on 23 September 2014.  
Alan has extensive financial experience in retail 
having been CFO at Marks & Spencer and WH Smith. 
A qualified accountant, he started his career in 
investment banking with HSBC in 1986. He became 
CFO at Thomas Cook Holdings in 1998 and was 
appointed UK CEO in 2001. In 2005 he moved to  
WH Smith as Group CFO. In 2008 he was appointed 
CFO at AWAS, a leading aircraft leasing business, 
before moving to M&S in 2010. He is also a 
Non-executive Director of Diageo plc.

Matt Davies
UK & ROI CEO
Matt joined Tesco on 11 May 2015 as UK & ROI CEO  
on the Executive Committee. Prior to Tesco, Matt  
was CEO at Halfords Group PLC and before that  
CEO at Pets at Home. He brings a huge amount of 
experience, both in retail and business transformation. 
He is also a qualified Chartered Accountant with 
extensive corporate finance experience.

Jill Easterbrook 
Group Business Transformation Director
Jill joined Tesco in 2001 and has held various 
leadership roles across the Group. In 2013, Jill joined 
the Executive Committee as Director of Developing 
Businesses. She subsequently became Chief Customer 
Officer until January 2015 when she took up the role 
of Group Business Transformation Director. 

Benny Higgins
CEO, Tesco Bank and Group Strategy Director
Before joining Tesco Bank, Benny served as Chief 
Executive Officer of Retail Business at HBOS PLC. 
Between 1997 and 2005 Benny was Chief Executive 
of Retail Banking at the Royal Bank of Scotland. 
Prior to joining RBS, Benny was at Standard Life for 
14 years. He has been Chief Executive of Tesco Bank 
since 2008. As well as his role leading the Bank, 
Benny Higgins became Group Strategy Director  
in January 2015.

Alison Horner
Chief People Officer
Alison joined Tesco in 1999 as a Personnel Manager 
and was later promoted to Personnel Director for 
Tesco’s UK operations. After eight years in stores and 
general merchandise roles she joined the Executive 
Committee in 2011 as Group Personnel Director, 
with responsibility for the development of our 
500,000 colleagues.

30

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Trevor Masters
International CEO
Trevor joined Tesco in 1979, starting his Tesco career 
as a Store Manager, and later a Store Director. Trevor 
held the role of Operations Director for Extras in the 
UK during a period which saw the expansion of the 
Extra estate from 9 to 200 stores. He has also served 
as CEO Central Europe and CEO Asia. In January 
2015, Trevor was appointed International CEO.

Adrian Morris
Group General Counsel
Adrian joined Tesco in September 2012 as  
Group General Counsel. Prior to Tesco, Adrian 
worked at BP plc as Associate General Counsel  
for Refining and Marketing. From 2002 to 2009, 
Adrian was with Centrica PLC, initially as European 
General Counsel and then as General Counsel  
for British Gas.

Rebecca Shelley
Group Communications Director
Rebecca joined Tesco in May 2012 as Group 
Corporate Affairs Director. Prior to Tesco, Rebecca was 
a partner at Brunswick LLP where she advised a range 
of companies on financial and corporate reputation 
issues. From 2000 to 2007, Rebecca worked at 
Prudential as Group Communications Director  
and was a member of its Executive Committee.

Jason Tarry
Chief Product Officer
Jason joined Tesco in October 1990 on the graduate 
recruitment programme. He has held a number  
of positions in both food and non-food divisions, 
including Impulse and Bakery Category Director,  
Non Food Sourcing Director and Clothing Category 
Director. Jason was appointed CEO of Group 
Clothing in 2012, which included UK & ROI store and 
online operations, as well as overseeing F&F’s Asia 
business and franchise partnerships. In January 2015, 
Jason joined the Executive Committee, becoming 
Chief Product Officer.

Robin Terrell 
Chief Customer Officer
Robin joined Tesco in February 2013 as Group 
Multichannel Director on the Executive Committee. 
From 1999 Robin worked at Amazon, ultimately  
as VP & Managing Director, with responsibility for 
Amazon’s UK and French businesses. Robin has  
also held senior e-commerce and multichannel roles 
at Figleaves.com, John Lewis and House of Fraser. 
In January 2015, Robin was appointed Chief 
Customer Officer.

31

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Other informationGovernanceFinancial statementsStrategic reportCorporate governance report

Introduction from the Chairman
On behalf of the Board, I am pleased to introduce our corporate governance report. The Board 
believes that how we do business is as important as what we do and is committed to delivering  
the highest standard of corporate governance. Ensuring we have the right approach to governance 
and that the Board works effectively will be my key focus in my first year.

Commercial income issue
The overstatement of expected profit was identified in the second half of the 2014/15 year.  
The Board sincerely regrets what has happened but moved swiftly and decisively to address 
these serious matters. As this subject is of such major importance, a statement addressing 
this matter is set out on the following page.

Board changes
The Board has seen significant change over the last year. As well as my own appointment  
as Chairman, we have appointed a new CEO, Dave Lewis, and a new CFO, Alan Stewart,  
to lead the turnaround of this great business. Four of our Non-executive Directors retired  
and a further two Non-executive Directors will not put themselves forward for re-election at  
this year’s Annual General Meeting (‘AGM’). I would like to thank these Directors for their 
commitment and contribution to the Company. We have also appointed three new 
Non-executive Directors, Richard Cousins, Mikael Olsson and Byron Grote, and I would like  
to welcome them to the Board. Ensuring we have the right skills and experience is a key 
priority and the Board will continue to evolve to best meet the needs of the business.

The UK Corporate Governance Code
We recognise and support the principles of the UK Corporate Governance Code. This year  
we complied with the relevant provisions of this Code except for the areas described below:

Board evaluation and Chairman’s performance evaluation
The Board had previously agreed a three-year cycle whereby they would conduct  
an externally-led review in one year, followed by internally-led reviews in the subsequent  
two years, one led by the Chairman and one led by the Senior Independent Director. The 
externally-led evaluation was due in 2014/15 as the last one was conducted in 2011/12. 
However, given the number of changes to the Board, including my own appointment,  
the Board agreed that an external review would be of more value if carried out during 
2015/16. An internal review of the Board and its Committees was conducted and further 
details about this can be found on page 36. 

Sir Richard Broadbent was Chairman throughout the 2014/15 year but stepped down on  
1 March 2015. Given his planned departure, the Board agreed that there would be no  
benefit in conducting a performance review. My performance as Chairman in 2015/16  
will be assessed by the Non-executive Directors, led by our Senior Independent Director,  
Richard Cousins. 

Audit tender
On the recommendation of the Audit Committee, the Board decided to put the Company’s 
external audit out for tender this year. After 32 years we and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP 
mutually agreed that they would not take part in the tender. They will therefore step down as 
the Company’s Auditor at the conclusion of the 2015 AGM. A resolution to appoint the 
Company’s new Auditor will be proposed at the Company’s AGM in June, and this is set out 
within the separate Notice of Annual General Meeting.

It was a challenging year for the business and putting things right will take time but I believe 
we are on the right road to success and I am looking forward to playing my part in this.

John Allan
Chairman

John Allan
Chairman

In this section
This corporate governance report is  
intended to provide shareholders with 
a clear and comprehensive view of the 
Group’s governance arrangements and 
how it has operated during the year.
We have structured the report as follows:
p33

Commercial income issue

p34

p34

p37

p40

p41

p43

Our corporate governance framework

 Corporate governance highlights

Audit Committee report

Corporate Responsibility Committee report

Nominations Committee report

Compliance with the UK 
Corporate Governance Code

32

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015 
Commercial income issue 
In September 2014, information was brought to the Board’s attention that indicated that the recognition of UK commercial income was being 
accelerated and the accrual of costs was being delayed. The Board announced on 22 September 2014 that it had identified an overstatement 
of its expected profit for the half year to 23 August 2014, principally due to this accelerated recognition of commercial income and deferral  
of costs, in the order of £250 million.

The Board decided immediately to appoint Deloitte to carry out an independent investigation of the commercial income numbers in the UK,  
and to defer the announcement of the interim results to allow time for this. The Deloitte report confirmed that amounts had been pulled forward 
(in the case of income) or deferred (in the case of costs), contrary to Tesco Group accounting policies; that there had been similar practices in prior 
reporting periods; and that the current and prior practices appeared to be linked as income pulled forward grew period by period.

In October 2014 as part of the interim results announcement, the Board further announced that the overstated recognition of commercial 
income was estimated at £263 million. Taking into account the build-up of such overstatement in prior years, the impact on the trading  
profit expectation for the half year was an over-estimate of £118 million, with overstatement of reported profits in the previous year to  
28 February 2014 of £70 million, and in years prior to that of £75 million. 

Subsequent to October 2014 we have continued to focus on this area and we have identified some further amounts, bringing the total  
one-off adjustment relating to prior years to £208 million for our UK and ROI businesses.

Commercial income arises in a number of different ways, including discounts and rebates that suppliers agree to pay us based on the  
volume of sales achieved and contributions to product promotion expenses. Our external auditors, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, focused  
on this area in their audit of the 2013/14 accounts because of the significance of commercial income, the judgement required in accounting  
for commercial income including the amounts owed at the year-end, and because of the potential risk of the manipulation of these balances. 

The matters surrounding the commercial income issue are now the subject of an investigation by the Serious Fraud Office, and the Company 
is co-operating fully with this investigation. This has limited the extent of the Company’s own investigation and what we can say about the 
circumstances in which the overstatement occurred. A number of individuals have ceased employment with the Group as a consequence of 
this investigation.

The “pulling forward” of commercial income from suppliers that was more appropriately attributed to future periods, was clearly a 
management failure within the UK division. The fact that it remained undiscovered has been a matter of the deepest concern. 

The Board had two main priorities in their response to the commercial income issue:

1. Ensure that all available steps are taken to ensure that nothing like this can happen again. The Chief Executive’s report details some  
of those steps. New management is in place, training has been given and the overall commercial relationship with our suppliers and  
the incentive structure for our commercial teams are being reset. 

2. Ensure that the results accounted properly for all commercial income, whether in the UK business or our overseas operations,  

and with all other aspects of our relationship with our suppliers.

The overarching focus of the Board has been to ensure that this work did not, and does not, distract us from our core business of providing 
value and a quality service to our customers.

We have noted that the Financial Reporting Council has urged companies to provide greater clarity in respect of their commercial income 
and the Board has concurred that increased transparency is appropriate. This is discussed in the Financial review, pages 12 to 17.

On 4 February 2015, the Grocery Code Adjudicator (‘Adjudicator’) announced that an investigation has been launched into the conduct  
of Tesco under the Groceries Supply Code of Practice. The Adjudicator is specifically investigating Tesco’s conduct under provisions of the 
Code relating to delays in payments to suppliers and payments for shelf positioning. We are continuing to co-operate fully with the 
Adjudicator’s investigation. 

33

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Other informationGovernanceFinancial statementsStrategic reportOur corporate governance framework

Tesco PLC Board

Audit  
Committee

Corporate Responsibility  
Committee

Nominations  
Committee

Remuneration
Committee

Disclosure  
Committee*

*  Meets as required

The work of the Board is supported by five key Committees: the Audit, Corporate Responsibility, Nominations, Remuneration and  
Disclosure Committees. 

The role of the Disclosure Committee includes to assist and inform the Board in making decisions concerning the identification of inside 
information and make recommendations about how and when the Company should disclose the information in accordance with the Company’s 
Disclosure Policy. The Committee meets as necessary to consider all relevant matters relating to inside information. It will in particular meet in 
advance of the release of all trading statements and other announcements of inside information to ensure that they are true, accurate and 
complete, including a review of the preliminary results announcement and the Annual Report and Financial Statements to consider if they are 
fair, balanced and understandable. The Committee met nine times during the year.

The Disclosure Committee’s terms of reference can be found at www.tescoplc.com. The Group Chief Financial Officer (‘CFO’) chairs  
the meetings. Other members of the Committee consist of relevant senior management and Group Executive Committee members.

Further details on the other Board Committees can be found on page 37 (Audit); page 40 (Corporate Responsibility); page 41 (Nominations); 
and page 46 (Remuneration). These Committees report back to the Board after each meeting.

The Board delegates to the Group Chief Executive (‘CEO’) the responsibility for formulating and, after approval, implementing the Group’s 
strategic plan and for management of the day-to-day operations of the Group. The Group Executive Committee, which the CEO chairs,  
supports the CEO in carrying out his role. The Group Executive Committee comprises the CEO and CFO and a number of senior executives, 
details are set out on pages 30 and 31. 

Corporate governance highlights

Board focus during the year
During the year the Board spent its time considering a wide range of matters. These included:
• performance of key businesses and functions in the Group;
• budgets and long term plans for the Group;
• financial statements and announcements;
• cash flow, financing and dividend;
• corporate and social responsibility;
• pensions;
• health and safety;
• shareholder feedback and reports from brokers and analysts; 
• risk management and controls in the Group;
• delegated authorities; and
• the commercial income investigation.

The Board also had one offsite meeting dedicated to strategy.

In addition to its regular programme of activities the Board made a number of strategic decisions in the year, which included:
• accelerating strategy to improve competitiveness;
• cutting interim dividend by 75%;
• replacing senior management;
• restructuring of central overheads, simplification of store management structures and the closure of 43 unprofitable stores;
• significant revision of the store building programme;
• reduced capital expenditure budget in 2015/16 to £1 billion;
• disposal of Tesco Broadband and Blinkbox; and 
• not to a pay a final dividend in 2014/15.

The Directors are responsible for preparing the Annual Report and Financial Statements and consider that, taken as a whole, the Annual 
Report and Financial Statements are fair, balanced and understandable and provide the necessary information for shareholders to assess  
the Company’s performance, business model and strategy. 

Changes to the Board and Board Committees
The Board was pleased to announce the appointment of a new Chairman, two new Executive Directors and three new Non-executive 
Directors, who bring a wealth of skills and experience to the Board which are detailed in their biographies on pages 28 to 29. The exact 
number of Directors may rise or fall in line with the normal process of Board development and succession planning. To ensure appropriate 
balance and succession potential in the Board’s Committees a number of changes have been made. Changes to the Board and Board 
Committees are detailed in the following table.

34

Corporate governance report continuedTesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Changes to the Board of Directors and Committees since 22 February 2014

Current Directors

Position

Audit 
Committee

Nominations
Committee

Remuneration
Committee

John Allan

Dave Lewis

Alan Stewart 

Chairman
Appointed 1 March 2015

CEO and Executive Director
Appointed 1 September 2014

CFO and Executive Director
Appointed 23 September 2014

Mark Armour

Non-executive Director

Stuart Chambers*

Non-executive Director

Richard Cousins

Byron Grote

Ken Hanna*

Mikael Olsson

Non-executive Director
Appointed 1 November 2014  
and SID from 7 April 2015

Non-executive Director
Appointed 1 May 2015

Non-executive Director

Non-executive Director
Appointed 1 November 2014

Deanna Oppenheimer

Non-executive Director

 Committee member

New appointment since 22 February 2014 in bold. 
*  Ken Hanna and Stuart Chambers will not seek re-election at the AGM.

Corporate 
Responsibility
Committee

Chair 

Appointed 
1 March 2015

Chair 

Appointed 
1 March 2015

Appointed 
20 April 2015

Chair until 
1 January 2015 

Appointed

1 November 2014

Appointed 
7 April 2015 

Appointed
1 May 2015
Chair from AGM

Chair until AGM 

Appointed 

Appointed 

2 December 2014 

2 December 2014 

Appointed Chair

1 January 2015 

Former Directors

Position

Audit 
Committee

Nominations
Committee

Remuneration
Committee

Sir Richard Broadbent

Philip Clarke

Laurie McIlwee

Gareth Bullock

Patrick Cescau

Olivia Garfield

Chairman  
Resigned 1 March 2015

CEO and Executive Director 
Resigned 1 September 2014

CFO and Executive Director
Resigned 4 April 2014

Non-executive Director 
Resigned 5 March 2015

Non-executive Director  
Resigned 7 April 2015

Non-executive Director  
Resigned 28 February 2015

Jacqueline  
Tammenoms Bakker

Non-executive Director  
Resigned 28 February 2015

  Served on committee until resignation

 Chair until  
1 March 2015 

Appointed 
1 April 2014 

Corporate 
Responsibility
Committee

 Chair until  
1 March 2014 

 Chair from  

1 March 2014 until  
28 February 2015 

Induction
During the year, the Company provided tailored programmes for Richard Cousins, a Non-executive Director and Audit and Nominations 
Committee member and Mikael Olsson, a Non-executive Director and Remuneration and Corporate Responsibility Committee member.  
The tailored induction programme included an oversight of the Group’s governance requirements, a detailed overview of the Group’s 
operations and discussions with key senior management to support both their main Board and Committee appointments.

Length of service and independence of Non-executive Directors

Non-executive Director

Date of appointment

Expiry of appointment term

Full years in post  
at 2015 AGM

Considered to be independent  
by the Board

John Allan

Mark Armour

1 March 2015

2 September 2013

Stuart Chambers

3 July 2010

Richard Cousins

1 November 2014

Byron Grote

Ken Hanna

1 May 2015

1 April 2009

Mikael Olsson

1 November 2014

Deanna Oppenheimer

1 March 2012

1 March 2018

2 September 2016

3 July 2016

1 November 2017

1 May 2018

1 April 2015

1 November 2017

1 March 2018

–

1

5

–

–

6

–

3

Appointments are subject to annual re-election by shareholders. Ken Hanna and Stuart Chambers will not seek re-election at the AGM.

35

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Other informationGovernanceFinancial statementsStrategic reportBoard evaluation
The Board last conducted an externally facilitated evaluation in 2011/12. Given the Chairman’s succession, the Board agreed that an 
externally facilitated Board evaluation in 2014/15 would have limited value and that an internal interview-based evaluation process, tailored  
to the need to respect the Serious Fraud Office investigation, would be conducted. The review covered a range of factors relevant to the 
effectiveness of the Board including:
• skills, knowledge and diversity;
• clarity and leadership of purpose and values;
• teamwork;
• relationships;
• succession and development;
• quality of information, papers and discussion;
• decision making processes;
• risk processes; and
• communication with stakeholders.

The evaluation found that overall the Board was felt to have confronted the major challenges both in the industry and with the replacement 
of senior management, rigorously addressed the commercial income issue and the process of transformation of the Company, whilst 
retaining its effectiveness and building towards the future. The assessment of views and suggested actions from the evaluation will be 
considered further and taken forward by the new Chairman, John Allan. The intention is to conduct an externally led review during 2015/16.

Board meetings
During the 2014/15 year, the Board held seven scheduled meetings, plus a strategy meeting with ad hoc meetings being arranged to deal 
with matters between scheduled meetings as appropriate. Board meetings were preceded by a day of Committee meetings. This pattern  
of meetings was intended to support the Board’s focus on the strategic and long-term matters, while ensuring it could discharge its 
monitoring and oversight role effectively through intensive high-quality discussions and high-quality information flows. 

Number of possible meetings attended

Actual meetings attended

–

5

5

7

7

4

–

7

4

7

7

2

–

7

7

7

7

–

5

5

7

7

3

–

7

4

7

7

2

–

7

7

7

7

Board attendance

Current Directors

John Allan

Dave Lewis 

Alan Stewart 

Mark Armour 

Stuart Chambers

Richard Cousins

Byron Grote

Ken Hanna 

Mikael Olsson 

Position

Chairman  
Appointed 1 March 2015

CEO and Executive Director 
Appointed 1 September 2014

CFO and Executive Director 
Appointed 23 September 2014

Non-executive Director

Non-executive Director

Non-executive Director 
Appointed 1 November 2014  
and SID from 7 April 2015

Non-executive Director
Appointed 1 May 2015

Non-executive Director

Non-executive Director 
Appointed 1 November 2014

Deanna Oppenheimer 

Non-executive Director

Former Directors

Sir Richard Broadbent

Philip Clarke 

Laurie McIlwee 

Gareth Bullock

Patrick Cescau

Olivia Garfield

Jacqueline Tammenoms Bakker

Chairman  
Resigned 1 March 2015

CEO and Executive Director 
Resigned 1 September 2014

CFO and Executive Director 
Resigned 4 April 2014

Non-executive Director 
Resigned 5 March 2015

Non-executive Director  
Resigned 7 April 2015

Non-executive Director  
Resigned 28 February 2015

Non-executive Director  
Resigned 28 February 2015

36

Corporate governance report continuedTesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Ken Hanna
Audit Committee Chairman

Audit Committee attendance

Members

Number  
of possible 
meetings 
attended

Actual 
meetings 
attended

Ken Hanna (Chairman) 8

Mark Armour

Patrick Cescau
Resigned
7 April 2015

Gareth Bullock
Resigned
5 March 2015

Olivia Garfield 
Appointed  
1 April 2014
Resigned 
28 February 2015

Richard Cousins 
Appointed 
1 November 2014

Byron Grote  
Appointed  
1 May 2015

8

8

8

7

2

–

8

8

7

7

7

2

–

Audit Committee responsibilities
The Committee’s terms of reference can be found  
at www.tescoplc.com. Ken Hanna, Mark Armour, 
Richard Cousins and Byron Grote all have recent  
and relevant financial experience.

The key responsibilities of the Committee are to:
•  Consider the appointment of the external  

auditors, their reports to the Committee and  
their independence, including an assessment  
of their appropriateness to conduct any  
non-audit work

•  Review the financial statements and 

announcements relating to the financial 
performance of the Company

•  Review the internal audit programme and ensure 
that the Internal Audit function is adequately 
resourced and has appropriate standing within  
the Company

•  Discuss with the external auditors the nature  

and scope of the audit

•  Review, and challenge where necessary,  

the actions and judgements of management,  
in relation to the interim and annual financial 
statements before submission to the Board

•  Review formally the effectiveness of the external 

and internal audit processes

•  Consider management’s response to any major 

external or internal audit recommendations

•  Review the Company’s plans for business continuity
•  Review the Company’s plans for the prevention 
and detection of fraud, bribery and corruption
•  Report to the Board on how it has discharged  

its responsibilities

Audit Committee Report
The Audit Committee has an integral role in providing confidence in the integrity of the 
Company’s processes and procedures in relation to internal control, risk management  
and financial reporting. 

The Committee supports the Board in assessing whether the Annual Report and Financial 
Statements are fair, balanced and understandable and provide sufficient information to 
allow an assessment of the Company. 

A major part of the Committee’s work this year has been dominated by the discovery  
that commercial income had been overstated in both prospective and historic financial 
information published by the Company. Further details are set out elsewhere in the 
Governance Report, and below.

Since the year end, Olivia Garfield, Gareth Bullock and Patrick Cescau have retired from 
the Board and the Audit Committee. It was announced on 5 March 2015, that Byron 
Grote will join the Board on 1 May 2015 and will also join the Audit Committee.

Ken Hanna
Audit Committee Chairman

Activities during the year
Much of the Committee’s time this year has been spent dealing with the commercial  
income issue, details of which are set out under ‘Commercial income issue’ elsewhere  
in the Governance Report. 

Areas of particular concern for the Committee in relation to the commercial income issue  
have been:
(a)  to understand how the overstatement identified has accumulated over time, how it has 
affected prior year’s results, and to consider whether the impact on past year’s results  
was such as to require them to be restated;

(b)  to ensure that all financial aspects of the Group’s relationship with its suppliers, both  

in the UK and in our international operations, have been the subject of rigorous internal  
and external audit focus; 

(c)  to satisfy itself, in discussions with the CEO and CFO and the internal and external auditors 

and advisors, that the remedial steps proposed to the Group’s financial systems and internal 
controls and the interim measures to be applied until these new steps are fully implemented 
are sufficient to avoid any repetition of the issues that have emerged in relation to 
commercial income. This included comprehensive internal audit reviews  
of commercial income controls across all Group territories; and

(d)  to consider the appropriate treatment in our accounts for potential fines and litigation risk 

arising as a result of these matters.

As well as the exceptional matters referred to above, during the year the Committee received 
update reports from the Tesco Bank Audit Committee, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, the 
Disclosure Committee and the Group Compliance Committee. It also received updates from 
Internal Audit on its work, including findings from its internal audit programme and a 
comprehensive Group-wide review of stock controls carried out after the discovery of the 
commercial income issue. The Committee considered a variety of matters including Group and 
Business Unit Risk Registers; fraud, bribery and corruption; business continuity management; the 
Group’s compliance with the Groceries Supply Code of Practice and reports from the Group 
Compliance Committee. 

In relation to the financial statements, the Committee: reviewed and recommended approval  
of the half-yearly results and annual financial statements; considered impairment reviews; 
considered going concern status; reviewed and recommended the interim dividend level; 
reviewed corporate governance disclosures; and monitored the statutory audit. The Committee 
also advised the Board on whether the financial statements, taken as a whole, were fair, balanced 
and understandable and provide the necessary information to assess the Company’s performance, 
business model and strategy. The Committee concluded that the disclosures, and the processes 
and controls underlying their production, were appropriate and recommended to the Board that 
the Annual Report and Financial Statements are fair, balanced and understandable.

On the recommendation of the Audit Committee, the Board decided to put the Company’s 
external audit out for tender this year. After 32 years we and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP 
mutually agreed that they would not take part in the tender. They will therefore step down  
as the Company’s Auditor at the conclusion of the 2015 AGM. A resolution to appoint the 
Company’s new Auditor will be proposed at the Company’s AGM in June, and this is set out  
within the separate Notice of Annual General Meeting.

37

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Other informationGovernanceFinancial statementsStrategic report 
 
Given the substantial changes in the composition of the Committee it was decided that it would not be appropriate for a formal review  
of the effectiveness of the Audit Committee to take place this year.

The Committee considered a number of significant issues in the year taking into account in all instances the views of the Company’s  
external auditors. The issues and how they were addressed by the Committee are detailed below:

Significant financial statement reporting issues

Issue

How the issue was addressed by the Committee

Going concern basis for the  
financial statements

The Committee reviewed management’s assessment of going concern with consideration of forecast cash flows, including sensitivity to trading 
and expenditure plans and potential mitigating actions. The Committee also considered the availability of financing facilities in light of the 
Company’s downgraded credit ratings and the capital and liquidity plans of Tesco Bank. Based on this the Committee confirmed that the 
application of the going concern basis for the preparation of the financial statements continued to be appropriate.

Recognition of commercial 
income

Restatement of prior year  
comparatives

Fixed asset impairment and 
onerous lease provisions

The Group has policies in place for the recognition of commercial income as disclosed in Note 1 to the financial statements. The overstatement  
of historical commercial income reported in the half year to 23 August 2014, led to a significant increase in focus on this area during the year. The 
Committee considered the activities that management carried out to address this issue together with the outcomes of investigations by internal 
audit and external third party experts, and concurred with management’s assessment that adequate training and processes were implemented  
to address compliance to policy and appropriate recognition of commercial income. See Note 3 and front half of the financial statements.

The Committee reviewed management’s assessment of the need to restate prior year comparatives in light of the prior year errors identified 
during the year. The Committee considered management’s evaluation of the impact of these errors, on both prior year and current year 
performance and/or position, including the potential impact on user perceptions. The Committee concurred with management that the  
nature and impact of the errors were not material to either prior year comparatives or current year reporting, and that correcting the errors  
in the current year accompanied by adequate presentation and disclosure was the appropriate treatment.

The Committee reviewed management’s impairment testing of property assets and estimate of onerous lease provisions for unprofitable assets  
in light of the competitive environment and reduction in profitability in most markets, particularly the UK. The Committee considered the 
appropriateness of key assumptions and methodologies for both value in use models and fair value measurements. This included challenging  
cashflows, growth rates and discount rates and the use of independent third party valuations. The Group has recognised a £(3,266) million 
impairment of trading stores, and a further £(903) million charge for closed stores, investments, WIP, intangibles and head office properties, 
together with an onerous lease provision of £(669) million in the year. See Note 11 to the financial statements for Fixed assets impairment,  
and Note 24 for Property Provisions.

Goodwill impairment

The Committee reviewed management’s process for testing goodwill for potential impairment. This included challenging the key assumptions, 
principally cash flow forecasts, growth rates and discount rates. The Group has recognised a goodwill impairment of £(116) million. See Note 10  
to the financial statements.

Valuation of China associate

The Committee reviewed management’s assessment of the valuation of the Group’s China associate, Gain Land, covering the methodology and 
assumptions used by management including latest market information and independent valuation experts, in determining the fair value of the 
investment. This included review of Gain Land’s projected cashflows, growth rates and discount rates used, and the external market indicators to include 
in the valuation. Following this exercise, a £(630) million write-down to fair value was recognised at year end. See Note 3 to the financial statements.

Provisions

The Committee considered the judgements made by management in arriving at the restructuring provisions for head office and stores structures, 
and concurred with management’s assessment to recognise a restructuring provision of £(325) million. See Note 24 to the financial statements.

Valuation and provisioning  
of inventories

The Committee further considered management’s assessment of the status of the ongoing regulatory investigations and litigation relating to 
the prior period and forecasting errors. The Committee concurred with management’s assessment that due to the early stage of these matters 
and the uncertainties regarding the outcomes, no provision was required, and disclosure as contingent liabilities at year end was appropriate. 
See Note 32 to the financial statements.

The Committee reviewed management’s judgements in assessing the required level of inventories provisioning, including adopting a  
forward looking provisioning methodology based on recent sales activities, in light of the competitive environment and changes to range  
and stockholding. This resulted in a £(402) million charge in the income statement. The Committee further reviewed management’s approach  
to identifying the directly attributable overheads capitalised in inventories, and agreed with the exclusion of certain overhead costs amounting 
to £(168) million from the cost of inventories. See Note 3 to the financial statements.

Tesco Bank judgemental 
matters

The Committee reviewed management’s judgements made in relation to Tesco Bank’s provisions for customer redress, loan impairment provisions 
and insurance reserves, covering the estimated provision based on legal advice, estimates of the number and value of cases, and expected outcomes. 
The Committee considered the reviews by the Bank’s own Audit Committee and Board to develop a detailed understanding of the matters. During 
the year, an additional £(27) million of provisions for customer redress were recognised. See Note 24 to the financial statements.

Income statement non-GAAP 
measure presentation

The Committee considered the presentation of the Group financial statements and, in particular, the appropriateness of the presentation of 
one-off items in the calculation of underlying profit. The Committee reviewed the nature of items identified and concurred with management  
that the treatment was even-handed, consistent across years and appropriately presented movements on items which have an effect over a 
number of years. The total restructuring and other one-off charges for the year was £(6,814) million. See Note 3 to the financial statements.

Internal and External Audit
This relationship is developed and maintained through regular private meetings with both PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP and the  
Head of Internal Audit. Further information regarding the roles of both Internal Audit and External Audit can be found below:

Internal Audit – Group Audit & Advisory
Group Audit & Advisory is an independent review function set up within Tesco as a service to the Board and all levels of management.  
Its remit is to provide independent and objective assurance and consulting activity to add value and improve the organisation’s operations.  
It helps the organisation accomplish its objectives by bringing a systematic, disciplined approach to evaluate and improve the effectiveness 
of risk management, control and governance processes.

Its responsibilities include assessing the key risks of the organisation and examining, evaluating and reporting on the adequacy and 
effectiveness of the systems of risk management and internal control as operated by management. Management remains responsible  
for identifying risks and for the design and operation of controls to manage risk. However, Group Audit & Advisory facilitate the Company’s 
risk management processes with the Board and Audit Committee, by assisting with the annual process to refresh the Group’s Key Risk 
Registers and by assisting the Company in its formulation and reporting of corporate governance policy.

38

Corporate governance report continuedTesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015In line with AS1312 of the International Standards of the Institute of Internal Auditors, the effectiveness of the Internal Audit function was 
externally assessed by Ernst & Young between July and September 2014. The recommendations that were made were accepted and are  
in the process of being implemented. 

Internal control
The Board conducted a review of the effectiveness of the Company’s risk management and internal controls during the year. To support  
the Board in their annual assessment, a report is prepared by Internal Audit which describes the arrangements that the Board has put in 
place for internal control and risk management systems and summarises the key issues or non-compliances arising from those processes. 

The Control Environment has not been fully effective in the year. This has manifested itself primarily in the events around commercial income 
and the resultant impact on the financial statements.

The business has invested significant time and resource to understand, evaluate and remediate the control weaknesses. Clear control 
improvement plans are in place. 

External audit
The Company’s external auditor PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (‘PwC’) contribute a further independent perspective on certain aspects  
of the Company’s financial control systems arising from its work, and report both to the Board and the Audit Committee.

As previously mentioned, the Company put its external audit out for tender this year. In line with best practice the Company intends to put  
the external audit out to tender every 10 years in the future. Given the audit was put out to tender and the current auditor did not participate  
in this process, it was decided that there was limited value in conducting an effectiveness review of the external auditor this year.

The Company has a non-audit service policy for work carried out by PwC. This is split into three categories as explained below:
• Pre-approved work for external auditors – this is predominantly the audit of subsidiary undertakings’ statutory accounts  

and is audit-related in nature;

• Work for which Committee approval is specifically required – this includes transaction work and corporate tax services,  

and certain advisory services;

• Work from which the external auditor is prohibited.

To safeguard auditor objectivity and independence the Committee oversees the process for the approval of all non-audit services provided  
by PwC. Prior to approval, consideration is given to whether it is in the interests of the Company that the services are purchased from PwC, 
rather than another supplier. Where PwC were chosen, this was as a result of their detailed knowledge of the structure of our business, 
combined with an understanding of our industry, which together made them the best supplier to carry out the work cost effectively. 

This year the Committee approved PwC to complete £0.8 million of audit-related services. These services principally related to extended half 
year review procedures arising from the commercial income issue in the UK. 

Where any significant non-audit related work is necessary (fee value £300k), the pre-approval of the Committee is specifically required.  
In total £3.3 million (2014: £4.7 million) was spent on non-audit fees (being 38% of the total spent with our external auditors) and details  
of the significant items are shown in the table below:

Business area

Work undertaken

Safeguards implemented to preserve independence

UK

Working capital support  
and forecasting review

UK/International

Continuation of prior year consultancy work 
(vendor assistance and tax) in respect of the 
divestment of the China business to CRE

Advisory service provided by a team separate to audit

Decision-making accountability remained with management

Advisory service provided by a team separate to audit

Decision-making accountability remained with management

UK/International

Advisory and compliance services  
around taxation

Management was sufficiently involved in the preparation of final tax returns  
to retain responsibility for filing correctly

UK

UK

Forensic accounting support in respect  
of the half year commercial income issues  
on behalf of Freshfields LLP

Advisory service provided by a team separate to audit

PwC neither prepared financials nor took management decisions

Head Office cost analysis

Advisory service provided by a team separate to audit

PwC neither prepared financials nor took management decisions

Amount 

£1.3m

£0.6m

£0.6m

£0.25m

£0.1m

The fees paid to the auditors in the year are disclosed in Note 3 on page 100 of the Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015.

39

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Other informationGovernanceFinancial statementsStrategic reportCorporate Responsibility Committee report
Corporate responsibility is at the heart of how our business operates. We believe that 
doing business responsibly is the only way of doing business.

Much of our focus this year has been on ensuring that we have listened to our customers, 
colleagues, suppliers and stakeholders to ensure we understand what issues matters to 
them. Although it has been a very challenging year for Tesco, there has been some real 
progress on issues that matter to our customers and that are material to our business.

I am particularly pleased to see the determined steps which have been made on key 
areas, such as health and food waste, and how this has been balanced with an increased 
focus on essential areas to our business – including our relationships with suppliers, our 
environmental impact and the enormous commitment of our colleagues in helping to 
raise funds for good causes in their communities.

Going forward, the Corporate Responsibility (‘CR’) Committee will continue to support  
the development and evolution of our CR strategy.

John Allan
Corporate Responsibility Committee Chairman

Activities during the year
As our business goes through a process of renewal, our Corporate Responsibility Committee 
discussed the importance of putting our customers and their local communities at the heart 
of our activities. 

The Committee discussed a wide range of reputational insight, and the challenge that  
we face in regaining our customers’ trust. They recognised that getting the core of our 
business right is key to regaining this trust, in addition to demonstrating that we are a 
responsible business through our actions, rather than our communications.

This year we have built closer links between our Corporate Responsibility Committee  
and our Expert Advisory Panel. This has been very beneficial in sharing best practice  
and through bringing an outside voice in to the Committee meetings.

Despite the challenges faced by the business, great progress has been made this year.  
This includes:
• removing confectionery from checkouts in all our stores across the UK;
• through our Neighbourhood Food Collections in the UK, with FareShare and the Trussell 
Trust, we have collected an additional 11.3 million meals, bringing the total since 2012 
to 21.5 million, to help feed people in need;

• since our Eat Happy Project launched in March 2014, 685,000 children have found  
out where their food comes from, as well as how to cook nutritious meals through 
participation in Farm to Fork Trails, Online Field Trips and Let’s Cook courses; and
• we have launched a new Code of Business Conduct, followed by a company-wide 

training programme.

Given the substantial changes to the Board it was decided that it would not be appropriate  
for a formal review of the effectiveness of the Committee to take place this year. However,  
the Committee’s effectiveness was considered as part of the internal Board evaluation.

John Allan
Corporate Responsibility Committee and 
Nominations Committee Chairman

Corporate Responsibility Committee attendance

Members

Number  
of possible 
meetings 
attended

Actual 
meetings 
attended

John Allan (Chairman) 
Appointed 1 March 2015

Sir Richard Broadbent 
Chairman to  
1 March 2014

Patrick Cescau  
Resigned 7 April 2015

–

2

2

Deanna Oppenheimer 2

Jacqueline  
Tammenoms Bakker 
Chair from 1 March 2014 
until 28 February 2015

Mikael Olsson 
Appointed 2 December 
2014

2

1

–

2

2

2

2

1

Corporate Responsibility Committee 
responsibilities
The Corporate Responsibility Committee  
was established in 2012 to ensure that the  
Board maintains an adequate focus on corporate 
responsibility in its widest sense. The Committee’s 
terms of reference are available at www.tescoplc.com. 

The key responsibilities of the Committee are to:
•  Define the Group’s corporate and social obligations 
as a responsible citizen and oversee its conduct  
in the context of those obligations

•  Approve a strategy for discharging the Group’s 
corporate and social responsibilities in such  
a way as to command respect and confidence
•  Identify and monitor those external developments 
which are likely to have a significant influence on  
the Group’s reputation and/or its ability to conduct  
its business appropriately as a good citizen  
and review how best to protect that reputation  
or that ability

•  Oversee the creation of appropriate policies  

and supporting measures

•  Monitor the Group’s engagement with external 

stakeholders and other interested parties 

•  Ensure that appropriate communications policies 

are in place and working effectively to build  
and protect the Group’s reputation both  
internally and externally

40

Corporate governance report continuedTesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Nominations Committee attendance

Members

Number  
of possible 
meetings 
attended

Actual 
meetings 
attended

John Allan (Chairman) 
Appointed 1 March 2015

Sir Richard Broadbent 
Chairman to  
1 March 2015

Patrick Cescau  
Resigned 7 April 2015

Stuart Chambers

Ken Hanna

Richard Cousins 
Appointed 7 April 2015

–

5

5

5

5

–

–

5

5

5

5

–

Nominations Committee responsibilities
The Committee’s terms of reference are available  
at www.tescoplc.com. Where matters discussed  
relate to the Chairman, the Senior Independent 
Non-executive Director chairs the meeting. 

The key responsibilities of the Committee include:
•  Reviewing the Board’s structure, size and composition
•  Identifying, nominating and reviewing candidates 

for appointment to the Board

•  Putting in place plans for succession
•  Reviewing the leadership needs of the 

organisation, both Executive and Non-executive
•  Reviewing the Group’s talent planning programmes
•  Reviewing Board succession over the longer term, 

in order to maintain an appropriate balance of skills 
and experience and to ensure progressive refresh 
of the Board

•  Monitoring of the Group’s compliance with 

corporate governance guidelines

Nominations Committee report
The primary focus of the Committee during the year was Board succession planning.  
The Board appointed a new management team, Dave Lewis as CEO and Alan Stewart  
as CFO, following a search led by the former Chairman, Sir Richard Broadbent,  
with support from the Non-executive Directors. Both are excellent appointments  
for the Company with the right blend of experience, leadership and values to lead  
the transformation of the business. The Committee also identified and recommended  
the appointment of three new Non-executive Directors, Richard Cousins, Mikael Olsson  
and Byron Grote, who bring broad skills and experience to the Board.

In the coming year Board composition and effectiveness will be a key focus for the 
Committee along with developing succession plans for the longer term to ensure 
appropriate plans are in place to meet the needs of the business.

John Allan
Nominations Committee Chairman

Activities during the year
The Committee divides its time broadly between reviewing Executive management 
development and succession planning, and reviewing Board development. 

Given the substantial changes to the Board it was decided that it would not be appropriate  
for a formal review of the effectiveness of the Committee to take place this year. However,  
the Committee’s effectiveness was considered as part of the internal Board evaluation.

Appointments
This year the Committee discussed the restructure of the Executive leadership team around 
the core capabilities of customers, products and channels, and the need to continue 
developing the Board structure and appoint further Non-executive Directors to strengthen 
the Board with additional skills and plan for future retirements.

During the year, in addition to the Executive appointments, the Committee identified and 
recommended two appointments to the Board. Richard Cousins and Mikael Olsson joined  
the Board as Non-executive Directors on 1 November 2014. Richard brings valuable UK  
and corporate experience to the Board and Mikael brings valuable retail and international 
experience. In addition, the Committee recommended the appointment of Byron Grote as  
a Non-executive Director. Byron has extensive executive and non-executive financial and 
strategic experience and joined the Board on 1 May 2015. Biographies of these new Directors 
are available on pages 28 and 29.

Appointments are subject to annual re-election by shareholders at the AGM.

The Committee prepared role specifications for the Chairman and Non-executive Director 
roles and considered a number of factors when making new appointments, including what 
the new Director will add to the balance of skills and experience on the Board and whether 
the Director will be able to allocate sufficient time to the Company to discharge his or her 
responsibilities. Candidates are required to disclose all material commitments to the 
Committee as part of the process. We worked with the external search consultancy Lygon 
Group and JCA who do not have any connection with the Company, as well as using  
our own networks, to identify candidates. 

The Committee also considered a number of changes to the composition of the Board’s 
Committees to ensure appropriate balance and succession potential. 

Diversity
Tesco approaches diversity in its broadest sense, recognising that successful world-class 
businesses flourish through embracing intellectual, experiential, geographical and skills 
diversity as well as other factors such as gender, marital status, race, age, sexual preference 
and orientation, colour, creed, ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability or trade union 
affiliation. With regard to gender diversity which is the focus of significant current attention, 
we accept the spirit and aspirations of the Davies Report, including the representation of 
women at the highest levels in the organisation. 

41

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Other informationGovernanceFinancial statementsStrategic reportAt the year end we had three women on our Board (representing 23%) and three women on the Executive Committee (representing 23%).  
Women in senior management positions across the Group account for 31% as a whole. We believe that the focus must remain firmly  
on understanding what it takes to develop women and to retain them in senior positions. Senior roles are very demanding for all, regardless  
of gender, and we are determined to develop a culture and an environment where our people can advance whilst having the time to be good 
parents, partners and active members of their local community.

Our policy is to find, develop and keep a diverse workforce at all levels within our Company and we are committed to increasing the 
percentage of female leaders. We set a target in September 2011 for women to represent 32% of senior management and 21% of Business 
Leaders and Directors. We are close to our target with 31% of senior managers and 24% of Business Leaders and Directors being women.

42

Corporate governance report continuedTesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Compliance with the UK Corporate Governance Code
The UK Corporate Governance Code (the ‘Code’) sets out principles and specific provisions on how a company should be directed and 
controlled to achieve standards of good corporate governance. In September 2014 the Financial Reporting Council made changes to  
the Code. The 2012 version of the Code applies to the Company for the year ended 28 February 2015. A copy of the Code is available  
at www.frc.org.uk.

The Board considers that the Company complied in all material respects with the Code for the whole of the year ended 28 February 2015 
except with regards to Code provisions B.6.2 (External evaluation of the Board), B.6.3 ( Performance evaluation of the Chairman) and C.3.7 
(Tender of external audit contract every ten years), as explained on page 32.

The notes below are intended to facilitate the assessment of the Company’s compliance with the Code for the year ended 28 February 2015 
but they should be read in conjunction with the Corporate Governance Report as a whole.

A. Leadership
A.1 The Board’s role
The Board is the custodian of the Company’s values and of its long-term vision, and provides strategic direction and guidance for the Company. The matters reserved  
to the Board for its decisions are detailed in a formal schedule. Matters which must be considered by the Board include: the Group’s strategy; annual budgets; oversight  
of risk management processes; changes to the capital structure; and material transactions or litigation.

The Board held seven scheduled meetings in the year ended 28 February 2015 and ad hoc meetings were also arranged to deal with matters between scheduled meetings  
as appropriate. It is expected that all Directors attend scheduled Board and relevant Committee meetings and the Annual General Meeting. Details of Board and Committee 
membership and attendance can be found on pages 35 to 37 and 40 to 41. 

All Directors are covered by the Group’s Directors’ and Officers’ Insurance policy.

A.2 A clear division of responsibilities
There is a clear delineation between the role of the Chairman and CEO. Their role descriptions were agreed by the Board in 2012 and are summarised below:

Chairman’s responsibilities:
•  ensuring the Directors receive accurate, timely and clear information;
•  facilitating the effective contribution of Non-executive Directors and engagement between Executive and Non-executive Directors;
•  ensuring an annual evaluation of the Board is conducted and leading the performance evaluation of the CEO and Non-executive Directors; 

plus ensuring that the Committee Chairmen conduct evaluations of their Committees;

•  building an effective Board;
•  the induction of new Directors and further training for all Directors as required; and
•  communicating effectively with shareholders and other stakeholders and ensuring the Board develops an understanding of the views of the stakeholders.

Group CEO’s responsibilities:
•  leading the development of the Company’s strategic direction and implementing the agreed strategy;
•  identifying and executing new business opportunities;
•  managing the Group’s risk profile and implementing and maintaining an effective framework of internal controls;
•  building and maintaining an effective top management team; and
•  ensuring effective communication with shareholders and key stakeholders and regularly updating institutional shareholders on the business strategy and performance.

A.3 Role of the Chairman
The Chairman was independent upon his appointment to the Board. The Chairman leads the Board, ensuring its effectiveness while taking account of the interests  
of the Group’s various stakeholders, and promoting high standards of corporate governance. 

A.4 Non-executive Directors
Patrick Cescau was the Senior Independent Director (‘SID’) throughout the year ending 28 February 2015. He stepped down as a Board member on 7 April 2015  
and was succeeded by Richard Cousins. Richard was selected for the role because of his experience and expertise, both as an Executive and Non-executive Director  
with retail and international experience. A biography is available on page 28. In his role as SID, Richard Cousins provides a sounding board for the Chairman and is available  
to assist in resolving shareholder concerns should alternative channels be exhausted. The SID’s role also includes responsibility for the Chairman’s appraisal and succession; 
and to hold at least one meeting each year with the Non-executive Directors without the Chairman present.

The Chairman also has one-to-one and group meetings with the Non-executive Directors without the Executive Directors being present.

B. Effectiveness
B.1 The Board’s composition
The Board reviewed the overall balance of skills, experience, independence and knowledge of the Board and Committee members. A number of changes have been made  
to the Non-executive representation as detailed on page 35.

During the year the Board comprised a majority of Non-executive Directors. At the year end the Board comprised the Non-executive Chairman, two Executive Directors  
and 10 Non-executive Directors. All the Non-executive Directors are considered to be independent under the criteria set out in the Code.

B.2 Board appointments
The appointment of new Directors is led by the Nominations Committee. Further details of the appointments process can be found in the Nominations Committee section on page 41 
and biographies of our Directors can be found on pages 28 and 29. The appointment of the Chairman was led by the SID with support from the Non-executive Directors. 

B.3 Time commitments
The Board makes a careful assessment of the time commitments required from the Chairman and Non-executive Directors to discharge their roles properly. This is discussed 
with candidates as part of the recruitment process and a commitment to the appropriate time requirements is included in engagement letters which are available for inspection 
at the Company’s registered office. Executive Directors are permitted to hold one Non-executive Directorship in a FTSE 100 company.

B.4 Training and development
All new Directors receive a personalised induction programme, tailored to their experience, background and particular area of focus, which is designed to develop their 
knowledge and understanding of the Group’s culture and operations. The programme has evolved over time to take into account feedback from new Directors and  
the development of best practice, and incorporates a wide-ranging programme of meetings with the senior management across the Group, attending results and broker 
briefings, comprehensive briefing materials and opportunities to visit the Group’s operations across the world, including spending time in-store and in our distribution 
network. The Chairman agrees a personalised induction plan with each new Director and ensures that it meets the individual needs of that Director.

The Chairman reviews each Director’s development needs as part of the annual performance evaluation process and puts appropriate arrangements in place for specific 
training. The Nominations Committee reviews the Directors’ skills and experience as a group against those needed to continue to enable the Board to oversee and support  
the Group’s diverse operations in the future, and identifies any gaps. This informs the approach to ongoing refreshment of the Board as well as the training plan for the current 
Board. Training is arranged to help develop the knowledge and skills of the Directors in a variety of areas relevant to the Group’s business. All Directors have the opportunity  
to refresh and increase their knowledge of the Group through visits to Group operations and meeting with senior executives across the business.

43

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Other informationGovernanceFinancial statementsStrategic reportB.5 Provision of information and support
Board papers are circulated a week before each meeting to give the Directors and Committee members sufficient time to fully consider the information. 

All Directors have access to the services of the Company Secretary and may take independent professional advice at the Company’s expense in conducting their duties. 

B.6 Board and committee performance evaluation
During the year the Board undertook an internal review of its performance and that of its Committees and individual Directors, with the exception of the former Chairman  
and the Audit Committee; further detail can be found on page 36.

An external evaluation was due this year however this has been deferred to later this year. Further information can be found on page 32.

B.7 Re-election of Directors
All Directors were subject to shareholder re-election at the 2014 AGM and, with the exception of Stuart Chambers and Ken Hanna, all of the current Directors will be standing 
for election or re-election by the shareholders at the 2015 AGM. 

Information about the Directors can be found in their biographies on pages 28 and 29.

C. Accountability
C.1 Financial and business reporting
The Directors’ statement of responsibilities for the preparation of the Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015 can be found on page 74. Information on the Company’s 
business model can be found on pages 8 and 9 and its strategy can be found on pages 3 to 7.

The Directors’ confirmation that the business is a going concern can be found on page 71.

The disclosures required under DTR 7.2.6 are contained in the Directors’ Report on pages 70 and 71.

C.2 Risk management and internal control systems
The Board has overall responsibility for ensuring the Group has appropriate risk management and internal controls in place and that they continue to work effectively. 
Successful management of risk is supported by controls, management oversight and sources of assurance.

There is a comprehensive process for the review and consideration of risk at Tesco. Risk Registers are in place for all businesses and key Group functions also maintain a 
specific Risk Register. The Group also maintain a Group Key Risk Register which describes key risks faced by the Group and their likelihood and impact, as well as the controls 
and procedures implemented to mitigate them. Group risks are determined by discussion with senior management and are reviewed by the Group Executive Committee and 
then agreed by the Board. Actions are followed up by Internal Audit.

The Company maintains a comprehensive framework of internal controls addressing the key strategic, financial, legal, reputational and operational risks to the business  
and the accountability for operating these controls rests with senior management as a first line of defence. 

Colleagues are required to confirm annually that they complied with the Code of Business Conduct which sets out individual obligations and responsibilities for anyone 
working at Tesco.

A number of key management committees play a role in monitoring compliance with internal controls. The Group Compliance Committee is responsible for monitoring  
legal compliance across the Group, including receiving reports from the individual business unit compliance committees. 

The Audit Committee reports each year on its assessment of the effectiveness of the risk management and internal controls systems. Throughout the year the Committee 
receives regular reports from the external auditor covering topics such as quality of earnings and technical accounting developments. Internal Audit and senior management 
also regularly provide updates to the Committee and any significant breaches of control, together with the appropriate remediation arrangements are discussed.

The Board conducted a review of the effectiveness of the Company’s risk management and internal controls during the year. To support the Board in its annual assessment,  
a report is prepared by Internal Audit which describes the arrangements that the Board has put in place for internal control and risk management systems and summarises  
the key issues or non-compliances arising from those processes. 

The Control Environment has not been fully effective in the year. This has manifested itself primarily in the events around commercial income and the resultant impact  
on the financial statements.

The business has invested significant time and resource to understand, evaluate and remediate the control weaknesses. Clear control improvement plans are in place. 

These arrangements include:

1. The Annual Risk Management Process (as described in the principal risks and uncertainties section on pages 22 to 25) – there is a comprehensive process for the review and 
consideration of risk at Tesco. Risk Registers are in place for all Business Units and for some key Group Functions, including Group Finance. Risk Registers are considered 
regularly by subsidiary boards to assess their control systems and have all been reviewed at least once in the last year. The Group Key Risk Register was reviewed by the 
Executive Committee and the Board. During the reviews all the Group risks were challenged and refreshed.

2. The Internal Audit Programme – a risk-based programme of Internal Audit is conducted annually and the findings of those audits, together with the monitoring of the 

progress of management’s remediation programmes is reviewed by the Board.

3. Evaluation of the Control Findings from External Audit – PwC are not a part of Tesco’s internal control system. However, they do form an assessment on the financial control 
environment as they conduct their audit work and this is another point of reference and information for the Board and senior management to consider on the operation  
of our controls.

4. Assessment of compliance activities at a Group and business unit level – the results of a number of other key compliance activities are also considered during the review  

of the effectiveness of risk management and internal control arrangements. These include: the outputs from the Group and Business Unit Compliance Committee processes; 
the returns from the Annual Code of Business Conduct declaration process; the results of the Key Financial Controls Self-Assessment process; the results of store-based 
compliance reviews of stock, cash and price integrity processes; the results of the Group Technical and Trading Law assessments including ethical audits; the outputs from  
the Tesco Bank Risk Assurance and Compliance process; reports from the Fraud and Code of Conduct Investigations; and the results from the Information Security reviews 
and incidents that occurred in the year.

Whilst an internal control system cannot guarantee that losses will not occur, the Board is satisfied that management has remained diligent in their efforts to ensure that  
an appropriate level of control remains in place.

C.3 Role and responsibilities of the Audit Committee
The Audit Committee supports the Board in its responsibilities in relation to corporate reporting and risk management and internal controls, and with maintaining  
a relationship with the Company’s auditors.

The Audit Committee’s report on pages 37 to 39 sets out a description of the work of the Committee. 

44

Corporate governance report continuedTesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015  
D. Remuneration
D.1 Level and elements of remuneration
The Directors’ Remuneration Report on pages 46 to 69 explains the work of the Remuneration Committee and the remuneration received by the Directors.

