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Tesco
Annual Report 2016

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FY2016 Annual Report · Tesco
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Annual Report and  
Financial Statements  
2016

Serving  
shoppers a  
little better  
every day

In this report

Strategic report 
Tesco at a glance 
Introduction 
Chairman’s statement 
CEO’s statement 
Turnaround priorities 
Business model 
KPIs: The Big 6 
Financial review 
Environmental and social review 
Principal risks and uncertainties 
Corporate governance 
Financial statements 
Other information 

Page
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160

Watch our videos
We have produced a number of short videos  
that are available at www.tescoplc.com/ar2016 
and are featured within our report this year,  
as indicated by the video screen icon 

Tesco at a glance

As one of the world’s largest retailers with 
476,000 colleagues, we serve millions of 
customers every week in our stores and online.

£48.4bn1
Group sales 
(exc. VAT, exc. fuel)
(14/15: £49.9bn)

£944m1
Group operating profit  
before exceptional  
items (14/15: £940m)

£1,046m1
Statutory operating 
profit/(loss) 
(14/15: £(5,750)m)

4.97p1
Diluted earnings per share before 
exceptional items and net pension 
finance costs (14/15: 5.46p)

£(5.1)bn2
Net debt
(14/15: £(8.5)bn)

476,0001
Colleagues  
at year-end
(14/15: 492,000)

6,9021,3
Shops around  
the world
(14/15: 6,849)

78m1
Shopping  
trips per week
(14/15: 77m)

18m
Meals donated through our food 
surplus redistribution work and 
Neighbourhood Food Collection

21

2

%

77

17

29

%

54

UK & ROI
International
Tesco Bank

Group sales 
(exc. VAT, exc. fuel)

Group operating profit 
before exceptional items

1  Reported on a continuing operations basis.
2  Excludes the net debt of Tesco Bank.
3  Includes franchise stores.

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016

01

Visit www.tescoplc.com/ar2016  
to see a short highlights video 
of 2015/16

Other informationCorporate governanceFinancial statementsStrategic reportIntroduction
Serving shoppers a  
little better every day

Last year we made a simple commitment. 
We set out to get back to what Tesco has 
always done best: being the champion for 
customers; putting customers first; and 
taking small actions to make big differences. 

Since then, we have begun to transform 
our business – from how we are organised 
to the way we work with our suppliers  
and ultimately the way that we serve  
our customers.

One of the most important changes we 
have made over the past year is to set out 
a new purpose for Tesco: ‘Serving shoppers 
a little better every day.’ This purpose guides 
all our decisions and shapes every action 
we take. 

Alongside our purpose, we have 
recommitted to three values:

•  No one tries harder for customers

•  We treat people how they want to be treated

•  Every little help makes a big difference

Whenever a customer chooses to shop 
at Tesco, we want their experience to 
be better than expected and better than 
the last – from the quality of the offer to 
the thoughtfulness of the service. With 
the skills, expertise and dedication of our 
476,000 colleagues worldwide, we are well 
placed to achieve this. By delivering our 
purpose, and staying true to our values, 
we can continue to build on the progress 
we have made this year. 

This has been a year of real change at Tesco. 
Our ambition now is to go further and do 
even more to reduce and simplify prices, 
improve ranges, continue to innovate 
and deliver excellent customer service.

Visit www.tescoplc.com/ar2016  
to see how we built a temporary 
store in Carlisle

02

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016 
Chairman’s statement
Strong foundations

John Allan 
Non-executive 
Chairman

It has been a very challenging year for 
Tesco, but I remain extremely positive 
and confident about the future of this 
great business. Tesco is an iconic brand, 
a national institution and an enormous 
employer, so I’m conscious of the huge 
responsibilities, not just to our customers, 
colleagues and shareholders, but to all 
our other stakeholders, including our 
supplier partners.

During the past year, there has been a 
renewed focus on corporate governance 
and the Board has spent a significant 
proportion of its time examining and 
strengthening our processes throughout 
the Group. Having a solid governance 
framework is key to rebuilding trust  
and transparency.

Across the business, we have continued 
with our wide-ranging corporate renewal 
plans and I’m pleased to say that these 
are very much on track. Through making 
some difficult decisions and putting the 
customer at the heart of all we do, we are 
rebuilding the business. It was a difficult 
decision to sell our Homeplus business  
in Korea, but it was an important step in 
repositioning the finances of the Group 
by generating £3.3bn of funds. The sale 
enabled us to take a significant step forward 
on our priority of strengthening the balance 
sheet. In addition, replacing the UK defined 
benefit pension scheme with a defined 
contribution scheme means we have a plan 
that is both competitive and sustainable 
for our colleagues over the long-term.

Further information on the work that  
has taken place during the year can  
be found in our corporate governance 
section on page 28. 

The Board and I feel we have the 
right balance of skills, experience and 
backgrounds to support and challenge 
the management team. The recent 
appointments of Alison Platt, Simon 
Patterson and Lindsey Pownall as 
additional independent Non-executive 
Directors have further strengthened 
the Board. Between them, they bring 
a wealth of customer service, IT and 
supplier relationships experience and 

we look forward to working with them 
to take the Company forward. 

On behalf of the Board, I would like  
to thank Dave Lewis and his senior 
management team for their continued 
hard work and dedication. Strong 
foundations have been laid since we 
began our turnaround and I believe that 
we have focused on the right priorities  
as we continue to rebuild and strengthen 
the business.

A highlight of my year has been getting 
out into the business and meeting so many 
of our colleagues, both in the UK and 
overseas, and seeing the passion and 
enthusiasm they have for Tesco. During 
a recent visit to South East Asia, I was 
delighted to see the recognition Tesco 
is receiving as a very attractive employer. 
I want it to be recognised how hard our 
colleagues have worked during the past 
year and thank them for their commitment 
through difficult times.

It is important that we get Tesco 
back to investment grade and paying 
dividends. We are a business of scale and 
complexity and have the resources to do 
a lot. But it will be our relentless focus on 
meeting customers’ needs that will help 
us to achieve our goals for the long-term 
success of the Company for the benefit 
of all our stakeholders.

John Allan 
Non-executive Chairman

Visit www.tescoplc.com/ar2016  
to hear more from John Allan  
on his first full year at Tesco

03

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Other informationCorporate governanceFinancial statementsStrategic reportCEO’s statement
A year of significant progress

Dave Lewis 
Group Chief 
Executive

This has been a significant year for Tesco. 
We have delivered unprecedented change 
over the past 12 months as we have begun 
to transform our business. 

We have taken decisive, immediate action 
on the challenges we faced. In a very 
deliberate way we have made the changes 
needed to re-energise the operation. We 
have guided our efforts with the three 
priorities we set out in October 2014:

1. to regain competitiveness in the core 

UK business;

2. to protect and strengthen the balance 

sheet; and

3. to rebuild trust and transparency.

As a result, we have stabilised the business 
and we are on track with where we expected 
to be. Of course there is still more to do 
– but we are on the road to recovery and 
momentum is building across the business.

Our business has always been at its 
best when we’ve made customers our 
absolute priority. Over the past year, 
we have restored our total commitment 
to giving the best possible service to our 
customers. This is reflected in the new 
purpose we have set out for the business: 
serving shoppers a little better every day. 
This is guiding every action we are taking 
and has been instrumental in making 
the UK business competitive again. 

As well as investing in lower, more 
stable pricing and improved service 
and availability, we have reviewed and 
simplified every one of our food ranges 
and added thousands of extra colleague 
hours on the shop floor to improve customer 
service. On-shelf availability has reached 
record levels, ensuring customers can get 
what they want, when they want it.

In October 2015, we became the first – 
and still only – retailer in the UK to offer 
customers an immediate price match 
at the till with Brand Guarantee, so they 
never pay more for their branded shop  
if it’s cheaper at Asda, Morrisons or 
Sainsbury’s when they buy 10 or more 
different products. 

And just two months ago, we launched  
a range of exclusive new fresh food brands, 
which are available only at Tesco and at 
great prices. These are allowing us to 
give our customers even more choice in 
great value, fresh food all under one roof. 

International sales have also strengthened 
despite trading in challenging markets, 
driven by improvements across our offer. 
We have built up strong positive sales 
momentum throughout the year in both 
Europe and Asia. Our largest international 
business, in Thailand, performed particularly 
well, culminating in its highest-ever market 
share. Our transformation programme 
in Europe has accelerated growth and 
reduced operating expense. 

Elsewhere in the Group, Tesco Bank 
continues to give customers a unique 
banking offer. And in Tesco Mobile, our 
joint venture with O2, we have a successful 
brand and a business recognised for 
delivering outstanding customer service. 

Visit www.tescoplc.com/ar2016  
to hear more from Dave Lewis

04

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016

By focusing on fixing the fundamentals  
of the shopping trip for customers, we 
have seen improving like-for-like trends  
in all our markets and positive like-for-like 
growth for the Group as a whole in the 
fourth quarter. Volumes and transactions 
are increasing across the Group as 
customers are buying more of what  
they need at Tesco. We are rebuilding 
profitability whilst continuing to invest in 
our offer for customers and have delivered  
Group operating profit1 of £944m this 
year, in line with expectations.

The long-term health of our balance sheet 
will be determined by our continued ability 
to improve profitability and generate cash, 
and I am pleased to say that we generated 
£2.6bn of cash2 this year – before taking 
into account the Korean sale proceeds – 
a significant improvement on last year. We 
have also taken some important decisions 
that – whilst difficult – have enabled us to 
move more quickly towards protecting and 
strengthening our balance sheet. These 
include the transition from a defined benefit 
pension scheme to a defined contribution 
scheme. We have also carefully negotiated 
the buy-back of 70 stores out of sale and 
leaseback structures, removing some of 
the burden of increased lease commitments 
and rental inflation.

Our progress towards rebuilding trust in our 
brand has been led by the commitment and 
passion demonstrated by our colleagues. 
Wherever I travel in our business, I see 
uplifting evidence of this. I am often humbled 
at the lengths so many colleagues go to in 
order to help others. Over the past year, I’ve 
spent a lot of time with colleagues in our stores 
and seen the commitment to serving our 
customers. Be it on the shop floor or behind 
the scenes, there are so many examples where 
colleagues are going the extra mile to serve 
shoppers a little better every day. Colleagues 
have faced unprecedented change, yet the 
resilience and empathy shown to customers 
and each other is unwavering. 

The examples are limitless: from the  
tiny things that make customers smile  
to the thoughtful acts that make their day.  
One of my favourite examples of dedication 
to our customers is the colleague who 
spent hours navigating heavy snowfall 
to hand-deliver shopping to a 96-year-old 
unable to receive her usual online delivery 
or to leave her house for groceries. 

And there are the community and charity 
projects we can really be proud of too. We’ve 
made a new commitment to ensure all surplus 
food from Tesco stores in the UK goes to 
charity and not waste by 2017. Our work 
with Community Food Connection continues 
to redistribute surplus food from our stores 
to local charities to help feed those most 
in need and we have extended it to over 
100 large stores, with plans to roll out  
to all large stores by the end of 2016. 

Our charity partnership with Diabetes 
UK and the British Heart Foundation is the 
first of its kind and on its way to raising 
our target of £30m to promote healthy 
living. And customers have chosen specific 
community projects to receive £11.5m 
raised from the sale of Tesco bags in the UK 
since October 2015, donated through Bags 
of Help – one of the biggest environmental 
improvement drives the UK has ever seen. 

As this report describes, we have made 
significant progress from where we were a 
year ago. The actions we’ve taken to reaffirm 
our competitiveness in the UK, protect 
the balance sheet, and rebuild trust and 
transparency have stabilised our business.

As a team, we are committed to serving 
shoppers a little better every day, in what 
remains a challenging, deflationary and 
uncertain market. We are confident that the 
investments we are making are leading to 
sustainable improvements for customers whilst 
creating long-term value for our shareholders.

I am sure that it will be another busy year 
and I’m confident that with the customer 
at the heart of everything we do, we will 
continue to rebuild our fortunes as a business. 

Dave Lewis 
Group Chief Executive

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1  Group operating profit is shown before exceptional items.
2  Cash generated from retail operations.

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016

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Corporate governanceFinancial statementsStrategic report 
 
 
 
 
Turnaround priorities
Regaining competitiveness

Over the course of this year, we have 
worked hard to regain our competitiveness 
– particularly in the UK. To do this, we first 
listened to our customers and understood 
what it was that they needed from their 
shopping trip.

They highlighted three main themes:

•  they wanted their shopping trip 

to be easier;

•  they wanted better availability 

on the products that matter most, 
every day; and

•  they wanted lower, more stable 

prices they can trust all of the time. 

Over the past year, we have responded.  
We simplified our store structures, investing 
in 9,000 more customer-facing roles in 
store. We have reviewed the range of 
products we sell in every one of our 33 

food categories, reducing the total number 
of product lines by 18%. As well as making 
the range easier for customers to shop, 
this has helped us to increase on-shelf 
availability to record levels by providing 
more space for the products which are 
purchased most frequently. 

These changes have been delivered by 
working closely with our supplier partners. 
Together, we have moved to a more efficient 
and sustainable way of working, helping 
us to further reduce prices for customers. 
In total, in the year we have brought down 
the cost of an average weekly shop by over 
3%. In addition, by removing inefficiencies 
in the supply chain, we have been able to 
provide up to two days’ more freshness in 
our fruit and vegetables.

As well as lower, more stable prices, 
customers want complete peace of mind 
that they won’t lose out at Tesco – even  
if the products they wish to buy are available 
on promotion elsewhere. They also prefer 
simple, immediate value rather than 
vouchers. In October, we launched our 
unique Brand Guarantee, reassuring 
customers that if their branded shop could 
be found more cheaply elsewhere, we would 
take the money immediately off their bill.

The progress we have made is being 
recognised. We measure customer 
satisfaction through our Customer 
Viewpoint Survey – a weekly measure 
that captures direct customer feedback 
in every store. In total, we have seen an 
improvement of 5% in the proportion 
of customers rating overall service and 
colleague helpfulness as excellent, and 
every individual measure below this has 
also improved.

The clearest sign that we are more 
competitive again is that more customers 
are buying more things at Tesco. We have 
seen sales volumes and weekly transactions 
improve throughout the year, generating 
annual positive volume growth for the first 
time in five years. Volumes were up 3.3% 
and transactions were up 2.8% in the 
fourth quarter.

We are encouraged by our progress but 
we know that there is a lot more we can do 
and that we can continue to become even 
more competitive by putting the customer 
at the heart of every decision we make.

Brand Guarantee
If a customer’s branded grocery 
shop is cheaper at Asda, Morrisons 
or Sainsbury’s, when they buy 
10 or more different products, 
we instantly take the money 
off the bill at the till. We even 
compare branded promotions, 
so customers can check out 
with confidence there and 
then. No vouchers, no waiting, 
no wondering if there’s a better 
deal elsewhere. We’ve introduced 
this because it’s the right thing 
for customers – and we’re very 
proud of it.

For more information visit  
www.tesco.com/brandguarantee

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Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016

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Protecting the balance sheet

We have made significant progress towards 
our aim of protecting and strengthening 
the balance sheet this year, reducing our 
total indebtedness by £6.2bn. A strong 
balance sheet gives us more flexibility 
to invest in improving the shopping trip 
for customers.

We have taken a number of actions  
to strengthen our position:

•  repositioned the finances of the Group 
through the sale of our Homeplus 
business in Korea, which itself reduced 
total indebtedness by £4.1bn;

•  provided sustainable benefits for 

colleagues and a greater certainty on 
future cash requirements by replacing 
the UK defined benefit pension scheme 
with a defined contribution scheme;

•  improved the potential for medium-term 
returns by consolidating the Central 
European businesses;

•  taken a much more disciplined approach 
to capital investment and delivered, 
as planned, a significant reduction 
in total expenditure;

•  adopted a new approach to cash 

payments to suppliers as part of our 
efforts to build trusted and transparent 
relationships; and

•  increased our ownership of freehold 

property, reducing exposure to 
index-linked and fixed-uplift leases.

We have begun to make a big cultural 
shift in the way colleagues think about 
the finances of the business, with a much 
improved understanding of the importance 
of cash. All colleagues are asked to think 
about the impact they can have on improving 
the cash flow in the business, whether that 
be through reducing slow-moving stock in 
our warehouses or making our shop floor 
operations more efficient. 

Our firm focus on generating cash from 
our trading activities and maintaining 
discipline in our capital expenditure 
will be key to making further progress 
in protecting and strengthening the 
balance sheet going forward.

Property ownership
Our long-term aim is to increase 
the ownership of our property  
and reduce our exposure to 
index-linked and fixed-uplift 
inflation. 

In March 2015, we completed 
an asset swap with British Land, 
regaining sole ownership of  
21 superstores and in February 
2016, we regained sole ownership 
of 49 large stores and two 
distribution centres from Phoenix 
Life Assurance and the British 
Airways Pension Fund. 

These transactions increased 
our freehold ownership ratio in 
the UK & ROI by 6% to 47% and 
generated a saving in fixed-uplift 
and index-linked rent of £115m 
per annum at current rental 
levels. 

We continue to evaluate 
opportunities to further reduce our 
exposure to indexed rent inflation.

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016

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Other informationFinancial statementsCorporate governance 
Turnaround priorities continued

Rebuilding trust and transparency

Sadly, trust in our brand has been eroded 
in recent years. Trust should never be 
taken for granted and it will take time 
and perseverance to restore it fully.

We are working hard to rebuild that 
trust with our colleagues, customers, 
suppliers and other key stakeholders 
and want to build more open and 
transparent relationships. 

We are giving customers lower, simpler 
and more stable prices to ensure they can 
trust Tesco to deliver the best shopping 
trip at the best price. And having listened 
to customer feedback, we are redirecting 
promotional spend into shelf-edge prices.

In addition, we have completely reorganised 
our relationships with suppliers. In October 
2014, we drew a line under our past and 
started to reset the way we work. We 
refocused on new performance measures 
and retrained our teams.

We have fundamentally changed the  
way we operate and have implemented 
significant initiatives that improve the  
way we work with suppliers and our 
commercial culture, and simplify how  
we buy and sell.

We have completely changed our Product 
team structure, focusing on getting the 
offer right for customers and prioritising 
sales and total profit over margin rate. 

We also became the first UK retailer to publish 
payment terms with suppliers.

The Supplier Network which we launched 
at the start of 2015 has now grown to more 
than 5,000 members, and we set up a special 
helpline for suppliers to solve any issues that 
may arise within 48 hours.

Our latest Supplier Viewpoint measure of 
how suppliers view their relationships with 
Tesco recognises the positive impact of all 
these changes. The results show a significant 
improvement year-on-year, increasing from 
51% to 68% in the UK and from 58% to 
70% for the Group as a whole.

We have also made a number of changes 
which aim to help shareholders and other 
stakeholders understand our performance. 
These include much greater alignment 
between the way we run the business 
internally and the way we report our results 
externally and a move to operating profit as 
our headline performance measure, adjusted 
only for any large and distorting impacts. 

Tesco today is a very different business. 
We are proud of how our colleagues and 
suppliers have responded to the changes 
we have made. Our customers are noticing 
the differences too – they’re enjoying 
better service and buying more of what 
they need at Tesco. And our journey will 
continue, guided by our commitment to 
serve shoppers a little better every day.

08

Dairy farmers
The groundbreaking Tesco 
Sustainable Dairy Group, set 
up in 2007, continues to give 
farmers fair prices and deals 
for their milk. 

In our commitment to dairy 
farmers, all Tesco own-label 
standard-tier yoghurt is now 
made with milk sourced from 
Britain with the exception of 
those with protected origins – 
including authentic Greek 
yoghurt and French fromage 
frais. This has seen us increase 
the amount of British milk in 
our standard-range yoghurts 
from two-thirds to 100% and 
has increased the demand 
for milk from farms across 
the whole country. 

We have also extended our 
financial support for First Milk 
farmers who supply milk for our 
own-label cheese to help cover 
production costs throughout 
the winter and into the spring.

Visit www.tescoplc.com/ar2016  
to see more about our 
supplier relationships

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016S
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Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016

09

 
 
 
 
Business model
Keeping it simple

Our business is organised around 
the three pillars of Customers, 
Product and Channels. The way 
we work is now much simpler  
and clearer.

At Tesco, we focus on the little 
things to make a big difference. 
Customers are the priority. 
We place them at the centre 
of everything we do to deliver  
our purpose – serving shoppers 
a little better every day.

10

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016

Customers

Tesco exists to serve customers –  
and our business model has  
customers  at its core.

We listen to our customers  
and act on what is important to them  
to deliver the best shopping trip:  
price, service, range and availability.

Reinvest

Our main focus is to improve Tesco for 
customers. We are committed to becoming 
more efficient and reinvesting some of the 
savings we make to improving the 
shopping trip.

The reason for this reinvestment is clear:  
the better a job we do for customers, 
the more we will improve sales; the more 
our sales improve, the more we  
can reinvest.

Channels

To bring the best products to  
customers, we work through  
a range of channels – from small  
shops to large shops and through  
our growing online business. 

As part of improving our offer, 
we are investing 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.  
Our ways of working in this team have  
been rewritten with an absolute focus  
on fair, transparent, mutually beneficial 
relationships with suppliers. The Product  
team work with our suppliers to source  
the best-possible range of quality  
products that meet and anticipate  
our customers’ needs. 

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016

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Strategic reportCorporate governance 
 
 
KPIs
The Big 6

We aim to serve shoppers  
a little better every day and  
have six simple, key business 
performance measures.

On every KPI, we have made 
good progress. As a team,  
we are doing a better job for  
our customers and improving  
our relationships with our 
suppliers, whilst creating  
long-term sustainable  
value for shareholders. 

Grow
sales

+0.1%

£48.4bn
Group sales (exc. VAT, exc. fuel)1

Increasing volume is key to the success  
of our business model and both volumes  
and transactions are increasing as  
customers are buying more products,  
more often at Tesco.

Customers

recommend us and come 

back time and again

+1.2%

loyalty

£944m 
Group operating profit  
before exceptional items1

If we continue to deliver a better  
shopping trip for customers, building  
more value into our offer, we will achieve  
a stronger financial position.

Deliver 
profit

+1.1%

Colleagues

recommend us as a great 

place to work and shop

+11%

2014/15 2015/16

£2,581m 
Retail cash generated from operations2

Strong operating cash flow is needed to 
keep the business running and allows us 
to reinvest. These positive figures show our 
financial position is improving.

Improve operating
cash flow
+39%

We build trusted

partnerships

+12%

2014/15 2015/16

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    2014/152015/162014/152015/162014/152015/16Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
Grow

sales

+0.1%

Customers
recommend us and come 
back time and again

+1.2%
loyalty

Group customer loyalty3

By putting customers first and making  
them our main focus, more shoppers  
are choosing to shop at Tesco. There is  
more progress to be made but the 
improvements are positive so far.

Deliver 

profit

+1.1%

Colleagues
recommend us as a great 
place to work and shop

+11%

81% 
Great place to work4

41 NPS 
Great place to shop5

2014/15 2015/16

It’s been a year of substantial change for 
colleagues, but their commitment, passion 
and energy has remained focused on 
serving shoppers a little better every day.

Improve operating

cash flow

+39%

We build trusted
partnerships
+12%

2014/15 2015/16

70% 
Group supplier satisfaction6

We have simplified our 
 relationships with suppliers and 
seen a sharp improvement in 
supplier satisfaction since last year.

1  Reported on a continuing operations basis. Growth is at a constant exchange rate, on a comparable 52-week basis.
2  Includes Korea to the point of disposal. Growth is at a constant exchange rate, on a comparable 52-week basis.
3  We define loyal customers based on their frequency of shopping with us and average weekly spend.
4  Based on our internal ‘What Matters To You?’ survey. Percentage increase relates to the ‘Great place to work’ measure.
5  Net Promoter Score (‘NPS’) equals ‘fans’ (those scoring 9-10 out of 10) minus ‘critics’ (those scoring 0-6) on an 11 point scale question of 0-10.
6  Based on the question “Overall, how satisfied are you with your experience of working with Tesco?” in our Supplier Viewpoint Survey.

13

    2014/152015/162014/152015/162014/152015/16Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Other informationFinancial statementsStrategic reportCorporate governance 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
Group results 2015/16

52 weeks ended  
27 February 2016 

On a continuing  
operations basis

Group sales  
(exc. VAT, exc. fuel)

Fuel

Revenue (exc. VAT, inc. fuel)

Group operating profit  
before exceptional items2

– UK & ROI3

– International

– Tesco Bank

Include exceptional items

Group statutory operating  
profit/(loss)

Group profit before tax before 
exceptional items and net 
pension finance costs 

Group statutory profit/(loss) 
before tax

Diluted EPS before  
exceptional items

Diluted EPS before exceptional 
items and net pension finance 
costs

Diluted EPS

Capex

Net debt4,5

Cash generated from retail 
operations4

Year-on-
year 
change1
(Constant 
exchange 
rates)

0.1%

(11.3)%

(1.3)%

Year-on-
year 
change1
(Actual) 
exchange 
rates)

(1.6)%

(10.9)%

(2.8)%

Change vs 
53-week 
2014/15 
statutory 
results

(3.0)%

(14.0)%

(4.4)%

1.1%

1.4%

11.4%

0.0%

0.6%

9.1%

0.4%

1.4%

9.1%

(13.8)%

(13.8)%

(13.8)%

2015/16

2014/15

£48,352m

£49,853m

£6,081m

£54,433m

£7,072m

£56,925m

£944m

£505m

£277m

£162m

£102m

£940m

£498m

£254m

£188m

£(6,690)m

£1,046m

£(5,750)m

n/m

n/m

n/m

£435m

£490m

(11.9)%

(11.2)%

£162m

£(6,334)m

n/m

n/m

3.41p

4.14p

4.97p

2.76p

5.46p

(69.56)p

£1.0bn

£(5.1)bn

£1.8bn

£(8.5)bn

£2.6bn

£1.9bn

(17.6)%

(9.1)%

n/m

down 45.4%

down 39.7%

up 38.8%

1  Change is shown on a comparable 52-week basis.
2  Exceptional items are excluded by virtue of their size and nature in order to better reflect management’s view 

of the performance of the Group.

3  The elimination of intercompany transactions between continuing operations and the Korea discontinued 

operation, as required by IFRS 5 and IFRS 10, has resulted in a reduction to the prior period UK & ROI operating 
profit of £(9)m.

4  Includes both continuing and discontinued operations.
5  Net debt excludes the net debt of Tesco Bank.

This has been a transformational year for 
Tesco, in which we have reset the business 
on a road of recovery. We delivered sales 
excluding VAT, excluding fuel, of £48.4bn  
in the year, 0.1% above last year on a 
52-week basis at constant exchange rates 
and saw improving like-for-like sales 
trends in all areas of the Group. This year 
we moved to a simpler profit measure 

based on operating profit before 
exceptional items and, on that basis, profits 
were £944m as we started to rebuild profit 
momentum whilst continuing to invest in 
the customer offer. Our statutory profit 
before tax was £162m. We generated 
£2.6bn cash from retail operations, a 39% 
increase year-on-year and reduced our 
total indebtedness by £6.2bn to £(15.5)bn.

Financial review 

Alan 
Stewart
Chief 
Financial 
Officer

“This has been a 

transformational 
year for Tesco, in 
which we have reset 
the business on a 
road of recovery.”

Visit www.tescoplc.com/ar2016  
to find PDF and Excel downloads  
of our financial statements

14

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016 
Segmental results

UK & ROI

Sales (exc. VAT, exc. fuel)

Like-for-like sales (exc. VAT, exc. fuel)

Revenue (exc. VAT, inc. fuel)

Revenue includes: fuel

Operating profit before exceptional items

Operating profit margin before exceptional items

52 week 
change at 
constant 
exchange 
rates

(0.5)%

52 week 
change at 
actual 
exchange 
rates

(0.9)%

1.4%

4bp

0.6%

4bp

This year

£37,189m

(0.7)%

£43,080m

£5,891m

£505m

1.17%

In the UK and the Republic of Ireland, there 
was a marked improvement in like-for-like 
sales performance from (1.3)% in the first 
half to (0.1)% in the second half.

In the UK, customers are responding well 
to changes we have made in all aspects of 
our offer and we have seen an improving 

trend through the year in both customer 
numbers and volume growth. Full-year 
UK sales declined by (0.4)% on a  
52-week basis, reflecting both an 
improving trajectory in our like-for-like 
sales performance and a declining 
contribution from net new store space, 
due to store closures.

UK like-for-like sales performance1

ROI like-for-like sales performance1 

14/15
3Q

14/15
4Q

15/16
1Q

15/16
2Q

15/16
3Q

15/16
4Q

0.9%

14/15
3Q

14/15
4Q

15/16
1Q

15/16
2Q

15/16
3Q

15/16
4Q

1.0%

(X.X)

(1.7)%

(X.X)

(1.3)%

(1.0)%

(1.5)%

(5.1)%

1  Exc. Vat, exc. fuel.
1   Exc. VAT, exc. fuel.

International

Sales (exc. VAT, exc. fuel)

Like-for-like sales (exc. VAT, exc. fuel)

Revenue (exc. VAT, inc. fuel)

Revenue includes: fuel

Operating profit before exceptional items

Operating profit margin before exceptional items

(1.2)%

(2.9)%

(4.4)%

(6.9)%

(6.7)%

1   Exc. VAT, exc. fuel.

52 week 
change at 
constant 
exchange 
rates

1.8%

52 week 
change at 
actual 
exchange 
rates

(4.3)%

11.4%

23bp

9.1%

34bp

This year

£10,208m

2.3%

£10,398m

£190m

£277m

2.66%

International sales grew by 1.8% at 
constant exchange rates. We achieved 
positive like-for-like sales growth in both 
Asia and Europe in the second half, driven 
by improvements across our offer with 
a particular emphasis on price and fresh 
foods. We delivered market share gains 
in five of our seven international markets.

In Central Europe, the restructure of the 
management team for Czech Republic, 
Hungary, Poland and Slovakia is complete 
and moves us from operating as four 
individual country teams to one single 
regional team. We are in the process of 
moving to an operating model which will 
create substantial buying and operational 

UK like-for-like sales, excluding VAT and 
excluding fuel, fell by (0.6)% in the year 
but improved over the course of the year, 
rising by 0.9% in the fourth quarter driven 
by a strong performance across all our 
store formats and product categories. 
High levels of deflation persisted due 
to our own price investments in addition 
to commodity price decreases. 

In the Republic of Ireland, we made a 
significant investment to ensure our 
customers receive the most competitive 
offer possible. Like-for-like sales performance 
turned positive in the fourth quarter for 
the first time since 2012.

Our full-year UK & ROI operating profit 
before exceptional items was £505m, 
with margin growth of 81 basis points 
between the first and the second half. 
This improvement marks the next stage 
of our journey to rebuild profitability 
from the losses we made in the second 
half of 2014/15. We have made permanent 
reductions to our cost base, transformed 
the way we work with suppliers, started to 
generate leverage through increasing sales 
volumes and begun to improve productivity 
throughout our operations.

synergies and help us to fund further 
improvements in the customer offer.

International profits increased by 11.4% 
at constant exchange rates to £277m, with 
margin growth of 138 basis points between 
the first and the second half. The ‘food 
supervision fee’ which had been proposed 
in Hungary was not introduced and therefore 
has no impact on these results. We continue 
to be cautious about potential legislative 
changes in our European markets. Following 
investments in the offer in both Asia and 
Europe, we have seen improving like-for-
like sales growth and we are beginning 
to generate positive operational gearing.

15

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Other informationCorporate governanceFinancial statementsStrategic reportFinancial review continued

Segmental results continued

Tesco Bank

Revenue

Operating profit before exceptional items

Lending to customers

Customer deposits

Net interest margin

Risk asset ratio

This year

£955m

£162m

£8,542m

£7,397m

4.2%

20.0%

Year-on-
year change

0.8%

(13.8)%

10.6%

7.0%

0.0%

1.2%

Tesco Bank continues to offer customers 
a differentiated banking and insurance 
offer, with 7.6 million accounts at the 
year-end. Active customer account 
numbers have grown by 1.0%, supported 
by a strengthened customer proposition 
including higher value personal loan 

products, 95% loan-to-value mortgages 
and the removal of monthly current 
account fees. Customer lending increased 
by 10.6% to £8.5bn, with strong growth 
in mortgage balances. Operating profit 
before exceptional items reduced by 
(13.8)% to £162m. This decline was 

Exceptional items in operating profit

Net impairment of property, plant and equipment, onerous lease provisions, 
intangible assets and investments in joint ventures and associates

Net restructuring and redundancy

Property transactions

Past service credit and associated costs arising on UK defined benefit pension scheme 
closure

Stock-related

Reversal of commercial income recognised in prior years:

– Recognised in 13/14

– Recognised in years prior to 13/14

Other

This year

Last year

£(408)m

£(126)m

£156m

£480m

–

–

–

–

£(5,389)m

£(406)m

–

–

£(500)m

£(53)m 

£(155)m

£(187)m

Total exceptional items in operating profit

£102m

£(6,690)m

Exceptional items are excluded from our 
headline performance measures by virtue 
of their size and nature, in order to better 
reflect management’s view of the 
performance of the Group. In the current 
year, the net effect of exceptional items 
on operating profit is £102m, with a mix 
of both charges and credits:

•  An information technology impairment 
and asset write-off of £(275)m, as we 
move towards a single online platform 
for customers and a net non-cash property 
impairment and onerous lease provision 
of £(133)m, including write-downs  
of construction-in-progress and 
non-trading sites of £(109)m.

•  A UK & ROI net restructuring and 

redundancy charge of £(126)m relates 
principally to store colleague structures 
and working practices changes and business 
rationalisation, and is partially offset by 
the release of a prior year provision.

•  We generated net profits (pre-tax)  

of £156m from property transactions. 
In order to increase our freehold 
ownership and reduce our exposure  
to indexed rent reviews, we regained 
sole ownership of 70 stores and two 
distribution centres in transactions  
with British Land in March 2015, and 
Phoenix Life Assurance and the British 
Airways Pension Fund in February 2016. 

primarily due to the introduction of 
European Commission caps on interchange 
income from December 2015, following 
the initial reduction driven by MasterCard’s 
agreement with the Competition and 
Markets Authority last April. The full-year 
effect of this change will be felt in the 
2016/17 financial year. 

Risk-weighted assets have risen in line 
with lending and the Core Tier 1 ratio 
has improved to 16.6%. The balance 
sheet remains strong and well-positioned 
to support future lending growth from 
both a liquidity and capital perspective.

In October 2015, we agreed the sale 
of 14 sites in the south of England to 
Meyer Bergman for mixed-use and 
residential development, generating 
cash proceeds of £218m in the year.

•  Following the closure of our UK defined 
benefit pension scheme in November,  
a non-cash actuarial credit of £538m 
has been recognised, as all accrued 
deferred pension benefits now increase 
in line with the consumer price index, 
rather than the retail price index. This 
was partly offset by a £(58)m charge 
related to the scheme closure, including 
a payment to members, equivalent to 
one week’s pay and capped at £500 per 
colleague, paid directly into a new 
defined contribution scheme.

Last year, we recognised exceptional items 
of £(6.7)bn, of which around £(0.6)bn was 
linked to a direct future cash outflow.

Visit www.tescoplc.com/ar2016  
to find PDF and Excel downloads  
of our financial statements

16

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Joint ventures, interest and tax

Joint ventures and associates 
Losses from joint ventures and associates 
increased by £(8)m to £(21)m, due to a higher 
level of losses from our partnership with CRH 
in China in addition to a lower initial level of 

dunnhumby profitability following the 
restructure of our relationship with Kroger 
in April 2015. These impacts were partially 
offset by increased profits recognised  
on our UK  property joint ventures.

Finance costs and income

Interest receivable and similar income

Finance income

Interest payable

Capitalised interest

IAS 32 and 39 ‘Financial instruments’ – fair value remeasurements

IAS 19 net pension finance costs

Finance costs

Exceptional charge: Translation of Korea proceeds

Statutory finance costs

This year

Last year

£29m

£29m

£(504)m

£6m

£(19)m

£(155)m

£(672)m

£(220)m

£(892)m

£80m

£80m

£(535)m

£44m

£(26)m

£(134)m

£(651)m

–

£(651)m

Interest receivable and other income 
decreased by £(51)m to £29m, due to 
reduced income from debt-hedging swaps. 
Finance costs increased by £21m to £(672)m. 
Interest payable includes an overall reduction 

of £49m in interest costs on bonds and 
medium term notes, which was largely offset 
by the unwinding of the discount on onerous 
lease provisions. The prior year also included 
set-up costs relating to new credit facilities. 