D.2 Development of remuneration policy
The development of our remuneration policy and our rationale for the level and structure of the remuneration is set out in the Directors’ Remuneration Report  
on pages 62 to 69.

E. Relations with shareholders
E.1 Shareholder engagement
We are committed to conducting constructive dialogue with shareholders to ensure that we understand what is important to them and enable clear communication of our 
position. The Chairman, CEO and CFO hold regular meetings with shareholders and update the Board on the outcome of those meetings. Investor Relations keep the Board 
informed of broker and analyst views, and report and present formally to the Board twice a year. In addition we carry out a survey each year of a cross-section of shareholders 
in order to assess shareholder perception of the Company. 

We support greater engagement with institutional shareholders as envisaged by the Stewardship Code. We are also keen to develop engagement with private shareholders 
through various channels of communication, including the AGM, the Company’s website and social media.

E.2 Constructive use of the AGM
Our 2015 AGM will be held in London on 26 June 2015. The whole Board is expected to attend the AGM and be available to answer questions from shareholders present. 

To encourage shareholder participation, we offer electronic proxy voting and voting through the CREST electronic proxy appointment service. At our AGM all resolutions  
are proposed and voted upon individually by shareholders or their proxies. All votes taken during the AGM are by way of a poll. This follows best practice guidelines and allows 
the Company to count all votes, not just those of shareholders attending the meeting.

45

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Other informationGovernanceFinancial statementsStrategic reportDirectors’ remuneration report
Remuneration Committee Chair’s introduction

Deanna Oppenheimer
Chair of the Remuneration Committee

In this section
p46

Introduction from 
Deanna Oppenheimer

p48

p62

Annual  
remuneration report

Subject to an advisory 
vote at the 2015 AGM

Directors’ 
remuneration policy

Subject to a binding 
vote at the 2015 AGM

Dear Shareholders
I am pleased to introduce my first Directors’ Remuneration Report as Chair of the Committee, 
having taken over the role from Stuart Chambers on 1 January 2015. Stuart chaired the 
Committee from 2010 and I would like to take this opportunity to thank him on behalf  
of the Board for his work as Chair and his thorough effort during our handover period.

2014/15 reward outcomes 
Looking back to 2014/15, Tesco’s performance and challenges have been reflected through 
the remuneration outcome. As a result, no annual bonus will be paid to either the new  
or departing Executive Directors as the Committee determined that satisfactory financial 
performance had not been achieved over the course of the year. The Earnings per Share 
(EPS) and Return on Capital Employed (ROCE) performance targets for the Performance 
Share Plan (PSP) awards granted in 2012 were not met and these awards will lapse.

Executive Director changes
As discussed elsewhere in this Annual Report, 2014/15 saw changes to the Executive  
team. Dave Lewis joined as CEO on 1 September 2014 and Alan Stewart joined as CFO  
on 23 September 2014. For both Dave and Alan, all pay and benefits have been set in-line 
with our remuneration policy that was approved by shareholders at the 2014 Annual General 
Meeting (AGM). You can find a summary of their remuneration arrangements on page 49. 
On leaving their previous employers, Dave and Alan forfeited outstanding incentive awards. 
These have been bought-out by Tesco in accordance with our approved remuneration policy 
and details of these awards have been summarised on pages 52, 54 and 55. Both of the 
Executive Directors have significant shareholding requirements to be built up over a five year 
period and both are on track to meet these requirements.

Changes to remuneration framework
With new Executive leadership in place, the Board has been working hard to develop a 
strategy to improve financial performance by building a more sustainable, customer-focused 
Tesco. The Committee believes that it is important that remuneration arrangements follow 
and support this strategy. Therefore we have proposed changes to Executive remuneration  
for 2015/16 to better focus performance measures on the areas that are important for 
shareholder value creation at this time. In February, Stuart Chambers and I met with the 
majority of our largest shareholders to discuss our remuneration framework and found  
these conversations and the feedback very helpful in shaping our proposals.

Annual bonus – The performance measures for the annual bonus will be focused on sales, 
profit and individual measures. The Committee wants the management team entirely 
focused on achieving the metrics which are vital to the early phase of the turnaround plan. 
Further details can be found on page 49.

Performance Share Plan – Since we are early in the turnaround phase of the business,  
the Committee considers it appropriate to base the 2015 award on a relative measure  
of Total Shareholder Return (TSR) to keep the focus on delivery of shareholder value  
through share price and dividend performance. A second metric, Retail Cash Generated  
from Operations, focuses on the business generating a sustainable, quality cash flow. The 
2015 awards will be based 70% on relative TSR performance against a group of FTSE 100 
consumer business and services companies, and 30% on cumulative Retail Cash Generated 
from Operations. Specifics of the plan were revised as a result of the discussions in our 
investor meetings. Further details can be found on pages 49 and 50.

Clawback – Clawback provisions will be introduced for the 2015/16 annual bonus and 
Performance Share Plan awards. Further details can be found on page 64.

As a result of these changes to our remuneration framework, it is necessary for us to seek 
shareholder approval for a revised remuneration policy which we will be doing at the 2015 
AGM. The full revised Policy Report can be found on pages 62 and 63.

46

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015 
Payments to former Directors
After detailed legal advice and a rigorous review, the Board paid the legally binding contractual 
payments to former CEO Philip Clarke and former CFO Laurie McIlwee in February 2015. Details 
of their departure arrangements can be found on pages 56 and 57. 

Changes to Committee membership
In addition to the change to the Committee outlined above, I would like to take this 
opportunity to welcome Mikael Olsson who joined the Committee on 2 December 2014, 
and thank Jacqueline Tammenoms Bakker for her services to the Committee until her 
retirement from the Board on 28 February 2015. I would also like to thank Stuart Chambers 
and Ken Hanna, who will not seek re-election to the Board at this year’s AGM, for their 
services to the Committee. John Allan joined the Committee with effect from 20 April 2015.

Further review in 2015/16
As a Committee we have agreed to complete a further review of remuneration in 2015/16  
to ensure that future arrangements are fully aligned to our long-term strategy to deliver value  
to shareholders and that the performance metrics used in our incentive plans are transparent 
and trackable with our business plans. This will be developed over the coming months and, 
although we anticipate that no further changes to our Remuneration Policy will be required as 
a result of this review, we will consult shareholders again once this review has been completed.

Deanna Oppenheimer  
Chair of the Remuneration Committee

47

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Other informationGovernanceFinancial statementsStrategic reportDirectors’ remuneration report continued
Annual remuneration report

The following report outlines our remuneration framework, how the remuneration policy was implemented in 2014/15 and how the 
Committee intends to apply policy in 2015/16. This Annual Remuneration Report will be submitted to an advisory shareholder vote  
at the AGM on 26 June 2015.

Remuneration strategy
Our approach to remuneration throughout Tesco is guided by a framework of common objectives and principles, which are outlined  
in the table below.

Reward objectives 
Attract
•  Enable Tesco to recruit the right people 

Motivate
•  Incentivise colleagues to deliver our business 

goals together 

Recognise
•  Acknowledge individual contribution 

and performance 

Align
•  Create shareholder value and support  
the achievement of business strategy 

Retain
•  Foster loyalty in Tesco so that colleagues  

want to stay with us

Reward principles
Competitive
•  We assess competitiveness on a total reward basis
•  Reward reflects an individual’s role, experience, 

performance and contribution

•  Reward is set with reference to external market 

practice and internal relativity 

Simple
•  Reward is simple, clear and easy to understand
•  We avoid unnecessary complexity
•  Reward is delivered accurately 

Fair
•  Policies are transparent and applied consistently  

and equitably

•  Reward decisions are trusted and properly governed
•  Reward is legal and compliant

Sustainable
•  Reward is aligned to the business strategy, 
reflects our performance, and is affordable

•  Our reward framework is flexible to meet 

the changing needs of the business

•  We reward in a responsible way

e

om petiti v

C

F
F
F

a
a
a
i
i
i
r
r
r

Total reward

S

i

m

ple

u stainable

S

The following chart and accompanying table provide a summary of how remuneration policy will be applied in 2015/16 to Executive Directors. 

Key changes from last year

Fixed element

• Simplification of annual bonus  
to focus on fewer, more relevant 
measures

• Performance Share Plan measures 
changed to align with priorities  
to deliver significant value to 
shareholders and return the 
business to one that generates 
sustainable, quality cash flow

• Addition of clawback to ensure  

the Company is able to take back 
awards in the event that results  
are materially misstated or the 
participant has contributed to 
serious reputational damage

Salary + pension + benefits

c. 20% of total reward if maximum performance achieved

Performance-related element 

Short-term performance

Long-term performance

Cash bonus

Deferred share 
bonus (3 years)

Performance Share Plan (3 years)

50% Sales

30% Profit

20% Individual measures

70% Relative TSR

30% Retail Cash
Generated from Operations

c. 80% of total reward if maximum performance achieved

48

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015How remuneration policy will be applied in 2015/16

Element

Operation and opportunity

Performance measures

Fixed pay 

Base salary

•  CEO – £1,250,000
•  CFO – £750,000
•  Next review due 1 July 2015. However, no changes to the CEO and CFO salaries  

will be made during 2015

Pension 
(Cash in retirement)

•  25% of base salary cash allowance in lieu of pension

Benefits

•  Core benefits include car benefits, driver, security, life assurance, disability and  

•  n/a

•  n/a

Performance- 
related pay

Annual bonus 
(One-year performance) 
(Cash and shares)

Performance 
Share Plan 
(Three-year performance) 
(Shares)

health insurance, and colleague discount

•  Executives are eligible to participate in the Company’s all-employee share schemes, 

Sharesave and the Share Incentive Plan, on the same terms as UK colleagues. 
Sharesave is an HMRC approved savings related share option scheme. The  
Share Incentive Plan is an HMRC approved plan comprising free shares and 
partnership shares

•  CEO – maximum opportunity of 250% of base salary
•  CFO – maximum opportunity of 225% of base salary
•  50% in cash
•  50% in shares, which are deferred for three years
•  Malus applies to deferred shares to allow the Committee discretion to scale back 
awards made prior to the satisfaction of those awards in certain circumstances

•  Clawback applies to cash payments to allow the Committee discretion to take back 
cash bonuses for a period of three years from payment in certain circumstances

•  CEO – maximum award of 275% of base salary
•  CFO – maximum award of 250% of base salary
•  Malus provisions apply to awards, allowing the Committee discretion to scale  
back awards made prior to the satisfaction of awards in certain circumstances
•  Clawback provisions also apply to allow the Committee discretion to take back 
exercised awards up to the fifth anniversary of the grant of awards in certain 
circumstances

•  50% based on sales
•  30% based on profit
•  20% based on individual measures 
See below for further details

•   Shares vest in three years’ time subject 

to performance targets being met
•  For 2015 awards, performance will be 
assessed based 70% on relative TSR 
performance compared to a group of  
FTSE 100 consumer business and services 
companies and 30% on cumulative Retail 
Cash Generated from Operations

See below for further details

How do performance measures link to strategy?

Annual bonus

Performance measure

Sales growth

Profit

Individual measures

Weighting

50%

30%

20%

Definition of measure

Link to strategy

Non-fuel sales  
(exc. VAT exc. Petrol Filling 
Stations)

Trading profit

n/a

To deliver turnaround performance, top-line revenue growth  
is fundamental and will be the foundation to ensuring sustainable 
levels of profit in the future. This is therefore the main focus  
of the business for 2015/16

Incentivises the delivery of our strategy by encouraging the creation  
of shareholder value through profitable financial strategy

Focuses on the delivery of the operational and strategic goals  
of the business for the year. For 2015/16 these will include working 
capital performance for the Executive Directors to ensure focus on 
the efficient use of cash resources

Underpin
To ensure that we do not incentivise Executives to grow sales at the expense of satisfactory profitability, an underpin will apply below which no 
portion of the bonus will be paid. 

Bonus targets
Bonus targets are considered by the Board to be commercially sensitive as they would give away details of our budgeting to competitors. We 
therefore do not publish details of the targets on a prospective basis. However, we will provide full and transparent disclosure of the targets and 
the performance against these targets on a retrospective basis in next year’s Annual Report at the same time the bonus outcome is reported.

The targets set are considered to be appropriately stretching taking into account the internal budget and external forecasts.

Performance Share Plan (PSP)
The performance measures for the PSP award for 2015 have been changed from those used in the last few years. The priority is to have  
a plan aligned to two key strategic priorities:

• Delivery of significant value to shareholders through share price and dividend performance; and
• Returning the business to be one that generates sustainable, quality cash flow.

Therefore, we will use a combination of relative Total Shareholder Return and Cumulative Retail Cash Generated from Operations  
to determine awards.

49

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Other informationGovernanceFinancial statementsStrategic reportDirectors’ remuneration report continued
Annual remuneration report

PSP measures

Performance measure

Relative TSR vs bespoke group  
of FTSE 100 consumer business  
and services companies

Weighting

70%

Cumulative Retail Cash Generated  
from Operations

30%

Definition of measure

Link to strategy

Growth in share price plus dividends 
reinvested

Directly aligns Executives with shareholders in delivering relative 
high share price growth and returns over the performance period

Cumulative Retail Cash Generated  
from Operations +/- movement in 
Working Capital, excluding Tesco Bank*

Is a measure of business performance that is critical  
to a sustainable position as a retailer

*  This measure will be fully transparent and be as reported in the Group’s Report and Accounts.

The initial measurement period for the TSR calculation will be based on the three-month average share price of 1 October 2014 to 31 December 
2014. This start period has been selected as a one-time approach to be aligned with the timing of the appointment of the new executive team 
and to recognise that both the CEO and CFO changed their plans and joined the business earlier, providing vital leadership during a challenging 
time for the business and taking immediate action to commence a significant change programme. The performance period will continue to the 
end of financial year 2017/18 to ensure that management is incentivised over three complete financial years and awards will not vest until three 
years following the date of grant. The final measurement period will be 1 December 2017 to 28 February 2018. It is anticipated that any future 
TSR initial measurement periods will revert to standard market practice, being the three months immediately prior to the start of the 
performance period.

PSP targets

Performance measure

Weighting

Threshold

Target

Maximum

Relative TSR vs bespoke group of FTSE 100  
consumer business and services companies*

70%

Median performance  
(25% vesting)

Straight line vesting 
between threshold and 
maximum

Upper quartile performance  
(100% vesting)

Cumulative Retail Cash Generated from Operations 

30%

£8.2bn

£8.6bn

£9.0bn

*  This group will comprise the following companies: Associated British Foods, Compass, Diageo, Dixons Carphone, Kingfisher, M&S, Morrisons, Next, Reckitt Benckiser, 

SABMiller, J Sainsbury, Unilever and Whitbread.

What did we pay Executive Directors in 2014/15?
The table below provides a ‘single figure’ of remuneration. Where necessary, further explanations of the values provided are included below. 
This table and the relevant explanation has been audited.

Single total figure of remuneration
Executive Directors 

Salary 
(£’000)

Benefits
(£’000)

Short-term  
annual bonus
(£’000)

Long-term 
Performance 
Share Plan
(£’000)

Pension
(£’000)

Total before 
buyouts
(£’000)

Buyouts
(£’000)

Total
(£’000)

Dave Lewis

Alan Stewart

Former Directors

Philip Clarke*

2014/15

2013/14

2014/15

2013/14

2014/15

2013/14

Laurie McIlwee**

2014/15

2013/14

570

–

297

–

563

1,136

101

880

97

–

42

–

41

107

5

119

0

–

0

–

0

0

0

0

–

–

–

– 

0

0

0

0

143

–

74

–

160

391

223

537

810

–

413

–

764

1,634

329

1,536

3,323

–

1,888

–

–

–

–

–

4,133

–

2,301

–

764

1,634

329

1,536

*  Philip Clarke ceased to be a Director on 1 September 2014. Details of his leaving arrangements are provided on page 56.
**   Laurie Mcllwee ceased to be a Director on 4 April 2014. Details of his leaving arrangements are provided on pages 56 and 57.

Salary
Salaries are normally reviewed in July each year. Former Directors received no salary increase in July 2014.

Current Directors

Former Directors

Dave Lewis

Alan Stewart

Philip Clarke

Laurie McIlwee

n/a

1,250

n/a

750

1 September 2014

23 September 2014

Nil

1,145

–

–

570

–

297

1 September 2014

563

Nil

886

–

4 April 2014

101

Increase in year (%)

Annual salary (£’000)

Start date

Date stepped down from Board

Salary received in year (£’000)

50

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Benefits
Benefits comprise core benefits and any taxable business expenses including the applicable tax.

Benefit

Description

Current Directors

Former Directors

Dave Lewis

Alan Stewart

Philip Clarke

Laurie McIlwee

Car benefits (£’000)

Company car or cash 
alternative, fuel and driver

Healthcare benefits (£’000) Disability and  

Security (£’000)

Share schemes (£’000)

Other (£’000)

Total (£’000)

health insurance

Installation of security 
measures to meet  
business standards

Shares in Success awarded 
under the all-employee 
Share Incentive Plan

Legal fees and other costs  
in relation to appointment

16

1

15

0

65

97

20

1

21

0

–

42

33

1

5

2

–

41

5

0

0

0

–

5

Annual bonus 2014/15
Based on performance against targets, the bonus payout for 2014/15 calculated on a formulaic approach would have been 28% of 
maximum. However, the Committee determined that a satisfactory level of profit had not been achieved and therefore no bonus would be 
paid in respect of 2014/15.

Dave Lewis

250%*

Nil

Nil

Current Directors

Former Directors

Alan Stewart

Philip Clarke

Laurie McIlwee

225%*

Nil

Nil

250%

Nil

Nil

200%

Nil

Nil

Maximum bonus opportunity (% of salary)

Actual bonus (% of salary)

Actual bonus (£’000)

Measures

Profitability

Strategic financial

Trading profit (50%)

Group internet sales (10%)

UK like-for-like sales growth vs IGD (8%)

Group working capital improvement (8%)

Strategic non-financial

Group customer satisfaction (8%)

Group colleague engagement (8%)

Group CO2 reduction (8%)

*  Pro-rated for time in employment.

Target performance

Threshold

Target

Stretch

Actual 
performance

£1,390m

£2,885m

£2,960m

£3,380m

£4,194m

£3,923m

£4,129m

£4,335m

(3)%

£939m

3.9

66.5%

41%

(1.5)%

£113m

3.9

65%

37%

(1.1)% 

0%

£300m

£600m

4.0

67%

37.5%

4.1

70%

38%

Performance Share Plan
Awards granted in 2012 were subject to performance to the end of 2014/15. Targets were set as a matrix of stretching earnings growth  
and sustainable Return on Capital Employed targets.

The increase in undiluted EPS over three years from 2012/13 to 2014/15 and ROCE performance for 2014/15 were below threshold.  
No payout will therefore be made in respect of these awards and they will lapse on 30 July 2015.

Current Directors

Former Directors

Dave Lewis

Alan Stewart

Philip Clarke

Laurie McIlwee

Maximum PSP opportunity (% of salary)

Actual PSP vesting (%)

Actual PSP vesting (£’000)

n/a

n/a

n/a

Measures

% of initial award vesting

ROCE Targets

14.6%

13.6%

Dave Lewis and Alan Stewart did not receive PSP awards in 2014/15. 

n/a

n/a

n/a

Threshold

5%

45%

20%

275%

Nil

Nil

EPS growth targets

Target

10%

Straight-line vesting
between these points

225%

Nil

Nil

Stretch

12%

100%

85%

51

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Other informationGovernanceFinancial statementsStrategic reportDirectors’ remuneration report continued
Annual remuneration report

Pension
Dave Lewis and Alan Stewart receive a cash allowance in lieu of pension.

For Philip Clarke and Laurie McIlwee, pension is calculated as the difference between the end-of-year defined benefit accrued pension and the 
beginning-of-year accrued pension increased by the September Consumer Price Index in the preceding tax year, multiplied by a factor of 20. 
More information on pension arrangements is set out on pages 55 and 56.

Annual cash allowance in lieu  
of pension (% of salary)

Annual cash allowance in lieu  
of pension (£’000)

Start/end date

Cash in lieu of pension received in year (£’000)

Value of increase in defined benefit accrued pension 
(£’000) 

Current Directors

Former Directors

Dave Lewis

Alan Stewart

Philip Clarke

Laurie McIlwee

25%

313

25%

188

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

1 September 2014

23 September 2014

1 September 2014

4 April 2014

143

n/a

74

n/a

n/a

160

n/a

223

Buyouts
Awards forfeited on leaving a previous employer are bought out, taking into account the expected level of performance where appropriate. 
Awards vest over an equivalent period to awards forfeited. These awards are not subject to future performance conditions. Further details  
are set out on page 55.

Start date

Value of share awards forfeited (£’000)

Tesco share price over the four dealing days after joining (£)

Number of Tesco shares awarded

Award date

Share price on date of award (£)

Value at date of award (£’000)

Cash award in relation to 2014 bonus (pro-rata) (£’000)

Estimated award in relation to 2014/15 bonus (pro-rata) (£’000)*

Total value of buyout (£’000)

Current Directors

Dave Lewis

Alan Stewart

1 September 2014

23 September 2014

3,819

2.3036

1,657,989

1,691

1.9169

881,956

24 October 2014

24 October 2014

1.6875

2,798

525

–

3,323

1.6875

1,488

–

400

1,888

*  Alan Stewart will receive a payment in respect of his 2014/15 bonus forfeited based on the payment he would have received had he remained in post (pro-rated for  
time). The actual amount is currently unknown and the estimated amount shown above will be adjusted in next year’s Directors’ Remuneration Report to show the  
actual value delivered.

Aligning pay with performance
The following charts illustrate performance 
at Tesco against key performance indicators. 
See the five year record on page 156 for 
more information.

The FTSE 100 index has been selected to 
compare Tesco’s TSR against as it is a broad 
market index of which Tesco is a constituent.

Underlying diluted earnings per share – 
continuing operations (p)

Underlying profit before tax – continuing 
operations (£million)

50

40

30

20

10

0

10/11

11/12

12/13

13/14

14/15

5,000

4,000

3,000

2,000

1,000

0

10/11

11/12

12/13

13/14

14/15

Total shareholder return

Return on capital employed (‘ROCE’) 
− continuing operations (%)

9
0
0
2
h
c
r
a
M
2
d
e
t
s
e
v
n

i

0
0
1
£
f
o
e
u
a
V

l

260

240

220

200

180

160

140

120

100

80

60

Feb 09

Feb 10

Feb 11

Feb 12

Feb 13

Feb 14

Feb 15

15.0

12.0

9.0

6.0

3.0

0.0

Tesco

FTSE 100

10/11

11/12

12/13

13/14

14/15

52

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015 
 
 
 
 
 
The table below lays out the historical single figure data for the role of CEO as well as annual bonus and Performance Share Plan payout 
levels as a percentage of maximum opportunity for the CEO. In each year the award is shown based on the final year of the performance 
period, i.e. the year in which it is included in the single figure.

Six year remuneration history

CEO single figure of remuneration 
(£’000)

Annual bonus vesting 
(% of maximum award)

PSP vesting 
(% of maximum award)

Share option vesting 
(% of maximum award)

2009/10

2010/11

2011/12

2012/13*

2013/14

2014/15

Sir Terry Leahy

Sir Terry Leahy

Philip Clarke

Philip Clarke

Philip Clarke

Philip Clarke

Dave Lewis

7,100

89%

82.7%

100%

7,150

75%

75%

100%

4,595

0%

46.5%

100%

1,280

1,634

0%

0%

0%

0%

0%

n/a

764

0%

0%

n/a

4,133

0%

0%

n/a

*   Philip Clarke elected not to take a bonus for 2011/12. Other Executive Directors received a bonus of 13.54% of maximum. 

The CEO single figure for Dave Lewis includes £3.3m in respect of buyout of incentives forfeited on leaving his former employer.  
See pages 52, 54 and 55 for further details.

Shareholding guidelines and share ownership

Share ownership guidelines

•  Four times base salary for the CEO

•  Three times base salary for the CFO

•  The purpose is to create alignment with the interests of shareholders

•  This requirement is at the upper end of typical market practice for similar-size companies

The Remuneration Committee believes that a significant shareholding by Executive Directors aligns their interests with shareholders  
and demonstrates their ongoing commitment to the business.

Shareholding guidelines policy
• Shares included – Shares held outright will be included in the calculation of shareholding guidelines, as will shares held by an Executive’s 

connected persons. Shares held in plans which are not subject to forfeiture will be included (on a net of tax basis) for the purposes of 
calculating Executive Directors’ shareholdings. Vested but unexercised market value share options are not included in the calculation.
• Accumlation period – New appointees will be expected to achieve this minimum level of shareholding within five years of appointment.
• PSP participation – Full participation in the PSP will generally be conditional upon maintaining the minimum shareholding.
• Holding policy – Where an Executive Director does not meet the shareholding requirement they will be required to hold, and  

not dispose of, at least 50% of the net number of shares that vest under incentive arrangements until they meet this requirement. 

Given the importance of owning shares, the Executive Committee and a number of other senior managers are also required to build a holding  
of Tesco shares.

The chart below illustrates the value of Executive Directors’ shareholdings, based on the three-month average share price to 28 February 2015  
of 209.6p per share, compared to the shareholding guideline. Dave Lewis and Alan Stewart will be expected to meet the shareholding 
requirement by 1 September 2019 and 23 September 2019 respectively.

Laurie McIlwee

Dave Lewis
(CEO)

Alan Stewart
(CFO)

Philip Clarke

1.0

2.0

1.0

3.0

2.0

4.0

5.0

3.0

6.0

7.0
4.0

8.0

5.0

0
0
£million
£million

Shares not subject
Base salary
to performance conditions

EIP shares

Shareholding 
requirement

Shareholding requirement

53

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Other informationGovernanceFinancial statementsStrategic reportDirectors’ remuneration report continued
Annual remuneration report

Shares held by Executive Directors at 28 February 2015
This table has been audited.

Director

Shareholding 
guidelines 
(% of salary)

Shareholding 
guideline 
(number 
of shares)*

Dave Lewis

400%

2,385,785

Alan Stewart

300%

1,073,603

Former Directors

Philip Clarke**

400%

Laurie McIlwee**

300%

n/a

n/a

Actual net 
number/value  
of shares 
counted 
towards 
shareholding 
guideline*

885,256 
£1.9m 
(1.5xsalary)

470,906 
£1.0m 
(1.3xsalary)

2,307,121 
£4.8m 
(4.2xsalary)

344,756 
£0.7m 
(0.8xsalary)

Guideline met? Ordinary shares 
held at  
28 February 
2015

Share category (see notes below)

Share Incentive 
Plan shares, 
subject to 
conditions at  
28 February 
2015

Interests in  
vested options, 
not subject  
to performance 
conditions, at 
28 February 
2015

Interests in  
unvested 
options, not 
subject to 
performance 
conditions, 
at 28 February 
2015

Interests in  
options,  
subject to 
performance 
conditions, at  
28 February 
2015

On target

On target

151

44

Nil

Nil

452,265***

1,218,029***

Nil

888,501***

Nil

Nil

n/a

1,832,483

1,074

2,833,393***

4,554

1,984,303***

n/a

80,796

423

800,505***

215,486***

1,734,605***

*  Based on a three-month average share price to 28 February 2015 of 209.6p.
**  Figures on ceasing to be a Director of Tesco PLC (Philip Clarke – 1 September 2014, Laurie McIlwee – 4 April 2014). After ceasing to be Directors and before the end  

of the financial year, Philip Clarke and Laurie McIlwee exercised vested nil cost options granted under the PSP and Executive Incentive Plan over 935,727 and 500,549 
shares respectively. Shares held by Philip Clarke and Laurie Mcllwee under the Share Incentive Plan (SIP), 19,170 and 11,956 shares respectively, were transferred from the 
SIP Trust and each Director forfeited 1,074 of these shares, and Laurie Mcllwee cancelled his Sharesave contracts lapsing options over 4,554 shares.

***  Includes dividend equivalents added since grant.

Share category

Ordinary shares

Shares / options included

•  Shares in the all-employee Share Incentive Plan, not subject to forfeiture 
•  Ordinary shares held by Director and connected persons

Share Incentive Plan shares, subject to conditions

•  Shares in the all-employee Share Incentive Plan, subject to forfeiture

Interests in vested options, not subject to performance conditions

Interests in unvested options, not subject to performance conditions

•  Vested awards in the deferred bonus plan 
•  Vested awards in the PSP
•  Vested buyout awards granted under L.R. 9.4.2
•  Vested market share options granted under the Discretionary Share Option Plan 

•  Share options granted under the Tesco Sharesave scheme
•  Unvested awards in the deferred bonus plan
•  Unvested buyout awards, granted under L.R. 9.4.2

Interests in options, subject to performance conditions

•  Unvested awards under the PSP, which remain subject to performance

Between 28 February 2015 and 4 May 2015, Dave Lewis acquired 95 and Alan Stewart acquired 95 partnership shares under the all-employee 
Share Incentive Plan. On 22 April 2015, Philip Clarke’s discretionary share option granted in 2005 over 379,856 shares lapsed. There were no 
other changes of interests.

Share awards awarded during 2014/15

The following summarises buyout awards made to Dave Lewis and Alan Stewart in respect of awards forfeited on leaving their previous 
employment. An explanation of these awards is provided on the following page. This table has been audited.

Plan

Type of award

Date of awards

Gross number  
of shares

Face value* 
(£)

Threshold 
vesting (% 
of face value)

Maximum 
vesting (% 
of face value)

End of vesting period

Dave 
Lewis

Alan 
Stewart

Awards were 
granted under 
listing rule 9.4.2

Nil cost options subject to  
continued employment only.
These awards were granted 
to compensate Executives  
for awards forfeited on leaving  
their previous employers

24 October  
2014

448,933

603,461

605,595

£757,574

£1,018,340

£1,021,942

Total

1,657,989

£2,797,856

251,010

324,676

306,270

£423,579

£547,891

£516,831

Total

881,956

£1,488,301

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

17 February 2015

18 February 2016

14 February 2017

18 June 2015

24 June 2016

23 June 2017

* 

 The face value has been calculated using the average market price on grant (24 October 2014) of 1.6875p.

Philip Clarke and Laurie McIlwee were not granted any share incentive awards during the year.

54

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Share dealing policy
Tesco has a share dealing policy in place for Executive Directors and for members of the Executive Committee. This policy prevents Executive 
Directors and Executive Committee members and their connected persons dealing in shares at times when this would be prohibited by the 
UK Listing Authority’s Listing Rules. At all times, Executive Directors and Executive Committee members must seek advance clearance before 
dealing in shares on their own behalf or in respect of their connected persons.

Further details on the ‘buyout’ awards
The Committee’s policy is that where appropriate awards forfeited on leaving a previous employer should be ‘bought out’ taking into account 
the expected level of performance. Buyout awards should vest over an equivalent period to awards forfeited.

Dave Lewis
On leaving Unilever, Dave Lewis forfeited outstanding awards under the performance-related deferred bonus matching plan (MCIP)  
and under the long-term performance plan (GSIP). These awards were subject to performance and were capable of vesting between 0%  
and 200% of the initial award granted. Unilever does not disclose targets for long-term incentive awards and therefore it was not possible  
to estimate the level of vesting for outstanding awards. The Committee therefore decided that it was appropriate to buy out these awards 
assuming that performance was met at target (i.e. 100% vesting of the initial award). The Committee considered that this level of vesting  
was appropriate as the average vesting at Unilever over the past three years was 110% of target. These awards vest on the same date as  
the original Unilever awards would have vested.

Dave Lewis also received a cash payment of £525,000 reflecting the expected 2014 bonus, which was forfeited on leaving Unilever. This was a 
pro-rata payment based on time in employment during the Unilever financial year and the average payout received over the previous three years.

Alan Stewart
On leaving Marks & Spencer (M&S), Alan Stewart forfeited outstanding awards under the deferred bonus plan and the performance-related 
long-term incentive plan. Deferred bonus shares were not subject to future performance conditions and therefore these awards were bought 
out in full. The level of vesting for 2012, 2013 and 2014 PSP awards was estimated based on performance to date. The estimated levels of 
vesting were 12%, 25.8% and 42% respectively. If the 2014 M&S award vests at less than 42% then the corresponding buyout award will be 
reduced to reflect this. Awards vest on the same date as the original M&S awards.

Alan Stewart will also receive a further award in respect of his 2014/15 M&S bonus forfeited. This will be based on the payment he would have 
received had he remained at M&S (pro-rated for time) and will be paid 50% in cash and 50% in Tesco shares deferred for three years. The 
actual value of this award is currently unknown and therefore we have estimated that he would receive a target bonus. This equates to an 
amount of £400,000 which is included in the single figure table as an estimated value. This will be adjusted in next year’s report to show the 
amount that was actually paid.

The buyout awards made to Dave Lewis and Alan Stewart on 24 October 2014 were granted under Listing Rule 9.4.2. The value of awards 
was calculated using the share prices of Tesco, Unilever and M&S (as relevant) over four dealing days immediately after joining Tesco. Awards 
were made over nil cost options and are subject to continued employment until the relevant vesting date. The buyout award in respect of 
Alan Stewart’s 2014/15 M&S bonus will be made in June 2015 under Listing Rule 9.4.2. The value of this award will be calculated using the 
market price of Tesco shares at the date of grant. Awards accrue dividend equivalents and are subject to malus, in the circumstances set out 
on page 64, until the shares are transferred. 

Pensions
This section has been audited. 

Dave Lewis and Alan Stewart receive a cash allowance in lieu of pension of 25% of base salary.

Philip Clarke and Laurie McIlwee are members of the Tesco PLC Pension Scheme, which provides a pension of up to two-thirds of base salary  
on retirement, normally at age 60, dependent on service (final salary scheme).

Each year’s pension earned before 1 June 2012 will be increased in line with the Retail Price Index up to a maximum of 5%, and pension 
earned after 1 June 2012 in line with the Consumer Price Index up to a maximum of 5%. Pension accrued before 1 June 2012 and drawn 
before age 60 will be actuarially reduced to reflect early retirement. Pension accrued from 1 June 2012 will be actuarially reduced if it is drawn 
before the age at which a full pension is paid (originally age 62 but subject to adjustment up or down to reflect unexpected changes in life 
expectancy).

Since April 2006, following implementation of the regulations contained within the Finance Act 2004, Executive Directors have been  
eligible to receive the maximum pension that can be provided from the registered Pension Scheme without incurring additional tax charges. 
The balance of any pension entitlement for Executive Directors is delivered through an unfunded retirement benefit scheme (‘SURBS’).  
The SURBS is secured by using a fixed and floating charge over a cash deposit in a designated account.

Executive Directors who are members of the final salary scheme are required to contribute 10% of salary.

55

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Other informationGovernanceFinancial statementsStrategic report 
Directors’ remuneration report continued
Annual remuneration report

Details of the rights under the Tesco pension scheme are set out below.

Age at 28 
February 
2015

Years of  
Company 
service

Total 
accrued 
pension at 
28 February 
20152,3 
(£’000)

Increase 
in accrued 
pension 
during the 
year4
(£’000)

Increase 
in accrued 
pension 
during the 
year (net of 
inflation)5
 (£’000)

Transfer value of 
increase in accrued 
pension (previous 
column) at 28 
February 2015 (less 
Director’s
contributions)
 (£’000)

Transfer 
value of 
total accrued 
pension at 
22 February 
2014 
(£’000)

Transfer 
 value of 
total accrued 
pension at 
28 February 
2015
(£’000)

Increase in 
transfer value 
(less Director’s
contributions) 
(£’000)

Single 
figure 
pension 
value 
(£’000)

Philip Clarke1

Laurie Mcllwee1

54

52

40

14

658

381

25

21

18

18

293

257

11,482

5,669

13,694

6,665

2,212

996

160

223

1  Laurie Mcllwee left the Scheme on 3 October 2014. Philip Clarke left the Scheme on 19 January 2015.
2   The accrued pension is that which would be paid annually on retirement at 60 based on service to the member’s date of leaving active service. 
3   Some of the Executive Directors’ benefits are payable from an unapproved pension arrangement. This is secured by a fixed and floating charge on a cash deposit.
4  The increase in accrued pension over the year is additional pension accrued during the year.
Inflation over the year has been allowed for using the September 2014 CPI inflation of 1.2%.
5 

Payments to former Directors
This information has been audited.

There were no payments made to former Directors which exceeded the de minimis threshold of £10,000 set by the Company. Payments 
made to Philip Clarke and Laurie McIlwee in respect of them ceasing employment are set out below.

Loss of office payments
This information has been audited.

Early in the investigation of the commercial income issue, the Company announced that it had suspended payment of the termination 
amounts due. The Company, with legal advice, then fully evaluated the available evidence relating to Philip Clarke and Laurie McIlwee in 
relation to the commercial income issue. Under the relevant service contracts, payments were legally due and payable unless Tesco was able 
to establish a case of gross misconduct by the relevant Director. Having taken detailed legal advice, the Board determined that there was not 
any basis to continue to withhold payments, and that defending potential claims that may arise, in the absence of such a basis, would not  
be in the Company’s best interests. Therefore, the payments have been made. However, if new information arises which would change this 
assessment, we have explicitly reserved the Company’s rights to pursue recovery of these payments.

Leaving arrangements for Philip Clarke
Philip Clarke stepped down as CEO and as an Executive Director of Tesco PLC on 1 September 2014 when the new CEO, Dave Lewis,  
joined the Company. He remained with the Company and was available to provide support to the business until 19 January 2015.  
During this period he continued to receive his salary of £1,145,000 and relevant benefits.

On termination of employment, in accordance with the terms of his contract, Philip Clarke was entitled to receive a termination payment of 
£1,217,000 consisting of 12 months’ base salary (£1,145,000) and benefits (£72,000 consisting of colleague discount, private healthcare and 
health insurance, and car and car-related benefits). No additional amount will be paid in respect of pension. The termination payment of this 
amount was made on 6 February 2015 and should it be determined in the future that there was gross misconduct the Company will seek 
recovery of the termination payment.

Philip Clarke did not receive a bonus in respect of 2014/15. On cessation, he did not have any unvested deferred bonus awards. He has until  
19 January 2016 to exercise vested deferred bonus awards. 

PSP awards granted to Philip Clarke in 2012 (1,074,643 shares) and 2013 (909,660 shares) lapsed upon him leaving the business.  
He may exercise vested PSP awards granted in 2008 (325,749 shares) and 2009 (188,521 shares) until 19 January 2016.

Philip Clarke may exercise vested discretionary share option awards granted in 2006 (404,896 shares), 2007 (298,844 shares), 2008  
(353,114 shares) and 2009 (467,848 shares) until 19 January 2016, in accordance with the terms of the plan rules. These awards  
are, however, currently underwater. His 2005 option award (379,856 shares) lapsed on 22 April 2015.

The awards granted under the all-employee Sharesave scheme in 2009 (948 shares), 2010 (788 shares), 2011 (824 shares), 2012 
(1,063 shares) and 2013 (931 shares) lapsed on termination. Shares held under the all-employee Share Incentive Plan (19,170 shares)  
were transferred from the Trust on 27 February 2015, in accordance with the rules of the plan.

The Company will pay for outplacement services and legal costs in connection with Philip Clarke’s termination of employment up to a 
maximum of £75,000 and £10,000 excluding VAT respectively. In line with Company policy, he will also retain his staff discount for life.

Leaving arrangements for Laurie McIlwee
Laurie McIlwee resigned as CFO and as an Executive Director of Tesco PLC on 4 April 2014. He remained an employee of Tesco for a period 
of six months until 3 October 2014 and he was available to provide support to the business during this time. During this period he continued 
to receive his salary of £886,420 and relevant benefits.

56

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015On termination of employment, in accordance with the terms of his contract, Laurie McIlwee was entitled to receive a termination payment 
of £970,880 consisting of 12 months’ base salary (£886,420) and benefits (£84,460 consisting of colleague discount, private healthcare  
and health insurance, and car and car-related benefits). In addition, a payment of £15,000 net (£27,273 gross) was made to him in lieu of  
private medical benefits. The payment of this amount plus interest at the rate of 2% above the Barclays Bank Base Rate for the period from  
31 October 2014 to the date of payment, totalling £1,004,853, was made on 6 February 2015. No additional amount will be paid in respect 
of pension. Should it be determined in the future that there was gross misconduct, the Company will seek recovery of the termination 
payment. Tesco also paid £47,000 towards Laurie McIlwee’s legal fees incurred in relation to the termination of his employment.

Laurie McIlwee did not receive a bonus in respect of 2014/15. He has until 3 October 2015 to exercise vested deferred bonus awards.  
The 2012 award (39,775 shares) in respect of 2011/12 performance will vest on 25 May 2015 and he will have 12 months from this date  
to exercise this award. No deferred share awards were made in respect of 2012/13 or 2013/14.

The PSP award granted to Laurie McIlwee in 2011 (524,719 shares) lapsed on 14 July 2014 as performance conditions were not met. PSP 
awards granted to him in 2012 (655,388 shares) and 2013 (554,498 shares) lapsed upon him leaving the business. He may exercise the 
vested PSP award granted in 2009 (136,067 shares) until 3 October 2015. He may exercise vested discretionary share option awards granted 
in 2007 (77,192 shares), 2008 (91,335 shares) and 2009 (325,059 shares) until 3 October 2015. These share option awards are, however, 
currently underwater.

Shares held under the all-employee Share Incentive Plan (11,956 shares) were transferred from the Trust on 20 October 2014 in accordance 
with the rules of the plan.

The Company will pay for outplacement services up to a maximum of £50,000 excluding VAT.

Other policy information

Risk management
When developing our remuneration structures, the Committee considered whether any aspect of these might encourage risk taking  
or inappropriate behaviours that are incompatible with our Tesco Values and the long-term interests of shareholders. If necessary, the 
Committee would take appropriate steps to address this.

Outside appointments
Tesco recognises that its Executive Directors may be invited to become Non-executive Directors of other companies. Such Non-executive 
duties can broaden a Director’s experience and knowledge which can benefit Tesco.

Subject to approval by the Board, Executive Directors are allowed to accept Non-executive appointments, provided that these appointments 
are not likely to lead to conflicts of interest, and they may retain the fees received. Dave Lewis is a Non-executive Director of British Sky 
Broadcasting Group Plc and received fees of £98,500 during the year. Alan Stewart is a Non-executive Director of Diageo Plc and received 
fees of £42,625 during the year.

Funding of equity awards
Executive incentive arrangements are funded by a mix of newly issued shares and shares purchased in the market. Where shares are newly 
issued, the Company complies with Investment Association dilution guidelines on their issue. The current dilution usage of discretionary 
plans is c.2.9% of shares in issue. Where shares are purchased in the market, these may be held by Tesco Employees Share Schemes Trustees 
Limited, in which case the voting rights relating to the shares are exercisable by the Trustees in accordance with their fiduciary duties.  
At 28 February 2015 the Trust held 3,028,852 shares.

Other disclosures

Change in CEO remuneration compared to the change in colleague remuneration
The following table illustrates the change in CEO salary, benefits and bonus between 2013/14 and 2014/15 compared to other UK colleagues.

The Committee decided to use other UK colleagues for the purpose of this disclosure as over half of our colleagues are based in the UK and 
the CEO is also predominantly based in the UK (albeit with a global role and responsibilities). The Committee therefore considered that this  
is an appropriate comparator group given that pay changes across the Group depend on local market conditions. 

CEO

UK colleagues

*  Benefits exclude one-off costs in relation to appointment for Dave Lewis of £65,000 gross.

Salary

0%

1.5%

Benefits

(32)%*

0% 

Bonus

0%

0%

57

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Other informationGovernanceFinancial statementsStrategic report 
Directors’ remuneration report continued
Annual remuneration report

Relative importance of spend on pay
The following chart shows total employee pay compared to distributions to shareholders.  
Our colleagues are essential to how we do business and how we meet our customers’ needs. In 
2014/15 we employed an average of 506,984 colleagues across the Group (510,444 in 2013/14).  

Total employee pay includes wages and salaries, social security, pension and share-based costs 
(£7,271m in 2013/14 and £8,269m in 2014/15 – see Note 4 of the accounts on page 100).

Distributions to shareholders include interim and final dividends paid in respect of each 
financial year (£1,193m in respect of 2013/14 and £95m in respect of 2014/15 – see Note 8  
of the accounts on page 104). There were no share buy-backs in 2013/14 or 2014/15.

(£’000m)

9.0

8.0

7.0

6.0

5.0

4.0

3.0

2.0

1.0

0.0

13.7%

13/14

14/15

Total 
employee pay 

13/14
Distributions 
to shareholders

-92%

14/15

Non-executive Director fees and responsibilities
Committee membership in 2014/15 

Senior 
Independent 
Director (SID)

Remuneration 
Committee

Nominations 
Committee

Audit 
Committee

Corporate 
Responsibility
Committee

Sir Richard Broadbent

Resigned as Chairman 1 March 2015

Mark Armour

Gareth Bullock

Patrick Cescau

Stuart Chambers

Richard Cousins

Olivia Garfield

Ken Hanna

Mikael Olsson

Resigned from Board 5 March 2015

Resigned from Board and as SID 7 April 2015

X

Stepped down as Chair of Remuneration Committee  
1 January 2015 (remained a member of Committee)

Appointed to Board 1 November 2014 
Appointed to Audit Committee 2 December 2014 
Appointed SID 7 April 2015

Appointed to Audit Committee 1 April 2014 
Resigned from Board 28 February 2015

Appointed to Board 1 November 2014 
Appointed to Remuneration Committee and CR Committee  
2 December 2014

Deanna Oppenheimer Appointed Chair of Remuneration Committee 1 January 2015

Jacqueline  
Tammenoms Bakker

Appointed Chair of CR Committee 1 March 2014  
Resigned from Board 28 February 2015

x  Senior Independent Director
•  Committee Chairman
º  Committee member

º

º

º

º

•

º

•

º

º

º

º

º

º

º

º

•

º

º

º

º

•

Non-executive Director fee policy for 2014/15
There were no changes to Non-executive Directors’ fees during the year. The current Non-executive Directors’ fees are as follows:

Non-executive Director fees

Basic fees

Additional fees

Senior Independent Director

Chairs of the Audit and Remuneration Committees

£70,000 p.a.

£26,000 p.a.

£30,000 p.a.

Membership of Audit, Corporate Responsibility, Nominations and Remuneration Committees

£12,000 p.a. for each Committee

Non-executive Director fees are due to be reviewed in July 2015.

Gareth Bullock and Deanna Oppenheimer were appointed to the Board of Tesco Personal Finance Group Limited in July 2012. They are paid 
a basic fee of £70,000 p.a. for this role and an additional fee for Committee membership of £12,000 p.a. in line with other members of the 
Board of Tesco Personal Finance Group Limited.

Chairman fees
John Allan was appointed as Non-executive Chairman with effect from 1 March 2015. He will receive a fee of £650,000 p.a. inclusive  
of all Board fees which is fixed for a period of three years. He is also eligible to receive benefits as set out in the policy for Non-executive 
Directors on page 68.

Fees paid during 2014/15
The following table sets out the fees paid to the Non-executive Directors for the year ending 28 February 2015. As the Non-executive 
Directors are not paid a pension and do not participate in any of the Company’s variable incentive schemes, this information is not included 
in the table. This table has been audited.

58

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Single total figure of remuneration – Non-executive Directors

Fees
(£’000)

Taxable travel 
expenses 
(£’000)

Benefits
(£’000)

Total
(£’000)

Tesco PLC

Tesco Bank

Tesco PLC

Tesco Bank

Sir Richard Broadbent

Mark Armour

Gareth Bullock

Patrick Cescau

Stuart Chambers

Richard Cousins

Olivia Garfield

Ken Hanna

Mikael Olsson

Deanna Oppenheimer

Jacqueline Tammenoms Bakker

2014/15

2013/14

2014/15

2013/14

2014/15

2013/14

2014/15

2013/14

2014/15

2013/14

2014/15

2013/14

2014/15

2013/14

2014/15

2013/14

2014/15

2013/14

2014/15

2013/14

2014/15

2013/14

625

625

82

36

82

82

132

132

110

112

23

–

81

62

124

124

25

–

96

82

94

94

–

–

–

–

82

82

–

–

–

79

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

82

82

–

–

0

0

0

0

0

1

0

0

5

3

0

–

0

0

3

2

2

–

56

65

5

10

–

–

–

–

0

0

–

–

–

1

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

8

1

–

–

81

81

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

–

0

0

0

0

0

–

0

0

0

0

706

706

82

36

164

165

132

132

115

195

23

–

81

62

127

126

27

–

242

230

99

104

The figures in this table are from the date of appointment or until the date that each Director ceased to be a Director of Tesco PLC. 
Mark Armour was appointed on 2 September 2013. Richard Cousins and Mikael Olsson were appointed on 1 November 2014.

The figures in this table include fees paid to Gareth Bullock, Stuart Chambers and Deanna Oppenheimer in respect of their membership  
of the Board and Committees of Tesco Personal Finance Group Limited. Stuart Chambers stood down from the Board of Tesco Personal 
Finance Group Limited on 4 February 2014.

The Chairman’s benefits are made up solely of car benefits, driver, security and medical insurance. The Non-executive Directors’ benefits 
comprise taxable travel expenses. The benefit costs shown have been grossed up for tax.

Beneficial share ownership
There are no shareholding guidelines for the Non-executive Directors. The table below outlines the current interests of the Non-executive 
Directors in the Company. Shareholdings include shares held by connected persons. Non-executive Directors are subject to the same share 
dealing policy as Executive Directors.

Director

Sir Richard Broadbent

Mark Armour

Gareth Bullock

Patrick Cescau

Stuart Chambers

Richard Cousins

Olivia Garfield

Ken Hanna

Mikael Olsson

Deanna Oppenheimer*

Jacqueline Tammenoms Bakker

Shares owned outright at 28 February 2015

Shares owned outright at 22 February 2014

63,996

25,000

25,000

18,340

25,000

0

4,086

25,000

0

52,500

16,472

63,996

25,000

25,000

18,340

25,000

n/a

4,086

25,000

n/a

52,500*

16,472

*  Deanna Oppenheimer holds 17,500 ADRs equivalent to 52,500 ordinary shares.

Between 28 February 2015 and 4 May 2015 John Allan, and his connected persons, acquired 31,082 ordinary shares. There were no other 
changes in share interests held by Non-executive Directors.

59

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Other informationGovernanceFinancial statementsStrategic reportDirectors’ remuneration report continued
Annual remuneration report

The Committee
Membership of the Remuneration Committee and attendance at meetings

Deanna Oppenheimer (Committee Chair)

Stuart Chambers

Sir Richard Broadbent

Ken Hanna

Mikael Olsson

Jacqueline Tammenoms Bakker

Number of possible meetings

Actual meetings attended

5

5

5

5

2

5

5

5

5

4

2

5

Deanna Oppenheimer took over from Stuart Chambers as Chair of the Committee with effect from 1 January 2015. Mikael Olsson joined  
the Committee with effect from 2 December 2014. John Allan joined the Committee with effect from 20 April 2015. Stuart Chambers and 
Ken Hanna will step down from the Board at the AGM on 26 June 2015.

The Committee also convenes on an ad hoc basis between formal meetings when necessary. The Directors’ biographies can be found  
on pages 28 and 29 of this report. No member of the Committee has any personal financial interest in the matters being decided, other  
than as a shareholder, nor any day-to-day involvement in running the business of Tesco.

Role of the Remuneration Committee
The Committee’s key responsibilities are:
• To determine and recommend to the Board the remuneration policy for Executive Directors, Executive Committee members and the Chairman;
• To ensure the level and structure of remuneration is designed to attract, retain and motivate the Executive Directors and Executive 
Committee members needed to run the Company while remaining appropriate in the context of the remuneration arrangements 
throughout the Group;

• To ensure that the structure of remuneration arrangements is aligned with the creation of sustainable returns for shareholders and 

that the level of reward received by Executives reflects the value delivered for shareholders; and

• To monitor the level and structure of remuneration of senior management below the Executive Committee.

As required by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Tesco Bank has a separate independent remuneration committee. The Group 
Remuneration Committee is consulted on, and makes recommendations in relation to the remuneration arrangements for Tesco Bank 
colleagues, with the aim of encouraging consistency with Group remuneration policy, but it does not make decisions in relation to, or  
direct, how remuneration is managed within Tesco Bank.

The Committee’s terms of reference can be viewed at www.tescoplc.com.

Remuneration Committee activities 2014/15
The following provides a summary of the key areas of focus at each of the Committee’s meetings during the year and shortly following  
the end of the financial year:

April 2014

July 2014

Sept 2014

Dec 2014

Feb 2015

April 2015
(following the  
year-end)

Strategy and policy Review of market trends

Consideration of remuneration strategy and policy

Discussion about approach to DRR/review of DRR

Approval of DRR

Review of shareholder feedback and votes from the AGM

Salary review

Review of salaries for Executive Directors and Executive Committee

Annual bonus

Review of performance 

Determination of bonus outcome

Consideration of measures and targets

Setting of measures and targets

PSP

Review of performance

Determination of vesting levels

Consideration of measures and targets

Setting of measures and targets

Other

Report from Tesco Bank Remuneration Committee

Review of reward below Board

Review of pension benefits

Committee effectiveness review and review of Terms of Reference

Other issues as required

60

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Committee advisors

Remuneration Committee advisors are appointed by the Committee following a selection process and their roles are kept under review. 
During the year, Deloitte LLP have been retained by the Committee in their capacity as independent Remuneration Committee advisors. 
Fees for advice provided to the Remuneration Committee for the year were £144,276. Fees are charged on a time and materials basis.

Deloitte also provided advice to management in relation to the interpretation of the Remuneration Reporting Regulations, below Board 
remuneration and implementation of share plans. Separate teams within Deloitte provided unrelated advisory services in respect of 
corporate tax planning, technology consulting, risk management, share schemes, international taxation, corporate finance, treasury  
and forensic services to the Group during the year.

Deloitte is one of the founding members of the Remuneration Consultants Code of Conduct and adheres to this Code in its dealings  
with the Committee. The Committee is satisfied that the advice provided by Deloitte is objective and independent. The Committee  
is comfortable that the Deloitte LLP engagement partner and team that provide remuneration advice to the Committee do not have 
connections with Tesco PLC that may impair their independence. The Committee reviewed the potential for conflicts of interest and judged 
that there were appropriate safeguards against such conflicts.

Towers Watson also provided the Committee with benchmarking information during the year and fees on a time-spent basis for this were 
£16,000.

Paul Moore, the Company Secretary, is Secretary to the Committee. The Group CEO and the Group CFO attend meetings at the invitation  
of the Committee. They are not present when their own remuneration is being discussed. The Committee is supported by Alison Horner 
(Chief People Officer) as well as Reward, Corporate Secretariat and Finance functions.

Compliance

In carrying out its duties, the Remuneration Committee gives full consideration to best practice. The Committee was constituted and 
operated throughout the period in accordance with the principles outlined in the Listing Rules of the Financial Conduct Authority derived 
from the UK Corporate Governance Code. The auditors’ report, set out on pages 75 to 82, covers the disclosures referred to in this report  
that are specified for audit by the Financial Conduct Authority.

The report has been drawn up in accordance with the UK Corporate Governance Code, Schedule 8 of the Large and Medium-sized 
Companies and Groups (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 (as updated in 2013) and the Financial Conduct Authority Listing Rules.

Shareholder voting

Tesco remains committed to ongoing shareholder dialogue and carefully reviews voting outcomes on remuneration matters. In the event  
of a substantial vote against a resolution in relation to Directors’ remuneration, Tesco would seek to understand the reasons for any such  
vote, and would detail any actions in response to it in the Directors’ remuneration report.

The following table sets out actual voting in respect of our remuneration arrangements in 2014.

% of votes

2013/14 To approve the Directors’ Remuneration Report  
(2014 AGM)*

2013/14 To approve the Directors’ Remuneration Policy  
(2014 AGM)**

*  9,093,781 votes were withheld (0.11% of share capital).
**  37,508,831 votes were withheld (0.46% of share capital).

For

98.62%

97.50%

Against

1.38%

2.50%

The Committee was pleased with the level of support for our remuneration arrangements in 2014.

61

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Other informationGovernanceFinancial statementsStrategic reportDirectors’ remuneration report continued
Directors’ remuneration policy

Policy table
The following sets out our Directors’ Remuneration Policy (the ‘Policy’). This Policy will be put forward for shareholder approval at the 2015 AGM 
on 26 June 2015 and will apply to payments made from this date. Until this time the Policy approved on 27 June 2014 will continue to apply.

Further details regarding the operation of the Policy for the 2015/16 financial year can be found on pages 49 and 50 of this report.

Element

Purpose and  
link to strategy

Operation

Maximum 
opportunity

Base salary

•  The role of base salary 

•  The Committee sets base salary 

Performance  
measures

n/a

Changes from  
previous policy

•  No change from 
previous policy

is to support the 
recruitment and 
retention of Executive 
Directors of the calibre 
required to develop and 
deliver the strategy
•  Base salary provides 

fixed remuneration for 
the role, which reflects 
the size and scope of  
the Executive Directors’ 
responsibilities and  
their experience

taking into account:
 – The individual’s skills and 

experience and their performance

 – Salary levels at leading FTSE 
companies and other large 
consumer business companies  
in the UK and internationally
 – Pay and conditions elsewhere  

in the Group

•  Base salary is normally reviewed 

annually with changes effective from 
1 July but may be reviewed more 
frequently if the Committee 
determines this is appropriate

•  While there is no maximum 

salary, increases will normally  
be in line with the typical level  
of increase awarded to other 
employees in the Group
•  However, increases may be 
above this level in certain 
circumstances such as:
 – Where a new Executive 

Director has been appointed 
to the Board at a lower than 
typical market salary to allow 
for growth in the role then 
larger increases may be 
awarded to move salary 
positioning closer to typical 
market level as the Executive 
gains experience

 – Where an Executive Director 

has been promoted or has had 
a change in responsibilities, 
salary increases in excess of the 
above limit may be awarded

 – Where there has been  
a significant change in 
market practice

Pension

•  To provide an 

•  Executive Directors receive a  

•  Maximum cash in lieu of 

n/a

pension of 25% of base salary

appropriate level  
of retirement benefit  
as part of a holistic 
benefit package

cash allowance in lieu of pension
•  The Committee may determine that 
alternative pension provisions will 
operate for new appointments to the 
Board. When determining pension 
arrangements for new appointments 
the Board will give regard to the cost  
of the arrangements, market practice 
and the pension arrangements 
received elsewhere in the Group
•  Where pension is provided as  

a salary supplement or into a defined 
contribution scheme it will not 
exceed the maximum amount stated 
in the next column. Where a defined 
benefit pension is provided, the 
value will vary reflecting the nature 
of such schemes

Benefits

•  To provide a market- 
competitive level of 
benefits for our 
Executive Directors

n/a

•  The overall level of benefits  
will depend on the cost of 
providing individual items and 
the individual’s circumstances 
and therefore there is no 
maximum level of benefit
•  When determining the level  

of benefits the Committee will 
consider the factors outlined  
in the ‘Operation’ column

•  The Committee sets benefit provision 
at an appropriate market-competitive 
level taking into account the 
individual’s home jurisdiction, the 
jurisdiction in which the individual  
is based, typical practice and the  
level of benefits provided for other 
employees in the Group

•  Core benefits – Benefits currently 
include but are not limited to a 
company car or car allowance,  
fuel, private use of a chauffeur,  
life assurance, disability and health 
insurance (for the Executive Director 
and his family), health screening, 
Directors’ and Officers’ liability 
insurance and provision of indemnity, 
security, club membership and  
staff discount on the same basis  
as other employees

•  Policy amended  

to reflect the fact  
that new Executive 
Directors receive a 
cash payment in lieu 
of salary rather than 
participate in the 
defined benefit 
pension plan

•  No change from 
previous policy

62

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Element

Benefits 
continued

Purpose and  
link to strategy

Operation

Maximum 
opportunity

Performance  
measures

Changes from  
previous policy

•  The Committee may remove benefits 

that Executive Directors receive  
or introduce other benefits if it is 
considered appropriate to do so

•  Executive Directors shall be 

reimbursed for all reasonable 
expenses and the Company may 
settle any tax incurred in relation  
to these

•  All-employee share plans –  

Executive Directors are eligible  
to participate in the Company’s 
all-employee share schemes on  
the same terms as UK colleagues

•  Mobility policy – Where an 

Executive Director is required  
to relocate to perform their role, 
our policy is that they may be  
offered some or all of the following:  
a relocation allowance, location 
allowance, cost of living allowance, 
disturbance allowance, housing 
benefit, flight budget, assistance 
with school fees, international family 
healthcare, pension allowance, 
spousal allowance and tax advice, 
assistance and equalisation.  
The level of such benefits would  
be determined based on the 
circumstances of the individual  
and typical market practice

•  Maximum annual bonus 
opportunity of 250%  
of base salary

•  For details of award levels  
for 2015/16 see the Annual 
Remuneration Report on  
page 49

•  The maximum annual award 

that can be granted under the 
PSP is 350% of base salary
•  For details of award levels  
for 2015/16 see the Annual 
Remuneration Report on  
page 49

Annual bonus •  The role of the annual 

•  The annual bonus is normally 

bonus is to reward 
Executive Directors  
for the delivery of  
our annual financial, 
operational and 
strategic goals
•  The performance 

measures have been 
selected as they are 
considered to be key  
to delivering long-term 
shareholder value 
creation

•  Deferral into Company 

shares provides 
alignment with 
shareholders

•  The malus and clawback 
provision enables the 
Company to mitigate  
risk (see page 64)

delivered:
 – 50% in cash
 – 50% in shares which are deferred

•  Awards will be calculated based  
on a percentage of base salary  
and the market share price at  
grant in accordance with the rules

•  The Committee may determine  
that a different balance of cash  
and deferred shares may apply
•  Performance is assessed over a 

financial year

•  The Committee determines the  

level of bonus taking into account 
performance against targets and  
the underlying performance  
of the business

•  The deferred shares will  

normally vest after three years  
(or an alternative period  
determined by the Committee)

•  Deferred shares are normally 

awarded in the form of nil cost 
options but may be awarded  
in other forms (such as conditional 
share awards or forfeitable shares). 
Vested nil cost options may normally 
be exercised until the tenth 
anniversary of the date of grant

•  The role of the PSP  

•  Awards normally vest based on 

is to reward Executive 
Directors for achieving 
Tesco’s long-term 
strategy and creating 
sustainable shareholder 
value

•  To align the economic 
interests of Executive 
Directors and 
shareholders

•  To act as a retention tool
•  The malus and clawback 
provision enables the 
Company to mitigate  
risk (see page 64)

performance over a period of not  
less than three years (unless the 
Committee determines otherwise)
•  Awards will be calculated based on  
a percentage of base salary and the 
market share price at grant in 
accordance with the rules

•  The Committee has the discretion  
to amend the final vesting level if  
it does not consider that it reflects 
the underlying performance of  
the Company

•  PSP awards are normally awarded  
in the form of nil cost options over 
shares but may be awarded in other 
forms (such as conditional share 
awards or forfeitable shares). Vested 
nil cost options may normally be 
exercised until the tenth anniversary 
of the date at grant

Performance 
Share Plan

•  The policy has been 
amended to reflect  
the introduction  
of individual 
performance metrics 
into the bonus plan
•  The policy has been 
amended to reflect  
the introduction of 
clawback to future 
awards

•  The annual bonus may be 

based on a mix of financial, 
operational, strategic and 
individual performance 
measures. At least 70%  
of the bonus will be based  
on financial performance
•  Any portion of the bonus 
based on non-financial 
measures will be subject  
to meeting a financial 
underpin

•  The Committee determines 
the exact metrics each year 
depending on the key goals 
for the forthcoming year 
•  Normally around 30% of the 
bonus is paid for threshold 
performance, around 50%  
of the bonus is paid if target 
levels of performance are 
delivered with the full bonus 
being paid for delivering 
stretching levels of 
performance. These vesting 
levels may vary each year 
depending on the stretch  
of targets set

•  The Committee sets bonus 
targets each year to ensure 
that they are appropriately 
stretching in the context  
of the business plan

•  Awards vest based on Total 

Shareholder Return, financial 
or strategic performance 
conditions (the satisfaction 
of which is determined by the 
Committee). At least 50% of 
the PSP will be based on TSR 
and/or financial metrics

•  For threshold levels of 

•  The policy has been 
amended to reflect  
the changes in 
performance condition, 
targets and vesting 
levels and to allow 
more flexibility for 
measures to evolve 
further in future years

•  The policy has been 
amended to reflect  
the introduction of 
clawback to future 
awards

performance up to 25% of 
the award vests, increasing  
to 100% of the award for 
stretching performance
•  The Committee sets targets 
each year so that targets are 
stretching and represent value 
creation for shareholders 
while remaining motivational 
for management

63

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Other informationGovernanceFinancial statementsStrategic reportDirectors’ remuneration report continued
Directors’ remuneration policy

Information supporting the policy table

Shareholding guidelines
Tesco also operates shareholding guidelines. See page 53 of the Annual Remuneration Report for further details.

Dividend equivalents
Awards may incorporate the right (in cash or shares) to receive the value of dividends between grant and exercise in respect of the number of 
shares that vest. The calculation of dividend equivalents may assume reinvestment of those dividends in Company shares on a cumulative basis.

Clawback and malus provisions
The Committee has the discretion to scale back deferred share awards and performance share awards prior to the satisfaction of awards  
in the event that results are materially misstated or the participant has contributed to serious reputational damage of the Company or one  
of its business units or their conduct has amounted to serious misconduct or fraud.

Where Performance Share Plan awards are settled prior to the fifth anniversary of the grant of the award, the Committee shall have the 
discretion to claw back awards up to the fifth anniversary of the grant of awards in the circumstance described above.

Cash bonus payments can also be ‘clawed back’ in the circumstances described above up to the third anniversary of payment.

Cash payments
If the Committee considers it to be appropriate, it may determine that share awards may be settled in cash.

Terms of share awards
The Committee may amend the terms of awards or the rules of share plans within the scope defined in the rules of the plans.

For share awards, in the event of a variation of the Company’s share capital or a demerger, delisting, special dividend, rights issue or other 
event, which may, in the Remuneration Committee’s opinion affect the current or future value of awards, the number of shares subject  
to an award may be adjusted.

The Committee may amend performance targets in accordance with the terms of an award or if a transaction occurs which causes the 
Committee to consider (taking into account the interest of shareholders) that an amended performance condition would be more 
appropriate and would continue to achieve the original purpose.

Discretionary Share Option Plan
Prior to 2011, Executive Directors were granted market value options under the Company’s 2004 Discretionary Share Option Plan. Outstanding 
awards are no longer subject to performance and may be exercised until the tenth anniversary of the date of award. No further awards will  
be made under this plan.

Defined benefit pension
Former Executive Directors, Philip Clarke and Laurie McIlwee, participated in a defined benefit pension plan which provides for a pension  
of up to two-thirds of base salary at retirement with a minimum 10% of salary per annum employee contribution. Pension benefits are 
provided through registered arrangements up to approved HMRC limits, with the remainder provided through a secured unfunded 
arrangement. In the event that an Executive Director retires early there will be no augmentation of pension benefits.

Payments outside policy
The Committee reserves the right to make any remuneration payments and payments for loss of office (including exercising any discretions 
available to it in connection with such payments) notwithstanding that they are not in line with the Policy set out in this report where the 
terms of the payment were agreed (i) before the policy came into effect or (ii) at a time when the relevant individual was not a Director of  
the Company and, in the opinion of the Committee, the payment was not in consideration for the individual becoming a Director of the 
Company. For these purposes ‘payments’ includes the Committee satisfying awards of variable remuneration, and an award over shares  
is ‘agreed’ at the time the award is granted.

Minor changes
The Committee may make minor changes to this Policy for regulatory, exchange control, tax or administrative purposes or to take account  
of a change in legislation without seeking shareholder approval for that amendment.

Selection of performance measures

Annual bonus
The annual bonus performance measures have been selected to provide an appropriate balance between incentivising Executive Directors  
to meet financial targets for the year and incentivising them to achieve specific strategic and operational objectives. The particular bonus 
metrics are selected by the Committee each year to ensure that Executive Directors are appropriately focused on the key objectives for the 
next 12 months.

Performance Share Plan 
Performance measures for the PSP are selected to ensure that they incentivise Executive Directors to deliver long-term sustainable returns  
for all of our shareholders.

64

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Performance targets for both the annual bonus and Performance Share Plan (where financial measures are used) are set, taking into account 
internal budget forecasts, external expectations and the need to ensure that targets remain motivational.

Remuneration arrangements throughout the Group

Remuneration arrangements throughout the Group are based on the same principle: that reward should be sufficient to attract and retain 
high-calibre talent without paying more than is necessary and that reward should support the creation of long-term shareholder value and 
promote the long-term success of the Company.

Tesco is one of the largest public company employers in the world. Our colleagues undertake a variety of roles reflecting the countries we 
operate in and the range of skills we need to run our various businesses. Reward packages therefore differ taking into account location, 
seniority and level of responsibility but they are all built around the common reward objectives and principles outlined previously. The 
following is based on current practice which may change during the life of the policy.

• Annual bonus – Annual bonuses throughout the Group are linked to business success and individual performance and contribution.  

A profit underpin is set below which no bonus awards will be made under the Plan. 

• Share incentives – Currently our annual bonus is delivered in a mix of cash and deferred shares to create alignment with shareholder 

interests. We have a shareholding policy for the Executive Committee and the next level of management within the business. 

• Clawback and malus – Malus provisions exist within our incentive plans to adjust awards prior to release and we will be introducing 

clawback provisions into all our executive incentive plans. 

• Pensions – Pensions across the Group vary widely according to local market practice. In the UK all Tesco colleagues currently have  
the opportunity to participate in a career-average defined benefit scheme. We communicated in January 2015 that we will consult 
colleagues on plans to close this scheme and to replace it with an alternative defined contribution plan. This consultation began  
in April 2015.

• Colleagues as shareholders – It is an important part of the Tesco Values that all colleagues, not just management, have the opportunity 
to become Tesco shareholders. More than 200,000 of our colleagues participate in our all-employee schemes and hold more than  
119 million shares in our Share Incentive Plan and more than 127 million options over shares in our Sharesave scheme.

When determining Executive Director remuneration arrangements, the Committee takes into account pay conditions throughout the Group 
to ensure that the structure and quantum of Executive Directors’ pay remains appropriate in this context.

Remuneration outcomes in different performance scenarios

Tesco remuneration arrangements have been designed to ensure that a significant proportion of pay is dependent on the delivery of 
short-term and long-term goals that are aligned with our short-term and long-term strategic objectives and the creation of shareholder 
value. The Committee considers the level of remuneration that may payout in different performance scenarios to ensure that this  
is considered appropriate in the context of the performance delivered and the value added for shareholders. The charts below show 
hypothetical values of the remuneration package for Executive Directors under three assumed performance scenarios:

CEO – Dave Lewis (£million)
CEO – Dave Lewis (£million)

CFO – Alan Stewart (£million)
CFO – Alan Stewart (£million)

9
9

8
8

7
7

6
6

5
5

4
4

3
3

2
2

1
1

0
0

£8,190k
£8,190k

42%
42%

38%
38%

20%
20%

£4,909k
£4,909k

35%
35%

32%
32%

33%
33%

£1,628k
£1,628k

100%
100%

Minimum
Minimum

On-target
On-target

Maximum
Maximum

9
9

8
8

7
7

6
6

5
5

4
4

3
3

2
2

1
1

0
0

£2,779k
£2,779k

34%
34%
30%
30%

36%
36%

£998k
£998k

100%
100%

£4,560k
£4,560k

41%
41%

37%
37%

22%
22%

Minimum
Minimum

On-target
On-target

Maximum
Maximum

Fixed Pay
Fixed Pay

Annual bonus
Annual bonus

Long-term incentive
Long-term incentive

Fixed Pay
Fixed Pay

Annual bonus
Annual bonus

Long-term incentive
Long-term incentive

Performance scenarios

Maximum award opportunities (% of salary)

Annual bonus

PSP

Minimum 

On-target performance

Maximum performance

CEO

250%

275%

CFO

225%

250%

•  No bonus payout
•  No vesting under the Performance Share Plan

•  50% annual bonus payout
•  50% vesting under the Performance Share Plan

•  100% annual bonus payout
•  100% Performance Share Plan vesting

65

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Other informationGovernanceFinancial statementsStrategic reportDirectors’ remuneration report continued
Directors’ remuneration policy

No share price growth or the payment of dividend equivalents has been assumed. Potential benefits under all employee share schemes have 
not been included.

Fixed pay is based on current values as set out in the table below:

Salary

Benefits*

From 
appointment

CEO – Dave Lewis (£’000)

CFO – Alan Stewart (£’000)

1,250

750

65

60

Pension

25% of  
salary

313

188

Total fixed pay

1,628

998

*  Benefits are calculated based on forecast full-year benefits excluding one-off costs. The actual benefits for 2014/15 were Dave Lewis – £97,000 and Alan Stewart – 

£42,000.

Remuneration policy for new hires

The Committee would generally seek to align the remuneration package offered to new Executives with our remuneration policy outlined  
in the table above. When determining appropriate remuneration arrangements, the Committee will take into account all relevant factors 
including the experience and calibre of the candidate, the candidate’s current reward opportunity, and the jurisdiction the candidate was 
recruited from.

In respect of an Executive Director’s appointment, the Committee may offer variable remuneration arrangements that it considers 
appropriate and necessary to recruit and retain the individual (subject to the maximum variable limit outlined below).

Variable remuneration awarded in respect of an Executive Director’s appointment shall be limited to the current aggregate annual and PSP 
award policy of 600% of base salary. This limit includes awards granted under the normal policy outlined above but excluding any awards 
made to compensate the Executive Director for awards forfeited from their previous employer.

The Committee may make awards when appointing an Executive Director to ‘buy out’ remuneration terms forfeited on leaving a previous 
employer. In doing so, the Committee will take account of relevant factors including any performance conditions attached to these awards, 
the form in which they were granted (e.g. cash or shares) and the time over which they would have vested.

The Committee’s key principle is that buyout awards will generally be made on a comparable basis to those forfeited.

To facilitate buyout awards outlined above, in the event of recruitment, the Committee may grant awards to a new Executive Director under  
the Listing Rule 9.4.2, which allows for the granting of awards, to facilitate, in unusual circumstances, the recruitment of an Executive Director,  
or under other relevant company incentive plans.

The Company will pay legal fees incurred by any new Executive Directors in respect of their appointment.

In the event that an internal candidate was promoted to the Board, legacy terms and conditions would normally be honoured, including 
pension entitlements and any outstanding incentive awards.

In the event of the appointment of a new Chairman or Non-executive Director, remuneration arrangements will normally reflect the policy 
outlined on page 68 for Chairmen and Non-executive Directors.

Executive Director service agreements and policy on Executive Directors leaving Tesco

When determining leaving arrangements for an Executive Director, the Committee takes into account any contractual agreements including 
the provisions of any incentive arrangements, typical market practice and the performance and conduct of the individual.

The following table summarises our policy in relation to Executive Director service agreements and payments in the event of loss of office.

66

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Provision

Notice period

Expiry date

Current service agreements

•  12 months’ notice by the Company and six months’ notice by the Executive Director
•  For new appointments, the Committee reserves the right to vary this period to 24 months for the initial period  
of appointment and for the notice period to then revert to 12 months after the initial 12 months of employment

•  Dave Lewis and Alan Stewart entered into service agreements with Tesco PLC on 19 July 2014 and 9 July 2014 

respectively

•  These are rolling service agreements with no fixed expiry date

Termination payments (does not apply if notice is provided, 
as per the service agreement, or for termination by reason  
of resignation or unacceptable performance or conduct)

•  If the Company terminates a Director’s agreement without full notice or it is terminated by an Executive Director  
in response to a serious contractual breach by the Company then the Executive has the right to a termination 
payment to reflect the unexpired term of the notice

Other information

•  Any termination payment in lieu of notice will be based on base salary and benefits only
•  Benefits comprise car-related benefits, healthcare and health insurance and staff discount
•  No account will be taken of pension when determining termination payments
•  Termination payments will normally be subject to mitigation and paid in instalments to facilitate this  

(other than for long-serving Executive Directors or in the event of a change of control of the Company  
where the termination payment is made in full on departure)

•  Where an Executive Director has less than eight years of continuous service then any termination payment  

will normally be made in 13 equal four-weekly payments. Where an Executive Director has more than 15 years’ 
continuous service then the termination payment is made in full on departure. For periods of continuous service 
between eight years and 15 years, termination payments will normally be split between initial payments and 
phased payments

•  Payment in full on termination on change of control arises if the Company terminates or gives notice within  

12 months after a change of control

•  Where an Executive Director retires from the business they will not normally receive a termination payment
•  The Company’s obligation to continue making phased termination payments will cease when the Executive 

Director commences alternative employment

•  In the event of termination, an Executive Director may have an entitlement to compensation in respect  

of statutory rights under employment protection legislation in the UK and potentially elsewhere

•  The Committee may determine that an Executive Director may remain eligible to receive a pro-rata bonus for 

the financial year in respect of the period they remained in employment. The Committee will determine the level 
of bonus taking into account time in employment and performance. Where an Executive leaves by reason of 
death, disability or ill-health, they, or in the case of death their personal representatives, are entitled to a 
pro-rata performance-based bonus for the year of leaving

•  In the event that an Executive Director retires from the Company, they shall be entitled to retain their private 

medical cover and annual medical examinations in retirement. Any Executive Directors appointed from 
24 February 2013 will not be entitled to this benefit

•  Under the employment agreements, while in employment Executive Directors are also entitled to sick pay,  

paid holiday, maternity and paternity leave

•  Where appropriate, the Company will meet an Executive Director’s reasonable legal fees in connection with  

the termination of his employment and/or the reasonable cost of outplacement services

The service agreements are available to shareholders to view at the Company’s registered office.

Share plan rules – leaver provisions
The treatment of outstanding share awards in the event that an Executive Director leaves is governed by the relevant share plan rules.  
The following table summarises leaver provisions under the executive share plans. In specific circumstances, the Committee may exercise  
its discretion to modify the policy outlined to the extent that the rules of the share plan allow such discretion. The Committee will not exercise 
discretion to allow awards to vest where the participant is dismissed for gross misconduct.

Death

Good leavers as determined by the Committee 
in accordance with the plan rules

Leavers in other circumstances  
(other than summary dismissal)

Executive 
Incentive  
Plan 2014
(deferred  
bonus shares)

Performance 
Share Plan 2011

‘Good leavers’ are: injury, ill-health or disability, redundancy, 
retirement, the entity which employs the Executive ceasing to be  
part of the Group or any other reason determined by the Committee 
taking into account the circumstances of departure and performance

•  Unvested awards vest on death.
•  Normally 12 months to exercise  

(if options)

•  Unvested awards vest at cessation (Committee discretion  

•  Awards normally lapse

to defer vesting to normal vesting date)
•  Normally 12 months to exercise (if options)

•  Unvested awards normally vest  
on death. The level of vesting is 
determined by the Committee taking 
into account performance and the time 
elapsed between grant and death
•  If awards are in the form of options, 
the personal representatives of the 
participant will normally have 
12 months from the date of death  
to exercise or a longer period as 
determined by the Committee  
of up to 10 years from grant

•  Awards granted in the 12 months prior to leaving normally lapse 
(where more than one award has been made in the 12-month 
period in respect of different financial years the most recent  
award will lapse)

•  If a participant leaves holding three unvested awards (in respect  
of different financial years), the most recent granted award shall 
normally lapse

•  Other unvested awards normally continue until the normal vesting 
date. The Committee will determine the level of vesting taking into 
account performance

•  If awards are in the form of options, participants normally have  

12 months from vesting (or leaving for vested options) to exercise  
or a longer period determined by the Committee of up to 10 years 
from grant

•  Unvested awards normally lapse unless 
the Committee determines otherwise

•  If awards are in the form of options, 

participants normally have 12 months 
from cessation to exercise vested options 
or a longer period as determined by the 
Committee of up to 10 years from grant

All-employee 
share plans

•  Leaver provisions under all-employee share plans are as determined in accordance with HMRC approved provisions

67

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Other informationGovernanceFinancial statementsStrategic reportDirectors’ remuneration report continued
Directors’ remuneration policy

Legacy plans
Deferred bonus shares awarded prior to 2014 were granted under the 2004 Executive Incentive Plan. Under this plan, in the event that a 
participant leaves for ‘good leaver’ reasons (death, injury, ill-health, disability, redundancy, retirement, the entity which employs the Executive 
Director ceasing to be part of the Group or any other reason determined by the Committee) awards will vest at leaving and participants will 
normally have 12 months from cessation to exercise awards in the form of options. If a participant leaves in other circumstances (other than 
in circumstances of gross misconduct) awards will normally vest at the normal vesting date and participants will normally have 12 months 
from vesting to exercise awards in the form of options.

Philip Clarke and Laurie McIlwee hold vested options under the 2004 Discretionary Share Option Plan and 2004 PSP. Under these plans,  
when participants leave, they have 12 months from leaving to exercise options.

Other vesting circumstances

Awards may also vest early if:
(i)   a participant is transferred to a country, as a result of which the participant will suffer a tax disadvantage or become subject to restrictions 

on his award (under the PSP and 2004 Executive Incentive Plan); or

(ii)  in the event of a takeover, winding-up or other corporate event affecting the Company, which may affect the value of share awards  

(such as a demerger or special dividend).

The number of shares under an award which vest in these circumstances will be determined by the Committee. In the case of the PSP,  
when determining the level of vesting the Committee will consider performance and the time elapsed since grant. In the case of the  
deferred bonus shares (under the 2004 and 2014 Executive Incentive Plan) awards will vest in full.

Where an Executive Director leaves as a result of summary dismissal they will forfeit outstanding share incentive awards. 

Remuneration policy for Non-executive Directors

Approach to setting fees

Basis of fees

Other items

•  Fees for the Non-executive Chairman and 

Non-executive Directors are set at an appropriate 
level to recruit and retain Directors of a sufficient 
calibre to guide and influence Board level decision 
making without paying more than is necessary 

•  Fees are set taking into account the following 

factors:
 – The time commitment required to fulfil the role
 – Typical practice at other companies of a similar 

size and complexity to Tesco

•  Non-executive Directors’ fees are set by the Board 
and the Chairman’s fee is set by the Committee  
(the Chairman does not take part in any discussion 
about his fees)

•  Fees are reviewed by the Board at appropriate 

intervals (normally once every two years)

•  Fees paid to the Non-executive Chairman and 
Non-executive Directors may not exceed the 
aggregate limit of £2m set out in the Company’s 
articles of association

•  Non-executive Director fees policy is to pay:
 – A basic fee for membership of the Board
 – An additional fee for the Chairman of a Committee 
and the Senior Independent Director to take into 
account the additional responsibilities and time 
commitment of the role

 – An additional fee for membership of a Committee 
to take into account the additional responsibilities 
and time commitment of the role

•  Additional fees may be paid to reflect additional 

Board or Committee responsibilities as appropriate
•  Non-executive Directors of Tesco PLC may also serve 
on the Board of Tesco Personal Finance Group Limited

•  Such Non-executive Directors also receive a basic  

fee for serving on this Board and additional fees for 
Committee membership in line with other members 
of this Board. Fees for membership of the Board of 
Tesco Personal Finance Group Limited are determined 
by the Board of Tesco Personal Finance Group Limited 
and are reviewed at appropriate intervals

•  The Non-executive Chairman of Tesco PLC receives 

an all-inclusive fee for the role

•  The Non-executive Directors are not entitled  

to participate in the annual bonus or Performance  
Share Plan

•  The Non-executive Directors have the benefit  

of Directors’ and Officers’ liability insurance and 
provision of indemnity and staff discount on the 
same basis as other employees. The Board may 
introduce additional benefits for Non-executive 
Directors if it is considered appropriate to do so

•  The Non-executive Chairman may have the benefit  
of a company car and driver, home security, staff 
discount and healthcare for himself and his partner. 
The Committee may introduce additional benefits 
for the Chairman if it is considered appropriate  
to do so

•  The Company reimburses the Chairman and 

Non-executive Directors for reasonable expenses  
in performing their duties and may settle any tax 
incurred in relation to these

•  The Company will pay reasonable legal fees  
for advice in relation to terms of engagement
•  If a Non-executive Director was based overseas  

•  Where significant travel is required to attend Board 
meetings, additional fees may be paid to reflect this 
additional time commitment

then the Company would meet travel and 
accommodation expenditure as required  
to fulfil Non-executive duties

Non-executive Director letters of appointment
Non-executive Directors have letters of appointment setting out their duties and the time commitment expected. Appointments are for  
an initial period of three years after which they are reviewed. The unexpired term of Non-executive Directors’ appointments can be found  
on page 35. In line with the UK Corporate Governance Code, all Non-executive Directors submit themselves for re-election by shareholders 
every year at the Annual General Meeting. All Non-executive Directors’ appointments can be terminated by either party without notice. 
Non-executive Directors have no entitlement to compensation on termination.

The letters of appointment are available for shareholders to view at the Company’s registered office.

68

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Considering colleagues’ views
The Committee does not consider that it is appropriate to consult colleagues directly when developing the Directors’ Remuneration Policy.  
A significant portion of our colleagues are shareholders so are able to express their views in the same way as other shareholders.

The Company undertakes an employee engagement survey, which occurs annually across Tesco’s global operations and semi-annually for 
colleagues in the UK. This survey asks for feedback and comments on many aspects of employment with Tesco, including employee reward 
and benefits. This insight, combined with feedback gleaned from social media channels, forms a key part of shaping future plans  
and taking action to improve.

The Committee reviews information regarding the typical remuneration structure and reward levels for other UK-based employees to provide 
context when determining executive remuneration policy.

Considering shareholders’ views
The Committee believes that it is very important to maintain an open dialogue with shareholders on remuneration matters. The Committee 
regularly consults significant shareholders regarding potential changes to remuneration arrangements and the views of shareholders are 
important in determining any final changes. Going forward, the Committee will continue to liaise with shareholders regarding remuneration 
matters more generally and Tesco arrangements as appropriate. It is the Committee’s intention to consult major shareholders in advance  
of making any material changes to remuneration arrangements for Executive Directors.

Approved by the Board  
5 May 2015
Deanna Oppenheimer 
Chair of the Remuneration Committee

69

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Other informationGovernanceFinancial statementsStrategic reportThe Directors present their report, together with the audited accounts 
for the year ended 28 February 2015. Other information that is 
relevant to the Directors’ report, and which is incorporated by 
reference into this report, can be located as follows:

Future developments

Greenhouse gas emissions

Financial instruments and financial risk management

Corporate governance report

Pages

1 to 25

21

25, 116 to 124

27 to 45

Disclosures required pursuant to Listing Rule 9.8.4R can be found  
on the following pages: 

Statement of capitalised interest

Long-term incentive schemes

Allotment for cash of equity securities

Waiver of dividends

Pages

100 and 108

55

132

70

The Company has chosen, in accordance with Section 414 C(11)  
of the Companies Act 2006, and as noted in this Directors’ report,  
to include certain matters in its Strategic report that would otherwise 
be required to be disclosed in this Directors’ report. The Strategic 
report can be found on pages 1 to 25 of the Annual Report and 
Financial Statements 2015.

Group results
Group revenue (excluding VAT) decreased by £1,273 million to 
£62.3 billion, representing a decrease of 2.0%. Group loss before  
tax was £6,376 million from a profit before tax of £2,259 million  
in 2013/14. The loss for the year including discontinued operations 
was £5,766 million, of which £5,741 million was attributable to equity 
holders of the parent company.

Dividends
As announced by the Company on 8 January 2015, the Board has 
decided not to recommend the payment of a final dividend in respect 
of the year ended 28 February 2015. An interim dividend of 1.16p  
per ordinary share was paid to shareholders in December 2014. 

Certain nominee companies representing our employee benefit 
trusts hold shares in the Company in connection with the operation  
of the Company’s share plans and have submitted evergreen 
dividend waivers on shares held by them that have not been 
allocated to employees. The total amount of dividends waived  
by them during the year ended 28 February 2015 was £1.3 million.

Fixed assets
Capital expenditure (excluding business combinations) amounted  
to £2.0 billion compared with £2.7 billion the previous year. 

Share capital and control of the Company and significant agreements
Details of the Company’s share capital, including changes during the 
year in the issued share capital and details of the rights attaching to the 
Company’s ordinary shares are set out in Note 27 on page 132 of the 
Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015. No shareholder holds 
securities carrying special rights with regards to control of the Company. 
There are no restrictions on voting rights or the transfer of securities in 
the Company and the Company is not aware of any agreements 
between holders of securities that result in such restrictions.

The Company was authorised by shareholders at the 2014 AGM  
to purchase its own shares in the market up to a maximum of 
approximately 10% of its issued share capital. No shares were 
purchased under that authority during the financial year. The 

Company is seeking to renew the authority at the forthcoming  
AGM, within the limits set out in the notice of that meeting. 

Shares held by the Company’s Employee Share Incentive Plan Trust, 
International Employee Benefit Trust, Tesco Ireland Share Bonus 
Scheme Trust and Tesco Employee Share Scheme Trust rank pari  
passu with the shares in issue and have no special rights. Voting  
rights and rights of acceptance of any offer relating to the shares held  
in these trusts rests with the trustees, who may take account of any 
recommendation from the Company. Voting rights are not exercisable 
by the employees on whose behalf the shares are held in trust. 

The Company is not party to any significant agreements that would 
take effect, alter or terminate following a change of control of the 
Company. The Company does not have agreements with any Director 
or officer that would provide compensation for loss of office or 
employment resulting from a takeover, except that provisions of the 
Company’s share plans may cause options and awards granted under 
such plans to vest on a takeover. 

Major shareholders
Information provided to the Company by major shareholders pursuant 
to the FCA’s Disclosure and Transparency Rules (DTR) are published  
via a Regulatory Information Service and is available on the Company’s 
website. The Company had been notified under Rule 5 of the DTR  
of the following holdings of voting rights in its shares as at  
28 February 2015 and as at the date of this report:

BlackRock, Inc.

Norges Bank

% of issued share 
capital as at 
28 February 2015

% of issued share 
capital as at the date
of this report

5.01

7.002

5.01

7.002

Articles of Association
The Company’s Articles of Association may only be amended by special 
resolution at a general meeting of the shareholders. 

Directors and their interests
The biographical details of the current serving Directors are set out on 
pages 28 and 29 of the Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015. 
The Directors who served during the year were: Mark Armour; Sir Richard 
Broadbent; Gareth Bullock; Patrick Cescau; Stuart Chambers; Philip 
Clarke; Richard Cousins; Olivia Garfield; Ken Hanna; Dave Lewis; Laurie 
McIlwee; Mikael Olsson; Deanna Oppenheimer; Alan Stewart; and 
Jacqueline Tammenoms Bakker. Changes to the Board since 22 
February 2014 are shown on page 35. The interests of Directors  
and their immediate families in the shares of Tesco PLC, along with 
details of Directors’ share options, are contained in the Directors’ 
Remuneration Report set out on pages 46 to 69. 

At no time during the year did any of the Directors have a material 
interest in any significant contract with the Company or any of its 
subsidiaries. A qualifying third-party indemnity provision as defined  
in Section 234 of the Companies Act 2006 is in force for the benefit  
of each of the Directors and the Company Secretary (who is also a 
Director of certain subsidiaries of the Company) in respect of liabilities 
incurred as a result of their office, to the extent permitted by law. In 
respect of those liabilities for which directors may not be indemnified, 
the Company maintained a directors’ and officers’ liability insurance 
policy throughout the financial year. 

Employment policies 
We develop people policies in line with our Values and, by putting  
our colleagues first, we enable them to give our customers a great 
experience. We promote a fair, honest and transparent culture where 
information is available to everyone so our people know how they  
will be supported. Further details can be found on page 20 of the 
Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015.

70

Directors’ reportTesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015We are committed to providing an inclusive environment at work  
in which people are treated with respect. We believe that having 
people from diverse backgrounds, with different experiences and 
talents is a real strength for our business. 

We have continued our positive engagement with the Groceries Code 
Adjudicator (GCA), Christine Tacon, and her office. Specifically, we  
are in ongoing dialogue with the GCA around the probable breaches 
of the Code we have identified and our proposed remedial actions. 

Our colleagues are our most valuable asset. Promoting and supporting 
skills and development is at the core of what we do and we provide 
many training and learning programmes to give everyone the support, 
resources and opportunities they need to be the best they can be.  
Our selection, training, development and promotion policies ensure 
equal opportunities for all colleagues regardless of factors such as 
gender, marital status, race, age, sexual preference and orientation, 
colour, creed, ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability or trade union 
affiliation. All decisions are based on merit. 

We believe it is essential for our colleagues to have a voice. By really 
listening to our colleagues it enables us to understand what really 
matters to them and respond to make it better. We use a variety  
of communication channels to regularly engage, consult, inform  
and connect with our teams so that the views of our colleagues  
can be taken into account when key decisions are made that affect 
them and to ensure that our colleagues are aware of the financial  
and economic factors affecting the Group’s performance.

We actively encourage colleagues to become involved in the  
financial performance of our business through a variety of voluntary 
share schemes. 

Political donations
The Group did not make any political donations (2013/14: £nil)  
or incur any political expenditure during the year (2013/14: £nil). 

Compliance with the Groceries (Supply Chain Practices) Market 
Investigation Order 2009 and the Groceries Supply Code of Practice 
(the ‘Code’)
The Code places obligations on grocery retailers with a turnover 
greater than £1 billion to maintain a Code compliance programme, 
which includes training staff and providing information to the 
Competition and Markets Authority. In addition, the Code sets  
out a number of provisions which relate to different aspects of  
the relationship between a retailer and supplier. 

The Code establishes an overarching principle that retailers must deal 
with their suppliers fairly and lawfully. Specific obligations include 
giving reasonable notice in circumstances such as changes to supply 
chain procedures and when ceasing or significantly reducing 
purchases from a supplier. The Code also contains a number of 
provisions relating to payments by suppliers, including obligations  
for retailers to pay suppliers without delay and a prohibition on  
certain types of payments, such as those for shrinkage.

Regrettably, we have concluded that there have been a number of 
instances of probable breaches of the Code which fall short of the 
high standards we expect to uphold in our dealings with our suppliers.

We are taking effective action to prevent this arising again. We are 
fundamentally changing the way we work with our suppliers to 
deliver a more sustainable and collaborative business model for 
everyone in the supply chain. In addition, we are significantly 
up-weighting our Code compliance programme. The programme 
will include comprehensive new starter training and annual refresher 
training (which is delivered through both e-learning and in-person 
training), improved guidance and processes, ‘deep dive’ audits 
throughout the year, bi-annual compliance declarations and 
disciplinary action where necessary.

Our Code Compliance Officer has also continued to take an active  
and visible role during the year and we have proactively engaged  
the supply base through supplier training events. This year we have 
seen an increase in suppliers raising Code issues. Eighteen Code-
related complaints were raised by suppliers this year, and (as at the 
date of this report) we have resolved all but one complaint through 
discussion with the suppliers concerned. We are continuing to discuss 
the final matter with the relevant supplier. We have had twelve 
instances where complaints were referred to the Code Compliance 
Officer, although in none of those instances was a formal dispute 
raised as all matters were resolved directly with the supplier. The Code 
Compliance Officer regularly reports to our Compliance Committees 
and Audit Committee. 

Going concern
The Directors consider that the Group and the Company have 
adequate resources to remain in operation for the foreseeable future 
and have therefore continued to adopt the going concern basis  
in preparing the financial statements.

Events after the Balance Sheet date
On 20 March 2015, the Group regained sole ownership of 21 stores, 
previously held in a joint venture with British Land. The Group received 
British Land’s share of the 21 stores and cash of £96 million. In 
exchange, British Land took sole ownership of three shopping centres, 
three retail parks and three standalone stores which were held in two 
joint ventures between the two companies as at the Balance Sheet 
date. The Group will continue to lease the stores at these sites at 
market rents which are not subject to RPI-indexed increases.

Directors’ statement of disclosure of information to auditors
Having made the requisite enquiries, the Directors in office at the 
date of this Annual Report and Financial Statements have each 
confirmed that, so far as they are aware, there is no relevant audit 
information (as defined by Section 418 of the Companies Act 2006) 
of which the Group’s auditors are unaware, and each of the Directors 
has taken all the steps he/she ought to have taken as a Director to 
make himself/herself aware of any relevant audit information and  
to establish that the Group’s auditors are aware of that information. 
This confirmation is given and should be interpreted in accordance 
with the provisions of Section 418 of the Companies Act 2006. 

Cautionary statement regarding forward-looking information
Where this document contains forward-looking statements, these 
are made by the Directors in good faith based on the information 
available to them at the time of their approval of this report. These 
statements should be treated with caution due to the inherent risks 
and uncertainties underlying any such forward-looking information. 
The Group cautions investors that a number of factors, including 
matters referred to in this document, could cause actual results  
to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking 
statement. Such factors include, but are not limited to, those 
discussed under ‘Principal risks and uncertainties’ on pages 22  
to 25 of this Annual Report.

By order of the Board

Paul Moore
Company Secretary
5 May 2015

71

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Other informationGovernanceFinancial statementsStrategic report72

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Financial statements

74  Statement of Directors’ responsibilities
 Independent auditors’ report to the 
75 
members of Tesco PLC
83  Group income statement
84 

 Group statement of comprehensive 
income

85  Group balance sheet
86  Group statement of changes in equity
87  Group cash flow statement
88 

 Notes to the Group financial 
statements

139   Tesco PLC – Parent Company  

balance sheet

140   Notes to the Parent Company financial 

statements

145   Independent auditors’ report to  

the members of Tesco PLC (Parent 
Company financial statements)

73

Other informationGovernanceFinancial statementsStrategic reportTesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Statement of Directors’ responsibilities

The Directors are required by the Companies Act 2006 to prepare 
financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair 
view of the state of affairs of the Group and the Company as at the 
end of the financial year and of the profit or loss of the Group for the 
financial year. Under that law the Directors are required to prepare the 
Group financial statements in accordance with International Financial 
Reporting Standards (‘IFRS’) as adopted by the European Union 
(‘EU’) and have elected to prepare the Parent Company financial 
statements in accordance with UK Generally Accepted Accounting 
Practice (UK Accounting Standards and applicable law).

In preparing these financial statements, the Directors are required to:

• select suitable accounting policies and then apply them 

consistently;

• make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable 

and prudent;

• state whether IFRSs as adopted by the European Union and 
applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, 
subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in 
the Group and Parent Company financial statements 
respectively; and

• prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis, 
unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Group and the 
Company will continue in business.

The Directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records 
that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position 
of the Group and the Company and which enable them to ensure that 
the financial statements and the Directors’ Remuneration Report 
comply with the Companies Act 2006 and, as regards the Group 
financial statements, Article 4 of the IAS Regulation. They also have 
general responsibility for taking such steps as are reasonably open  
to them to safeguard the assets of the Group and the Company  
and to prevent and detect fraud and other irregularities.

The Directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the 
Company’s website. Legislation in the UK governing the preparation 
and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation 
in other jurisdictions. 

The Directors consider that the Annual Report and Financial 
Statements, taken as a whole, is fair, balanced and understandable  
and provides the information necessary for shareholders to assess the 
Group’s and the Company’s performance, business model and strategy. 

Each of the Directors, whose names and functions are set out  
on pages 28 and 29 confirm that, to the best of their knowledge:

• the Group financial statements, which have been prepared  
in accordance with IFRS as adopted by the EU, give a true  
and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and loss 
of the Group; and

• the Strategic report contained within this document includes a 

fair review of the development and performance of the business  
and the position of the Group, together with a description of the 
principal risks and uncertainties that it faces.

74

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015 
Independent auditors’ report to the members of Tesco PLC

Our opinion
In our opinion, Tesco PLC’s Group financial statements (the 
‘financial statements’):
•  give a true and fair view of the state of the Group’s affairs  
as at 28 February 2015 and of its loss and cash flows for  
the 53 week period (the ‘period’) then ended;

•  have been properly prepared in accordance with International 
Financial Reporting Standards (‘IFRSs’) as adopted by the 
European Union; and

•  have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of 
the Companies Act 2006 and Article 4 of the IAS Regulation.

What we have audited
Tesco PLC’s financial statements comprise:
•  the Group balance sheet as at 28 February 2015;
•  the Group income statement and the Group statement  
of comprehensive income for the period then ended;

•  the Group cash flow statement for the period then ended;
•  the Group statement of changes in equity for the period then 

ended; and

•  the notes to the financial statements, which include a 
summary of significant accounting policies and other 
explanatory information.

Certain required disclosures have been presented elsewhere  
in the Annual Report, rather than in the notes to the financial 
statements. These are cross-referenced from the financial 
statements and are identified as audited.

The financial reporting framework that has been applied in the 
preparation of the financial statements is applicable law and  
IFRSs as adopted by the European Union.

Our audit approach

Overview
Materiality
Overall Group materiality for 2014/15 was £50 million, which  
was based on applying professional judgement, taking into 
consideration a number of profit based measures and the overall 
scale of the business. Overall Group materiality in 2013/14 was 
£150 million.

Audit scope
We conducted audit work over the complete financial information 
for 13 components across the UK, Europe and Asia. In addition 
specified procedures were carried out at the Group’s shared 
service centre in Bangalore.

The components that were part of our audit scope as set out 
above accounted for 99% (2013/14: 92%) of Group profit before 
tax before restructuring and other one off items and the reversal 
of commercial income recognised in previous periods.

Areas of focus
The following were areas of focus for our audit:
•  recognition of commercial income; 
•  commercial income – impact on prior years;
•  impairment of property, plant and equipment;
•  inventory;
•  impairment of investments in associated undertakings;
•  provisions and reserves in Tesco Bank;
•  management override of controls; and
•  compliance with laws and regulations.

The scope of our audit and our areas of focus
We conducted our audit in accordance with International 
Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland) (‘ISAs (UK and Ireland)’).

We designed our audit by determining materiality and assessing 
the risks of material misstatement in the financial statements.  
In particular, we looked at where the directors made subjective 
judgements, for example in respect of significant accounting 
estimates that involved making assumptions and considering 
future events that are inherently uncertain. As in all of our audits, 
we also addressed the risk of management override of internal 
controls, including evaluating whether there was evidence of bias 
by the directors that represented a risk of material misstatement 
due to fraud.

The risks of material misstatement that had the greatest effect  
on our audit, including the allocation of our resources and effort,  
are identified as ‘areas of focus’ in the table below. We have also  
set out how we tailored our audit to address these specific areas  
in order to provide an opinion on the financial statements as a 
whole, and any comments we make on the results of our procedures 
should be read in this context. This is not a complete list of all risks 
identified by our audit.

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Area of focus

How our audit addressed the area of focus

Recognition of commercial income

Refer to page 37 (Audit Committee Report), page 88 (Accounting 
Policies).

Tesco has agreements with suppliers whereby discounts and rebates 
are received retrospectively according to the quantity of goods 
bought and promotional and marketing activity performed in stores 
and online.

We focused on this area as this income contributes a significant 
amount to the Group results and also due to the fact that these 
agreements can include a number of characteristics that require 
judgement to be applied in determining the appropriate 
accounting based on the terms of the agreement. There may  
also be incentives for buyers to manipulate the timing of when 
commercial income is recognised to meet internal targets.

Our audit procedures focused, in particular, on the following 
judgements:
•  the period which the agreements cover and hence the correct 

period for recognition;

•  the determination of volume achieved and the applicable 

rebate income earned; and

•  the appropriate recognition of income related to one off 
agreements and marketing and promotional activity. 

This risk was heightened during the period following the  
Group’s announcement on 22 September 2014 relating to  
the misstatement of commercial income. As a result of this 
announcement our audit in 2014/15 also considered the impact 
on prior period financial statements of the issues identified 
during the current period.

As with any significant audit risk, we understood and evaluated  
the controls that the Group has in place around commercial 
income. Given the announcement in September 2014 we did not 
seek to place any significant reliance on the operating effectiveness 
of the controls and our work in 2014/15 in the UK and around the 
world principally comprised substantive testing.

Our response to this risk included an understanding of the work 
carried out by Tesco Internal Audit and also the scope and results  
of the work carried out by Deloitte, who were appointed by the 
directors to perform an independent review of the commercial 
income misstatement.

In the UK we also used our specialist forensic knowledge to help 
corroborate the misstatement of commercial income announced 
by the Group, provide information relating to prior periods and 
assess the reliability of support provided by management.

Our audit approach and results of our work on Commercial Income 
were discussed on a number of occasions with the Audit Committee. 

As part of our review of component teams’ audit work, the Group 
engagement team was specifically involved in determining the audit 
approach in this area in order to be satisfied that sufficient focus  
was placed on the more judgemental areas. As a result of this 
involvement we were satisfied that, whilst complex, this area was 
well understood and there was sufficient focus on this area of risk. 

Our audit procedures across individual countries included a 
combination of the following substantive testing, on a sample basis:

•  detailed testing of commercial income recognised in the 

period, with particular attention to whether the income was 
recognised in the correct period and the appropriateness of 
accrued commercial income at the period end. This involved 
selecting a sample of amounts invoiced and accrued in the 
period and agreeing them to supporting documentation and 
third party evidence. Where available we inspected underlying 
contractual terms and/or related third party correspondence  
for a selection of arrangements. We also held a number of 
discussions with members of Tesco’s commercial buying team 
to understand the nature of individual agreements;

•  confirming the quantum and nature of a sample of individual 

commercial income agreements directly with suppliers. Where 
confirmations were not received from suppliers we examined 
alternative supporting documentation;

•  testing that amounts have been recognised in the correct 

period through examining active promotional deals in-store 
and online either side of the period end and ensuring that the 
related income was recognised in the correct period;

•  testing credit notes issued during the period and post period 

end to determine whether the income to which they related has 
been appropriately reversed;

•  testing supplier statement reconciliations prepared by 

management for a sample of suppliers; and

•  inspecting the ‘Groceries Supplier Code of Practice’ (GSCOP) 

reporting and any complaints from suppliers. 

The above audit procedures did not identify any matters that 
resulted in a significant audit adjustment. 

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Area of focus

How our audit addressed the area of focus

Commercial income – impact on prior periods

Refer to page 37 (Audit Committee Report), page 88 (Accounting 
Policies) and page 99 (notes).

The Group has stated in its financial statements that commercial 
income recognised in previous periods was overstated by £53 
million in 2013/14 and by £155 million in the periods prior to 
2013/14. The directors have concluded that it is not possible to 
determine the exact amounts relating to prior periods and exactly 
which periods are affected. Management has however produced 
a quantitative and qualitative estimate of the amounts relating  
to prior periods.

We challenged and evaluated management’s quantitative and 
qualitative analysis of amounts relating to prior periods and, whilst 
judgemental, we considered that assessment to be reasonable.  
The estimated impact on 2013/14 profits was £53 million, which was 
below our profit based materiality of £150 million that we 
determined applicable for the 2013/14 audit. The estimated impact 
on the 22 February 2014 and 23 February 2013 balance sheets was 
£208 million and £155 million respectively, both of which are less 
than 0.5% of the Group’s total assets at each respective period end. 
The basis on which we considered materiality relating to prior period 
items is explained further below.

Having estimated the amounts of potential misstatement relating 
to prior periods, the directors then assessed whether these 
amounts are material such that the prior period financial 
statements would require restatement. The directors concluded 
that the amounts relating to prior periods, whilst significant, were 
not, from an accounting perspective, material and consequently 
that it is not necessary to restate the 2013/14 financial statements.

Impairment of property, plant and equipment

Refer to page 37 (Audit Committee Report), page 88 (Accounting 
Policies) and page 108 (notes).

The directors have recorded an impairment charge of £4,292 
million against the carrying value of property, plant and 
equipment across the Group.

We focused on this area because the determination of whether  
or not an impairment charge for property, plant and equipment 
was necessary involved significant judgements by the directors 
about the future results of the business and assessment of future 
plans for the Group’s property portfolio in a number of territories.

In particular we focused on the reasonableness and impact of key 
assumptions including:
•  the cash flow forecasts derived from internal forecasts and 

the assumptions around the future performance;

•  the discount rate and the long term growth rate including  
the assessment of risk factors and growth expectations  
of the relevant territory; and

•  the assumptions used in the valuations prepared to support 
the fair value of certain assets and also the assessment of  
the external valuers as management’s expert. 

After considering carefully the nature and the quantum of the 
estimated amounts relating to prior periods we concurred with the 
directors that these amounts, whilst significant, were not material 
and the prior period financial statements did not require restating. 
The estimated impact on prior periods has been charged to the 
income statement in the current period and the Group has 
separately identified this as a one-off item. We concurred with this 
accounting treatment and are supportive of the detailed disclosures 
made in the Annual Report about the impact of the misstatement on 
the prior periods’ financial statements. 

We evaluated management’s impairment calculations in local 
territories, assessing the future cash flow forecasts used in the 
models, and the process by which they were drawn up, including 
comparing them to the latest Board approved budgets, and  
we tested the mechanics of the underlying calculations. We 
understood and challenged:
•  the assumptions used in the Group’s five-year Plan and the 

long term growth rates by comparing them to economic and 
industry forecasts;

•  the discount rate by assessing the cost of capital and other 

inputs and comparable organisations; and

•  the assumptions used by the external valuers to determine  

the fair market value of the assets.