Taxation
Tax on profit before exceptional items was 
£(8)m with an effective rate of tax for the 
Group of 3%. This tax rate is lower than 
the UK statutory rate primarily due to a 
lower book value than tax value of property 
assets disposed of in the year, partially 
offset by unrecognised tax losses.

On a statutory basis, including an 
exceptional credit of £86m relating 
to a release of provisions in respect 
of uncertain tax positions following 
settlement of a number of historic 
enquiries relating to years up to 2011, 
there is a tax credit of £54m.

Capitalised interest reduced by £38m, 
reflecting a lower level of work-in-progress. 
Net pension finance costs of £(155)m rose in 
line with the opening pension deficit, offset 
in part by a lower opening discount rate.

An exceptional non-cash loss of £(220)m 
arose on the translation of the proceeds 
from the sale of our Homeplus business 
in Korea, which are held in GBP money 
market funds in a non-Sterling denominated 
subsidiary. This does not represent any 
economic cost to the Group.

The effective underlying tax rate for the 
2016/17 financial year is expected to be 
around 30%.

Earnings per share
Diluted earnings per share before 
exceptional items were 3.41p, down (17.6)% 
on last year despite a lower tax charge  
due to higher net finance costs. Diluted 

earnings per share before exceptional 
items and net pension finance costs  
were 4.97p, (9.1)% lower year-on-year. 
Statutory diluted earnings per share from 

continuing operations were higher 
than last year at 2.76p reflecting 
significant exceptional items  
in the prior year.

17

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Other informationCorporate governanceFinancial statementsStrategic reportFinancial review continued

Protecting and strengthening our balance sheet

Summary of total indebtedness

Net debt (excludes Tesco Bank)

Discounted operating lease commitments

Pension deficit, IAS 19 basis (post-tax)

Total indebtedness

Last year

Movement

This year

£(5,110)m

£(7,814)m

£(2,612)m

£(8,481)m

£(9,353)m

£(3,885)m

£(15,536)m

£(21,719)m

£3,371m

£1,539m

£1,273m

£6,183m

We have made significant progress over 
the course of this year to reduce our total 
indebtedness from £(21.7)bn to £(15.5)bn. In 
this measure of indebtedness, we include net 
debt, discounted lease commitments and our 
net pension liability as measured by IAS 19. 

Our firm focus on generating cash from 
our trading activities and maintaining 
discipline in our capital expenditure 
will be key to making further progress 
in protecting and strengthening the 
balance sheet going forward.

Retail cash flow and net debt1

Cash flow from operations excluding working capital

(Increase)/decrease in working capital

– impact from exceptional items

– cash impact of new approach to supplier payments

– underlying decrease in working capital

Cash generated from operations

Interest paid

Corporation tax received/(paid)

Net cash generated from retail operating activities

Cash capital expenditure

Free cash flow

Other investing activities

Net cash (used in)/from financing activities and intra-Group funding 
and intercompany transactions

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

Include/(exclude) cash movements in debt items

Fair value and other non-cash movements

Movement in net debt

1  Includes both continuing and discontinued operations.

This year

£2,231m

Last year

£715m

£(91)m

£(231)m

£672m

£2,581m

£(422)m

£125m

£2,284m

£(1,004)m

£1,805m

£(1,073)m

£413m

£1,860m

£(609)m

£(347)m

£904m

£(2,244)m

£1,280m

£(1,340)m

£543m

£253m

£(854)m

£969m

£4,219m

£(1,817)m

£239m

£(848)m

£(1,010)m

£(26)m

£3,371m

£(1,884)m

We generated £2.2bn cash from continuing 
and discontinued retail operations and 
improved working capital by £0.4bn. On 
an underlying and continuing operations 
basis, working capital improved by £0.4bn 
driven by a £0.3bn reduction in inventory 
with improvements evident in all areas of 
the Group and a £0.1bn inflow from trade 

balances, including an improvement from 
an increased focus on up-front unit price. 
Additionally, there was a £0.3bn inflow 
generated by our discontinued business  
in Korea up to the point of disposal. The 
overall reduction in working capital also 
includes the net impact of exceptional 
items of £(0.1)bn and the first half £(0.2)bn 

outflow relating to the new approach  
to cash payments to suppliers which we 
outlined last year. 

Interest paid was £187m lower than last 
year as three medium term notes which 
matured in the prior year were refinanced 
at lower rates. In addition, timing differences 
resulted in a lower number of instalments 
requiring payment in 2015/16 than the 
prior year. 

Cash tax was a net refund of £125m, which  
arose primarily as tax losses made in the 
2014/15 financial year were carried back to 
offset against taxable profits from 2013/14. 

Cash movements of £4.2bn in debt  
items primarily reflect the proceeds  
from the sale of our Homeplus business  
in Korea, which have been placed in 
short-term investments.

Fair value and other non-cash movements 
include £1.5bn of debt acquired when we 
regained sole ownership of 70 stores and 
two distribution centres.

Discounted operating  
lease commitments 
Discounted operating lease commitments 
reduced by £1.5bn in the year, including 
a £0.8bn reduction arising from the sale 
of our Homeplus business in Korea.

We completed three property transactions, 
regaining ownership of 70 stores and two 
distribution centres which reduced discounted 
lease commitments by a further £0.6bn.

With some of our lease agreements, we 
have an option on a specific date to buy 

back the property or to buy back the equity 
of our joint venture partner at market value. 
As we are not obliged to make lease payments 
after the buy-back date, we do not include 
these as part of our indebtedness. If we 
were to include them, it would increase 
our lease commitments by £2.6bn.

Pension 
In November 2015, we replaced our defined 
benefit pension scheme with a defined 
contribution scheme, providing sustainable 
benefits for colleagues and greater certainty 
on future cash requirements.

On an accounting basis, the Group’s net 
pension deficit after tax decreased from 

£(3.9)bn last year to £(2.6)bn at the 
year-end. This was driven by a recalculation 
of the deficit following the closure of the 
UK defined benefit scheme and an increase 
of 30 basis points in real corporate bond 
yields, leading to a corresponding increase 
in the discount rate used to measure our 
long-term liabilities. In accordance with 
the long-term deficit funding agreement 

with the Trustee of £270m per annum in 
place since April 2015, a cash contribution 
of £249m was made to the scheme. Following 
the significant reduction in future pension 
risk, by closing the defined benefit scheme, 
the Trustee is now working with its advisers 
and the Company to reduce risk further, 
by beginning to implement an asset 
derisking strategy.

18

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016S
t
r
a
t
e
g

i
c
r
e
p
o
r
t

C
o
r
p
o
r
a
t
e
g
o
v
e
r
n
a
n
c
e

Capital expenditure

UK & ROI

International

Tesco Bank

Group

This year

Last year

£0.7bn

£0.3bn

–

£1.0bn

£1.3bn

£0.4bn

£0.1bn

£1.8bn

Capital expenditure was £1.0bn, a 
decrease of £0.8bn year-on-year, with 
lower spend in each region. Group  
capital expenditure in 2016/17 will be 

around £1.25bn including an increased 
spend to refresh UK stores and an 
accelerated store-opening programme  
in Thailand.

Property

Property1 – fully owned

– Estimated market value

– Net book value2

% net selling space owned

% total property owned – by value3

UK & ROI

Inter-
national

£13.3bn

£12.6bn

52%

47%

£6.4bn

£5.0bn

71%

75%

Group

£19.7bn

£17.6bn

61%

54%

1  Stores, malls, investment properties, offices, distribution centres, fixtures and fittings and work-in-progress. 

Excludes joint ventures.

2  Property, plant and equipment excluding vehicles.
3  Excludes fixtures and fittings.

Our long-term aim is to increase the 
ownership of our property and reduce our 
exposure to index-linked and fixed-uplift 
inflation. The March 2015 asset swap with 
British Land and February 2016 transactions 
with Phoenix Life Assurance and the 
British Airways Pension Fund, through 
which we regained sole ownership of 70 
large stores and two distribution centres, 
enabled us to increase the proportion  
of freehold property in the UK & ROI by  

Outlook 
We have made good progress over the  
last year. We are continuing to invest in  
our customer offer in order to improve  
our competitiveness in what remains a 
challenging, deflationary and uncertain 
market. This will be reflected in the pace  
of improvement in profitability in the 
current year, particularly in the first half. 

6% to 47%. These transactions resulted  
in a combined saving in fixed-uplift and 
index-linked rent of £115m per annum  
at current rental levels.

The sale of our property assets within  
the disposal of our business in Korea drove 
the year-on-year reduction of £3.2bn in 
the estimated market value of fully-owned 
property across the Group to £19.7bn  
at year-end. This valuation gives an 

We are increasingly confident that  
the actions we are taking are leading to 
sustainable improvements for customers 
and will result in a continued improvement 
in profitability and the creation of 
long-term value for shareholders.

This year, we closed more selling space 
than we opened, leading to a net reduction 
of (1.2)m sq. ft., of which (0.8)m sq. ft. 
was in the UK & ROI. Internationally, 
we reduced net space by (0.4)m sq. ft. 
as repurposing of (0.4)m sq. ft. of existing 
space in Asia and (0.3)m sq. ft. of closures 
in Europe more than offset our reduced 
opening programme.

estimated surplus of £2.1bn over the 
net book value, with our Group freehold 
ownership percentage now 54% by value 
and 61% by selling space, an increase  
of 5% by value and 3% by selling space  
on last year.

This estimated market value excludes our 
share of property joint ventures. Including 
this, the valuation would increase by £0.2bn, 
net of the debt in the joint ventures.

The Group operating lease charge reduced 
by 10% in the year to £1.2bn and we 
continue to evaluate opportunities to further 
reduce our exposure to index-linked and 
fixed-uplift rent inflation. Based on current 
rent, around three-quarters of our UK 
lease charge relates to fixed-uplift or 
index-linked rental agreements.

Alan Stewart
Chief Financial Officer

19

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Other informationFinancial statements 
 
Environmental and social review

Every little help makes a big difference – it’s the value 
we live by to ensure we serve our customers, colleagues 
and their communities a little better every day.

Our approach
Our purpose is to serve shoppers a little 
better every day and an important part of 
delivering this purpose is about ensuring 
we tackle the social and environmental 
challenges affecting the communities 
we operate in and source from. 

This year we reviewed our third value to 
ensure we capture the bigger impact we  
can have on these challenges through the 
cumulative impact of small, thoughtful 
actions. After consulting our colleagues 
we decided ‘Every little help makes a big 
difference’ was the best way of articulating 
what we are trying to achieve. It sits 
alongside our other two values: ‘No one 
tries harder for customers’ and ‘We treat 
people how they want to be treated’. It 
reminds us nothing is too small – covering 
the little things we do every day as well as 
linking these things together to contribute 
to the bigger global initiatives in which  
we are involved. 

If our colleagues live this value they can 
all play a role in making it easier for both 

customers and colleagues to make 
healthier choices; reduce food waste 
wherever it occurs and tackle food poverty 
with any surpluses; and work with our 
suppliers to source responsibly and 
develop sustainable supply chains.

Our reporting
This report looks at our business across 
all of our functions and sets out our 
focus; our corporate responsibility is  
a fundamental part of this.

Rather than a separate, printed corporate 
responsibility report, we publish further 
details on our corporate responsibility, 
our polices and our key data online.

This year, we became signatories of the 
United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) 
– an initiative that encourages businesses 
worldwide to adopt sustainable and socially 
responsible policies, and to report on their 
implementation. The initiative is centred 
on a commitment to 10 principles in 
the areas of human rights, labour rights, 
environment and anti-corruption.

Becoming signatories of the UNGC is 
another sign of our commitment to these 
areas and we are proud of the action 
we have taken to date. 

Our governance
We have a clear and robust governance 
framework for corporate responsibility. This 
is provided in two ways: internally, through 
our Board Committees; and externally, 
through advice and critical feedback.

Our Corporate Responsibility Committee 
is chaired by our PLC Chairman, John Allan. 
More information on the activities of the 
Corporate Responsibility Committee this 
year can be found in the corporate 
governance section on page 28.

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

20

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016

Our people

Our approach
In order to serve shoppers a little better 
every day, we need to continue to provide 
our colleagues with the best support 
and opportunities. We have introduced 
more flexible working, enhanced training 
opportunities and have a more open 
and transparent way of working.

Despite challenging times within our 
business, our colleagues have remained 
the beating heart of Tesco and have 
continued to put customers first while 
delivering outstanding service. Every day 
this is evident with colleagues going above 
and beyond their roles – one colleague, 
Susan McGuckin, even helped deliver 
a baby in the car park of our Dundee 
Kingsway store! 

Respecting human rights 
We always respect the human rights  
of our customers, colleagues and the 
people who work in our supply chains.  
We are committed to upholding basic 
human rights and fully support the UN 
Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 
the International Labour Organization 
Core Conventions and the UN Guiding 
Principles on Business and Human Rights. 
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 want everyone to have their human 
rights upheld and we know our customers, 
colleagues and suppliers do too.

Throughout our transformation at Tesco, 
we have made sure colleagues are the first 
to know of any changes within the business 
that will affect them. This commitment 
to be open and transparent will continue 
once the transformation is complete. 

Our customers want to buy great products, 
produced safely and responsibly. By 
protecting human rights we can give 
customers this confidence, as well as 
ensuring we are a good neighbour 
wherever we operate.

Diversity in the broadest sense remains 
critical to our business, and the ratio of 
male to female colleagues at year-end  
is outlined in the table below. 

We believe that monitoring the pay gap 
between men and women is an important 
step towards ensuring everyone is fairly 
rewarded for their work and enjoys the 
same opportunities, which is why we’ve 
monitored gender pay since 2002 and 
were one of the first companies to 
voluntarily report it publicly in 2012. 

The government has published draft 
regulations requiring large employers  
to report their gender pay gap from 2018, 
which may mean changes to the way we 
currently calculate our gender pay gap. 
We have therefore postponed calculating 
these figures while the government 
finalises their requirements. Our most 
recent data from 2014 shows our overall 
gender pay gap was less than 1%.

We have strong, consistent people policies 
designed to make Tesco a great place to 
work; a business where everyone is welcome 
and feels confident to be themselves in 
a safe environment.

We continue to build strong, trusted 
partnerships with our suppliers so we 
can deliver great, safe products that 
are responsibly produced.

Moving from compliance to due diligence
Historically, our Ethical Trading programme 
was based on audits by independent 
companies, with compliance-based 
corrective action plans followed up by 
the same audit companies. Over time, we 
realised we could be even more effective 
by changing this model, particularly when 
the most important human rights challenges 
often occur in the lower tiers of long, global 
supply chains.

Our diversity

Board of Directors
Senior managers – Directors
Senior managers – Directors and managers
All employees

Male

Female

8
506
3,119
205,795

73%
76%
68%
43%

3
156
1,490
270,658

27%
24%
32%
57%

As a result we have been developing our 
own capability to identify human rights 
risk through a due diligence process that 
looks end-to-end in the supply chain and 
seeks to address systemic challenges, such 
as modern slavery, wherever they occur. 

Rather than relying only on an audit 
model, we will be looking to focus our 
resource on collaborating with supplier 
partners, civil society, union and worker 
representation groups, and government 
bodies. We will also be looking to develop 
new grievance mechanisms.

We are now developing risk metrics to  
assess potential human rights impacts,  
and a range of tools and KPIs to help us 
address and, if necessary, remedy any 
abuses. We are doing this work in close 
consultation with the Ethical Trading 
Initiative, NGOs and trade unions.

Governance and monitoring 
Our Company-wide Code of Business 
Conduct, supported by a training 
programme, helps colleagues follow 
key policies. This includes a section 
on our approach to human rights.

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.

We have a large number of in-house, 
locally based labour-standards experts 
around the world who work with our 
suppliers every day to get to the bottom  
of the real issues in the supply chain, and 
offer support to address these issues.

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

Visit www.tescoplc.com/humanrights 
for more detail on our full policy

21

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Other informationFinancial statementsStrategic reportCorporate governanceEnvironmental and social review continued

To show how every little help can make a big  
difference, you can look at our work on both  
health and food waste.

Health

We want to make it easier for customers, 
colleagues and our wider community to 
live more healthily. One way we can do this 
is by creating partnerships with health 
experts like Diabetes UK and the British 
Heart Foundation that support prevention 
and cure for the biggest health challenges 
we face.

By working together, we’re combining 
the charities’ expertise in health with 
Tesco’s ability to reach people in local 
communities across the UK. This gives 
us a unique opportunity to encourage 
the nation to make healthier choices 
in the way they live their lives. This year 
we have raised £7.89m and this is going 
towards prevention projects and 
important health research. 

We have also now reached over 1.3 million 
children as part of The Tesco Eat Happy 
Project, which includes Let’s Cook courses 
and Farm to Fork Trails. These are helping 
children to learn more about where their 
food comes from and to obtain the skills 
to get more involved in cooking at home. 
And to help customers we have continued 

our reformulation work where for example 
on soft drinks we have removed 4.6 billion 
calories and over 1,480 tonnes of sugar.

Food waste

We have continued to make progress on 
trying to prevent food waste from farm 
to fork.

With suppliers
Our overall approach has always been 
to make as much use of the edible crop 
as possible and we’ve included produce 
of different shapes and sizes for many 
years now. In some cases, we believe  
that our specifications can be broadened 
to accommodate more of the crop. This 
year, we introduced a new range to use 
parts of the crop that currently fall outside 
our specifications. The range will begin 
with potatoes and parsnips and we plan to 
add a number of other fruit and vegetables. 
In addition, we’re developing a range of 
new ways to change how we forecast and 
order to help suppliers reduce waste.  
For example, we are trialling flexible 
ordering, where we work with our growers 
to offer them a range of volumes to supply, 
rather than a specific number.

Own operations
Another vital area of work for us is the 
way we tackle food waste within our 
own operations. The Community Food 
Connection (CFC), run in partnership 
with FareShare FoodCloud, aims to deliver 
our overall goal at Tesco to never throw 
away food that could be eaten. The CFC 
programme allows stores to alert local 
charities and community groups to how 
much surplus food is available at the 
end of each day, through the FareShare 
FoodCloud app. Charities simply respond 
by text message to confirm that they will 
collect the surplus food. 

We have now expanded the CFC to over 
100 large stores and we expect to be able 
to roll out around 100 stores a month to 
be in all large stores by the end of 2016. 
We have been donating surplus food from 
our distribution centres since 2012. In total, 
nearly 9 million meals have been donated 
with over 4.6 million in the past 12 months. 
We are confident that with CFC we now 
have the solution to donate this food to 
people in need and stop it going to waste. 

When you add the food provided from  
our surplus redistribution work to the food 
donated by our customers and topped up 
by Tesco through the Neighbourhood 
Food Collection, we have donated food 
equivalent to over 18 million meals to help 
people in need in the UK.

Visit www.tescoplc.com/ar2016  
to see more about our Community  
Food Connection programme

22

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016

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

S
t
r
a
t
e
g

i
c
r
e
p
o
r
t

Bakery 37%
Produce 24%
Chilled 16%
Impulse 6%
Grocery 6%

Meat, Fish, Poultry & Eggs 5%
Beers, Wines & Spirits 3%
Frozen 2%
Other 1%

International
Tesco is a global retailer and we have 
programmes in place to tackle food waste 
in each of our markets. All of our Central 
European markets are donating surplus 
food to local foodbank partners and we 
are planning trials in Malaysia and Thailand. 
We are also keen to show leadership on the 
issue at a global level, which is why Dave 
Lewis, our Chief Executive, has agreed to 
chair Champions 12.3; a coalition of leaders 
from government, business, research 
institutions and civil society. The coalition 
will be dedicated to accelerating progress 
towards achieving the UN Sustainable 
Development Goal Food Waste Target 
12.3 to halve per capita global food waste 
at the retail and consumer level and reduce 
food losses along production and supply 
chains (including post-harvest losses) by 2030.

UK operations food waste data
We are the only UK retailer to publish 
independently assured food waste data for 
our own operations and we will continue to 
do so annually. In 2015/16, 59,400 tonnes   
of food went to waste, primarily in our stores 
which is equivalent to 1%   of the number 
of food products we sold in our stores  
over the same period. The basis for our 
definition of food waste is that if we are 
unable to redistribute surplus food to 
human consumption it becomes waste. 
Last year we sent 17,800 tonnes of bakery 

waste to animal feed with the remainder 
sent to anaerobic digestion and incineration 
with energy recovery. We have not sent 
any food waste direct to landfill since 2009.

The food waste figure for this year 
shows a net increase of 4% on last year 
(for information on previous years data and 
calculations please see www.tescoplc.com/
foodwastefigures). The benefit of collecting 
and analysing our data is that it enables 
us to highlight where exactly increases 
have occurred so we can develop plans 
to address hotspot areas. Whilst we have 
seen an increase overall we have also seen 
reductions in some categories. Where 
we have seen an increase in a particular 
category we will work with the teams to 
ensure we add to the programmes already 
in place across our stores to find ways  
to reduce this level of waste. Importantly, 
we have also invested in a nationwide 
rollout of Community Food Connection 
with FareShare FoodCloud, which will 
redirect millions of meals of Tesco surplus 
food to charity by the end of 2017.

Visit www.tescoplc.com/disclosures  
for more detail on our methodologies,  
assurance statements and other disclosures

Greenhouse gas emissions

Our carbon footprint is calculated 
according to the Greenhouse Gas Protocol. 
Our net carbon footprint in 2015/16 was 
5.1 million tonnes of CO2e. This year we 

have reduced our net carbon intensity per 
sq. ft. of retail and distribution floor space 
by 1.8% compared to last year, and 41.7% 
since 2006/07. 

Scope 1
Scope 2*
Location-based method 
Market-based method 
Scope 1 and 2 carbon intensity (kg CO2e/sq. ft. of stores and distribution centres)
Scope 3

Global tonnes of CO2e

2015/16 

1,347,150   

2014/15 

1,317,812

Base year 
2006/07

1,372,394

2,624,322 
2,033,658 

2,730,228
2,125,885

2,281,727 
Not Available

30.54

30.70

51.20

1,129,072 

1,216,740

1,142,013

Total gross emissions
CO2e from renewable energy exported to the grid
Total net emissions
Overall net carbon intensity (total net emissions kg CO2e/sq. ft. of stores and distribution centres)
*  Tesco has historically only presented performance using the location-based method for calculating Scope 2 emissions. The market-based method is shown in accordance 
with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol Scope 2 Guidance and all intensity, net and gross emissions shown are calculated using the location-based method. This year we have 
also updated our historic emissions to account for business changes and conversion factor updates. For further details see www.tescoplc.com/carbonfigures.

5,099,031
39.21 

5,263,575
39.91

4,796,134
67.20

5,100,544

5,264,780

4,796,134

1,513   

1,205

–

   Independent limited assurance for both food waste and greenhouse gas emissions data has been provided by KPMG LLP using the assurance standards ISAE 3000 (and for 
 and   and their respective full assurance opinions 

data marked with  , ISAE 3410). KPMG has issued an unqualified opinion over the data highlighted in this report with a 
are available at: www.tescoplc.com/foodwastefigures and www.tescoplc.com/carbonfigures.

23

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Other informationFinancial statementsCorporate governance 
Principal risks and uncertainties

We have performed a robust and systematic review of those 
risks that we believe could seriously affect the Group’s performance, 
future prospects, reputation or its ability to deliver against 
its priorities.

We maintain a Group Risk Register of the principal risks faced by 
the Group. Our risk management process is operated throughout 
the Group. All business units perform regular risk assessments 
that consider and assess the Group’s principal risks and specific 
local risks pertinent to the market in which they operate. This process 
ensures a consistent approach to the assessment of risk across  
the Group as well as informing the Group risks from a bottom-up 
perspective. The content of the Group Risk Register is considered 
and discussed through regular meetings with senior management 
and reviewed by the Executive Committee and the Board.

As part of a wider and ongoing process to enhance our risk 
management activities and capabilities, we have refreshed the 
process by which Tesco evaluates and reports principal risks and 
uncertainties. We show the alignment of our risks to our priorities  
by principal risk in the table on page 25. In some cases a change 
of emphasis in the risk reflects both the external and internal 
business environment, including wider economic factors facing 
our Group that have also been considered as part of this process.

Risk Management Framework

This development of our risk process has resulted in the inclusion  
of liquidity risk as a principal risk in this section. In our Annual  
Report 2015, this risk was included as part of a separate financial 
risks review, now set out in Note 22 on page 123 of the Annual 
Report and Financial Statements 2016. 

Our process for identifying and managing risk is set out in more 
detail on page 47 of the corporate governance report. The table  
on page 25 sets out our principal risks, their movement during the 
year and examples of controls and mitigating factors. A significant 
process for the enhancement of our internal control environment  
is under way. 

The risks identified 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.

Key to risk movement

 Risk increasing

 No risk movement

 Risk decreasing

Priorities

Assessment of Risk 

Oversight

1. Regaining 
competitiveness
page 06

Customer
Proposition

Tesco Bank

Transformation 
of Economic
Model

People

Liquidity

2. Protecting  
the balance sheet
page 07

Safety

Principal Risks

3. Rebuilding 
trust and 
transparency
page 08

Regulatory
and
Compliance

Data
Security and
Data Privacy

Technology

Competition
and Markets

Brand,
Reputation
and Trust

Board
Overall responsibility for 
risk management, engages 
directly with risk assessment 
mitigation and risk appetite

Audit Committee
Oversight of the risk 
framework and controls on 
behalf of the Board

Group Chief Executive and 
Executive Committee 
The Group Chief Executive 
has overall accountability for
control and the management 
of risk. Individual members, 
reporting to the Group Chief 
Executive, are accountable 
for specific risks

Group Compliance 
Committee
Oversight of key regulatory 
and compliance risks on behalf 
of the Executive Committee, 
reporting biannually to the 
Audit Committee

24

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Risk movement

Key controls and mitigating factors

We are addressing  
the challenge of 
changing customer 
wants and increased 
customer choice as a 
result of heightening 
competitive activity. 
The customer need  
is central to our 
decision-making.

We have developed strategic plans to enhance our understanding of our customer needs. 
Customer insight supports development of customer-focused strategies across each market 
and we have developed strategic customer profiles to understand specific market expectations.

We have invested in the customer experience by increasing colleague hours on the shop floor 
and by providing further customer service training for colleagues across all stores. We continue 
to invest in availability and price as well as running our Feet on the Floor programme – whereby 
non-store colleagues spend a day on the shop floor to ensure customer focus is maintained.

We are in the process 
of transforming our 
business and how 
we operate to drive 
improvement and 
better performance. 

Significant transformation programmes are being undertaken across the Group, including 
organisational design, data strategy, reset of supplier relationships, cost reduction and 
people & capability. 

There is Executive Committee and Board overview of key strategic initiatives to improve 
sales and margin, and to reduce cost. Periodic sales margin planning and forecasting activity 
are reviewed by Group and local finance functions.

Principal risk

Customer proposition

Failure to listen to our customers and 
to understand the changing marketplace 
leads to a loss of market share as customer 
purchases are made with competitors.  
We are unable to build and sustain loyalty 
resulting in an adverse impact on our 
financial results.

Link to priorities

1

3

2

Transformation of economic model

The transformation of our economic  
model does not allow us to respond 
to changes in the external economic 
environment, nor does it progress 
sufficiently quickly to maintain or increase 
operating margin, to generate sufficient 
cash to meet business objectives. This  
may result in an adverse impact on the 
business and shareholder confidence.

1

3

2

Link to priorities

Liquidity

Business performance does not deliver cash 
as expected; access to funding markets or 
facilities is restricted; failures in operational 
liquidity management; Tesco Bank cash call; 
or adverse changes to the pension deficit 
funding requirement, create calls on cash 
higher than anticipated, leading to impacts 
on financial performance, cash liquidity or 
the ability to continue to fund operations.

We have a strong 
focus on improved 
liquidity management 
and have taken a 
number of steps 
to address this. 

The funding plan and its key elements (e.g. debt issuance, cash resources, available credit 
facilities and cash flow forecasting) are subject to regular executive review, supported by 
rolling liquidity updates and key financial metrics. Treasury and debt-related policies covering 
UK and International markets are in place and periodic reviews of the Going Concern and 
Longer Term Viability Statement is undertaken by the Audit Committee and the Board. 
Following the significant reduction in future pension risk by closing the UK defined benefit 
scheme, we are implementing a derisking strategy to further reduce pension risk and better 
match our cash flows. Specific activities have been undertaken to reduce our debt-level with 
enhanced cost control measures in place. Further information on these risks can be found  
in Note 22 on page 123 of the financial statements.

Whilst Tesco Bank is financially separate from Tesco PLC, there is a regular review of Tesco 
Bank’s risk appetite by Tesco Bank Board and the Tesco PLC Board. This sets out Tesco 
Bank’s key risks, their optimum ranges, alert limits, controls and tolerance limits and ensures 
ongoing awareness of any potential risk to Tesco PLC.

Link to priorities

1

3

2

Competition and markets

We do not have an effective, coherent 
and consistent strategy to respond to 
our competitors and changing markets, 
resulting in a loss of market share and 
failure to improve profitability.

Link to priorities

1

3

2

We face the ongoing 
challenge of a 
changing competitive 
landscape and price 
pressure across most 
of our markets. 

Executive oversight and ownership of business plans provide strategic direction for the 
Group with plans regularly reviewed and challenged. Dedicated Board strategy days are 
held to develop and challenge strategic direction. The use of market scanning and ongoing 
competitor analysis provides insight, an ability to anticipate market movements and develop 
an effective proposition. We remain closely aligned with local trade associations, 
governments and other policy makers across our markets.

We have realigned our individual European businesses to sit within a simplified Central 
European structure under a single management team to provide greater clarity and a 
consistent strategic approach.

25

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Other informationFinancial statementsStrategic report Corporate governancePrincipal risks and uncertainties continued

Principal risk

Risk movement

Key controls and mitigating factors

Brand, reputation and trust

Failure to manage our brand means  
we are unable to consolidate loyalty and  
rebuild trust, creating a perception among 
customers, colleagues, communities and 
suppliers that result in a loss of market  
share or unfavourable effects on our  
ability to do business.

Link to priorities

1

3

2

We are working 
to ensure that we 
rebuild trust and 
transparency across 
our stakeholders 
through initiatives 
such as price 
transparency, Brand 
Guarantee and  
the launch of new 
fresh-food brands. 
This helps to ensure 
that our brand 
perception reflects 
the values that we 
demonstrate.

Brand guidelines have been updated to provide Group-wide consistency over the use of  
the Tesco brand. Group commercial and corporate affairs policies and procedures have  
been updated. Communications, media relations and corporate responsibility plans are  
in place and include internal and external stakeholder engagement. There is a Group 
Corporate Responsibility Committee that oversees corporate responsibility activity.

The Code of Business Conduct has been refreshed with specific guidance over brand,  
social media and communications, ethical trading and the establishment of a tone at  
the top with defined consequences in the event of non-compliance.

Technology

A significant failure of IT infrastructure or 
key IT system results in loss of information, 
inability to operate effectively and/or 
financial or other regulatory penalties.

Link to priorities

1

3

2

Our IT landscape 
requires further 
investment in core 
infrastructure and 
data centres, as well 
as to support the 
store environment.

Controls include a technology strategy outlining a number of approved technology policies and 
procedures. The Technology leadership team provides central governance across major project 
approval, configuration changes, application updates and the development of new systems.

We are increasing our investment in IT with a fully-funded development plan covering a range of 
back office and customer systems. Technology assessments are performed on an ongoing basis  
to identify further areas of need and opportunities for improvement.

Data security and data privacy

Failure to maintain control over customer, 
colleague, commercial and/or operational 
data leads to a loss of data, either through 
deliberate targeted action or inadvertent 
error. The misuse of personal data, for 
example without the customer’s consent  
or retaining for longer than is necessary,  
may also result in reputational harm, 
regulatory investigations and potential fines.

We operate a large 
number of disparate 
IT systems, some of 
which are legacy 
systems and we hold 
significant amounts 
of sensitive data in a 
number of locations. 

Our systems are secured with access controls, while regular vulnerability and penetration 
testing provides additional security. Compliance assessments are executed across UK  
and international business units against the information security policies.

We are strengthening our data-related controls as part of a significant IT security 
improvement programme. The strengthening includes enhanced information security 
policies and governance, review of defence measures against attacks and continued 
migration away from unsupported systems.

A Group-wide, comprehensive privacy compliance programme is being developed, which 
covers governance, risk assessment, policies and processes, training, incident management, 
monitoring and review. This is designed to drive the right behaviours and ensure obligations 
are met with regards to the handling of personal data. 

The Group-wide Code of Business Conduct has been refreshed, with specific compliance 
programmes existing around key legislation (e.g. UK Bribery Act), built around a risk and 
compliance model. Colleagues in high-risk areas receive annual training and a communications 
programme supports ongoing awareness of Code and other regulatory risks. Leadership  
teams are trained on their regulatory duties and receive management data on compliance  
risks and breaches. 

Groceries Supply Code of Practice (GSCOP) compliance is addressed in a number of ways, 
including through a GSCOP audit and monitoring programme and the appointment of a  
Code Compliance Officer. Equivalent legislation will be issued in ROI in 2016 and steps are being 
taken to prepare for this. There is an externally managed whistleblowing service across the Group 
for colleagues and suppliers (except Thailand, where it is internally managed) and a supplier 
helpline for the anonymous reporting of inappropriate conduct.

Tesco Bank’s Board oversees Tesco Bank’s compliance with regulatory requirements.

Our regulatory and 
legal landscape 
continues to evolve  
in all of our locations, 
and across each of our 
businesses. There is a 
risk of breach of existing 
legal or regulatory 
requirements, and  
of not adapting our 
business as demands 
change. There are 
specific actions under 
way to address matters 
identified last year 
relating to commercial 
income and supplier 
relationships. 

Link to priorities

1

3

2

Regulatory and compliance

Failure to comply with legal or regulatory 
requirements relating to our business activities, 
resulting in reputational damage, fines or 
other adverse consequences including criminal 
penalties and consequential litigation, adverse 
impact on our financial results or unfavourable 
effects on our ability to do business.

Link to priorities

1

3

2

26

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Principal risk

Safety

We do not meet safety standards in relation 
to workplace or product, resulting in death, 
injury or illness to customers, colleagues,  
or third parties.

1

3

2

Link to priorities

People

Failure to attract, motivate and retain the 
most talented colleagues and develop the 
required culture, leadership and behaviours 
to meet our purpose, resulting in an inability 
to achieve our business objectives.

Link to priorities

1

3

2

Tesco Bank

Continual and progressive changes in the 
regulatory environment in which the Bank 
operates could impact the level of capital 
and liquidity that is expected to be held.

Regulatory uncertainty could also impact 
the future earnings profile of the Bank.

Link to priorities

1

3

2

Risk movement

Key controls and mitigating factors

We continue to 
focus our efforts on 
controls to ensure 
workplace and 
product safety.

For workplace safety, controls include Group safety policies and procedures, Group safety 
standards and rapid escalated incident-reporting to the CEO. Implementation is driven by 
a dedicated Group Safety function, which provides advice to the Group on safety matters 
across geographies. A framework for standardised safety risk assessments has been developed.

An extensive programme of technical product testing and reporting is in place with country 
teams responsible for the delivery and implementation of product safety policies and 
systems. We are proud to make the results of our provenance-testing publicly available.  
A supplier audit programme is in place to monitor product integrity and labour standards, 
which includes unannounced specification inspections of supplier facilities and products.

Our people are  
our most valuable 
asset. We continue  
to manage and 
consider diversity  
and inclusion as 
well as colleague 
engagement.

Standardised recruitment policies and processes have been established and a Board-
sponsored people strategy is being implemented to attract and retain the best people. 
Diversity and inclusion are key elements of our people agenda. Remuneration policies and 
succession planning are subject to periodic benchmarking to ensure they remain appropriate 
for the Group.

We provide ongoing opportunities for personal and professional development through  
our established leadership development and graduate programmes. ‘Our Tesco’ and  
‘What Matters To You?’ initiatives allow us to connect, listen and respond to our colleagues. 
The consolidation of our UK offices into a single campus and the restructure of our Central 
European businesses has created an environment that fosters improved communication  
and collaboration between teams.

The Bank actively 
manages its response 
to proposed regulatory 
changes and has  
a track record of 
adapting activities  
in advance of the 
implementation of 
regulatory change.