In performing the above work we utilised our specialist forecasting 
and valuations knowledge to provide challenge and external market 
data points to assess the reasonableness of the assumptions used  
by management.

We performed sensitivity analysis around the key drivers of growth 
rates within the cash flow forecasts to ascertain the extent of 
change in those assumptions that either individually or collectively 
would be required for the assets to be further impaired and also 
considered the likelihood of such a movement in those key 
assumptions arising.

Whilst recognising that cash flow forecasting, impairment modelling 
and property valuations are all inherently judgemental, we concluded 
that the assumptions used by management were within an acceptable 
range of reasonable estimates.

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Area of focus

Inventory

How our audit addressed the area of focus

Refer to page 37 (Audit Committee Report), page 88 (Accounting 
Policies) and page 113 (notes).

The Group held inventory of £2,957 million at 28 February 2015. 
The valuation of inventory was a focus of our audit for the 
following reasons:
•  the Group has changed its provisioning methodology for 

slow moving inventory from an approach based on inventory 
ageing to one based on forecast inventory usage. The new 
method of estimating provisions for realisable value requires 
judgement as it applies provisioning percentages to estimates 
of future sales. The impact of this ‘change in estimate’ has 
been charged to the income statement in the current period 
and, at £323 million, is material; and

•  the Group has also revised its methodology for including 

directly attributable overheads within its determination of  
the cost of inventory. These overheads relate to additional 
costs incurred through the distribution and in-store processes 
of bringing inventory to its final destination. This change  
has involved both a ‘change in accounting policy’ in respect  
of the type of overheads included and also a ‘change in 
estimate’ of the quantum of costs to include. The directors 
have determined that the element relating to the type of 
overheads included, which, as a change in accounting policy 
would normally be reflected retrospectively in the prior period 
financial statements, is not material. The directors have 
therefore recorded the impact of this change in accounting 
policy (£59 million) in the current period income statement 
along with the impact of the change in estimate of the 
quantum of costs to include (£109 million).

We examined the basis of the new methodology with respect to 
slow moving inventory provisions and the appropriateness of the 
provisioning percentages applicable to individual categories of 
inventory. We determined that the new methodology of estimating 
inventory provisions was acceptable. This change in methodology 
represents a change in estimate and consequently recording the 
impact in the current period income statement is appropriate. We 
also agreed that the disclosure of the impact of this change as a 
‘one-off’ cost is appropriate.

We examined the changes the Group has made to its assessment  
of costs directly related to bringing inventory to its final destination 
(and hence included in the cost of inventory). The new methodology 
remains compliant with Accounting Standards. We concurred with 
the directors that the amounts relating to the changes made to the 
types of costs which are capitalised in inventory are not material  
to the Group’s financial statements and consequently recording 
the impact of this change in accounting policy along with the 
impact of the change in estimate in the current period income 
statement is acceptable. We also agreed that the disclosure of  
the impact of these changes as a ‘one-off’ cost is appropriate.

We attended physical inventory counts in all countries within the 
scope of our audit. In the UK we attended 93 physical inventory 
counts during the period, performing our own sample counts and 
checking that the accounting records reflected these physical 
counts. The counting differences identified, which were immaterial, 
were adjusted in the accounting records and these differences were 
at a level consistent with the normal shrinkage provisions held  
by Tesco UK. 

In addition, given the value of the inventory balance in the  
UK retail business (£1,637 million) our UK component team 
identified the existence of inventory to be a particular area  
of focus for its audit. 

Impairment of investment in associated undertakings

Refer to page 37 (Audit Committee Report), page 88 (Accounting 
Policies) and page 112 (notes).

During the period the Group completed the transaction with 
China Resources Enterprises Limited (CRE) to combine their 
respective Chinese retail operations. The Group holds a 20% 
equity interest in the enlarged retail operations and accounts  
for this interest as an associated undertaking.

Following a reduction in the trading performance of the 
combined business in China management has performed  
an impairment review of the carrying value and recorded  
an impairment charge in the current period of £630 million. 

We focused on this area due to the significant and complex 
judgements (both valuation techniques and underlying internal 
and external assumptions) required over determining the fair 
value of the Group’s associate in China. 

We assessed and challenged the valuation approach and 
assumptions used by the third party valuer commissioned by  
the directors. This included understanding and challenging the 
independence, scope of work, growth rate and discount rate 
assumptions of the directors’ third party valuation expert.

We have considered the historic and forecast macro-economic and 
food retail sector performance and conditions in China.

We have also considered the implied revenue and profit multiples 
generated by the external valuation and compared them to other 
comparable companies operating in the food retail sector in China. 

Whilst recognising that valuing businesses is inherently judgemental 
we concluded that the valuation determined by the directors from 
the third party valuation was within an acceptable range.

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Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Area of focus

How our audit addressed the area of focus

Provisions and reserves in Tesco Bank

Refer to page 37 (Audit Committee Report), page 88 (Accounting 
Policies) and page 125 (notes).

We focused on this area because the directors make complex  
and subjective judgements over both timing of recognition  
of provisions for impairment and other regulatory matters  
and the estimate of the quantum of any such amounts. 

The areas we particularly focused on were:
•  loan and credit card impairment provisions which are judgemental 
and material. Judgement is required to assess factors such as the 
loss given default, probability of default and loss emergence period 
before arriving at an impairment provision;

•  provisions for customer redress (PPI and Consumer Credit Act) 

which is an area where there continues to be a high level  
of judgement with changes to key assumptions as actual 
experience is taken into consideration having the potential  
to materially alter the level of provision recognised; and
•  Tesco Underwriting Limited insurance reserving which 

continues to be an area of judgement, with a number of 
assumptions inputting into the overall reserve amounts. 

Management override of controls

Refer to page 37 (Audit Committee Report).

As described in the Corporate Governance Report on pages 32 
and 33, matters surrounding the commercial income issue are 
now the subject of an investigation by the Serious Fraud Office 
(SFO) in the UK. We considered the impact of the override of 
controls relating to those matters. As explained above we focused 
on this area and our testing was designed to ensure we 
appropriately addressed the risk of material misstatement.

The challenges faced by the Group this year have caused the 
directors to examine closely those areas of the financial 
statements where higher levels of management judgement  
are required. There is a risk that an undue level of conservatism 
could have been applied when drawing conclusions from this 
examination. We considered this risk when auditing judgemental 
areas, and in our overall review of whether the financial 
statements presented a true and fair view. 

We assessed and challenged management’s assumptions for loan 
and credit card impairment, particularly the level of recovery on 
historically defaulted receivables and the level of more recent 
defaults, testing whether they are supportable by reference to  
internal historical financial information, external market data  
or robust management rationale.

We assessed and challenged the assumptions made by management 
in calculating the provisions for customer redress. We examined 
historical data to assess whether trends in customer claims have  
been appropriately reflected in the provisions. We read legal advice 
received by Tesco Bank to corroborate the basis on which the 
provisions were calculated.

We evaluated the work performed by independent actuaries  
and challenged the key assumptions the directors have made  
for insurance reserving by using our market knowledge of the  
UK Motor and Household insurance products.

As a result of our work we considered the above provisions  
and reserves in Tesco Bank to be within an acceptable range  
of reasonable estimates.

We assessed the overall control environment of the Group, with  
a particular focus on changes introduced since the Group’s 
announcement in September 2014 relating to the commercial 
income misstatement. Our procedures included: 

•  understanding the overall governance and oversight process 
including the independence and objectivity of those charged  
with governance and the quality and timeliness of the information 
provided to them. In particular we considered how the oversight 
process had been impacted by the several recent changes in Board 
and senior management positions;

•  consideration of the Group’s code of conduct and whistle-blowing 
processes and the communication of these across the Group. Since 
the September 2014 announcement, the Board has initiated a 
Group wide communication programme emphasising the 
importance of culture, integrity and ethics. We read the associated 
communications and considered the impact of the programme;
•  examining the scope and results of the work carried out by Internal 

Audit. Following the September 2014 announcement, Internal Audit 
completed its scheduled programme of work to perform a review  
of the UK commercial income process, and to examine controls 
around other areas of significant accounting judgement. We took 
account of the results of this work when planning and performing 
our audit procedures; and

•  evaluating the specific changes made to the commercial income 
processes and controls, and the staff training used to launch  
these changes. These changes were made mid-way through the 
accounting period and did not operate fully throughout the period. 
We therefore did not place any significant reliance on these controls 
as part of our 2014/15 audit of commercial income. 

We also tested manual journal entries and incorporated an element 
of unpredictability in the timing of our work and the selection of our 
samples into our testing plans.

We examined the significant accounting estimates and judgements 
relevant to the financial statements for evidence of bias by the directors 
that represented a risk of material misstatement. These estimates 
included the areas of impairment and provisioning as set out in the 
areas of focus above. As shown by our overall opinion on the financial 
statements, we were satisfied that the level of conservatism remains 
within an acceptable range. 

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Area of focus

How our audit addressed the area of focus

Compliance with laws and regulations

Refer to page 37 (Audit Committee Report).

Tesco is currently under investigation by the SFO in the UK 
following the September 2014 announcement relating  
to the commercial income misstatement. The outcome  
of this investigation will not be known for some time. However 
should fines be levied as a result, these could be material. 

We focused on this area given the level of judgement required  
by the directors in assessing whether a provision for future fines  
is required at this time.

We met with Tesco internal and external legal teams to understand 
and discuss the status of any legal claims.

We read the minutes of Board meetings and the Executive 
Committee to consider whether the directors are aware of  
amounts that should be provided for.

We read the disclosures made in the Annual Report relating to the 
SFO investigation. 

We obtained confirmation from the directors (via the management 
representation letter) that no provisions are required at this stage.

The Group consolidation, financial statement disclosures and 
financial statement items accounted for centrally, including 
derivative financial instruments, hedge accounting, goodwill 
impairment, and share based payments were also audited by  
the Group engagement team at the head office. 

Materiality
The scope of our audit was influenced by our application of 
materiality. We set certain quantitative thresholds for materiality. 
These, together with qualitative considerations, helped us to 
determine the scope of our audit and the nature, timing and 
extent of our audit procedures and to evaluate the effect of 
misstatements, both individually and on the financial statements 
as a whole. In addition, we used our quantitative assessment of 
materiality when assessing the impact of identified misstatements 
arising during the period that could have an impact on the current 
period and/or the prior period.

•  where misstatements were identified which related to the 

current period income statement the quantitative materiality 
set out in the table below (£50 million) was used to determine 
whether misstatements should be adjusted. For misstatements 
that did not impact profits and only affected the balance sheet 
we did not consider it appropriate to use a standard, profit 
based measure of materiality and our quantitative assessment 
had regard to whether the misstatement was above 5% of  
the balance sheet line to which it related and/or 1% of total 
assets; and

•  where misstatements were identified in the current period 

which related to financial statements issued in prior periods 
(for example the commercial income issue described above) 
we considered the quantitative materiality of these items in 
two ways – by considering the impact on previously reported 
profits against the profit based materiality we determined in 
the previous period (in 2013/14 this was £150 million) and also 
the impact on the previously reported balance sheet using the 
balance sheet metrics referred to in the previous bullet.

For all misstatements we also considered whether their nature  
or other qualitative factors meant that they were material.

Based on our professional judgement, we determined materiality 
for the financial statements as a whole as follows:

How we tailored the audit scope
In identifying these areas of focus and in ensuring that we 
performed enough work to be able to give an opinion on the 
financial statements as a whole, we took into account: the 
geographic structure of the Group; the accounting processes and 
controls; and the industry in which the Group operates, and 
tailored the scope of our audit accordingly. 

The Group’s accounting process is structured around a local 
finance function in each geographical location and a shared 
service centre in Bangalore, India that carries out shared services 
activities for some of the locations. Each of the local finance 
functions report into the central Group finance function. The  
local finance functions consist of 19 operating and head office 
reporting units and a number of joint ventures and associates.  
The geographical locations and the shared service centre maintain 
their own accounting records and controls and report to the  
Group finance team through an integrated consolidation system. 

In establishing the overall approach to the Group audit, we 
determined which locations were significant to the Group’s results 
either due to size or their risk characteristics. Accordingly we 
identified six trading units and the head office reporting unit for 
which we determined that we needed to conduct audit work over 
the complete financial information. These seven reporting units 
were the UK, Turkey, Korea, Thailand, Tesco Bank, Dunnhumby  
and the Group head office and accounted for 99% of the Group’s 
profit before tax before restructuring and other one-off items and 
the reversal of commercial income recognised in previous periods,  
of which the main UK trading business contributed 20%. Audits  
of the complete financial information were also performed for a 
further six trading units where there are local statutory reporting 
requirements. These trading units were Republic of Ireland, Czech 
Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Hungary and Malaysia. In each 
geographical location we used PwC component auditors to audit 
and report on the complete financial information of the unit in that 
location. In relation to the shared service centre in Bangalore each 
component auditor instructed specified audit procedures be 
performed over the balances and transactions processed that were 
relevant to their reporting location and required for the purposes  
of auditing the complete financial information for that location. 

Where the work was performed by component auditors, under  
our instruction, we determined the level of involvement we 
needed to have in the audit work at those reporting locations  
to be able to conclude whether sufficient appropriate audit 
evidence had been obtained as a basis for our opinion on  
the Group financial statements as a whole.

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Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Overall Group Materiality

£50 million (2013/14: £150 million).

How we determined it

Professional judgement having applied benchmark percentages to a number of profit measures  
and considering the overall scale of the business.

Rationale for benchmark 
applied

Overall Group materiality in 2013/14 was £150 million, which represented approximately 5% of profit 
before tax adjusted for restructuring and one-off items.

Given the significant reduction in the Group’s profits compared to the prior period we considered 
materiality in a number of different ways, including:
•  the methodology we used in the prior period, namely 5% of statutory profit before tax adjusted 
for restructuring and one-off items. This would have resulted in an indicative overall materiality  
of £22 million; and

•  our standard benchmark of 5% applied to a three period average of statutory profit before  
tax adjusted for restructuring and one-off items. This would resulted in an indicative overall 
materiality of £117 million. 

In our professional judgement, we concluded that the higher end of the range (£117 million) would 
encompass amounts which, if impacting reported profits, could influence decisions made by 
 the company’s members as a body, and which therefore would be considered material. We also 
concluded, in our professional judgement that amounts at the lower end of the range (£22 million) 
would not influence such decisions, given the scale of Tesco’s operations. We therefore determined 
that an appropriate level of materiality for performing the 2014/15 audit would be within this range, 
whilst at neither the upper nor lower ends. Based on our professional judgement, we selected an 
overall materiality level of £50 million.

We agreed with the Audit Committee that we would report  
to them misstatements identified during our audit above  
£2.5 million (2013/14: £7 million) as well as misstatements  
below that amount that, in our view, warranted reporting  
for qualitative reasons.

Going concern
Under the Listing Rules we are required to review the directors’ 
statement, set out on page 71, in relation to going concern.  
We have nothing to report having performed our review.

As noted in the directors’ statement, the directors have concluded 
that it is appropriate to prepare the financial statements using  
the going concern basis of accounting. The going concern basis 
presumes that the Group has adequate resources to remain  
in operation, and that the directors intend it to do so, for at least 

one year from the date the financial statements were signed.  
As part of our audit we have concluded that the directors’  
use of the going concern basis is appropriate.

However, because not all future events or conditions can be 
predicted, these statements are not a guarantee as to the  
Group’s ability to continue as a going concern.

Other required reporting

Consistency of other information
Companies Act 2006 opinion
In our opinion, the information given in the Strategic Report and  
the Directors’ Report for the financial period for which the financial 
statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements.

ISAs (UK and Ireland) reporting

Under ISAs (UK and Ireland) we are required to report to you if, in our opinion:

•  information in the Annual Report is:

 − materially inconsistent with the information in the audited financial statements; or
 − apparently materially incorrect based on, or materially inconsistent with, our 
knowledge of the Group acquired in the course of performing our audit; or

 − otherwise misleading.

•  the statement given by the directors on page 74, in accordance with Code Provision 
C.1.1, that they consider the Annual Report taken as a whole to be fair, balanced and 
understandable and provides the information necessary for members to assess the 
Group’s performance, business model and strategy is materially inconsistent with  
our knowledge of the Group acquired in the course of performing our audit.

We have no exceptions to report arising 
from this responsibility.

We have no exceptions to report arising 
from this responsibility.

•  the section of the Annual Report on pages 37 to 39, as required by Code Provision  
C.3.8, describing the work of the Audit Committee does not appropriately address 
matters communicated by us to the Audit Committee.

We have no exceptions to report arising 
from this responsibility.

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continued

Adequacy of information and explanations received
Under the Companies Act 2006 we are required to report to you  
if, in our opinion, we have not received all the information and 
explanations we require for our audit. We have no exceptions  
to report arising from this responsibility.

Directors’ remuneration
Under the Companies Act 2006 we are required to report to you  
if, in our opinion, certain disclosures of directors’ remuneration 
specified by law are not made. We have no exceptions to report 
arising from this responsibility.

Corporate governance statement
Under the Listing Rules we are required to review the part  
of the Corporate Governance Statement relating to the parent 
company’s compliance with ten provisions of the UK Corporate 
Governance Code. We have nothing to report having performed 
our review.

Responsibilities for the financial statements  
and the audit

Our responsibilities and those of the directors
As explained more fully in the Directors’ Responsibilities 
Statement on page 74, the directors are responsible for the 
preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied  
that they give a true and fair view.

Our responsibility is to audit and express an opinion on the 
financial statements in accordance with applicable law and ISAs 
(UK and Ireland). Those standards require us to comply with the 
Auditing Practices Board’s Ethical Standards for Auditors. This 
report, including the opinions, has been prepared for and only for 
the company’s members as a body in accordance with Chapter 3 
of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006 and for no other purpose. 
We do not, in giving these opinions, accept or assume responsibility 
for any other purpose or to any other person to whom this report  
is shown or into whose hands it may come save where expressly 
agreed by our prior consent in writing.

What an audit of financial statements involves
An audit involves obtaining evidence about the amounts  
and disclosures in the financial statements sufficient to give 
reasonable assurance that the financial statements are free from 
material misstatement, whether caused by fraud or error. This 
includes an assessment of:

•  whether the accounting policies are appropriate to the Group’s 

circumstances and have been consistently applied  
and adequately disclosed;

•  the reasonableness of significant accounting estimates made 

by the directors; and

•  the overall presentation of the financial statements.

We primarily focus our work in these areas by assessing the 
directors’ judgements against available evidence, forming  
our own judgements, and evaluating the disclosures in the 
financial statements.

We test and examine information, using sampling and other 
auditing techniques, to the extent we consider necessary to 
provide a reasonable basis for us to draw conclusions. We obtain 
audit evidence through testing the effectiveness of controls, 
substantive procedures or a combination of both.

In addition, we read all the financial and non-financial information 
in the Annual Report to identify material inconsistencies with  
the audited financial statements and to identify any information 
that is apparently materially incorrect based on, or materially 
inconsistent with, the knowledge acquired by us in the course  
of performing the audit. If we become aware of any apparent 
material misstatements or inconsistencies we consider the 
implications for our report.

Other matter
We have reported separately on the parent company financial 
statements of Tesco PLC for the 53 week period ended  
28 February 2015 and on the information in the Directors’ 
Remuneration Report that is described as having been audited.

Mark Gill (Senior Statutory Auditor)
for and on behalf of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditors
London
5 May 2015

82

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015 
 
Group income statement

53 weeks ended 28 February 2015
Continuing operations
Revenue
Cost of sales
Gross (loss)/profit
Administrative expenses
(Losses)/profits arising on property-related items
Operating (loss)/profit 
Share of post-tax (losses)/profits of joint ventures and associates 
Finance income
Finance costs
(Loss)/profit before tax
Taxation
(Loss)/profit for the year from continuing operations
Discontinued operations
Loss for the year from discontinued operations
(Loss)/profit for the year 

Attributable to:
Owners of the parent
Non-controlling interests

(Losses)/earnings per share from continuing and discontinued operations
Basic
Diluted

(Losses)/earnings per share from continuing operations
Basic
Diluted

Non-GAAP measure: underlying profit before tax

(Loss)/profit before tax
Adjustments for:

Total restructuring and other one-off items
Reversal of commercial income recognised in previous years:

Recognised in 13/14
Recognised in years prior to 13/14

Other items

Underlying profit before tax 

The notes on pages 88 to 138 form part of these financial statements.

53 weeks
2015
£m

52 weeks
2014
£m

62,284
(64,396)
(2,112)
(2,695)
(985)
(5,792)
(13)
90
(661)
(6,376)
657
(5,719)

(47)
(5,766)

(5,741)
(25)
(5,766)

63,557
(59,547)
4,010
(1,657)
278
2,631
60
132
(564)
2,259
(347)
1,912

(942)
970

974
(4)
970

(70.82)p
(70.82)p

12.07p
12.06p

(70.24)p
(70.24)p

23.75p
23.72p

Notes

2

13
5
5
3
6

7

9
9

9
9

Notes

53 weeks
2015
£m
(6,376)

52 weeks
2014
£m
2,259

3

3
3
3

6,814

801

53
155
315
961

–
–
(6)
3,054

83

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Other informationGovernanceFinancial statementsStrategic report 
Group statement of comprehensive income (loss)

53 weeks ended 28 February 2015
Items that will not be reclassified to income statement
Remeasurements on defined benefit pension schemes
Tax on items that will not be reclassified

Items that may subsequently be reclassified to income statement
Change in fair value of available-for-sale financial assets and investments 
Currency translation differences:
Retranslation of net assets
Movements in foreign exchange reserve and net investment hedging on subsidiary disposed, reclassified and reported in the 
Group Income Statement

Gains/(losses) on cash flow hedges:

Net fair value losses
Reclassified and reported in the Group Income Statement

Tax on items that may be reclassified

Total other comprehensive loss for the year
(Loss)/profit for the year
Total comprehensive loss for the year

Attributable to:
Owners of the parent
Non-controlling interests
Total comprehensive loss for the year

Total comprehensive loss attributable to owners of the parent arises from:
Continuing operations
Discontinued operations

The notes on pages 88 to 138 form part of these financial statements.

Notes

26
6

6

53 weeks
2015
£m

52 weeks
2014
£m

(1,473)
291
(1,182)

(8)

5
(17)

(2)
102
(7)
73
(1,109)
(5,766)
(6,875)

(6,850)
(25)
(6,875)

(6,794)
(56)
(6,850)

(713)
67
(646)

(4)

(1,102)
–

(235)
61
97
(1,183)
(1,829)
970
(859)

(848)
(11)
(859)

138
(986)
(848)

84

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015 
 
 
Group balance sheet

Non-current assets
Goodwill and other intangible assets
Property, plant and equipment
Investment property
Investments in joint ventures and associates
Other investments
Loans and advances to customers
Derivative financial instruments
Deferred tax assets

Current assets
Inventories
Trade and other receivables
Loans and advances to customers
Derivative financial instruments
Current tax assets
Short-term investments
Cash and cash equivalents

Assets of the disposal groups and non-current assets classified as held for sale 

Current liabilities
Trade and other payables
Borrowings
Derivative financial instruments and other liabilities
Customer deposits and deposits from banks
Current tax liabilities
Provisions

Liabilities of the disposal groups classified as held for sale
Net current liabilities 
Non-current liabilities
Borrowings
Derivative financial instruments and other liabilities
Post-employment benefit obligations
Deferred tax liabilities
Provisions

Net assets
Equity
Share capital
Share premium
All other reserves
Retained earnings
Equity attributable to owners of the parent
Non-controlling interests
Total equity 

28 February
2015
£m

22 February
2014
£m

Notes

 10
 11
 12
 13
 14
17
 21
 6

15
16
17
 21

 18

 7

 19
 20
 21
23

24

7

 20
 21
 26
 6
 24

 27

3,771
20,440
164
940
975
3,906
1,546
514
32,256

2,957
2,121
3,814
153
16
593
2,165
11,819
139
11,958

(9,922)
(2,008)
(89)
(7,020)
(95)
(671)
(19,805)
(5)
(7,852)

(10,651)
(946)
(4,842)
(199)
(695)
(17,333)
7,071

406
5,094
(414)
1,985
7,071
–
7,071

3,795
24,490
227
286
1,015
3,210
1,496
73
34,592

3,576
2,190
3,705
80
12
1,016
2,506
13,085
2,487
15,572

(10,595)
(1,910)
(99)
(6,858)
(494)
(250)
(20,206)
(1,193)
(5,827)

(9,303)
(770)
(3,193)
(594)
(183)
(14,043)
14,722

405
5,080
(498)
9,728
14,715
7
14,722

The notes on pages 88 to 138 form part of these financial statements.

Dave Lewis 
Alan Stewart

Directors
The financial statements on pages 83 to 138 were authorised for issue by the Directors on 5 May 2015 and are subject to the approval of the shareholders  
at the Annual General Meeting on 26 June 2015.

85

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Other informationGovernanceFinancial statementsStrategic report 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Group statement of changes in equity

At 22 February 2014
Loss for the year
Other comprehensive (loss)/income
Change in fair value of available-for-sale 
financial assets and investments

Retranslation of net assets
Movements in foreign exchange reserve and 
net investment hedging on subsidiary 
disposed, reclassified and reported in the 
Group Income Statement

Remeasurement losses on defined benefit  

pension schemes

Gains on cash flow hedges
Tax relating to components of other 

comprehensive income 

Total other comprehensive (loss)/income
Total comprehensive (loss)/income
Transactions with owners
Purchase of treasury shares
Share-based payments
Issue of shares
Dividends
Changes in non-controlling interests
Tax on items charged to equity
Total transactions with owners 
At 28 February 2015

At 23 February 2013
Profit for the year
Other comprehensive (loss)/income
Change in fair value of available-for-sale 
financial assets and investments

Retranslation of net assets
Remeasurement losses on defined benefit  

pension schemes

Losses on cash flow hedges
Tax relating to components of other 

comprehensive income 

Total other comprehensive (loss)/income
Total comprehensive (loss)/income
Transactions with owners
Purchase of treasury shares
Share-based payments
Issue of shares
Dividends
Tax on items charged to equity
Total transactions with owners 
At 22 February 2014

All other reserves

Share
capital
£m
405
–

Share
premium 
£m
5,080
–

Other
reserves
£m
40
–

Capital
redemption
reserve 
£m
16
–

Hedging 
reserve
£m
(44)
–

Translation
reserve
£m
(490)
–

Treasury 
shares 
£m
(20)
–

Retained 
earnings 
£m
9,728
(5,741)

Non-
controlling 
interests 
£m
7
(25)

Total 
£m
14,715
(5,741)

–
–

–

–
–

–
–
–

–
–
1
–
–
–
1
406

–
–

–

–
–

–
–
–

–
–
14
–
–
–
14
5,094

–
–

–

–
–

–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
40

–
–

–

–
–

–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
16

–
–

–

–
100

(21)
79
79

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
35

–
5

(17)

–
–

14
2
2

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
(488)

–
–

–

–
–

–
–
–

(15)
18
–
–
–
–
3
(17)

(8)
–

(8)
5

–

(17)

(1,473)
–

291
(1,190)
(6,931)

–
102
–
(914)
–
–
(812)
1,985

(1,473)
100

284
(1,109)
(6,850)

(15)
120
15
(914)
–
–
(794)
7,071

–
–

–

–
–

–
–
(25)

–
–
–
–
18
–
18
–

All other reserves

Share
capital
£m
403
–

Share
premium 
£m
5,020
–

Other
reserves
£m
40
–

Capital
redemption
reserve 
£m
16
–

Hedging 
reserve
£m
91
–

Translation
reserve
£m
547
–

Treasury 
shares 
£m
(9)
–

Retained 
earnings 
£m
10,535
974

Non-
controlling 
interests 
£m
18
(4)

Total
£m
16,643
974

–
–

–
–

–
–
–

–
–
2
–
–
2
405

–
–

–
–

–
–
–

–
–
60
–
–
60
5,080

–
–

–
–

–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
40

–
–

–
–

–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
16

–
–

–
(1,095)

–
(174)

39
(135)
(135)

–
–
–
–
–
–
(44)

–
–

58
(1,037)
(1,037)

–
–
–
–
–
–
(490)

–
–

–
–

–
–
–

(12)
1
–
–
–
(11)
(20)

(4)
–

(4)
(1,095)

(713)
–

67
(650)
324

–
58
–
(1,189)
–
(1,131)
9,728

(713)
(174)

164
(1,822)
(848)

(12)
59
62
(1,189)
–
(1,080)
14,715

–
(7)

–
–

–
(7)
(11)

–
 –
–
–
–
–
7

Total 
equity 
£m
14,722
(5,766)

(8)
5

(17)

(1,473)
100

284
(1,109)
(6,875)

(15)
120
15
(914)
18
–
(776)
7,071

Total 
equity 
£m
16,661
970

(4)
(1,102)

(713)
(174)

164
(1,829)
(859)

(12)
59
62
(1,189)
–
(1,080)
14,722

The notes on pages 88 to 138 form part of these financial statements.

86

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Group cash flow statement

53 weeks ended 28 February 2015
Cash flows from operating activities
Cash generated from operations 
Interest paid
Corporation tax paid
Net cash generated from operating activities
Cash flows from investing activities 
Acquisition/disposal of subsidiaries, net of cash acquired/disposed 
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment, investment property, intangible assets and non-current assets  

classified as held for sale

Purchase of property, plant and equipment, investment property and non-current assets  

classified as held for sale
Purchase of intangible assets
Net repayment of loans by joint ventures and associates
Investments in joint ventures and associates
Net proceeds from sale of/(investments in) short-term investments
Net proceeds from sale of/(investments in) other investments
Dividends received from joint ventures and associates
Interest received 
Net cash used in investing activities 
Cash flows from financing activities 
Proceeds from issue of ordinary share capital 
Increase in borrowings
Repayment of borrowings
Repayment of obligations under finance leases
Rights issue to non-controlling interests
Dividends paid to equity owners
Net cash from financing activities
Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the year
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes
Cash and cash equivalents including cash held in disposal groups at the end of the year
Cash held in disposal groups
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year 

The notes on pages 88 to 138 form part of these financial statements.

53 weeks
2015
£m

52 weeks
2014
£m

1,467
(613)
(370)
484

(243)

244

(1,989)
(329)
21
(382)
423
48
88
104
(2,015)

15
4,883
(3,185)
(3)
18
(914)
814
(717)
2,813
78
2,174
(9)
2,165

4,316
(496)
(635)
3,185

(13)

570

(2,489)
(392)
61
(12)
(494)
(268)
62
121
(2,854)

62
3,104
(1,912)
(9)
–
(1,189)
56
387
2,531
(105)
2,813
(307)
2,506

Notes

29

31

27

8

7
18

87

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Other informationGovernanceFinancial statementsStrategic reportNotes to the Group financial statements

Note 1 Accounting policies

General information
Tesco PLC (‘the Company’) is a public limited company incorporated 
and domiciled in the United Kingdom under the Companies Act 2006 
(Registration number 445790). The address of the registered office is  
Tesco House, Delamare Road, Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, EN8 9SL, UK.

The financial year represents the 53 weeks ended 28 February 2015  
(prior financial year 52 weeks ended 22 February 2014). For the UK,  
the Republic of Ireland and the US, the results are for the 53 weeks ended  
28 February 2015 (prior financial year 52 weeks ended 22 February 2014). 
For all other operations, the results are for the calendar year ended  
28 February 2015 (prior calendar year ended 28 February 2014).

The main activities of the Company and its subsidiaries (together, ‘the Group’) 
are those of retailing and retail banking.

Basis of preparation
The consolidated Group financial statements have been prepared in 
accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (‘IFRS’) as 
endorsed by the European Union (‘EU’), and those parts of the Companies Act  
2006 applicable to companies reporting under IFRS. The consolidated Group 
financial statements are presented in Pounds Sterling, generally rounded  
to the nearest million. They are prepared on the historical cost basis, except  
for certain financial instruments, share-based payments, customer loyalty 
programmes and pensions that have been measured at fair value.

Discontinued operations
In accordance with IFRS 5 ‘Non-current assets held for sale and discontinued 
operations’, the net results of the Chinese and US operations for the 13 weeks 
ended 28 May 2014 and the 53 weeks ended 28 February 2015, respectively, 
are presented within discontinued operations in the Group Income Statement 
and the assets and liabilities of these operations are presented separately in 
the Group Balance Sheet. See Note 7 for further details.

The accounting policies set out below have been applied consistently to all 
periods presented in these consolidated financial statements.

Basis of consolidation
The consolidated Group financial statements consist of the financial 
statements of the ultimate Parent Company (‘Tesco PLC’), all entities 
controlled by the Company (its subsidiaries) and the Group’s share of  
its interests in joint ventures and associates. 

Subsidiaries
Subsidiaries are consolidated in the Group’s financial statements from  
the date that control commences until the date that control ceases.

Intragroup balances and any unrealised gains and losses or income and 
expenses arising from intragroup transactions are eliminated in preparing  
the consolidated financial statements.

Joint ventures and associates
The Group has assessed the nature of its joint arrangements under IFRS 11 
‘Joint arrangements’ and determined them to be joint ventures. This 
assessment required the exercise of judgement as set out in Note 13.

The Group’s share of the results of joint ventures and associates is included in  
the Group Income Statement and Group Statement of Other Comprehensive 
Income using the equity method of accounting. Investments in joint ventures  
and associates are carried in the Group Balance Sheet at cost plus post-acquisition 
changes in the Group’s share of the net assets of the entity, less any impairment 
in value. The carrying values of investments in joint ventures and associates 
include acquired goodwill. 

If the Group’s share of losses in a joint venture or associate equals or exceeds  
its investment in the joint venture or associate, the Group does not recognise 
further losses, unless it has incurred obligations to do so or made payments  
on behalf of the joint venture or associate. 

Unrealised gains arising from transactions with joint ventures and associates  
are eliminated to the extent of the Group’s interest in the entity.

Use of assumptions and estimates
The preparation of the consolidated Group financial statements requires 
management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect  
the application of policies and reported amounts of assets and liabilities, income 
and expenses. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical 
experience and various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under 
the circumstances. Actual results may differ from these estimates. The estimates 
and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. 

88

Critical estimates and assumptions that are applied in the preparation of the 
consolidated financial statements include:

Depreciation and amortisation
The Group exercises judgement to determine useful lives and residual values 
of intangibles, property, plant and equipment and investment property.  
The assets are depreciated down to their residual values over their estimated 
useful lives. 

Impairment
a) Impairment of goodwill
The Group tests annually whether goodwill has suffered any impairment.  
The recoverable amount of the cash-generating units are based on the higher 
of value in use and fair value less cost of disposal. These calculations require 
the use of estimates as set out in Note 10.

b) Impairment of assets
The Group has determined each store as a separate cash-generating unit for 
impairment testing. Where there are indicators of impairment, the Group 
performs an impairment test. Recoverable amounts for cash-generating 
units are based on the higher of value in use and fair value less costs of 
disposal. Value in use is calculated from cash flow projections generally  
over five years using data from the Group’s latest internal forecasts, and 
extrapolated beyond five years using estimated long-term growth rates. 
These calculations require the use of estimates as set out in Note 11. Fair 
value is determined by independent, professional valuers where appropriate.

c) Impairment of loans and advances to customers and banks
The Group’s loan impairment provisions are established to recognise incurred 
impairment losses in its portfolio of loans classified as loans and receivables  
and carried at amortised cost. These calculations require the use of estimates  
as set out in the accounting policy note for impairment of loans and 
advances to customers.

Commercial income
Accounting for the amount and timing of recognition of commercial income 
may require the exercise of judgement. The key estimates and judgements 
made in the recognition of commercial income are as follows:

•  volume-related allowances relate to amounts receivable by the Group  

for achieving agreed purchase or sales targets within a set period. Where 
volume-related allowances span different accounting periods, the amount 
of income recognised in each period is estimated based on the probability 
that the Group will meet contractual target volumes based on historical  
and forecast performance; and

•  promotional, marketing and other allowances cover amounts receivable  
by the Group to support the promotion, marketing and advertising of 
specific items including promotional pricing discounts, in-store displays, 
margin protection and cost reimbursements. There is limited judgement  
or estimation involved in recognising income for these allowances. The 
group assesses its performance against the obligations conditional on 
earning the income, with the income recognised either over time as the 
obligations are met, or recognised at the point when all obligations are  
met, dependent on the contractual requirements.

Refer to Note 3, Note 15, Note 16 and Note 19 for additional income statement 
and balance sheet disclosure.

Provisions
Provisions have been made for property contracts, dilapidations, restructuring, 
post-employment benefits and customer redress. These provisions are estimates 
and the actual costs and timing of future cash flows are dependent  
on future events. The difference between expectations and the actual future 
liability will be accounted for in the period when such determination is made.

Property provisions
Property provisions comprise onerous lease provisions, including leases  
on unprofitable stores and vacant properties, and other onerous contracts 
related to property. These provisions are based on the least net cost of 
fulfilling or exiting the contract.

The calculation of the value in use of the leased property to the Group  
is based on the same assumptions for discount rates, growth rates and expected 
change in margins as those for Group owned properties, as discussed in detail  
in Note 11. The calculations also assume that the Group can sublet properties  
at market rents. For some leases, termination of the lease at the break clause 
requires the Group to either purchase the property or buy out the equity 
ownership of the property at fair value. No value is attributed to the purchase 
conditions since they are at fair value. It is also assumed that the Group  
is indifferent to purchasing the properties.

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Note 1 Accounting policies continued

Provisions relating to Tesco Bank
The Group has provisions for potential customer redress. In 2010/11,  
the Financial Conduct Authority (‘FCA’) formally issued Policy Statement 
10/12 (‘PS 10/12’), which introduced new guidance in respect of Payment 
Protection Insurance (‘PPI’) customer redress and evidential provisions to  
the FCA Handbook with an implementation date of 1 December 2010. 
The Group continues to handle complaints and redress customers in 
accordance with PS 10/12. 

During the course of the prior financial year the Group instigated a review  
of certain historic operational issues that had resulted in instances where 
certain of the requirements of the Consumer Credit Act (‘CCA’) for post 
contract documentation had not been fully complied with. In November 2013 
the Office of Fair Trading (‘OFT’) wrote to lenders in the industry seeking 
confirmation of their compliance with the requirements of the CCA. The 
Group extended its earlier investigation to undertake further assurance work 
relating to compliance with the CCA. As a result, the Group determined that 
it was appropriate to redress certain customers affected by these breaches.

Extensive analysis has been undertaken of the relevant issues to identify where 
customers have been affected and to determine if the Group should take 
further action. The requirements of the CCA in respect to these issues are not 
straightforward and have not been subject to significant judicial consideration 
to date. In arriving at the provision required, the Group considered the legal  
and regulatory position with respect to these matters and has sought legal 
advice which it took into account when it made its judgement. The provision 
represents management’s best estimate at the reporting date of the cost  
of providing redress to those loan and credit card customers. In making the 
estimate, management have exercised judgement as to both the timescale  
for implementing the redress campaign and the final scope of any amounts 
payable. The OFT and the FCA have been advised of the Group’s approach 
to determining the proposed customer redress. Oversight of CCA-related 
matters passed from the OFT to the FCA on 1 April 2014. Customer redress 
payments commenced in October 2014 and it is expected that these will 
continue into the first half of the next financial year.

The Group is part of an industry-wide Scheme of Arrangement established 
with the support of the relevant regulatory and customer protection bodies  
to address customer redress relating to the historic sale of certain cardholder 
protection products (‘CPP’) to credit card customers. Another industry-wide 
Scheme of Arrangement has been established to compensate those customers 
who were sold a similar product in earlier years. The level of provision held  
is based on assumptions relating to the number and value of cases for which 
compensation may be paid. In arriving at these assumptions management 
have exercised their judgement based on earlier redress programmes 
(including the CPP Scheme of Arrangement) and historic customer payment 
information. The level of the provision allows for the repayment of charges 
paid by the customer together with simple interest of 8.0%.

Inventories
An inventory provision is booked for cases where the realisable value from sale 
of the inventory is estimated to be lower than the inventory carrying value. The 
inventory provision is estimated taking into account various factors, including 
prevailing sales prices of inventory item, the seasonality of the item’s sales 
profile and losses associated with slow moving inventory items.

Post-employment benefit obligations
The present value of the post-employment benefit obligations depends on  
a number of factors that are determined on an actuarial basis using a number 
of assumptions. The assumptions used in determining the net cost (income) 
for pensions include the discount rate. Any changes in these assumptions  
will impact the carrying amount of post-employment benefit obligations. 
Key assumptions for post-employment benefit obligations are disclosed  
in Note 26.

Adoption of new and amended International Financial Reporting 
Standards
The Group has adopted the following new and amended standards as of  
23 February 2014:

•  IFRS 10 ‘Consolidated financial statements’ builds on existing principles 

by identifying the concept of control as the determining factor in whether 
an entity should be included within the consolidated financial statements 
of the parent company. It also provides additional guidance to assist in the 
determination of control where this is difficult to assess; 

•  IFRS 11 ‘Joint arrangements’ gives a more realistic reflection of joint 

arrangements by focusing on the rights and obligations of the 
arrangement rather than its legal form. There are now only two types  
of joint arrangements: joint operations and joint ventures;

•  IFRS 12 ‘Disclosures of interests in other entities, includes the disclosure 

requirements for all forms of interests in other entities, including 
subsidiaries, joint arrangements, associates and structured entities; 
•  IAS 32 (Amended) ‘Financial instruments: Presentation’ clarifies some  

of the requirements for offsetting financial assets and financial liabilities 
on the balance sheet; and

•  IAS 36 (Amended) ‘Impairment of assets’ removed certain disclosures  
of the recoverable amount of cash generating units which had been 
included by the issue of IFRS 13.

Revenue
Revenue comprises the fair value of consideration received or receivable for  
the sale of goods and services in the ordinary course of the Group’s activities.

Sale of goods
Revenue is recognised when the significant risks and rewards of ownership  
of the goods have transferred to the buyer and the amount of revenue  
can be measured reliably. 

Revenue is recorded net of returns, discounts/offers and value added taxes. 

Provision of services
Revenue from the provision of services is recognised when the service is 
provided and the revenue can be measured reliably, based on the terms  
of the contract. 

Where the Group acts as an agent selling goods or services, only the 
commission income is included within revenue. 

Financial services
Revenue consists of interest, fees and income from the provision of insurance. 

Interest income on financial assets that are classified as loans and 
receivables is determined using the effective interest rate method. 

Calculation of the effective interest rate takes into account fees receivable 
that are an integral part of the instrument’s yield, premiums or discounts  
on acquisition or issue, early redemption fees and transaction costs.

Fees in respect of services (credit card interchange fees, late payment and 
ATM revenue) are recognised as the right to consideration accrues through 
the provision of the service to the customer. The arrangements are generally 
contractual and the cost of providing the service is incurred as the service  
is rendered.

The Group generates commission from the sale and service of motor and 
home insurance policies underwritten by Tesco Underwriting Limited, or in  
a minority of cases by a third party underwriter. This is based on commission 
rates which are independent of the profitability of underlying insurance 
policies. Similar commission income is also generated from the sale of  
white label insurance products underwritten by other third party providers.

Clubcard, loyalty and other initiatives
The cost of Clubcard and loyalty initiatives is part of the fair value of the 
consideration received and is deferred and subsequently recognised over the 
period that the awards are redeemed. The deferral is treated as a deduction 
from revenue.

The fair value of the points awarded is determined with reference to the fair 
value to the customer and considers factors such as redemption via Clubcard 
deals versus money-off-in-store and redemption rate. 

Rental income
Rental income is recognised in the period in which it is earned, in accordance 
with the terms of the lease.

Commercial income
Consistent with standard industry practice, the Group has agreements with 
suppliers whereby volume-related allowances, promotional and marketing 
allowances and various other fees and discounts are received in connection  
with the purchase of goods for resale from those suppliers. Most of the income 
received from suppliers relates to adjustments to a core cost price of a product, 
and as such is considered part of the purchase price for that product. 
Sometimes receipt of the income is conditional on the Group performing 
specified actions or satisfying certain performance conditions associated  
with the purchase of the product. These include achieving agreed purchases  
or sales volume targets and providing promotional or marketing materials  
and activities or promotional product positioning. Whilst there is no standard 
definition, these amounts receivable from suppliers in connection with  
the purchase of goods for resale are generally termed commercial income.

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Note 1 Accounting policies continued

Commercial income is recognised when earned by the Group, which  
occurs when all obligations conditional for earning income have been 
discharged, and the income can be measured reliably based on the terms  
of the contract. The income is recognised as a credit within cost of sales. 
Where the income earned relates to inventories which are held by the Group 
at period ends, the income is included within the cost of those inventories, 
and recognised in cost of sales upon sale of those inventories.

•  freehold and leasehold buildings with greater than 40 years unexpired – at 

2.5% of cost; 

•  leasehold properties with less than 40 years unexpired are  

depreciated by equal annual instalments over the unexpired  
period of the lease; and

•  plant, equipment, fixtures and fittings and motor vehicles – at rates 

varying from 9%-50%.

Amounts due relating to commercial income are recognised within other 
receivables, except in cases where the Group currently has a legally enforceable 
right of set-off and intends to offset amounts due from suppliers against amounts 
owed to those suppliers, in which case only the net amount receivable or payable  
is recognised. Accrued commercial income is recognised within accrued income 
when commercial income earned has not been invoiced at the balance sheet date.

Finance income
Finance income, excluding income arising from financial services, is 
recognised in the period to which it relates using the effective interest 
rate method. 

Finance costs
Finance costs directly attributable to the acquisition or construction of 
qualifying assets are capitalised. Qualifying assets are those that necessarily 
take a substantial period of time to prepare for their intended use. All other 
borrowing costs are recognised in the Group Income Statement in finance 
costs, excluding those arising from financial services, in the period in which 
they occur. For Tesco Bank, finance cost on financial liabilities is determined 
using the effective interest rate method and is recognised in cost of sales.

Business combinations and goodwill
The Group accounts for all business combinations by applying the acquisition 
method. All acquisition-related costs are expensed. 

On acquisition, the assets (including intangible assets), liabilities and 
contingent liabilities of an acquired entity are measured at their fair value. 
Non-controlling interest is stated at the non-controlling interest’s proportion 
of the fair values of the assets and liabilities recognised. 

Goodwill arising on consolidation represents the excess of the consideration 
transferred over the net fair value of the Group’s share of the net assets,  
liabilities and contingent liabilities of the acquired subsidiary, joint venture  
or associate and the fair value of the non-controlling interest in the acquiree.  
If the consideration is less than the fair value of the Group’s share of the net 
assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities of the acquired entity (i.e., a discount 
on acquisition), the difference is credited to the Group Income Statement in  
the period of acquisition. 

At the acquisition date of a subsidiary, goodwill acquired is recognised as an 
asset and is allocated to each of the cash-generating units expected to benefit 
from the business combination’s synergies and to the lowest level at which 
management monitors the goodwill. Goodwill arising on the acquisition of joint 
ventures and associates is included within the carrying value of the investment. 
On disposal of a subsidiary, joint venture or associate, the attributable amount  
of goodwill is included in the determination of the profit or loss on disposal. 

Intangible assets
Acquired intangible assets
Separately acquired intangible assets, such as software, pharmacy licences, 
customer relationships, contracts and brands are measured initially at cost. 
Intangible assets acquired in a business combination are recognised at fair 
value at the acquisition date. Intangible assets with finite useful lives are 
carried at cost and are amortised on a straight-line basis over their estimated 
useful lives, at 2%–100% of cost per annum.

Assets held under finance leases are depreciated over their expected useful 
lives on the same basis as owned assets or, when shorter, over the term  
of the relevant lease.

Impairment of non-financial assets
Goodwill is reviewed for impairment at least annually by assessing the 
recoverable amount of each cash-generating unit to which the goodwill 
relates. The recoverable amount is the higher of fair value less costs of 
disposal, and value in use. When the recoverable amount of the cash-
generating unit is less than the carrying amount, an impairment loss  
is recognised. Any impairment is recognised immediately in the Group  
Income Statement and is not subsequently reversed.

For all other non-financial assets (including intangible assets and property,  
plant and equipment) the Group performs impairment testing where there are 
indicators of impairment. If such an indicator exists, the recoverable amount of 
the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss  
(if any). Where the asset does not generate cash flows that are independent  
from other assets, the Group estimates the recoverable amount of the 
cash-generating unit to which the asset belongs. 

The recoverable amount is the higher of value in use and fair value less  
costs of disposal. If the recoverable amount of an asset (or cash-generating 
unit) is estimated to be less than its carrying amount, the carrying amount  
of the asset (or cash-generating unit) is reduced to its recoverable amount.  
An impairment loss is recognised immediately in the Group Income Statement. 

Where an impairment loss subsequently reverses, the carrying amount  
of the asset (or cash-generating unit) is increased to the revised estimate  
of the recoverable amount, but so that the increased carrying amount does  
not exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined if no 
impairment loss had been recognised for the asset (or cash-generating unit) 
in prior years. A reversal of an impairment loss is recognised immediately  
as a credit to the Group Income Statement.

Investment property
Investment property assets are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation and 
any recognised impairment in value. The depreciation policies for investment 
property are consistent with those described for owner-occupied property.

Short-term and other investments
Short-term and other investments in the Group Balance Sheet comprise 
receivables, loan receivables and available-for-sale financial assets.

Receivables and loan receivables are recognised at amortised cost.  
Available-for-sale financial assets are recognised at fair value.

Refer to the financial instruments accounting policy for further detail.

Inventories
Inventories comprise goods and development properties held for resale. 
Inventories are valued at the lower of cost and fair value less costs to sell  
using the weighted average cost basis. Directly attributable costs and  
incomes (including applicable commercial income) are included in the  
cost of inventories.

Internally generated intangible assets – research and  
development expenditure
Research costs are expensed as incurred. Development expenditure incurred 
on an individual project is capitalised only if specific criteria are met including 
that the asset created will probably generate future economic benefits. 

Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents in the Group Balance Sheet consist of cash at 
bank, in hand, demand deposits with banks, loans and advances to banks, 
certificate of deposits and other receivables together with short-term 
deposits with an original maturity of three months or less.

Following the initial recognition of development expenditure, the cost 
is amortised over the asset’s estimated useful life at 10%–25% of cost 
per annum.

Property, plant and equipment 
Property, plant and equipment is carried at cost less accumulated 
depreciation and any recognised impairment in value. Property, plant and 
equipment is depreciated on a straight-line basis to its residual value over its 
anticipated useful economic life. The following depreciation rates are applied 
for the Group:

Non-current assets held for sale and discontinued operations
Non-current assets (or disposal groups) are classified as assets held for sale 
when their carrying amount is to be recovered principally through a sale 
transaction and a sale is considered highly probable. They are stated at the 
lower of carrying amount and fair value less costs to sell.

Leases
Leases are classified as finance leases whenever the terms of the lease 
transfer substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership to the lessee.  
All other leases are classified as operating leases. Refer to Note 34 for 

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Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015 
Note 1 Accounting policies continued

additional disclosures on judgements made relating to operating leases 
including those arising from sale and leasebacks.

The Group as a lessor
Amounts due from lessees under finance leases are recorded as receivables at 
the amount of the Group’s net investment in the leases. Finance lease income is 
allocated to accounting periods so as to reflect a constant periodic rate of return 
on the Group’s net investment in the lease. Rental income from operating leases 
is recognised on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. 

The Group as a lessee
Assets held under finance leases are recognised as assets of the Group  
at their fair value or, if lower, at the present value of the minimum lease 
payments, each determined at the inception of the lease. The corresponding 
liability is included in the Group Balance Sheet as a finance lease obligation. 
Lease payments are apportioned between finance charges and a reduction 
of the lease obligations so as to achieve a constant rate of interest on the 
remaining balance of the liability. Finance charges are charged to the Group 
Income Statement. Rentals payable under operating leases are charged  
to the Group Income Statement on a straight-line basis over the term  
of the lease. 

Sale and leaseback
A sale and leaseback transaction is one where the Group sells an asset  
and immediately reacquires the use of the asset by entering into a lease  
with the buyer. 

The accounting treatment of the sale and leaseback depends upon the 
substance of the transaction (by applying the lease classification principles 
described above) whether or not the sale was made at the asset’s fair value  
and the relationship with the buyer which is based on levels of control and 
influence (the buyer may be an associate, joint venture or an unrelated party).

Deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is probable that 
taxable profits will be available against which deductible temporary 
differences can be utilised.

The carrying amount of deferred tax assets is reviewed at each balance  
sheet date and reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that 
sufficient taxable profits will be available to allow all or part of the assets 
to be recovered. 

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset against each other when there  
is a legally enforceable right to set off current taxation assets against current 
taxation liabilities and it is the intention to settle these on a net basis.

Foreign currencies
Transactions in foreign currencies are translated at the exchange rate on the 
date of the transaction. At each balance sheet date, monetary assets and 
liabilities that are denominated in foreign currencies are retranslated at the 
rates prevailing on the balance sheet date. All differences are taken to the Group 
Income Statement. 

The assets and liabilities of overseas subsidiaries denominated in foreign 
currencies are translated into Pounds Sterling at exchange rates prevailing  
at the date of the Group Balance Sheet; profits and losses are translated 
at average exchange rates for the relevant accounting periods. Exchange 
differences arising are recognised in the Group Statement of Comprehensive 
Income and are included in the Group’s translation reserve. Such translation 
differences are recognised as income or expenses in the period in which the 
operation is disposed of. 

Goodwill and fair value adjustments arising on the acquisition of a foreign 
entity are treated as assets and liabilities of the foreign entity and translated 
at the closing rate.

For sale and finance leasebacks, any profit from the sale is deferred and 
amortised over the lease term. For sale and operating leasebacks, generally 
the assets are sold at fair value, and accordingly the profit or loss from the 
sale is recognised immediately in the Group Income Statement.

Financial instruments
Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognised on the Group Balance 
Sheet when the Group becomes a party to the contractual provisions of  
the instrument.

Post-employment and similar obligations
For defined benefit plans, obligations are measured at discounted present value 
(using the projected unit credit method) whilst plan assets are recorded at fair 
value. The operating and financing costs of such plans are recognised separately 
in the Group Income Statement; service costs are spread systematically over  
the expected service lives of employees and financing costs are recognised  
in the periods in which they arise. Actuarial gains and losses are recognised 
immediately in the Group Statement of Comprehensive Income. 

Payments to defined contribution schemes are recognised as an expense  
as they fall due.

Share-based payments
The fair value of employee share option plans is calculated at the grant date 
using the Black-Scholes model. The resulting cost is charged to the Group 
Income Statement over the vesting period. The value of the charge is 
adjusted to reflect expected and actual levels of vesting.