There is Bank Board reporting throughout the year in line with relevant regulatory requirements, 
with updates to the Tesco PLC Audit Committee by the Bank CFO/Audit Committee Chairman. 
A member of the Tesco PLC Board is also a member of the Bank’s Board.

The Bank has formed good working relationships with the Prudential Regulation Authority 
and the Financial Conduct Authority and is also a member of the British Bankers Association. 
Through these relationships, the Bank is able to adopt a proactive approach to engaging in 
proposed regulatory change. The Bank monitors proposed regulatory guidance and changes 
during consultation and implementation phases. As a result, the Bank would expect to have 
sufficient time to respond and adapt its funding and business plans as appropriate.

The Bank has a defined risk appetite which is approved and reviewed regularly by both  
the Bank’s Board and the Tesco PLC Board. The risk appetite defines the type and amount 
of risk that the Group is prepared to accept to achieve its objectives and forms a key link 
between the day-to-day risk management of the business, its strategic priorities, long-term 
plan, capital planning, liquidity management and stress testing. Adherence to risk appetite  
is monitored through a series of ratios and limits. 

Longer Term Viability Statement 
The Directors have assessed the viability of the Company over 
a three-year period, taking into account the Company’s current 
position and the potential impact of scenarios arising from the 
principal risks set out above. Based on the results of our testing  
of a number of severe but plausible scenarios, the Directors  
have a reasonable expectation that the Company will be able  
to continue in operation and meet its liabilities as they fall due 
during this period.

The Directors have determined that a three-year period is an 
appropriate timeframe for assessment given the dynamic nature 
of the retail sector and is in line with the Company’s strategic 
planning period.

We have based our assessment on our current long-term plan, 
which makes assumptions relating to: the prevailing economic 
climate and global economy; the structural challenges facing 
our sector; and the costs associated with delivering our strategy. 
Against this we have conducted sensitivity analysis and 
modelled a range of scenarios (including reverse stress-testing) 
based on the materialisation of principal risks, including market 
and competition, economic and technology failure, which would 
result in declining sales and increased margin pressures. 

Our principal risks are identified through our risk management 
process, which relies on our judgement of risk likelihood and 
their potential impacts, whilst also understanding the existing 
mitigations and developing further appropriate controls. The 
principal risks faced by the Company are recorded on a Group  
Risk Register, which is considered and discussed through regular 
meetings with senior management and reviewed by the Executive 
Committee, relevant sub-committees and the Board. We have 
considered our principal risks and risk appetite against our 
strategic objectives.

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
12 April 2016

27

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Other informationFinancial statementsStrategic report Corporate governance28

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016

Corporate governance

30  Corporate governance report
32  Board of Directors
34  Executive Committee
48  Directors’ remuneration report
71  Directors’ report

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016

29

Other informationFinancial statementsStrategic reportCorporate governanceCorporate governance report

John Allan 
Non-executive 
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 
to reflect the structure of the UK Corporate 
Governance Code:
Leadership
p.30

p.38

Effectiveness

p.42

Relations with our investors

p.43

Relations with our social and environmental 
stakeholders

p.44

Accountability

p.48

Remuneration

Compliance with the UK Corporate 
Governance Code
The UK Corporate Governance Code (‘Code’)  
sets out principles and specific provisions on how 
a company should be directed and controlled to 
achieve standards of good corporate governance. 

The 2014 version of the Code applies to the 
Company for the year ended 27 February 2016. 
A copy of the Code is available at www.frc.org.uk.

The Board considers that the Company  
complied in full with the Code during the year.  
The following sections provide an explanation  
of how it has applied the principles in the Code  
and good governance principles of accountability, 
transparency, probity and focus on the sustainable 
success of the Company over the longer term. 

“Having a solid 

governance framework  
is key to rebuilding trust 
and transparency.”

1. Leadership

Chairman’s introduction 
During the past year, there has been a renewed focus on corporate governance at Tesco 
and the Board has spent a significant proportion of its time examining and strengthening 
our processes during this turnaround period for the Group. Having a solid governance 
framework is key to rebuilding trust and transparency. I am therefore pleased to confirm 
that the Company was fully compliant with the UK Corporate Governance Code this year. 

A central pillar of our governance framework is our Schedule of Group Delegated Authorities 
as it sets out who is authorised to take decisions on which matters. The Board reviewed this 
key schedule during the year, scrutinising the authority granted to different individuals across 
the business. We are pleased to have created a more comprehensive document that better 
reflects our structure and operations and that has contributed to a culture of improved 
adherence to Group policies. This has been both a top-down and bottom-up exercise to 
ensure that the right people are making the right decisions at Tesco. 

We have also taken additional action to promote a positive culture and tackle unfavourable 
business practices. Our new Code of Business Conduct was relaunched in March 2015, 
to promote responsible and ethical behaviours at all levels of our business. We have also 
fundamentally changed the way we work with our suppliers in order to further build trusted 
relationships with these key stakeholders for our business. The report earlier this year 
from the Grocery Code Adjudicator (‘GCA’) examining Tesco’s compliance with the GCA 
Code of Practice set out conclusions about our historic business practices that coincided 
with the results of our own independent investigations. We are encouraged that our latest 
Supplier Viewpoint measure of how suppliers view their relationship with Tesco recognises 
the positive impact of the changes we have made. The results show a significant improvement 
year-on-year, increasing from 51% to 68% in the UK and from 58% to 70% for the Group 
as a whole. As previously disclosed, the commercial income issue identified in September 
2014 resulted in a Serious Fraud Office regulatory inquiry. The inquiry is ongoing, and we 
continue to co-operate fully with it.

Our initiatives contribute to our aim of improving trust and transparency by ensuring that 
all colleagues understand their role and duties and by creating a culture where individuals 
feel empowered to speak up and voice concerns. 

Succession planning was a key priority for the Board even before the end of the previous 
financial year when a number of Directors retired. This year, the Nominations Committee 
scheduled additional meetings in order to progress the selection of three new Non-executive 
Directors. Conscious that following changes to our Board composition, female representation 
among our Directors had dropped below the 2014 AGM level of 30%, we were keen to attract 
high-calibre candidates who could provide balance to our Board. We are delighted with the 
capabilities of our chosen candidates and are pleased that we now have 27% female 
representation at Board level, which exceeds the 25% level recommended by Lord Davies 
in 2011. 

In addition, we continue to seek to improve opportunities for talented women to progress 
throughout the Company and particularly to the ranks of senior and executive management. 
We recognise that providing opportunities for all of our colleagues to develop provides access 
to a broader talent pool that will support our strategic focus on regaining competitiveness. 
Further information on the appointment process for our new Non-executive Directors can 
be found on page 40 and details of diversity at Tesco are set out on page 36. 

The following pages set out our governance processes at Tesco and explain how we have 
achieved some of the changes we have made. We continue to strive towards excellent 
governance at Tesco and to rebuild trust and transparency across our business.

John Allan
Non-executive Chairman 

30

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016 
 
Tesco PLC Board 

The Tesco PLC Board has responsibility for 
the long-term success of the Group but the 
day-to-day management is delegated to 
Dave Lewis as CEO and Alan Stewart as CFO. 

Dave has an Executive Committee to support 
him in the day-to-day operation of the Group, 
all members of which report directly to him. 
Alan Stewart as CFO has a key role on the 
Executive Committee and has certain financial 
responsibilities delegated to him by the Board. 

The Chairman, CEO, CFO, Senior Independent 
Director (‘SID’) and Non-executive Directors 
(‘NEDs’) each have clearly delineated roles 
in the operation of the Board, details of which 
can be found at www.tescoplc.com. 

Set out on the following pages is information 
on each member of the Tesco PLC Board and 
Executive Committee, including details of their 
skills and experience. 

The Board considers that there is an appropriate 
balance of skills, experience, independence 
and knowledge of the Company on the Board 
and its Committees and that all Directors are 
able to allocate sufficient time to the Company 
to discharge their responsibilities effectively. 

Governance framework 
The Tesco PLC Board and Executive Committee operate within a wider governance 
framework at Tesco. This ensures that decisions are taken at the right level of the business 
by the people best placed to take them. Our framework provides clear direction on 
decision making without creating burdensome processes that could impede progress.  
We retain the agility to get on with running our business whilst maintaining high 
standards of governance that support our aim of rebuilding trust and transparency. 

Having delegated the detailed operation of the business to the CEO and CFO, the Board 
holds them to account for their responsibilities. In order to do this effectively, the Board 
operates through a number of Committees, each made up entirely of members of the 
Board. Each Committee meets separately to the Board during the year, providing time  
to focus in depth on the particular key matters of audit, remuneration, nominations and 
corporate responsibility. 

The governance framework at Tesco provides clear parameters of delegation and 
responsibilities from the Tesco PLC Board down through the Group as illustrated below: 

Tesco PLC Board

Chairman: 
• Lead the Board;
• Promote high 
   standards of corporate   
   governance;
• Ensure the effectiveness    
   of the Board.

SID: 
• Sounding board for  
   Chairman;
• Intermediary for  
    other NEDs;
• Available to investors.

NEDs: 
• Effective challenge  
   and scrutiny of 
   executive proposals;
• Review of strategic    
   options.

CEO/CFO: 
• Represent          
   management 
   on the Board and       
   attend Committee    
   meetings. 

Through their positions on Committees, the Chairman, SID and NEDs 
have a key role in: 
• agreeing the remuneration of Executive Directors; 
• succession planning for the Board; 
• ensuring internal controls are robust and the external audit is properly 
   undertaken; and 
• reviewing the Group’s corporate responsibility activities. 

Delegation of 
operation from 
Board to Committees

Board Committees 

Delegation of 
operation from Board 
to CEO and CFO

Audit 

Nominations

CEO 

Remuneration  

Executive Committee

Corporate 
Responsibility  

Disclosure

Delegation to Group functions 

Product  

Legal 

Finance

Customer

People

Tesco 
Bank

Channels  

To ensure that decisions are taken at the appropriate level within this framework, 
a schedule of Matters Reserved for the Board is maintained together with a Group 
Delegated Authorities Schedule. 

31

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Other informationFinancial statementsStrategic reportCorporate governanceCorporate governance report continued
Board of Directors

John Allan Non-executive Chairman 
John was appointed to the Board as Non-executive 
Chairman on 1 March 2015. Age: 67

Dave Lewis Group Chief Executive
Dave was appointed to the Board as Group Chief 
Executive on 1 September 2014. Age: 51 

Alan Stewart Chief Financial Officer
Alan Stewart was appointed to the Board as Chief 
Financial Officer on 23 September 2014. Age: 56 

Career John’s early career was with Lever Bros 
and Bristol-Myers in a variety of marketing roles. 
Having held a number of executive positions in 
different organisations, John joined the Board of 
Deutsche Post when it acquired Exel in 2005 and 
managed the integration of the two businesses. 
John held the post of CFO from 2007 to 2009 
with Deutsche Post.

John became Chairman of Dixons Retail PLC 
in September 2009 and held this role during a 
comprehensive turnaround programme during 
which a friendly merger of equals was completed 
with Carphone Warehouse in August 2014 to form 
Dixons Carphone. 

Skills and competencies John has substantial 
experience in marketing, buying and retail 
operations in addition to substantial executive 
leadership experience both in the UK and overseas.

External appointments John is currently 
Chairman of Barratt Developments PLC and 
Non-executive Director of Worldpay Group PLC.

Career Dave completed a BA in Business Studies 
in 1987 and went on to complete the Advanced 
Management programme at Harvard Business School. 

Dave joined Unilever in 1987 and worked in a 
variety of different roles over nearly three decades, 
which took him across Europe, Asia and the Americas. 

Skills and competencies During his career,  
Dave has been responsible for a number of business 
turnarounds. He has experience across many sectors 
both in the UK and overseas, and has significant 
experience in brand marketing, customer 
management and general management roles.

External appointments Dave is currently  
a Non-executive Director of Sky PLC, and  
a Director and a member of the Governance 
Committee of the Consumer Goods Forum. 
He is also Chair of Champions 12.3, a UN  
programme formed of a voluntary coalition 
of 30 leaders across the globe, coming together 
to increase the momentum to achieve the UN 
Sustainable Development Target 12.3 by 2030.

Career A qualified accountant, Alan started his 
career in investment banking with HSBC. He 
became CFO at Thomas Cook Holdings in 1998 
and was appointed UK CEO in 2001. From there 
he moved to WHSmith as Group CFO. In 2008, 
he was appointed CFO at AWAS, a leading aircraft 
leasing business before moving to Marks & Spencer 
in 2010 to take up the role of CFO.

Skills and competencies Alan brings extensive 
corporate finance and accounting experience in 
industries as varied as retail, travel and banking.  
He has held a number of senior roles and has 
significant listed company experience at Board level.

External appointments Alan is currently a 
Non-executive Director of Diageo plc, a member  
of the CIMA Advisory Board and Chairman of 
the Pensions Committee at The 100 Group.

Richard Cousins Senior Independent Director 
Richard Cousins was appointed as Non-executive 
Director on 1 November 2014 and became the  
Senior Independent Director on 7 April 2015. Age: 57 

Career Richard worked for BPB PLC for 15 years 
and was Group Chief Executive from 2000 to 2005. 
Richard was a Non-executive Director of Reckitt 
Benckiser Group PLC from 2009 to 2014 and of 
HBOS PLC and Bank of Scotland from 2007 to 2009. 

Skills and competencies Richard brings valuable 
UK and international corporate expertise to the 
Board. He has experience in operational research, 
strategic planning and has held a number of key 
management roles.

External appointments Richard has been the 
Group CEO of Compass Group PLC since 2006  
and is also a member of the Advisory Board of 
Lancaster University Business School.

Deanna Oppenheimer Non-executive Director 
Deanna was appointed to the Board as  
Non-executive Director on 1 March 2012. Age: 58

Byron Grote Non-executive Director 
Byron Grote joined the Board as a Non-executive 
Director with effect from 1 May 2015. Age: 68 

Career Deanna held various senior roles at Barclays, 
including Vice Chair of Global Retail Banking and 
Chief Executive of Europe Retail and Business 
Banking. She has also served as a Non-executive 
Director of Catellus and Plum Creek Timber. 

Skills and competencies Deanna has strong 
banking and retail experience. She also has 
expertise in brand management. 

External appointments Deanna is the founder  
of CameoWorks LLC (a financial services advisory 
firm) and a Non-executive Director at the AXA 
Group. She is a Non-executive Director of Tesco 
Bank and a Non-executive Director and Chair of  
the Risk Committee of Worldpay Group PLC. 

Career Byron spent nine years at Standard Oil 
of Ohio prior to it being acquired by BP PLC in 1987. 
From 1988 to 2000, he worked across BP in a variety 
of commercial, operational and executive roles and 
was appointed CFO of BP PLC in 2002, a role that he 
held until 2011. Byron then served as BP’s Executive 
Vice President, Corporate Business Activities. 

Skills and competencies Byron brings extensive 
executive and Non-executive financial and strategic 
experience to the Board. 

External appointments Byron is currently a 
Non-executive Director on the Boards of Anglo 
American PLC, Standard Chartered PLC and Akzo 
Nobel NV, and was previously a Non-executive 
Director of Unilever PLC. He is also a member of 
the European Audit Committee Leadership Network 
and an emeritus member of the Cornell Johnson 
School Advisory Council at Cornell University. 

32

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016 
 
 
 
Mikael Olsson Non-executive Director 
Mikael joined the Board as a Non-executive 
Director on 1 November 2014. Age: 58

Mark Armour Non-executive Director 
Mark joined the Board as a Non-executive Director 
on 2 September 2013. Age: 61 

Alison Platt Non-executive Director 
Alison joined the Board as a Non-executive 
Director on 1 April 2016. Age: 53

Career Mikael was CEO and President of the 
IKEA Group from 2009 until 2013. During his time 
at IKEA, he held a wide range of roles across the 
business and was a member of the Executive 
Management Group of IKEA from 1995  
until 2013. 

Skills and competencies With close to 35 years in 
leading roles at the world’s largest home furnishings 
retailer, Mikael brings valuable retail and value chain 
experience as well as knowledge of sustainability, 
people and strategy in an international 
environment. 

External appointments Mikael has been a 
Non-executive Director of Volvo Cars Group  
since 2013 and Vice Chairman of the Board since 
November 2013. Mikael is also Non-executive 
Director of Ikano S.A., Lindengruppen AB and  
The Schiphol Group and a Board member of  
the Global Child Forum. 

Career Mark was CFO 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 at Price Waterhouse 
in London. Mark is a fellow of the Institute of 
Chartered Accountants. 

Career Alison is the Chief Executive of Countrywide 
PLC and was previously Managing Director at 
Bupa, responsible for International Development 
Markets. She has held a range of senior posts 
including Chief Operating Officer of the UK private 
hospitals business at Bupa and a number of senior 
positions in British Airways.

Skills and competencies Mark brings significant 
financial and international experience to the Board, 
gained from his long career as a CFO for a major 
global business. He also has considerable experience 
of digital business transition, which is relevant for  
our progress on multi-channel initiatives. 

External appointments Mark is a Non-executive 
Director of the Financial Reporting Council and a 
Non-executive Director and Chairman of the Audit 
Committee of SABMiller PLC.

She was previously chair of ‘Opportunity Now’, 
which seeks to accelerate change for women  
in the workplace and was also a Non-executive 
Director of the Foreign & Commonwealth Office 
between 2005 and 2010. 

Skills and competencies Alison has a wealth of 
relevant experience of the property sector and 
customer service delivery. She also has significant 
business-to-business and international commercial 
experience.

External appointments Alison is a Non-executive 
Director of Cable & Wireless Communications PLC. 

Simon Patterson Non-executive Director 
Simon joined the Board as a Non-executive 
Director on 1 April 2016. Age: 42

Lindsey Pownall Non-executive Director 
Lindsey joined the Board as a Non-executive 
Director on 1 April 2016. Age: 54

Career Simon is a Managing Director of Silver 
Lake Partners, a leading global technology 
investment firm, having joined the firm in 2005. 
Prior to joining Silver Lake, he was a member of 
the founding management team of the logistics 
software company GF-X (acquired by Descartes) 
and worked in various management roles at the 
Financial Times. He has previously served on the 
Boards of Skype, MultiPlan and Gerson Lehrman.

Skills and competencies Simon has significant 
management experience and has held various 
leadership roles in established and start-up 
digital media and software businesses.

External appointments Simon is currently a 
Board member of Dell Inc. and Intelsat S.A. and a 
Trustee of the Natural History Museum in London. 

Career Lindsey Pownall was, until 31 December 
2015, Chief Executive of Samworth Brothers, 
the leading UK supplier of premium quality chilled 
and ambient foods. She joined Samworths as a 
Commercial Manager over 20 years ago and was 
promoted to Sales Director of a key division in 1997. 
Lindsey was then promoted in 1999 to Managing 
Director of Samworth’s largest chilled food 
business, manufacturing sandwiches for the high 
street, before joining the Samworth Board in 2001.

Skills and competencies Lindsey has significant 
experience in food, grocery and retail brand 
development as well as a wealth of experience  
in supply leadership and strategic development. 

External appointments None.

Committee membership (at 12 April 2016)

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

Stuart Chambers and Ken Hanna retired  
as Non-executive Directors on 26 June 2015.

Patrick Cescau retired as a Non-executive Director 
on 7 April 2015. 

Gareth Bullock retired as a Non-executive Director 
on 5 March 2015. 

Sir Richard Broadbent retired as Chairman on  
1 March 2015. 

33

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Other informationFinancial statementsStrategic reportCorporate governance 
 
 
Corporate governance report continued
Executive Committee

The Executive Committee is composed of individuals 
with proven track records in their area of expertise 
and commitment to the teams that they lead.

Dave Lewis Group Chief Executive
Dave was appointed to the Board as Group Chief Executive  
on 1 September 2014. His full biography appears on p.32.

Alan Stewart Chief Financial Officer
Alan was appointed to the Board as Chief Financial Officer  
on 23 September 2014. His full biography appears on p.32.

Matt Davies UK & ROI CEO
Matt was appointed to the Executive Committee as UK & ROI 
CEO on 11 May 2015. 

As UK & ROI CEO, Matt is responsible for all of Tesco’s businesses 
in these two key countries. 

Matt began his career at Arthur Anderson where he qualified as a 
Chartered Accountant in 1995. He then moved in-house, holding 
senior finance positions in a number of companies before being 
appointed as CEO of Pets At Home Group PLC in 2004. Matt held 
this position for eight years, after which he moved to Halfords 
Group PLC, where he became CEO, a role he held until 2015. 

Matt served as a Non-executive Director at Dunelm Group PLC 
from 2012 to 2015. 

Trevor Masters International CEO
Trevor joined the Executive Committee in 2007. 

As International CEO, Trevor is responsible for Tesco’s businesses  
in Asia, Central Europe and Turkey. 

Trevor joined Tesco in 1979, starting his Tesco career as a Store 
Manager and later becoming a Store Director. 

Trevor held the role of Operations Director for Extra format stores 
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. 

34

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Alison Horner Chief People Officer
Alison joined the Executive Committee on 1 March 2011. 

As Chief People Officer, Alison is responsible for setting the overall 
agenda for and developing people management programmes at 
Tesco including reward and employee relations. 

Alison joined Tesco in 1999 as a Personnel Manager and was later 
promoted to Personnel Director for Tesco’s UK operations. Alison 
is a pension trustee. 

Alison is a Non-executive Director of Carillion PLC and a member 
of the Manchester Business School Advisory Board. 

Benny Higgins CEO, Tesco Bank and Group Strategy Director
Benny joined the Executive Committee on 28 January 2013. 

As CEO of Tesco Bank, Benny is responsible for our Bank and  
as Group Strategy Director he has responsibility for the 
development of our strategic options. 

Benny began his career in 1983 qualifying as an actuary. He  
has since held senior positions at the Royal Bank of Scotland  
and has been Chief Executive of Tesco Bank since 2008. Benny 
was appointed as Group Strategy Director in January 2015. 

Benny holds positions with a number of external financial and 
treasury bodies. 

Adrian Morris Group General Counsel 
Adrian joined the Executive Committee on 6 September 2012. 

As Group General Counsel, Adrian is responsible for the  
legal, company secretarial and compliance functions across 
Tesco globally. 

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 and prior to that at 
Centrica PLC, initially as European Group General Counsel and 
then as General Counsel for British Gas.

Jason Tarry Chief Product Officer
Jason joined the Executive Committee on 1 January 2015. 

As Chief Product Officer, Jason is responsible for everything 
related to the design, procurement and delivery of all products  
to Tesco channels. In addition, he is responsible, together with  
the Chief Customer Officer, for the customer promotional plan. 

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. Jason was appointed CEO of Group Clothing 
in 2012, which included UK & ROI store and online operations as 
well as taking F&F to Tesco’s Asia business and further afield via 
franchise partnerships. 

Robin Terrell Chief Customer Officer
Robin joined the Executive Committee on 25 February 2013. 

As Chief Customer Officer, Robin is responsible for ensuring that Tesco 
responds effectively to the needs and interests of our customers.

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 multi-channel roles at 
Figleaves.com, John Lewis and House of Fraser.

Since joining Tesco in February 2013, he held the position  
of Group Multi-channel Director prior to being appointed as  
the Chief Customer Officer. 

Robin is a Non-executive Director at Karen Millen. 

35

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Other informationFinancial statementsStrategic reportCorporate governanceDiversity at Tesco 
As set out on pages 32-35, each member of the Board and Executive Committee offer 
core skills and experience that are relevant to the successful operation of the Group. 
Whilst relevance of skills is key, a balance between the skills represented is sought 
through the work of the Nominations Committee to ensure that there is an appropriate 
mix of members with diverse backgrounds. This contributes to minimising the risk of 
‘group-think’ as different viewpoints on key issues support work to regain commercial 
competitiveness through promoting a healthy culture of challenge and scrutiny. 

Diversity, therefore, is recognised at Tesco as being more than a question of gender although 
initiatives exist throughout the Group to provide greater support to women as they progress 
through the management pipeline. This includes mentoring and development programmes 
and circle networks to allow women of different levels of seniority to connect across the 
business. An illustration of our gender split at different levels of the business are set out 
on the left (charts no.1 – 3). 

Although each of our Directors has a wide range of skills and experience, we have  
set out on the left an illustration of the key areas of expertise represented on the Board  
(chart no. 4). In addition, we include information on the period each Non-executive Director 
has served on the Board (chart no. 5). 

Each Non-executive Director is appointed for an initial three-year term but they are all 
subject to annual re-election by shareholders at the Annual General Meeting each year. 
Provided each Director is re-elected by shareholders every year, their appointment term 
may be extended to a second three-year term. Details of each Non-executive Director’s 
term of appointment is set out in their letter of appointment, which are all available 
for inspection on request. Length of tenure is a key factor for the Board in determining 
whether a Non-executive Director is regarded as independent. Taking into account all 
relevant factors as set out in the Code, all of our Non-executive Directors are considered 
to be independent. This is apart from the Chairman who, in accordance with the Code, 
is not considered independent on an ongoing basis although he was considered to be 
independent on appointment. 

Name of Non-executive Director 

Richard Cousins 

Deanna Oppenheimer 

Mark Armour 

Byron Grote 

Mikael Olsson 

Alison Platt 

Simon Patterson 

Lindsey Pownall

Date of 
appointment 

1 November 2014

1 March 2012 

2 September 2013 

1 May 2015 

1 November 2014 

1 April 2016 

1 April 2016 

1 April 2016

Full years  
in role at 
2016 AGM 

Considered 
independent  
by the Board 

1

4

2

1

1

<1

<1

<1

1. Gender split at Board level 

2. Gender split at executive level 
  During the year, two female members  
stepped down from the Executive  
Committee on leaving the Company.

3. Gender split at all employee level 

 Male
 Female

4. Board members’ expertise 

 Financial (3)
 Retail (5)
 Strategy (6)
 Marketing (2)
 Technology (2)

5. Tenure of Non-executive Directors

 <1 year
 1-3 years
 >3 years

36

Corporate governance report continuedTesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Matters Reserved for the Board 
The schedule of Matters Reserved (available at www.tescoplc.com) ensures that the 
Board retains overall control of the Group’s affairs and among other things includes 
approval of: 

•  the Company’s strategic and operating plans; 
•  annual and interim financial statements; 
•  major acquisitions and disposals; and 
•  Group governance policies. 

Group Delegated Authorities Schedule 
The Group Delegated Authorities Schedule sets out who within the business has authority 
to take decisions based on the nature of the decision and the value associated with it. 
The Group Delegated Authorities Schedule was reviewed during 2015 and a revised 
set was approved by the Board in February 2016. 

The Schedule was amended to reflect the changes that have occurred in the business 
over the past year and the internal restructuring that has taken place. Greater detail has 
been added, including a consolidation with the matters reserved for the Board and the 
Executive Committee, and specific delegations to Board Committees as well as delegations 
to functions. This provides one clear document where all relevant delegations and matters 
reserved are set out together.

Directors’ attendance at Board meetings 
The Nominations Committee assesses the external commitments of Board members to 
ensure that they each have sufficient time and energy to devote to their role with Tesco. 
The Board is currently satisfied that the number of appointments held by each Director in 
addition to their position with Tesco is appropriate to allow them to fulfil their obligations 
to the Group. This is reflected in the attendance by Directors at Board meetings from the 
end of the last financial year to the date of this report:

Board Meeting Attendance 

John Allan 

Dave Lewis 

Alan Stewart 

Richard Cousins 

Deanna Oppenheimer 

Mark Armour 

Byron Grote 

Mikael Olsson 

Alison Platt 

Simon Patterson 

Lindsey Pownall

Meetings 
held during 
director’s 
tenure

Number of  
external 
corporate 
appointments 
held 

Meetings 
attended 

9 

9

9

9

9

9

8

9

1

1

1

9

9

9

9

9

9

8

9

1

1

1

2

1

1

1

4

3

3

5

1

2 

0 

The Chairman met with the Non-executive Directors, without the Executive Directors 
present, during the financial year. Among the issues discussed at these meetings were 
strategy, Board composition, performance of the Group, and management performance. 

37

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Other informationFinancial statementsStrategic reportCorporate governance2. Effectiveness 

Board Activity 
The agenda for each Board meeting is split into four key areas: 

1. Corporate; 
2. Reporting; 
3. Business Review; and 
4. Financial Results. 

This provides a clear structure to ensure that Matters Reserved for the Board are grouped 
appropriately and ensures consistency across the pack of documents sent to the Board in 
advance of the meeting and the meetings themselves. 

Across these four areas, the main focus of the Board’s agenda is currently strategy, which 
reflects the fact that the Group is currently in a turnaround period. In the future, the agenda 
is expected to shift to having a balance of short-term trading updates and more long-term 
issues such as people development, branding, marketing and business planning. 

Set out below is a sample of some the issues which the Board considered during the year: 

The Board received reports from each of the 
Audit, Corporate Responsibility, Nominations and 
Remuneration Committees following each Committee 
meeting. The Company Secretary also provided regular 
reports on corporate and regulatory updates and also 
routine corporate approvals. As mentioned on page 30 
the Group Delegated Authorities Schedule was reviewed 
this year and the Board spent time discussing the 
changes that were required. Updates on litigation and 
investigations were also provided, including on 
the Grocery Code Adjudicator’s review. 

The CEO provided updates to the Board during the 
year on business performance, investor engagement, 
business priorities and operations as well as regulatory 
and corporate responsibility and colleague matters and 
key customer metrics. Reports were also provided to 
the Board by the CFO setting out progress against the 
Big 6 KPI measures and the three turnaround priorities. 

Corporate         Reporting

Business
Review

Financial
Results

Updates were provided to the Board on tax 
strategy, the Group’s treasury position and strategy 
for the business in general. In addition, updates were 
provided from the Investor Relations team on the 
views of major shareholders and share price changes. 
An update was given to the board on the results of the 
2015 UK General Election and the potential impact 
on the Group as well as potential policy changes by 
the UK government and EU reforms. Further updates 
were also provided on consumer and market trends 
with discussions on competition issues and strategies 
for navigating the challenges faced by the business.

The Board reviewed the Annual Report and Financial 
Statements for 2014/15 and the Interim Results 
Statement, including the going concern review.  
Discussions were also held on the approach to viability 
under the new Code requirements. In addition, the 
Board received reports from the external auditor as 
well as the results of an annual property valuation. 
Discussions were also held on the Group’s position 
with regards to dividends and the conditions that 
would need to be achieved in order to return to a 
position of making shareholder distributions.

A forward agenda for the Board is maintained, setting out items for consideration 
periodically in the future. This provides context for the current meeting agenda, setting 
out when items will be tabled for consideration through the annual cycle of events.

38

Corporate governance report continuedTesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Directors’ induction and training 
Led by the Chairman, a comprehensive induction programme is tailored for each new 
Director prior to their appointment to the Board. The programme is designed for each 
individual, taking account of their existing knowledge of the business, specific areas 
of expertise and proposed Committee appointments. 

For Alison Platt, Simon Patterson and Lindsey Pownall, meetings have been arranged 
with the Chairman, CEO and Senior Independent Director, as well as senior members 
of management to ensure they gain a thorough overview and understanding of the key 
business channels. Alison, Simon and Lindsey will also visit various stores, distribution 
centres and fulfilment centres during their first few months as Directors. Each Director 
is provided with a wealth of information via our online Board portal, including: 

•  history, values and ‘Every Little Helps’ culture of Tesco; 
•  governance framework, including Matters Reserved for the Board, Group Delegated 
Authorities Schedule, Forward Agendas, minutes from previous Board and Committee 
meetings, outcomes from previous Board Effectiveness reviews, calendar with dates 
of Board meetings, strategy days and investor events; 

•  operational and management structure (including succession plans) across the Group;
•  Group strategy including progress on the three turnaround priorities and the Big 6; 
•  position on corporate actions including the process and decisions made with respect 

to the sale of the Homeplus business in Korea; 

•  key relationships with stakeholders including employees, customers, suppliers 

and the Supplier Code of Conduct; 

•  key relationships with investors including voting history and analyst opinions; 
•  consumer and industry trends; 
•  Group risk profile including key areas of focus for internal audit; 
•  remuneration policy and an overview of the consultation process that led to 

the decision to close the UK defined benefit pension scheme in 2015 and launch 
a new defined contribution pension scheme; and 

•  corporate responsibility activities including the Community Food Connection 

and Bags of Help initiatives. 

This year, Byron Grote was appointed as Chairman of the Audit Committee. As part of 
Byron’s induction to this role, meetings were arranged with key senior finance executives, 
the Chief Audit & Risk Officer as well as Tesco’s lead audit partner. Members of the Board 
have access to all Board and Committee papers. 

The Chairman regularly discusses training requirements with the Board and arranges 
meetings or information to be provided as appropriate. As part of the ongoing 
development of Directors, key site visits are arranged during the year. 

All Directors are supplied with quality information in an appropriate format. They each 
have access to the advice and services of the Company Secretary and are able to arrange 
for independent professional advice at the Company’s expense where they judge it is 
necessary in order to discharge their responsibilities as Directors. In addition, a Directors’ 
and Officers’ Liability Insurance policy is maintained for all of our Directors and each 
Director has the benefit of a Deed of Indemnity. 

39

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Other informationFinancial statementsStrategic reportCorporate governanceJohn Allan
Nominations 
Committee 
Chairman 

Nominations Committee report

Dear Shareholder, 

This was a very busy year for the Nominations Committee with three key issues  
under consideration: 

Nominations Committee attendance

•  appointment of new Non-executive Directors; 
•  longer term succession planning; and 
•  our Board evaluation cycle. 

Meetings 
held during 
director’s 
tenure 

Meetings 
attended 

At the first Committee meeting in the 2015/16 financial year, the Committee agreed 
to appoint Byron Grote as a new member subject to formal Board and Remuneration 
Committee approval, which was received in December 2015. 

Director

John Allan 

Deanna Oppenheimer 

Richard Cousins 

Byron Grote

5

5

5

1

Nominations Committee responsibilities
The responsibilities of the Nominations 
Committee include: 

5

5

5

1

Due to the level of discussion and consideration required for the appointment of new 
Board members, additional meetings were scheduled in order to allow sufficient time 
for a robust process of review and scrutiny of the potential candidates. Given the level 
of change that has taken place over the past 18 months, it was determined that the 
addition of three new Non-executive Directors would be appropriate and the Committee 
invested substantial time both during and outside formal Committee meetings in order 
to thoroughly explore the available options. 

•  review of the Board’s structure, size 

and composition; 

•  identification, nomination and review of 

candidates for appointment to the Board; 
•  ensuring an effectiveness review is conducted 

annually of the Board, Committees and  
Directors; and 

•  review of 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. 

The Committee’s terms of reference are available 
at www.tescoplc.com. The Senior Independent 
Director chairs all Committee meetings where 
matters relating to the Chairman are discussed.

“...the Committee is very 
pleased to have secured 
new Non-executive 
Directors with the calibre 
and relevant skills and 
experience of Alison, 
Simon and Lindsey.”

With the appointment this year of three new Non-executive Directors, we are confident 
that we have a strong Board to take the Group forward beyond the current turnaround 
period. Having said that, the Committee will continue to refresh and review succession 
plans. The Committee will also keep the timing of further Board effectiveness evaluations 
under consideration and assess whether going forward, internal or external reviews 
would be most appropriate. 

John Allan
Chair of Nominations Committee

Nominations Committee activities 
Following the departure of two Non-executive Directors after the 2015 AGM, the 
Committee were concerned to assess the current composition of the Board and identify 
whether additional skills and competencies required representation on the Board. After 
careful thought, it was agreed that the Board would benefit from appointing three new 
Non-executive Directors. Before selecting Lygon Group as an external search agency, 
consideration was given to the use of several different UK agencies with global reach 
to reflect the international nature of Tesco’s business. Lygon Group are independent 
of Tesco and have no connection to the Group. 

Although much of the Committee’s focus this year was on the appointment of Alison Platt, 
Simon Patterson and Lindsey Pownall, consideration was also given to the composition 
and requirements for the Board further into the future. The Committee was mindful  
of the Davies Report’s 2011 recommendation to have 25% female Board membership  
by 2015, increased in October 2015 to 33% by 2020. However, the priority was to  
recruit Directors who would offer the right skills and complement the rest of the Board. 
Significant time was therefore given to debating the areas of expertise required from  
the new appointments with a focus on the needs of the business in the current digital  
age. Consideration was also given to which Committees would benefit from additional 
members and the relevant skills required for these roles. 

Following initial meetings with either John Allan or another Committee member, shortlisted 
candidates were met by the rest of the Committee outside formal scheduled meetings. 
Each member of the Committee was able to meet the potential Directors face to face with 
the opportunity to probe them on specific points. Following these introductory meetings, 
discussion was held at each subsequent Committee meeting on each individual to explore 
their suitability as a candidate. In addition to the skills and experience of the individual, 
consideration was given to the significant external appointments currently held by each 
candidate and the associated time commitments of these roles. The Committee also 
discussed whether they were a good cultural fit for Tesco as well as the anticipated views 
of external stakeholders. 

40

Corporate governance report continuedTesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Having completed this process, the Committee is very pleased to have secured new 
Non-executive Directors with the calibre and relevant skills and experience of Alison, 
Simon and Lindsey. Between them, they bring a wealth of customer service, IT and 
supplier relationship experience with which they will contribute positively to the work 
of the Board. Full biographies of each Director can be found on page 33. 

The Committee also discussed the Board effectiveness process during the year, including 
the selection of an external evaluator (further information on the Board evaluation can 
be found below). 

In addition, an evaluation of the Chairman’s performance during the year (led by Richard 
Cousins as Senior Independent Director) was discussed without the Chairman being present. 
Performance reviews of all Directors including the CEO and CFO were also undertaken. 
Succession plans for each of these roles were also reviewed. 

Further information about our focus on diversity can be found under ‘Diversity at Tesco’ 
on page 36.

Board evaluation 
This year, the Board agreed to arrange for an external effectiveness evaluation following the 
changes that had taken place on the Board. The Nominations Committee recommended 
the appointment of Ffion Hague of Independent Board Evaluation to carry out this work. 

Ffion Hague and Independent Board Evaluation each have no other connections with 
Tesco and were therefore considered independent in accordance with the Code. 

Board evaluation process and recommendations 
The Chairman provided Ffion Hague’s team with a comprehensive brief in September 
2015. The evaluation team attended Board and Committee meetings in December 2015 
and February 2016. In December 2015 and January 2016, detailed interviews were 
conducted with every Board member. All participants were interviewed for 1.5 hours 
by Ffion Hague according to a set agenda, tailored for the Tesco Board. In addition, 
the team interviewed other regular attendees and contributors. 

An initial report was compiled based on the meeting observations and interviews. 
Draft conclusions were discussed with the Chairman and subsequently discussed  
with the whole Board at its meeting in February 2016 with Ffion Hague present.  
The conclusions of that discussion are recorded in the minutes of the meeting. 

Following the Board meeting, Ffion Hague gave feedback to the Committee Chairs 
on the performance of each Committee and to the Senior Independent Director on 
the performance of the Chairman. In addition, the Chairman received a report with 
feedback on individual Directors. 

The evaluation process concluded that although the current Board is unusually 
new compared to peer groups, there is already a very positive culture. Accelerating 
the development of a strong culture will place the Board in the best position to address 
the challenges ahead of which Board members are acutely aware. Increasing 
opportunities for the Board to meet informally whether through site visits in the UK 
or overseas will contribute to this as well as consolidating links between the Board 
and the business. 

Among the recommendations set out in the report were to: 

•  consider the development of a statement of values and purpose for the Board; 
•  consider ways to increase the time Board members spend in stores and on sites 

other than the head office or London office location; 

•  consider ways of strengthening links between the PLC and subsidiary boards 

(e.g. the Board of Tesco Bank) in order to underpin the information flow to the Board; and 

•  schedule private sessions for the Non-executive Directors at the start of Board 
meetings to enhance decision-making and help induct new Board members. 

The Board is considering all of the recommendations of the Board evaluation report. 

41

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Other informationFinancial statementsStrategic reportCorporate governance3. Relations with our investors 

Shareholder engagement 
The Board is committed to conducting constructive dialogue with shareholders to enable 
clear communication of the Company’s objectives and to understand what is important 
to shareholders. 

Institutional shareholders 
During the year, numerous activities were undertaken to engage with our institutional 
shareholders: 
•  the Chairman, CEO and CFO held regular meetings throughout the year with institutional 

shareholders and updated the Board on the outcome of those meetings; 

•  roundtable events and investor roadshows were organised and conferences attended 

in the UK, Europe and North America; 

•  institutional shareholders were invited to attend the Company’s full-year and half-year 
results presentations. The presentation slides and a webcast of the full-year and half-year 
results presentations were made available at www.tescoplc.com along with transcripts 
of all the results presentations and trading statement conference calls; 

•  the Chairman and Remuneration Committee Chairman held meetings with major 

shareholders to discuss governance and strategy; 

•  we also engaged Socially Responsible Investors by holding calls to discuss various issues 

and responding to queries; and 

•  a survey of a cross-section of shareholders was undertaken during the year in order 

to assess shareholder perception of the Company.

The outcome of shareholder interactions are reported to the Board by the Investor Relations 
team in order to ensure that all Non-executive Directors develop an understanding of the view 
of major shareholders. All Non-executive Directors are able to attend scheduled meetings 
with major shareholders.

Retail shareholders 
Corporate website
Our website (www.tescoplc) provides information to retail shareholders on understanding 
the business, results and financial performance and shareholder meetings. 

Video recordings of the CEO and CFO commenting on results statements were uploaded 
to our website during the year, along with the results presentations and transcripts of 
analysts’ calls. 

Shareholder Meetings – Annual General Meeting 
The Annual General Meeting (‘AGM’) was held on Friday 26 June 2015 at The QEII Centre, 
in Westminster, London. At the AGM, all shareholders were given an opportunity to question 
the Board on the business being proposed. All Directors attended the AGM and were 
available to answer questions. 

Voting on all resolutions was by way of a poll, which allowed shareholders to vote by proxy 
if they could not attend the AGM. Shareholders were given the option to vote for or against 
the resolutions or to withhold their vote. The proxy form and results made it clear that a vote 
withheld was not a vote in law and would not be counted. The results of voting at the AGM 
were published on our website at www.tescoplc.com.

Shareholder Meetings – General Meeting 
A General Meeting (‘GM’) was held on Wednesday 30 September 2015 at Park Plaza 
Riverbank in London to approve the sale of Homeplus, Tesco’s retail business in the 
Republic of Korea. 

In accordance with the resolution passed by shareholders at the AGM, the GM was called 
on 14 clear days’ notice. The Board considered that the shorter notice period was merited 
by the time-sensitive nature of the transaction and was in the best interest of shareholders 
as a whole, taking into account the circumstances and business of the GM. 

Voting was by way of a poll and shareholders were able to vote by proxy if they could 
not attend the GM. Shareholders were given the opportunity to ask questions about 
the transaction. The results of voting at the GM were published on our website at  
www.tescoplc.com. 

The AGM for this year will be held on Thursday 23 June 2016 at the ExCel Centre in 
London. Full details will be included in the Notice of Meeting sent to all shareholders. 

Debt investors
Our treasury team holds biannual formal review 
meetings with all of our relationship banks and 
maintains regular contact with them. 

Our treasury team held calls with the three credit 
rating agencies following the results announcements 
and the CFO and Group Treasury Director met with 
each of the ratings agencies during the year.

Following the full and half year results, the CFO and 
Group Treasury Director held conference calls with 
fixed income investors.

42

Corporate governance report continuedTesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016 
4. Relations with our social and environmental stakeholders 

John Allan 
Corporate 
Responsibility 
Committee 
Chairman

Corporate Responsibility Committee attendance

Director 

John Allan 

Deanna Oppenheimer 

Mikael Olsson 

Meetings 
held during 
Director’s 
tenure 

2

2

2

Meetings 
attended 

2

2

2

Corporate Responsibility Committee 
responsibilities
The responsibilities of the Corporate Responsibility 
Committee include:
•   approving the Group’s corporate and social 

obligations as a responsible citizen and overseeing 
its conduct in the context of those obligations;
•   approving a strategy for discharging the Group’s 
corporate and social responsibilities in such a way 
as to command respect and confidence;
•   identifying and monitoring those external 

developments that 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;

•   overseeing the creation of appropriate policies 

and supporting measures;

•  monitoring the Group’s engagement with external 
stakeholders and other interested parties; and

•  ensuring that appropriate communications 
policies are in place and working effectively 
to build and protect the Group’s reputation 
both internally and externally.

The terms of reference for the Corporate Responsibility 
Committee were reviewed during the year and are 
available at www.tescoplc.com.

“We recognise  

the importance of 
corporate responsibility 
to rebuilding trust 
and transparency.”

Corporate Responsibility Committee report 

Dear Shareholder, 

At Tesco, we are seeking to take a leading position on corporate responsibility matters 
within our industry. Even through our period of turnaround, we have recognised the 
importance of corporate responsibility to rebuilding trust and transparency with a wide 
spectrum of our stakeholders including customers. The Committee has played a key role 
in reviewing and challenging the corporate responsibility agenda of the Group and has 
received updates on a range of issues, more information on which is set out below under 
‘Corporate Responsibility Committee activities’. 

Following the departure of two members, the Committee is now smaller. However, 
both Deanna Oppenheimer and Mikael Olsson have provided robust challenge to the 
proposals tabled, drawing on their contrasting experiences from banking and retail. The 
addition of Lindsey Pownall as a member will bring an additional perspective given her 
knowledge of food production, marketing and supply chains. 

As we have strengthened our corporate responsibility position, the Committee has 
recognised that we were at an ideal point to reassess our approach to corporate 
responsibility whilst maintaining the existing projects already under way. 

We will therefore be undertaking a review of the Committee delegations from the 
PLC Board and also the Committee composition and terms of reference as well as 
our relationship with the corporate responsibility advisory committee. We will also 
seek to maximise the internal talent that we have in our Corporate Responsibility team. 
These actions will serve to place Tesco in the best position to make the most of our 
opportunities to make a significant impact on corporate responsibility issues. 

John Allan 
Corporate Responsibility Committee Chairman

Corporate Responsibility Committee activities 
The Committee recognises the huge opportunity that Tesco has to make a big difference 
on a national and international level and how even modest action on our part can have a 
significant impact on our customers, our communities and our environment. As a result, 
while the Committee were keen for a range of projects to be pursued, they determined 
that initiatives should be identified where even small changes would make a large impact 
for a wide spectrum of stakeholders. 

This year, we have seen progress on a range of projects: 

•  our ‘Eat Happy/Farm to Fork’ project reached a key milestone in November 2015 with 
1 million children having participated in our education trail initiative aimed at raising 
awareness about the process of food production and making healthy eating choices; 

•  following the government’s introduction of a levy on plastic bags, £11.5m has been 
raised from the ‘Bags of Help’ scheme where proceeds from sales of carrier bags 
are reinvested into local projects to develop under-utilised outdoor areas; and 
•  perhaps the project that the Committee is most proud of is the Community Food 
Connection, aimed at reducing food waste. More details can be found below. 

Community Food Connection – partnership with FareShare FoodCloud 
Building trusted partnerships has been a focus for the Committee this year and an opportunity was 
identified to work with two organisations with an initiative to tackle food waste. This project is being 
run through a partnership with UK charity FareShare, utilising the technology platform developed by 
FoodCloud, an Irish social enterprise. The platform allows communication where surplus levels of food 
have been identified at stores and provides for the worthwhile distribution of this food through carefully 
vetted and responsible local charities and community groups. A successful trial at 12 large-format 
stores with ambient food was completed this year. We are now embarking on an expansion to cover 
multiple store sizes and include chilled food, all due to be in place by the end of 2017. 

One key challenge with expanding the work of these two organisations has been increasing the scale 
of distribution. Using our knowledge and experience in this area, Tesco has invested time and resources 
into developing the increased infrastructure required. The Committee is proud that this infrastructure 
will be an open platform. This will allow other food retailers including our competitors to work with 
FareShare FoodCloud in the future. This will ensure that the initial investment by Tesco will be used not 
only to reduce Tesco’s food waste but to impact the amount of food wasted on a national scale, across 
numerous food retailers, benefitting thousands of charities.

43

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Other informationFinancial statementsStrategic reportCorporate governance5. Accountability

Byron Grote
Audit Committee 
Chairman

Audit Committee report

Dear Shareholder, 

During my first year as Audit Committee Chairman, the Committee has continued 
to play a key role within the Tesco PLC governance framework to support the Board 
in matters relating to internal control, risk management and financial reporting. 

During this turnaround period for the Group, the remit of the Audit Committee 
has been expanded to reflect its greater focus on the following areas: 

•  development of the Group’s risk management and internal controls framework; 
•  enhancement of internal controls and risk management processes; 
•  review of the processes by which Tesco evaluates and reports its principal risks 

and uncertainties; 

•  review of the Group’s technology, data security, treasury and tax risks and 

policies; and 

•  assessment and reporting of the Group’s viability in view of new Code requirements. 

Another significant part of the Committee’s work this year has been the oversight of 
a formal tender process for the Company’s statutory audit contract and the subsequent 
transition of audit services to Deloitte LLP (‘Deloitte’) following their appointment by 
shareholders as the Company’s new statutory auditor at the Company’s 2015 Annual 
General Meeting. 

The Committee conducted a review of the Group’s compliance with the Groceries 
Supply Code of Practice during the year. It has also overseen the important development 
of the Group’s finance transformation programme and discussed the enhancement of 
IT controls as recommended by our external auditor. 

Since the end of the 2015/16 financial year, Simon Patterson joined the Board with 
effect from 1 April 2016 and also became a member of the Audit Committee. 

Byron Grote
Chairman, Audit Committee

Audit Committee Meetings 
The Audit Committee met on eight occasions since the end of the last financial year with 
each meeting having a distinct agenda to reflect the annual financial reporting cycle of 
the Group. The Committee has a forward-looking planner, which is designed to ensure 
that the Committee discharges its responsibilities in full during the year. This planner  
is regularly reviewed and developed to meet the changing needs of the Group. 

Audit Committee meeting timeline

27 March

20 April

23 July

1 October

1 December 15 February 24 March

6 April

2015

2015

2015

2015

2015

2016

2016

2016

*  Mark Armour missed one Audit Committee meeting this year due to a family bereavement. 
** One Audit Committee meeting was held shortly before Patrick Cescau’s departure from the Company. 

Audit Committee members
In addition to Committee Chairman Byron Grote, 
there are three other Committee members: Mark 
Armour, Richard Cousins and Simon Patterson. 
Each are independent Non-executive Directors 
and the Board is satisfied that a majority of members 
of the Committee have recent and relevant financial 
experience for the purposes of the Code. Paul Moore 
is appointed as Secretary to the Audit Committee. 
Other individuals, including the Chairman, CEO, 
CFO, Head of Internal Audit and representatives 
of Deloitte may also attend at the invitation of 
the Committee.

Audit Committee attendance

Director 

Byron Grote 

Mark Armour 

Richard Cousins 

Simon Patterson 

Patrick Cescau 

Ken Hanna 

Meetings 
held during 
Directors’ 
tenure 

Meetings 
attended

6

8

8

1

1

2

6

7*

8

1

0**

2

Audit Committee responsibilities
The responsibilities of the Audit Committee include: 
•  monitoring of the Group’s financial  

reporting processes; 

•  consideration of the appointment of the external 
auditor, their reports to the Committee and their 
independence, including an assessment of their 
appropriateness to conduct any non-audit work; 

•  review of the financial statements and 

announcements relating to the financial 
performance of the Company; 

•  review and monitoring of the internal controls 
and risk management processes of the Group, 
including key financial, operational and 
compliance controls, and their effectiveness; 

•  review of the internal audit programme 

and ensuring that the Internal Audit function 
is adequately resourced and has appropriate 
standing within the Company; 

•  discussion with the external auditor as to 

the nature and scope of the external audit; 
•  review of (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 of the Company’s arrangements by which 
employees and contractors may, in confidence, 
raise concerns about possible improprieties 
in financial reporting or other matters; 
•  consideration of management’s response  

to any major external or internal audit 
recommendations; and 

•  review of the Company’s plans for 

business continuity. 

The Audit Committee terms of reference, 
which were updated in March 2015 and again in 
April 2016, can be found at www.tescoplc.com.

44

Corporate governance report continuedTesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016 
Key activities 
A summary of some of the key matters considered at each meeting during the year is set out below: 

Meeting 

March 2015 

April 2015

July 2015

October 2015 

December 2015

February 2016

March 2016

April 2016

Key matters considered 

•  Financial Results 2014/15
•  Internal control effectiveness
•  Committee terms of reference
•  GSCOP compliance programme

•  Annual Report and Financial Statements 2014/15, including fair, balanced and understandable review
•  Internal audit plan
•  Review of commercial income and IT controls 
•  Audit tender process

•  External audit – Deloitte audit plan and transition update 
•  Non-audit fees policy
•  Internal audit update 

•  Interim Results Statement, including going concern review 
•  Development of Viability Statement
•  External audit – Deloitte interim report
•  Deloitte non-audit services 
•  Internal audit update 

•  Finance – year-end considerations and viability statement 
•  Treasury policy 
•  Technology – risk 
•  Internal audit charter 
•  Internal audit update 
•  External audit – Deloitte update to planning report 
•  Risk management update 

•  Risk and viability 
•  Treasury – funding plan 
•  Tax – risk 
•  External audit – Deloitte early warning report 
•  Financial Statements 2015/16 

•  UK Corporate Governance Code compliance 
•  Risk and control roadmap 
•  Viability statement and going concern review 
•  Group compliance update, including GSCOP compliance 
•  Internal audit plan and budget for 2016/17
•  External audit – Deloitte update report 

•  Tesco Bank update 
•  Update on whistleblowing process 
•  Preliminary Results announcement summary 
•  Annual Report and Financial Statements 2015/16, including fair, balanced and understandable review
•  Tax transparency paper 
•  Report from the Disclosure Committee, including fair, balanced and understandable review 
•  External audit – Deloitte year-end final report 
•  Deloitte non-audit services 

During the year, the Committee has overseen the development of the Group’s ongoing finance transformation programme. A significant 
project has been undertaken by the Internal Audit and Group Finance teams in consultation with KPMG to redesign, simplify and test 
the effectiveness of the Group’s key financial controls. 

The Committee continues to focus on commercial income and stock controls and receives regular updates from Internal Audit on the work 
that is being undertaken to review and strengthen the Group’s processes in these areas. 

In addition, this year the Committee reviewed the Group’s risks relating to technology, treasury and tax and reported on its findings  
to the Board. In relation to the financial statements, the Committee reviewed and recommended approval of the half-yearly results  
and annual financial statements, considered impairment reviews and going concern status, discussed the viability statement, reviewed 
corporate governance disclosures and monitored the statutory audit. In response to correspondence with the FRC in relation to the 2015 
accounts, the Group has made several disclosure enhancements in this year’s annual report. The Committee also received update reports 
from the Tesco Bank Audit Committee, Deloitte, the Disclosure Committee and the Group Compliance Committee. Internal Audit also 
provided regular updates, including findings from its internal audit programme. The Committee has also considered the Group’s principal 
risks, whistleblowing arrangements and updates on compliance with the Groceries Supply Code of Practice. 

Reports from the Internal Audit function and external auditor are received at each meeting. One key item that our external auditor reported 
on this year as an area for development was IT controls and a remediation plan is being developed by the Technology team to address the 
matters raised. 

In addition, the Committee holds private meetings with the Internal Audit function and with the external auditor. 

45

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Other informationFinancial statementsStrategic reportCorporate governance 
 
 
Significant financial statement reporting issues
The Committee considered a number of significant issues in the year taking into account in all instances the views of the Company’s 
external auditor. The issues and how they were addressed by the Committee are detailed below: 

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 
to the Group and 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.

Fixed asset 
impairment  
and onerous  
lease provisions

The Committee reviewed and challenged management’s impairment testing of property and technology assets and estimate of 
onerous lease provisions. The Committee considered the appropriateness of key assumptions and methodologies for both value  
in use models and fair value measurements. This included challenging cash flows, growth rates and discount rates and the use of 
independent third party valuations. The Group has recognised a £263m charge for impaired PPE assets, together with an onerous 
lease provision of £150m in the year and a £169m charge for Software. 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 and ensuring appropriate sensitivity 
disclosure. This included challenging the key assumptions: principally cash flow forecasts, growth rates and discount rates. The Group 
has recognised a goodwill impairment of £18m. 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 the use of independent valuation 
experts, in determining the fair value of the investment. This included review of Gain Land’s projected cash flows, growth rates and 
discount rates used, and the external market indicators to include in the valuation. The carrying value was supported by the valuation. 
See Note 13 to the financial statements.

Inventory

The Committee reviewed management’s judgements in assessing the required level of inventories provisioning and concluded that 
the method of estimating the carrying value of inventory remains appropriate, and that the level of provisioning is appropriate.

Tesco Bank 
judgemental matters

The Committee reviewed management’s judgements made in relation to Tesco Bank’s provisions for customer redress, insurance 
reserves and credit loss provisions, 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. See Note 22 and Note 24 to the financial statements.

Pensions

The Committee reviewed and challenged the estimates used by management in valuing pension liabilities, principally the discount 
rate used. This included review of the actuarial valuation report. The Committee also reviewed management’s assessment of the 
accounting treatment resulting from the closure of the defined benefit scheme. This includes the valuation of the actuarial credit  
on closure and the one-off costs. See Note 4 and Note 26 to the financial statements.

Business combinations 
and disposals

The Committee considered the key judgements made by management in accounting for a number of property transactions and the 
disposal of the Homeplus business in Korea, including property fair values for the former and the uncertainty in relation to tax payable 
to the authorities for the latter. See Note 7 and Note 30 to the financial statements.

Contingent liabilities

The Committee further considered management’s assessment of the status of the ongoing regulatory investigations and litigation 
relating to the prior period. The Committee concurred with management’s assessment that due to the 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 31 to the financial statements.

Recognition of 
commercial income

The Committee reviewed management’s assessment of the controls that exist over the recognition on commercial income, and the 
assessment of those controls by internal audit. Challenge from the Committee focused on management’s determination of the point 
of recognition of income. See Notes 15, 16 and 19 of the financial statements.

Exceptional items

The Committee considered the presentation of the Group financial statements and, in particular, the appropriateness of the 
presentation of exceptional items. 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. Consideration was also given to the quality of earnings within underlying results. See Note 4 to the  
financial statements.

Fair, balanced and understandable 
statement 
The Committee advised the Board on whether 
the Annual Report and Financial Statements, 
taken as a whole, are 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.

Effectiveness review 
An external effectiveness review of the Audit Committee was carried out this year by  
Ffion Hague of Independent Board Evaluation. Further detail on the process that was 
undertaken can be found on page 41. 

Internal and external audit 
Internal audit – Group Audit & Advisory (‘GAA’) 
GAA is an independent assurance function within Tesco as a service to the Board and all 
levels of management. Its remit is to provide independent and objective advice to facilitate, 
influence and help the organisation to achieve its priorities. It helps the organisation accomplish 
its objectives by bringing a systematic, disciplined approach to evaluating and improving 
the effectiveness of risk management, control and governance processes.

GAA’s responsibilities include supporting management in the assessment and mitigation 
of risks, as well as reporting on the effectiveness of the systems of internal control as 
operated by management. Management are responsible for establishing and maintaining 
an appropriate system of risk identification and internal control, and for the prevention and 
detection of irregularities and fraud. GAA facilitate the Group’s risk management processes 
with the Audit Committee and Board.

46

Corporate governance report continuedTesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Auditor transition process 
Following a formal tender process, Deloitte  
were appointed as our auditor at the 2015  
AGM. We have therefore complied with the 
requirements of The Statutory Audit Services  
for Large Companies Market Investigation  
Order 2014. Since then, the Audit Committee  
has overseen the transition of the external audit  
work to Deloitte through a number of activities:
•  workshops and meetings were held 

between Deloitte and key management and 
executives, including individuals outside of 
the finance function (e.g. buyers, property 
team, HR, etc.) so that the new auditor could 
rapidly develop an understanding of Tesco’s 
controls and processes as well as historical 
matters, in particular key areas of judgement.

•  further meetings were held to discuss the 

audit scope and approach that Deloitte used 
to create a detailed audit plan, which was 
presented to the Audit Committee in July 
2015 and updated in November 2015.

•  Deloitte completed a review of the interim 

results and carried out some advanced audit 
procedures on the period 10 results and 
provided preliminary findings on the key 
financial reporting judgements to the Audit 
Committee in February 2016. 

•  a number of site visits were completed across 
the UK & ROI and International operations, 
including 75 stores visited in the UK for the 
purpose of either inventory count or store 
control assessments, seven distribution 
centres in the UK and audit partner 
attendance at each of the international 
businesses during the course of the year. 

In addition, the Company has worked closely 
with Deloitte to consider key accounting 
matters as they arose throughout the year. 

Key elements of the risk management process
The risk management process facilitates 
the identification of risks through workshops 
and interviews with business leaders. A risk 
that can seriously affect the performance, 
future prospects or reputation of the Group 
is termed a principal risk and they are aligned 
to the Group’s priorities. Risks are maintained 
in Group or business unit risk registers. 

Risks are assessed to determine the potential 
impact and likelihood of occurrence, after taking 
into account key controls and mitigating factors. 
Additional mitigating actions are identified 
and agreed with relevant business owners.

Risks are managed at the Group or within the 
business unit on an ongoing basis with follow-up 
by GAA throughout the year. At the Group level 
each principal risk has an Executive Owner. 
The CEO has overall accountability for the control 
and management of risk. The Board has overall 
responsibility for risk management. The principal 
risks are detailed on page 25, showing the risk 
movement and examples of relevant key 
controls and mitigating factors.

Internal control 
The Board monitors the key elements of the Company’s internal control framework 
throughout the year and has conducted a review of the effectiveness of the Company’s risk 
management and internal controls. To support the Board in this year’s annual assessment, 
a report was prepared by GAA which described the arrangements that the Board had put 
in place for internal control and risk management systems, and summarised the key issues 
or non-compliance arising from those processes. The internal control framework is intended 
to manage rather than eliminate the risk of failure to achieve business objectives and can only 
provide reasonable and not absolute assurance against material mistatement or loss. 

The Group has commenced a number of key transformation programmes in the year. 
These will drive improvement and consistency in our processes across our control environment. 
In particular, there are clear plans in place to enhance IT controls and our controls around 
information security. To further strengthen our control environment we are building a 
methodical process to drive greater alignment and integration of risk, controls, assurance and 
oversight across the business. The key elements of the Company’s risk management process 
are set out on the left. 

External audit 
Following a formal tender process, Deloitte were appointed as the Company’s new statutory 
auditor at the 2015 Annual General Meeting. The Company intends to put the external audit 
out to tender every 10 years in the future. As Deloitte were appointed during the 2015/16 
financial year, a full effectiveness review will be conducted later in 2016 following completion 
of its first full audit cycle. The Committee considers the effectiveness of the auditor on an 
ongoing basis during the year. Deloitte 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. 

The process for approving all non-audit work provided by our auditor is overseen by the 
Committee in order to safeguard the objectivity and independence of the auditor. Prior 
to approval, consideration is given to whether it is in the interests of the Company that the 
services are purchased from Deloitte rather than another supplier. Where Deloitte have been 
chosen, this is as a result of their detailed knowledge of our business and understanding of 
our industry as well as demonstrating that they have the necessary expertise and capability 
to undertake the work cost effectively. 

In advance of new EU regulations, the non-audit fees and independence of our auditor 
are subject to ongoing review in light of the 70% cap that will apply. A new non-audit services 
policy was approved this year, reducing threshold limits to require any proposed non-audit 
work with fees over £100,000 to be approved by the Audit Committee Chairman and all 
non-audit fees to be reported to the Audit Committee. 

During the year, Deloitte received £6.5m in fees for work relating to the audit services  
they provide to the Group, including audit-related assurance work. Non-audit related work 
undertaken by Deloitte amounted to fees of £10m this year, which amounts to 61% of the 
total fees paid to them. Fees paid to Deloitte are set out in Note 3 of the financial statements, 
but details of significant non-audit work undertaken are set out below: 

Nature 
of service 

Safeguards to preserve independence

Retail 
consultancy

Advisory team separate to the audit team. Decision-making accountability remained 
with management.

Forensic 
services

Advisory team separate to the audit team. Careful consideration given to scope of 
services to ensure potential self-advocacy/management threats were mitigated. 

Tax advisory 
/compliance 

All tax teams separate to the audit team. All tax services will be transitioned to a new 
provider prior to the new EU Regulations coming into force. 

Pension 
advisory

Advisory team separate to the audit team. Careful consideration given to scope of 
services to ensure potential management threat to independence was mitigated. 

Level of fees

£4,625k

£2,288k

£1,144k

£612k 

The level of non-audit fees in the financial year 2015/16 reflects the transition to Deloitte 
as external auditor during the year and completion of certain key activities that were 
in progress. Steps are being taken to reduce the level of non-audit fees significantly in the 
financial year 2016/17. Deloitte previously acted as advisors to the Group on remuneration, 
until new advisors were appointed following the selection of Deloitte as external auditor. 
The figures above therefore include £133k of remuneration advisory fees incurred prior 
to the transition of these services to our new providers. 

47

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Other informationFinancial statementsStrategic reportCorporate governanceDirectors’ remuneration report
Remuneration Committee Chair’s introduction

Deanna 
Oppenheimer 
Remuneration 
Committee 
Chair

In this section
p.48

Annual  
remuneration report

p.64

Remuneration policy

Subject to an advisory 
vote at the 2016 AGM

Approved at the  
2015 AGM

“ Future arrangements 
continue to closely  
align to Tesco’s  
long-term strategy”

48

Dear Shareholder,

I am pleased to introduce the Directors’ remuneration report for 2015/16. The changes 
in this year’s report are all within the existing policy approved by over 96% of voting 
shareholders at the 2015 AGM. Let me highlight the key remuneration outcomes 
and plans for the coming year.

2015/16 reward outcomes
Stretching 2015/16 annual bonus targets were set last year in the context of significant 
uncertainty and volatility for both Tesco and the retail sector, at a time when nearly all 
key indicators in the business were on a steep, negative trend. In determining the final 
level of bonus payable, the Committee considered the wider performance of the Group 
and agreed management has reversed the negative trajectory and were making strong 
progress in delivering the turnaround plan. In particular, the Group has achieved increased 
volumes and positive like-for-like sales, reduced costs, increased cash flow, and completed 
significant disposals and business restructuring to strengthen the balance sheet.

As a result, financial targets for sales and operating profit, representing 80% of the bonus, 
were met almost fully for both Dave Lewis and Alan Stewart. In combination with 
strong performance against personal objectives from both of our Executive Directors 
(as detailed on page 55) this means the 2015/16 annual bonus will pay out at 95.7%  
of the maximum for the CEO and CFO respectively with 50% deferred into shares,  
in line with our policy. The Executive Directors believe that their remuneration should 
demonstrate their commitment to the business at this early stage of the turnaround. 
As such, for the 2015/16 bonus, they offered to defer a further 50% of their cash  
bonus into shares, vesting on the earlier of three years or the resumption of dividend 
payments. This increases to 75% the proportion of the bonus that is deferred into 
shares and creates a further direct alignment with shareholders through the link to 
resuming dividend payments and the long-term value creation opportunity of the business. 

Remuneration framework for 2016/17
In the 2014/15 Directors’ remuneration report, the Committee’s stated intention was 
to undertake a further review of incentives in 2015/16 to ensure future arrangements 
continue to closely align to Tesco’s long-term strategy and deliver value to shareholders 
and other key stakeholders.

We completed this review and, following discussions with our major shareholders, the 
Committee has decided that some changes to the remuneration of senior executives, 
including Executive Directors, were appropriate. These changes apply to the operation 
of the Performance Share Plan only and are within existing policy approved by shareholders 
at the 2015 AGM. They are summarised below:

Overall remuneration – There are no changes to the overall % levels of remuneration.

Annual bonus – The Committee believes that the current annual bonus plan measures, 
focused on sales, profit and individual measures, remain appropriate for 2016/17 and 
so no changes are to be made. 

Performance Share Plan (‘PSP’) – The following changes have been made to the PSP 
for 2016/17 within the existing Remuneration Policy:
•  We are changing the comparator group against which Total Shareholder Return 
(‘TSR’) will be measured to a sector-based index comprising constituents of the 
FTSE350 Food & Drug and FTSE350 General Retail sectors. This ensures our 
measurement of comparative TSR performance is more closely aligned to the 
competitive markets in which Tesco operates and reflects the intense focus the Board 
believes that Tesco needs to have within the challenging retail market at this time. 
This also reflects feedback from shareholders last year, which expressed a preference 
for the use of well-established industry classifications in the selection of peers. 

•  We have introduced a new component for the PSP relating to Tesco’s key stakeholder 

metrics of customers, suppliers, and colleagues, with a 20% weighting. Building 
increased trust in these constituencies is critical to delivering our strategy and 
the importance of this focus is reflected in the Big 6 KPIs on which Tesco regularly 
reports to shareholders. The weighting of the relative TSR measure will therefore 
be reduced to 50% (previously 70%) as a result of this change.

•  Retail cash generated from operations will be retained with a 30% weighting, 

as generating quality cash flow remains a key area of focus for the business and 
is a measure of performance that is critical to Tesco’s position as a long-term, 
sustainable retailer. 

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016These changes ensure that the remuneration arrangements are tightly connected to 
Tesco’s strategic priorities. As such, they will be clear and motivating to management 
and will support the execution of the strategy in line with shareholder interests.

Other matters
The overall remuneration arrangements are summarised in the ‘Remuneration at a 
glance’ section of this report on page 50. The Remuneration Policy, as approved by 
shareholders at the 2015 AGM, is set out in full from page 64 onwards for information.

Byron Grote joined the Committee in July 2015 and Alison Platt joined in April 2016.  
Both bring considerable experience that further enhances the Committee going forward.

Due to the appointment of Deloitte as the Company’s auditor during the year, the 
Committee conducted a review to replace Deloitte as the Committee’s independent 
remuneration advisor. Following this review, the Committee appointed 
PricewaterhouseCoopers.

As the Company proceeds through a period of considerable change, the Committee, 
working with management, will continue to align incentive arrangements with Tesco’s 
strategy, business results, and market demands. As always, we value your views 
as shareholders as part of this process.

Deanna Oppenheimer
Remuneration Committee Chair

49

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Other informationCorporate governanceFinancial statementsStrategic reportDirectors’ remuneration report continued
Annual remuneration report

The following report outlines Tesco’s 
remuneration framework, how the 
remuneration policy was implemented in 
2015/16 and how the Committee intends 
to apply the policy in 2016/17.

Remuneration at a glance
The approach to remuneration throughout 
Tesco is guided by a framework of common 
principles, which are outlined below.

Reward objectives

Reward principles

Attract
•  Enable Tesco to recruit the right people 

Motivate
•  Incentivise colleagues to deliver our business 

goals together 

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

performance and contribution

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

•  Our reward framework is flexible to meet 

•  Reward is set with reference to external market  

practice and internal relativity 

the changing needs of the business

•  We reward in a responsible way

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

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

Overview of Executive Director 
remuneration
The table below summarises key information 
relating to our remuneration policy and how 
it was implemented during the year. The 
Remuneration Policy, which was approved 
at the AGM held on 26 June 2015, is reprinted 
in full for reference from page 64.

Remuneration element and link  
to strategy

Base salary
Supports the recruitment and  
retention of Executive Directors  
of the calibre required to develop  
and deliver the strategy.

Annual incentive
Rewards Executive Directors for the 
delivery of annual financial, operational 
and strategic goals.

Long-term incentive
Rewards Executive Directors  
for achieving Tesco’s long-term 
strategy and creating sustainable 
shareholder value and aligns the 
economic interests of Executive 
Directors and shareholders.

Key features of policy

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.

The annual bonus is normally 
delivered: 
•  50% in cash; and 
•  50% in shares deferred for  

three years.

The 50% deferral into Company 
shares provides alignment with 
shareholders interests.

The malus and clawback provisions 
enable the Company to mitigate risk.

Awards normally vest based on 
performance over a period of not less 
than three years (unless the Committee 
determines otherwise).

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.

Further details on the strategic alignment 
of these performance measures is 
provided overleaf.

50

How we will implement the policy  
in 2016/17

Directors salaries are reviewed annually 
with an implementation date of 1 July.

No increases will be made to salaries 
at the salary review date (1 July 2016).

No changes are proposed for 2016/17.

How we implemented  
the policy in 2015/16

Executive Director salaries for 2015/16 
were as follows:
•  CEO – £1,250,000
•  CFO – £750,000

No increases were made to salaries 
at the salary review date (1 July 2015).