Taxation
The tax expense included in the Group Income Statement consists of current 
and deferred tax. 

Current tax is the expected tax payable on the taxable income for the year,  
using tax rates enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date.  
Tax expense is recognised in the Group Income Statement except to the extent 
that it relates to items recognised in the Group Statement of Comprehensive 
Income or directly in the Group Statement of Changes in Equity, in which case  
it is recognised in the Group Statement of Comprehensive Income or directly  
in the Group Statement of Changes in Equity, respectively.

Deferred tax is provided using the balance sheet liability method,  
providing for temporary differences between the carrying amounts  
of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts  
used for taxation purposes. 

Deferred tax is calculated at the tax rates that have been enacted or 
substantively enacted by the balance sheet date. Deferred tax is charged 
or credited in the Group Income Statement, except when it relates to items 
charged or credited directly to equity or other comprehensive income, in which 
case the deferred tax is also recognised in equity, or other comprehensive 
income, respectively. 

Trade receivables
Trade receivables are non interest-bearing and are recognised initially at fair 
value, and subsequently at amortised cost using the effective interest rate 
method, less provision for impairment.

Investments
Investments are recognised at trade date. Investments are classified as  
either held for trading or available-for-sale, and are recognised at fair value. 
For available-for-sale investments, gains and losses arising from changes in 
fair value are recognised directly in other comprehensive income, until the 
security is disposed of or is determined to be impaired, at which time the 
cumulative gain or loss previously recognised in other comprehensive income 
is included in the Group Income Statement for the period. Interest calculated 
using the effective interest rate method is recognised in the Group Income 
Statement. Dividends on an available-for-sale equity instrument are recognised 
in the Group Income Statement when the entity’s right to receive payment  
is established.

Loans and advances to customers
Loans and advances are initially recognised at fair value plus directly related 
transaction costs. Subsequent to initial recognition, these assets are carried 
at amortised cost using the effective interest method less any impairment 
losses. Income from these financial assets is calculated on an effective yield 
basis and is recognised in the Group Income Statement.

Impairment of loans and advances to customers
At each balance sheet date the Group reviews the carrying amounts of its 
loans and advances to determine whether there is any indication that those 
assets have suffered an impairment loss. 

If there is objective evidence that an impairment loss on a financial asset 
or group of financial assets classified as loans and advances has been incurred, 
the Group measures the amount of the loss as the difference between the 
carrying amount of the asset or group of assets and the present value of 
estimated future cash flows from the asset or group of assets discounted at 
the effective interest rate of the instrument at initial recognition. Impairment 
losses are assessed individually for financial assets that are individually 
significant and collectively for assets that are not individually significant. In 
making collective assessments of impairment, financial assets are grouped 
into portfolios on the basis of similar risk characteristics. Future cash flows 
from these portfolios are estimated on the basis of the contractual cash flows 
and historical loss experience for assets with similar credit risk characteristics. 

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Notes to the Group financial statements continued

gain or loss from remeasuring the derivative instrument is recognised directly 
in other comprehensive income. 

The associated cumulative gain or loss is reclassified from other 
comprehensive income and recognised in the Group Income Statement  
in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects  
the Group Income Statement. The classification of the effective portion when 
recognised in the Group Income Statement is the same as the classification  
of the hedged transaction. Any element of the remeasurement of the 
derivative instrument which does not meet the criteria for an effective  
hedge is recognised immediately in the Group Income Statement within 
finance income or costs. 

Hedge accounting is discontinued when the hedging instrument expires or  
is sold, terminated or exercised, or no longer qualifies for hedge accounting.  
At that point in time, any cumulative gain or loss on the hedging instrument 
recognised in equity is retained in the Group Statement of Changes in Equity 
until the forecasted transaction occurs or the original hedged item affects  
the Group Income Statement. If a forecasted hedged transaction is no longer 
expected to occur, the net cumulative gain or loss recognised in the Group 
Statement of Changes in Equity is reclassified to the Group Income Statement.

Net investment hedging
Derivative financial instruments are classified as net investment hedges 
when they hedge the Group’s net investment in an overseas operation.  
The effective element of any foreign exchange gain or loss from remeasuring 
the derivative instrument is recognised directly in other comprehensive 
income. Any ineffective element is recognised immediately in the Group 
Income Statement. Gains and losses accumulated in other comprehensive 
income are included in the Group Income Statement when the foreign 
operation is disposed of.

Treatment of agreements to acquire non-controlling interests
The Group has entered into a number of agreements to purchase  
the remaining shares of subsidiaries with non-controlling interests. 

The net present value of the expected future payments are shown as a 
financial liability. At the end of each period, the valuation of the liability  
is reassessed with any changes recognised in the Group Income Statement 
within finance income or costs.

Offsetting financial instruments
Financial assets and liabilities are offset and the net amount reported in  
the balance sheet when there is a current legally enforceable right to offset 
the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis  
or realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

Provisions
Provisions are measured at the present value of the expenditures expected to  
be required to settle the obligation using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects 
current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific 
to the obligation. The increase in the provision due to passage of time is 
recognised as interest expense.

Provisions for onerous leases are recognised when the Group believes that 
the unavoidable costs of meeting or exiting the lease obligations exceed the 
economic benefits expected to be received under the lease. 

Note 1 Accounting policies continued

Historical loss experience is adjusted, on the basis of current observable  
data, to reflect the effects of current conditions not affecting the period  
of historical experience. 

Impairment losses are recognised in the Group Income Statement and 
the carrying amount of the financial asset or group of financial assets  
is reduced by establishing an allowance for impairment losses. If in a 
subsequent period the amount of the impairment loss reduces and the 
reduction can be ascribed to an event after the impairment was recognised, 
the previously recognised loss is reversed by adjusting the allowance.  
Once an impairment loss has been recognised on a financial asset or group  
of financial assets, interest income is recognised on the carrying amount 
using the rate of interest at which estimated future cash flows were 
discounted in measuring impairment. 

Loan impairment provisions are established on a portfolio basis taking into 
account the level of arrears, security, past loss experience, credit scores and 
defaults based on portfolio trends. The most significant factors in establishing 
these provisions are the expected loss rates. 

The portfolios include credit card receivables and other personal advances. 
The future credit quality of these portfolios is subject to uncertainties  
that could cause actual credit losses to differ materially from reported 
loan impairment provisions. These uncertainties include the economic 
environment, notably interest rates and their effect on customer spending, 
the unemployment level, payment behaviour and bankruptcy trends.

Interest-bearing borrowings
Interest-bearing bank loans and overdrafts are initially recorded at fair value, 
net of attributable transaction costs. Subsequent to initial recognition, interest-
bearing borrowings are stated at amortised cost with any difference between 
proceeds and redemption value being recognised in the Group Income 
Statement over the period of the borrowings on an effective interest basis.

Trade payables
Trade payables are non interest-bearing and are recognised initially at fair 
value and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective 
interest method.

Equity instruments
Equity instruments issued by the Group are recorded at the proceeds 
received, net of direct issue costs.

Derivative financial instruments and hedge accounting
The Group uses derivative financial instruments to hedge its exposure 
to foreign exchange, interest rate and commodity risks arising from 
operating, financing and investing activities. The Group does not hold 
or issue derivative financial instruments for trading purposes; however, 
if derivatives do not qualify for hedge accounting they are accounted  
for as such. 

Derivative financial instruments are recognised and stated at fair value. 
Where derivatives do not qualify for hedge accounting, any gains or losses on 
remeasurement are immediately recognised in the Group Income Statement. 
Where derivatives qualify for hedge accounting, recognition of any resultant 
gain or loss depends on the nature of the hedge relationship and the item 
being hedged. In order to qualify for hedge accounting, the Group is required 
to document from inception the relationship between the item being hedged 
and the hedging instrument. The Group is also required to document and 
demonstrate an assessment of the relationship between the hedged item 
and the hedging instrument, which shows that the hedge will be highly 
effective on an ongoing basis. This effectiveness testing is performed at  
each period end to ensure that the hedge remains highly effective. 

Derivative financial instruments with maturity dates of more than one year 
from the balance sheet date are disclosed as non-current.

Fair value hedging
Derivative financial instruments are classified as fair value hedges when  
they hedge the Group’s exposure to changes in the fair value of a recognised 
asset or liability. Changes in the fair value of derivatives that are designated 
and qualify as fair value hedges are recorded in the Group Income Statement 
together with any changes in the fair value of the hedged item that is 
attributable to the hedged risk. 

Cash flow hedging
Derivative financial instruments are classified as cash flow hedges when  
they hedge the Group’s exposure to variability in cash flows that are either 
attributable to a particular risk associated with a recognised asset or liability, 
or a highly probable forecasted transaction. The effective element of any 

92

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015 
Note 1 Accounting policies continued

Standards issued but not yet effective
As of the date of authorisation of these financial statements, the following 
standards were in issue but not yet effective. The Group has not applied 
these standards in the preparation of the financial statements, and has  
not adopted any new or amended standards early:

•  IFRS 9 ‘Financial instruments’ is effective for periods commencing  

on or after 1 January 2018 subject to endorsement by the EU. IFRS 9 is  
a replacement for IAS 39 ‘Financial Instruments’ and covers three distinct 
areas. Phase 1 contains new requirements for the classification and 
measurement of financial assets and liabilities. Phase 2 relates to the 
impairment of financial assets and requires the calculation of impairment 
on an expected loss basis rather than the current incurred loss basis. Phase 
3 relates to less stringent requirements for general hedge accounting; and

•  IFRS 15, ‘Revenues from Contracts with Customers’, replaces IAS 18, 

‘Revenues’, and introduces a five step approach to revenue recognition 
based on performance obligations in customer contracts. The International 
Accounting Standards Board (‘IASB’) has proposed to issue some clarifications 
and to defer the standard’s effective date of 1 January 2017 to 1 January 
2018. The effective date for the Group is also subject to EU endorsement. 

The impact on the Group’s financial statements of the future adoption  
of these standards is still under review. 

Use of non-GAAP measures
Free cash flow
Free cash flow is net cash generated from/(used in) operating activities  
less capital expenditure on property, plant and equipment, investment 
property and intangible assets.

Net debt
Net debt excludes the net debt of Tesco Bank but includes that of the 
discontinued operations. Net debt comprises bank and other borrowings, 
finance lease payables, net derivative financial instruments, joint venture 
loans and other receivables and net interest receivables/payables, offset  
by cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments.

Trading profit
Trading profit is an adjusted measure of operating profit and measures  
the performance of each segment before profits/(losses) arising on 
property-related items, the impact on leases of annual uplifts in rent and 
rent-free periods, intangible asset amortisation charges and costs arising 
from acquisitions, and goodwill impairment and restructuring and other 
one-off items. The IAS 19 pension charge is replaced with the ‘normal’  
cash contributions for pensions. An adjustment is also made for the fair  
value of customer loyalty awards. 

Underlying net interest
Underlying net interest, as included in underlying profit, excludes  
net pension finance costs and IAS 39 ‘Financial Instruments’ – fair  
value measurements.

Underlying profit before tax
The Directors believe that underlying profit before tax and underlying diluted 
earnings per share measures provide additional useful information for 
shareholders on underlying trends and performance. These measures are 
used for performance analysis. Underlying profit is not defined by IFRS and 
therefore may not be directly comparable with other companies’ adjusted 
profit measures. It is not intended to be a substitute for, or superior to,  
IFRS measurements of profit. Tax impact on non-GAAP measures is included 
within Note 9. The adjustments made to reported profit before tax are:

•  IAS 32 and IAS 39 ‘Financial Instruments’ – fair value remeasurements. 

Under IAS 32 and IAS 39, the Group applies hedge accounting to its various 
hedge relationships when allowed under IAS 39 and when practical to  
do so. Sometimes the Group is unable to apply hedge accounting to the 
arrangements but continues to enter into these arrangements as they 
provide certainty or active management of the exchange rates and interest 
rates applicable to the Group. The Group believes these arrangements 
remain effective and economically and commercially viable hedges despite 
the inability to apply hedge accounting. Where hedge accounting is not 
applied to certain hedging arrangements, the reported results reflect the 
movement in fair value of related derivatives due to changes in foreign 
exchange and interest rates. In addition, at each year end, any gain or loss 
accruing on open contracts is recognised in the Group Income Statement 
for the financial year, regardless of the expected outcome of the hedging 
contract on termination. This may mean that the Group Income Statement 
charge is highly volatile, whilst the resulting cash flows may not be as 
volatile. The underlying profit measure removes this volatility to help  
better identify the underlying performance of the Group;

•  IAS 19 ‘Employee Benefits’ – non-cash Group Income Statement charge 
for pensions. Under IAS 19, the cost of providing pension benefits in the 
future is discounted to a present value at the corporate bond yield rates 
applicable on the last day of the previous financial year. Corporate bond 
yield rates vary over time which in turn creates volatility in the Group 
Income Statement and Group Balance Sheet. IAS 19 also increases the 
charge for young pension schemes, such as the Group’s, by requiring the 
use of rates which do not take into account the future expected returns on 
the assets held in the pension scheme which will fund pension liabilities as 
they fall due. The sum of these two effects can make the IAS 19 charge 
disproportionately higher and more volatile than the cash contributions 
the Group is required to make in order to fund all future liabilities. 
Therefore, within underlying profit the Group has included the ‘normal’ 
cash contributions for pensions but excluded the volatile element of IAS 19 to 
represent what the Group believes to be a fairer measure of the cost of 
providing post-employment benefits;

•  IAS 17 ‘Leases’ – impact of annual uplifts in rent and rent-free periods. 

Some operating leases have been structured in a way to increase annual 
lease costs as the businesses expand. IAS 17 requires the total expected cost 
of a lease to be recognised on a straight-line basis over the term of the 
lease, irrespective of the actual timing of the cost. This adjustment also 
impacts the Group’s operating profit and rental income within the share  
of post-tax profits of joint ventures and associates;

•  IFRS 3 (Revised) ‘Business Combinations’ – intangible asset amortisation 

charges and costs arising from acquisitions. Under IFRS 3 intangible assets 
are separately identified and fair valued. The intangible assets are required 
to be amortised on a straight-line basis over their useful lives and as such is  
a non-cash charge that does not reflect the underlying performance of the 
business acquired. Similarly, the standard requires all acquisition costs to be 
expensed in the Group Income Statement. Due to their nature, these costs  
have been excluded from underlying profit as they do not reflect the 
underlying performance of the Group; 

•  IFRIC 13 ‘Customer Loyalty Programmes’ – fair value of awards.  

The interpretation requires the fair value of customer loyalty awards  
to be measured as a separate component of a sales transaction.  
The underlying profit measure removes this fair value allocation  
to present underlying business performance, and to reflect the 
performance of the operating segments as measured by management; 

•  restructuring and other one-off items. These relate to certain costs 

associated with the Group’s restructuring activities and certain one-off 
costs including costs relating to fair valuing the assets of a disposal group. 
These have been excluded from underlying profit as they do not reflect  
the underlying performance of the Group; and

•  profits/losses from property-related items. These relate to the Group’s 

property activities including gains and losses on disposal of property assets, 
development property built for resale and property joint ventures; costs 
resulting from changes in the Group’s store portfolio and distribution 
network, including pre-opening and post closure costs; and income/
(charges) associated with impairment of non-trading property and related 
onerous contracts. These have been excluded from underlying profit  
as they do not reflect the underlying performance of the Group.

93

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Other informationGovernanceFinancial statementsStrategic reportNotes to the Group financial statements continued

Note 2 Segmental reporting

The Group’s reporting segments are determined based on the Group’s internal reporting to the Chief Operating Decision Maker (‘CODM’). The CODM has 
been determined to be the Executive Committee as it is primarily responsible for the allocation of resources to segments and the assessment of performance 
of the segments.

The CODM considers the principal activities of the Group to be:

•  retailing and associated activities (‘Retail’) in:

 − the UK;
 − Asia – India, Malaysia, South Korea, Thailand; and
 − Europe – Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, the Republic of Ireland, Slovakia, and Turkey. 

•  retail banking and insurance services through Tesco Bank in the UK (‘Bank’).

The CODM uses trading profit, as reviewed at monthly Executive Committee meetings, as the key measure of the segments’ results as it reflects the 
segments’ underlying trading performance for the financial year under evaluation. Trading profit is a consistent measure within the Group. 

The Group’s Chinese operations up to 28 May 2014 (previously reported as part of the Asia segment) and US operations have been treated as discontinued as 
described in more detail in Notes 1 and 7. The segment results do not include any amounts for these discontinued operations. 

Inter-segment revenue between the operating segments is not material.

The segment results, the reconciliation of the segment measures to the respective statutory items included in the Group Income Statement, the segment assets and 
other segment information are as follows:

53 weeks ended 28 February 2015
At constant exchange rates*
Continuing operations
Sales including VAT (excluding IFRIC 13)
Revenue (excluding IFRIC 13)
Effect of IFRIC 13
Revenue
Trading profit
Trading margin***

53 weeks ended 28 February 2015
At actual exchange rates**
Continuing operations
Sales including VAT (excluding IFRIC 13)
Revenue (excluding IFRIC 13)
Effect of IFRIC 13
Revenue
Trading profit
Trading margin***

52 weeks ended 22 February 2014
At actual exchange rates**
Continuing operations
Sales including VAT (excluding IFRIC 13)
Revenue (excluding IFRIC 13)
Effect of IFRIC 13
Revenue
Trading profit
Trading margin***

UK
£m

Asia
£m

Europe
£m

48,237
43,579
(640)
42,939
466
1.1%

10,850
10,217
(33)
10,184
586
5.7%

10,750
9,245
(42)
9,203
166
1.8%

UK
£m

Asia
£m

Europe
£m

48,231
43,573
(640)
42,933
467
1.1%

10,501
9,884
(33)
9,851
565
5.7%

9,898
8,515
(39)
8,476
164
1.9%

UK
£m

Asia
£m

Europe
£m

48,177
43,570
(513)
43,057
2,191
5.0%

10,947
10,309
(33)
10,276
692
6.7%

10,767
9,267
(46)
9,221
238
2.6%

Tesco
Bank
£m

1,024
1,024
–
1,024
194
18.9%

Tesco
Bank
£m

1,024
1,024
–
1,024
194
18.9%

Tesco
Bank
£m

1,003
1,003
–
1,003
194
19.3%

Total at
constant
exchange
£m

Foreign
exchange
£m

Total
at actual
exchange
£m

70,861
64,065
(715)
63,350
1,412
2.2%

(1,207)
(1,069)
3
(1,066)
(22)

69,654
62,996
(712)
62,284
1,390
2.2%

Total
at actual
exchange
£m

69,654
62,996
(712)
62,284
1,390
2.2%

Total
at actual
exchange
£m

70,894
64,149
(592)
63,557
3,315
5.2%

*  Constant exchange rates are the average actual periodic exchange rates for the previous financial year.
**  Actual exchange rates are the average actual periodic exchange rates for that financial year.
***  Trading margin is based on revenue excluding the accounting impact of IFRIC 13.

94

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Note 2 Segmental reporting continued

Reconciliation of trading profit to operating (loss)/profit

Trading profit
Adjustments:
IAS 19 ‘Employee Benefits’ – non-cash Group Income Statement charge for pensions
IAS 17 ‘Leases’ – impact of annual uplifts in rent and rent-free periods
IFRS 3 ‘Business Combinations’ – intangible asset amortisation charges and costs arising from acquisitions
IFRIC 13 ‘Customer Loyalty Programmes’ – fair value of awards
Total restructuring and other one-off items (Note 3)
Reversal of commercial income recognised in previous years:

Recognised in 13/14
Recognised in years prior to 13/14

Other (losses)/profits arising on property-related items
Operating (loss)/profit

2015
£m
1,390

(68)
(19)
(13)
–
(6,814)

(53)
(155)

(60)
(5,792)

2014
£m
3,315

(11)
(28)
(14)
(10)
(801)

–
–

180
2,631

The following tables showing segment assets and liabilities exclude those balances that make up net debt (cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, 
joint venture loans and other receivables, bank and other borrowings, finance lease payables, derivative financial instruments and net debt of the disposal 
groups). Net debt balances have been included within the unallocated segment to reflect how the Group manages these balances. Intercompany transactions 
have been eliminated, other than intercompany transactions with Tesco Bank in net debt.

At 28 February 2015
Goodwill and other intangible assets
Property, plant and equipment and investment property
Investments in joint ventures and associates
Other investments
Loans and advances to customers – non-current
Deferred tax asset
Non-current assets(a)

Inventories and trade and other receivables(b)
Trade and other payables
Loans and advances to customers – current
Customer deposits and deposits from banks
Total provisions
Deferred tax liability
Net current tax
Post-employment benefits
Assets held for sale and of the disposal groups(c)
Liabilities of the disposal groups(c)
Net debt(d)
Net assets

At 22 February 2014 
Goodwill and other intangible assets
Property, plant and equipment and investment property
Investments in joint ventures and associates
Other investments
Loans and advances to customers – non-current
Deferred tax asset
Non-current assets(a)

Inventories and trade and other receivables(b)
Trade and other payables
Loans and advances to customers – current
Customer deposits and deposits from banks
Total provisions
Deferred tax liability
Net current tax
Post-employment benefits
Assets held for sale and of the disposal groups(c)
Liabilities of the disposal groups(c)
Net debt(d)
Net assets

UK
£m
1,636
10,683
89
–
–
421
12,829

2,696
(6,733)
–
–
(1,044)
–
(91)
(4,604)
61 
–

–
3,114 

UK
£m
1,662
13,696
122
–
–
–
15,480

3,002
(6,995)
–
–
(223)
(373)
(393)
(3,053)
196 
–

–
7,641 

Asia
£m
835
6,148
771
–
–
38
7,792

1,131
(1,979)
–
–
(143)
(148)
4 
(65)
51 
–

–
6,643 

Asia
£m
786
5,904
87
40
–
25
6,842

1,204
(2,140)
–
–
(78)
(158)
(89)
(52)
131 
–

–
5,660 

Europe
£m
77
3,687
–
–
–
55
3,819

808
(965)
–
-
(89)
(10)
3 
(173)
18 
–

–
3,411 

Europe
£m
94
5,024
–
–
–
48
5,166

1,132
(1,224)
–
–
(28)
(39)
–
(88)
–
–

–
4,919 

Tesco
Bank
£m
1,223
86
80
827
3,906
–
6,122

235
(245)
3,814 
(7,020)
(90)
(41)
5 
–
–
–

(539)
2,241 

Tesco
Bank
£m
1,253
93
77
850
3,210
-
5,483

174
(236)
3,705 
(6,858)
(104)
(24)
–
–
–
–

28 
2,168 

Other/
unallocated
£m
–
–
–
148
–
–
148

–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
(5)

(8,481)
(8,338)

Other/
unallocated
£m
–
–
–
125
–
–
125

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
1,990 
(1,184)

(6,597)
(5,666)

(a)  Excludes derivative financial instrument non-current assets of £1,546m (2014: £1,496m).
(b)  Excludes loans to joint ventures of £207m (2014: £252m) and interest and other receivables of £1m (2014: £2m).
(c)  Excludes net debt of the disposal groups of £9m (2014: £161m).
(d)  Refer to Note 30.

Total
£m
3,771
20,604
940
975
3,906
514
30,710

4,870
(9,922)
3,814 
(7,020)
(1,366)
(199)
(79)
(4,842)
130 
(5)

(9,020)
7,071

Total
£m
3,795
24,717
286
1,015
3,210
73
33,096

5,512
(10,595)
3,705 
(6,858)
(433)
(594)
(482)
(3,193)
2,317 
(1,184)

(6,569)
14,722

95

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Other informationGovernanceFinancial statementsStrategic report 
 
Notes to the Group financial statements continued

Note 2 Segmental reporting continued

Other segment information

53 weeks ended 28 February 2015
Capital expenditure (including acquisitions through  

business combinations):
Property, plant and equipment
Investment property
Goodwill and other intangible assets

Depreciation:

Property, plant and equipment
Investment property

Amortisation of intangible assets
Impairment of intangible assets
Impairment of goodwill
Impairment of property, plant and equipment  

and investment property

Reversal of prior year impairment charge of property,  
plant and equipment and investment property

52 weeks ended 22 February 2014
Capital expenditure (including acquisitions through  

business combinations):
Property, plant and equipment
Investment property
Goodwill and other intangible assets

Depreciation:

Property, plant and equipment
Investment property

Amortisation of intangible assets
Impairment of goodwill
Impairment of property, plant and equipment  

and investment property

Reversal of prior year impairment charge of property,  
plant and equipment and investment property

UK
£m

1,071
–
350

(693)
–
(150)
(45)
(116)

(3,071)

132

UK
£m

1,370
–
303

(642)
–
(122)
–

(87)

135

Asia
£m

Europe
£m

Tesco
Bank
£m

Total
 continuing
operations
£m

Discontinued
operations
£m

378
–
19

(347)
(1)
(16)
–
–

(293)

36

Asia
£m

737
–
22

(320)
(10)
(15)
–

(39)

8

179
–
21

(235)
–
(23)
(4)
–

(949)

28

14
–
45

(18)
–
(68)
(4)
–

–

–

1,642
–
435

(1,293)
(1)
(257)
(53)
(116)

(4,313)

196

–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–

–

–

Europe
£m

Tesco
Bank
£m

Total
 continuing
operations
£m

Discontinued
operations*
£m

253
–
28

(307)
(9)
(24)
–

(761)

11

16
–
86

(17)
–
(66)
–

–

–

2,376
–
439

(1,286)
(19)
(227)
–

(887)

154

86
–
5

(26)
–
(4)
–

–

–

Total
£m

1,642
–
435

(1,293)
(1)
(257)
(53)
(116)

(4,313)

196

Total
£m

2,462
–
444

(1,312)
(19)
(231)
–

(887)

154

*  Discontinued operations in this table represents amounts up until the point a disposal group is classified as such and comprise those of China in the first six months of the  

year ended 22 Febuary 2014.

96

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015 
Note 2 Segmental reporting continued

The following tables provide further analysis of the Group Cash Flow Statement, including a split of cash flows between Retail and Bank as well as continuing 
operations and discontinued operations. 

Operating (loss)/profit of continuing operations
Operating loss of discontinued operations
Depreciation and amortisation
Losses/(profits) arising on one-off property-related items
Losses/(profits) arising on other property-related items
Losses arising on property-related items from discontinued operations
Losses/(profits) arising on sale of non property-related items
Loss arising on sale of subsidiaries and other investments
Impairment of goodwill
Impairment of other investments
Impairment of investments in/loans to joint ventures and associates
Net charge of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets  

not included in property-related items

Adjustment for non-cash element of pensions charges
Additional contribution into pension scheme
Share-based payments
Tesco Bank non-cash items included in profit before tax
Cash flow from operations excluding working capital
Decrease/(increase) in working capital
Cash generated from/(used in) operations
Interest paid
Corporation tax paid
Net cash generated from/(used in) operating activities

Purchase of property, plant and equipment, investment property  

and non-current assets classified as held for sale

Purchase of intangible assets
Non-GAAP measure: Free cash flow

Acquisition/disposal of subsidiaries, net of cash acquired/disposed
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment, investment property, 

intangible assets and non-current assets classified as held for sale

Net repayment of loans by joint ventures and associates
Investments in joint ventures and associates
Net proceeds from sale of/(investments in) short-term investments
Net proceeds from sale of/(investments in) other investments
Dividends received from joint ventures and associates
Interest received
Net cash used in investing activities

Proceeds from issue of share capital
Increase in borrowings
Repayment of borrowings
Repayment of obligations under finance leases
Rights issue to non-controlling interests
Dividends paid to equity owners
Net cash from financing activities

2015
£m
(5,973)
(10)
1,466
805
44
5
39
41
116
–
712

3,316
68
(13)
99
–
715
1,145
1,860
(609)
(347)
904

(1,977)
(267)
(1,340)

Retail
2014 
£m
2,489
(925)
1,483
(98)
(134)
162
(1)
1
540
42
–

715
11
(4)
46
–
4,327
280
4,607
(490)
(612)
3,505

(2,473)
(301)
731

(243)

(13)

244
21
(382)
423
5
81
104
(1,991)

15
4,385
(3,185)
(3)
18
(914)
316

570
54
(12)
(494)
(207)
47
121
(2,708)

62
3,104
(1,912)
(9)
–
(1,189)
56

Intra-Group funding and intercompany transactions

(77)

104

Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year
Cash held in disposal groups
Cash and cash equivalents not held in disposal groups

(848)
2,328
78
1,558
(9)
1,549

957
1,476
(105)
2,328
(307)
2,021

Tesco Bank
2014 
£m
142
–
84
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
1
76
303
(594)
(291)
(6)
(23)
(320)

(16)
(91)
(427)

Tesco Group
2014 
£m
2,631
(925) 
1,567
(98)
(134)
162
(1)
1
540
42
–

715
11
(4)
47
76
4,630
(314)
4,316
(496)
(635)
3,185

(2,489)
(392)
304

2015
£m
(5,792)
(10)
1,552
805
44
5
46
41
116
–
712

3,320
68
(13)
105
58
1,057
410
1,467
(613)
(370)
484

(1,989)
(329)
(1,834)

–

(243)

(13)

–
7
–
–
(61)
15
–
(146)

–
–
–
–
–
–
–

(104)

(570)
1,055
–
485
–
485

244
21
(382)
423
48
88
104
(2,015)

15
4,883
(3,185)
(3)
18
(914)
814

570
61
(12)
(494)
(268)
62
121
(2,854)

62
3,104
(1,912)
(9)
–
(1,189)
56

–

–

(717)
2,813
78
2,174
(9)
2,165

387
2,531
(105)
2,813
(307)
2,506

2015
£m
181
–
86
–
–
–
7
–
–
–
–

4
–
–
6
58
342
(735)
(393)
(4)
(23)
(420)

(12)
(62)
(494)

–

–
–
–
–
43
7
–
(24)

–
498
–
–
–
–
498

77

131
485
–
616
–
616

97

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Other informationGovernanceFinancial statementsStrategic reportNotes to the Group financial statements continued

Note 2 Segmental reporting continued

Operating (loss)/profit
Depreciation and amortisation
Losses/(profits) arising on one-off property-related items
Losses/(profits) arising on other property-related items
Losses/(profits) arising on sale of non property-related items
Loss arising on sale of subsidiaries and other investments
Impairment of goodwill
Impairment of other investments
Impairment of investments in/loans to joint ventures and associates
Net charge of impairment of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets 

not included in property-related items

Adjustment for non-cash element of pensions charge
Additional contribution into pension scheme
Share-based payments
Cash flow from/(used in) operations excluding working capital
Decrease/(increase) in working capital
Cash generated from/(used in) operations
Interest paid
Corporation tax paid
Net cash generated from/(used in) operating activities
Purchase of property, plant and equipment, investment property and non-current 

assets classified as held for sale

Purchase of intangible assets
Non-GAAP measure: Free cash flow

Note 3 Income and expenses

Continuing operations
2014
£m
2,489
1,448
(98)
(134)
(1)
1
–
42
–

2015
£m
(5,973)
1,466
805
44
37
41
116
–
712

Discontinued operations
2014
£m
(925)
35
150
12
–
–
540
–
–

2015
£m
(10)
–
–
5
2
–
–
–
–

3,316
68
(13)

104
723
1,322
2,045
(605)
(343)
1,097

(1,941)
(266)
(1,110)

708
11
(4)

41
4,503
243
4,746
(475)
(594)
3,677

(2,207)
(293)
1,177

–
–
–

(5)
(8)
(177)
(185)
(4)
(4)
(193)

(36)
(1)
(230)

7
–
–
5
(176)
37
(139)
(15)
(18)
(172)

(266)
(8)
(446)

2015
£m
(5,983)
1,466
805
49
39
41
116
–
712

3,316
68
(13)

99
715
1,145
1,860
(609)
(347)
904

(1,977)
(267)
(1,340)

Retail
2014
£m
1,564
1,483
52
(122)
(1)
1
540
42
–

715
11
(4)

46
4,327
280
4,607
(490)
(612)
3,505

(2,473)
(301)
731

Continuing operations
(Loss)/profit before tax is stated after charging/(crediting) the following:
Rental income, of which £40m (2014: £34m) relates to investment properties
Direct operating expenses arising on rental earning investment properties
Costs of inventories recognised as an expense
Stock losses and provisions
Depreciation and amortisation charged
Operating lease expenses, of which £111m (2014: £102m) relates to hire of plant and machinery
Net impairment charge on property, plant and equipment and investment property 
Impairment of goodwill and other intangibles
Impairment of investment in and loans to joint ventures and associates

2015
£m

2014
£m

(512)
19
46,541
1,759
1,552
1,486
4,118
169
712

(512)
5
46,832
1,316
1,532
1,414
733
–
–

98

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Note 3 Income and expenses continued

Continuing operations
(Loss)/profit before tax from continuing operations
Adjustments for:
IAS 32 and IAS 39 ‘Financial Instruments’ – fair value remeasurements
IAS 19 ‘Employee Benefits’ – non-cash Group Income Statement charge for pensions
IAS 17 ‘Leases’ – impact of annual uplifts in rent and rent-free periods
IFRS 3 ‘Business Combinations’ – intangible asset amortisation charges and costs arising from acquisitions
IFRIC 13 ‘Customer Loyalty Programmes’ – fair value of awards
Restructuring and other one-off items:

Impairment of PPE and onerous lease provisions included within cost of sales
Impairment/(impairment release) of PPE and onerous lease provisions included within (losses)/profit arising on property-related 

items

Impairment of goodwill
Impairment of intangible fixed assets(a)
Impairment of investment in China associate(b)
Impairment of investment in and loans to joint ventures and associates(c)
Inventory valuations and provisions(d) 
Provision for customer redress
ATM rates charge(e)
Loss on disposal/closure of non-core businesses(f)
Restructuring costs including trading store redundancies(g)
Other restructuring and one-off items
Total restructuring and other one-off items
Reversal of commercial income recognised in previous years(h): 

Recognised in 13/14
Recognised in years prior to 13/14

Other losses/(profits) arising on property-related items
Underlying profit before tax from continuing operations

Notes

2015
£m
(6,376)

2014
£m
2,259

1
1,26
1
1
1

11

11
10

26
204
12
13
–

3,802

925
116
50
630
82
570
27
41
81
416
74
6,814

53
155

60
961

11
117
22
14
10

734

(98)
–
–
–
–
–
63
–
–
–
102
801

–
–

(180)
3,054

(a)  As a result of changes to simplify the UK business, a number of IT projects have been cancelled, resulting in an impairment of intangible fixed assets.  

This charge has been recognised in cost of sales.

(b)  Increasing competition from Chinese e-commerce businesses as well as the financial impact of a longer-than-expected integration of operations is 
expected to affect short-to-medium-term profitability of the associate, resulting in an impairment charge in the year recognised in administrative 
expenses.

(c)  Investments in and loans to the Harris + Hoole and Euphorium businesses have been impaired as a result of the strategic decision to slow the roll-out  

of these brands recognised in administrative expenses.

(d)  This includes a £402m charge relating to increased inventories provisioning due to changes to range and stockholding, including general merchandise 
transformation, and the adoption of a forward looking provisioning methodology. An additional £107m charge relates to changes in the estimate of 
in-store payroll overheads which are directly attributable to inventories, arising due to the change in focus of our in-store activities. The Group has also 
changed its accounting policy to exclude certain in-store overheads from directly attributable costs in order to reflect more reliable and relevant 
information. If the policy change were applied retrospectively, it would have reduced the 2013/14 inventories balance by £59m, of which £10m would have 
impacted the prior year income statement. As these amounts are not material, the prior year comparatives have not been restated and the cumulative 
policy adjustment of £61m has been reflected in the current year.

(e)  During the year, the Group received a notification from the Valuation Office that it had moved to a separate assessment of rates for ATM sites in Tesco 

stores. This resulted in a backdated charge of £41m. The charge in respect of the current year is included in underlying profit within cost of sales.

(f)   This includes the loss on disposal of Blinkbox Movies and Music, and redundancy cost, asset impairments and other costs associated with the closure  

of non-core businesses including Blinkbox Books and Tesco Broadband. Of this loss, £74m has been recognised in cost of sales and £7m was recognised  
in administrative expenses.

(g)  Restructuring costs include redundancy and compensation costs related to changes in store colleague working arrangements in the UK, Europe and Asia, 
redundancy costs relating to Head Office restructures across the Group, and the redundancy cost of store closures in the UK. £266m has been recognised 
in costs of sales and £150m within administrative expenses.

Commercial income 
(h)  On 22 September 2014 the Group announced that the previous guidance given on 29 August 2014 regarding profit for the six months to 23 August 2014  

was overstated principally due to the accelerated recognition of commercial income and delayed accrual of costs. The internal investigation into the appropriate 
recognition included a review of whether the impact of accelerated recognition should be attributed to prior years. 

 At the time of the interim results, the impacts on prior years were estimated as resulting in the profit before tax for the year ended 22 February 2014 being 
overstated by £70m and for the years prior to that being overstated by a total of £75m. 

 Following further investigations, these estimates have been revised to a total overstatement to profit before tax of £53m for the year ended 22 February 
2014, and a total overstatement of £155m for the years prior to that. 

 On the basis that these figures are not material in the prior years, a prior year restatement has not been made with the amounts instead being corrected in 
the current year. The impact of this has been separately identified in the reconciliation of profit before tax to underlying profit above as the correction does 
not reflect current year performance.

99

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Other informationGovernanceFinancial statementsStrategic report 
 
 
Notes to the Group financial statements continued

Note 3 Income and expenses continued

During the financial year the Group obtained the following services from the Group’s auditor, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, and network firms:

Audit services
Fees payable to the Company’s auditor and its associates for the audit of the Company and Group financial statements
The audit of the accounts of the Company’s subsidiaries
Audit-related assurance services
Total audit and audit related services
Non-audit services
Fees payable to the Company’s auditor and its associates for other services:

Taxation compliance services
Taxation advisory services
All other non-audit services

Total auditor remuneration

2015
£m

2014
£m

1.0
3.6
0.8
5.4

–
0.9
2.4
8.7

0.8
3.5
1.2
5.5

– 
0.6
4.1
10.2

In addition to the amounts shown above, the auditor received fees of £0.2m (2014: £0.2m) for the audit of the main Group pension scheme.

A description of the work of the Audit Committee is set out in the Corporate Governance Report on page 32 and includes how objectivity and independence  
is safeguarded when non-audit services are provided by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.

Note 4 Employment costs, including Directors’ remuneration

Continuing operations
Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Post-employment defined benefits (Note 26)
Post-employment defined contributions (Note 26)
Share-based payments expense (Note 25)
Termination benefits

The average number of employees by operating segment during the financial year was: 

UK
Asia
Europe
Tesco Bank
Total

Note 5 Finance income and costs

Continuing operations
Finance income
Interest receivable and similar income
Total finance income
Finance costs
GBP MTNs
EUR MTNs
USD Bonds
Other MTNs
Finance charges payable under finance leases and hire purchase contracts 
Other interest payable
Capitalised interest (Note 11)*
Net pension finance costs (Note 26)**
IAS 32 and 39 ‘Financial Instruments’ – fair value remeasurements**
Total finance costs

2015
£m
6,581
473
631
24
144

416
8,269

2014
£m
6,121
471
542
32
82

23
7,271

Average number
of employees
2014
317,847
96,296
92,694
3,607
510,444

2015
315,829
96,471
90,813
3,871
506,984

Average number of 
full-time equivalents
2014
2015
217,158
215,747
88,616
86,436
82,741
80,327
3,353
3,576
391,868
386,086

2015
£m

90
90

(191)
(155)
(85)
(2)
(9)
(101)
44
(136)
(26)
(661)

2014
£m

132
132

(223)
(130)
(91)
(4)
(10)
(68)
79
(106)
(11)
(564)

*  A deferred tax liability is recognised in respect of capitalised interest at the applicable rate in the country in which the interest is capitalised.
** 

 Underlying net interest cost of £(409)m (2014: £(315)m), as included in underlying profit, excludes net pension finance costs of £(136)m (2014: £(106)m and IAS 32 and 39 
‘Financial Instruments’ – fair value remeasurements of £(26)m (2014: £(11)m).

GBP MTNs
Interest payable on the 4% RPI GBP MTN 2016 includes £8m (2014: £9m) of Retail Price Index (‘RPI’) related amortisation.
Interest payable on the 3.322% LPI GBP MTN 2025 includes £7m (2014: £11m) of RPI related amortisation.
Interest payable on the 1.982% RPI GBP MTN 2036 includes £7m (2014: £7m) of RPI related amortisation.

100

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Note 6 Taxation

Recognised in the Group Income Statement

Continuing operations
Current tax (credit)/charge
UK corporation tax
Foreign tax
Adjustments in respect of prior years

Deferred tax (credit)/charge
Origination and reversal of temporary differences
Adjustments in respect of prior years
Change in tax rate

Total income tax (credit)/charge

2015
£m

2014
£m

(141)
73
(16)
(84)

(641)
36
32
(573)
(657)

519
203
(50)
672

(93)
(85)
(147)
(325)
347

The Finance Act 2013 included legislation to reduce the main rate of UK corporation tax from 23% to 21% from 1 April 2014 and to 20% from 1 April 2015. 
These rate reductions are therefore included in these consolidated financial statements.

Reconciliation of effective tax charge

(Loss)/profit before tax
Tax credit/(charge) at 21.2% (2014: 23.1%)
Effect of:

Non-deductible expenses
Differences in overseas taxation rates
Adjustments in respect of prior years
Share of (losses)/profits of joint ventures and associates 
Change in tax rate

Total income tax credit/(charge) for the year
Effective tax rate

Tax on items credited directly to the Group Statement of Changes in Equity

Current tax credit/(charge) on:
Share-based payments

Deferred tax credit/(charge) on:

Share-based payments

Total tax on items credited/(charged) to the Group Statement of Changes in Equity

Tax relating to components of the Group Statement of Comprehensive Income

Current tax credit/(charge) on: 

Pensions
Foreign exchange movements
Fair value of movement on available-for-sale investments
Fair value movements on cash flow hedges

Deferred tax credit/(charge) on:

Pensions
Fair value movements on cash flow hedges

Total tax on items credited to the Group Statement of Comprehensive Income

2015
£m
(6,376)

1,352

(604)
(36)
(20)
(3)
(32)
657
10.3%

2014
£m
2,259

(522)

(109)
(12)
135
14
147
(347)
15.4%

2015
£m

2014
£m

–

–
–

1

(1)
–

2015
£m

2014
£m

–
14
(1)
(3)

291
(17)
284

–
58
–
4

67
35
164

101

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Other informationGovernanceFinancial statementsStrategic report 
Notes to the Group financial statements continued

Note 6 Taxation continued

Deferred tax
The following are the major deferred tax (liabilities)/assets recognised by the Group and movements thereon during the current and prior financial years:

At 23 February 2013
Credit/(charge) to the Group Income Statement
Charge to the Group Statement of Changes in Equity
Credit to the Group Statement of Comprehensive 

Income

Discontinued operations
Business combinations
Foreign exchange and other movements**
At 22 February 2014
Credit/(charge) to the Group Income Statement
Charge to the Group Statement of Changes in Equity
Credit/(charge) to the Group Statement of  

Comprehensive Income

Discontinued operations
Business combinations
Foreign exchange and other movements**
At 28 February 2015

Property- 
related 
items*
£m
(1,622)
282
–

Retirement
benefit
obligation
£m
539
29
–

Share-based
payments
£m
21
19
(1)

Short-term
timing
differences
£m
83
9
–

Tax losses
£m
40
(19)
–

Financial 
Instruments
£m
(24)
2
–

–
–
–
32
(1,308)
363
–

–
2
–
(10)
(953)

67
–
–
(1)
634
35
–

291
–
–
(3)
957

–
3
–
–
42
(40)
–

–
–
–
1
3

–
5
–
(13)
84
184
–

–
(19)
–
(1)
248

–
7
–
(4)
24
46
–

–
(2)
–
1
69

35
–
–
–
13
(6)
–

(17)
–
–
–
(10)

Other
pre/post
tax 
temporary
differences
£m
7
3
–

–
–
–
–
10
(9)
–

–
–
–
–
1

Total
£m
(956)
325
(1)

102
15
–
14
(501)
573
–

274
(19)
–
(12)
315

*  

** 

 Property-related items include a deferred tax liability on rolled over gains of £294m (2014: £294m) and deferred tax assets on capital losses of £101m (2014: £58m).  
The remaining balance relates to accelerated tax depreciation.
 The deferred tax charge/credit for foreign exchange and other movements is £12m debit (2014: £14m credit) relating to the retranslation of deferred tax balances at the 
balance sheet date and is included within the Group Statement of Comprehensive Income under the heading currency translation differences.

Certain deferred tax assets and liabilities have been offset and are analysed as follows:

Deferred tax assets
Deferred tax liabilities
Deferred tax assets/(liabilities) relating to disposal groups

2015
£m
514
(199)
–
315

2014
£m
73
(594)
20
(501)

Unrecognised deferred tax assets and liabilities
No deferred tax liability is recognised on temporary differences of £3.0bn (2014: £4.0bn) relating to the unremitted earnings of overseas subsidiaries and joint 
ventures as the Group is able to control the timing of the reversal of these temporary differences and it is probable that they will not reverse in the foreseeable 
future. The deferred tax on unremitted earnings at 28 February 2015 is estimated to be £200m (2014: £213m) which relates to taxes payable on repatriation 
and dividend withholding taxes levied by overseas tax jurisdictions. UK tax legislation relating to company distributions provides for exemption from tax for 
most repatriated profits, subject to certain exceptions. 

Deferred tax assets in relation to continuing operations have not been recognised in respect of the following items (because it is not probable that future 
taxable profits will be available against which the Group can utilise the benefits):

Deductible temporary differences
Tax losses

2015
£m
97
66
163

2014
£m
27
66
93

As at 28 February 2015, the Group has unused trading tax losses from continuing operations of £631m (2014: £398m) available for offset against future 
profits. A deferred tax asset has been recognised in respect of £335m (2014: £95m) of such losses. No deferred tax asset has been recognised in respect of  
the remaining £296m (2014: £303m) due to the unpredictability of future profit streams. Included in unrecognised tax losses are losses of £118m that will 
expire by 2019 (2014: £71m by 2018) and £15m that will expire between 2020 and 2035 (2014: £142m between 2019 and 2034). Other losses will be carried 
forward indefinitely. 

102

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Note 7 Discontinued operations and non-current assets classified as held for sale

Assets of the disposal groups
Non-current assets classified as held for sale
Total assets of the disposal groups and non-current assets classified as held for sale
Total liabilities of the disposal groups
Total net assets of the disposal groups and non-current assets classified as held for sale

2015
£m
9
130
139
(5)
134

2014
£m
2,160
327
2,487
(1,193)
1,294

The non-current assets classified as held for sale consist mainly of properties in the UK and Korea due to be sold within one year.

Discontinued operations
On 28 May 2014 the Group completed its formation of a new venture with China Resources Enterprise Limited (‘CRE’). The new venture is classified as an 
associate within continuing operations. In accordance with IFRS 5 ‘Non-current Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations’, the Chinese operations  
for the period up to 28 May 2014 have been classified as a disposal group. In addition the US operations, representing the remaining costs of the orderly 
restructuring process, continues to be classified as a disposal group.

The tables below show the results of the discontinued operations which are included in the Group Income Statement, Group Balance Sheet and Group Cash 
Flow Statement respectively.

Income Statement

Revenue
Expenses**
Profit/(loss) before tax of discontinued operations
Taxation
Profit/(loss) after tax of discontinued operations
Loss after tax of disposal of Chinese operations
Total profit/(loss) after tax of discontinued operations

Loss per share impact from discontinued operations 
Basic
Diluted

2015
£m
–
16
16
–
16
–
16

US

2014
£m
496
(762)
(266)
6
(260)
–
(260)

2015*
£m
281
(315)
(34)
(1)
(35)
(28)
(63)

China

2014
£m
1,489
(2,163)
(674)
(8) 
(682)
–
(682)

2015
£m
281
(299)
(18)
(1)
(19)
(28)
(47)

Total

2014
£m
1,985
(2,925)
(940)
(2)
(942)
–
(942)

(0.58)p
(0.58)p

(11.68)p
(11.66)p

Non-GAAP measure: underlying profit/(loss) before tax
Underlying loss before tax of discontinued operations in the US & China

2015
£m

US
2014
£m

2015*
£m

China
2014
£m

2015
£m

Total
2014
£m

11

(95)

(25)

(97)

(14)

(192)

*  The results of China are for the 13 weeks ended 28 May 2014, at which point the operations were contributed into a new venture with CRE.
** 

Includes fair value remeasurements, less costs to sell.

The Group exchanged its Chinese retail and property interests plus cash of £334m (£257m paid during the year, with £77m due in May 2015) for a 20% interest 
in the new venture. The loss after tax on disposal of the Group’s Chinese operations is made up as follows:

Value of new investment
Cash paid and deferred payments
Net book value of assets contributed 
Costs to sell and other provisions
Taxation
Loss after tax of disposal of Chinese operations

The loss in the year that resulted from remeasuring the retained investment to fair value on disposal was £10m.

Cost to sell and other provisions have decreased by £21m since the Group’s interim results as a result of updates in estimates since that time.

£m
1,261
(334)
(835)
(67)
(53)
(28)

103

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Other informationGovernanceFinancial statementsStrategic reportNotes to the Group financial statements continued

Note 7 Discontinued operations and non-current assets classified as held for sale continued

Balance Sheet

Assets of the disposal groups
Goodwill and other intangible assets
Property, plant and equipment
Investments in joint ventures and associates
Inventories
Trade and other receivables
Cash and cash equivalents
Total assets of the disposal groups
Liabilities of the disposal groups
Trade and other payables
Borrowings
Other current liabilities
Total liabilities of the disposal groups
Total net assets of the disposal groups

Cash flow statement

Net cash flows from operating activities
Net cash flows from investing activities
Net cash flows from financing activities
Net cash flows from discontinued operations
Intra-Group funding and intercompany transactions
Net cash flows from discontinued operations, net of intercompany
Net cash flows from disposal of subsidiary
Net cash flows from discontinued operations, net of intercompany and disposal  
of subsidiary

Note 8 Dividends

Amounts recognised as distributions to owners in the financial year:
Prior financial year final dividend
Current financial year interim dividend
Dividends paid to equity owners in the financial year

Current financial year proposed final dividend

US 
2015
£m

US 
2014
£m

–
–
–
–
–
9
9

(5)
–
–
(5)
4

–
30
–
–
–
48
78

(33)
–
(13)
(46)
32

2015
£m
(27)
31
–
4
(45)
(41)
–

(41)

US
2014
£m
(106)
(1)
(7)
(114)
146
32
–

32

2015
£m
(166)
(35)
66
(135)
29
(106)
(148)

(254)

China  
2014
£m
(66)
(290)
159
(197)
217
20
–

20

China
2014
£m

100
1,145
162
138
278
259
2,082

(864)
(283)
–
(1,147)
935

2015
£m
(193)
(4)
66
(131)
(16)
(147)
(148)

(295)

Pence/share

£m Pence/share

2015

10.13
1.16
11.29

–

819
95
914

–

10.13
4.63
14.76

10.13

Total
2014
£m

100
1,175
162
138
278
307
2,160

(897)
(283)
(13)
(1,193)
967

Total
2014
£m
(172)
(291)
152
(311)
363
52
–

52

2014
£m

815
374
1,189

819

As announced by the Company on 8 January 2015, the Board of Directors has decided not to recommend the payment of a final dividend in respect of the 
financial year ended 28 February 2015.

104

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Note 9 Earnings (losses) per share and diluted earnings per share

Basic earnings/(losses) per share amounts are calculated by dividing the profit/(loss) attributable to owners of the parent by the weighted average number  
of ordinary shares in issue during the financial year.

Diluted earnings/(losses) per share amounts are calculated by dividing the profit/(loss) attributable to owners of the parent by the weighted average number 
of ordinary shares in issue during the financial year adjusted for the effects of potentially dilutive options. The dilutive effect is calculated on the full exercise 
of all potentially dilutive ordinary share options granted by the Group, including performance-based options which the Group considers to have been earned.

Given the loss for the 53 weeks ended 28 February 2015, the Group has recognised a basic loss per share rather than a basic earnings per share. The dilutive 
effects have not been considered in calculating the diluted loss per share as this would reduce the loss per share. For the 53 weeks ended 28 February 2015 
there were 12 million potentially dilutive share options. As the Group has recognised an underlying profit the dilutive effects have been considered in 
calculating the underlying earnings per share.

(Loss)/profit (£m)

Continuing operations
Discontinued operations

Weighted average number of shares (millions)
(Losses)/earnings per share (pence)

Continuing operations
Discontinued operations

Total

2015

Potentially
 dilutive share 
options 

Basic 

Diluted

Basic 

Potentially
 dilutive share 
options 

(5,694)
(47)
8,107

(70.24)
(0.58)
(70.82)

–
–
–

–
–
–

(5,694)
(47)
8,107

(70.24)
(0.58)
(70.82)

1,916
(942)
8,068

23.75
(11.68)
12.07

–
–
10

(0.03)
0.02
(0.01)

2014

Diluted

1,916
(942)
8,078

23.72
(11.66)
12.06 

There have been no transactions involving ordinary shares between the reporting date and the date of approval of these financial statements which would 
significantly change the earnings per share calculations shown above.

Reconciliation of non-GAAP underlying diluted earnings per share

(Loss)/profit from continuing operations (diluted)
Adjustments for:

IAS 32 and IAS 39 ‘Financial Instruments’ – fair value remeasurements
IAS 19 ‘Employee Benefits’ – non-cash Group Income Statement charge for pensions
IAS 17 ‘Leases’ – impact of annual uplifts in rent and rent-free periods
 IFRS 3 ‘Business Combinations’ – intangible asset amortisation charges and  
costs arising from acquisitions
IFRIC 13 ‘Customer Loyalty Programmes’ – fair value of awards

Total restructuring and other one-off items (Note 3)
Reversal of commercial income recognised in previous years:

Recognised in 13/14
Recognised in years prior to 13/14

Other profits/(losses) arising on property-related items
Allocation of adjustments to non-controlling interests
Tax effect of adjustments at the effective rate of tax*
Dilutive effect**
Underlying earnings from continuing operations

2015
£m Pence/share
(70.24)

(5,694)

2014
£m Pence/share
23.72

1,916

26
204
12

13
–
6,814

53
155
60
(22)
(856)

–
765

0.32
2.52
0.15

0.16
–
84.06

0.65
1.91
0.74
(0.27)
(10.56)

(0.02)
9.42

11
117
22

14
10
801

–
–
(180)
–
(122)

0.14
1.45
0.27

0.17
0.12
9.92

–
–
(2.23)
–
(1.51)

2,589

32.05

* 

** 

 The effective rate of tax on the total tax charge on all adjustments was 11.7% (2014: 15.4%). The effective rate of tax on underlying earnings was 20.7% (2014: 15.4%) 
which excludes certain permanent differences on which tax relief is not available.
 Under IAS 33 ‘Earnings per share’, potentially dilutive share options are treated as dilutive only when their conversion would decrease earnings per share. All adjustments 
above have been based on 8,107 million (2014: 8,078 million) shares, with the (0.02) pence per share dilutive impact of the 12 million current year potentially dilutive share 
options factored in only when calculating the final underlying diluted earnings per share from continuing operations.