Maximum opportunity was as follows:
•  CEO – 250% of base salary
•  CFO – 225% of base salary

The performance measures were:
•  50% sales;
•  30% operating profit; and
•  20% individual measures.

Maximum opportunity was as follows:
•  CEO – 275% of base salary
•  CFO – 250% of base salary

The performance measures for the 
2015/16 grant were:
•  70% relative TSR performance 

compared with a retail group; and

•  30% cumulative Retail Cash 
Generated from Operations.

Performance measures for the 2016/17 
award will be:
•  TSR (50%) weighted index of FTSE350 
Food & Drug retailers and FTSE350 
General Retailers. 

•  Cumulative Retail Cash Generated 

from Operations (30%).

•  Stakeholder metrics (new measure) 

(20%): customers, suppliers 
and colleagues. 

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016 
 
Performance measures and strategy
The following table sets out how each of the 
performance measures within the annual 
bonus and PSP link to Tesco’s strategy.

Variable pay 
element

Annual bonus

Performance measure

Link to strategy

Sales*

•  To deliver turnaround performance, top-line revenue growth is fundamental and will be the foundation to ensuring 

sustainable levels of profit in the future. 

Operating profit*

•  Incentivises the delivery of Tesco’s strategy by encouraging the creation of shareholder value through profitable 

financial strategy.

PSP

Individual

TSR

•  Focuses on the delivery of critical operational and strategic goals of the business for the year. 

•  Directly aligns Executive Directors’ interests with those of shareholders in delivering relative high share price 

growth and returns over the performance period. 

Cash from operations*

•  Continues to be a key measure and reflects the need to protect and strengthen our financial position so that 

we can maintain the flexibility to invest in a better shopping experience for customers.

Key stakeholder metrics** 
(2016/17 awards only)

•  These metrics are critical to delivering Tesco’s long-term strategy and the importance of this focus is reflected in 
the Big 6 KPIs, on which Tesco regularly reports to shareholders. Alongside improving our financial performance, 
we need to continue to improve stakeholder alignment, particularly in relation to the customer and supplier metrics.

*  Big 6 financial measure. Measured on a constant currency basis.
**  Customers, suppliers and colleagues are three of the Big 6 elements (see page 12 for further information). The PSP measures will, to the extent possible, be aligned 

with how these KPIs are measured for business performance management and reporting purposes.

Annual bonus performance against 
targets in 2015/16 (audited)
The table below sets out performance 
against the metrics applicable to 2015/16 
annual bonus outcomes. 

Measures

Sales (50%)*

Operating profit* 
(30%)

Individual (20%)

Underpin

n/a

£549m

n/a

Threshold

£48.0bn

£589m

–

Target performance

Target

£48.9bn

£711m

–

Stretch

Actual performance

£49.8bn

£853m

–

£49.8bn

£954m

–

Payout (% 
maximum)

98%

100%

83.5%

*   Sales and operating profit for 2015/16 at constant exchange rates, with sales adjusted to exclude IFRIC13 (see page 95 for more details). A reconciliation with reported 

figures for operating profit are set out in Note 2 to the accounts.

Performance for the formulaic financial 
elements of the plan (sales and operating 
profit) has been strong with sales almost 
achieving the stretch target and operating 
profit exceeding the stretch target set at 
the beginning of the year. A Group operating 
profit underpin, set at the beginning of the 
year, also applies to the annual bonus, below 
which no portion of the annual bonus pays 
out. The underpin for the 2015/16 year 
of £549m was met. In relation to individual 
elements, the CEO and CFO both achieved 
16.7% out of a maximum 20% and 
accordingly, the annual bonus will pay out 
at 95.7% of the maximum for Dave Lewis 
and Alan Stewart. 

Further details of the individual metrics 
and the annual bonus performance against 
targets are included on page 52.

PSP performance against targets  
in 2015 /16 (audited)
No awards which have previously been 
granted to the Executive Directors vested 
in the year ended 27 February 2016. 

The following report outlines the 
remuneration framework, and how 
the Committee intends to apply the 
remuneration policy in 2016/17. This annual 
remuneration report will be submitted to 
an advisory shareholder vote at the AGM on 
23 June 2016.

51

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Other informationCorporate governanceFinancial statementsStrategic reportDirectors’ remuneration report continued
Annual remuneration report

How the remuneration policy will be applied in 2016/17

Fixed pay

Element

Base salary

Pension  
(Cash in retirement)

Benefits

Performance- 
related pay

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

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

Operation and opportunity

•  CEO – £1,250,000.
•  CFO – £750,000.
•  Next review due 1 July 2017.

Performance measures

•  n/a

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

•  n/a

•  Core benefits include car benefits, driver, security, 
life assurance, disability and health insurance, and 
colleague discount.

•  Executive Directors 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 – stretch opportunity of 250% of base salary.
•  CFO – stretch 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 – stretch award of 275% of base salary.
•  CFO – stretch 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 awards made in 2016/17, performance will 

be assessed based on Tesco’s TSR performance 
compared with an index of retail companies, 30% on 
cumulative Retail Cash Generated from Operations 
and 20% based on key stakeholder metrics.

•  See below for further details.

Further details on Tesco’s short- and long-term performance measures 

Annual bonus

Performance measure

Sales growth

Profit

Individual measures

Weighting

Definition of measure

50%

30%

20%

Sales (exc. VAT, exc. fuel) 

Operating profit before exceptional items 

Delivery of operational and strategic goals in the year

Underpin
To ensure that we do not incentivise Executive 
Directors 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
Executive bonus targets are considered by 
the Board to be commercially sensitive as 
they could inform Tesco’s competitors of its 

budgeting. We therefore do not publish 
details of the targets on a prospective basis 
but they will focus on the delivery of the 
operational and strategic goals of the business 
for the year. For 2016/17 these continue to 
include the delivery of the Big 6 alongside 
all colleagues.

basis in next year’s Annual Report at 
the same time that the bonus outcome 
is reported. In relation to exchange rates, 
the targets are set based on 2015/16 
average exchange rates and then at the 
conclusion of the next financial year, 
are assessed on a constant currency basis.

However, we will provide full and transparent 
disclosure of the targets and the performance 
against these targets on a retrospective 

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

52

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Performance Share Plan (PSP)
The performance measures for the PSP 
award for 2016/17 have been changed 
from those used in 2015/16. The priority 
is to have a plan aligned with three key 
strategic priorities:

•  delivery of significant value to 

shareholders through share price  
and dividend performance; 

•  returning the business to be one that 

generates sustainable, quality cash flow; and

•  building trust with key stakeholders 
(customers, suppliers, colleagues).

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

PSP measures

Performance measure

Weighting

Definition of measure

Relative TSR vs index comprising companies from 
FTSE350 Food & Drug Retailers and FTSE350 General 
Retailers indices

Retail cash generated from operations

Key stakeholder measures

50%

30%

20%

Growth in share price plus dividends reinvested. These incorporate Tesco’s key competitors 
within the FTSE350 Food & Drug Retailers and FTSE350 General Retailers indices. The groups 
are weighted towards the Food & Drug Retailers to reflect Tesco’s long-term business split 
between food and general retail

Cumulative retail cash generated from operations +/- movement in working capital,  
excluding Tesco Bank

Three stakeholder metrics: customers, suppliers and colleagues

Following a one-off amendment in 
2015 (as explained in last year’s report), 
the initial measurement period for the 
TSR calculation will be based on the 
three-month average share price of  

1 December 2015 to 27 February 2016. 
This represents the three months 
immediately prior to the start of the 
three-year performance period. In 2015,  
the cumulative retail cash generated from 

operations element was also amended for 
the sale of the Korean business with the 
threshold and stretch targets being £6.6bn 
and £7.3bn respectively.

PSP targets

Performance measure

Definition

TSR 

Relative TSR v  
a retail sector 
index

Weighting

50%

Cash Generation 

Cumulative retail  
cash generated  
from operations

30%

Stakeholder  
Performance
2014/15

–

–

25%

Performance 
equal to  
index

25%

£8.6bn

Threshold

Stretch

Vesting 
level

Performance 
required

Performance 
Description

Vesting 
level

Performance 
required

Performance equal  
to index of FTSE350 
Food & Drug and 
General retailers

Cumulative retail  
cash generated  
from operations 
+/- movement in 
working capital, 
excluding Tesco Bank

Performance above 
that achieved in the 
financial year prior 
to grant

Performance above 
that achieved in the 
financial year prior 
to grant

Performance above 
that achieved in the 
financial year prior 
to grant

Performance above 
that achieved in the 
financial year prior 
to grant

100%

8% (6%+2%) p.a. 
outperformance  
of the index – see 
notes below

100%

£9.4bn

100%

+24

100%

82%

100%

84%

100%

+47

Stakeholder 
measure

i) Customers

ii) Suppliers

iii) Colleagues

iii) Colleagues

The proportion  
of customers 
recommending  
Tesco as a place 
to shop

The proportion  
of suppliers scoring 
satisfaction at  
7 or above (on a 
10 point scale)

The proportion  
of colleagues 
endorsing Tesco as  
a great place to work

The proportion  
of colleagues 
recommending  
Tesco as a place  
to shop

6.66%

-6

0%

+2

6.66%

59%

0%

70%

3.33%

75%

0%

81%

3.33%

+22

0%

+41

*  Customers and Colleagues metrics for ‘Great place to shop’ scores range from -100 to +100. The prior year results for stakeholder metrics are shown for information.

Based on a review of FTSE100 
outperformance hurdles in use, analysis of 
the historic performance of key retail peers, 
and forward-looking modelling, the level of 
TSR outperformance of the index equivalent 
to above upper quartile performance 

required for stretch vesting is determined 
to be 6% p.a. relative to the peer set. 
However, for the purpose of 2016/17 awards, 
the Committee wishes to signal Tesco’s 
intention to grow returns to shareholders.
As such, an additional 2% p.a. 

outperformance stretch will be applied 
to the normal 6% such that the TSR 
outperformance required for stretch 
vesting is 8% p.a. In relation to the 
Stakeholder measures, the base line  
at commencement is shown above.

53

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Other informationCorporate governanceFinancial statementsStrategic reportDirectors’ remuneration report continued
Annual remuneration report

What did we pay Executive Directors in the year?
The table below provides a summary ‘single total figure’ of remuneration for 2015/16 
and 2014/15. Where necessary, further explanations of the values provided are included 
below. This table and all relevant explanation has been audited.

Single total figure of remuneration (audited)
Executive Directors

Year

Dave Lewis

2015/16

2014/15

Alan Stewart

2015/16

2014/15

Salary  
(£’000)

1,250

570

750 

297

Benefits 
(£’000)

Short-term 
annual bonus 
(£’000)

Long-term 
Performance 
Share Plan 
(£’000)

80

97

40

42

2,989

–

1,614

–

–

–

–

–

Pension  
(£’000)

Total before 
buyouts  
(£’000)

Buyouts1 
(£’000)

Total  
(£’000)

313

143

188

74

4,632

810

2,592

413

–

3,323

– 

1,724

4,632

4,133

2,592

2,137

1 

 The single figure total for 2014/15 includes one-off buyout awards made to Dave Lewis and Alan Stewart to compensate them for awards forfeited from their previous 
employers. The awards were made based on the expected value of the awards forfeited, taking into account performance at their previous employers and delivered in 
restricted shares, which vest subject to continued employment by Tesco. Since these were awards related to previous employment, and not subject to Tesco performance 
conditions, there is no direct alignment with Tesco’s performance in 2014/15. The awards have no impact on the single figure for 2015/16 nor any future years.

  Alan Stewart received a payment in respect of his 2014/15 bonus forfeited based on the payment he would have received had he remained in post at his previous employer 
(pro-rated for time). The actual amount was unknown when the 2014/15 remuneration report was published, therefore an estimated amount of £400,000 was shown. 
The final amount was £236,232, therefore a negative adjustment of £(163,768) has been applied to the 2014/15 single figure.

Salary
Salaries are normally reviewed in July each 
year. The Committee considered the Chief 
Executive and Chief Financial Officer’s pay 
review in light of pay review budgets across 
the Group and for pay recommendations 

from the Chief Executive for Executive 
Committee members. As a result, the 
Committee determined that the salaries for 
the Chief Executive and the Chief Financial 
Officer would remain unchanged in 
2015/16 and for 2016/17.

Salary

Increase in year (%)

Annual salary (£’000)

Salary received in year (£’000)

Benefits (audited)
Benefits comprise core benefits and any 
taxable business expenses including the 
applicable tax.

Benefit

Description

Car benefits (£’000)

Company car or cash alternative and driver

Healthcare benefits (£’000)

Disability and health insurance

Security (£’000)

Other (£’000)

Total (£’000)

Installation of security measures to meet business standards

Membership fees and other costs

Annual bonus 2015/16 (audited)

Annual bonus 2015/16 (audited)

Stretch bonus opportunity (% of salary)

Actual bonus (% of salary)

Actual bonus (£’000)

Deferred into shares (75%) (£’000)

Directors

Dave Lewis

Alan Stewart

None

1,250

1,250

None

750

750

Directors

Dave Lewis

Alan Stewart

55

1

14

10

80

39

1

–

–

40

Directors

Dave Lewis

Alan Stewart

250%

239%

2,989

2,242

225%

215%

1,614

1,211

Bonus measures

Sales (50%)*

Operating profit (30%)*

Individual (20%)

Target performance

Underpin

Threshold

n/a

£549m

n/a

£48.0bn

£589m

–

Target

£48.9bn

£711m

–

Stretch

£49.8bn

£853m

–

Actual 
performance

Payout (% 
maximum)

£49.8bn

£954m

–

98%

100%

83.5%

*   Sales and operating profit for 2015/16 at constant exchange rates, with sales adjusted to exclude IFRIC13 (see page 95 for more details). A reconciliation with reported 

figures for operating profit are set out in Note 2 to the accounts.

54

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016The table below details the Executive Directors’ Individual Objectives in 2015/16.

Objective

Dave Lewis
CEO

(i) Cash generation – deliver stock 
and cash targets

(ii) Portfolio reshaping & debt 
reduction

(iii) Supplier relationship – 
improvement ratings v 2014/15

Weighting

Min

6.66%

£1.4bn

3.33%

–

Target

£1.5bn

£5.0bn

Stretch

£1.6bn

–

6.66%

1% improvement in 
Supplier Viewpoint 
Survey lead question

5% improvement in 
Supplier Viewpoint 
Survey lead question

10% improvement 
in Supplier Viewpoint 
Survey lead question

Alan Stewart
CFO

(i) Cash generation – deliver stock 
and cash targets

(ii) Portfolio reshaping & debt 
reduction

(iii) Deliver restructuring savings in 
line with announcements in January

6.66%

£1.4bn

3.33%

–

6.66%

£200m

£1.5bn

£5.0bn

£250m

£1.6bn

–

£300m

Payout 

16.7%

FY 15/16  
Result

£2.2bn

£5.1bn

18.91%

£2.2bn

16.7%

£5.1bn

£372m

Performance for the formulaic financial 
elements of the plan (sales and operating 
profit) has been strong with sales just under 
the stretch target and operating profit 
exceeding the stretch target set at the 
beginning of the year. These were on a 
constant currency basis and excluding 
IFRIC13 adjustment.

In relation to performance against 
individual objectives, the CEO and  
CFO had targets set for cash generation, 
portfolio reshaping and debt reduction.  
In addition, Dave Lewis was set a supplier 
relationship improvement measure  
and Alan Stewart was set a restructuring 
savings measure. These elements were 
achieved at 16.7% of the maximum 20% 
showing very good progress in these areas. 
In determining the final level of bonus 

payable, the Committee considered the 
wider performance of the Group and agreed 
that management were making significant 
progress in delivering the turnaround plan. 
In particular the Group has achieved 
increased volumes and positive like-for-like 
sales, reduced costs, increased cash flow, 
and undertaken significant disposals and 
business restructuring to strengthen the 
balance sheet. A Group operating profit 
underpin applies to the annual bonus, below 
which no portion of the annual bonus pays  
out. The underpin for 2015/16 was met.  
On the basis of the above, the annual bonus 
will pay out at 95.7% of the maximum for 
Dave Lewis and Alan Stewart. The policy is 
that 50% of this will be deferred into shares 
for three years. Additionally, the Executive 
Directors offered for an additional 50% of 
the cash award to be deferred into shares, 

vesting at the earlier of three years or the 
resumption of dividend payments. This 
increases to 75% the proportion of bonus 
that is deferred into shares. The shares will 
be subject to malus per our normal policy.

Performance Share Plan
No Performance Share Plan awards  
were due to vest in the year for either  
Dave Lewis or Alan Stewart. Given their 
respective start dates, the first awards 
under the plan were made in 2015/16  
and are due to vest on 24 July 2018.

Pension
Dave Lewis and Alan Stewart receive a  
cash allowance in lieu of pension. More 
information on pension arrangements 
is set out on pages 64 and 66.

Pension

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

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

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

Share price

Directors

Dave Lewis

Alan Stewart

25%

313

313

25%

188

188

Tesco 

FTSE 100

Feb 09

Feb 10

Feb 11

Feb 12

Feb 13

Feb 14

Feb 15

Feb 16

200

175

150

125

100

75

50

25

0

-25

-50

9
0
0
2
h
c
r
a
M
2
t
a
t
n
e
m

t
s
e
v
n

i

f
o
e
u
a
v
£

l

Source: Datastream

This chart illustrates the performance 
of Tesco against the FTSE100, which  
is a broad market index of which Tesco  
is a constituent.

55

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Other informationCorporate governanceFinancial statementsStrategic report 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
Directors’ remuneration report continued
Annual remuneration report

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 stretch 

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.

CEO remuneration history

2010/11

2011/12

2012/13

2013/141

 2014/152

2015/16

Sir Terry Leahy

Philip Clarke

Philip Clarke

Philip Clarke

Philip Clarke

Dave Lewis

Dave Lewis

CEO single figure of 
remuneration (£’000)

Annual bonus vesting  
(% of stretch award)

PSP vesting (% of 
stretch award)

Share option vesting  
(% of stretch award)

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%

n/a

n/a

4,632

95.7%

0%

n/a

1   Philip Clarke elected not to take a bonus for 2011/12 and left the Board on 1 September 2014. 
2  The single figure total for 2014/15 includes one-off buyout awards made to Dave Lewis to compensate him for awards forfeited from his previous employer. The awards 
were made based on the expected value of the awards forfeited, taking into account performance at his previous employer and delivered in restricted shares which vest 
subject to continued employment by Tesco. Since these were awards related to previous employment, and not subject to Tesco performance conditions, there is no direct 
alignment with Tesco’s performance in 2014/15. The awards have no impact on the single figure for 2015/16 nor any future years.

Shareholding guidelines and share ownership
Share ownership guidelines
The requirement for executives to hold 
shares in the Company are for the value  
of such shares to equate to:

CEO 

CFO

Four times base salary for the CEO within five years of appointment

Three times base salary for the CFO within five years of appointment

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

and by an Executive Director’s connected 
persons. Shares held in plans which are 
not subject to performance (such as 
vested buyout awards) will be included 
(on a net of tax basis). 

•  Shares not included – vested but 

unexercised market value share options 
and unvested awards (e.g. PSP). Share 
options (e.g. Sharesave) will not be included.

•  Accumulation 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 27 February 2016 of 161.3p per share, 
compared with the shareholding guideline. 

Although the chart indicates that Dave 
Lewis and Alan Stewart have not yet met 
their shareholding guidelines, under the 
policy they have five years to do so (i.e. until 
1 September 2019 and 23 September 2019 
respectively). Since appointment, Dave 
Lewis and Alan Stewart have already made 
material progress towards meeting the 
guidelines and are expected to meet them 
within the allotted time period.

Dave 
Lewis 

Alan 
Stewart

(£m) 0.0

56

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

Shares counting towards shareholding requirement

Shareholding requirement

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Shares held by Executive Directors at 27 February 2016 (audited)

Shares counting towards 
shareholding guidelines

Shareholding guidelines

Director

Share category

Dave Lewis

Ordinary shares2

All-employee Share 
Incentive Plan 
(subject to forfeiture)

Deferred Bonus plan

PSP

Buyout awards

Sharesave

Total

Alan Stewart Ordinary shares2

All-employee Share 
Incentive Plan 
(subject to forfeiture)

Deferred Bonus plan

PSP

Buyout awards

Sharesave

Total

Ordinary 
shares held 
at 27 
February 
2016

100,893

–

–

–

–

–

100,893

50,837

–

–

–

–

–

50,837

Share 
Incentive 
Plan shares, 
subject to 
conditions at 
27 February 
2016

Interests in 
vested 
options, not 
subject to 
performance 
conditions, 
at 27 
February 
2016

Net number 
of shares 
counted 
towards 
shareholding 
guideline

100,893

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

1,670,294

885,256

–

– 

Shareholding 
guideline 
(number of 
shares)1

Shareholding 
guidelines 
(%)

Guideline 
met?

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

1,670,294

986,149

3,099,814

32

No

–

–

–

–

50,837

–

–

–

945,451

501,089

–

– 

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

945,451

551,926

1,395,916

40

No

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Additional shares 
not counting towards 
shareholding guidelines

Interests in 
unvested 
options, not 
subject to 
performance 
conditions, 
at 27 
February 
2016

Interests in 
options, 
subject to 
performance 
conditions, 
at 27 
February 
2016

–

–

–

–

–

11,920

11,920

–

–

–

–

–

11,920

11,920

–

–

–

1,566,987

–

–

1,566,987

–

–

–

854,720

–

–

854,720

1  Based on a three-month average share price to 27 February 2016 of 161.3p. The requirement is for the CEO to hold shares to the value of 400% of salary and the CFO 

to hold 300% of salary within five years of appointment.

2  Ordinary shares held by Director and connected persons and shares in the all-employee Share Incentive Plan, not subject to forfeiture. 
  Between 27 February 2016 and 11 April 2016, Dave Lewis acquired 72 and Alan Stewart acquired 71 partnership shares under the all-employee Share Incentive Plan. 

The table above sets out shares held by the Executive Directors and whether these count towards the shareholding guidelines. 

Share awards made during 2015/16 (audited)
The following summarises share awards made to Dave Lewis and Alan Stewart in 2015/16.

Gross 
number of 
shares

Face value1 
(£)

Threshold 
vesting (% 
of face 
value)

Stretch 
vesting  
(% of face 
value)

End of 
vesting 
period

1,566,987

3,437,499

25%

100%

24 July 2018

854,720

1,874,999

25%

100%

24 July 2018

Date of 
awards

24 July 
2015

24 July 
2015

Plan

Type of award

Dave Lewis

Alan Stewart

Tesco 
Performance 
Share Plan

Tesco 
Performance 
Share Plan

Awards were 
granted under 
listing rule 9.4.2

Nil cost options subject to 
performance conditions and 
continued employment.

Nil cost options subject to 
performance conditions and 
continued employment.

Nil cost options subject to 
continued employment only.

6 July
2015

56,950

118,114

n/a

n/a

6 July 2018

1  The face value has been calculated using the market price on grant of 219.37 pence (24 July 2015) and 207.40 pence (6 July 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. 
The policy has been reviewed for compliance 
with the Market Abuse Regulations. 

57

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Other informationCorporate governanceFinancial statementsStrategic reportDirectors’ remuneration report continued
Annual remuneration report

Further details of ‘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.

Alan Stewart
In the 2014/15 Report, it was disclosed  
that Alan Stewart would, during 2015/16, 
receive an award in respect of his 2014/15 
Marks & Spencer Group PLC bonus 
forfeited. This was to be based on the 
payment he would have received had 
he remained at M&S (pro-rated for time) 
and was to be paid 50% in cash and 50% 
in Tesco shares deferred for three years. 
The final award was made in June 2015 
under Listing Rule 9.4.2. and is set out  
in the table on the previous page. The 
value of this award is £236,232 (pro-rated 
for eight months), delivered half in cash 
(£118,116) and half through a grant of  
nil cost options over 56,950 shares on  
6 July 2015, calculated with reference to  
a market price of 207.4 pence per share. 
This option will vest on 6 July 2018. Awards 
accrue dividend equivalents and are subject 
to malus, in the circumstances set out on 
page 66, until the shares are transferred. 

Payments to former Directors 
(audited)
There were no payments made to former 
Directors that exceeded the de minimis 
threshold of £10,000 set by the Company.
There were no payments for loss of office 
made to directors in the year.

Other policy information
Risk management
When developing the remuneration structures, 
the Committee considered whether any 
aspect of these might encourage risk 
taking or inappropriate behaviours that 
are incompatible with Tesco’s 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 Sky PLC and 
received fees of £92,500 during the year. 
Alan Stewart is a Non-executive Director 
of Diageo PLC and received fees of £85,750  
in the year. 

Funding of equity awards
Executive Director 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 2.7% of shares in issue. Where 
shares are purchased in the market, these 
may be held by Tesco Employee Share 

CEO

UK colleagues

For UK employees, including the CEO 
and CFO, there were no increases in salary 
or benefits in line with the salary budget 
for the year. With regards to bonus, a 
Turnaround Bonus, where colleagues may 
be rewarded up to 5% of earnings should 
Tesco achieve its turnaround plan, was in 
the year awarded to colleagues below 
senior management. These were in the form 
of shares being awarded up to the value of 
5% of their salary. The above table does 

not include the Turnaround Bonus amounts. 
For 2015/16, bonuses for UK eligible 
colleagues have paid out at an average of 
84.65% of the maximum bonus opportunity, 
an increase of 58.41% compared to the 
prior year. The CEO bonus paid out at 
95.7% of maximum, reflecting excellent 
performance which has laid the foundations 
for sustainable recovery. This also resulted 
in a significant year-on-year increase for 
colleagues. As the CEO did not receive a 

Schemes Trustees Limited or Tesco 
International Employee Benefit Trust in 
which case the voting rights relating to 
the shares are exercisable by the Trustees 
in accordance with their fiduciary duties.  
At 27 February 2016, the Trusts held 
6,489,874 shares.

Other disclosures
Change in CEO remuneration 
compared with changes in  
employee remuneration
The following table illustrates the change 
in CEO salary, benefits and bonus between 
2014/15 and 2015/16 compared with other 
UK colleagues. The Committee decided 
to use other UK colleagues for the purpose 
of this disclosure as over half of Tesco’s 
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.

Tesco has a history of paying store colleagues 
well. The Company has one of the highest 
established hourly rates in the industry which 
is significantly above both the National 
Minimum and National Living Wage, and 
pays employees the same regardless of 
age. Our total reward package for a typical 
customer assistant is ahead of the voluntary 
Living Wage on a national basis. The Company 
is committed to rewarding colleagues with 
a total reward package that they really 
value. Tesco is working on ways to provide 
more choice between cash and benefits 
so that employees can build a competitive 
and valuable package that suits them.

Salary

Benefits

0%

0%

-18%

0%

Bonus

–

58%

bonus in 2014/15, no % increase is shown. 
For the CEO, the bonus makes up a much 
greater proportion of total pay opportunity 
than for the general colleague population 
such that more pay is at risk and determined 
by overall Company performance. In 
2014/15, no bonus was awarded to the  
CEO reflecting challenging trading 
conditions and an in-year appointment. 

58

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016(£m)

9,000

8,000

7,000

6,000

5,000

4,000

3,000

2,000

1,000

0

7,797

6,968

95

14/15

15/16

Total 
employee pay 

14/15
Distributions 
to shareholders

0

15/16

Relative importance of spend on pay
The chart on the left shows total colleague 
pay compared with distributions to 
shareholders. Tesco’s colleagues are 
essential to how the Company does 
business and meets the needs of our 
customers. In 2015/16, we employed, 
on average, 482,152 colleagues across the 
Group (compared to 480,607 in 2014/15, 
excluding Korea). 

Total employee pay includes wages 
and salaries, social security, pension and 
share-based costs (£6,968m in 2015/16 
and £7,797m in 2014/15 – see Note 3 of 
the financial statements on page 100).

Distributions to shareholders include 
interim and final dividends paid in respect 
of each financial year (£95m in respect  
of 2014/15 and £nil in respect of 2015/16 
(see Note 25 of the financial statements  
on page 129). The new management team 
identified protecting and strengthening 
the balance sheet as one of our three key 
turnaround priorities. This resulted in a 
number of steps to address our balance 
sheet leverage, one of which was the 
suspension of the dividend. There were no 
share buy-backs in 2014/15 or 2015/16. 

Non-executive Director fees and responsibilities
Committee membership in 2015/16
The table below sets out the positions held by Tesco’s Non-executive Directors 
as well as information on appointments and departures in the year. 

Senior 
Independent 
Director (SID)

Remuneration 
Committee

Nominations 
Committee

Audit 
Committee

Corporate 
Responsibility 
Committee

Director

John Allan

Title

Joined as Chairman on 1 March 2015

Mark Armour

Appointed to the Board on 2 September 2013

Richard Cousins

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

X

Mikael Olsson

Deanna 
Oppenheimer

Byron Grote

Appointed to the Board on 1 November 2014  
Appointed to the Remuneration Committee and  
to the Corporate Responsibility Committee on  
2 December 2014

Appointed to the Board on 1 March 2012 and as Chair 
of the Remuneration Committee on 1 January 2015

Appointed to the Board on 1 May 2015  
Appointed Audit Committee Chairman on 26 June 2015 
and member of the Remuneration Committee on  
24 July 2015 and Nominations Committee on  
1 December 2015

Alison Platt

Appointed to the Board and the Remuneration 
Committee on 1 April 2016

Simon Patterson

Appointed to the Board and Audit Committee  
on 1 April 2016

Lindsey Pownall

Appointed to the Board and Corporate Responsibility 
Committee on 1 April 2016

Gareth Bullock

Retired from the Board on 5 March 2015

Patrick Cescau

Retired from the Board and as SID on 7 April 2015

X

Stuart Chambers Retired from the Board on 26 June 2015

Ken Hanna

Retired from the Board on 26 June 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

•

•

º

º

º

º

59

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Other informationCorporate governanceFinancial statementsStrategic reportDirectors’ remuneration report continued
Annual remuneration report

Non-executive Director fee policy for 2015/16
There were no changes to Non-executive Directors’ fees during the year. 

Non-executive Director fees

Basic fees

Additional fees

Senior Independent Director

Chairman 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

Deanna Oppenheimer was appointed to 
the Board of Tesco Personal Finance Group 
Limited (Tesco Bank) in July 2012. She was 
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. These 
fees are provided below for information. 

Chairman fees
John Allan was appointed as Non-executive 
Chairman with effect from 1 March 2015. 
He receives 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 69.

Fees paid during 2015/16
The following table sets out the fees 
paid to the Non-executive Directors 
for the year ended 27 February 2016. 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.

Single total figure of remuneration – Non-executive Directors (audited)
The table below sets out the single figure of remuneration for Tesco’s Non-executive Directors.

Director

John Allan

Mark Armour

Richard Cousins

Mikael Olsson

Date

2015/16

2014/15

2015/16

2014/15

2015/16

2014/15

2015/16

2014/15

Deanna Oppenheimer

2015/16

Byron Grote

Gareth Bullock

Patrick Cescau

Stuart Chambers

Ken Hanna

2014/15

2015/16

2014/15

2015/16

2014/15

2015/16

2014/15

2015/16

2014/15

2015/16

2014/15

Fees (£’000)

Taxable expenses (£’000)

Tesco PLC

Tesco Bank

Tesco PLC

Tesco Bank

Benefits (£’000)

Total (£’000)

650

n/a

82

82

115

23

94

25

119

96

85

n/a

4

82

19

132

34

110

45

124

–

n/a

–

–

–

–

–

–

82

82

–

n/a

72

82

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

n/a

–

–

–

–

4

2

25

56

1

n/a

–

–

–

–

–

5

–

3

–

n/a

–

–

–

–

–

–

7

8

–

10

n/a 

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

n/a

n/a

1

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

660

n/a 

82

82

115

23

98

27

233

242

86

n/a

77

164

19

132

34

115

45

127

The figures in this table show the amount 
receivable in the year and are from the date 
of appointment or until the date that each 
Director ceased to be a Director of Tesco PLC. 
Gareth Bullock, Patrick Cescau, Stuart 
Chambers and Ken Hanna left the Board 
during the year.

The figures in this table include fees paid to 
Gareth Bullock and Deanna Oppenheimer 
in respect of their membership of the Board 
and Committees of Tesco Personal Finance 
Group Limited (Tesco Bank). 

The Chairman’s benefits are made up 
of security costs and medical insurance. 
The Non-executive Directors’ benefits 
comprise taxable travel expenses related to 
their role and the benefit costs shown have 
been grossed up for tax, where applicable.

60

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Beneficial share ownership (audited)
There are no shareholding guidelines for the 
Non-executive Directors. The table below 
outlines the current share interests of the 
Non-executive Directors. Shareholdings 

include shares held by connected persons. 
Non-executive Directors are subject to the 
same share dealing policy as Executive 
Directors and no shares were acquired 
between 27 February and 12 April 2016. 

Director

John Allan2

Mark Armour

Gareth Bullock

Patrick Cescau

Stuart Chambers

Richard Cousins

Ken Hanna

Mikael Olsson

Deanna Oppenheimer1

Byron Grote1

Ordinary Shares held at 27 February 2016

Ordinary Shares held at 28 February 2015

194,349

25,000

–

–

–

17,357

–

5,000

103,500

143,700

n/a

25,000

25,000

18,340

25,000

–

25,000

–

52,500

n/a

1  Deanna Oppenheimer and Byron Grote held their shares in the form of American Depositary Receipts. Each ADR is equivalent to three ordinary shares.
2  John Allan also held 198,000 bonds in the Company.

The Committee
Role of the Remuneration Committee
The Committee’s key responsibilities are:
•  to determine and recommend to the 
Board the remuneration policy for 
Executive Directors, senior management 
and the Chairman;

•  to ensure the level and structure of 

remuneration is designed to attract, retain 
and motivate the Executive Directors and 
senior management needed to run the 
Company, and to ensure that the individual’s 
contribution to the long-term success 
of the Company is rewarded in a manner 
that remains 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.

As required by the Financial Conduct 
Authority (‘FCA’), Tesco Bank has a 
separate independent Remuneration 
Committee. 

Membership of the Remuneration Committee and attendance at meetings

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.

Number of possible meetings

Actual meetings attended

Deanna Oppenheimer (Committee Chair)

Stuart Chambers

Ken Hanna

Mikael Olsson

Byron Grote

John Allan

Byron Grote joined the Committee with 
effect from 24 July 2015. Alison Platt was 
appointed to the Tesco Board and joined 
the Committee on 1 April 2016. Stuart 
Chambers and Ken Hanna stepped down 
from the Board and the Committee at the 
2015 AGM.

6

1

1

6

4

6

The Committee schedules meetings two 
years in advance with six meetings typically 
in a year. The Committee also convenes on 
an ad hoc basis between formal meetings 
when necessary. The Directors’ biographies 
can be found on pages 32 and 33 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.

6

1

1

6

4

6

61

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Other informationCorporate governanceFinancial statementsStrategic reportDirectors’ remuneration report continued
Annual remuneration report

Remuneration Committee activities 2015/16
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 
2015

July 
2015

Oct 
2015

Dec 
2015

Jan 
2016

Feb 
2016

April 2016 
(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 senior management

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

Professional development updates

Remuneration advisor selection

Regulatory developments

Shareholder consultation

Other issues as required

*  Directors’ remuneration report.

Committee advisors
Remuneration advisors are appointed by the 
Committee following a selection process and 
their roles are kept under review. During the 
year, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (‘PwC’) 
were appointed as independent Remuneration 
Committee advisors by the Committee. 
The previous advisors, Deloitte LLP 
(‘Deloitte’), were required to step down as  
a result of their appointment as auditor of 
the Group. On Deloitte’s appointment as 
auditor, a transition plan was put in place 
while a new advisor to the Committee was 
selected. This ensured that remuneration 
advice provided by Deloitte was consistent 
with ethical auditing guidelines and that 
their independence as auditor was not 
compromised. Fees for advice provided to 
the Remuneration Committee for the year 
were £148,337 and £51,825 for PwC and 
Deloitte respectively. Fees are charged on 
a time and materials basis. PwC provided 
advice to management in relation to the 
interpretation of the Remuneration 
Reporting Regulations, as well as wider 
market practice. Separate teams within 
PwC provided unrelated advisory services 
in respect of corporate tax planning, transfer 
pricing, technology consulting and internal 
audit services to the Group during the year. 

62

Deloitte provided advice to management 
in relation to 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, pension, treasury 
and forensic services to the Group during 
the year. Deloitte were also appointed 
auditor at the AGM in June 2015.

PwC 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 PwC 
is objective and independent. The Committee 
is comfortable that the PwC 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 data and 
assessments during the year and fees for 
this were £9,000.

Paul Moore, the Company Secretary, is 
Secretary to the Committee. The CEO 
attends 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 the Reward, 
Corporate Secretariat and Finance functions.

Compliance
In carrying out its duties, the Remuneration 
Committee gives full consideration to best 
practice including investor guidelines. The 
Committee was constituted and operated 
throughout the period in accordance with 
the principles outlined in the Listing Rules of 
the Financial Conduct Authority. The auditor’s 
report, set out on pages 77 to 84, 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.

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016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 
taken in response in the next Directors’ 
Remuneration Report.

The following table sets out the voting 
results in respect of remuneration at 
the 2015 AGM.

AGM Resolution % of votes

To approve the Directors’ Remuneration Report 1

To approve the Directors’ Remuneration Policy 2

For

89.05%

96.51%

Against

10.95%

3.49%

1   444,864,254 votes were withheld.
2    473,362,689 votes were withheld.
      Votes withheld are not counted in the votes for or against a resolution but would be considered by the Committee in the event of a significant number of votes being withheld.

The Committee was pleased with the  
level of support for our remuneration 
arrangements at the 2015 AGM but noted 
that a number (10.95%) of shareholders 
voted against the Remuneration Report. 
Feedback received from shareholders 
as part of the subsequent consultation 
process identified two areas of focus.  
The first was the details of contractual 
payments made to former Directors.  
The second was the TSR group, with a 
preference stated for a TSR group more 

closely aligned with Tesco’s operating 
activities. The feedback received in relation 
to TSR is reflected in the changes made 
to the TSR comparator group. This now 
includes Tesco’s key retail competitors 
through the use of the FTSE350 Food & 
Drug Retailers Index and the broader retail 
market through the use of the FTSE350 
General Retailers Index, with the groups 
weighted to reflect Tesco’s split in food  
and general retail. 

63

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Other informationCorporate governanceFinancial statementsStrategic reportDirectors’ remuneration report continued
Remuneration Policy

Policy table
The following sets out the Directors’ Remuneration Policy (‘Policy’). The Policy 
was approved by shareholders at the 2015 AGM held on 26 June 2015 (a copy of which 
is available on the Tesco website at www.tescoplc.com). The Policy applies to payments 
made from this date.  

Further details regarding the operation of the Policy for the 2015/16 financial year can be found on pages 50-51 of this report.

Element

Purpose and link to strategy

Operation

Maximum opportunity

Performance measures

Base salary

•  The role of base salary is to support 
the recruitment and retention 
of the 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

•  The Committee sets base salary 

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

n/a

•  While there is no maximum salary, 
increases will normally be in line 
with the typical level of increase 
awarded to other colleagues 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 
Director 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 appropriate level  
of retirement benefit as part  
of a holistic benefit package

•  Executive Directors receive a  

cash allowance in lieu of pension

•  The Committee may determine 

•  Maximum cash in lieu of pension 

n/a

of 25% of base salary

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

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

•  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 
colleagues 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 colleagues

•  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

Benefits

•  To provide a market-competitive 

level of benefits for the  
Executive Directors

64

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Purpose and link to strategy

Operation

Maximum opportunity

Performance measures

Element

Benefits 
continued

Annual bonus

•  The role of the annual 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’ interests

•  The malus and clawback 

provisions enable the Company  
to mitigate risk (see page 66)

•  Maximum annual bonus 
opportunity of 250% of  
base salary

•  For details of award levels  
for 2015/16, see the annual 
remuneration report on  
page 54

•  Mobility policy – Where an 

Executive Director is required to 
relocate to perform their role, the 
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

•  The annual bonus is normally 

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 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 57

Performance 
Share Plan 
(‘PSP’)

•  The role of the PSP is to reward 

•  Awards normally vest based on 

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 

provisions enable the Company  
to mitigate risk (see page 66)

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

•  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 
stakeholder 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 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

65

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Other informationFinancial statementsStrategic reportCorporate governanceDirectors’ remuneration report continued
Remuneration Policy

Information supporting  
the Policy table
Shareholding guidelines
Tesco also operates shareholding 
guidelines. See page 56 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 Plan 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 
has the discretion to claw back awards up to 
the fifth anniversary of the grant of awards 
in the circumstances 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.

66

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.

Payments outside Policy
The Committee reserves the right to make 
any remuneration payments and payments 
for loss of office (including exercising any 
discretion 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 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 (‘PSP’)
Performance measures for the PSP are 
selected to ensure that they incentivise 
Executive Directors to deliver long-term 
sustainable returns for shareholders.

Performance targets for both the annual 
bonus and PSP (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 are 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 and 

clawback provisions exist within our 
incentive plans.

•  Pensions – pensions across the Group 
vary widely according to local market 
practice. In the UK, all Tesco colleagues 
had the opportunity to participate in a 
career-average defined benefit scheme. 
In 2015, we consulted with colleagues  
to close this scheme and replace it with  
a defined contribution plan. On 21 
November 2015, the defined benefit 
scheme was closed and the new defined 
contribution plan launched. The changes 
to our defined benefit scheme have 
significantly reduced our pension risk – 
and in the long term will make our 
pension costs more stable.

•  Colleagues as shareholders – it is an 
important part of our values at Tesco 
that all employees, not just management,  
have the opportunity to become 
Tesco shareholders. More than 300,000 
colleagues participate in our all-employee 
share schemes. They hold more than 87 
million shares in our Share Incentive Plan 
and more than 285 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.

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016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 and long-term goals that 
are aligned with our short and long-term 
strategic objectives and the creation  
of shareholder value. The Committee 
considers the level of remuneration  

that may pay out 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

£8,205k
£8,205k

42%
42%

38%
38%

20%
20%

£4,924k
£4,924k

35%
35%

32%
32%

33%
33%

£1,643k
£1,643k

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

£2,759k
£2,759k

34%
34%
30%
30%

36%
36%

£978k
£978k

100%
100%

£4,540k
£4,540k

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

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:

CEO – Dave Lewis (£’000)

CFO – Alan Stewart (£’000)

From appointment

1,250

750

80

40

Salary

Benefits

Pension

25% of salary

313

188

Total fixed pay

1,643

978

Remuneration policy for new hires
The Committee would generally seek to align 
the remuneration package offered to new 
Executive Directors with the 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.

67

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Other informationFinancial statementsStrategic reportCorporate governanceDirectors’ remuneration report continued
Remuneration Policy

To facilitate buyout awards, the Committee 
may grant awards to a new Executive 
Director under 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 69 
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 the policy  
in relation to Executive Director service 
agreements and payments in the event 
of loss of office.

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 Director has the right to a termination payment to reflect the unexpired term  
of the notice

•  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 

Other information

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 Director 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 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 has the discretion 

to claw back awards up to the fifth anniversary of the grant of awards in the circumstances above

•  Cash bonus payments can also be clawed back up to the third anniversary of payment in the circumstances described above

In addition to the information provided in the table above, clawback and malus provisions 
will apply to all awards. Further details are provided on page 66. The service agreements 
are available to shareholders to view at the Company’s registered office.

68

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016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.

Executive 
Incentive 
Plan 2014  
(deferred 
bonus shares)

Performance 
Share Plan 
2011

Death

Good leavers as determined by the Committee in accordance with 
the plan rules

Leavers in other circumstances 
(other than summary dismissal)

‘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 to defer 

•  Awards normally lapse

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

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 2014 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).

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. 

The number of shares under an award which 
vest in these circumstances will be determined 

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 Chairman and Non-executive 

•  The Non-executive Director fees policy is to pay:

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 Chairman and Non-executive 
Directors may not exceed the aggregate limit  
of £2m set out in the Company’s Articles of 
Association

 – 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

•  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. They also have a 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 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

•  Such Non-executive Directors also receive a basic fee 

•  The Company reimburses the Chairman and 

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 Chairman of Tesco PLC receives an all-inclusive 

fee for the role

•  Where significant travel is required to attend Board 
meetings, additional fees may be paid to reflect this 
additional time commitment

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 then 
the Company would meet travel and accommodation 
expenditure as required to fulfil Non-executive 
Directors’ duties

69

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Other informationFinancial statementsStrategic reportCorporate governanceDirectors’ remuneration report continued
Remuneration Policy

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 
12 April 2016

Deanna Oppenheimer
Chair of the Remuneration Committee

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 36.  
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.

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 Tesco 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.

70

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016 
Directors’ report

The Directors present their report, together 
with the audited accounts for the year ended 
27 February 2016. 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

Pages

01 to 27

23

119 to 127

Corporate governance report

30 to 47

Disclosures required pursuant to Listing Rule 
9.8.4R can be found on the following pages:

Pages

Statement of capitalised interest

103 and 110

Allotment for cash of equity 
securities

Waiver of dividends

135

71

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 01 to 27.

Group results
Group revenue (exc. VAT) decreased by 
£2,492m to £54,433m, representing a 
decrease of 4.4%. Group profit before tax 
was £162m from a loss before tax of £6,334m 
in 2014/15. The profit for the year including 
discontinued operations was £129m. £138m 
was attributable to equity holders of the 
parent company.

Dividends
The Board has decided not to recommend 
the payment of a final dividend in respect 
of the year ended 27 February 2016. 

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 evergreen 
dividend waivers remain in place on shares 
held by them that have not been allocated 
to employees. 

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 135. 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 2015 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 
interests in voting rights in its shares as  
at 27 February 2016 and as at the date  
of this report:

% of issued 
share capital 
as at  
27 February 
2016

% of issued 
share capital
as at the 
date of this 
report

6.19

5.28

5.01

5.003

5.96

5.28

5.01

4.991

Norges Bank

Deutsche Bank AG

BlackRock, Inc.

Schroders plc

Articles of Association
The Company’s Articles of Association may 
only be amended by special resolution at  
a general meeting of the shareholders. 

71

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Other informationFinancial statementsStrategic reportCorporate governanceDirectors’ report continued

Directors and their interests
The biographical details of the current 
serving Directors are set out on pages 32 
and 33. The Directors who served during 
the year were: John Allan; Mark Armour;  
Sir Richard Broadbent; Gareth Bullock; 
Patrick Cescau; Stuart Chambers; Richard 
Cousins; Byron Grote; Ken Hanna; Dave 
Lewis; Mikael Olsson; Deanna Oppenheimer; 
and Alan Stewart. With effect from 1 April 
2016, Simon Patterson, Alison Platt and 
Lindsey Pownall joined the Board of Directors. 
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 48 to 70. 

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 
This year we have made significant progress 
in updating and revising our people policies 
to provide our colleagues with direct access 
to the information they need to help and 
support them at work. We are making it 
simpler for colleagues to put our customers 
first and serve Britain’s shoppers a little 
better every day by giving them easily 
accessible policies and information on  
our intranet. We recognise the importance 
of a fair, honest and transparent culture, 
and we are working together with our 
recognised trade union in the UK, Usdaw, 
to ensure our policies are right for our 
business and that they support our people. 
Further details can be found on page 21.

We have fully revised our Equal Opportunities, 
Diversity and Inclusion policies, to give both 
our managers and colleagues up-to-date 
information about working in, and supporting, 
a diverse environment recognising the talents 
that different colleagues bring to our business 
and supporting them as individuals. We pride 
ourselves on having an inclusive environment 
where colleagues are treated with dignity 
and respect. By encouraging diversity, and 
employing people with different experiences, 
backgrounds and talent, we aim to reflect 
the customers and communities we serve 
and strengthen and grow as a business. 
Our selection, training, development and 
promotion policies ensure equal opportunities 

72

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 
(including colleagues who become disabled 
during service) or trade union affiliation.  
All decisions are based on merit.

We are working continually to improve the 
communication channels we use to engage, 
consult, inform and connect with colleagues, 
both to enable awareness of the financial 
and economic factors affecting the Group’s 
performance and to ensure our colleagues’ 
voices are heard. Our colleagues’ feedback 
is important to us and we recognise that to 
drive our business forward we must respond 
to their feedback to ensure they are engaged 
in the decisions we make for the business. 

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 (2014/15: £nil) or incur any 
political expenditure during the year 
(2014/15: £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.

In our last Annual Report we acknowledged 
our conclusion that there had been a number 
of instances of probable breaches of the Code 
which fell short of the high standards we 
expect to uphold in our dealings with our 
suppliers. The Groceries Code Adjudicator 
(GCA), Christine Tacon, made consistent 
findings in her report into historic supplier 
issues at Tesco, published in January 2016.

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016The Group’s investment in Lazada  
was recognised as an available-for-sale 
financial asset at 27 February 2016 with  
a total carrying value of £121m which 
represented a 19.6% stake on a fully 
diluted basis. Following the transaction, 
which also involved the issue of new capital 
by Lazada, the Group retains an 8.3% (on 
a fully diluted basis) investment in Lazada. 
This investment is subject to a put/call 
option giving the Group the right to sell 
and Alibaba the right to buy at fair market 
value in the following 12 to 18 months. 

Directors’ statement of disclosure of 
information to auditor
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 auditor is 
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 auditor is 
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 24 to 27.

By order of the Board

Paul Moore
Company Secretary
12 April 2016

During the last year we have publicly 
apologised to our suppliers and 
fundamentally changed the way we  
work with them, addressing the historic 
practices referred to in the report. The  
GCA acknowledged that the overwhelming 
majority of suppliers she spoke to as part 
of her investigation are now more positive 
towards Tesco compared to the period 
under investigation. We are currently 
working on the implementation of the 
GCA’s recommendations. 

Outside of the investigation and report,  
we have continued our positive engagement 
with the GCA and her office. Both our 
Group Chief Executive and Chief Product 
Officer have met with the GCA to share  
the changes we are making in our business, 
and our legal team have briefed their 
counterparts in the GCA’s office ahead  
of announcements such as publishing our 
payment terms for all suppliers.

Our Code Compliance Officer has also 
continued to take an active and visible  
role during the year and regularly reports 
to our Compliance Committees and  
Audit Committee.

This year, 16 Code-related complaints  
were raised by suppliers. As at 27 February 
2016, all complaints had either been 
resolved through discussion with the 
suppliers concerned, or withdrawn, 
although one complaint has since been 
reopened after the supplier contacted us 
after the end of the reporting year. In 13 
instances, the complaints were referred  
to our Code Compliance Officer, and 6 of 
those 13 cases were raised simultaneously 
with the supplier’s buying contact. A formal 
dispute was only raised in one matter and 
was referred to the GCA for arbitration,  
but resolved directly between us and the 
supplier before arbitration commenced. 

Going concern and viability
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.

The UK Corporate Governance Code 
requires the Directors to assess and report 
on the prospects of the Group over a 
longer period. This Longer Term Viability 
Statement is set out on page 27.

Events after the balance sheet date
On 12 April 2016, the Group announced the 
disposal of an 8.6% stake (on a fully diluted 
basis) in Lazada Group S.A. (‘Lazada’) to 
Alibaba Group Holding Limited (‘Alibaba’) for 
gross cash consideration of US$129m (£90m). 

73

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Other informationFinancial statementsStrategic reportCorporate governance74

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016
Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016

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Financial statements

76  Statement of Directors’ 

77 

responsibilities
Independent auditor’s report  
to the members of Tesco PLC

85  Group income statement
86  Group statement of  

comprehensive income (loss)

87  Group balance sheet
88  Group statement of changes  

in equity

89  Group cash flow statement
90  Notes to the Group financial 

statements

142  Tesco PLC – Parent Company  

balance sheet

143  Tesco PLC – Parent Company 

statement of changes in equity
144  Notes to the Parent Company 

financial statements

151  Related undertakings of the 

Tesco Group

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016
Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016

75

Corporate governance 
 
 
Statement of Directors’ responsibilities

The Directors are required by the Companies Act 2006 to  
prepare financial statements for each financial year that 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 United Kingdom Generally Accepted 
Accounting Practice, including FRS 101 ‘Reduced Disclosure 
Framework’ (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 EU 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; 
•  present information, including accounting policies, in a 

manner that provides relevant, reliable, comparable and 
understandable information; 

The Directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting 
records that are sufficient to show and explain the Group’s 
transactions and 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 United Kingdom 
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 priorities. 

Each of the Directors, whose names and functions are set out  
on pages 32 and 33 confirm that, to the best of their knowledge:

•  provide additional disclosures when compliance with the 

•  the financial statements, which have been prepared  

specific requirements in IFRS are insufficient to enable users 
to understand the impact of particular transactions, other 
events and conditions on the entity’s financial position and 
financial performance; 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.

in accordance with the relevant financial reporting framework, 
give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial 
position and profit or loss of the Group and the undertakings 
included in the consolidation taken as a whole; 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 and the undertakings included 
in the consolidation taken as a whole, together with a 
description of the principal risks and uncertainties that the 
Group faces.

76

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016 
Independent auditor’s report to the members of Tesco PLC

We agreed with the Directors’ adoption of the going concern  
basis of accounting and we did not identify any such material 
uncertainties. However, because not all future events or conditions 
can be predicted, this statement is not a guarantee as to the 
Group’s ability to continue as a going concern.

Independence
We are required to comply with the Financial Reporting Council’s 
Ethical Standards for Auditors and we confirm that we are 
independent of the Group and we have fulfilled our other ethical 
responsibilities in accordance with those standards. We also 
confirm we have not provided any of the prohibited non-audit 
services referred to in those standards.

Our assessment of risks of material misstatement
The assessed risks of material misstatement described below  
are those that had the greatest effect on our audit strategy, the 
allocation of resources in the audit and directing the efforts of  
the engagement team.

The Audit Committee requested that whilst not currently required 
under International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland), we 
include in our report any key observations in respect of these 
assessed risks of material misstatement, in anticipation of the EU 
Regulations which will require such disclosure from the Group’s 
2017/18 financial year.

The description of the risks below should be read in conjunction 
with the significant matters considered by the Audit Committee 
discussed on page 46. 

These matters were addressed in the context of our audit of the 
financial statements as a whole, and in forming our opinion thereon, 
and we do not provide a separate opinion on these matters. 

The key risks we identified are:
•  store impairment review;
•  recognition of commercial income;
•  inventory valuation and provisions;
•  pension obligation valuation and accounting for the 

pension curtailment;

•  provisions and reserves in Tesco Bank;
•  compliance with laws and regulations;
•  management override of controls; and 
•  retail technology environment, including IT security.

Opinion on financial statements of Tesco PLC
In our opinion: 
•  the financial statements give a true and fair view of the  

state of the Group’s and of the Parent Company’s affairs  
as at 27 February 2016 and of the Group’s profit for the  
year then ended;

•  the Group financial statements have been properly prepared 

in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards 
(IFRSs) as adopted by the European Union;

•  the Parent Company financial statements have been properly 

prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally 
Accepted Accounting Practice, including FRS 101 “Reduced 
Disclosure Framework”; and

•  the financial statements have been prepared in accordance 
with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 and,  
as regards the Group financial statements, Article 4 of  
the IAS Regulation.

The financial statements comprise the Group income statement, 
the Group statement of comprehensive income (loss), the Group 
and Parent Company balance sheets, the Group and Parent 
Company statements of changes in equity, the Group cash flow 
statement, and the related Notes 1 to 34 of the Group financial 
statements and Notes 1 to 17 of the Parent Company financial 
statements. The financial reporting framework that has been 
applied in the preparation of the Group financial statements  
is applicable law and IFRSs as adopted by the European Union.  
The financial reporting framework that has been applied in  
the preparation of the Parent Company financial statements  
is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards 
(United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice), 
including FRS 101 “Reduced Disclosure Framework”.

Going concern and the Directors’ assessment of the 
principal risks that would threaten the solvency or 
liquidity of the Group
As required by the Listing Rules we have reviewed the Directors’ 
statement regarding the appropriateness of the going concern  
basis of accounting contained within the Directors’ report and  
the Directors’ statement on the longer-term viability of the Group 
contained within the strategic report on page 27. 

We have nothing material to add or draw attention to in relation to:
•  the Directors’ confirmation on page 24 that they have carried 

out a robust assessment of the principal risks facing the Group, 
including those that would threaten its business model, future 
performance, solvency or liquidity;

•  the disclosures on pages 24 to 27 that describe those risks  
and explain how they are being managed or mitigated;
•  the Directors’ statement in Note 1 about whether they 

considered it appropriate to adopt the going concern basis  
of accounting in preparing them and their identification of  
any material uncertainties to the Group’s ability to continue  
to do so over a period of at least 12 months from the date  
of approval of the financial statements;

•  the Directors’ explanation on page 27 as to how they have 
assessed the prospects of the Group, over what period  
they have done so and why they consider that period to be 
appropriate, and their statement as to whether they have a 
reasonable expectation that the Group will be able to continue 
in operation and meet its liabilities as they fall due over the 
period of their assessment, including any related disclosures 
drawing attention to any necessary qualifications or 
assumptions.

77

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continued

Risk description

How the scope of our audit responded to the risk

Key observations

Store impairment review

As described in Note 1 (accounting policies) and 
Note 11 (property, plant and equipment), the Group 
held £17,900m (2014/15: £20,440m) of property, 
plant and equipment at 27 February 2016. 

In light of the continued competitive environment  
in which the Group operates, there is a risk that the 
carrying value of stores and related fixed assets may 
be higher than the recoverable amount. When a 
review for impairment is conducted, the recoverable 
amount is determined 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 five years using data from the 
Group’s internal forecasts and as such relies 
upon the Directors’ assumptions, such as  
the estimates of future trading performance,  
longer-term growth rates and discount rates 
utilised; and 

•  fair value less costs of disposal, reflecting  
the market valuation of the Group’s stores  
less costs which would be incurred on disposal, 
is determined on a sample basis by independent 
valuation specialists where appropriate. 

As a result of the Group’s impairment review 
completed during the year, an impairment charge 
of £18m (2014/15: £4,116m) was recognised.

We note that cash 
flow forecasting, 
impairment modelling 
and property values 
are all inherently 
judgemental. 
Nevertheless, whilst 
we note further 
actions are required 
by the Group to 
achieve these 
forecasts over the 
medium term, we 
concluded that the 
assumptions applied 
in the impairment 
models were within 
an acceptable  
range, and that  
the overall level  
of net impairment 
recognised  
was reasonable.

We also agree that the 
disclosure of the net 
impairment as an 
exceptional item is  
in accordance with 
the Group’s policy  
on exceptional items 
and is reasonable.

Our audit procedures included testing the design and 
implementation of key controls around the impairment 
review processes and assessing the appropriateness of 
the methodology applied by the Directors in calculating 
the impairment charges, and the judgements applied in 
determining the cash generating units (“CGUs”) of the 
business, which the Group has determined as being 
individual stores and, in the UK, the general 
merchandising online business. 

In relation to the completeness of the Group’s 
impairment review process, we have assessed the 
completeness of the Group’s impairment charges  
and impairment reversals with reference to  
CGU performance. 

In relation to the Group’s ‘value in use’ valuations, we 
have assessed the review completed by the Group by:

•  assessing the methodology applied in determining 
the value in use compared with the requirements  
of IAS 36 Impairment of Assets and checking the 
integrity of the impairment model utilised by  
the Group; 

•  challenging the key assumptions utilised in the  
cash flow forecasts with reference to historical 
trading performance, market expectations and our 
understanding of the Group’s strategic initiatives; 
•  assessing the long-term growth rates and discount 
rates applied to the impairment review for each 
country, comparing the rates utilised to third party 
evidence and in relation to the discount rate, our 
independently estimated discount rates; and 
•  completing sensitivity analysis in relation to  

key assumptions to consider the extent of change  
in those assumptions that either individually or 
collectively would be required for the assets to be 
impaired, in particular relating to forecast future 
cash flows, including any sub-lease income received, 
long-term growth rates and discount rates applied.

In relation to the Group’s ‘fair value less costs of 
disposal’, we have challenged the assumptions used  
by the Group in determining the fair market value  
of the assets, including those completed by external 
valuers, using internal property valuation specialists  
and assessing whether appropriate valuation 
methodologies have been applied. 

78

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Risk description

How the scope of our audit responded to the risk

Key observations

Recognition of commercial income

As described in Note 1 (accounting policies, 
including disclosure within ‘use of assumptions  
and estimates’ disclosure) to the financial 
statements, 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. As such, the Group 
recognises a reduction in cost of sales as a result of 
amounts receivable from suppliers for goods sold.

In accordance with IFRS, commercial income  
should only be recognised as a deduction from  
cost of sales within the income statement when  
the performance conditions associated with it  
have been met. As such, judgement exists in 
determining the period over which the reduction  
in cost of sales should be recognised, requiring  
both a detailed understanding of the contractual 
arrangements in addition to complete and accurate 
source data on purchase volumes and fulfilment  
of promotional programmes. 

In light of the accounting errors identified in the 
prior year in this area, the Group completed a 
detailed internal review of the factors which gave 
rise to these errors and the controls associated with 
the recognition of commercial income amounts. 

In completing our work, we obtained a detailed 
understanding of the work completed by Tesco,  
together with obtaining an understanding and  
evaluating the design and implementation of controls 
that the Group has established in relation to commercial 
income. This included testing the completeness and 
accuracy of the systematic inputs upon which the 
Group’s controls rely, such as sales volume data. 

In addition, our substantive audit procedures across  
the Group’s retail operations included a combination  
of the following:

•  we tested that amounts recognised were accurate 
and recorded in the correct period based on the 
contractual performance obligations by agreeing  
a sample of individual supplier agreements. We 
circularised a sample of suppliers to test whether  
the arrangements recorded were complete and 
interviewed a sample of buyers to supplement our 
understanding of the contractual arrangements. 
Where responses were not received, we completed 
alternative procedures such as agreement to 
underlying contractual arrangements;

•  we used data analytics to profile commercial 

income, identifying key risk deals upon which  
we completed detailed testing; and 

•  we reviewed Groceries Supply Code of Practice 

(“GSCOP”) reporting and correspondence to the 
supplier hotline in order to help identify any areas 
where further investigation was required.

The results of  
our testing were 
satisfactory. 

We consider the 
disclosure given 
around supplier 
rebates to provide  
an appropriate 
understanding of  
the types of rebate 
income received  
and the impact  
on the Group’s 
balance sheet as at  
27 February 2016.

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continued

Risk description

How the scope of our audit responded to the risk

Key observations

The results of our 
audit work were 
satisfactory and  
we concur with  
the nature of costs 
capitalised within  
the inventory balance 
and the level of 
provision held. 

In relation to the 
inventory provisioning 
policy, we concur  
that the total level  
of provision is within 
an acceptable range.

Inventory valuation and provisions

As described in Note 1 (accounting policies) and 
Note 15 (inventories), the Group carries inventory  
at the lower of cost and net realisable value. As at  
27 February 2016, the Group held inventories of 
£2,430m (2014/15: £2,957m). 

The Group applies particular judgement in the 
following areas relating to inventory:

•  following changes in the Group’s inventory 
provisioning methodology in the prior year,  
the Group provides for obsolescence based  
on forecast inventory usage. This methodology 
relies upon assumptions made in determining 
appropriate provisioning percentages categories 
of inventory; and 

•  the Group capitalises certain directly 

attributable overheads within the cost of 
inventory. These overheads relate to the  
costs incurred in bringing inventory to its final 
destination for sale and in line with normal 
market practice includes the costs associated 
with the Group’s distribution centres. 

In addition, given the overall level of inventory 
across the business in multiple locations, we 
identified the existence of inventory to be a  
further area of focus for our audit work. 

We tested the operating effectiveness of controls 
associated with the existence and condition of inventory 
by attending a sample of inventory counts throughout 
the year in all significant locations (including stores and 
distribution centres). Across the Group, we attended 
222 inventory counts within stores and 28 inventory 
counts within distribution centres.

We obtained assurance over the appropriateness of 
management’s assumptions applied in calculating the 
value of inventory provisions by:

•  critically assessing the Group’s inventory 

provisioning policy, with specific consideration  
given to aged inventory (especially for non-food and 
general merchandising products) as well as stock 
turn calculations including the impact of seasonality;

•  verifying the value of a sample of inventory to 
confirm it is held at the lower of cost and net 
realisable value, through comparison to vendor 
invoices and sales prices;

•  using data analytics in relation to the UK business  
to recalculate the provision based on the Group’s 
provisioning policy; and 

•  reviewing historical accuracy of inventory 

provisioning with reference to inventory write-offs 
during the year in relation to stock loss or other 
inventory adjustments.

In relation to the capitalisation of directly attributable 
costs, we assessed the nature of costs capitalised and 
for a sample of individual products, assessing whether 
costs had been correctly allocated. 

Pension obligation valuation and accounting for the pension curtailment

In relation to the pension curtailment gain, we have 
assessed the basis of the gain recognised and tested  
the integrity of the calculation. 

In testing the pension valuation and curtailment gain,  
we have utilised internal pension actuarial specialists to 
review the key actuarial assumptions used, both financial 
and demographic, and considered the methodology 
utilised to derive these assumptions. Furthermore, we 
have benchmarked and performed a sensitivity analysis 
on the key assumptions determined by the Directors.

We tested the membership data utilised in the valuation 
of the schemes to assess whether the basis of the 
valuation is appropriate.

Furthermore, we have assessed the disclosure of the 
curtailment gain as an exceptional item. 

From the work 
completed, we  
are satisfied that  
the methodology  
and assumptions 
applied in relation  
to determining the 
pension valuation  
and curtailment gain 
are appropriate.

We also agree that  
the disclosure of the 
curtailment gain as  
an exceptional item  
is in accordance with 
the Group’s policy  
on exceptional items  
and is reasonable.

As described in Note 1 (accounting policies) and  
Note 26 (post-employment benefits), the Group has a 
defined benefit pension plan in the UK. At 27 February 
2016, the Group recorded a net retirement obligation 
of £3,175m (2014/15: £4,842m), comprising scheme 
assets of £10,302m (2014/15: £9,677m) and scheme 
liabilities of £13,477m (2014/15: £14,519m). 

During the period, the Group closed the UK scheme 
to new entrants and future accrual and replaced it 
with a new defined contribution scheme. As such,  
a curtailment gain of £538m (2014/15: £nil) has  
been recognised and treated as an exceptional  
item, offset by one-off payments of £58m relating  
to auto-enrolment and top-up payments to the  
new contribution defined contribution scheme. 

The pension valuation and associated curtailment 
gain is dependent on market conditions and  
key assumptions made, in particular relating  
to investment markets, discount rate, inflation 
expectations and life expectancy assumptions.  
The setting of these assumptions is complex and 
requires the exercise of significant management 
judgement with the support of third party actuaries. 

80

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Risk description

How the scope of our audit responded to the risk

Key observations

Provisions and reserves in Tesco Bank

As described in Note 1 (accounting policies)  
and Note 22 (financial risk factors) and Note  
24 (provisions), the Group is required to make  
a number of complex judgements relating to 
provisions and reserves held by Tesco Bank, 
specifically in relation to:

•  loan impairment provisioning, where 

judgements include estimating the level  
of impaired loans and the expected cash 
recoveries thereon;

•  conduct risk provisioning, where judgements  
are required in relation to assessing the level  
of provision required in relation to historical 
payment protection insurance and the 
Consumer Credit Act redress programme; and 

•  insurance reserving in light of the Group’s 
exposure to insurance claims through its 
investment in Tesco Underwriting Limited. 

Compliance with laws and regulations

In light of the ongoing investigation by the  
Serious Fraud Office (“SFO”) in the UK following 
the commercial income misstatements identified  
in the prior year (see page 46 of the Audit 
Committee report and Note 31 (commitments and 
contingencies) of the Group financial statements), 
the Group has a number of potential litigation and 
other exposures for which the outcome is uncertain. 

As a result, judgement is required in assessing the 
nature of these exposures and their accounting and 
disclosure requirements. 

As a result of our 
work, we concluded 
that the provisions 
and reserves held by 
Tesco Bank in relation 
to loan impairment 
provisions, conduct 
risk provisions and 
insurance reserving 
were reasonable. 

From the work 
completed, we concur 
with management’s 
position that no 
provision is required 
and that the 
disclosures provided 
are appropriate.

We have tested the design and implementation of  
key controls relating to loan impairment provisioning, 
conduct risk provisioning and insurance reserving.  
In addition, we have challenged the judgements  
taken by management, specifically:

•  in relation to loan impairment provisioning, using 
internal specialists, we tested a sample of the data 
used in the models as well as testing the model 
methodology and calculations. We assessed 
whether the modelling assumptions used 
considered all relevant risks, and whether the 
additional adjustments to reflect un-modelled risks 
were reasonable in light of historical experience, 
economic climate, current operational processes 
and the circumstances of the customers as well  
as our own knowledge of other practices; and 

•  in relation to conduct risk provisioning, we 

challenged the adequacy of provisions recognised 
by critically assessing the key assumptions used  
in the provision models, comparing the assumptions  
to available peer and historical data. This work  
also included, amongst other things, reviewing 
regulatory correspondence and the bank’s 
complaint logs as well as comparing the bank’s 
position with our own knowledge and  
experience; and 

•  in relation to insurance reserving, using internal 

insurance specialists, we have understood the key 
judgements and assumptions used to estimate the 
level of claims reserves. 

In assessing the potential exposures to the Group,  
we have completed a range of procedures including:

•  assessing the design and implementation of 

controls in relation to the monitoring of known  
legal exposures;

•  reading Board and other meeting minutes to 
identify areas subject to Group consideration;
•  meeting with the Group’s internal legal advisors  
in understanding ongoing and potential legal 
matters impacting the Group;

•  reviewing third party correspondence with external 

legal advisors, regulators and GSCOP; and 

•  reviewing the proposed accounting and disclosure 
of actual and potential legal liabilities, drawing  
on third party assessment of open matters.

81

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Other informationCorporate governanceFinancial statementsStrategic reportIndependent auditor’s report to the members of Tesco PLC 
continued

Risk description

How the scope of our audit responded to the risk

Key observations

Management override of controls

There are a number of areas within the Group’s 
financial statements which comprise accounting 
estimates by management and accordingly there  
is a risk that the Group’s results are influenced 
through management bias in determining  
such estimates. 

Specifically this risk lies in those areas with high 
levels of judgement such as commercial income, 
value-in-use calculations within the impairment 
reviews, inventory accounting and provisioning. 

Furthermore, the presentation of non-GAAP 
measures is judgemental, with IFRS only requiring 
separate presentation of material items. Management 
judgement is therefore required in determining the 
classification of exceptional items. 

In order to address this risk, in addition to the procedures 
set out in the commercial income, impairment and 
inventory risks set out above, we have completed audit 
procedures including:

From our work 
completed, we have  
no matters to highlight 
in these areas.

•  assessing the design and implementation of 

controls which address the risk of management 
override, such as the overall ‘entity level’ controls 
which underpin the overall control environment  
for the Group;

•  auditing key areas of management estimate and 

judgement, including consideration of exceptional 
items disclosed by the Group and the existence of 
any further potential exceptional items included 
within the Group’s underlying profit measures;

•  using data analytics, tested journal entries for fraud 
characteristics by testing the completeness of the 
journal population reviewed and risk profiling the 
population to focus our work on journals of interest;

•  assessing transactions completed outside of the 

normal course of business; and 

•  obtaining an understanding of the work of internal 
audit so as to assist us in directing our audit effort 
and obtain greater understanding of the controls  
in place across the Group.

However, we note that 
consistent with other 
businesses of a similar 
scale to the Group, 
there are offsetting 
non-recurring income 
and expense items 
included within 
underlying profit  
which do not meet the 
Group’s definition of 
exceptional items. We 
concur that these have 
been appropriately 
included within 
underlying profit as 
they do not distort the 
overall result reported.

Retail technology environment, including IT security

The Group’s retail operations utilise a range  
of information systems where we identified 
deficiencies in certain controls at the IT 
infrastructure level. These could have an  
adverse impact on the Group’s controls  
and financial reporting systems.

We tested the design and operating effectiveness  
of the Group’s controls over the information systems 
that are important to financial reporting and identified 
weaknesses in the control environment. 

Where these deficiencies affected applications and 
databases within the scope of our audit, we completed 
a combination of controls and substantive testing in 
order to determine whether we could place reliance on 
the completeness and accuracy of system generated 
information, including:

•  determined whether authorised inappropriate 

changes had been made to the affected databases 
and IT application systems; and 

•  assessed the design and operating effectiveness  
of any controls that mitigated the identified risks. 

In addition, and where appropriate, we extended the 
scope of our substantive audit procedures.