105

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Other informationGovernanceFinancial statementsStrategic reportNotes to the Group financial statements continued

Note 10 Goodwill and other intangible assets

Internally
generated
development
costs
£m

Pharmacy
and
software
licences
£m

Other
intangible
assets
£m

Goodwill
£m

Total
£m

6,108
(33)
409
25
5
(173)
6,341

2,313
(71)
257
168
–
(97)
2,570

2,880
(10)
98
–
 – 
(19)
2,949

594
(54)
–
116
–
5
661

1,793
–
206
–
(150)
(109)
1,740

908
– 
126
43
2
(89)
990

750
885

1,057
(20)
79
–
154
(37)
1,233

533
(17)
113
7
–
(11)
625

608
524

378
(3)
26
25
1
(8)
419

278
–
18
2
(2)
(2)
294

125
100

2,288
2,286

3,771
3,795

Internally
generated
development
costs
£m

Pharmacy
and
software
licences
£m

Other
intangible
assets
£m

Goodwill
£m

1,655
(6)
245
(31)
(70)
–
1,793

916
(3)
111
(48)
(68)
–
908

1,004
(40)
116
38
(10)
(51)
1,057

440
(24)
101
48
(10)
(22)
533

366 
(12)
23
2
(1)
–
378

261 
(3)
19
2
(1)
–
278

3,580
(111)
60
–
–
(649)
2,880

626 
(32)
–
–
–
–
594

Total
£m

6,605
(169)
444
9
(81)
(700)
6,108

2,243
(62)
231
2
(79)
(22)
2,313

Cost
At 22 February 2014
Foreign currency translation
Additions
Acquired through business combinations
Reclassification
Disposals
At 28 February 2015

Accumulated amortisation and impairment losses
At 22 February 2014
Foreign currency translation
Amortisation charge
Impairment charge
Reclassification
Disposals
At 28 February 2015

Net carrying value
At 28 February 2015
At 22 February 2014

Cost
At 23 February 2013
Foreign currency translation
Additions
Reclassification
Disposals
Transfer to disposal group classified as held for sale
At 22 February 2014

Accumulated amortisation and impairment losses
At 23 February 2013
Foreign currency translation
Amortisation charge
Reclassification
Disposals
Transfer to disposal group classified as held for sale
At 22 February 2014

106

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Note 10 Goodwill and other intangible assets continued

Impairment of goodwill
Goodwill arising on business combinations is not amortised but is reviewed for impairment on an annual basis, or more frequently if there are indications  
that goodwill may be impaired. Goodwill acquired in a business combination is allocated to groups of cash-generating units according to the level at which 
management monitor that goodwill.

In February 2015 and 2014 impairment reviews were performed by comparing the carrying value of goodwill with the recoverable amount of the  
cash-generating units to which goodwill has been allocated. 

Recoverable amounts for cash-generating units are based on the higher of value in use and fair value less costs of disposal. Value in use is calculated from 
cash flow projections for generally five years using data from the Group’s latest internal forecasts, the results of which are reviewed by the Board. The key 
assumptions for the value in use calculations are those regarding discount rates, growth rates and expected changes in margins. Management estimates 
discount rates using pre-tax rates that reflect the current market assessment of the time value of money and the risks specific to the cash-generating units. 
Changes in selling prices and direct costs are based on past experience and expectations of future changes in the market. Given the current economic climate, 
a sensitivity analysis has been performed in assessing the recoverable amounts of goodwill. 

The pre-tax discount rates used to calculate value in use range from 9% to 12% (2014: 7% to 11%). On a post-tax basis, the discount rates range from 7% to 
10% (2014: 6% to 8%). These discount rates are derived from the Group’s post-tax weighted average cost of capital, as adjusted for the specific risks relating 
to each cash-generating unit. 

The forecasts are extrapolated beyond five years based on estimated long-term average growth rates of 2% to 3% (2014: 2% to 3%).

The challenging economic climate and significant shifts in the retail industry structure has resulted in revised forecast cash flows and updated discount rates. 
A resulting impairment charge has been recognised of £116m (2014: £nil) related to Dobbies (£83m) and other UK businesses (£33m). Dobbies and the other 
UK businesses are within the UK segment. This charge has been recognised in the cost of sales line in the Group Income Statement.

A final regulation has been published by the European Commission, imposing a cap on interchange fees on credit and debit cards. This change to existing 
interchange fees, which is expected to come into force during the first half of 2015, along with the forecast impact of mitigating management actions, has 
been considered as part of goodwill impairment testing for the Tesco Bank cash-generating unit. No reduction in the asset recognised has been required 
following completion of this review. 

The components of goodwill are as follows:

Malaysia
South Korea
Tesco Bank
Thailand
UK
Other

2015
£m
74
502
802
159
722
29
2,288

2014
£m
74
475
802
145
761
29
2,286

107

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Other informationGovernanceFinancial statementsStrategic reportNotes to the Group financial statements continued

Note 11 Property, plant and equipment

Cost
At 22 February 2014
Foreign currency translation
Additions(b)
Acquired through business combinations 
Reclassification
Classified as held for sale
Disposals
At 28 February 2015

Accumulated depreciation and impairment losses
At 22 February 2014
Foreign currency translation
Depreciation charge
Impairment charge
Reversal of impairment charge
Reclassification
Classified as held for sale
Disposals
At 28 February 2015

Net carrying value(c)(d)
At 28 February 2015
At 22 February 2014

Construction in progress included above(e)
At 28 February 2015
At 22 February 2014

Land and
buildings
£m

Other(a)
£m

Total
£m

25,734
(314)
799
–
(591)
30
(360)
25,298

4,985
(186)
446
3,029
(169)
(358)
(86)
(232)
7,429

10,851
(106)
840
3
152
(18)
(229)
11,493

7,110
(96)
847
1,263
(7)
–
(16)
(179)
8,922

36,585
(420)
1,639
3
(439)
12
(589)
36,791

12,095
(282)
1,293
4,292
(176)
(358)
(102)
(411)
16,351

17,869
20,749

2,571
3,741

20,440
24,490

271
612

71
80

342
692

(a)  Other assets consist of plant, equipment, fixtures and fittings and motor vehicles.
(b) 

 Includes £44m (2014: £79m) in respect of interest capitalised, principally relating to land and building assets. The capitalisation rate used to determine the amount of finance 
costs capitalised during the financial year was 4.4% (2014: 5.1%). Interest capitalised is deducted in determining taxable profit in the financial year in which it is incurred.

(c)  Net carrying value includes:

(i)   Capitalised interest at 28 February 2015 of £820m (2014: £1,208m).
(ii)  Assets held under finance leases which are analysed below:

Cost
Accumulated depreciation and impairment losses
Net carrying value

These assets are pledged as security for the finance lease liabilities.

(d)  The net carrying value of land and buildings comprises:

Freehold
Long leasehold – 50 years or more
Short leasehold – less than 50 years
Net carrying value

(e)  Construction in progress does not include land.

Land and
buildings
£m
137
(61)
76

2015

Other(a)
£m
575
(532)
43

Land and
buildings
£m
151
(50)
101

2015
£m
15,649
607
1,613
17,869

2014

Other(a)
£m
558
(529)
29

2014
£m
18,430
662
1,657
20,749

In the current year the Group reclassified property, plant and equipment with a net book value of £81m to development properties in inventories. 

108

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015 
 
 
 
Note 11 Property, plant and equipment continued

Cost
At 23 February 2013
Foreign currency translation
Additions(b)
Acquired through business combinations 
Reclassification
Classified as held for sale
Disposals
Transfer to disposal group classified as held for sale
At 22 February 2014

Accumulated depreciation and impairment losses
At 23 February 2013
Foreign currency translation
Depreciation charge
Impairment charge
Reversal of impairment charge
Reclassification
Classified as held for sale
Disposals
Transfer to disposal group classified as held for sale
At 22 February 2014

(a)(b)  See page 108 for footnotes.

Land and
buildings
£m

Other(a)
£m

Total
£m

24,817
(1,131)
1,492
9
1,875
(115)
(239)
(974)
25,734

3,961
(220)
466
814
(152)
282
2
(139)
(29)
4,985

10,826
(470)
955
6
27
–
(133)
(360)
10,851

6,812
(267)
846
52
(2)
1
 1
(117)
(216)
7,110

35,643
(1,601)
2,447
15
1,902
(115)
(372)
(1,334)
36,585

10,773
(487)
1,312
866
(154)
283
3
(256)
(245)
12,095

During the prior year, it was concluded that the level of service provided to tenants of some malls operated by the Group were no longer considered 
insignificant and as a result a number of malls with a net book value of £1,623m were reclassified from investment property to property, plant and equipment.

Impairment of property, plant and equipment
The Group has determined that for the purposes of impairment testing, each store is a cash-generating unit. Cash-generating units are tested for impairment  
if there are indicators of impairment at the balance sheet date. Recoverable amounts for cash-generating units are based on the higher of value in use or fair 
value less costs of disposal. The Group engaged external independent qualified valuers, where appropriate, to determine the fair value of the Group’s property. 

Fair values are determined in regard to the market rent for the stores or for alternative uses with investment yields appropriate to reflect the physical 
characteristics of the property and the location. In some cases, fair values include residual valuations where stores may be viable for redevelopment.

Value in use is generally calculated from cash flow projections for five years using data from the Group’s latest internal forecast, the results of which are reviewed  
by the Board. The forecasts are extrapolated beyond five years based on estimated long-term growth rates of 2% to 5% (2014: 2% to 5%).

The key assumptions for the value in use calculations are those regarding discount rates, growth rates and expected changes in margins. Management estimates 
discount rates using pre-tax rates that reflect the current market assessment of the time value of money and the risks specific to the cash-generating units. 
Changes in selling prices and direct costs are based on past experience and expectations of future changes in the market. The pre-tax discount rates used  
to calculate value in use range from 9% to 12% (2014: 6% to 14%) depending on the specific conditions in which each store operates. On a post-tax basis,  
the discount rates range from 7% to 10% (2014: 6% to 12%). These discount rates are derived from the Group’s post-tax weighted average cost of capital,  
as adjusted for the specific risks relating to each geographical region.

An impairment charge of £4,292m (2014: £866m) has been recognised following a challenging economic climate and significant shifts in the retail industry 
structure, resulting in a revision of forecast cash flows and property fair values. This charge relates to properties in the UK of £3,052m (2014: £87m), Europe  
of £947m (2014: £740m) and Asia of £293m (2014: £39m). Of this charge, £3,291m (2014: £707m) related to trading stores has been classified as ‘Impairment 
of PPE and onerous lease provisions included within cost of sales’ and £874m (2014: £nil) related to construction in progress and closed stores has been 
classified as ‘Impairment of PPE and onerous lease provisions included within (losses)/profits arising on property-related items’ within non-GAAP measures  
in the Group Income Statement. The remaining £127m charge (2014: £159m) has not been treated as one-off within non-GAAP measures.

An impairment reversal of £176m (2014: £154m) was recognised relating to properties in the UK of £133m (2014: £136m), Europe of £28m (2014: £10m) and Asia 
of £15m (2014: £8m). Of this reversal, £25m (2014: £nil) has been classified as ‘Impairment of PPE and onerous lease provisions included within cost of sales’ and 
£97m (2014: £98m) has been classified as ‘Impairment of PPE and onerous lease provisions included within (losses)/profits arising on property-related items’. 

109

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Other informationGovernanceFinancial statementsStrategic reportNotes to the Group financial statements continued

Note 12 Investment property

Cost
At beginning of the year
Foreign currency translation
Additions
Reclassification
Classified as held for sale
Disposals
At end of the year
Accumulated depreciation and impairment losses
At beginning of the year
Foreign currency translation
Depreciation charge
Impairment charge
Reversal of impairment charge
Reclassification
Classified as held for sale
Disposals
At end of the year
Net carrying value at end of the year

2015
£m

283
(4)
–
87
(51)
(30)
285

56
(5)
1
21
(20)
92
(1)
(23)
121
164

2014
£m

2,317
(114)
–
(1,908)
–
(12)
283

316
(17)
19
21
–
(282)
–
(1)
56
227

The estimated fair value of the Group’s investment property is £0.3bn (2014: £0.4bn). This fair value has been determined by applying an appropriate rental 
yield to the rentals earned by the investment property. A valuation has not been performed by an independent valuer. 

In the year there has been a £21m impairment charge for investment property which has been classified as ‘Impairment of PPE and onerous lease provisions 
included within (losses)/profits arising on property-related items’.

In the prior year, it was concluded that the level of services provided to tenants of some malls operated by the Group were no longer considered insignificant 
and as a result a number of malls with a net book value of £1,623m were reclassified from investment property to property, plant and equipment.

Note 13 Group entities 

Principal subsidiaries
The Group consolidates its subsidiary undertakings and its principal subsidiaries are:

Tesco Stores Limited
One Stop Stores Limited*
Tesco Ireland Limited
Tesco-Global Stores Privately Held Co. Limited 
Tesco Polska Sp. z o.o.
Tesco Stores CR a.s.
Tesco Stores SR a.s.
Tesco Kipa Kitle Pazarlama Ticaret ve Gida Sanayi A S
Homeplus Co. Limited
Homeplus Tesco Co. Limited
Ek-Chai Distribution System Co. Limited
Tesco Stores (Malaysia) Sdn Bhn
Dobbies Garden Centres Limited
Tesco Personal Finance Group Limited* (trading as Tesco Bank)
Tesco Distribution Limited
Tesco Property Holdings Limited
Tesco International Sourcing Limited
dunnhumby Limited
Tesco Corporate Treasury Services PLC*
Tesco Food Sourcing Limited
Tesco International Internet Retailing Limited*
Tesco Joint Buying Service (Shanghai) Co. Limited

Business activity
Retail
Retail
Retail
Retail
Retail
Retail 
Retail
Retail
Retail
Retail
Retail
Retail
Retail
Financial Services
Distribution
Property
Purchasing
Data Analysis
Financial Services
Sourcing
Retail
Retail

Share of issued
ordinary share capital
and voting rights
 100%
100% 
 100% 
 100% 
 100% 
100% 
100%
95%
100%
100%
86%**
70%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%

Country of incorporation
and principal country
of operation
England
England
Republic of Ireland
Hungary
Poland
Czech Republic
Slovakia
Turkey
South Korea
South Korea
Thailand
Malaysia
Scotland
Scotland
England
England
Hong Kong
England
England
England
England
People’s Republic of China

*  Held by the Parent Company (all other principal subsidiaries are held by an intermediate subsidiary).
**  The Group has 86% of voting rights and 39% of issued ordinary share capital in Ek-Chai Distribution System Co. Limited.

The accounting period ends of the subsidiary undertakings consolidated in these financial statements are on or around 28 February 2015. The Group has 
taken advantage of the exemption under section 410(2) of the Companies Act 2006 by providing information only in respect of the subsidiary undertakings 
whose results or financial position, in the opinion of the Directors, principally affect the financial statements. A full list of the Group’s subsidiary undertakings 
will be annexed to the next Annual Return filed at Companies House. There are no significant restrictions on the ability of subsidiary undertakings to transfer 
funds to the parent, other than those imposed by the Companies Act 2006.

110

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Note 13 Group entities continued

Interests in joint ventures and associates
Principal joint ventures and associates
The Group’s principal joint ventures and associates are:

Shopping Centres Limited(a)
BLT Properties Limited(a)
The Tesco British Land Property Partnership(b)
Tesco BL Holdings Limited(b)
The Tesco Red Limited Partnership
The Tesco Aqua Limited Partnership
The Tesco Coral Limited Partnership
The Tesco Blue Limited Partnership
The Tesco Atrato Limited Partnership
The Tesco Property Limited Partnership
The Tesco Passaic Limited Partnership
The Tesco Navona Limited Partnership
The Tesco Sarum Limited Partnership
The Tesco Dorney Limited Partnership
Arena (Jersey) Management Limited
The Tesco Property (No. 2) Limited Partnership
Tesco Mobile Limited
Tesco Underwriting Limited(c)

Nature of relationship
Joint venture
Joint venture
Joint venture
Joint venture
Joint venture
Joint venture
Joint venture
Joint venture
Joint venture
Joint venture
Joint venture
Joint venture
Joint venture
Joint venture
Joint venture
Joint venture
Joint venture
Joint venture

Business activity
Property investment
Property investment
Property investment
Property investment
Property investment
Property investment
Property investment
Property investment
Property investment
Property investment
Property investment
Property investment
Property investment
Property investment
Property investment
Property investment
Telecommunications
Financial services

Share of issued share 
capital, loan capital and 
debt securities
50%
50%
50%
50%
50%
50%
50%
50%
50%
50%
50%
50%
50%
50%
50%
50%
50%
49.9%

Country of 
incorporation
England
England
England
England
England
England
England
England
England
England
England
England
England
England
Jersey
Jersey
England
England

Gain Land Limited(d)

Associate

Retail

20%

British Virgin Islands

Principal area of 
operation
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
People's Republic of 
China/Hong Kong

Tesco Lotus Retail Growth Freehold and 
Leasehold Property Fund(a)
Trent Hypermarket Limited(e)

Associate

Property investment

Joint venture

Retail 

25%

50%

Thailand

India

Thailand

India

(a)  Held by the Parent Company (all other significant joint ventures and associates are held by an intermediate subsidiary).
(b)  The Tesco British Land Property Partnership and Tesco BL Holdings Limited are classified as assets held for sale at 28 February 2015. They are therefore excluded from the  

summarised financial information for joint ventures and associates for 2015 below. Further information is set out in Note 35.

(c)  Tesco Underwriting Limited under IFRS 11 is treated as a joint venture because the Group has joint control over key management decisions. 
(d)  On 28 May 2014 the Group completed its formation of a new venture with China Resources Enterprise Limited. The new associate, Gain Land Limited, is a material  
  associate to the Group. 
(e)  During the year the Group formed a new joint venture, Trent Hypermarket Limited, with Trent Limited at a cost of £102m.

The Group holds a 22% investment stake in Lazada Group GMBH (‘Lazada’). This investment is not treated as an associate because the Group does not have the 
power to participate in key management decisions.

The accounting period end dates of the joint ventures and associates consolidated in these financial statements range from 31 December 2014 to 28 February 2015. 
The accounting period end dates of the joint ventures differ from those of the Group for commercial reasons and depend upon the requirements of the joint venture 
partner as well as those of the Group. The accounting period end dates of the associates are different from those of the Group as they depend upon the requirements 
of the parent companies of those entities.

There are no significant restrictions on the ability of the joint ventures and associates to transfer funds to the parent, other than those imposed by the Companies Act 2006.

Summarised financial information for joint ventures and associates
The summarised financial information for UK Property joint ventures has been aggregated in order to provide useful information to users without excessive 
detail since these entities have similar characteristics and risk profiles largely based on the nature of their activites and geographic market.

The UK Property joint ventures involve the Group partnering with third parties in carrying out property investments in order to enhance returns from property and 
access funding whilst reducing risks associated with sole ownership. These property investments generally cover shopping centres and standalone stores. The Group 
enters into operating leases for some or all of the properties held in the joint ventures. These leases provide the Group with some rights over alterations and adjacent 
land developments. Some leases also provide the Group with options to purchase the other joint venturers’ equity stakes at a future point in time. In some cases the 
Group has the ability to substitute properties in the joint ventures with alternative properties of similar value, subject to strict eligibility criteria. In other cases, the 
Group carries out property management activities for third party rentals of shopping centre units. 

The property investment activities are carried out in separate entities, usually partnerships or limited liability companies. The Group has assessed its ability to direct 
the relevant activities of these entities and impact Group returns and concluded that the entities qualify as joint ventures since decisions regarding them require  
the unanimous consent of both equity holders. This assessment included not only rights within the joint venture agreements, but also any rights within the other 
contractual arrangements between the Group and the entities.

111

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Other informationGovernanceFinancial statementsStrategic report 
Notes to the Group financial statements continued

Note 13 Group entities continued

The Group made a number of judgements and assertions in arriving at this determination, the key ones being:

•  since the provisions of the joint venture agreements require the relevant decisions impacting investor returns to be either unanimously agreed by both joint 

venturers at the same time, or in some cases to be agreed sequentially by each venturer at different stages, there is joint decision making within the joint venture; 

•  since the Group’s leases are priced at fair value, and any rights embedded in the leases are consistent with market practice, they do not provide the Group with 

additional control over the joint ventures or infer an obligation by the Group to fund the settlement of liabilities of the joint ventures;

•  any options to purchase the other joint venturers’ equity stakes are priced at market value, and only exercisable at future dates, hence they do not provide control 

to the Group at the current time; 

•  where the Group has a right to substitute properties in the joint ventures, the rights are strictly limited and are at fair value, hence do not provide control to the  

Group; and 

•  where the Group carries out property management activities for third party rentals in shopping centres, these additional activities are controlled through joint 

venture agreements or lease agreements, and do not provide the Group with additional powers over the joint venture.

The summarised financial information below reflects the amounts presented in the financial statements of the relevant joint ventures and associates, and not  
the Group’s share of those amounts. These amounts have been adjusted to conform to the Group’s accounting policies where required. 

Summarised Balance Sheet
Non-current assets 
Current assets (excluding cash & cash equivalents)
Cash and cash equivalents
Current liabilities*
Non-current liabilities*
Net (liabilities)/assets

Summarised Income Statement
Revenue
Profit/(loss) after tax

Reconciliation to carrying amounts: 
Opening balance
Additions
Foreign currency translation
Share of profit/(loss)
Impairment of joint ventures and associates
Dividends received from joint ventures and associates
Closing balance

Group's share in ownership
Group's share of net (liabilities)/assets
Goodwill
Cumulative unrecognised losses
Cumulative unrecognised hedge reserves
Carrying amount 

UK Property joint ventures

Gain Land Limited

2015
£m

2014
£m

2015
7 months to 
Dec 14 
£m

2014
£m

 5,768 
 219 
 115 
(401) 
(6,628) 
(927)

 6,247 
 164 
130
(470)
(6,999) 
(928) 

 4,543 
 1,979 
 579 
(4,728) 
(403) 
 1,970 

 418 
15

 434 
39

 4,811 
(229) 

90
–
–
15
–
(56)
49

50%
(464)
–
138
375
49

87
–
–
36
–
(33)
90

50%
(464)
–
162
392
90

–
1,261
(2)
(47)
(630)
–
582

20%
394
188
–
–
582

–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–

* 

Included within current and non-current liabilities of UK Property joint ventures are £(750)m (2014: £(784)m) derivative balances related to swaps which hedge the cash  
flow variability exposures of the joint ventures. 

At 28 February 2015, the Group has £179m (2014: £174m) loans to UK Property joint ventures and £nil (2014: £nil) to Gain Land Limited. 

Individually immaterial joint ventures and associates
The Group also has interests in a number of individually immaterial joint ventures and associates excluding UK Property joint ventures and Gain Land Limited. 

Aggregate carrying amount of individually immaterial joint ventures and associates
Group’s share of profit for the year

Joint ventures
2014
£m
53
16

2015
£m
252
14

Associates
2014
£m
143
8

2015
£m
57
5

Unconsolidated structured entities
The Group has sponsored a number of structured entities. The Group led the formation of the entities and its name appears in the names of the entities  
and/or on the debt issued by the entities. The structured entities were set up to finance property purchases by some of the UK Property joint ventures  
in which the Group typically holds a 50% equity interest. The structured entities obtain debt financing from third party investors and lend the funds to  
these joint ventures, who use the funds to purchase the properties. 

The liabilities of the UK Property joint ventures disclosed above include the loans due to these structured entities. The Group’s exposure to the structured 
entities is limited to the extent of the Group’s interests in the joint ventures. The liabilities of the structured entities are non-recourse to the Group.

The Group concluded that it does not control, and therefore should not consolidate, these structured entities, since it does not have power over the relevant 
activities of the structured entities, or exposure to variable returns from these entities.

112

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015 
Note 14 Other investments 

Loans receivable
Available-for-sale financial assets

Available-for-sale financial assets mainly comprise investments in bonds with varied maturities of which £111m (2014: £167m) is current.

Note 15 Inventories

Goods held for resale
Development properties

2015
£m
35
940
975

2015
£m
2,825
132
2,957

2014
£m
69
946
1,015

2014
£m
3,467
109
3,576

Goods held for resale are net of £93m (2014: £82m) relating to commercial income. These commercial income amounts will be recognised in cost of sales 
upon sale of those inventories.

Note 16 Trade and other receivables

Prepayments
Accrued income
Other receivables
Amounts owed by joint ventures and associates (Note 28)

2015
£m
352
183
1,336
250
2,121

2014
£m
321
265
1,330
274
2,190

Trade and other receivables includes £97m (2014: £89m) within other receivables of amounts due from suppliers for commercial income which have been 
invoiced but for which there is no legal right or intention to offset against payables, and £158m (2014: £230m) within accrued income of amounts due from 
suppliers in relation to commercial income which have been earned but not yet invoiced. 

Included within trade and other receivables are the following amounts receivable after more than one year:

Prepayments and accrued income
Other receivables
Amounts owed by joint ventures and associates

2015
£m
19
468
149
636

2014
£m
19
432
195
646

Trade and other receivables are generally non interest-bearing. Credit terms vary by country and the nature of the debt, ranging from seven to sixty days. 

At 28 February 2015, trade and other receivables of £31m (2014: £37m) were past due and impaired. The amount of the provision was £42m (2014: £46m). 
The ageing analysis of these receivables is as follows:

Up to three months past due
Three to six months past due
Over six months past due

2015
£m
2
2
27
31

2014
£m
4
2
31
37

At 28 February 2015, trade and other receivables of £146m (2014: £155m) were past due but not impaired. The ageing analysis of these receivables is as follows:

Up to three months past due
Three to six months past due
Over six months past due

No receivables have been renegotiated in the current or prior financial years.

2015
£m
117
14
15
146

2014
£m
124
15
16
155

113

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Other informationGovernanceFinancial statementsStrategic reportNotes to the Group financial statements continued

Note 17 Loans and advances to customers

Tesco Bank has loans and advances to customers, as follows:

Non-current
Current

The maturity of these loans and advances is as follows:

At 28 February 2015
Repayable on demand or at short notice
Within three months
Greater than three months but less than one year
Greater than one year but less than five years
After five years

Provision for impairment of loans and advances

2015
£m
3,906
3,814
7,720

2015
£m
3
3,744
158
2,033
1,922
7,860
(140)
7,720

2014
£m
3,210
3,705
6,915

2014
£m
3
3,641
166
1,955
1,307
7,072
(157)
6,915

At 28 February 2015, £3.0bn (2014: £2.4bn) of the credit card portfolio had its legal interest assigned to a structured entity for use as collateral in 
securitisation transactions. Included within the unsecured lending balance is £nil (2014: £0.8bn) that has been prepositioned with the Bank of England for  
the purposes of contingent liquidity via the discount window facility and consequently is eligible for future participation in the Funding for Lending Scheme.

Provision for impairment of loans and advances

At 23 February 2013
Increase in allowance, net of recoveries, charged to the Group Income Statement
Amounts written off
Unwinding of discount
At 22 February 2014
Increase in allowance, net of recoveries, charged to the Group Income Statement
Amounts written off
Unwinding of discount
At 28 February 2015

Note 18 Cash and cash equivalents

Cash at bank and in hand
Short-term deposits

Cash of £593m (2014: £1,016m) held on money market funds is classed as short-term investments.

Note 19 Trade and other payables

Trade payables
Other taxation and social security
Other payables
Amounts payable to joint ventures and associates (Note 28)
Accruals and deferred income

£m
 (172)
(55)
66
4
(157)
(48)
62
3
(140)

2014
£m
2,261
245
2,506

2014
£m
5,831
399
2,800
22
1,543
10,595

2015
£m
2,134
31
2,165

2015
£m
5,076
366
2,698
23
1,759
9,922

Included in other payables are amounts of £147m (2014: £154m) which are non-current.

Netted against trade and other payables is £347m (2014: £547m) amounts receivable from suppliers in relation to commercial income that has been invoiced, 
for which there is a current legal right and intention to offset against amounts payable at the balance sheet date. 

114

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Note 20 Borrowings

Current

Commercial paper, bank loans and overdrafts
Loans from joint ventures (Note 28)
5% MTN
2% USD Bond
Other MTNs
Finance leases (Note 34)

Non-current

5.125% MTN
4% RPI MTN*
5.875% MTN
2.7% USD Bond
1.250% MTN
5.5% USD Bond
5.2% Tesco Bank Retail Bond
3.375% MTN
LIBOR + 0.45% Tesco Bank Bond
1.375% MTN
5.5% MTN
1% RPI Tesco Bank Retail Bond
2.125% MTN
5% Tesco Bank Retail Bond
LIBOR + 0.65% Tesco Bank Bond
6.125% MTN
5% MTN
2.5% MTN
3.322% LPI MTN**
6% MTN
5.5% MTN
1.982% RPI MTN***
6.15% USD Bond
4.875% MTN
5.125% MTN
5.2% MTN
Other loans
Finance leases (Note 34)

Par value
– 
– 
£600m
$500m
– 
– 

Par value
€600m
£307m
€1,039m
$500m
€500m
$850m
£125m
€750m
£150m
€1,250m
£350m
£60m
€500m
£200m
£350m
£900m
£389m
€750m
£315m
£200m
£200m
£261m
$1,150m
£173m
€600m
£279m
–
–

Maturity
year
–
–
2014
2014
–
–

Maturity
year
2015
2016
2016
2017
2017
2017
2018
2018
2019
2019
2019
2019
2020
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
2029
2033
2036
2037
2042
2047
2057
–
–

2015
£m
1,982
16
–
–
–
10
2,008

2015
£m
–
313
872
325
362
625
135
548
149
911
353
60
362
205
349
895
407
547
318
261
262
263
917
175
631
275
–
131
10,651

2014
£m
830
16
628
300
130
6
1,910

2014
£m
528
304
1,011
299
411
595
139
620
–
–
352
60
411
197
–
948
401
–
310
242
241
256
792
174
605
274
18
115
9,303

*  The 4% RPI MTN is redeemable at par, including indexation for increases in the Retail Price Index (‘RPI’) over the life of the MTN.
**  The 3.322% Limited Price Inflation (‘LPI’) MTN is redeemable at par, including indexation for increases in the RPI over the life of the MTN. The maximum indexation of the  
  principal in any one year is 5%, with a minimum of 0%.
***  The 1.982% RPI MTN is redeemable at par, including indexation for increases in the RPI over the life of the MTN.

Borrowing facilities
The Group has the following undrawn committed facilities available at 28 February 2015, in respect of which all conditions precedent had been met as at that date:

Expiring in less than one year
Expiring between one and two years
Expiring in more than two years

The current year undrawn committed facilities include £2.2bn of bilateral facilities and a £2.6bn revolving credit facility. 

All facilities incur commitment fees at market rates and would provide funding at floating rates.

2015
£m
132
200
4,800
5,132

2014
£m
–
125
2,600
2,725

115

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Other informationGovernanceFinancial statementsStrategic reportNotes to the Group financial statements continued

Note 21 Financial instruments 

Derivatives are used to hedge exposure to market risks and those that are held as hedging instruments are formally designated as hedges as defined in IAS 39. 
Derivatives may qualify as hedges for accounting purposes and the Group’s hedging policies are further described below. 

Net finance cost of £46m (2014: £22m) resulted from hedge ineffectiveness.

Fair value hedges
The Group maintains interest rate and cross-currency swap contracts as fair value hedges of the interest rate and currency risk on fixed rate debt issued  
by the Group. Changes in the fair value of derivatives that are designated and qualify as fair value hedges are recorded in the Group Income Statement,  
together with any changes in the fair value of the hedged asset or liability that are attributable to the hedged risk. The gain or loss on the hedging instrument 
and hedged item is recognised in the Group Income Statement within finance income or costs. If the hedge no longer meets the criteria for hedge accounting, 
the adjustment to the carrying value of the hedged item is amortised to the Group Income Statement.

A gain of £27m on hedging instruments was recognised during the year, offset by a loss of £73m on hedged items (2014: a loss of £311m on hedging 
instruments was offset by a gain of £282m on hedged items).

Cash flow hedges
The Group uses forward contracts to hedge the foreign currency cost of future purchases of goods for resale, where those purchases are denominated in a 
currency other than the functional currency of the purchasing company. Where these contracts qualify for hedge accounting, fair value gains and losses are 
deferred in equity. These hedging instruments are primarily used to hedge purchases in Euros and US Dollars. The cash flows hedged will occur  
and will affect the Group Income Statement within one year of the balance sheet date. 

The Group also uses index-linked swaps to hedge cash flows on index-linked debt, interest rate swaps to hedge interest cash flows on debt and cross-currency 
swaps to hedge cash flows on fixed rate debt denominated in foreign currencies.

Net investment hedges 
The Group uses currency denominated borrowings and cross-currency swaps to hedge the exposure of a portion of its net investment in overseas operations 
against changes in value due to changes in foreign exchange rates. A net finance income of £nil (2014: £7m) was recorded resulting from net investment 
hedging ineffectiveness. 

Gains and losses accumulated in equity are recycled to the Group Income Statement on disposal of overseas operations.

Financial instruments not qualifying for hedge accounting
The Group’s policy does not permit use of derivatives for trading purposes. However, some derivatives do not qualify for hedge accounting, or are specifically 
not designated as a hedge where gains and losses on the hedging instrument and the hedged item naturally offset in the Group Income Statement.

These instruments include index-linked swaps and forward foreign currency contracts. Changes in the fair value of any derivative instruments that do not 
qualify for hedge accounting are recognised immediately in the Group Income Statement within finance income or costs. 

The fair values of derivative financial instruments have been disclosed in the Group Balance Sheet as follows:

Asset
£m
153
1,546
1,699

2015
Liability
£m
(89)
(946)
(1,035)

Asset
£m
80
1,496
1,576

2014
Liability
£m
(99)
(770)
(869)

Current
Non-current

116

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Note 21 Financial instruments continued

The fair value and notional amounts of derivatives analysed by hedge type are as follows:

Fair value hedges
Interest rate swaps and similar instruments
Cross-currency swaps
Cash flow hedges
Interest rate swaps and similar instruments
Cross-currency swaps
Index-linked swaps
Forward foreign currency contracts
Cash flow hedges and net investment hedges
Cross-currency swaps
Derivatives not in a formal hedge relationship
Interest rate swaps and similar instruments
Cross-currency swaps
Index-linked swaps
Forward foreign currency contracts
Total

Fair value
£m

23
561

–
241
119
84

–

6
10
580
75
1,699

Asset
Notional
£m

721
1,201

86
311
942
974

–

640
44
3,589
1,292
9,800

2015
Liability
Notional
£m

2,303
817

462
1,754
–
1,271

Fair value
£m

(80)
(11)

(199)
(170)
–
(35)

–

–

(6)
(1)
(474)
(59)
(1,035)

2,982
36
3,589
965
14,179

The carrying value and fair value of financial assets and liabilities are as follows:

Assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Loans and advances to customers – Tesco Bank
Short-term investments
Other investments
Joint venture and associates loan receivables (Note 28)
Other receivables
Derivative financial assets:

Interest rate swaps and similar instruments
Cross-currency swaps
Index-linked swaps
Forward foreign currency contracts

Total financial assets

Liabilities
Short-term borrowings:

Amortised cost
Bonds in fair value hedge relationships

Long-term borrowings:

Amortised cost
Bonds in fair value hedge relationships

Finance leases (Note 34)
Customer deposits – Tesco Bank
Deposits by banks – Tesco Bank
Derivative and other financial liabilities:

Interest rate swaps and similar instruments
Cross-currency swaps
Index-linked swaps
Forward foreign currency contracts

Total financial liabilities
Total 

Fair value
£m

71
583

2
139
90
10

10

13
8
614
36
1,576

Carrying
value
£m

2,165
7,720
593
975
207
1

29
812
699
159
13,360

(1,998)
–

(7,193)
(3,327)
(141)
(6,914)
(106)

(285)
(182)
(474)
(94)
(20,714)
(7,354)

Asset
Notional
£m

2,057
2,055

99
287
920
739

308

2,079
128
3,619
1,035
13,326

2015
Fair
value
£m

2,165
7,772
593
975
208
1

29
812
699
159
13,413

(1,998)
–

(7,299)
(3,033)
(141)
(6,873)
(106)

(285)
(182)
(474)
(94)
(20,485)
(7,072)

2014
Liability
Notional
£m

1,492
551

400
1,605
–
2,123

Fair value
£m

(42)
(25)

(110)
(115)
–
(62)

–

–

–
–
(515)
–
(869)

Carrying
value
£m

2,506
6,915
1,016
1,015
255
1

86
740
704
46
13,284

(1,276)
(628)

(4,901)
(4,287)
(121)
(6,078)
(780)

(152)
(140)
(515)
(62)
(18,940)
(5,656)

595
–
3,589
181
10,536

2014
Fair
value
£m

2,506
6,845
1,016
1,015
257
1

86
740
704
46
13,216

(1,281)
(660)

(5,702)
(4,227)
(121)
(6,044)
(780)

(152)
(140)
(515)
(62)
(19,684)
(6,468)

The fair values of financial instruments and derivatives have been determined by reference to prices available from the markets on which the instruments are traded, 
where they are available. Where market prices are not available, the fair value has been calculated by discounting expected future cash flows at prevailing interest 
rates. The above tables exclude payables/other receivables which have fair values equal to their carrying values.

117

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Other informationGovernanceFinancial statementsStrategic report 
Notes to the Group financial statements continued

Note 21 Financial instruments continued

Financial assets and liabilities by category
The accounting classifications of each class of financial assets and liabilities at 28 February 2015 and 22 February 2014 are as follows:

At 28 February 2015
Cash and cash equivalents
Loans and advances to customers – Tesco Bank
Short-term investments
Other investments
Joint venture and associates loan receivables (Note 28)
Other receivables
Customer deposits – Tesco Bank
Deposits by banks – Tesco Bank
Short-term borrowings
Long-term borrowings
Finance leases (Note 34)
Derivative financial instruments:

Interest rate swaps and similar instruments
Cross-currency swaps
Index-linked swaps
Forward foreign currency contracts

At 22 February 2014
Cash and cash equivalents
Loans and advances to customers – Tesco Bank
Short-term investments
Other investments
Joint venture and associates loan receivables (Note 28)
Other receivables
Customer deposits – Tesco Bank
Deposits by banks – Tesco Bank
Short-term borrowings
Long-term borrowings
Finance leases (Note 34)
Derivative financial instruments:

Interest rate swaps and similar instruments
Cross-currency swaps
Index-linked swaps
Forward foreign currency contracts

Loans and
receivables/
other 
financial
liabilities
£m
2,165
7,720
593
35
207
1
(6,914)
(106)
(1,998)
(10,520)
(141)

Fair value
through
profit or loss
£m
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

Available-
for-sale
£m
–
–
–
940
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
940

–
–
–
–
(8,958)

(256)
630
225
65
664

Loans and
receivables/
other 
financial
liabilities
£m
2,506
6,915
1,016
69
255
1
(6,078)
(780)
(1,904)
(9,188)
(121)

Fair value
through
profit or loss
£m
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

Available-
for-sale
£m
–
–
–
946
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
946

–
–
–
–
(7,309)

(66)
600
189
(16)
707

Total
£m
2,165
7,720
593
975
207
1
(6,914)
(106)
(1,998)
(10,520)
(141)

(256)
630
225
65
(7,354)

Total
£m
2,506
6,915
1,016
1,015
255
1
(6,078)
(780)
(1,904)
(9,188)
(121)

(66)
600
189
(16)
(5,656)

The above tables exclude payables/other receivables which are classified under loans and receivables/other financial liabilities.

118

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Note 21 Financial instruments continued

Fair value measurement
The following table presents the Group’s financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value at 28 February 2015, by level of fair value hierarchy:

•  quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1);
•   inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly (that is, as prices) or indirectly  

(that is, derived from prices) (Level 2); and

•  inputs for the asset or liability that are not based on observable market data (that is, unobservable inputs) (Level 3).

At 28 February 2015
Assets
Available-for-sale financial assets
Derivative financial instruments:

Interest rate swaps and similar instruments
Cross-currency swaps
Index-linked swaps
Forward foreign currency contracts

Total assets
Liabilities
Derivative financial instruments:

Interest rate swaps and similar instruments
Cross-currency swaps
Index-linked swaps
Forward foreign currency contracts

Total liabilities
Total

At 22 February 2014
Assets
Available-for-sale financial assets
Derivative financial instruments:

Interest rate swaps and similar instruments
Cross-currency swaps
Index-linked swaps
Forward foreign currency contracts

Total assets
Liabilities
Derivative financial instruments:

Interest rate swaps and similar instruments
Cross-currency swaps
Index-linked swaps
Forward foreign currency contracts

Total liabilities
Total

The following table presents the changes in Level 3 instruments for the year ending 28 February 2015: 

At beginning of the year
Gains/(losses) recognised in finance costs in the Group Income Statement
Gains/(losses) recognised in the Group Statement of Changes in Equity
Purchase of non-controlling interests
At end of the year

Level 1
£m

Level 2
£m

Level 3
£m

828

–
–
–
–
828

–
–
–
–
–
828

–

29
812
699
159
1,699

(285)
(182)
(474)
(94)
(1,035)
664

112

–
–
–
–
112

–
–
–
–
–
112

Level 1
£m

Level 2
£m

Level 3
£m

850

–
–
–
–
850

–
–
–
–
–
850

–

86
740
704
46
1,576

(152)
(140)
(515)
(62)
 (869)
707

96

–
–
–
–
96

–
–
–
–
–
96

2015
£m
96
–
(16)
32
112

Total
£m

940

29
812
699
159
2,639

(285)
(182)
(474)
(94)
(1,035)
1,604

Total
£m

946

86
740
704
46
2,522

(152)
(140)
(515)
(62)
(869)
1,653

2014
£m
–
–
–
96
96

During the financial year, £nil (2014: £nil) of Level 2 assets were transferred to Level 1 and there were no transfers into or out of Level 3 fair value measurements. 

In the second half of the year, the Group invested an additional £32m in Lazada, an online retailer.

119

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Other informationGovernanceFinancial statementsStrategic reportNotes to the Group financial statements continued

Note 21 Financial instruments continued

Offsetting of financial assets and liabilities
The following tables show those financial assets and liabilities subject to offsetting, enforceable master netting arrangements and similar agreements.

At 28 February 2015

Financial assets offset
Cash and cash equivalents
Derivative financial instruments
Trade and other receivables
Total
Financial liabilities offset
Bank loans and overdrafts
Repurchases, securities lending and similar agreements*
Derivative financial instruments
Trade and other payables
Total

Gross 
amounts of 
financial 
assets/
(liabilities) set 
off in the 
Group 
Balance Sheet
£m
(240)
–
(369)
(609)

Gross 
amounts of 
recognised 
financial 
assets/
(liabilities)
£m
2,405
1,699
2,490
6,594

Net amounts 
presented in 
the Group 
Balance 
Sheet
£m
2,165
1,699
2,121
5,985

Related amounts not set off 
in the Group Balance Sheet

Financial 
instruments
£m
–
(331)
–
(331)

Collateral
£m
–
(2)
–
(2)

Net amount
£m
2,165
1,366
2,121
5,652

(2,222)
(97)
(1,035)
(10,291)
(13,645)

240
–
–
369
609

(1,982)
(97)
(1,035)
(9,922)
(13,036)

–
103
331
–
434

–
–
61
–
61

(1,982)
6
(643)
(9,922)
(12,541)

*  Repurchases, securities lending and similar agreements are included within the deposits from banks balance of £106m (Note 23).

At 22 February 2014

Financial assets offset
Cash and cash equivalents
Derivative financial instruments
Trade and other receivables
Total
Financial liabilities offset
Bank loans and overdrafts
Repurchases, securities lending and similar agreements*
Derivative financial instruments
Trade and other payables
Total

Gross 
amounts of 
financial 
assets/
(liabilities) set 
off in the 
Group Balance 
Sheet
£m
(376)
–
(547)
(923)

Gross 
amounts of 
recognised 
financial 
assets/
(liabilities)
£m
2,882
1,576
2,737
7,195

Net amounts 
presented in 
the Group 
Balance 
Sheet
£m
2,506
1,576
2,190
6,272

Related amounts not set off 
in the Group Balance Sheet

Financial 
instruments
£m
–
(336)
–
(336)

Collateral
£m
–
(6)
–
(6)

Net amount
£m
2,506
1,234
2,190
5,930

(1,206)
(765)
(869)
(11,142)
(13,982)

376
–
–
547
923

(830)
(765)
(869)
(10,595)
(13,059)

–
765
336
–
1,101

–
–
16
–
16

(830)
–
(517)
(10,595)
(11,942)

*  Repurchases, securities lending and similar agreements are included within the deposits from banks balance of £780m (Note 23).

For the financial assets and liabilities subject to enforceable master netting arrangements above, each agreement between the Group and the counterparty 
allows for net settlement of the relevant financial assets and liabilities when both elect to settle on a net basis. In the absence of such an election, financial 
assets and liabilities will be settled on a gross basis, however each party to the master netting agreement or similar agreements will have the option to settle 
all such amounts on a net basis in the event of default of the other party.

Note 22 Financial risk factors

The main financial risks faced by the Group relate to fluctuations in interest and foreign exchange rates, the risk of default by counterparties to financial 
transactions and the availability of funds to meet business needs. The management of these risks is set out below. 

Risk management is carried out by a central treasury department under policies approved by the Board of Directors. The Board provides written principles  
for risk management, as described in the Principal risks and uncertainties on pages 22 to 25.

Interest rate risk
Interest rate risk arises from long-term borrowings. Debt issued at variable rates as well as cash deposits and short-term investments exposes the Group to cash 
flow interest rate risk. Debt issued at fixed rates exposes the Group to fair value risk. The Group’s interest rate management policy is explained on page 25.

The Group has Retail Price Index (‘RPI’) debt where the principal is indexed to increases in the RPI. RPI debt is treated as floating rate debt. The Group also 
has Limited Price lnflation (‘LPI’) debt, where the principal is indexed to RPI, with an annual maximum increase of 5% and a minimum of 0%. LPI debt is 
treated as fixed rate debt.

For interest rate risk relating to Tesco Bank, refer to the separate section on Tesco Bank financial risk factors on page 123. 

120

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Note 22 Financial risk factors continued

During 2015 and 2014, net debt was managed using derivative instruments to hedge interest rate risk.

Cash and cash equivalents
Loans and advances to customers – Tesco Bank
Short-term investments
Other investments
Joint venture and associate loan receivables (Note 28)
Other receivables
Finance leases (Note 34)
Bank and other borrowings
Customer deposits – Tesco Bank
Deposits from banks – Tesco Bank
Derivative effect:

Interest-rate swaps
Cross-currency swaps
Index-linked swaps

Total

Fixed
£m
–
4,041
–
904
141
1
(141)
(10,571)
(2,868)
(106)

(6,523)
1,973
(567)
(13,716)

Floating
£m
2,165
3,679
593
71
66
–
–
(1,947)
(4,046)
–

6,523
(1,973)
567
5,698

2015
Total
£m
2,165
7,720
593
975
207
1
(141)
(12,518)
(6,914)
(106)

–
–
–
(8,018)

Fixed
£m
–
3,440
–
855
163
1
(90)
(9,788)
(2,707)
(780)

(4,022)
2,418
(553)
(11,063)

Floating
£m
2,506
3,475
1,016
160
92
–
(31)
(1,304)
(3,371)
–

4,022
(2,418)
553
4,700

2014
Total
£m
2,506
6,915
1,016
1,015
255
1
(121)
(11,092)
(6,078)
(780)

–
–
–
(6,363)

Credit risk 
Credit risk arises from cash and cash equivalents, trade and other receivables, customer deposits, financial instruments and deposits with banks and financial 
institutions. 

The net counterparty exposure under derivative contracts is £1.4bn (2014: £1.2bn). The Group considers its maximum credit risk to be £14.7bn (2014: £13.3bn) 
being the Group’s total financial assets.

For credit risk relating to Tesco Bank, refer to the separate section on Tesco Bank financial risk factors on page 123.

Liquidity risk 
Liquidity risk is managed by short-term and long-term cash flow forecasts. In addition, the Group has committed facility agreements for £5.1bn (2014: £2.7bn), 
which mature between 2016 and 2019.

The Group has a European Medium Term Note programme of £15.0bn, of which £7.4bn was in issue at 28 February 2015 (2014: £7.0bn), plus a Euro Commercial 
Paper programme of £2.0bn, £0.5bn of which was in issue at 28 February 2015 (2014: £nil), and a US Commercial Paper programme of $4.0bn, £0.7bn of which 
was in issue at 28 February 2015 (2014: £nil). 

On 6 June 2014 and 1 July 2014, the Group issued £0.5bn and €2.0bn of long-term debt respectively. During the year, the Group repaid £0.6bn, $0.5bn, 
€0.6bn, ¥6.5bn, CNY0.7bn and MYR0.1bn of long-term debt.

For liquidity risk relating to Tesco Bank, refer to the separate section on Tesco Bank financial risk factors on page 123.

The following is an analysis of the undiscounted contractual cash flows payable under financial liabilities and derivatives. The potential cash outflow  
of £17.8bn is considered acceptable as it is offset by financial assets and trade receivables of £14.7bn (2014: £18.2bn offset by financial assets and trade 
receivables of £14.8bn).

The undiscounted cash flows will differ from both the carrying values and fair value. Floating rate interest is estimated using the prevailing rate at the balance 
sheet date. Cash flows in foreign currencies are translated using spot rates at the balance sheet date. For index-linked liabilities, inflation is estimated at 3% 
for the life of the liability (2014: 3%).

At 28 February 2015
Non-derivative financial liabilities
Bank and other borrowings
Interest payments on borrowings
Customer deposits – Tesco Bank
Deposits from banks – Tesco Bank
Finance leases
Trade and other payables
Derivative and other financial liabilities
Net settled derivative contracts – receipts
Net settled derivative contracts – payments
Gross settled derivative contracts – receipts
Gross settled derivative contracts – payments
Total

Due
within
1 year
£m

(1,975)
(403)
(5,914)
(106)
(20)
(9,775)

41
(97)
4,397
(3,979)
(17,827)

Due
between
1 and 2
years
£m

Due
between
2 and 3
years
£m

Due
between
3 and 4
years
£m

Due
between
4 and 5
years
£m

(1,400)
(406)
(561)
–
(19)
(62)

68
(77)
1,260
(1,314)
(2,515)

(915)
(343)
(124)
–
(19)
(25)

25
(61)
1,953
(1,735)
(1,244)

(670)
(306)
(142)
–
(19)
(2)

21
(42)
29
(44)
(1,175)

(1,468)
(283)
(173)
–
(12)
(2)

17
(22)
29
(44)
(1,958)

Due
beyond
5 years
£m

(5,758)
(2,968)
–
–
(168)
(56)

1,061
(19)
1,330
(1,477)
(8,055)

121

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Other informationGovernanceFinancial statementsStrategic reportNotes to the Group financial statements continued

Note 22 Financial risk factors continued

At 22 February 2014
Non-derivative financial liabilities
Bank and other borrowings
Interest payments on borrowings
Customer deposits – Tesco Bank
Deposits by banks – Tesco Bank
Finance leases
Trade and other payables
Derivative and other financial liabilities
Net settled derivative contracts – receipts
Net settled derivative contracts – payments
Gross settled derivative contracts – receipts
Gross settled derivative contracts – payments
Total

Due
within
1 year
£m

(1,835)
(459)
(4,725)
(772)
(12)
(10,441)

76
(91)
4,768
(4,727)
(18,218)

Due
between
1 and 2
years
£m

Due
between
2 and 3
years
£m

Due
between
3 and 4
years
£m

Due
between
4 and 5
years
£m

(523)
(404)
(1,100)
(8)
(13)
(82)

29
(75)
713
(648)
(2,111)

(1,514)
(377)
(141)
–
(12)
(19)

68
(59)
1,323
(1,277)
(2,008)

(921)
(306)
(29)
–
(12)
(2)

22
(52)
1,758
(1,499)
(1,041)

(743)
(270)
(122)
–
(12)
(2)

44
(70)
39
(24)
(1,160)

Due
beyond
5 years
£m

(5,372)
(3,152)
–
–
(185)
(49)

538
(345)
1,493
(1,132)
(8,204)

Foreign exchange risk
The Group is exposed to foreign exchange risk principally via:

•   transactional exposure that arises from the cost of future purchases of goods for resale, where those purchases are denominated in a currency other than 
the functional currency of the purchasing company. Transactional exposures that could significantly impact the Group Income Statement are hedged. 
These exposures are hedged via forward foreign currency contracts which are designated as cash flow hedges. The notional and fair value of these 
contracts is shown in Note 21;

•   net investment exposure that arises from changes in the value of net investments denominated in currencies other than Pounds Sterling. The Group 

hedges a part of its investments in its international subsidiaries via foreign currency transactions and borrowings in matching currencies which are formally 
designated as net investment hedges; and

•   loans to non-UK subsidiaries that are hedged via foreign currency transactions and borrowings in matching currencies. These are not formally designated 

as hedges as gains and losses on hedges and hedged loans will naturally offset.

The impact on the Group financial statements from foreign currency volatility is shown in the sensitivity analysis below.

Sensitivity analysis
The analysis excludes the impact of movements in market variables on the carrying value of pension and other post-employment obligations and on the 
retranslation of overseas net assets as required by IAS 21 ‘The Effects of Changes in Foreign Exchange Rates’. However, it does include the foreign exchange 
sensitivity resulting from local entity non-functional currency financial instruments.

The sensitivity analysis has been prepared on the basis that the amount of net debt, the ratio of fixed to floating interest rates of the debt and derivatives 
portfolio, and the proportion of financial instruments in foreign currencies are all constant and on the basis of the hedge designations in place at 28 February 
2015. It should be noted that the sensitivity analysis reflects the impact on income and equity due to financial instruments held at the balance sheet date. It 
does not reflect any change in sales or costs that may result from changing interest or exchange rates.

The following assumptions were made in calculating the sensitivity analysis:

•   the sensitivity of interest payable to movements in interest rates is calculated on net floating rate exposures on debt, deposits and derivative instruments 

with no sensitivity assumed for RPI-linked debt which has been swapped to fixed rates;

•   changes in the carrying value of derivative financial instruments designated as fair value hedges from movements in interest rates or foreign exchange rates 

have an immaterial effect on the Group Income Statement and equity due to compensating adjustments in the carrying value of debt;

•  changes in the carrying value of derivative financial instruments designated as net investment hedges from movements in foreign exchange rates are 

recorded directly in the Group Statement of Comprehensive Income;

•   changes in the carrying value of derivative financial instruments not designated as hedging instruments only affect the Group Income Statement;
•   all other changes in the carrying value of derivative financial instruments designated as hedging instruments are fully effective with no impact  

on the Group Income Statement; and 

•   the floating leg of any swap or any floating rate debt is treated as not having any interest rate already set, therefore a change in interest rates affects a full 

12-month period for the interest payable portion of the sensitivity calculations.

Using the above assumptions, the following table shows the illustrative effect on the Group Income Statement and equity that would result, at the balance 
sheet date, from changes in UK interest rates and currency exchange rates that are reasonably possible for major currencies where there have recently been 
significant movements:

1% increase in interest rates (2014: 1%)
10% appreciation of the Czech Koruna (2014: 15%)
10% appreciation of the Euro (2014: 5%)
5% appreciation of the Hungarian Florint (2014: nil)
5% appreciation of the South Korean Won (2014: 10%)
10% appreciation of the US Dollar (2014: 10%)
5% appreciation of the Polish Zloty (2014: 5%)
5% appreciation of the Hong Kong Dollar (2014: 10%) 
10% appreciation of the Turkish Lira (2014: 35%)

Income
gain/(loss)
£m
57
(4)
(31)
(1)
–
(3)
–
–
–

2015

Equity
gain/(loss)
£m
–
39
(39)
13
39
96
21
4
1

Income
gain/(loss)
£m
5
–
(1)
–
–
(4)
–
–
–

2014

Equity
gain/(loss)
£m
–
49
(24)
–
110
161
19
29
79

A decrease in interest rates and a depreciation of foreign currencies would have the opposite effect to the impact in the table above. 

122

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Note 22 Financial risk factors continued

The impact on the Group Statement of Comprehensive Income from changing exchange rates results from the revaluation of financial liabilities used  
as net investment hedges. The impact on the Group Statement of Comprehensive Income will largely be offset by the revaluation in equity of the hedged 
assets. The sensitivity movements in equity includes £100m (2014: £310m) in relation to loans to Group entities that form part of their net investment. 

Capital risk
The Group’s objectives when managing capital (defined as net debt plus equity) are to safeguard the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern in order  
to provide returns to shareholders and benefits for other stakeholders, while protecting and strengthening the balance sheet through the appropriate balance 
of debt and equity funding. The Group manages its capital structure and makes adjustments to it, in light of changes to economic conditions and the strategic 
objectives of the Group.

To maintain or adjust the capital structure, the Group may adjust the dividend payment to shareholders, buy back shares and cancel them, or issue new shares. 

The Group finances its operations by a combination of retained profits, debt capital market issues, commercial paper, bank borrowings, disposals of property 
assets and leases. The policy for debt is to ensure a smooth debt maturity profile with the objective of ensuring continuity of funding. This policy continued 
during the financial year with bonds redeemed of £1,493m (2014: £208m) and £2,095m of new bonds issued (2014: £844m). The Group borrows centrally 
and locally, using a variety of capital market instruments and borrowing facilities to meet the Group’s business requirements of each local business. 

Refer to Note 30 for the value of the Group’s net debt (£8.5bn; 2014: £6.6bn), and the Group Statement of Changes in Equity for the value of the Group’s 
equity (£7.1bn; 2014: £14.7bn).

Tesco Bank

Interest rate risk
Interest rate risk arises where assets and liabilities in Tesco Bank’s banking activities have different repricing dates. Tesco Bank policy seeks to minimise  
the sensitivity of net interest income to changes in interest rates. Potential exposures to interest rate movements in the medium to long-term are measured 
and controlled through position and sensitivity limits. Short-term exposures are measured and controlled in terms of net interest income sensitivity over 
12 months to a 1% parallel movement in interest rates. Tesco Bank also use Economic Value Equity (‘EVE’) for risk management purposes with focus on the 
value of Tesco Bank in today’s interest rate environment and its sensitivity to changes in interest rates. Interest rate risk is managed using interest rate swaps 
as the main hedging instrument.

Liquidity risk 
Liquidity risk is the risk that Tesco Bank is unable to meet its payment obligations as they fall due. Liquidity risk is managed within Tesco Bank’s banking 
activities and adheres to the liquidity requirements set by the Prudential Regulation Authority (‘PRA’). Tesco Bank’s Board has set a defined liquidity risk 
policy and contingency funding which is prudent and in excess of the minimum requirements as set out by the PRA and by Tesco Bank. A diversified portfolio 
of high-quality liquid and marketable assets is maintained. Cash flow commitments and marketable asset holdings are measured and managed on a daily 
basis. Tesco Bank has sufficient liquidity to meet all foreseeable outflow requirements as they fall due and its liquidity risk is further mitigated by its well 
diversified retail deposit base and a pool of surplus cash resources that are invested in a range of marketable assets.

Credit risk
Credit risk is the potential that a bank borrower or counterparty will fail to meet its obligations in accordance with agreed terms. Credit risk principally arises 
from the Bank’s retail lending activities but also from the placement of surplus funds with other banks and money market funds, investments in transferable 
securities and interest rate and foreign exchange derivatives. In addition, credit risk arises from contractual arrangements with third parties where payments 
and commissions are due to the Bank for short periods of time.

Retail credit policy is managed through the credit risk policy framework with standards and limits defined at all stages of the customer lifecycle, including new 
account sanctioning, customer management and collections and recovery activity. Customer lending decisions are managed principally through the deployment 
of bespoke credit scorecard models and credit policy rules, which exclude specific areas of lending, and an affordability assessment which determines a 
customer’s ability to repay an outstanding credit amount. Wholesale credit risk is managed using a limit-based framework, with limits determined by 
counterparty credit worthiness, instrument type and remaining tenor. A limits framework is also in place for the management of third party credit exposures.

Ineffective management and controls over the emerging asset quality of the Group’s lending portfolios could expose the Group to unacceptable levels of bad 
debt. The Group’s asset quality is reflected through the level of its impairment by lending type. Asset quality profiles are regularly monitored and reported  
to the appropriate senior management team and risk committees. 

123

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Other informationGovernanceFinancial statementsStrategic reportNotes to the Group financial statements continued

Note 22 Financial risk factors continued

The table below presents an analysis of credit exposure by impairment status across the different exposure classes. The table predominantly relates to 
banking assets; the retail instalment lending applies to credit agreements in the insurance business. 

Credit quality of loans and advances

As at 28 February 2015
Past due and defaulted
Less than 90 days past due 
90–179 days past due 
180 days plus past due

Past due but not defaulted
Less than 29 days past due 
30–59 days past due 
60–119 days past due

Neither past due nor defaulted
Low risk* 
High risk**
Total

*  Low risk is defined as an asset with a probability of default of less than 10%.
**  High risk is defined as an asset with a probability of default of 10% or more.

Credit quality of loans and advances

As at 22 February 2014
Past due and defaulted
Less than 90 days past due 
90–179 days past due 
180 days plus past due

Past due but not defaulted
Less than 29 days past due 
30–59 days past due 
60–119 days past due

Neither past due nor defaulted
Low risk* 
High risk**
Total

Retail
unsecured
lending
£m

Retail 
mortgage
lending
£m

Retail
instalment
lending
£m

39
35
70

34
9
6

–
–
–

2
–
–

6,234
76
6,503

1,195
6
1,203

–
–
–

–
–
–

154
–
154

Retail
unsecured
lending
£m

Retail 
mortgage
lending
£m

Retail
instalment
lending
£m

45
40
50

38
9
6

5,923
98
6,209

–
–
–

–
–
–

692
4
696

–
–
–

–
–
–

167
–
167

6,782
102
7,072

Total
£m

39
35
70

36
9
6

7,583
82
7,860

Total
£m

45
40
50

38
9
6

*  Low risk is defined as an asset with a probability of default of less than 10%.
**  High risk is defined as an asset with a probability of default of 10% or more.

The credit risk exposure from off balance sheet items, mainly undrawn credit card facilities and mortgage offers, was £11.5bn (2014: £9.7bn).

Insurance risk
Tesco Bank is indirectly exposed to insurance risks through its ownership of 49.9% of Tesco Underwriting Limited (‘TU’), an authorised insurance company. 
Since late 2010 the majority of new business policies for home and motor insurance products sold by Tesco Bank have been underwritten by TU. The key 
insurance risks within TU relate to underwriting risk and specifically the potential for a major weather event to generate significant claims on home insurance, 
or on motor insurance the cost of settling bodily injury claims. Exposure to this risk is actively managed within TU with close monitoring of performance 
metrics and the use of reinsurance to limit TU’s exposure above predetermined limits.

Note 23 Customer deposits and deposits by banks

Customer deposits
Deposits by banks

2015
£m
6,914
106
7,020

2014
£m
6,078
780
6,858

Included above is £1,000m (2014: £1,366m) non-current customer deposits and £nil (2014: £8m) non-current deposits by banks. 

Deposits by banks include liabilities of £97m (2014: £765m) which have been sold under sale and repurchase agreements.

124

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Note 24 Provisions

At 23 February 2013
Foreign currency translation
Amount released in the year
Amount provided in the year
Amount utilised in the year
Transfer to disposal group classified as held for sale
At 22 February 2014
Foreign currency translation
Amount released in the year
Amount provided in the year
Amount utilised in the year
Unwinding of discount
At 28 February 2015

The balances are analysed as follows:

Current
Non-current

Property
provisions
£m
 358 
(12)
(35)
53
(38)
2
328 
(1)
(104)
773
(61)
6
941

Other
provisions
£m
 102
–
–
63
(60)
–
105
 –
–
362
(42)
–
425

2015
£m
671
695
1,366

Total
£m
 460 
(12)
(35)
116
(98)
2
433 
(1)
(104)
1,135
(103)
6
1,366

2014
£m
250
183
433

Property provisions
Property provisions comprise onerous lease provisions, including leases on unprofitable stores and vacant properties, and other onerous contacts related  
to property. These provisions are based on the least net cost of fulfilling or exiting the contract.

The calculation of the value in use of the leased property to the Group is based on the same assumptions for discount rates, growth rates and expected change  
in margins as those for Group owned properties, as discussed in detail in Note 11. The provision calculations also assume that the Group can sublet properties  
at market rents. For some leases, termination of the lease at the break clause requires the Group to either purchase the property or buy out the equity ownership 
of the property at fair value. No value is attributed to the purchase conditions since they are at fair value. It is also assumed that the Group is indifferent to 
purchasing the properties.

Based on the factors set out above, the Group has recognised a net onerous property provision charge in the year of £669m (2014: £18m charge) relating to 
contracts in the UK of £561m (2014: £(15)m release), Europe of £62m (2014: £27m charge) and Asia of £46m (2014: £6m charge). These provisions comprise 
obligations for future rents payable net of rents receivable on onerous leases and other onerous contracts relating to properties. Of this charge, £536m (2014: 
£27m) has been classified as ‘Impairment of PPE and onerous lease provisions included within cost of sales’, £120m (2014: £nil) has been classified as 
‘Impairment of PPE and onerous lease provisions included within (losses)/profits arising on property-related items’ within non-GAAP measures in the Group 
Income Statement. The remaining £13m charge (2014: £(9)m release) has not been treated as one-off and is recognised in ‘(losses)/profits arising on property-
related items.’

Other provisions
During the year, the Group announced cost saving initiatives including in the UK a restructuring of central overheads, simplification of store management 
structures and increased working hour flexibility. The Group authorised a detailed formal plan of restructuring relating to these and announced the plan  
to affected employees, leading to recognition of a restructuring provision of £325m.

The remainder of the other provisions relate mainly to provisions for Tesco Bank customer redress in respect of potential complaints arising from the historic 
sales of Payment Protection Insurance (‘PPI’), in respect of customer redress relating to the historic sale of certain Cardholder Protection Products (‘CPP’)  
to credit card customers and in respect of customer redress relating to instances where certain of the requirements of the Consumer Credit Act (‘CCA’)  
for post contract documentation have not been fully complied with. In each instance, management have exercised judgement as to both the timescale  
for implementing the redress campaigns and the final scope of any amounts payable. The balances are classified as current at the year end.

125

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Other informationGovernanceFinancial statementsStrategic reportNotes to the Group financial statements continued

Note 25 Share-based payments 

For continuing operations, the Group Income Statement charge for the year recognised in respect of share-based payments is £144m (2014: £82m), which  
is made up of share option schemes and share bonus payments. Of this amount, £123m (2014: £63m) will be settled in equity and £21m (2014: £19m) in cash.

Share option schemes
The Company had ten share option schemes in operation during the financial year, all of which are equity-settled schemes:

a)   The Savings-related Share Option Scheme (1981) permits the grant to colleagues of options in respect of ordinary shares linked to a building society/bank 
save-as-you-earn contract for a term of three or five years with contributions from colleagues of an amount between £5 and £500 per four-weekly period. 
Options are capable of being exercised at the end of the three- or five-year period at a subscription price of not less than 80% of the average of the 
middle-market quotations of an ordinary share over the three dealing days immediately preceding the offer date.

b)  The Irish Savings-related Share Option Scheme (2000) permits the grant to Irish colleagues of options in respect of ordinary shares linked to a building 
society/bank save-as-you-earn contract for a term of three or five years with contributions from colleagues of an amount between €12 and €500 per 
four-weekly period. Options are capable of being exercised at the end of the three- or five-year period at a subscription price of not less than 80%  
of the average of the middle-market quotations of an ordinary share over the three dealing days immediately preceding the offer date.

c)   The Approved Executive Share Option Scheme (1994) was adopted on 17 October 1994. The exercise of options granted under this scheme was conditional 
upon the achievement of a specified performance target related to the growth in earnings per share over a three-year period. No further options will be 
granted under this scheme and it has been replaced by the Discretionary Share Option Plan (2004). There were no discounted options granted under  
this scheme.

d)  The Unapproved Executive Share Option Scheme (1996) was adopted on 7 June 1996. The exercise of options granted under this scheme was conditional 
upon the achievement of a specified performance target related to the growth in earnings per share over a three-year period. No further options will be 
granted under this scheme and it has been replaced by the Discretionary Share Option Plan (2004). There were no discounted options granted under  
this scheme.

e)   The International Executive Share Option Scheme (1994) was adopted on 20 May 1994. This scheme permitted the grant to selected non-UK executives  
of options to acquire ordinary shares on substantially the same basis as their UK counterparts. The exercise of options granted under this scheme was 
conditional upon the achievement of a specified performance target related to the growth in earnings per share over a three-year period. No further 
options will be granted under this scheme and it has been replaced by the Discretionary Share Option Plan (2004). There were no discounted options 
granted under this scheme.

f)   The Executive Incentive Plan (2004) was adopted on 5 July 2004. This scheme permitted the grant of options in respect of ordinary shares to selected 

senior executives. Options are normally exercisable between three and ten years from the date of grant for nil consideration. Full details of this plan can  
be found in the Directors’ remuneration report.

g)  The Performance Share Plan (2004) was adopted on 5 July 2004 and amended on 29 June 2007. This scheme permitted the grant of options in respect  

of ordinary shares to selected executives. Options granted before 29 June 2007 are normally exercisable between four and ten years from the date of grant 
for nil consideration. Options granted after 29 June 2007 are normally exercisable between three and ten years from the date of grant for nil consideration. 
The exercise of options will normally be conditional upon the achievement of specified performance targets over a three-year period. No further options 
will be granted under this scheme and it has been replaced by the Performance Share Plan (2011).

h)  The Performance Share Plan (2011) was adopted on 1 July 2011 and amended on 4 July 2011. This scheme permits the grant of options in respect of 

ordinary shares to selected executives. Options are normally exercisable between the vesting date(s) set at grant and ten years from the date of grant for nil 
consideration. The exercise of options will normally be conditional upon the achievement of specified performance targets over a three-year period and/or 
continuous employment.

i)   The Discretionary Share Option Plan (2004) was adopted on 5 July 2004. This scheme permitted the grant of approved, unapproved and international 

options in respect of ordinary shares to selected executives. Options are normally exercisable between three and ten years from the date of grant at a price 
not less than the middle-market quotation or average middle-market quotations of an ordinary share for the dealing day or three dealing days preceding 
the date of grant. The exercise of options will normally be conditional upon the achievement of a specified performance target related to the annual 
percentage growth in earnings per share over a three-year period. There were no discounted options granted under this scheme.

j)   The Group New Business Incentive Plan (2007) was adopted on 29 June 2007. This Plan permitted the grant of options in respect of ordinary shares to 

selected executives. Options were to vest in four tranches between four and seven years from the date of grant. The exercise of options for nil consideration 
was conditional upon the achievement of specified performance targets related to the return on capital employed over the seven-year plan. The 
Performance Period for the Plan ended at the end of the 2013/14 financial year. Options did not vest under the Plan and lapsed on 14 April 2014, as stated 
in the Directors’ Remuneration Report for the 2013/14 financial year.

126

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Note 25 Share-based payments continued

The following tables reconcile the number of share options outstanding and the weighted average exercise price (‘WAEP’):

For the year ended 28 February 2015

Savings-related 
Share Option Scheme
WAEP

Options

Irish Savings-related
Share Option Scheme
WAEP

Options

Approved Share  
Option Scheme
WAEP

Options

Unapproved Share 
Option Scheme
WAEP

Options

International Executive
Share Option Scheme
WAEP

Options

Nil cost Share  
Option Schemes*
Options WAEP

Outstanding at  
22 February 
2014
Granted
Forfeited
Exercised
Outstanding at  
28 February 
2015
Exercisable at 
28 February 
2015

Exercise price 
range (pence)

122,602,128
220,096,960
(57,445,888)
(948,908)

331.31
150.00
330.84
311.00

4,899,521
4,961,170
(1,731,520)
(6,521)

331.89
150.00
344.18
311.00

8,152,965
–
(482,116)
(136,476)

397.59
0.00
400.30
253.25

52,804,433
–
(4,616,552)
(2,875,288)

376.63
0.00
394.86
283.00

32,586,360
–
(2,667,321)
(822,049)

379.15
0.00
388.13
253.84

21,099,083 0.00
5,105,144 0.00
(13,018,757) 0.00
(1,460,694) 0.00

284,304,292

191.11

8,122,650

218.19

7,534,373

400.03

45,312,593

380.72

29,096,990

381.86

11,724,776 0.00

18,832,155

343.07
311.00
to
386.00

807,176

351.71
328.00
to
364.00

7,534,373

400.03
312.75
to
473.75

45,312,593

380.72
310.00
to
473.75

29,096,990

381.86
310.00
to
473.75

714,455 0.00

0.00

Weighted 
average  
remaining 
contractual  
life (years)
*  Nil cost share options granted include buyout awards made to Dave Lewis and Alan Stewart in respect of awards forfeited on leaving previous employers – see the Directors  
  Remuneration Report for more detail.

2.89

8.46

2.65

0.42

0.42

2.95

For the year ended 22 February 2014 

Savings-related 
Share Option Scheme
WAEP

Options

Irish Savings-related
Share Option Scheme
WAEP

Options

Approved Share  
Option Scheme
WAEP

Options

Unapproved Share 
Option Scheme
WAEP

Options

International Executive
Share Option Scheme
WAEP

Options

Nil cost Share  
Option Schemes
Options WAEP

127,212,551
29,258,434
(24,352,865)
(9,515,992)

338.85
322.00
365.89
314.96

4,886,834
1,294,873
(1,081,476)
(200,710)

338.78
322.00
353.68
318.29

12,592,329
–
(3,785,217)
(654,147)

399.01
–
418.07
306.38

80,439,020
–
(21,694,176)
(5,940,411)

382.62
–
419.27
302.00

53,665,107
–
(17,704,212)
(3,374,535)

387.64
–
415.76
322.10

19,778,825 0.00
7,003,764 0.00
(2,458,290) 0.00
(3,225,216) 0.00

122,602,128

331.31

4,899,521

331.89

8,152,965

397.59

52,804,433

376.63

32,586,360

379.15

21,099,083 0.00

15,894,484

353.09
311.00
to
410.00

0.44

837,652

370.38
311.00
to
386.00

0.44

8,145,517

397.58
253.25
to
473.75

3.63

52,801,878

376.63
253.25
to
473.75

3.78

32,546,360

379.12
253.25
to
473.75

3.88

4,206,723 0.00

0.00

4.18

Outstanding at  
23 February 
2013
Granted
Forfeited
Exercised
Outstanding at  
22 February 
2014
Exercisable at 
22 February 
2014

Exercise price 
range (pence)

Weighted 
average  
remaining 
contractual  
life (years)

Share options were exercised on a regular basis throughout the financial year. The average share price during the financial year ended 28 February 2015 was 
245.50p (2014: 349.48p).

127

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Other informationGovernanceFinancial statementsStrategic reportNotes to the Group financial statements continued

Note 25 Share-based payments continued

The fair value of share options is estimated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The following table gives the assumptions 
applied to the options granted in the respective periods shown. No assumption has been made to incorporate the effects of expected early exercise.

Expected dividend yield (%)
Expected volatility (%)
Risk-free interest rate (%)
Expected life of option (years)
Weighted average fair value of options granted (pence)
Probability of forfeiture (%)
Share price (pence)
Weighted average exercise price (pence)

SAYE
2.4%
22–24%
0.9–1.3%
3 or 5
43.72
14–16%
187.00
150.00

2015
Nil cost
0.0%
24%
1.8%
6
219.67
0%
219.67
0.00

SAYE
4.6%
21–23%
1.2–1.8%
3 or 5
47.64
14–16%
362.00
322.00

2014
Nil Cost
0.0%
27%
1.7%
6
364.85
0%
364.85
0.00

Volatility is a measure of the amount by which a price is expected to fluctuate during a period. The measure of volatility used in the Group’s option pricing 
models is the annualised standard deviation of the continuously compounded rates of return on the share over a period of time. In estimating the future 
volatility of the Company’s share price, the Board considers the historical volatility of the share price over the most recent period that is generally 
commensurate with the expected term of the option, taking into account the remaining contractual life of the option.

Share bonus schemes
Eligible UK colleagues are able to participate in Shares In Success, an all-employee profit-sharing scheme. Each year, shares may be awarded to colleagues  
as a percentage of earnings, up to a statutory maximum of £3,600 per annum in 2014/15. Eligible Republic of Ireland colleagues are able to participate in  
a Share Bonus Scheme, an all-employee profit-sharing scheme. Each year, colleagues receive an award of either cash or shares based on a percentage of 
their earnings.

Selected executives participate in the Group Bonus Plan, a performance-related bonus scheme. The amount paid to colleagues is based on a percentage  
of salary and is paid partly in cash and partly in shares. Bonuses are awarded to selected executives who have completed a required service period and 
depend on the achievement of corporate and individual performance targets.

Selected executives participate in the Performance Share Plan (2011). Awards made under this plan will normally vest on the vesting date(s) set on the date  
of the award for nil consideration. Vesting will normally be conditional on the achievement of specified performance targets over a three-year performance 
period and/or continuous employment.

The Executive Directors participate in short-term and long-term bonus schemes designed to align their interests with those of shareholders. Full details of 
these schemes can be found in the Directors’ Remuneration Report.

The fair value of shares awarded under these schemes is their market value on the date of award. Expected dividends are not incorporated into the fair value.

The number and weighted average fair value (‘WAFV’) of share bonuses awarded during the financial year were:

Shares In Success
Irish Share Bonus Scheme
Group Bonus Plan
Performance Share Plan

Note 26 Post-employment benefits

Number of
 shares 
18,949,708
84,454
2,808,053
27,211,291

2015
WAFV 
pence
307.15
292.00
285.43
283.51

Number of
 shares 
14,776,516
96,668
598,842
30,506,080

2014
WAFV 
pence
383.55
384.55
375.18
361.13

Pensions
The Group operates a variety of post-employment benefit arrangements, covering both funded and unfunded defined benefit schemes and funded defined 
contribution schemes. The most significant of these are the funded defined benefit pension schemes for the Group’s employees in the UK, the Republic of 
Ireland, Thailand and South Korea. Of these schemes, the UK represents 95% of the defined benefit deficit (2014: 95%). 

Defined contribution plans
The contributions payable for defined contribution schemes of £24m (2014: £32m) have been recognised in the Group Income Statement.

Defined benefit plans
United Kingdom
The principal plan within the Group is the Tesco PLC Pension Scheme (the ‘Scheme’), which is a funded defined benefit pension scheme in the UK, the assets 
of which are held as a segregated fund and administered by the Trustee. 

The Scheme is established under trust law and has a corporate trustee that is required to run the Scheme in accordance with the Scheme’s Trust Deed and 
Rules and to comply with the Pension Scheme Act 1993, Pensions Act 1995, Pensions Act 2004, Pensions Act 2014 and all the relevant legislation. 
Responsibility for governance of the Scheme lies with the Trustee. The Trustee is a company whose directors comprise of:

a)  representatives of the Group; and
b) the Scheme participants, in accordance with its articles of association and UK pension law.

All members are eligible to join the Career Average section of the Scheme (‘Pension Builder’), where benefits are based on a member’s salary and their length 
of service. There is a Final Salary section of the Scheme which was closed to new entrants in 2001.

Following the year end, the Group has entered consultation on the closure of the UK defined benefit pension scheme to new entrants and future accrual.  
This has had no impact on the results for the year ended 28 February 2015.

128

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Note 26 Post-employment benefits continued

Towers Watson Limited, an independent actuary, carried out the latest triennial actuarial assessment of the scheme as at 31 March 2014, using the projected 
unit method. At 31 March 2014, the actuarial deficit was £2,751m. The market value of the scheme’s assets was £8,020m and these assets represented 75% 
of the benefits that had accrued to members, after allowing for expected increases in earnings and pensions in payment. 

The scheme has a duration of 24 years.

Scheme Liabilities as at 31 March 2014
The table below shows a breakdown of the liabilities held by the Scheme as at 31 March 2014, the date of the last triennial valuation:

Active
Deferred
Pensioner

The table below shows a breakdown of the liabilities for active members held by the Scheme as at 31 March 2014:

Pension Builder
Final Salary

%
55
21
24

%
57
43

Overseas
The most significant overseas schemes are the funded defined benefit schemes which operate in the Republic of Ireland, Thailand and South Korea.  
An independent actuary, using the projected unit method, carried out the latest actuarial assessment of the Republic of Ireland scheme as at 1 April 2013, 
Thailand as at 28 February 2013 and South Korea as at 28 February 2015. 

The accounting valuations used have been based on the most recent actuarial valuations and updated by Towers Watson Limited to take account of the 
requirements of the applicable accounting standard in order to assess the liabilities of the schemes as at 28 February 2015. The schemes’ assets are stated  
at their market values as at 28 February 2015. The liabilities relating to retirement healthcare benefits have also been determined in accordance with the 
applicable accounting standard.

Principal assumptions 
The major assumptions, on a weighted average basis, used by the actuaries were as follows:

Discount rate
Price inflation
Rate of increase in deferred pensions*
Rate of increase in salaries
Rate of increase in pensions in payment*
Benefits accrued before 1 June 2012
Benefits accrued after 1 June 2012
Rate of increase in career average benefits
Benefits accrued before 1 June 2012
Benefits accrued after 1 June 2012

2015 
%
3.7
3.1
2.1
3.2

2.9
2.1

3.1
2.1

2014 
%
4.7
3.3
2.3
3.4

3.1
2.3

3.3
2.3

* 

In excess of any Guaranteed Minimum Pension (‘GMP’) element.

UK mortality assumptions 
The Group conducts analysis of mortality trends under the Tesco PLC Pension Scheme in the UK as part of the triennial actuarial valuation of the Scheme.  
At the latest triennial actuarial valuation as at 31 March 2014 the following assumptions were adopted for funding purposes:

Base tables: 
95% of the SAPS S2 normal male pensioners for male staff and 80% of the SAPS S2 normal light male pensioners for male senior managers. 
SAPS S2 all female pensioners with multipliers of 100% for female staff and 80% for female senior managers.

These assumptions were used for the calculation of the pension liability as at 28 February 2015 for the main UK scheme.

The mortality assumptions used are based on tables that have been projected to 2014 with CMI 2013 improvements. In addition, the allowance for future 
mortality improvements from 2014 is in line with CMI 2013 with a long term improvement rate of 1.25% per annum.

The following table illustrates the expectation of life of an average member retiring at age 65 at the reporting date and a member reaching age 65 at reporting 
date +25 years.

Retiring at reporting date at age 65:

Retiring at reporting date +25 years at age 65:

Male
Female
Male
Female

2015 
Years
23.0
24.4
25.3
26.7

2014 
Years
22.9
24.4
25.2
26.6

129

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Other informationGovernanceFinancial statementsStrategic report 
 
Notes to the Group financial statements continued

Note 26 Post-employment benefits continued

Risks 
The Group bears a numbers of risks in relation to the Scheme, which are described below:

Investment risk – The Scheme’s accounting liabilities are calculated using a discount rate set with reference to corporate bond yields. If the return on the 
Scheme’s assets underperform this rate, the accounting deficit will increase. The Trustee and the Group regularly monitor the funding position and operate  
a diversified investment strategy. 

Inflation risk – The Scheme’s benefit obligations are linked to inflation therefore higher inflation will lead to higher liabilities. This will be partially offset  
by an increase in any Scheme assets that are linked to, or correlate with, inflation. Changes to future benefits were introduced in June 2012 to reduce  
the Scheme’s exposure to inflation risk by changing the basis for calculating the rate of increase in pensions to CPI (previously RPI). 

Changes in bond yields – A decrease in corporate bond yields will increase the Scheme’s liabilities. However, this may be partially offset by an increase  
in the capital value of the Scheme’s assets that have similar characteristics.

Life expectancy risk – The Scheme’s obligations are to provide benefits for the life of the member and so increases in life expectancy will lead to higher 
liabilities. To reduce this risk, changes to future benefits were introduced in June 2012 to increase the age at which members can take their full pension  
by two years. Furthermore the Group has the ability to change this in the future if there are further unexpected changes in life expectancy.

An Audit & Risk Pensions Committee was established to further strengthen our Trustee Governance and provide greater oversight and stronger internal 
control over our risks. Further mitigation of the risks is provided by external advisors and the Trustee who consider the funding position, fund performance, 
and impacts of any regulatory changes. 

A different approach is used to calculate the triennial actuarial liabilities and the accounting liabilities. The key difference is that the accounting valuation 
requires the discount rate to be set using corporate bonds whilst the actuarial liabilities discount rate is based on expected returns of Scheme assets.

Sensitivity analysis of significant actuarial assumptions

Change in UK defined benefit obligation from a 0.1% increase in discount rate 
Increase in UK defined benefit obligation from a 1% increase in pensions in payment
Increase in UK defined benefit obligation from a 1% increase in salary growth
Increase in UK defined benefit obligation from each additional year of longevity assumed

2015 
£m
340
1,920
310
490

2014
£m
240
1,210
320
350

The method and assumptions used to determine sensitivity and their limitation is the effect of varying the assumption whilst holding all other assumptions constant. 

Plan Assets
The table below shows a breakdown of the combined investments held by the Group’s schemes: 

Equities
UK
Europe
Rest of the world

Bonds
Government
Corporates – investment grade
Corporates – non-investment grade

Property
UK
Rest of the world

Alternative assets
Hedge funds
Private equity
Other

Cash
Total market value of assets

2015
£m

510
1,127
3,866
5,503

1,122
316
43
1,481

704
261
965

738
491
168
1,397
331
9,677

2014
£m

476
891
3,029
4,396

280
744
170
1,194

519
247
766

586
472
75
1,133
635
8,124

At the year end, 73% (2014: 77%) of investments were quoted on a recognised stock exchange or held in cash or assets readily convertible to cash and are 
therefore considered to be liquid. 

The plan assets include £nil (2014: £3m) of the Group’s transferable financial instruments. In addition, the plan assets include £166m (2014: £158m) relating  
to property used by the Group. In addition, Group property with net carrying value of £434m (2014: £416m) has been held as security in favour of the Scheme.

130

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Note 26 Post-employment benefits continued

Movement in pension deficit during the financial year 
Changes in the fair value of defined benefit pension assets are as follows:

Opening fair value of defined benefit pension assets
Interest income
Return on plan assets greater than discount rate
Contributions by employer
Additional contribution by employer
Actual member contributions
Foreign currency translation
Benefits paid
Closing fair value of defined benefit pension assets

Changes in the present value of defined benefit pension obligations are as follows:

Opening defined benefit pension obligation
Current service cost
Interest cost
Losses on change of financial assumptions 
Losses on change of demographic assumptions
Experience gains/(losses)
Foreign currency translation
Benefits paid
Actual member contributions
Closing defined benefit pension obligation

2015
£m
8,124
386
874
563
13
11
(15)
(279)
9,677

2015
£m
(11,317)
(631)
(522)
(2,553)
(66)
272
30
279
(11)
(14,519)

2014
£m
7,206
372
253
531
4
12
(14)
(240)
8,124

2014
£m
(9,584)
(542)
(478)
(938)
(6)
(22)
25
240
(12)
(11,317)

The amounts that have been charged to the Group Income Statement and Group Statement of Comprehensive Income for the year ended 28 February 2015 
are set out below:

2015
£m

2014
£m

Analysis of the amount charged to operating profit:
Current service cost
Total charge to operating profit
Analysis of the amount credited/(charged) to finance income/(cost):
Interest on defined benefit pension assets
Interest on defined benefit pension obligation
Net pension finance cost (Note 5)
Total charge to the Group Income Statement
Analysis of the amount recognised in the Group Statement of Comprehensive Income: 
Return on plan assets greater than discount rate
Experience gains/(losses) on defined benefit pension obligation
Demographic assumption losses on defined benefit pension obligation
Financial assumption losses on defined benefit pension obligation
Foreign currency translation
Total losses recognised in the Group Statement of Comprehensive Income

Summary of movements in deficit during the financial year

Deficit in schemes at beginning of the year
Current service cost
Net pension finance cost
Contributions by employer
Additional contribution by employer
Foreign currency translation
Remeasurements
Deficit in schemes at the end of the year
Deferred tax asset (Note 6)
Deficit in schemes at the end of the year, net of deferred tax

(631)
(631)

386
(522)
(136)
(767)

874
272
(66)
(2,553)
15
(1,458)

2015
£m
(3,193)
(631)
(136)
563
13
15
(1,473)
(4,842)
957
(3,885)

(542)
(542)

372
(478)
(106)
(648)

253
(22)
(6)
(938)

11
(702)

2014
£m
(2,378)
(542)
(106)
531
4
11
(713)
(3,193)
634
(2,559)

131

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Other informationGovernanceFinancial statementsStrategic reportNotes to the Group financial statements continued

Note 26 Post-employment benefits continued

History of movements
The historical movement in defined benefit pension schemes’ assets and liabilities and history of experience gains and losses are as follows: 

Total market value of assets
Present value of liabilities relating to unfunded pension schemes
Present value of liabilities relating to partially funded pension schemes
Pension deficit
Remeasurements on defined benefit pension assets
Experience gains/(losses) on defined benefit pension obligation

2015
£m
9,677
(134)
(14,385)
(4,842)
874
272

2014
£m
8,124
(111)
(11,206)
(3,193)
253
(22)

2013
£m
7,206
(91)
(9,493)
(2,378)
94
1

2012
£m
6,169
(60)
(7,981)
(1,872)
(168)
43

2011
£m
5,608
(65)
(6,899)
(1,356)
278
(25)

Post-employment benefits other than pensions 
The Group operates a scheme offering post-retirement healthcare benefits. The cost of providing these benefits has been accounted for on a similar basis  
to that used for defined benefit pension schemes.

The liability as at 28 February 2015 of £11m (2014: £12m) was determined in accordance with the advice of independent actuaries. During the year, £1m 
(2014: £1m) has been charged to the Group Income Statement and £1m (2014: £1m) of benefits were paid. 

Expected contributions 
The Company would make normal cash contributions of approximately £756m to defined benefit schemes in the financial year ending 27 February 2016,  
if all schemes remained open to new members and future accrual for the full year. This may change however depending on the outcome of the consultation 
on the closure of the UK defined benefit pension scheme.

A plan to pay £270m a year has been agreed with the Trustee to fund the UK pension deficit and to meet the expenses of the scheme. Due to the timing of the 
agreement, a portion of this is included in the above value.

Note 27 Called up share capital

Allotted, called up and fully paid:
At beginning of the year
Share options exercised
Share bonus awards issued
At end of the year

2015
Ordinary shares of 5p each
£m

Number

2014
Ordinary shares of 5p each
£m

Number

8,095,821,091
5,080,408
22,090,000
8,122,991,499

405
–
1
406

8,054,054,930
19,662,145
22,104,016
8,095,821,091

403
1
1
405

During the financial year, 5 million (2014: 20 million) ordinary shares of 5p each were issued in relation to share options for an aggregate consideration  
of £14m (2014: £61m). 

During the financial year, 22 million (2014: 22 million) ordinary shares of 5p each were issued in relation to share bonus awards for an aggregate consideration 
of £1.1m (2014: £1.1m).

Between 1 March 2015 and 17 April 2015 options over 5,533 ordinary shares were exercised under the terms of the Savings-related Share Option Scheme 
(1981) and the Irish Savings-related Share Option Scheme (2000). Between 1 March 2015 and 17 April 2015, no options have been exercised under the 
Discretionary Share Option Plan (2004). 

As at 28 February 2015, the Directors were authorised to purchase up to a maximum in aggregate of 810.1 million (2014: 806.5 million) ordinary shares.

The holders of ordinary shares are entitled to receive dividends as declared from time to time and are entitled to one vote per share at general meetings  
of the Company.

Note 28 Related party transactions

Transactions between the Company and its subsidiaries, which are related parties, have been eliminated on consolidation and are not disclosed in this note. 
Transactions between the Group and its joint ventures and associates are disclosed below: 

Trading transactions

Joint ventures
Associates

Sales to  
related parties

Purchases from 
related parties

Amounts owed
 by related parties

Amounts owed
to related parties

2015
£m
430
–

2014
£m
366
7

2015
£m
549
14

2014
£m
533
18

2015
£m
17
26

2014
£m
19
–

2015
£m
22
1

2014
£m
6
17

Sales to related parties consists of services/management fees and loan interest. 

Purchases from related parties include £430m (2014: £412m) of rentals payable to the Group’s joint ventures (including those joint ventures formed as part  
of the sale and leaseback programme).

132

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015 
 
Note 28 Related party transactions continued

Non-trading transactions

Joint ventures
Associates

Sale and  
leaseback of assets
2014
2015
£m
£m
–
–
46
–

Loans to 
related parties
2014
£m
218
37

2015
£m
207
–

Loans from
 related parties
2014
£m
16
–

2015
£m
16
–

Injection of
equity funding
2014
£m
3
7

2015
£m
14
10

Transactions between the Group and the Group’s pension plans are disclosed in Note 26. 

A number of the Group’s subsidiaries are members of one or more partnerships to whom the provisions of the Partnerships (Accounts) Regulations 2008 
(‘Regulations’) apply. The accounts for those partnerships have been consolidated into these accounts pursuant to Regulation 7 of the Regulations.

In the prior year, the Group completed one sale and leaseback transaction involving property assets in Thailand. On 24 January 2014, one trading mall was 
sold to the Tesco Lotus Growth Fund, an associated entity of the Group, for a consideration of £46m. There were no sale and leaseback transactions in the 
current year.

Transactions with key management personnel
Members of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of Tesco PLC are deemed to be key management personnel. 

Key management personnel compensation for the financial year was as follows:

Salaries and short-term benefits
Pensions
Share-based payments
Joining costs and loss of office costs 

2015
£m
14
3
4
8
29

2014
£m
16
3
2
1
22

Of the total remuneration to key management personnel, £16m (2014: £16m) relates to Executive Committee members who are not on the PLC Board.

Of the key management personnel who had transactions with Tesco Bank during the financial year, the following are the balances at the year end: 

At 28 February 2015
At 22 February 2014

Credit card and personal 
loan balances

Current and saving deposit 
accounts

Number of key 
management 
personnel
19
12

Number of key 
management 
personnel
16
4

£m
1
–

£m
1
–

133

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Other informationGovernanceFinancial statementsStrategic report 
 
 
Notes to the Group financial statements continued

Note 29 Reconciliation of (loss) profit before tax to cash generated from operations

(Loss)/profit before tax
Net finance costs (Note 5)
Share of post-tax losses/(profits) of joint ventures and associates (Note 13)
Operating (loss)/profit of continuing operations
Operating loss of discontinued operations
Depreciation and amortisation
Losses/(profits) arising on one-off property-related items from continuing operations
Losses/(profits) arising on other property-related items from continuing operations
Losses/(profits) arising on property-related items from discontinued operations
Loss/(profit) arising on sale of non property-related items
Loss arising on sale of subsidiaries and other investments
Impairment of goodwill (Note 10)
Impairment of other investments
Impairment of investments in/loans to joint ventures and associates
Net charge of impairment of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets not included in property-related items
Adjustment for non-cash element of pensions charges
Additional contribution into pension scheme
Share-based payments
Tesco Bank non-cash items included in profit before tax
Decrease/(increase) in inventories
Decrease/(increase) in development stock
Decrease/(increase) in trade and other receivables
(Decrease)/increase in trade and other payables
Increase/(decrease) in provisions
Tesco Bank increase in loans and advances to customers (Note 17)
Tesco Bank increase in trade and other receivables
Tesco Bank increase in customer and bank deposits and trade and other payables
Tesco Bank (decrease)/increase in provisions
Decrease/(increase) in working capital
Cash generated from operations

2015
£m
(6,376)
571
13
(5,792)
(10)
1,552
805
44
5
46
41
116
–
712
3,320
68
(13)
105
58
577
59
32
(449)
926
(846)
(60)
186

(15)
410
1,467

2014 
£m
2,259
432
(60)
2,631
(925)
1,567
(98)
(134)
162
(1)
1
540
42
–
715
11
(4)
47
76
(115)
(8)
(33)
509
(73)
(1,432)
(31)
867

2
(314)
4,316

Decrease/(increase) in working capital includes the impact of translating foreign currency working capital movements at average exchange rates rather than 
year end exchange rates.

Losses/(profits) arising on property-related items from continuing operations shown above excludes movements in respect of provisions for onerous 
contracts of £136m (2014: continuing operations: £(46)m; discontinued operations: £(37)m). These are included in ‘(losses)/profits arising on property-related 
items’ as per the Group Income Statement.

Impact of one-off items on working capital movements
The decrease/(increase) in working capital shown above includes a £1,805m decrease (2014: £109m decrease) due to the impact of one-off items in the year. 
This decrease is made up of a £569m (2014: £60m) decrease in inventories due to inventory valuations and provisions, a £964m increase (2014: £7m 
decrease) in provisions due to onerous lease provisions and restructuring provisions, and a £272m (2014: £56m) decrease in working capital amounts  
for trade and other receivables and trade and other payables, with the 2015 decrease principally due to the £208m corrections of commercial income. 

134

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Note 30 Analysis of changes in net debt

Total Group
Cash and cash equivalents
Short-term investments
Joint venture loans
Interest and other receivables
Bank and other borrowings
Interest payables
Finance lease payables
Net derivative financial instruments
Net derivative interest
Net debt of the disposal groups
Total Group
Tesco Bank
Cash and cash equivalents
Joint venture loans
Bank and other borrowings
Interest payables
Net derivative financial instruments
Tesco Bank
Retail
Cash and cash equivalents
Short-term investments
Joint venture loans
Interest and other receivables
Bank and other borrowings
Interest payables
Finance lease payables
Net derivative financial instruments
Net derivative interest
Net debt of the disposal groups
Net debt

At
22 February 
2014
£m

Fair value and 
foreign 
exchange 
movements
£m

Cash flow
£m

Interest 
(charge)/
income 
£m

Other
non-cash
movements
£m

Non-cash 
movements 
– China 
disposal 
£m

Reclassification 
of movements 
in net debt of 
disposal groups
£m

At
28 February 
2015
£m

2,506
1,016
252
2
(10,817)
(275)
(121)
618
89

161
(6,569)

485
34
(485)
(1)
(5)
28

2,021
1,016
218
2
(10,332)
(274)
(121)
623
89
161
(6,597)

(717)
(423)
(40)
(14)
(1,704)
613
3
6
(90)

–
(2,366)

131
–
(643)
4
–
(508)

(848)
(423)
(40)
(14)
(1,061)
609
3
6
(90)
–
(1,858)

78
–
(5)
–
147
–
2
(36)
–

–
186

–
–
(5)
–
(50)
(55)

78
–
(5)
–
152
–
2
14
–
–
241

–
–
–
16
(34)
(506)
–
22
55

–
(447)

–
–
–
(4)
–
(4)

–
–
–
16
(34)
(502)
–
22
55
–
(443)

–
–
2
(8)
(55)
7
(25)
–
–

–
(79)

–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
2
(8)
(55)
7
(25)
–
–
–
(79)

–
–
(133)
–
385
3
–
–
–

–
255

–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
(133)
–
385
3
–
–
–
–
255

298
–
131
5
(280)
(2)
–
–
–

(152)
–

–
–
–
–
–
–

298
–
131
5
(280)
(2)
–
–
–
(152)
–

2,165
593
207
1
(12,358)
(160)
(141)
610
54

9
(9,020)

616
34
(1,133)
(1)
(55)
(539)

1,549
593
173
1
(11,225)
(159)
(141)
665
54
9
(8,481)

Net debt excludes the net debt of Tesco Bank but includes that of discontinued operations. Balances and movements in respect of the total Group and Tesco 
Bank are presented to allow reconciliation between the Group Balance Sheet and the Group Cash Flow Statement.

Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net debt

Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents
Elimination of Tesco Bank movement in cash and cash equivalents
Retail cash movement in other net debt items 

Net (decrease)/increase in short-term investments
Net repayment of loans by joint ventures
Net increase in borrowings and lease financing 
Net interest paid on components of net debt

Change in net debt resulting from cash flow

Retail net interest charge on components of net debt
Retail fair value and foreign exchange movements
Debt disposed on disposal of China operations 
Retail other non-cash movements
Increase in net debt for the year

Opening net debt
Closing net debt

2015
£m
 (717)
(131)

(423) 
(40) 
(1,052) 
505
(1,858)

(443)
 241
255 
(79) 
(1,884) 

(6,597) 
(8,481) 

2014 
£m
 387
 570

494
(54)
(1,183)
369
 583

 (392)
(51)
–
(140)
–

(6,597)
(6,597)

135

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Other informationGovernanceFinancial statementsStrategic report 
Notes to the Group financial statements continued

Note 31 Business combinations and other acquisitions

On 3 April 2014 the Group, through its subsidiary dunnhumby Ltd, acquired Sociomantic Labs (‘Sociomantic’), a Berlin-based global leader in digital 
advertising solutions, for £124m which included £38m of deferred cash consideration. Sociomantic operates in 14 countries worldwide, with clients in retail, 
financial services and travel services.

The Sociomantic acquisition generated goodwill of £87m and other acquisitions generated goodwill of £11m. The goodwill represents synergies within  
the operating models and the economies of scale expected from incorporating the operations of the acquired entities within the Group.

Cash flows from acquisitions, net of cash acquired, were £(86)m (2014: £(52)m) and from disposals, net of cash disposed, were £(157)m (2014: £39m).

Note 32 Commitments and contingencies

Capital commitments
At 28 February 2015, there were commitments for capital expenditure contracted for, but not provided for of £182m (2014: £270m), principally relating  
to store development.

Contingent liabilities
The Group recognises provisions for liabilities when it is more likely than not that a settlement will be required and the value of such a payment can be  
reliably estimated. 

On 22 September 2014, the Group announced that it had identified an overstatement of its expected profit for the first half of the year, as contained in 
guidance it had issued in August. The Serious Fraud Office (‘SFO’) commenced an investigation into accounting practices at the Group on 29 October 2014.  
It is not possible to predict the timescale or outcome of the SFO investigation, but the SFO could decide to prosecute individuals and the Group, and there  
is the possibility of fines, or other consequences. The Group is cooperating with the SFO.

Class actions have been filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York against the Group, its former Chairman, two former 
Directors and the former Managing Director of its UK business for alleged violations of US federal securities laws. The Court has appointed the lead plaintiff  
to take forward the claim on behalf of all investors and has ordered them to file their claim by the end of April 2015. The Group then intends to file a motion  
to dismiss the complaint. All of the plaintiffs dealt through the American Depository Receipts (‘ADR’) programme which represents approximately 2% of the 
Group’s issued share capital.

In addition, law firms in the UK have announced the intention of forming claimant groups to commence litigation against the Group for matters arising out  
of or in connection with its overstatement, and purport to have secured third party funding for such litigation. No such litigation has yet been formally 
threatened or commenced.

All such matters are periodically assessed with the assistance of external professional advisers, where appropriate, to determine the likelihood of the Group 
incurring a liability and to evaluate the extent to which a reliable estimate of any liability can be made. However, the likely outcome on the Group of the SFO 
investigation and any litigation relating to the above issues that either has been or may potentially be brought against the Group is subject to a number of 
significant uncertainties. These cannot currently be determined, although they could have a material and adverse impact on the Group’s financial condition 
and/or results. Accordingly, no provision has been made in respect of these matters. 

For details of assets held under finance leases, which are pledged as security for the finance lease liabilities, see Note 11. There are a number of contingent 
liabilities that arise in the normal course of business which if realised are not expected to result in a material liability to the Group.

Tesco PLC has irrevocably guaranteed the liabilities of the following Irish subsidiary undertakings, which undertakings have been exempted pursuant  
to section 17(1) of the Companies (Amendment) Act 1986 of Ireland from the provisions of section 7 (other than subsection (1)(b)) of that Act:

Monread Developments Limited; Edson Properties Limited; Edson Investments Limited; Cirrus Finance (2009) Limited; Commercial Investments Limited; 
Chirac Limited, Clondalkin Properties Limited; Golden Island Management Services Limited; Tesco Ireland Pension Trustees Limited; Orpingford; Tesco 
Trustee Company of Ireland Limited; WSC Properties Limited; Thundridge; Pharaway Properties Limited; R.J.D. Holdings; Nabola Development Limited; PEJ 
Property Investments Limited; Cirrus Finance Limited; Tesco Ireland Limited; Wanze Properties (Dundalk) Limited; Valiant Insurance Company; Tesco Ireland 
Holdings Limited.

Tesco Bank
At 28 February 2015, Tesco Bank had commitments of formal standby facilities, credit lines and other commitments to lend, totalling £11.5bn (2014: £9.7bn). 
The amount is intended to provide an indication of the potential volume of business and not of the underlying credit or other risks.

Note 33 Tesco Bank capital resources 

The following tables analyse the regulatory capital resources of Tesco Personal Finance PLC (‘TPF’), being the regulated entity at the balance sheet date:

Tier 1 capital: 
Shareholders’ funds and non-controlling interests, net of tier 1 regulatory adjustments
Tier 2 capital: 
Qualifying subordinated debt
Other interests
Total tier 2 regulatory adjustments
Total regulatory capital

2015
£m

2014
£m

1,041

913

235
36
(24)
1,288

235
33
(21)
1,160

On 27 June 2013 the final Capital Requirements Directive (‘CRD’) IV rules were published in the Official Journal of the European Union. Following the 
publication of the CRD IV rules the Prudential Regulation Authority (‘PRA’) issued a policy statement on 19 December 2013 detailing how the rules will  
be enacted within the UK with corresponding timeframes for implementation. The CRD IV rules will be phased in over the course of the next five years and, 
accordingly, the following tables analyse the regulatory capital resources of the Company (being the regulated entity) applicable as at the year end and also 
the “end point” position, once all of the rules contained within CRD IV have come into force.

136

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Note 33 Tesco Bank capital resources continued

The movement of tier 1 capital during the financial year is analysed as follows:

At beginning of the year
Share capital and share premium
Profit attributable to shareholders
Other reserves
Ordinary dividends
Movement in material holdings
Increase in intangible assets
Other – Tier 1
At end of the year, excluding CRD IV adjustments
CRD IV adjustment – deferred tax liabilities related to intangible assets
CRD IV adjustment – movement in material holdings
CRD IV adjustment – other
At end of the year, including CRD IV adjustments

2015
£m
913
–
131
14
(50)
3
25
(1)
1,035
6
–
–
1,041

2014
£m
705
140
115
1
(100)
11
(30)
–
842
–
32

39
913

It is the Group’s policy to maintain a strong capital base, to expand it as appropriate and to utilise it efficiently throughout its activities to optimise the return  
to shareholders while maintaining a prudent relationship between the capital base and the underlying risks of the business. In carrying out this policy, the 
Group has regard to the supervisory requirements of the PRA.

Note 34 Lease commitments

Finance lease commitments – Group as lessee
The Group has finance leases for various items of plant, equipment, fixtures and fittings. There are also a small number of buildings which are held under 
finance leases. The fair value of the Group’s lease obligations approximate to their carrying value.

Future minimum lease payments under finance leases and hire purchase contracts, together with the present value of the net minimum lease payments,  
are as follows:

Minimum lease payments

Present value of net
minimum lease payments

Within one year
Greater than one year but less than five years
After five years
Total minimum lease payments
Less future finance charges
Present value of minimum lease payments

Analysed as:
Current finance lease payables
Non-current finance lease payables

2015
£m
20
70
167
257
(116)
141

10
131
141

2014
£m
12
49
185
246
(125)
121

6
115
121

Operating lease commitments – Group as lessee
Future minimum rentals payable under non-cancellable operating leases are as follows:

Within one year
Greater than one year but less than five years
After five years
Total minimum lease payments

Future minimum rentals payable under non-cancellable operating leases after five years are analysed further as follows:

Greater than five years but less than ten years
Greater than ten years but less than fifteen years
After fifteen years
Total minimum lease payments – after five years

2015
£m
10
35
96
141

2014
£m
6
14
101
121

2015
£m
1,324
4,686
9,697
15,707

2015
£m
4,243
2,853
2,601
9,697

2014
£m
1,334
4,676
9,911
15,921

2014
£m
4,250
2,894
2,767
9,911

The Group has used operating lease commitments discounted at 7% (2014: 7%) of £9,353m (2014: £9,419m) in its calculation of total indebtedness.

Operating lease payments represent rentals payable by the Group for certain of its retail, distribution and office properties and other assets such as motor 
vehicles. The leases have varying terms, purchase options, escalation clauses and renewal rights. Purchase options and renewal rights, where they occur,  
are at market value. Escalation clauses are in line with market practices and include inflation linked, fixed rates, resets to market rents and hybrids of these.