We identified 
weaknesses in relation 
to user access and 
change management 
controls in relation  
to the Group’s retail 
financial reporting 
systems and which the 
company is addressing 
as detailed within the 
Audit Committee 
Report on page 47. 

Where these 
deficiencies affected 
applications and 
systems within the 
scope of our audit, we 
completed additional 
substantive testing in 
order to assess the 
completeness and 
accuracy of system 
generated information.

82

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Last year the previous auditor’s report included two other risks 
which are not included in our report this year: commercial income 
– impact on prior periods (there have been no such adjustment 
recognised in the current period) and impairment of investments 
in associated undertakings (following the impairment recognised 
in the prior period, we do not believe that this risk requires 
separate identification). 

There are two new risks which have been detailed above in  
the current year: pension obligation valuation and accounting  
for the pension curtailment (following the closure of the  
Group’s UK defined benefit scheme to future accrual during  
the year) and IT environment, including IT security (in light of  
the identified weaknesses in relation to user access and change 
management controls). 

Our application of materiality
We define materiality as the magnitude of misstatement in the 
financial statements that makes it probable that the economic 
decisions of a reasonably knowledgeable person would be 
changed or influenced. We use materiality both in planning the 
scope of our audit work and in evaluating the results of our work.

We determined materiality for the Group to be £50m  
(2014/15: materiality determined by the previous auditor of 
£50m). Professional judgement was applied in determining an 
appropriate level of materiality and we considered a number of 
profit based and other measures with reference to the Group’s 
performance. We have concluded that it was appropriate to 
determine materiality with reference to the Group’s average 
profitability over a three year period (2013/14, 2014/15 and 
2015/16), adjusted for exceptional items. 

In our professional judgement, we believe that the use of an 
adjusted profit measure is appropriate as the amounts which  
have been excluded from the Group’s profit before tax are  
one-off items which would otherwise skew the level of materiality 
determined and are not reflective of the Group’s trading activity. 
However, we capped the materiality determined to that applied  
by the previous auditor in the prior year in light of the Group’s 
lower level of profit in the current year and as a result of 2015/16 
being our first year of appointment.

We agreed with the Audit Committee that we would report to  
the Committee all audit differences in excess of £2.5m (2014/15: 
£2.5m determined by the previous auditor), as well as differences 
below that threshold that, in our view, warranted reporting on 
qualitative grounds. We also report to the Audit Committee on 
disclosure matters that we identified when assessing the overall 
presentation of the financial statements.

An overview of the scope of our audit
Our group audit was scoped by obtaining an understanding of  
the Group and its environment, including group-wide controls, 
and assessing the risks of material misstatement at the group 
level. Following the disposal of the Group’s business in Korea,  
the Group has wholly-owned grocery retail operations in nine 
countries, together with interests in a number of other businesses 
both in the United Kingdom and internationally. 

The Group’s accounting process is structured around local finance 
functions and is further supported by a shared service centre in 
Bengaluru, India which provides accounting and administrative 

support for the Group’s core retail operations. Each local finance 
function reports into the central Group finance function based  
at the Group’s head office. Based on our assessment of the Group, 
we focused our group audit scope primarily on the audit work on 
nine retail locations (United Kingdom, Ireland, Czech Republic, 
Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Turkey, Malaysia and Thailand), Tesco 
Bank and dunnhumby. All of these were subject to a full audit and 
represent 97% of the Group’s revenue.

In addition, four other businesses in the United Kingdom were 
subject to specific audit procedures on material account balances, 
where the extent of our testing was based on our assessment of 
the risks of material misstatement and of the materiality of the 
Group’s operations at those locations. 

At the parent entity level we also tested the consolidation process 
and carried out analytical procedures to confirm our conclusion 
that there were no significant risks of material misstatement of the 
aggregated financial information of the remaining components 
not subject to audit or audit of specified account balances.

The most significant component of the Group is its retail business 
in the United Kingdom. As such, there is extensive overlap 
between the Group and United Kingdom audit team to ensure  
an appropriate level of involvement in this audit work. During  
the course of our audit, we visited 75 retail stores in the United 
Kingdom to attend either inventory counts or in order to complete 
store control visits, and seven distribution centre inventory counts. 

Since this was our first year as the Group’s auditor, we visited 10  
of the 11 significant locations set out above at least twice and the 
least significant of those locations once, in addition to the Group’s 
shared service centre in Bengaluru, with the Group Audit Partner 
visiting four of these locations. We also had a dedicated audit 
partner focussed on overseeing the role of the component audit 
teams located outside of the UK and Ireland, ensuring that we 
applied a consistent audit approach to the operations in the 
Group’s International business. The audit visits by the Group audit 
team were timed to enable us to be involved during the transition, 
planning and risk assessment process in addition to during the 
completion of detailed audit procedures. During our visits, we 
attended key meetings with component management and 
auditors, and reviewed detailed component auditor work papers. 

In addition, all key component audit teams were represented 
during a centralised two-day planning meeting held in the  
United Kingdom following our appointment and prior to the 
commencement of our detailed audit work. The purpose of this 
planning meeting was to ensure a good level of understanding  
of the Group’s businesses, its core strategy and a discussion  
of the significant risks and workshops on our planned audit 
approach. Group management also attended to support these 
planning activities. 

Going forward, we will continue to visit all key components at least 
on an annual basis.

83

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Other informationCorporate governanceFinancial statementsStrategic reportIndependent auditor’s report to the members of Tesco PLC 
continued
Opinion on other matters prescribed  
by the Companies Act 2006
In our opinion: 
•  the part of the Directors’ remuneration report to be audited 

Respective responsibilities of Directors and auditor
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 
International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland). We also 
comply with International Standard on Quality Control 1 (UK  
and Ireland). Our audit methodology and tools aim to ensure  
that our quality control procedures are effective, understood  
and applied. Our quality controls and systems include our 
dedicated professional standards review team and independent 
partner reviews.

This report is made solely to the company’s members, as a  
body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies 
Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might 
state to the company’s members those matters we are required  
to state to them in an auditor’s report and for no other purpose.  
To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or  
assume responsibility to anyone other than the company and  
the company’s members as a body, for our audit work, for this 
report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Scope of the audit of the financial statements

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 and 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. 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.

Panos Kakoullis (Senior Statutory Auditor)
for and on behalf of Deloitte LLP
Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditor
London, United Kingdom
12 April 2016

has been properly prepared in accordance with the Companies 
Act 2006; and

•  the information given in the strategic report and the Directors’ 
report for the financial year for which the financial statements 
are prepared is consistent with the financial statements.

Matters on which we are required to report  
by exception
Adequacy of explanations received and accounting records
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 Parent Company financial statements are not in 
agreement with the accounting records and returns.

We have nothing to report in respect of these matters.

Directors’ remuneration
Under the Companies Act 2006 we are also required to report if  
in our opinion certain disclosures of Directors’ remuneration have 
not been made or the part of the Directors’ remuneration report  
to be audited is not in agreement with the accounting records and 
returns. We have nothing to report arising from these matters.

Corporate Governance Statement
Under the Listing Rules we are also required to review part of  
the Corporate Governance Statement relating to the company’s 
compliance with certain provisions of the UK Corporate 
Governance Code. We have nothing to report arising from  
our review.

Our duty to read other information in the Annual Report
Under International Standards on Auditing (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.

In particular, we are required to consider whether we have 
identified any inconsistencies between our knowledge acquired 
during the audit and the Directors’ statement that they consider 
the annual report is fair, balanced and understandable and 
whether the annual report appropriately discloses those matters 
that we communicated to the audit committee which we consider 
should have been disclosed. We confirm that we have not 
identified any such inconsistencies or misleading statements.

84

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 201652 weeks ended  
27 February 2016

Before 
exceptional 
items
£m

Exceptional 
items 
(Note 4) 
£m

Group income statement

Notes

2

13
5
5

6

7

Continuing operations
Revenue
Cost of sales
Gross profit/ (loss)

Administrative expenses
Profits/ (losses) arising on property-related items

Operating profit/ (loss)

Share of post-tax losses of joint ventures and associates 
Finance income
Finance costs
Profit/ (loss) before tax

Taxation
Profit/ (loss) for the year from continuing 
operations

Discontinued operations
Profit/ (loss) for the year from discontinued operations

Profit/ (loss) for the year

Attributable to:
Owners of the parent
Non-controlling interests

 54,433 
(51,629)
 2,804 

(1,874)
14

 944 

(21)
 29 
(672)
 280 

(8)

 272 

 81 

 353 

359
(6)
353

Earnings/ (losses) per share from continuing and discontinued operations
Basic
Diluted

4.42p
4.40p

9
9

Earnings/ (losses) per share from continuing operations
Basic
Diluted

9
9

3.42p
3.41p

The notes on pages 90 to 141 form part of these financial statements.

53 weeks ended  
28 February 2015

Before 
exceptional 
items
£m

Exceptional 
items 
(Note 4) 
£m

56,925
(54,247)
2,678

(1,690)
(48)

–
(4,881)
(4,881)

(884)
(925)

Total
£m

54,433
(51,579)
2,854

(1,852)
44

Total
£m

56,925
(59,128)
(2,203)

(2,574)
(973)

–
50
50

22
 30

102

1,046

940

(6,690)

(5,750)

–
–
(220)
(118)

62

(56)

(168)

(224)

(221)
(3)
(224)

(21)
29
(892)
162

54

216

(87)

129

138
(9)
129

1.70p
1.69p

2.77p
2.76p

(13)
80
(651)
356

(28)

328

188

516

524
(8)
516

6.46p
6.46p

4.14p
4.14p

–
–
–
(6,690)

(13)
80
(651)
(6,334)

698

670

(5,992)

(5,664)

(290)

(102)

(6,282)

(5,766)

(6,265)
(17)
(6,282)

(5,741)
(25)
(5,766)

(70.82)p
(70.82)p

(69.56)p
(69.56)p

85

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Other informationCorporate governanceFinancial statementsStrategic report 
 
Group statement of comprehensive income (loss)

52 weeks ended 27 February 2016
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 of overseas subsidiaries
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 gain/ (losses)
Reclassified and reported in the Group Income Statement
Change in hedge relationship 
Tax on items that may be reclassified

Total other comprehensive income/ (loss) for the year
Profit/ (loss) for the year

Notes

26
6

20
6

52 weeks
2016
£m

53 weeks
2015
£m

1,164
(300)
864

5

168

(88)

318
(292)
186
(30)
267
1,131
129

(1,473)
291
(1,182)

(8)

5

(17)

(2)
102
–
(7)
73
(1,109)
(5,766)

Total comprehensive income/ (loss) for the year

1,260

(6,875)

Attributable to:
Owners of the parent
Non-controlling interests
Total comprehensive income/ (loss) for the year

Total comprehensive income/ (loss) attributable to owners of the parent arises from:
Continuing operations
Discontinued operations

The notes on pages 90 to 141 form part of these financial statements.

1,270
(10)
1,260

1,436
(166)
1,270

(6,850)
(25)
(6,875)

(6,971)
121
(6,850)

86

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016 
 
 
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 

27 February
2016
£m

28 February
2015
£m

Notes

10
11
12
13
14
17
21
6

15
16
17
21

18
18

 7

19
20
21
23
6
24

7

20
21
26
6
24

27

2,874
17,900
78
785
1,135
4,723
1,532
49
29,076

2,430
1,607
3,819
176
15
3,463
3,082
14,592
236
14,828

(8,568)
(2,826)
(62)
(7,479)
(419)
(360)
(19,714)
–
(4,886)

(10,711)
(889)
(3,175)
(135)
(664)
(15,574)
8,616

407
5,095
(141)
3,265
8,626
(10)
8,616

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

The notes on pages 90 to 141 form part of these financial statements.

Dave Lewis 
Alan Stewart

Directors
The financial statements on pages 85 to 141 were authorised for issue by the Directors on 12 April 2016 and are subject to the approval of the shareholders 
at the Annual General Meeting on 23 June 2016.

87

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Other informationCorporate governanceFinancial statementsStrategic report 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Group statement of changes in equity

All other reserves

Share
capital
£m
406
–

Share
premium
£m
5,094
–

Other
reserves
£m
40
–

Capital
redemption
reserve 
£m
16
–

Hedging 
reserve
£m
35
–

Translation
reserve
£m
(488)
–

Treasury 
shares 
£m
(17)
–

Retained 
earnings 
£m
1,985
138

Non-
controlling 
interests 
£m
–
(9)

Total 
£m
7,071
138

Total 
equity 
£m
7,071
129

–
–

–
–

–

–

–

–
–
1
–

–
–

–
–

–

–

–

–
–
1
–

–
1
407

–
1
5,095

–
–

–
–

–

–

–

–
–
–
–

–
–
40

–
–

–
–

–

–

–

–
–
–
–

–
–
16

–
–

–
212

(36)

176

176

–
–
–
–

–
–
211

–
81

–
–

6

87

87

–
–
–
–

–
–
(401)

–
–

–
–

–

–

–

(5)
15
–
–

–
10
(7)

5
–

1,164
–

5
81

1,164
212

(300)

(330)

–
(1)

–
–

–

5
80

1,164
212

(330)

869

1,132

(1)

1,131

1,007

1,270

(10)

1,260

–
273
–
–

–
273
3,265

(5)
288
2
–

–
285
8,626

–
–
–
–

(5)
288
2
–

–
–
(10)

–
285
8,616

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)

Total 
equity 
£m
14,722
(5,766)

–
–

–
–

–

–

–

–
–
1
–

–
–

–
–

–

–

–

–
–
14
–

–
1
406

–
14
5,094

–
–

–
–

–

–

–

–
–
–
–

–
–
40

–
–

–
–

–

–

–

–
–
–
–

–
–
16

–
–

–
100

(21)

79

79

–
–
–
–

–
–
35

–
(12)

–
–

14

2

2

–
–
–
–

–
–
(488)

–
–

–
–

–

–

–

(15)
18
–
–

–
3
(17)

(8)
–

(8)
(12)

(1,473)
–

(1,473)
100

291

284

(1,190)

(1,109)

–
–

–
–

–

–

(8)
(12)

(1,473)
100

284

(1,109)

(6,931)

(6,850)

(25)

(6,875)

–
102
–
(914)

–
(812)
1,985

(15)
120
15
(914)

–
(794)
7,071

–
–
–
–

18
18
–

(15)
120
15
(914)

18
(776)
7,071

At 28 February 2015
Profit/ (loss) for the year
Other comprehensive  
income/ (loss)
Change in fair value of available-
for-sale financial assets and 
investments
Currency translation differences
Remeasurements of defined 
benefit pension schemes
Gains/ (losses) on cash flow hedges
Tax relating to components of 
other comprehensive income 
Total other comprehensive 
income/ (loss)
Total comprehensive  
income/ (loss)
Transactions with owners
Purchase of treasury shares
Share-based payments
Issue of shares
Dividends
Changes in non-controlling 
interests
Total transactions with owners 
At 27 February 2016

At 22 February 2014
Loss for the year
Other comprehensive  
income/ (loss)
Change in fair value of available-
for-sale financial assets  
and investments
Currency translation differences
Remeasurements of defined 
benefit pension schemes
Gains/ (losses) on cash flow hedges
Tax relating to components of 
other comprehensive income 
Total other comprehensive 
income/ (loss)
Total comprehensive  
income/ (loss)
Transactions with owners
Purchase of treasury shares
Share-based payments
Issue of shares
Dividends
Changes in non-controlling 
interests
Total transactions with owners 
At 28 February 2015

The notes on pages 90 to 141 form part of these financial statements.

88

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Group cash flow statement

52 weeks ended 27 February 2016
Cash flows from operating activities
Operating profit/ (loss) of continuing operations
Operating profit/ (loss) of discontinued operations
Depreciation and amortisation
Loss arising on sale of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets
Loss arising on sale of subsidiaries and other investments
Profit arising on sale of joint ventures and associates
Impairment of goodwill
Net reversal of impairment of other investments
Impairment of loans/ investments in joint ventures and associates
Net impairment charge of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets
Adjustment for non-cash element of pensions charge
Additional contribution into pension schemes
Share-based payments
Tesco Bank non-cash items included in operating profit
Decrease in inventories
Decrease in development stock
Decrease in trade and other receivables
Increase/ (decrease) in trade and other payables
(Decrease)/ increase in provisions
Tesco Bank increase in loans and advances to customers
Tesco Bank increase in trade and other receivables
Tesco Bank increase in customer and bank deposits, trade and other payables
Tesco Bank decrease in provisions
(Increase)/ decrease in working capital
Cash generated from operations
Interest paid
Corporation tax received/ (paid)
Net cash generated from operating activities
Cash flows from investing activities 
Purchase of property, plant and equipment, investment property and non-current assets classified as held for sale
Purchase of intangible assets
Disposal of subsidiaries, net of cash disposed
Acquisition of subsidiaries, net of cash acquired
Proceeds from sale of joint ventures and associates
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment, investment property, intangible assets and non-current assets 
classified as held for sale
Net (increase)/ decrease in loans to joint ventures and associates
Investments in joint ventures and associates
Net (investments in)/ proceeds from sale of short-term investments
Net (investments in)/ proceeds from sale of 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
Net cash flows from derivative financial instruments
Repayments of obligations under finance leases
Rights issue to non-controlling interests
Dividends paid to equity owners
Net cash (used in)/ from financing activities
Net increase/ (decrease) 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 90 to 141 form part of these financial statements.

52 weeks
2016
£m

53 weeks
2015
£m

Notes

1,046
128
1,334
164
–
(1)
18
(7)
1
182
(395)
(223)
283
72
251
99
20
260
(280)
(868)
(78)
463
(35)

(168)
2,434
(426)

118
2,126

(871)
(167)
3,237
(325)
192

350
(1)
(77)
(2,894)
(103)
41
3

(615)

1
586
(1,328)
154
(17)
–

–
(604)
907
2,174

1
3,082

–
3,082

26
26

30

27

8

7
18

(5,750)
(52)
1,552
49
41
–
116
–
712
4,171
68
(13)
105
58
577
59
32
(449)
926
(846)
(60)
186
(15)

410
1,467
(613)

(370)
484

(1,989)
(329)
(157)
(86)
–

244
21
(382)
423
48
88
104

(2,015)

15
4,889
(3,185)
(6)
(3)
18

(914)
814
(717)
2,813

78
2,174

(9)
2,165

89

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Other informationCorporate governanceFinancial 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, Shire Park, Kestrel Way, Welwyn Garden City, AL7 1GA, UK.

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 net pension liabilities that have been measured at fair value.

The Directors have, at the time of approving the financial statements,  
a reasonable expectation that the Company and the Group have adequate 
resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. 
Thus they continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in 
preparing the financial statements. Further detail is contained within the 
going concern statement included in the Director’s report on page 73.

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. 

The financial year represents the 52 weeks ended 27 February 2016  
(prior financial year 53 weeks ended 28 February 2015). For the UK and  
the Republic of Ireland (‘UK & ROI’), the results are for the 52 weeks ended 
27 February 2016 (prior financial year 53 weeks ended 28 February 2015). 
For all other operations, the results are for the calendar year ended 29 
February 2016 (prior calendar year ended 28 February 2015).

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.

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. 

90

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. 

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.

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.

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Note 1 Accounting policies continued

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. 

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.

Where the Group obtains control of a joint venture or associate, the  
Group’s previously-held interests in the acquired entity is remeasured  
to its acquisition date fair value and the resulting gain or loss, if any, is 
recognised in the Group Income Statement. 

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.

Intangible assets
Intangible assets, such as software and pharmacy licences, are measured 
initially at acquisition cost or costs incurred to develop the asset. 
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. Intangible assets acquired in a business 
combination are recognised at fair value at the acquisition date.

Following initial recognition, intangible assets with finite useful lives are 
carried at cost less accumulated amortisation and accumulated impairment 
losses. They are amortised on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful 
lives, 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:
•  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

•  fixtures and fittings, office equipment and motor vehicles – at rates 
varying from 9% to 50%, with predominantly all assets depreciated  
at rates between 10% and 33%.

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.

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.

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, 
certificates of deposits and other receivables together with short-term 
deposits with an original maturity of three months or less.

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.

Discontinued operations
In accordance with IFRS 5 ‘Non-current assets held for sale and discontinued 
operations’, the net results of the Korean and Chinese operations are 
presented within discontinued operations in the Group Income Statement 
(for which the comparatives have been restated) and the assets and liabilities 
of these operations are presented separately in the Group Balance Sheet. 
Refer to Note 7 for further details.

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 33 for 
additional disclosures on judgements made relating to operating leases 
including those arising from sale and leasebacks.

91

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Other informationCorporate governanceFinancial statementsStrategic reportNotes to the Group financial statements continued

Note 1 Accounting policies continued

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 re-acquires 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).

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.

Post-employment 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 or Monte Carlo 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 are expected to apply in the 
period when the liability is settled or the asset realised based on 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 the Group Statement 
of changes in Equity or the Group Statement of Comprehensive Income,  
in which case the deferred tax is also recognised in equity, or other 
comprehensive income, respectively. 

92

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 to the functional currency 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 to the functional currency at the rates prevailing on the 
balance sheet date. All differences are taken to the Group Income Statement. 

The non-monetary 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.

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.

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 

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016 
 
 
Note 1 Accounting policies continued

characteristics. 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 reporting period to assess 
whether 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 
gain or loss from remeasuring the derivative instrument is recognised directly 
in the Group Statement of 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 
that 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 if a voluntary de-designation takes 
place 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 forecast 
transaction occurs or the original hedged item affects the Group Income 
Statement. If a forecast 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. 

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. 

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. 

93

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Other informationCorporate governanceFinancial statementsStrategic reportNotes to the Group financial statements continued

Provisions relating to Tesco Bank
The Group has provisions for potential customer redress which it handles 
in accordance with provisions of the regulatory policy statement PS 10/12.

In November 2015, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) issued a 
Consultation Paper (CP15/39 ‘rules and guidance in payment protection 
insurance complaints’). This paper proposes:
•  a deadline, to be confirmed, in 2018, by which customers would need  

to make payment protection insurance complaints; and

•  new rules and guidance on the handling of PPI complaints in light of  
the Supreme Court’s decision in Plevin v Paragon Personal Finance 
Limited (‘Plevin’). 

The final FCA rules, and the implications of the Plevin decision, remain 
uncertain. Although a significant degree of uncertainty also remains with 
regard to the ultimate cost of settling PPI complaints, in particular the volume 
of complaints arising from customers ahead of any deadline to be confirmed 
by the FCA, the provision balance represents management’s best estimate at 
the reporting date of that cost.

The Group also holds a provision in respect of customer redress relating  
to the historic sale of certain cardholder protection products to credit  
card customers. The level of provision held is based on management’s  
best estimate at the reporting date, relating to the number and value of 
cases for which compensation may be paid under an industry-wide scheme 
of arrangement that closed on 18 March 2016. Management’s assumption in 
assessing provision adequacy is that a small number of ex gratia settlements 
will continue throughout the next financial year.

The Group holds a further provision in respect of customer redress relating  
to instances where certain requirements of the CCA for post-contract 
documentation were not fully complied with. In arriving at the provision 
required, the Group has considered the legal and regulatory position with 
respect to these matters and has sought legal advice which it took into 
account when making its judgement. The provision represents management’s 
best estimate at the reporting date of the cost of concluding the redress 
programme for loan and credit card customers, and in making the estimate 
management have exercised judgement as to both the timescale for completing 
the redress campaign and the final scope of any amounts payable. 

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.

Classification of mall properties
The Group exercises judgement in determining the appropriate classification 
of shopping malls as investment properties or property, plant and equipment. 
Factors considered in making this determination include the level of services 
provided to tenants, who manages the mall and any shared facilities, the 
proportion of sublet space to own-use space and the variability of earnings 
from the property. 

Operating segments
The Group’s reportable segments are in line with its management reporting 
structure. Retail operations in different countries are deemed to share similar 
economic characteristics, products, customers and supply chain operations, 
and have therefore been aggregated to the Retail UK and ROI segment and 
the Retail International segment. Tesco Bank operates in a different industry 
and reports separately. 

Note 1 Accounting policies continued

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 with the assistance of 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 
(as defined on page 90) 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 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.

94

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016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. 

Operating margin
Operating margin is based on operating profit before exceptional items and 
on revenue.

Total indebtedness
Net debt plus the IAS 19 deficit in the pension schemes (net of associated 
deferred tax) plus the present value of future minimum rentals payable under 
non-cancellable operating leases.

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 and have not yet been adopted 
by the EU. 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. The 
adoption of IFRS 9 is likely to have a significant impact on the Group in 
future periods, specifically in relation to the impairment charge recognised 
on financial asset balances. The full impact of this and the other phases of 
IFRS 9 on the Group is still being assessed.

•  IFRS 15, ‘Revenues from Contracts with Customers’ is effective for periods 
commencing 1 January 2018 subject to endorsement by the EU. IFRS 15 
introduces a five-step approach to the timing of revenue recognition 
based on performance obligations in customer contracts. IFRS 15 may 
have an impact on recognition and related disclosures. The full impact  
of future adoption is still being assessed; and

•  IFRS 16, ‘Leases’ is effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 

January 2019 subject to endorsement by the EU. IFRS 16 provides a single 
lessee accounting model, requiring lessees to recognise right of use assets 
and lease liabilities for all applicable leases. The full impact of the future 
adoption is currently under review.

Use of non-GAAP measures
The Directors have adopted new measures of performance, namely revenue 
exc. fuel, operating profit before exceptional items and profit before tax 
before exceptional items adjusted for net pension finance costs. These 
measures replace the previous measures of sales including VAT (excluding 
IFRIC 13), trading profit and underlying profit.

The Directors believe that these non-GAAP measures provide additional 
useful information to shareholders on the underlying trends, performance 
and position of the Group. These measures are used for performance 
analysis. The non-GAAP measures are not defined by IFRS and therefore 
may not be directly comparable with other companies’ non-GAAP measures. 
These measures are not intended to be a substitute for, or superior to, IFRS 
measurements. The tax impact on non-GAAP measures is included within 
the Group Income Statement.

Revenue exc. fuel
This is the headline measure of revenue for the Group. It excludes the impact 
of sales, predominantly fuel sales, made at petrol filling stations, due to the 
volatilities associated with movements in fuel prices. 

Operating profit before exceptional items 
This is the headline measure of the Group’s performance, and is based on 
operating profit before the impact of exceptional items. 

Exceptional items 
Exceptional items relate to certain costs or incomes that derive from events 
or transactions that fall within the normal activities of the Group but which, 
individually or, if of a similar type, in aggregate, are excluded from the Group’s 
non-GAAP performance measures by virtue of their size and nature in order 
to better reflect management’s view of the performance of the Group. 

The Group exercises judgement in assessing whether items should be 
classified as exceptional. This assessment covers both the nature of the  
item, cause of occurrence and the scale of impact of that item on reported 
performance. Reversals of previous exceptional items are assessed based  
on the same criteria. 

Profit before tax before exceptional items and net pension finance costs 
This measure excludes exceptional items and the net finance costs of the 
defined benefit pension deficit as the costs are impacted by corporate bond 
yields which can fluctuate significantly.

95

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Other informationCorporate governanceFinancial statementsStrategic reportNotes to the Group financial statements continued

Note 2 Segmental reporting

The Group’s operating 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 Group Chief Executive, with support from the Executive Committee, as the function primarily responsible for the allocation  
of resources to segments and assessment of performance of the segments.

In line with changes in management reporting and management structure reporting to the CODM, the Group has reassessed its reportable segments  
and determined:
•  that the retailing and associated activities in the Republic of Ireland (‘ROI’), previously disclosed as part of the Europe segment, be combined  

in a UK and Republic of Ireland segment going forward; and

•  that the retailing and associated activities in other countries, previously segregated between the Europe and the Asia segments, be combined  

in an International segment.

The principal activities of the Group are therefore presented in the following segments:
•  Retailing and associated activities (‘Retail’) in:

 − UK & ROI – the UK and Republic of Ireland; and
 − International – Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Malaysia, Thailand and Turkey; and

•  Retail banking and insurance services through Tesco Bank in the UK (‘Tesco Bank’).

This presentation reflects how the Group’s operating performance is reviewed internally by management. Segmental information for the 53 weeks ended 
28 February 2015 has been restated accordingly.

In addition, the retailing and associated activities in the Republic of Korea (‘Korea’) have been classified as discontinued operations in the current year,  
their performance in this year and comparative years is therefore part of discontinued operations as presented in Note 7 and excluded from segmental 
performances below.

The CODM uses operating profit before exceptional items, as reviewed at monthly Executive Committee meetings, as the key measure of the segments’ 
results as it better reflects the segments’ underlying performance for the financial period under evaluation. Operating profit before exceptional items is a 
consistent measure within the Group as defined within Note 1. Refer to Note 4 for exceptional items. Inter-segment revenue between the operating segments 
is not material.

The segment results and the reconciliation of the segment measures to the respective statutory items included in the Group Income Statement are as follows:

52 weeks ended 27 February 2016
At constant exchange rates*
Continuing operations
Revenue exc. fuel
Revenue
Operating profit before exceptional items
Exceptional items
Operating profit/ (loss)
Operating margin**

52 weeks ended 27 February 2016
At actual exchange rates***
Continuing operations
Revenue exc. fuel
Revenue
Operating profit before exceptional items
Exceptional items
Operating profit
Operating margin**
Share of post-tax losses of joint ventures and associates
Finance income
Finance costs
Profit/ (loss) before tax

Total at
constant
exchange
£m

Foreign
exchange
£m

Total
at actual
exchange
£m

UK & ROI
£m

International
£m

37,359

43,256
509
96
605
1.2%

10,858

11,066
283
9
292
2.6%

Tesco
Bank
£m

955

955
162
(1)
161
17.0%

49,172

55,277
954
104
1,058
1.7%

(820)

(844)
(10)
(2)
(12)
–

Tesco
Bank
 £m

955
955
162
(1)
161
17.0%

48,352

54,433
944
102
1,046
1.7%

Total
at actual
exchange
£m

48,352
54,433
944
102
1,046
1.7%
(21)
29
(892)
162

UK & ROI
£m

International
£m

37,189
43,080
505
94
599
1.2%

10,208
10,398
277
9
286
2.7%

*  Constant exchange rates are the average actual periodic exchange rates for the previous financial period.
**  Operating margin is based on operating profit before exceptional items and on revenue.
***  Actual exchange rates are the average actual periodic exchange rates for that financial period.

96

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Note 2 Segmental reporting continued

53 weeks ended 28 February 2015
At actual exchange rates*
Continuing operations
Revenue exc. fuel
Revenue **
Operating profit before exceptional items
Exceptional items
Operating profit/ (loss)
Operating margin ***
Share of post-tax losses of joint ventures and associates
Finance income
Finance costs
Profit/ (loss) before tax

UK & ROI
£m

International
£m

38,228

45,062
498
(5,832)
(5,334)
1.1%

10,678

10,916
254
(823)
(569)
2.3%

Tesco
Bank
£m

947

947
188
(35)
153
19.9%

Total
at actual
exchange
£m

49,853

56,925
940
(6,690)
(5,750)
1.7%
(13)
80
(651)
(6,334)

*   Actual exchange rates are the average actual periodic exchange rates for that financial period.
**  Includes a reclassification of £77m from Tesco Bank to the UK & ROI segment, relating to revenue recognition on Clubcard vouchers. There is no impact on segmental  
  operating profit before exceptional items or operating profit.
***  Operating margin is based on operating profit before exceptional items and on revenue.

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 27 February 2016
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 & ROI
£m
 1,391
 12,815
 5
 – 
 – 
 – 
 14,211

International
£m
 309
 5,085
 704
 – 
 – 
 49
 6,147

 2,557
(6,580)
 – 
 – 
(837)
(64)
(403)
(3,153)
 165
 – 

 – 
 5,896

 1,016
(1,736)
 – 
 – 
(129)
(39)
(3)
(22)
 71
 – 

 – 
 5,305

Tesco
Bank
£m
 1,174
 78
 76
 984
 4,723
 – 
 7,035

 314
(252)
 3,819
(7,479)
(58)
(32)
 2
 – 
 – 
 – 

(975)
 2,374

Other/
unallocated
£m
 – 
 – 
 – 
 151
 – 
 – 
 151

 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 

(5,110)
(4,959)

Total
£m
 2,874
 17,978
 785
 1,135
 4,723
 49
 27,544

 3,887
(8,568)
 3,819
(7,479)
(1,024)
(135)
(404)
(3,175)
 236
 – 

(6,085)
 8,616

(a)  Excludes derivative financial instrument non-current assets of £1,532m (2015: £1,546m).
(b)  Excludes loans to joint ventures of £149m (2015: £207m) and interest and other receivables of £1m (2015:£1m).
(c)  Excludes net debt of the disposal groups of £nil (2015: £9m). Refer to Note 7.
(d)  Refer to Note 29.

97

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Other informationCorporate governanceFinancial statementsStrategic reportNotes to the Group financial statements continued

Note 2 Segmental reporting continued

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

(a)-(d) Refer to previous table for footnotes.

Other segment information

UK & ROI
£m
 1,648
 11,604
 89
 – 
 – 
 433
 13,774

International
£m
 900
 8,914
 771
 – 
 – 
 81
 10,666

 2,814
(6,931)
 – 
 – 
(1,071)
 – 
(89)
(4,773)
 61
 – 

 – 
 3,785

 1,821
(2,746)
 – 
 – 
(205)
(158)
 5
(69)
 69
 – 

 – 
 9,383

Tesco
Bank
£m
1,223
86
80
827
3,906
–
6,122

235
(245)
3,814 
(7,020)
(90)
(41)
5 
–
–
–

(539)
2,241 

Other/
unallocated
£m
–
–
–
148
–
–
148

–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
(5)

(8,481)
(8,338)

52 weeks ended 27 February 2016
Capital expenditure (including acquisitions through  
business combinations):

Property, plant and equipment*
Investment property
Goodwill, software 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 impairment of property, plant and equipment  
and investment property

53 weeks ended 28 February 2015
Capital expenditure (including acquisitions through  
business combinations):

Property, plant and equipment*
Investment property
Goodwill, software 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 impairment of property, plant and equipment  
and investment property

UK & ROI
£m

International
£m

Tesco
Bank
£m

Total
 continuing
operations
£m

Discontinued
operation**
£m

 2,300 
 5 
 188 

 (688)
 (2)
 (145)
 (159)
 (18)
 (164)

 133 

 236 
 – 
 18 

 (293)
 – 
 (30)
 (10)
 – 
 (100)

 119 

 8 
 – 
 32 

 (16)
 – 
 (75)
 – 
 – 
 – 

 – 

 2,544 
 5 
 238 

 (997)
 (2)
 (250)
 (169)
 (18)
 (264)

 252 

 55 
 – 
 3 

 (80)
 – 
 (5)
 – 
 – 
 (1)

 – 

UK & ROI
£m

International
£m

Tesco
Bank
£m

Total
 continuing
operations
£m

Discontinued
operation**
£m

 1,119 
 – 
 351 

 (741)
 – 
 (154)
 (46)
 (116)
 (3,504)

 132 

 364 
 – 
 28 

 (358)
 – 
 (26)
 (3)
 – 
 (607)

 35 

 14 
 – 
 45 

 (18)
 – 
 (68)
 (4)
 – 
 – 

 – 

 1,497 
 – 
 424 

 (1,117)
 – 
 (248)
 (53)
 (116)
 (4,111)

 167 

 145 
 – 
 11 

 (176)
 (1)
 (9)
 – 
 – 
 (202)

 29 

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

 2,599 
 5 
 241 

 (1,077)
 (2)
 (255)
 (169)
 (18)
 (265)

 252 

Total
£m

 1,642 
 – 
 435 

 (1,293)
 (1)
 (257)
 (53)
 (116)
 (4,313)

 196 

* 

Includes £1,742m (2015: £3m) of property, plant and equipment acquired through business combinations.

**   Discontinued operations in this table represents amounts up until the point a disposal group is classified as such. This comprises those of Korea in the first six months  

of the year ended 27 February 2016 and the twelve months of the year ended 28 February 2015.

98

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016 
 
 
 
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 Tesco Bank as well  
as continuing operations and discontinued operations. 