137

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Other informationGovernanceFinancial statementsStrategic report 
Notes to the Group financial statements continued

Note 34 Lease commitments continued

The Group has lease break options on certain sale and leaseback transactions. These options are exercisable if the Group exercises an existing option to buy 
back, at market value and at a specified date, either the leased asset or the equity of the other joint venture partner. No commitment has been included in 
respect of the buy-back option as the option is at the Group’s discretion. The Group is not obliged to pay lease rentals after that date, therefore minimum 
lease payments exclude those falling after the buy-back date. The current market value of these properties is £4.7bn (2014: £5.4bn) and the total lease 
rentals, if they were to be incurred following the option exercise date, would be £3.9bn (2014: £4.2bn) using current rent values. The lease break options  
are exercisable between 2015 and 2023.

The additional lease rentals if incurred following the option exercise date would be as follows:

Within one year
Greater than one year but less than five years
Greater than five years but less than ten years
Greater than ten years but less than fifteen years
After fifteen years
Total contingent additional lease rentals

2015
£m
10
372
1,095
1,084
1,349
3,910

2014
£m
–
336
1,045
1,257
1,611
4,249

Operating lease commitments with joint ventures and associates 
Since 1988 the Group has entered into several joint ventures and associates and sold and leased back properties to and from these joint ventures and associates. 
The terms of these sale and leasebacks vary, however, common factors include: the sale of the properties to the joint venture or associate at market value; 
options within the lease for the Group to repurchase the properties at market value; market rent reviews; and 20 to 30 full-year lease terms. The Group reviews 
the substance as well as the form of the arrangements when determining the classification of leases as operating or finance. All of the leases under these 
arrangements are operating leases.

Operating lease receivables – Group as lessor
The Group both rents out its properties and also sublets various leased buildings under operating leases. At the balance sheet date, the following future 
minimum lease payments are contractually receivable from tenants: 

2015
£m
211
314
297
822

2014
£m
193
256
196
645

Within one year
Greater than one year but less than five years
After five years
Total minimum lease receivables

Note 35 Events after the reporting period

On 20 March 2015 the Group regained sole ownership of 21 stores which were previously held in a joint venture with British Land Co PLC (‘British Land’). The 
Group received British Land’s share of the 21 stores and cash of £96m. In exchange, British Land took sole ownership of three shopping centres, three retail 
parks and three standalone stores which were held in two joint ventures between the two companies as at 28 February 2015. The Group will continue to lease 
the stores at these sites at market rents which are not subject to RPI-indexed increases.

138

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Tesco PLC – Parent Company balance sheet

Non-current assets
Investments
Derivative financial instruments

Current assets
Derivative financial instruments
Debtors
Short-term investments
Cash and cash equivalents

Creditors – amounts falling due within one year
Borrowings
Derivative financial instruments
Other creditors

Net current assets
Total assets less current liabilities
Creditors – amounts falling due after more than one year
Borrowings
Derivative financial instruments

Net assets
Capital and reserves
Called up share capital
Share premium
Profit and loss reserve
Total equity

28 February
2015
£m

22 February
2014
£m

Notes

 5
10 

10
 6
 7

 9
10
 8

 9
 10

13
 14
14

13,504
1,439
14,943

19
12,248
593
22
12,882

(632)
(61)
(6,607)
(7,300)
5,582
20,525

(7,440)
(635)
(8,075)
12,450

406
5,094
6,950
12,450

13,691
1,430
15,121

64
12,536
1,016
106
13,722

(1,705)
(130)
(8,953)
(10,788)
2,934
18,055

(7,953)
(703)
(8,656)
9,399

405
5,080
3,914
9,399

The notes on pages 140 to 144 form part of these financial statements.

Dave Lewis 
Alan Stewart

Directors 
The Parent Company financial statements on pages 139 to 144 were authorised for issue by the Directors on 5 May 2015 and are subject to the approval of 
the shareholders at the Annual General Meeting on 26 June 2015.

Tesco PLC 
Registered number 00445790

139

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Other informationGovernanceFinancial statementsStrategic report 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Parent Company financial statements

Note 1  Accounting policies

Basis of preparation
The Parent Company financial statements have been prepared on a going concern 
basis using the historical cost convention modified for the revaluation of certain 
financial instruments and in accordance with generally accepted accounting 
principles (‘UK GAAP’) and the Companies Act 2006. The Parent Company’s 
principal accounting policies have been applied consistently during the year.

The financial year represents the 53 weeks to 28 February 2015 (prior financial year 
52 weeks to 22 February 2014).

investing activities. The Company does not hold or issue derivative financial 
instruments for trading purposes.

Derivative financial instruments are recognised and stated at fair value. Where 
derivatives do not qualify for hedge accounting, any gains or losses on 
remeasurement are immediately recognised in the Company Profit and Loss 
Account. Where derivatives qualify for hedge accounting, recognition of any 
resultant gain or loss depends on the nature of the hedge relationship and the  
items being hedged.

A summary of the Company’s significant accounting policies is set out below.

Exemptions
The Directors have taken advantage of the exemption available under Section 408 
of the Companies Act 2006 and not presented a Profit and Loss Account for the 
Company alone.

In order to qualify for hedge accounting, the Company is required to document 
from inception, the relationship between the item being hedged and the hedging 
instrument. The Company is also required to document and demonstrate an 
assessment of the relationship between the hedged item and the hedging 
instrument, which shows that the hedge will be highly effective on an on-going 
basis. This effectiveness testing is performed at each reporting date to ensure that 
the hedge remains highly effective.

The Company has taken advantage of the FRS 29 ‘Financial Instruments: 
Disclosures’ exemption and not provided derivative financial instrument disclosures 
of the Company alone.

Derivative financial instruments with maturity dates of more than one year from  
the balance sheet date are disclosed as falling due after more than one year.

The Company is also exempt under the terms of FRS 8 ‘Related Party Disclosures’ 
from disclosing related party transactions with wholly owned entities within the 
Tesco Group.

Short-term investments
Current asset investments relate to money market deposits which are recognised 
initially at fair value, and subsequently at amortised cost. All income from these 
investments is included in the Profit and Loss Account as interest receivable and 
similar income.

Investments in subsidiaries and joint ventures
Investments in subsidiaries and joint ventures are stated at cost less, where 
appropriate, provisions for impairment.

Foreign currencies
Transactions in foreign currencies are translated at the exchange rate on the date  
of transaction. At the balance sheet date, monetary assets and liabilities that are 
denominated in foreign currencies are retranslated at the rates prevailing on the 
balance sheet date.

Share-based payments
The fair value of employee share option plans is calculated at the grant date using 
the Black-Scholes model. The resulting cost is charged to the Profit and Loss 
Account over the vesting period. The value of the charge is adjusted to reflect 
expected and actual levels of vesting.

Where the Company awards shares or options to employees of subsidiary entities, 
this is treated as a capital contribution.

Financial instruments
Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognised on the Company’s 
Balance Sheet when the Company becomes party to the contractual  
provisions of the instrument.

Debtors
Debtors are recognised initially at fair value, and subsequently at amortised cost 
using the effective interest rate method, less provision for impairment. 

Financial liabilities and equity instruments
Financial liabilities and equity instruments are classified according to the substance 
of the contractual arrangements entered into. An equity instrument is any contract 
that gives a residual interest in the assets of the Company after deducting all of its 
liabilities. Equity instruments issued by the Company are recorded as the proceeds 
received, net of direct issue costs.

Borrowings
Interest-bearing bank loans and overdrafts are initially recognised at the value  
of the amount received, net of attributable transaction costs. Subsequent to  
initial recognition, interest-bearing borrowings are stated at amortised cost  
with any differences between cost and redemption value being recognised  
in the Company Profit and Loss Account over the period of the borrowings  
on an effective interest basis.

Other creditors
Other creditors are recognised initially at fair value, and subsequently at amortised 
cost using the effective interest rate method.

Derivative financial instruments and hedge accounting
The Company uses derivative financial instruments to hedge its exposure  
to foreign exchange and interest rate risks arising from operating, financing and 

140

Fair value hedging
Derivative financial instruments are classified as fair value hedges when they hedge 
the Company’s exposure to changes in the fair value of a recognised asset or liability. 
Changes in the fair value of derivatives that are designated and qualify as fair value 
hedges are recorded in the Company Profit and Loss Account, together with any 
changes in the fair value of the hedged item that is attributable to the hedged risk.

Cash flow hedging
Derivative financial instruments are classified as cash flow hedges when they hedge 
the Company’s exposure to variability in cash flows that are either attributable to  
a particular risk associated with a recognised asset or liability, or a highly probable 
forecasted transaction. 

The effective element of any gain or loss from remeasuring the derivative 
instrument is recognised directly in equity.

The associated cumulative gain or loss is removed from equity and recognised  
in the Company Profit and Loss Account in the same period during which the 
hedged transaction affects the Company Profit and Loss Account. The classification 
of the effective portion when recognised in the Company Profit and Loss Account  
is the same as the classification of the hedged transaction. Any element of the 
re-measurement criteria of the derivative instrument which does not meet the 
criteria for an effective hedge is recognised immediately in the Company Profit  
and Loss Account.

Hedge accounting is discontinued when the hedging instrument expires or is sold, 
terminated or exercised, or no longer qualifies for hedge accounting or is de-designated. 
At that point in time, any cumulative gain or loss on the hedging instrument 
recognised in equity is retained in equity until the forecasted transaction occurs or the 
original hedged item affects the Company Profit and Loss Account. If a forecasted 
hedged transaction is no longer expected to occur, the net cumulative gain or loss 
recognised in equity is transferred to the Company Profit and Loss Account.

Pensions
The Company participates in the Tesco PLC Pension Scheme and cannot identify  
its share of the underlying assets and liabilities of the scheme. Accordingly, as 
permitted by FRS 17 ‘Retirement Benefits’, the Company has accounted for the 
scheme as a defined contribution scheme, and the charge for the period is based 
upon the cash contributions payable.

Taxation
Corporation tax payable is provided on the taxable profit for the year, using the tax 
rates enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date.

The Company may surrender Group relief to group companies and consequently 
there may be no tax charge in the Profit and Loss Account

Deferred tax is recognised in respect of all timing differences that have originated 
but not reversed at the balance sheet date and would give rise to an obligation to 
pay more or less tax in the future. Deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent 
that they are recoverable. They are regarded as recoverable to the extent that on 
the basis of all available evidence, it is regarded as more likely than not that there  
will be suitable taxable profits from which the future reversal of the underlying 
timing differences can be deducted. Deferred tax is measured on a non-discounted 
basis at the tax rates that are expected to apply in the periods in which the timing 
differences reverse, based on tax rates and laws that have been substantively 
enacted at the balance sheet date.

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Note 2 Auditor remuneration 

Fees payable to the Company’s auditor for the audit of the Company and Group financial statements are disclosed in Note 3 in the Group financial statements.

Note 3 Employment costs, including Directors’ remuneration

Wages and salaries*
Social security costs
Other pension costs
Share-based payment expense

2015
£m
22
3
2
4
31

2014
£m
21
2
2
1
26

*  The wages and salaries expense includes a recharge from Tesco Stores Limited for Board-related functions. 

The average number of employees (all Directors of the Company) during the financial year was 10 (2014: 10). 

The Schedule 5 requirements of SI 2008/410 for Directors’ remuneration are included within the Directors’ Remuneration Report on pages 46 to 69. 

Note 4 Dividends

For details of dividends see Note 8 in the Group financial statements.

Note 5 Investments

Cost 
At 22 February 2014
Additions
Disposals
At 28 February 2015
Impairment
At 22 February 2014
Impairment
At 28 February 2015

Net carrying value

At 28 February 2015

At 22 February 2014

Shares 
in Group
undertakings
£m

Shares in 
joint  
ventures
£m

15,740
1,111
(421)
16,430

2,065
887
2,952

13,478
13,675

16
16
(6)
26

–
–
–

26
16

Total
£m

15,756
1,127
(427)
16,456

2,065
887
2,952

13,504
13,691

For a list of the Company’s principal operating subsidiary undertakings and joint ventures see Note 13 in the Group financial statements.

Additions include £792m investments made as part of a restructuring exercise in preperation for the sale of the Chinese operations.

Impairment includes £783m relating to the Group’s disposal of the Chinese operations and subsequent impairment of the resulting China associate. 
Refer to Note 3 in the Group financial statements for further details.

Note 6 Debtors

Amounts owed by Group undertakings*
Amounts owed by joint ventures and associates**
Other debtors
Deferred tax asset***

2015
£m
12,061
120
12
55
12,248

2014
£m
12,378
127
11
20
12,536

Amounts owed by Group undertakings are either interest-bearing or non-interest bearing depending on the type and duration of debtor relationship.

*  Amounts owed by Group undertakings, £nil (2014: £65m) is due after more than one year.
**  Of amounts owed by joint ventures and associates, £112m (2014: £125m) is due after more than one year. 
***  The deferred tax asset recognised by the Company, and the movements thereon, during the financial year are as follows:

At 22 February 2014
Charge to the Profit and Loss account for the year
Movement in reserves for the year
At 28 February 2015

Financial 
instruments 
£m
20
(1)

Other timing 
differences 
£m
–
40

(4)
15

–
40

Total 
£m
20
39

(4)
55

141

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Other informationGovernanceFinancial statementsStrategic reportNotes to the Parent Company financial statements
continued
Note 7 Short-term investments

Short-term investments

Note 8 Other creditors

Amounts falling due within one year:
Amounts owed to Group undertakings
Other creditors
Taxation and social security
Accruals and deferred income

2015
£m
593

2014
£m
1,016

2015
£m

6,558
39
4
6
6,607

2014
£m

8,898
50
1
4
8,953

2014
£m
658
10
628
300
528
304
1,011
299
595
620
352
948
401
310
242
241
256
792
174
605
274
110
9,658

Amounts owed to Group undertakings are either interest-bearing or non-interest bearing depending on the type and duration of creditor relationship.

Note 9 Borrowings

Bank loans and overdrafts
Loans from joint ventures
5% MTN
2.0% MTN
5.125% MTN
4% RPI MTN*
5.875% MTN
2.7% MTN
5.5% USD Bond
3.375% MTN
5.5% MTN
6.125% MTN
5% MTN
3.322% LPI MTN**
6% MTN
5.5% MTN
1.982% RPI MTN***
6.15% USD Bond
4.875% MTN
5.125% MTN
5.2% MTN
Other MTNs

Par value
 –
 –
£600m
$500m
€600m
 £307m
€1,039m
$500m
 $850m
€750m
 £350m
£900m
£389m
 £315m
 £200m
 £200m
£261m
$1,150m
 £173m
€600m
 £279m
 –

Maturity
year
–
–
2014
2014
2015
2016
2016
2017
2017
2018
2019
2022
2023
2025
2029
2033
2036
2037
2042
2047
2057
–

2015
£m
622
10
–
–
–
313
872
325
625
548
353
895
407
318
261
262
263
917
175
631
275
–
8,072

*  The 4% RPI MTN is redeemable at par, including indexation for increases in the RPI over the life of the MTN.
**  The 3.322% LPI MTN is redeemable at par, including indexation for increases in the RPI over the life of the MTN. The maximum indexation of the principal in any one year is 5%,  
  with a minimum of 0%.
***  The 1.982% RPI MTN is redeemable at par, including indexation for increases in the RPI over the life of the MTN.

Repayment analysis:
Amounts falling due within one year

Amounts falling due after more than one year:
Amounts falling due between one and two years
Amounts falling due between two and five years
Amounts falling due after more than five years

142

2015
£m

632
632

1,510
1,526
4,404
7,440
8,072

2014
£m

1,705
1,705

528
2,829
4,596
7,953
9,658

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015 
 
 
 
 
 
Note 10 Derivative financial instruments

The fair value of derivative financial instruments has been disclosed in the Company’s Balance Sheet as:

Amounts falling due within one year
Amounts falling due after more than one year
Total 

Fair value hedges
Interest rate swaps and similar instruments
Cross-currency swaps
Cash flow hedges
Interest rate swaps and similar instruments
Cross-currency swaps
Index-linked swaps
Forward foreign currency contracts

Derivatives in cash flow hedge and not  
in a formal relationship*

Cross-currency swaps
Derivatives not in a formal hedge relationship
Index-linked swaps
Forward foreign currency contracts
Total 

Asset
£m
19
1,439
1,458

2015

Liability
£m
(61)
(635)
(696)

Asset
£m
64
1,430
1,494

Fair value
£m

Asset

Notional
£m

Fair value
£m

15
561

–
242
113
2

65
1,201

–
311
882
99

–
(11)

(199)
(8)
–
(1)

2015

Liability

Notional 
£m

–
817

400
483
–
474

Fair value
£m

Asset

Notional
£m

Fair value
£m

61
583

–
139
86
2

1,065
2,055

–
287
860
486

–
(25)

(110)
(103)
–
(1)

2014

Liability
£m
(130)
(703)
(833)

2014

Liability

Notional 
£m

–
551

400
782
–
196

–

–

–

–

10

308

–

–

508
17
1,458

3,339
1,361
7,258

(417)
(60)
(696)

3,339
1,285
6,798

583
30
1,494

3,354
828
9,243

(499)
(95)
(833)

3,339
2,085
7,353

*  These are designated as cash flow hedges and net investment hedges at Group level but for PLC financial statements are classified as cash flow hedges and ‘not in a formal  
  hedge relationship’. 

Note 11 Share-based payments

The Company’s equity-settled share-based payment schemes comprise various share schemes designed to reward Executive Directors. For further 
information on these schemes, including the valuation models and assumptions used, see Note 25 in the Group financial statements.

Share option schemes 
The number of options and WAEP of share option schemes relating to the Company employees are:

For the year ended 28 February 2015 
Outstanding at 22 February 2014
Granted 
Forfeited
Exercised 
Outstanding at 28 February 2015
Exercisable at 28 February 2015

Exercise price range (pence) 

Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)

Savings-related
Share Option Scheme
WAEP
Options
332.59
9,108

Approved
Share Option Scheme
WAEP
Options
315.65
19,008

Unapproved
Share Option Scheme
WAEP
Options
374.24
9,475,594

Nil cost
share options
WAEP
0.00

Options
10,714,937

–
(9,108)
–
–
–

–
–

–
332.59
–
–
–

–
–

–
–
–
19,008
19,008

–
–
–
315.65
315.65

–
(1,954,751)
(1,368,026)
6,152,817
6,152,817

–
402.69
315.78
378.20
378.20

2,771,506
(9,229,019)
(1,436,186)
2,821,238
631,436

312.75 to 
318.60
0.66

–
–

312.75 to 
473.75
2.71

–
–

–
–

0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00

0.00
8.71

Savings-related
Share Option Scheme

Approved
Share Option Scheme

Unapproved
Share Option Scheme

Nil cost
share options

For the year ended 22 February 2014 
Outstanding at 24 February 2013
Granted
Forfeited
Exercised 
Outstanding at 22 February 2014
Exercisable at 22 February 2014

Exercise price range (pence) 

Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)

Options
17,390
1,862
(6,292)
(3,852)
9,108
–

–
–

WAEP
346.61
322.00
378.28
316.15
332.59
–

–
–

Options
57,184
–
(38,176)
–
19,008
19,008

WAEP
367.22
–
392.90
–
315.65
315.65

Options
13,988,866
–
(3,577,576)
(935,696)
9,475,594
9,475,594

WAEP
384.66
–
424.36
338.40
374.24
374.24

312.75 to 
318.60
1.68

–
–

312.75 to 
473.75
3.57

–
–

Options
14,317,776
1,978,324
(2,550,724)
(3,030,439)
10,714,937
4,206,723

–
–

WAEP
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00

0.00
4.18

143

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Other informationGovernanceFinancial statementsStrategic report 
 
 
 
Notes to the Parent Company financial statements
continued
Note 11 Share-based payments continued

Share bonus schemes 
The number and WAFV of share bonuses awarded during the financial year relating to the Company employees are:

Shares In Success
Executive Incentive Scheme
Performance Share Plan

Note 12 Pensions

Shares
number
1,302
–
–

2015

WAFV
pence
307.15
–
–

Shares
number
847
–
–

2014

WAFV
pence
383.55
–
–

The total cost of the pension scheme to the Company was £2.5m (2014 £2.3m). Further disclosure relating to the Tesco PLC Pension Scheme can be found  
in Note 26 of the Group financial statements.

Note 13 Called up share capital

Allotted, called up and fully paid:
At beginning of the year
Share options
Share bonus awards
At end of the year

2015

2014

Ordinary shares of 5p each

Ordinary shares of 5p each

Number

8,095,821,091
5,080,408
22,090,000
8,122,991,499

£m

405
–
1
406

Number

8,054,054,930
19,662,145
22,104,016
8,095,821,091

£m

403
1
1
405

During the financial year, 5 million (2014: 20 million) ordinary shares of 5p each were issued in relation to share options for an aggregate consideration  
of £14m (2014: £61m).

During the financial year, 22 million (2014: 22 million) ordinary shares of 5p each were issued in relation to share bonus awards for an aggregate consideration 
of £1.1m (2014: £1.1m).

Between 1 March 2015 and 17 April 2015, options over 5,533 ordinary shares were exercised under the terms of the Savings-related Share Option Scheme 
(1981) and the Irish Savings-related Share Option Scheme (2000). Between 1 March 2015 and 17 April 2015, no options have been exercised under the 
Discretionary Share Option Plan (2004).

As at 28 February 2015, the Directors were authorised to purchase up to a maximum in aggregate of 810.1 million (2014: 806.5 million) ordinary shares.

The holders of ordinary shares are entitled to receive dividends as declared from time to time and are entitled to one vote per share at general meetings  
of the Company. 

Note 14 Reserves

Share premium account
At beginning of the year
Premium on issue of shares less costs
At end of the year

Profit and loss reserve
At beginning of the year
Share-based payments
Dividends 
Net movement on cash flow hedges
Profit after tax for the year
At end of the year

Note 15 Post balance sheet events

2015
£m

5,080
14
5,094

3,914
116
(914)
15
3,819
6,950

2014
£m

5,020
60
5,080

5,041
54
(1,189)
(78)
86
3,914

On 20 March 2015 the Company entered into an agreement to sell its wholly owned subsidiary Tesco (Partnership) Limited, which is the holding company of the 
joint venture Tesco British Land Property Partnership, and its investment in the joint venture Tesco BL Holdings Limited to British Land Co PLC (‘British Land’). 
This formed part of the transaction in which the Group regained sole ownership of 21 stores which were previously held in a joint venture with British Land. The 
Group received British Land’s share of 21 stores and cash of £96m. In exchange, British Land took sole ownership of three shopping centres, three retail parks and 
three standalone stores which were held in the above two joint ventures between the two companies as at 28 Febuary 2015. 

144

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015 
 
Independent auditors’ report to the members of Tesco PLC

Report on the parent company financial statements

Responsibilities for the financial statements and  
the audit

Our opinion
In our opinion, Tesco PLC’s parent company financial statements (the 
‘financial statements’):

•   give a true and fair view of the state of the parent company’s affairs  

as at 28 February 2015;

•   have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom 

Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and

•  have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the 

Companies Act 2006.

What we have audited
Tesco PLC’s financial statements comprise:

•  the parent company balance sheet as at 28 February 2015; and
•  the notes to the financial statements, which include a summary of 
significant accounting policies and other explanatory information.

Certain required disclosures have been presented elsewhere in the Annual 
Report, rather than in the notes to the financial statements. These are 
cross-referenced from the financial statements and are identified as audited.

The financial reporting framework that has been applied in the preparation 
of the financial statements is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting 
Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

Other required reporting

Consistency of other information

Our responsibilities and those of the directors
As explained more fully in the Directors’ Responsibilities Statement, the 
directors are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements  
and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view. 

Our responsibility is to audit and express an opinion on the financial 
statements in accordance with applicable law and ISAs (UK & Ireland).  
Those standards require us to comply with the Auditing Practices Board’s 
Ethical Standards for Auditors. 

This report, including the opinions, has been prepared for and only for the 
company’s members as a body in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16  
of the Companies Act 2006 and for no other purpose. We do not, in giving 
these opinions, accept or assume responsibility for any other purpose or to 
any other person to whom this report is shown or into whose hands it may 
come save where expressly agreed by our prior consent in writing.

What an audit of financial statements involves
We conducted our audit in accordance with ISAs (UK & Ireland). An audit 
involves obtaining evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the 
financial statements sufficient to give reasonable assurance that the 
financial statements are free from material misstatement, whether caused 
by fraud or error. This includes an assessment of:

•  whether the accounting policies are appropriate to the parent company’s 

circumstances and have been consistently applied and adequately 
disclosed;

•  the reasonableness of significant accounting estimates made by the 

directors; and 

•  the overall presentation of the financial statements. 

Companies Act 2006 opinion
In our opinion, the information given in the Strategic Report and the 
Directors’ Report for the financial period for which the financial statements 
are prepared is consistent with the financial statements.

We primarily focus our work in these areas by assessing the directors’ 
judgements against available evidence, forming our own judgements,  
and evaluating the disclosures in the financial statements.

We test and examine information, using sampling and other auditing 
techniques, to the extent we consider necessary to provide a reasonable 
basis for us to draw conclusions. We obtain audit evidence through testing 
the effectiveness of controls, substantive procedures or a combination  
of both. 

In addition, we read all the financial and non-financial information in the 
Annual Report to identify material inconsistencies with the audited financial 
statements and to identify any information that is apparently materially 
incorrect based on, or materially inconsistent with, the knowledge acquired 
by us in the course of performing the audit. If we become aware of any 
apparent material misstatements or inconsistencies we consider the 
implications for our report.

Other matter

We have reported separately on the group financial statements of Tesco PLC 
for the period ended 28 February 2015. 

Mark Gill (Senior Statutory Auditor)
for and on behalf of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditors
London
5 May 2015

ISAs (UK & Ireland) reporting
Under International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland) (‘ISAs (UK & 
Ireland)’) we are required to report to you if, in our opinion, information  
in the Annual Report is:

•  materially inconsistent with the information in the audited financial 

statements; or

•  apparently materially incorrect based on, or materially inconsistent with, 
our knowledge of the company acquired in the course of performing our 
audit; or

•  otherwise misleading.

We have no exceptions to report arising from this responsibility.

Adequacy of accounting records and information and  
explanations received
Under the Companies Act 2006 we are required to report to you if,  
in our opinion:

•  we have not received all the information and explanations we require  

for our audit; or

•  adequate accounting records have not been kept by the parent company, 
or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches 
not visited by us; or

•  the financial statements and the part of the Directors’ Remuneration 

Report to be audited are not in agreement with the accounting records 
and returns.

We have no exceptions to report arising from this responsibility.

Directors’ remuneration

Directors’ remuneration report – Companies Act 2006 opinion
In our opinion, the part of the Directors’ Remuneration Report to be audited 
has been properly prepared in accordance with the Companies Act 2006.

Other Companies Act 2006 reporting
Under the Companies Act 2006 we are required to report to you if, in our 
opinion, certain disclosures of directors’ remuneration specified by law are 
not made. We have no exceptions to report arising from this responsibility.

145

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Other informationGovernanceFinancial statementsStrategic report146

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Other information

148  Supplementary information  

(unaudited)
155  Financial calendar
155  Glossary
156  Five-year record

147

Other informationGovernanceFinancial statementsStrategic reportTesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015 
 
Supplementary information (unaudited) 

Total sales performance at actual rates (52 week year)*

Including Fuel:
UK
Asia
Europe
International
Tesco Bank
Group

Excluding Fuel:
UK
Asia
Europe
International
Tesco Bank
Group

Q1 
2014/15

Q2 
2014/15

Q3 
2014/15

Q4 
2014/15

H1 
2014/15

H2 
2014/15

FY 
2014/15

(2.0)%
(8.9)%
(7.1)%
(8.0)%
3.6%
(3.7)%

(1.7)%
(8.9)%
(6.9)%
(8.0)%
3.6%
(3.8)%

(3.2)%
(6.4)%
(10.5)%
(8.4)%
5.8%
(4.7)%

(3.3)%
(6.4)%
(10.3)%
(8.3)%
5.8%
(4.9)%

(1.7)%
(2.5)%
(8.7)%
(5.6)%
2.7%
(2.8)%

(2.6)%
(2.5)%
(8.6)%
(5.5)%
2.7%
(3.5)%

0.2%
1.4%
(7.5)%
(3.0)%
(3.5)%
(0.9)%

0.6%
1.4%
(6.7)%
(2.6)%
(3.5)%
(0.6)%

(2.6)%
(8.4)%
(9.3)%
(8.8)%
4.6%
(4.4)%

(2.5)%
(8.4)%
(9.1)%
(8.7)%
4.6%
(4.5)%

(0.8)%
0.3%
(7.6)%
(3.6)%
(0.4)%
(1.7)%

(1.0)%
0.3%
(7.2)%
(3.3)%
(0.4)%
(1.8)%

(1.7)%
(4.1)%
(8.5)%
(6.2)%
2.1%
(3.0)%

(1.8)%
(4.1)%
(8.1)%
(6.0)%
2.1%
(3.2)%

Total sales performance at constant rates (52 week year)*

Including Fuel:
UK
Asia
Europe
International
Tesco Bank
Group

Q1 
2014/15

Q2 
2014/15

Q3 
2014/15

Q4 
2014/15

H1 
2014/15

H2 
2014/15

FY 
2014/15

(2.0)%
1.5%
(0.7)%
0.5%
3.6%
(1.2)%

(3.2)%
(0.9)%
(1.9)%
(1.4)%
5.8%
(2.5)%

(1.7)%
(1.7)%
(0.6)%
(1.1)%
2.7%
(1.5)%

0.2%
(2.4)%
0.6%
(0.9)%
(3.5)%
(0.2)%

(2.6)%
(0.5)%
(1.8)%
(1.1)%
4.6%
(2.0)%

(0.8)%
(1.3)%
0.7%
(0.3)%
(0.4)%
(0.6)%

(1.7)%
(0.9)%
(0.6)%
(0.7)%
2.1%
(1.3)%

Excluding Fuel:
UK
Asia
Europe
International
Tesco Bank
Group
* 

(1.8)%
(0.9)%
(0.2)%
(0.6)%
2.1%
(1.3)%
 Growth rates are shown on a continuing operations basis. Quarterly growth rates are based on comparable days for the current year and the previous year comparison. Half 
1 growth rates are based on comparable days for the current year and the previous year comparison for the UK and the Republic of Ireland. All other countries are for 177 
days ended 24 August 2014 compared to 178 days ended 25 August 2013. Half 2 growth rates are based on comparable days for the current year and the previous year 
comparison for the UK and the Republic of Ireland. All other countries are for 188 days ended 28 February 2015 compared to 187 days ended 28 February 2014. Growth 
rates shown are on an excluding week 53 basis for the UK and Republic of Ireland and exclude the 7 days ended 28 February 2015. 

0.6%
(2.4)%
1.4%
(0.5)%
(3.5)%
0.1%

(3.3)%
(0.9)%
(1.6)%
(1.2)%
5.8%
(2.5)%

(2.5)%
(0.5)%
(1.6)%
(1.0)%
4.6%
(1.9)%

(2.6)%
(1.7)%
(0.3)%
(1.0)%
2.7%
(2.0)%

(1.7)%
1.5%
(0.6)%
0.5%
3.6%
(0.9)%

(1.0)%
(1.3)%
1.2%
(0.1)%
(0.4)%
(0.7)%

148

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Like-for-Like sales performance (inc. VAT, exc. Fuel)*

UK

 inc. VAT, inc. fuel
 exc. VAT, exc. fuel
 exc. VAT, exc. fuel, IFRIC 13 compliant

Asia 

 Malaysia
 South Korea
 Thailand

Europe

 Czech Republic
 Hungary**
 Poland
 Slovakia
 Turkey
 Republic of Ireland

Q1 
2014/15
(3.7)%
(3.8)%
(3.8)%
(4.0)%
(3.2)%
(2.3)%
(2.8)%
(5.3)%
(1.0)%
1.6%
2.7%
0.5%
(5.8)%
3.4%
(5.5)%
(2.2)%
(3.2)%

Q2 
2014/15
(5.4)%
(5.0)%
(5.5)%
(5.5)%
(4.9)%
(6.8)%
(4.7)%
(4.7)%
(2.5)%
1.3%
(0.6)%
(2.4)%
(4.6)%
3.6%
(7.3)%
(3.7)%
(4.8)%

Q3 
2014/15
(4.2)%
(3.2)%
(4.4)%
(5.1)%
(5.0)%
(8.7)%
(4.0)%
(4.5)%
(1.2)%
2.9%
1.4%
(2.5)%
(2.1)%
6.7%
(6.2)%
(3.1)%
(3.8)%

Q4 
2014/15
(1.0)%
(1.3)%
(1.2)%
(1.7)%
(4.7)%
(3.6)%
(4.4)%
(3.3)%
1.0%
6.5%
4.7%
(1.2)%
0.6%
13.8%
(6.3)%
(1.9)%
(1.3)%

H1 
2014/15
(4.6)%
(4.4)%
(4.6)%
(4.8)%
(4.1)%
(4.7)%
(3.8)%
(5.0)%
(1.8)%
1.5%
1.0%
(1.0)%
(5.2)%
3.5%
(6.4)%
(3.0)%
(4.0)%

H2 
2014/15
(2.6)%
(2.2)%
(2.8)%
(3.4)%
(4.8)%
(6.0)%
(4.2)%
(3.8)%
0.0%
4.9%
3.2%
(1.8)%
(0.6)%
10.9%
(6.3)%
(2.4)%
(2.5)%

FY 
2014/15
(3.6)%
(3.3)%
(3.7)%
(4.1)%
(4.4)%
(5.3)%
(4.0)%
(4.4)%
(0.8)%
3.2%
2.1%
(1.4)%
(2.8)%
7.0%
(6.3)%
(2.7)%
(3.3)%

International
Group
*  Like-for-Like growth shown on a continuing operations basis.
**  Following the introduction of legislation preventing large retailers from selling tobacco in mid-July 2013, Hungary Like-for-Like growth is shown on an excluding tobacco  
  basis. Including tobacco sales, in 2014/15, Q1 was 0.0%, Q2 was (2.0)%, H1 was (1.1)% and FY was 1.1%.

Sales performance (inc. fuel, exc. IFRIC 13)

Sales growth (inc. VAT)

Revenue (exc. VAT)

Constant rates

Actual rates

Like-for-Like
%

Net new 
stores 
%

Total
%

Total
%

In local 
currency
 m

Average 
exchange 
rate

Closing 
exchange 
rate

Continuing operations
Including Fuel:
UK*
Malaysia
South Korea
Thailand
Czech Republic
Hungary**
Poland
Slovakia
Turkey
Republic of Ireland*
*  Total growth rates shown are on an exc. week 53 basis for the UK and Republic of Ireland and exclude the 7 days ended 28 February 2015. 
**  Following the introduction of legislation preventing large retailers from selling tobacco in mid-July 2013, Hungary Like-for-Like growth is shown on an excluding tobacco basis.

42,778
4,536
9,253,377
190,944
40,808
569,644
11,162
1,318
2,223
2,556

(1.7)%
(9.7)%
(1.6)%
(5.8)%
(9.5)%
(8.3)%
(6.4)%
(7.7)%
(9.1)%
(10.8)%

(3.3)%
(5.3)%
(4.0)%
(4.4)%
2.2%
2.1%
(1.4)%
(3.1)%
4.3%
(6.4)%

1.6%
2.4%
2.2%
5.8%
(1.0)%
(0.8)%
1.1%
1.4%
1.0%
1.4%

(1.7)%
(2.9)%
(1.8)%
1.4%
1.2%
1.3%
(0.3)%
(1.7)%
5.3%
(5.0)%

42,778
841
5,383
3,615
1,175
1,461
2,114
1,047
617
2,030

n/a
5.393
1,719
52.82
34.73
389.9
5.280
1.259
3.603
1.259

n/a
5.556
1,693
49.83
37.83
417.6
5.720
1.377
3.879
1.377

£m

149

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Other informationGovernanceFinancial statementsStrategic reportSupplementary information (unaudited) continued

UK sales area by size of store

Store size
sq. ft.
0–3,000
3,001–20,000
20,001–40,000
40,001–60,000
60,001–80,000
80,001–100,000
Over 100,000
Total*
* 

Including franchise stores.

February 2015

February 2014

No. of stores
2,557
321
306
195
123
45
14
3,561

Million sq. ft. % of total sq. ft.
12.5%
9.5%
21.5%
24.5%
18.7%
9.6%
3.7%
100.0%

5.3
4.0
9.1
10.4
7.9
4.1
1.6
42.4

No. of stores
2,378
322
305
193
121
45
14
3,378

Million sq. ft. % of total sq. ft.
12.0%
9.7%
21.8%
24.4%
18.5%
9.8%
3.8%
100.0%

5.0
4.1
9.1
10.2
7.7
4.1
1.6
41.8

150

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Group space summary 

Actual Group space – store numbers

Openings

2013/14
year end
247
12
482
195
1,672
6
2,614
722
34
3,370
49
433
1,737
2,219
211
220
455
150
192
146
1,374
3,593
6,963
198
136
8
342
7,305

% of Group
at year end(b)
3.2%
Extra
0.1%
Homeplus
6.2%
Superstore
2.5%
Metro
22.2%
Express
0.1%
Dotcom only
34.3%
Total Tesco(c)
9.9%
One Stop
0.4%
Dobbies
44.6%
Total UK(c)
0.7%
Malaysia
5.4%
South Korea
22.5%
Thailand
28.6%
Asia(c)
2.7%
Czech Republic
2.7%
Hungary
5.7%
Poland
2.0%
Slovakia
2.2%
Turkey
1.9%
Republic of Ireland
17.2%
Europe(c)
45.8%
International(c)
90.4%
Group(c)
6.9%
South Korea Franchise
1.7%
Czech Franchise
1.0%
One Stop (UK) Franchise
9.6%
Total Franchise
Group(d)
100.0%
(a)  Extensions/repurposed stores are not included in the net gain for ‘number of stores’, since they are expansions/reductions in the space of existing stores. South Korea and  
  South Korea Franchise totals include one store conversion that is therefore included in the net gain for ‘number of stores’.
(b)  Based on Group including franchise stores.
(c)  Excluding franchise stores.
(d)  Including franchise stores.

Repurposing /
Extensions(a)
4
–
–
–
–
–
4
–
–
4
7
8
4
19
1
–
4
–
–
–
5
24
28
(1)
–
–
(1)
27

Closures /
Disposals
–
(1)
(3)
(4)
(3)
–
(11)
(6)
–
(17)
–
(11)
(35)
(46)
(2)
(13)
(13)
–
(22)
(2)
(52)
(98)
(115)
(25)
(5)
(4)
(34)
(149)

Net gain
3
(1)
5
(4)
63
–
66
48
1
115
5
(8)
22
19
(2)
(11)
(6)
5
(19)
3
(30)
(11)
104
345
(5)
68
408
512

2014/15
year end
250
11
487
191
1,735
6
2,680
770
35
3,485
54
425
1,759
2,238
209
209
449
155
173
149
1,344
3,582
7,067
543
131
76
750
7,817

H1
1
–
2
–
38
–
41
26
–
67
1
–
53
54
–
1
4
4
3
2
14
68
135
178
–
22
200
335

H2
2
–
6
–
28
–
36
28
1
65
4
2
4
10
–
1
3
1
–
3
8
18
83
193
–
50
243
326

151

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Other informationGovernanceFinancial statementsStrategic reportSupplementary information (unaudited) continued

Group space summary continued

Actual Group space – ‘000 sq. ft.

2013/14
year end
17,610
Extra
523
Homeplus
14,110
Superstore
2,191
Metro
3,883
Express
716
Dotcom only
39,033
Total Tesco**
1,142
One Stop
1,638
Dobbies
41,813
Total UK**
4,029
Malaysia
13,583
South Korea
15,585
Thailand
33,197
Asia**
5,704
Czech Republic
7,288
Hungary
9,714
Poland
3,900
Slovakia
3,984
Turkey
3,477
Republic of Ireland
34,067
Europe**
67,264
International**
109,077
Group**
356
South Korea Franchise
129
Czech Franchise
10
One Stop (UK) Franchise
495
Total Franchise
Group***
109,572
*  Based on Group including franchise stores.
**  Excluding franchise stores.
***  Including franchise stores.

2014/15
year end
17,763
488
14,254
2,150
4,030
716
39,401
1,235
1,648
42,284
4,025
13,447
15,712
33,184
5,653
7,026
9,736
3,928
3,663
3,560
33,566
66,750
109,034
1,216
122
102
1,440
110,474

Net gain
153
(35)
144
(41)
147
–
368
93
10
471
(4)
(136)
127
(13)
(51)
(262)
22
28
(321)
83
(501)
(514)
(43)
860
(7)
92
945
902

Openings

H1
74
–
60
–
91
–
225
51
–
276
43
–
215
258
–
3
83
22
67
72
247
505
781
494
–
29
523
1,304

H2
125
–
171
–
64
–
360
52
10
422
121
70
132
323
–
2
53
6
–
44
105
428
850
445
–
68
513
1,363

Closures /
Disposals
–
(35)
(87)
(41)
(8)
–
(171)
(10)
–
(181)
–
(29)
(78)
(107)
(15)
(267)
(76)
–
(388)
(33)
(779)
(886)
(1,067)
(78)
(7)
(5)
(90)
(1,157)

Repurposing /
Extensions
(46)
–
–
–
–
–
(46)
–
–
(46)
(168)
(177)
(142)
(487)
(36)
–
(38)
–
–
–
(74)
(561)
(607)
(1)
–
–
(1)
(608)

% of Group
at year end*
16.1%
0.4%
12.9%
1.9%
3.7%
0.7%
35.7%
1.1%
1.5%
38.3%
3.6%
12.2%
14.2%
30.0%
5.1%
6.4%
8.8%
3.6%
3.3%
3.2%
30.4%
60.4%
98.7%
1.1%
0.1%
0.1%
1.3%
100.0%

152

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015 
Group space summary continued

Group space forecast to 27 February 2016 – ‘000 sq. ft.

2014/15
year end
17,763
Extra
488
Homeplus
14,254
Superstore
2,150
Metro
4,030
Express
716
Dotcom only
39,401
Total Tesco**
1,235
One Stop
1,648
Dobbies
42,284
Total UK**
4,025
Malaysia
13,447
South Korea
15,712
Thailand
33,184
Asia**
5,653
Czech Republic
7,026
Hungary
9,736
Poland
3,928
Slovakia
3,663
Turkey
3,560
Republic of Ireland
33,566
Europe**
66,750
International**
109,034
Group**
1,216
South Korea Franchise
122
Czech Franchise
102
One Stop (UK) Franchise
1,440
Total Franchise
Group***
110,474
*  Based on Group including franchise stores.
**  Excluding franchise stores.
***  Including franchise stores.

2015/16
year end
17,890
297
14,067
2,036
4,089
716
39,095
1,298
1,678
42,071
4,155
13,065
15,916
33,136
5,572
7,026
9,612
3,973
3,610
3,560
33,353
66,489
108,560
1,642
95
352
2,089
110,649

Net gain
127
(191)
(187)
(114)
59
–
(306)
63
30
(213)
130
(382)
204
(48)
(81)
–
(124)
45
(53)
–
(213)
(261)
(474)
426
(27)
250
649
175

Openings

H1
–
–
16
–
35
–
51
43
30
124
54
–
165
219
–
–
–
28
–
–
28
247
371
181
–
131
312
683

H2
127
–
–
20
69
–
216
28
–
244
76
108
39
223
–
–
–
17
5
–
22
245
489
245
–
119
364
853

Closures /
Disposals
–
(191)
(203)
(134)
(45)
–
(573)
(8)
–
(581)
–
–
–
–
(81)
–
(124)
–
(58)
–
(263)
(263)
(844)
–
(27)
–
(27)
(871)

Repurposing /
Extensions
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
(490)
–
(490)
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
(490)
(490)
–
–
–
–
(490)

% of Group
at year end*
16.2%
0.3%
12.7%
1.8%
3.7%
0.6%
35.3%
1.2%
1.5%
38.0%
3.8%
11.8%
14.4%
30.0%
5.0%
6.3%
8.7%
3.6%
3.3%
3.2%
30.1%
60.1%
98.1%
1.5%
0.1%
0.3%
1.9%
100.0%

153

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Other informationGovernanceFinancial statementsStrategic report 
Supplementary information (unaudited) continued

Tesco Bank income statement 

Income Statement
Revenue
Interest receivable and similar income
Fees and commissions receivable

Direct Costs
Interest payable
Fees and commissions payable

Gross profit

Other expenses:
Staff costs
Premises and equipment
Other administrative expenses
Depreciation and amortisation (excluding amortisation of intangibles arising on acquisition)

Trading profit before provisions for bad and doubtful debts
Provisions for bad and doubtful debts

Trading profit

Deduct: Tesco Bank intangibles**
Restructuring and other one-off items***
Deduct: management charges
Deduct: IAS 17 Leasing charge

Operating profit

Net finance costs: Movements on derivatives and hedge accounting
Net finance costs: interest
Share of profit of joint ventures and associates

2014/15*
£m

2013/14
£m

537 
487 
1,024 

(153)
(29)
(182)

507 
496 
1,003 

(149)
(29)
(178)

842 

825 

(152)
(90)
(272)
(81)
(595)

247 
(53)

194 

(5)
(35)
(1)
(1)

152

(19)
(4)
5 

(146)
(87)
(266)
(71)
(570)

255 
(61)

194 

(12)
(63)
(1)
–

118 

6 
(6)
2 

Profit before tax
*  These results are for the 12 months ended 28 February 2015 and the previous year comparison is made with the 12 months ended 28 February 2014.
**  Tesco Bank intangibles relate to the non-cash amortisation of intangible assets that were recognised on acquisition. 
***   Restructuring and other one-off items in 2014/15 includes an increase on PPI provision of £27m and restructure costs of £8m.

134 

120 

The above is not a primary statement, nor a note to the financial statements and does not form part of the Group Income Statement. It is supplementary information to aid 
understanding of our non retail business. 

154

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Financial calendar

Financial year end 2014/15

Annual General Meeting/1Q interim management statement

Half-year end 2015/16

Interim results

3Q and Christmas interim management statement

Financial year end 2015/16

Please note that these dates are provisional and subject to change, with the exception of the financial year end.

28 February 2015

26 June 2015

29 August 2015

7 October 2015

14 January 2016

27 February 2016

Glossary

Capex % of sales
Capital expenditure as defined below, divided by Group sales including  
VAT and excluding IFRIC 13. 

Retail cash flow
Cash generated from/(used in) operations for retail activities.

Capital expenditure
The additions to property, plant and equipment, investment property and 
intangible assets (excluding assets acquired under business combinations).

Constant tax rate  
Using the prior year’s effective tax rate.

EBITDAR
Operating profit before depreciation, amortisation, rent and movements  
in impairments of property, plant and equipment, investment property and 
intangible assets.

Fixed charge cover
The ratio of EBITDAR (excluding Tesco Bank EBITDAR) divided by financing 
costs (net interest including capitalised interest and excluding IAS 32 and 39 
impacts and pension finance costs) plus operating lease expenses.

Free cash flow
Free cash flow is net cash generated from/(used in) operating activities less 
capital expenditure on property, plant and equipment, investment property 
and intangible assets.

Gearing
Net debt divided by total equity.

Growth in sales
The YoY% movement in sales for continuing operations excluding VAT 
excluding PFS and excluding IFRIC 13 for 52 weeks at constant fx rates.

Growth in trading profit
The YoY% movement in trading profit for continuing operations for 52 weeks 
at constant fx rates.

Loyal customers
Loyal customers are defined based on their frequency of spend and average 
weekly spend in our stores and online shopping over eight weeks.

Net debt
Net debt excludes the net debt of Tesco Bank but includes that of the 
discontinued operations. Net debt comprises bank and other borrowings, 
finance lease payables, net derivative financial instruments, joint venture 
loans and other receivables and net interest receivables/payables, offset by 
cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments.

Net indebtedness
The ratio of total indebtedness divided by EBITDAR (excluding Tesco Bank 
EBITDAR) from continuing operations.

Return on capital employed
Return divided by the average of opening and closing capital employed. 

Return
Profit (excluding the impact of one-off items) before interest after tax 
(applied at effective rate of tax).

Capital employed
Net assets (excluding the impact of one-off items) plus net debt plus 
dividend creditor less net assets held for resale and discontinued operations.

Total indebtedness
Net debt plus the IAS19 deficit in the pension schemes (net of associated 
deferred tax) plus the present value of future minimum rentals payable under 
non-cancellable operating leases.

Total shareholder return
The notional annualised return from a share, measured as the percentage 
change in the share price, plus the dividends paid with the gross dividends 
reinvested in Tesco shares. This is measured over both a one and five-year 
period. For example, five-year total shareholder return for 2013/14 is the 
annualised growth in the share price from 2008/09 and dividends paid and 
reinvested in Tesco shares, as a percentage of the 2008/09 share price.

Trading profit
Trading profit is an adjusted measure of operating profit and measures the 
performance of each segment before profits/losses arising on property-related 
items, the impact on leases of annual uplifts in rent and rent-free periods, 
intangible asset amortisation charges and costs arising from acquisitions, and 
goodwill impairment and restructuring and other one-off costs. The IAS 19 
pension charge is replaced with the ‘normal’ cash contributions for pensions. 
An adjustment is also made for the fair value of customer loyalty awards.

Underlying diluted earnings per share
Underlying profit less tax at the effective tax rate and non-controlling interest 
divided by the diluted weighted average number of shares in issue during  
the year.

Underlying net interest
Underlying net interest, as included in underlying profit, excludes net pension 
finance costs and IAS 39 ‘Finance Instruments’ – fair value measurements. 

Underlying profit before tax
Underlying profit before tax excludes the impact of non-cash elements of IAS 
17, 19, 32 and 39 (principally the impact of annual uplifts in rents and rent-free 
periods, pension costs, and the marking to market of financial instruments); 
the amortisation charge on intangible assets arising on acquisition and 
acquisition costs, and the non-cash impact of IFRIC 13. It also excludes profits/
losses on property-related items and restructuring and other one-off costs.

155

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Other informationGovernanceFinancial statementsStrategic reportFive-year record

Financial statistics (£m)
Sales including VAT excluding IFRIC 13
Revenue excluding IFRIC 13
UK
Europe
Asia
US
Tesco Bank
Group revenue excluding IFRIC 13
Trading profit
UK
Europe
Asia
US
Tesco Bank
Group trading profit
Operating profit(c)
Operating profit margin(c)
Share of post-tax profits/(losses) of joint ventures and associates
Net finance costs
Profit/(loss) before tax
Taxation
Profit/(loss) for the year from continuing operations
Discontinued operations
Profit/(loss) for the year
Attributable to:
 Owners of the parent
Non-controlling interests
Underlying profit before tax – continuing operations(d)

Other financial statistics
Diluted earnings/(losses) per share – continuing operations
Underlying diluted earnings per share – continuing operations
Dividend per share(e)
Return on capital employed (‘ROCE’)(f)
Total shareholder return(g)
Net debt (£m)
Enterprise value (£m)( j)

Group retail statistics
Number of stores
Total sales area – 000 sq. ft.(l)
Average employees
Average full-time equivalent employees

2011(b)

2012(a)

2013

2014

2015(q)

67,074

71,402

70,712

70,894

69,654

40,766
9,192
9,802
495
919
61,174

2,504
527
605
(186)
264
3,714
3,917
6.4%
57
(333)
3,641
(864)
2,777
(106)
2,671

2,655
16
3,853(o)

34.25p
36.26p
14.46p
12.9%(h)
6.7%
6,790
39,462

42,803
9,866
10,828
–
1,044
64,541

2,478
529
737
–
225
3,969
4,182
6.5%
91
(235)
4,038
(874)
3,164
(350)
2,814

2,806
8
4,149(o)

39.23p
40.31p
14.76p
14.7%(i)
 (3.0)%
6,838
32,324

43,582
9,319
10,045
–
1,021
63,967

2,272
329
733
–
191
3,525
2,382
3.7%
72
(397)
2,057
(529)
1,528
(1,504)
24

28
(4)
3,280

19.06p
33.74p
14.76p
14.5%(p) 
2.1%
6,597
36,578

5,265(k)
103,172(k)
488,347
382,049

6,049
110,563
514,615
401,791

6,653
106,040
506,856
388,375

43,570
9,267
10,309
–
1,003
64,149

2,191
238
692
–
194
3,315
2,631
4.1%
60
(432)
2,259
(347)
1,912
(942)
970

974
(4)
3,054

23.72p
32.05p
14.76p
13.6%(p) 
3.7%
6,597
33,597

7,305
109,572
510,444
391,868

43,573
8,515
9,884
–
1,024
62,996

467
164
565
–
194
1,390
(5,792)
(9.2%)
(13)
(571)
(6,376)
657
(5,719)
(47)
(5,766)

(5,741)
(25)
961

(70.24)p
9.42p
1.16p
4.1%
(9.5)%
8,481
28,415

7,817
110,474
506,984
386,086

3,561
42,236
215,747
201,963
22.41

UK retail statistics
Number of stores
Total sales area – 000 sq. ft.(l)
Average full-time equivalent employees
Revenue per employee – £(m)
Weekly sales per sq. ft. – £(n)
(a)   Excludes Japan and the US.
(b)   Excludes Japan.
(c)   Operating profit includes restructuring costs and profit arising on sale of fixed assets. Operating margin is based upon revenue excluding IFRIC 13.
(d)   See glossary for definitions. 
(e)   Dividend per share relating to the interim and proposed final dividend.
(f)   See glossary for definitions. 
(g)    See glossary for definitions. Measured over a 5 year period.
(h)  Includes Japan and the US.
(i) 

2,715
36,722
200,966
202,850
24.95

2,979
39,082
205,852
207,931
24.86

3,146
40,495
213,304
204,319
24.15

Includes the US.

3,378
41,823
217,158
200,637
23.33

( j)  Market capitalisation plus net debt.
(k)  Includes franchise stores but excludes Japan.
(l)  Store sizes exclude lobby and restaurant areas. 
(m)  Based on average number of full-time equivalent employees in the UK and revenue excluding IFRIC 13.
(n)  Based on weighted average sales area and average weekly sales, excluding Dobbies stores.
(o)  Includes profits/losses on property-related items.
(p)  Excludes China.
(q)  53 weeks.

156

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015Designed and produced by 
Addison Group
www.addison-group.net

Printed by DST Output Limited

This Report is printed on Amadeus Silk paper and 
has been independently certified on behalf of the 
Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC).  
The inks used are all vegetable oil based.

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Tesco PLC 
Tesco House 
Delamare Road 
Cheshunt 
Hertfordshire EN8 9SL

www.tescoplc.com/ar2015