Retail

Tesco Bank

Tesco Group

Operating profit/ (loss) of continuing operations*
Operating profit/ (loss) of discontinued operations
Depreciation and amortisation
ATM net income
Loss/ (profit) arising on sale of property, plant and equipment and  
intangible assets
Loss arising on sale of subsidiaries and other investments 
Profit arising on sale of joint ventures and associates
Impairment of goodwill
Net reversal of impairment of other investments
Impairment of loans/ investments in joint ventures and associates
Net impairment of property, plant and equipment and  
intangible assets
Adjustment for non-cash element of pensions charge
Additional contribution into pension schemes
Share-based payments
Tesco Bank non-cash items included in operating profit
Cash flow from operations excluding working capital
Decrease/ (increase) in working capital
Cash generated from operations
Interest paid
Corporation tax received/ (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

Disposal of subsidiaries, net of cash disposed
Acquisition of subsidiaries, net of cash acquired
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment, investment 
property, intangible assets and non-current assets classified as held  
for sale
Proceeds from sale of joint ventures and associates
Net (increase)/ decrease in loans to joint ventures and associates
Net investments in joint ventures and associates

Net (investments in)/ proceeds from sale of 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 ordinary share capital
Increase in borrowings
Repayment of borrowings
Net cash flows from derivative financial instruments
Repayment of obligations under finance leases
Rights issue to non-controlling interests
Dividends paid to equity owners
Net cash generated from/ (used in) financing activities

2016
£m

885
128
1,243
(38)

165
–
(1)
18
(7)
1

182
(395)
(223)
273
–
2,231
350
2,581
(422)
125
2,284

(858)
(146)
1,280

3,237
(325)

350
192
(1)
(77)
(2,894)
17
41
3
(461)

1
286
(1,328)
154
(17)
–
–
(904)

2015 
£m

(5,903)
(52)
1,466
(28)

42
41
–
116
–
712

4,167
68
(13)
99
–
715
1,145
1,860
(609)
(347)
904

(1,977)
(267)
(1,340)

(157)
(86)

244
–
21
(382)
423
5
81
104
(1,991)

15
4,391
(3,185)
(6)
(3)
18
(914)
316

Intra-Group funding and intercompany transactions

50

(77)

Net increase/ (decrease) 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 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

969
1,558
1

2,528
–
2,528

(848)
2,328
78

1,558
(9)
1,549

*  Tesco Bank operating profit as per Bank Income Statement excluding ATM net income segmental adjustment.
**  This relates to the cash held within discontinued operations reported within assets of the disposal groups.

2016
£m

161
–
91
38

(1)
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
10
72
371
(518)
(147)
(4)
(7)
(158)

(13)
(21)
(192)

–
–

–
–
–
–
–
(120)
–
–
(154)

–
300
–
–
–
–
–
300

(50)

(62)
616
–

554
–
554

2015 
£m

153
–
86
28

7
–
–
–
–
–

4
–
–
6
58
342
(735)
(393)
(4)
(23)
(420)

(12)
(62)
(494)

–
–

–
–
–
–
–
43
7
–
(24)

–
498
–
–
–
–
–
498

77

131
485
–

616
–
616

2016
£m

1,046
128
1,334
–

164
–
(1)
18
(7)
1

182
(395)
(223)
283
72
2,602
(168)
2,434
(426)
118
2,126

(871)
(167)
1,088

3,237
(325)

350
192
(1)
(77)
(2,894)
(103)
41
3
(615)

1
586
(1,328)
154
(17)
–
–
(604)

2015 
£m

(5,750)
(52)
1,552
–

49
41
–
116
–
712

4,171
68
(13)
105
58
1,057
410
1,467
(613)
(370)
484

(1,989)
(329)
(1,834)

(157)
(86)

244
–
21
(382)
423
48
88
104
(2,015)

15
4,889
(3,185)
(6)
(3)
18
(914)
814

–

–

907
2,174
1

3,082
–
3,082

(717)
2,813
78

2,174
(9)
2,165

99

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Other informationCorporate governanceFinancial statementsStrategic report2016
£m
1,013
1,243
(38)

165
–
(1)
18
(7)
1
182
(395)
(223)
273

2,231
350
2,581
(422)
125

2,284

(858)
(146)
1,280

2016
£m

(331)
(53)
20
39,955
1,263
1,249
1,160
13
187
1

2015
£m
(5,955)
1,466
(28)

42
41
–
116
–
712
4,167
68
(13)
99

715
1,145
1,860
(609)
(347)

904

(1,977)
(267)
(1,340)

2015
£m

(344)
(53)
19
42,515
1,623
1,366
1,289
3,944
169
712

Notes to the Group financial statements continued

Note 2 Segmental reporting continued

Operating profit/ (loss)
Depreciation and amortisation
ATM net income
Loss arising on sale of property, plant and equipment and  
intangible assets
Loss arising on sale of subsidiaries & other investments 
Profit arising on sale of joint ventures and associates
Impairment of goodwill
Net reversal of impairment of other investments
Impairment of loans/ investments in joint ventures and associates
Net impairment of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets
Adjustment for non-cash element of pensions charge
Additional contribution into pension schemes
Share-based payments
Cash flow from operations excluding working capital
Decrease/ (increase) in working capital
Cash generated from operations
Interest paid
Corporation tax received/ (paid)
Net cash generated from 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

Discontinued operations

Retail

2016
£m
885
1,158
(38)

165
–
(1)
18
(7)
1
181
(400)
(223)
271

2,010
70
2,080
(394)
167

1,853

(776)
(146)
931

2015
£m
(5,903)
1,280
(28)

28
41
–
116
–
712
3,993
68
(2)
102

407
1,270
1,677
(560)
(267)

850

(1,774)
(266)
(1,190)

2016
£m
128
85
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
1
5
–
2

221
280
501
(28)
(42)

431

(82)
–
349

2015
£m
(52)
186
–

14
–
–
–
–
–
174
–
(11)
(3)

308
(125)
183
(49)
(80)

54

(203)
(1)
(150)

Continuing operations
Profit/ (loss) before tax is stated after charging/ (crediting) the following:
Property rental income, of which £39m (2015: £40m) relates to investment properties
Other rental income
Direct operating expenses arising on rental earning investment properties
Costs of inventories recognised as an expense
Inventory losses and provisions*
Depreciation and amortisation charged
Operating lease expenses, of which £102m (2015: £106m) relates to hire of plant and machinery
Net impairment charge on property, plant and equipment and investment property 
Impairment of goodwill, software and other intangibles
Impairment of investments in and loans to joint ventures and associates

* 

Includes £nil (2015: £359m) exceptional inventory provision.

During the financial year, the Group carried out a tender for the external audit following which Deloitte LLP (‘Deloitte’) were appointed as auditor in place  
of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (‘PwC’). Accordingly, the figures for auditor’s remuneration below relate to Deloitte for 2016 and PwC for 2015.

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 financial statements 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’s remuneration

2016
£m

1.5 
4.4
0.6
6.5

0.3
0.9
8.8
16.5

2015
£m

1.0
3.6
0.8
5.4

–
0.9
2.4
8.7

Other non-audit services of £8.8m represent retail consultancy services (£4.6m), forensic services (£2.3m), international employee services (£0.9m), pension 
advisory services (£0.6m) and other (£0.4m). The level of non-audit fees in the 52 weeks ended 27 February 2016 reflects the transition to Deloitte as external 
auditor during the year and the completion of certain activities that were in progress. Steps have been taken to reduce the level of non-audit fees significantly 
in the 52 weeks ended 25 February 2017.

In addition to the amounts shown above, the auditor received fees of £0.2m (2015: £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 47 and includes how objectivity and independence  
is safeguarded when non-audit services are provided by Deloitte. 

100

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Note 3 Income and expenses continued

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
Total

* 
** 

Includes £538m (2015: £nil) of exceptional past service credit. Refer to Note 4. 
Includes £58m (2015: £nil) of additional exceptional costs. Refer to Note 4.

Post-employment expenses include £168m (2015: £167m) of salaries paid as pension contributions.

The average number of employees by operating segment during the financial year was: 

UK & ROI
International
Tesco Bank
Total

Note 4 Exceptional items 

Income Statement 

52 weeks ended 27 February 2016
Profit/ (loss) for the period included the following exceptional items:

2016
£m
 5,983 
 403 
 20 
 175 
 308 

 79 
 6,968

2015
£m
 6,140 
 436 
 605 
 23 
 141 

 407 
 7,752 

Average number
of employees

Average number of 
full-time equivalents

2016
 335,061 
 143,459 
 3,632 
 482,152 

2015
 330,130 
 146,606 
 3,871 
 480,607 

2016
 225,371 
 129,110 
 3,354 
 357,835 

2015
 225,192 
 133,602 
 3,576 
 362,370 

Exceptional items included in:
Net impairment of property, plant and equipment, 
intangible assets and onerous lease provisions (a)
Net restructuring and redundancy costs (b)
Property transactions (c)
Past service credit and other associated costs (d)
Foreign exchange losses on GBP balances held in 
overseas entities (e)
Release of overprovision of tax liabilities in prior years (f)
Loss on disposal of Korean operations (g)
Total

Cost of  
sales  
£m

Admin-
istrative 
expenses  
£m

Property- 
related  
items  
£m

(299)
(75)

–
424

–
–
–
50

–
(34)

–
56

–
–
–
22

(109)
(17)

156
–

–
–
–
30

Total 
exceptional 
items 
included 
within 
operating 
profit £m

(408)
(126)

156
480

–
–
–
102

Finance  
costs  
£m

Taxation  
£m

Loss on 
disposal of 
Korean 
operations 
£m

–
–

–
–

(220)
–
–
(220)

73
9

(20)
(86)

–
86
–
62

–
–

–
–

–
–
(168)
(168)

In assessing whether income and expense items met the Group’s criteria as exceptional, items totalling £4m reflected in operating profit as non-exceptional 
cost in the first half of the year have subsequently been reclassified to exceptional. This is as a result of restructuring activities extended beyond the original 
scope, as well as two further property transactions where the Group regained sole ownership of stores and distribution centres. 

(a)  Following an evaluation of the cash-generating unit for technology and associated fixed assets principally relating to online general merchandise, 

impairment charges and write-offs of £275m have been recorded as the Group moves toward a single online platform for customers. In addition, a net 
property, plant and equipment (‘PPE’) impairment and onerous lease charge of £133m has arisen, including write downs on construction in progress  
and non-trading sites of £109m. Refer to Notes 10 and 11 for further details on impairment and Note 24 for further details on onerous lease provisions.

(b)  A net charge of £126m has been recognised as restructuring and redundancy costs in the UK & ROI. This includes £89m relating to store colleague 

structures and working practices and £34m relating to head office restructuring costs, partly offset by a provision release of £74m related to the prior year 
changes to store colleague working arrangements. In addition, there have been costs of £77m related to business rationalisation including the closure  
of UK Homeplus stores. These costs include impairment of PPE, goodwill and onerous lease provisions. Refer to Notes 10 and 11 for further details on 
impairment and Note 24 for further details on onerous lease provisions.

(c)  In line with the Group’s strategy to strengthen its balance sheet, the Group has taken sole control of 70 stores and two distribution centres previously  

held in three joint ventures, whilst selling its interests in two property joint ventures, as discussed in Note 13 and Note 30. The Group has also disposed  
of 12 development sites in London. 

(d)  As a result of the closure of the UK defined benefit pension scheme (the ‘Scheme’), all active members of the Scheme became deferred members. The rate 
at which previously accrued benefits grow until retirement differs for active and deferred members. The rate of increase for deferred members aligns with 
the consumer price index and resulted in an actuarial credit of £538m. This credit was offset by one-off payments of £58m relating to auto-enrolment and 
top-up payments to the new defined contribution scheme for some colleagues previously in the defined benefit scheme. Refer to Note 26.

101

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Other informationCorporate governanceFinancial statementsStrategic report 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Group financial statements continued

Note 4 Exceptional items continued

(e)  The Group holds £2.5bn of proceeds from the sale of the Korean operations in GBP money market funds in an intermediate entity with a Euro functional 

currency. The £220m loss represents foreign exchange losses arising on the revaluation of these sterling-denominated funds into Euros. The loss does not 
represent an economic loss to the Group since there is an offset within other comprehensive income.

(f)   In agreeing tax liabilities for past years up to 2011, the Group has identified provisions of £86m held for uncertain tax positions which are no longer 

required. 

(g)   On 22 October 2015, the Group completed its sale of its Korea operations, made up of Homeplus Co. Limited, Homeplus Tesco Co. Limited and related 
subsidiaries, to a group of investors led by MBK Partners and including Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, Public Sector Pension Investment Board 
and Temasek Holdings (Private) Limited. Refer to Note 7 for further details. 

Income Statement
53 weeks ended 28 February 2015
Profit/ (loss) for the period included the following exceptional items:

Exceptional items included in:
Impairment of PPE and onerous lease provisions

Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets

Inventory valuations and provisions
Reversal of commercial income recognised in  
previous years
Restructuring costs including trading store redundancies
Other restructuring and one-off items
Impairment of investments in and loans to joint ventures 
and associates
Provision for customer redress
Exceptional items related to discontinued operations
Tax on exceptional items related to discontinued 
operations
Total

Cost of  
sales  
£m
(3,586)

(166)
(500)

(208)

(261)

(160)

–
–
–

–
(4,881)

Total 
exceptional 
items 
included 
within 
operating 
profit 
£m
(4,511)

(166)
(500)

(208)

(406)

(160)

(712)
(27)
–

–
–

–

–

–

–
–
–

–
(925)

– 
(6,690)

–
–

–

(145)

–

(712)
(27)
–

–
(884)

–
–

–

–

–

–
–
–

–
–

17
87

38

75

15

–
6
–

–
698

Admin-
istrative 
expenses  
£m
–

Property- 
related  
items  
£m
(925)

Finance  
costs  
£m
–

Taxation  
£m
460

Exceptional 
items within 
discontinued 
operations 
£m
–

Cash Flow Statement
The table below shows the impact of exceptional items on the Cash Flow Statement:

Exceptional items included in:
Prior year restructuring costs and other exceptional costs including trading store redundancies(a)
Current year restructuring costs including trading store redundancy costs(b)
Utilisation of onerous lease provisions
Property transactions – sale of development sites(c)
Defined benefit pension scheme closure cost(d)
Provision for customer redress(e)
Property transactions – buy back of property joint ventures, net of £15m cash acquired (f)
Total

Cash flows from  
operating activities

Cash flows from  
investing activities

2016  
£m
(251)
(63)
(90)
218
(58)
(34)
–
(278)

2015  
£m
(174)
–
–
–
–
(42)
–
(216)

2016  
£m
–
–
–
–
–
–
(139)
(139)

(a)   Cash outflows on settlement of exceptional redundancy provisions booked in the 53 weeks ended 28 February 2015. Refer to Note 24 for further details.
(b)   Cash outflows on settlement of restructuring and redundancy costs. Refer to item (b) on page 101.
(c)   Cash proceeds received on sale of 12 development sites. Refer to item (c) on page 101.
(d)   One-off payment on closure of defined benefit pension scheme. Refer to item (d) on page 101.
(e)   Settlement of claims for customer redress in Tesco Bank from prior years. Refer to Note 24 for further details.
(f)   During the year, the Group obtained sole control of three separate property partnerships, previously accounted for as joint ventures, through acquisition of the other  
  partners’ 50% interest in each of the partnerships. Net cash outflow is due to: acquisition of subsidiaries of £(317)m; proceeds on sale of joint ventures of £172m; and  

repayment of loans by joint ventures of £6m. Refer to Note 30 for further details.

In addition, the Group received a tax refund of £263m. This relates to a claim raised with HMRC to carry back the loss made in the 53 weeks ended  
28 February 2015 to offset against the taxable profits from the 52 weeks ended 22 February 2014. 

102

–
–

–

–

–

–
–
(307)

17
(290)

2015  
£m
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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)*
Financial instruments – fair value remeasurements
Total finance costs before exceptional items and net pension finance costs
Net pension finance costs (Note 26)
Foreign exchange losses on GBP short-term investments held in overseas entities (Note 4)
Total finance costs
Net finance cost

*  A deferred tax liability is recognised in respect of capitalised interest at the applicable rate in the country in which the interest is capitalised.

GBP MTNs
Interest payable on the 4% RPI GBP MTN 2016 includes £3m (2015: £8m) of Retail Price Index (‘RPI’) related accretion.
Interest payable on the 3.322% LPI GBP MTN 2025 includes £3m (2015: £7m) of RPI-related accretion.
Interest payable on the 1.982% RPI GBP MTN 2036 includes £3m (2015: £7m) of RPI-related accretion.

2016
£m

29
29

(176)
(122)
(86)
–
(9)
(111)
6
(19)
(517)
(155)
(220)
(892)
(863)

2015
£m

80
80

(191)
(155)
(85)
(2)
(9)
(93)
44
(26)
(517)
(134)
–
(651)
(571)

103

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Other informationCorporate governanceFinancial statementsStrategic reportNotes to the Group financial statements continued

Note 6 Taxation

Recognised in the Group Income Statement

Continuing operations
Current tax (credit)/ charge
UK corporation tax
Release of UK provisions for uncertain tax positions – exceptional credit
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

2016
£m

81
(86)
73
(191)
(123)

(69)
169
(31)
69
(54)

2015
£m

(159)
–
74
(12)
(97)

(621)
14
34
(573)
(670)

Finance (No.2) Act 2015 included legislation to reduce the main rate of UK corporation tax from 20% to 19% from 1 April 2017 and to 18% from 1 April 2020. 
These rate reductions were substantively enacted by the balance sheet date and therefore included in these consolidated financial statements. In addition to 
the changes in the rates of corporation tax disclosed above it was announced in the March 2016 Budget Statement that the main rate of corporation tax will 
be further reduced by 1% to 17% from 1 April 2020. This further rate reduction had not been substantively enacted at the balance sheet date and has 
therefore not been reflected in these consolidated financial statements.

Temporary differences have been remeasured using the enacted tax rates that are expected to apply when the liability is settled or the asset realised.

Reconciliation of effective tax charge

Profit before tax
Tax credit/ (charge) at 20.1% (2015: 21.2%)
Effect of:

Non-qualifying depreciation
Other non deductible items
Unrecognised tax losses
Release of provisions for uncertain tax positions
Property items taxed on a different basis to accounting entries*
Differences in overseas taxation rates
Adjustments in respect of prior years
Share of losses of joint ventures and associates
Change in tax rate

Total income tax credit/ (charge) for the year
Effective tax rate

2016
£m
162
(33)

(49)
(7)
(111)
86
114
5
22
(4)
31
54
(33.2%)

2015
£m
(6,334)
1,343

(58)
(523)
(135)
34
86
(40)
(2)
(3)
(32)
670
10.6%

*  This includes property items with differences in the book value and the valuation for tax purposes in addition to recognition of capital losses on property asset disposals. 

Reconciliation of effective tax charge on non-GAAP measures

Profit before tax before exceptional items
Tax credit/ (charge) at 20.1% (2015: 21.2%)
Effect of:

Non-qualifying depreciation
Other non deductible items
Unrecognised tax losses
Release of provisions for uncertain tax positions
Property items taxed on a different basis to accounting entries*
Differences in overseas taxation rates
Adjustments in respect of prior years
Share of losses of joint ventures and associates
Change in tax rate

Total income tax credit/ (charge) for the year
Effective tax rate before exceptional items
Net pension finance costs
Tax charge at 20.1% (2015: 21.2%)

Change in tax rate

Total income tax credit/ (charge) before exceptional items and net pension finance cost for the year
Effective tax rate before exceptional items and net pension finance cost 

2016
£m
280
(56)

(30)
(7)
(70)
–
102
8
22
(4)
27
(8)
2.7%
155
(31)
3
(36)
8.2%

2015
£m
356
(75)

(27)
52
(56)
34
86
(20)
(2)
(3)
(17)
(28)
7.8%
134
(28)
1
(55)
11.2%

*  This includes property items with differences in the book value and the valuation for tax purposes in addition to recognition of capital losses on property asset disposals. 

104

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016 
Note 6 Taxation continued

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:

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/ (charged) to Group Statement of Comprehensive Income

2016
£m

2015
£m

–

–
–

–

–
–

2016
£m

2015
£m

6
–
–

(300)
(36)
(330)

14
(1)
(3)

291
(17)
284

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 
measured using the tax rates that are expected to apply when the liability is settled or the asset realised based on the tax rates that have been enacted 
or substantially enacted by the balance sheet date:

At 22 February 2014
(Charge)/ credit to the Group  
Income Statement
(Charge)/ credit to the Group Statement 
of Comprehensive Income
Discontinued operations
Business combinations
Foreign exchange and other 
movements**
At 28 February 2015
(Charge)/ credit to the Group  
Income Statement
(Charge)/ credit to the Group Statement 
of Comprehensive Income
Discontinued operations
Business combinations
Foreign exchange and other 
movements**
At 27 February 2016

Property- 
related 
items*
£m
(1,308)

Retirement
benefit
obligation***
£m
634

Share-based
payments
£m
42

Short-term
timing
differences
£m
84

Tax losses
£m
24

Financial 
Instruments
£m
13

Other
pre/post-tax 
temporary
differences
£m
10

363

–
2
–

(10)
(953)

46

–
232
(136)

(5)
(816)

35

291
–
–

(3)
957

(86)

(300)
(10)
–

2
563

(40)

–
–
–

1
3

5

–
(2)
–

–
6

184

–
(19)
–

(1)
248

(36)

–
(68)
(4)

3
143

46

–
(2)
–

1
69

3

–
(22)
–

–
50

(6)

(17)
–
–

–
(10)

–

(36)
–
14

–
(32)

(9)

–
–
–

–
1

(1)

–
–
–

–
–

Total
£m
(501)

573

274
(19)
–

(12)
315

(69)

(336)
130
(126)

–
(86)

* 

 Property-related items include a deferred tax liability on rolled over gains of £321m (2015: £294m) and deferred tax assets on capital losses of £137m (2015: £101m). 
The remaining balance relates to accelerated tax depreciation. It is not anticipated these will reverse materially in the foreseeable future.

**  The deferred tax charge for foreign exchange and other movements is a £nil (2015: £12m debit) relating to the retranslation of deferred tax balances at the balance sheet  

date is included within the Group Statement of Comprehensive Income under the heading Currency translation differences.

***  The deferred tax asset on retirement benefits is expected to reverse as additional funding contributions are made to the closed defined benefit scheme. Refer to Note 26.

Certain deferred tax assets and liabilities have been offset and are analysed as follows:

Deferred tax assets
Deferred tax liabilities

2016
£m
49
(135)
(86)

2015
£m
514
(199)
315

No deferred tax liability is recognised on temporary differences of £2.9bn (2015: £2.1bn) 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 27 February 2016 is estimated to be £141m (2015: £112m) 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. 

105

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Other informationFinancial statementsStrategic reportCorporate governanceNotes to the Group financial statements continued

Note 6 Taxation continued

Unrecognised deferred tax assets

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

2016
£m
163
249
412

2015
£m
97
66
163

As at 27 February 2016, the Group has unused trading tax losses from continuing operations of £1,343m (2015: £539m) available for offset against future 
profits. A deferred tax asset has been recognised in respect of £274m (2015: £244m) of such losses. No deferred tax asset has been recognised in respect of 
the remaining £1,069m (2015: £295m) due to the unpredictability of future profit streams. Included in unrecognised tax losses are losses of £126m that will 
expire in 2020 (2015: £118m in 2019) and £100m that will expire between 2021 and 2036 (2015: £15m between 2020 and 2035). Other losses will be carried 
forward indefinitely.

Current tax
Within the Group current tax liability of £419m is £271m in respect of capital gains tax liabilities that may arise in respect of the sale of the Korean business. 
Refer to Note 7.

Changes in tax law or its interpretation 
The Group operates in a number of territories which leads to the Group’s profits being subject to tax in many jurisdictions. The tax authorities in these 
jurisdictions may challenge our tax returns which could have an adverse impact on the Group. 

Note 7 Discontinued operations and non-current assets classified as held for sale 

Assets and liabilities of the disposal groups 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

2016
£m
–
236
236
–
236

2015
£m
9
130
139
(5)
134

The non-current assets classified as held for sale consist mainly of properties in the UK and Central Europe due to be sold within one year.

Discontinued operations 
On 22 October 2015, the Group completed the sale of the Korean operations, made up of Homeplus Co. Limited, Homeplus Tesco Co. Limited and related 
subsidiaries, to a group of investors led by MBK Partners and including Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, Public Sector Pension Investment Board and 
Temasek Holdings (Private) Limited. In accordance with IFRS 5, ‘Non-current Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations’, the Korean operations for 
the period up to 22 October 2015 have been 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 before exceptional items
Taxation
Profit/ (loss) after tax before exceptional items
Loss after tax on disposal of Chinese operations (net of £53m tax)
Exceptional items pre-tax
Tax on exceptional items
Loss after tax on disposal of Korean operations
Total profit/ (loss) after tax of discontinued operations

2016

Total*
£m
3,526
(3,404)
122
(41)
81
–
–
–
(168)
(87)

2015

China and 
US***
£m
281
(299)
(18)
(1)
(19)
(28)
–
–
–
(47)

Korea
£m
5,359
(5,139)
220
(13)
207
–
(332)
70
–
(55)

Total
£m
5,640
(5,438)
202
(14)
188
(28)
(332)
70
–
(102)

*  The results of Korea are for the period ended 22 October 2015, at which point the operations were sold.
**   Intercompany recharges and intercompany loan interest totalling £48m (2015: £90m) between continuing operations and the Korea discontinued operation have been 

eliminated. This elimination impacts the performance of continuing and discontinued operations, reducing the profit/ (loss) before tax of continuing operations by £48m 
(2015: £90m), whilst increasing the profit/ (loss) before tax of Korea discontinued operations by the same amounts. 

***  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 China Resource Enterprise Limited.

106

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Note 7 Discontinued operations and non-current assets classified as held for sale continued

The loss after tax on disposal of the Group’s Korean operations is made up as follows:

Gross proceeds
Withholding tax and stamp duty
Net Proceeds
Net book value of assets disposed 

Goodwill and other intangible assets
Property, plant and equipment
Investment property
Deferred tax assets
Inventories
Trade and other receivables
Cash and cash equivalents
Trade and other payables
Borrowings
Current tax
Provisions
Post-employment benefit obligation
Deferred tax liabilities 

Costs to sell and other provisions
Currency translation reserve recycled to income statement
Taxation
Loss after tax of disposal of Korean operations

£m
3,944
(341)
3,603

(548)
(3,616)
(31)
(134)
(204)
(510)
(362)
1,390
97
(6)
74
52
265
(55)
88
(271)
(168)

There is the potential for the Korean National Tax Service to interpret International Tax Conventions in a manner which gives rise to a tax liability in Korea on 
the sale of the Korean business. MBK Partners, the purchasers, considering this potential interpretation, withheld and paid capital gains tax of £325m from 
the sale proceeds to entirely eliminate any possible challenge against the purchasers by the Korean tax authorities. In addition, a further provision of £271m 
has been made for potential additional capital gains tax on the disposal. 

The Group intends to vigorously contest this interpretation through the Korean legal process. To this end, the Group has filed a claim for a refund of the 
capital gains tax withheld by the purchasers. The Korean National Tax Service have commenced an investigation into this claim. It is anticipated the full 
Korean legal process could take four to five years.

Loss per share impact from discontinued operations

Basic
Diluted

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

No dividend has been paid or is proposed in respect of the financial year ended 27 February 2016. 

2016

2015

Pence/share
(1.07)
(1.07)

Pence/share
(1.26)
(1.26)

Total Korea 
2016
£m
431
(34)
(4)
393
(103)
290
(366)
(76)

Total Korea, 
China and US
2015
£m
54
(104)
165
115
(339)
(224)
(148)
(372)

2016

2015

Pence/share

£m

Pence/share

–
–
–

–
–
–

10.13
1.16
11.29

£m

819
95
914

107

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Other informationFinancial statementsStrategic reportCorporate governanceNotes to the Group financial statements continued

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. 
The Group has recognised a profit for the financial year from its continuing operations therefore the diluted earnings/ (losses) per share includes this dilutive/
antidilutive effect.

Given the loss for the 53 weeks ended 28 February 2015, the Group recognised a basic loss per share rather than a basic earnings per share. The dilutive effect 
of the 12m potentially dilutive share options in that year was not considered in calculating the diluted loss per share as it would have reduced the loss per share. 
For the 52 weeks ended 27 February 2016 there were 26m potentially dilutive share options. As the Group has recognised a profit before tax from continuing 
operations before exceptional items and net pension finance costs attributable to the owners of the parent the dilutive effects have been considered in 
calculating diluted earnings per share from continuing operations before exceptional items and net pension finance costs.

Profit/ (loss) (£m)

Continuing operations*
Discontinued operations

Total
Weighted average number of shares (millions)
Earnings/ (losses) per share (pence)

Continuing operations
Discontinued operations

Total

2016

Potentially
 dilutive share 
options 

–
–
–
26

(0.01)
–
(0.01)

Basic 

225
(87)
138
8,126

2.77
(1.07)
1.70

Diluted

Basic 

225
(87)
138
8,152

2.76
(1.07)
1.69

(5,639)
(102)
(5,741)
8,107

(69.56)
(1.26)
(70.82)

2015

Potentially
 dilutive share 
options 

–
–
–
–

–
–
–

*  Profit/ (loss) from continuing operations of £225m (2015: £5,639m) excludes losses from non-controlling interests of £9m (2015: £25m).

Non-GAAP measure: earnings and diluted earnings per share from profit before tax from continuing operations before exceptional items

Profit/ (loss) (£m)

Continuing operations
Discontinued operations

Total
Weighted average number of shares (millions)
Earnings/ (losses) per share (pence)

Continuing operations
Discontinued operations

Total

2016

Potentially
 dilutive share 
options 

Diluted

Basic 

2015

Potentially
 dilutive share 
options 

–
–
–
26

(0.01)
(0.01)
(0.02)

278
81
359
8,152

3.41
0.99
4.40

336
188
524
8,107

4.14
2.32
6.46

–
–
–
12

–
–
–

Basic 

278
81
359
8,126

3.42
1.00
4.42

*  Profit/ (loss) from continuing operations of £278m (2015: £336m) excludes losses from non-controlling interest of £6m (2015: £8m).

Non-GAAP measure: Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations before exceptional items and net pension finance costs

Profit before tax from continuing operations before exceptional items 
Add: Net pension finance costs (Note 26)
Profit before tax from continuing operations before exceptional items and net pension finance costs (£m)
Profit before tax from continuing operations before exceptional items and net pension finance costs attributable to the owners  
of the parent (£m)
Taxation on profit from continuing operations before exceptional items and net pension finance costs attributable to the owners  
of the parent (£m)
Profit after tax from continuing operations before exceptional items and net pension finance costs attributable  
to the owners of the parent (£m)
Diluted weighted average number of shares (millions)
Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations before exceptional items and net pension finance costs (pence)

2016
280
155
435

442

(37)

405
8,152
4.97

Diluted

(5,639)
(102)
(5,741)
8,107

(69.56)
(1.26)
(70.82)

Diluted

336
188
524
8,119

4.14
2.32
6.46

2015
356
134
490

494

(51)

443
8,119
5.46

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.

108

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Note 10 Goodwill and other intangible assets

Cost
At 28 February 2015
Foreign currency translation
Additions
Reclassification
Disposals
Transfer to disposal group classified as held for sale
At 27 February 2016
Accumulated amortisation and impairment losses
At 28 February 2015
Foreign currency translation
Charge for the year
Impairment losses for the year
Reclassification
Disposals
Transfer to disposal group classified as held for sale
At 27 February 2016

Net carrying value
At 27 February 2016
At 28 February 2015

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
Charge for the year
Impairment losses for the year
Disposals
At 28 February 2015

Goodwill
£m

 Software*
£m

Other
intangible
assets
£m

2,949
(21)
64
–
–
(475)
2,517

661
14
–
18
–
–

(3)
690

1,827
2,288

2,970
13
174
6
(224)
(78)
2,861

1,596
3
244
169
45
(125)

(46)
1,886

975
1,374

422
(1)
3
–
(7)
(45)
372

313
1
11
–
–
(6)

(19)
300

72
109

Goodwill
£m

Software*
£m

Other
intangible
assets
£m

2,880
(10)
98
–
–
(19)
2,949

594
(54)
–
116
5
661

2,827
(20)
306
–
4
(147)
2,970

1,420
(17)
243
50
(100)
1,596

401
(3)
5
25
1
(7)
422

299
–
14
2
(2)
313

Total
£m

6,341
(9)
241
6
(231)
(598)
5,750

2,570
18
255
187
45
(131)

(68)
2,876

2,874
3,771

Total
£m

6,108
(33)
409
25
5
(173)
6,341

2,313
(71)
257
168
(97)
2,570

*  To aid user understanding, presentation of intangible assets has been changed to show a single asset class of software combining elements that were previously presented 

in internally generated development costs and pharmacy and software licenses. This more closely reflects the nature of software assets which typically have both 
purchased and internally developed components. The closing net carrying value of £1,374m at 28 February 2015 was previously disclosed in internally generated 
development costs of £750m, pharmacy and software licences of £579m and other intangibles assets of £45m.

Impairment of goodwill
The goodwill, discount rates and long-term growth rates for each group of cash generating units are shown below:

Malaysia
Korea
Tesco Bank
Thailand
UK
Other

Balance

Pre-tax discount Rates

Post-tax discount rates

Long-term growth rates

2016
70
–
802
159
767
29
1,827

2015
74
502
802
159
722
29
2,288

2016
12.3%
–
11.0%
10.1%
9.1%
–

2015
12.5%
10.8%
10.5%
12.3%
8.8%
–

2016
9.4%
–
8.2%
8.1%
7.2%
–

2015
9.4%
8.2%
8.4%
9.9%
7.0%
–

2016
2.1%
–
4.0%
2.6%
2.0%
–

2015
3.2%
2.8%
4.0%
3.3%
2.1%
–

The Group disposed of its Korean operation during the current year, including goodwill. Refer to Note 7. 

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. 

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 

109

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Other informationFinancial statementsStrategic reportCorporate governanceNotes to the Group financial statements continued

Note 10 Goodwill and other intangible assets continued

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.

The pre-tax discount rates used to calculate value in use range 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  
as shown above.  

A resulting charge of £18m has been recognised for businesses included in the UK & ROI segment. This charge has been classified as an exceptional item 
within ‘Net restructuring and redundancy costs’ within cost of sales.

The Group has carried out a sensitivity analysis on the impairment tests of each group of cash-generating units to which goodwill has been allocated. 
An increase in the discount rate or reduction in the long-term growth rate by less than one percentage point would cause the carrying value of goodwill  
in the Malaysia (£70m) and Sociomantic (£43m, included in UK above) groups of cash-generating units to equal their recoverable values.

Impairment of software
An impairment of £154m of software has been recognised in the year, principally as a result of an evaluation of the cash-generating unit for technology 
relating to online general merchandising as the Group moves toward a single online platform for customers. In addition, assets with a total net carrying value 
of £98m were written off within disposals. These amounts have been reflected as ‘Net impairment of PPE, intangible assets and onerous lease provisions’ 
within exceptional items in cost of sales. The other amounts have not been classified as exceptional items.

Note 11 Property, plant and equipment

Cost
At 28 February 2015
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 27 February 2016
Accumulated depreciation and impairment losses
At 28 February 2015
Foreign currency translation
Charge for the year
Impairment losses
Reversal of impairment losses
Reclassification
Classified as held for sale
Disposals
Transfer to disposal group classified as held for sale
At 27 February 2016

Net carrying value(c)(d)
At 27 February 2016
At 28 February 2015

Construction in progress included above(e)
At 27 February 2016
At 28 February 2015

Land and
buildings
£m

 25,298 
 76 
 364 
 1,725 
 (93)
 (715)
 (515)
 (3,583)
 22,557 

 8,021 
 93 
 318 
 263
 (220)
 (28)
 (475)
 (295)
 (479)
 7,198 

Other(a)
£m

 11,493 
 34 
 493 
 17 
 2 
 (23)
 (346)
 (1,202)
 10,468 

 8,330 
49 
 759
– 
(25)
 (77)
 (20)
 (281)
 (808)
 7,927 

Total
£m

 36,791 
 110 
 857 
 1,742 
 (91)
 (738)
 (861)
 (4,785)
 33,025 

 16,351 
 142 
 1,077 
 263 
 (245)
 (105)
 (495)
 (576)
 (1,287)
 15,125 

 15,359 
 17,277

 2,541 
 3,163 

 17,900
 20,440 

121
271

63
71

184
342

(a)  Other assets consist of fixtures and fittings with a net carrying value of £2,145m (2015: £2,722m), office equipment with a net carrying value of £144m (2015: £233m) and 

motor vehicles with a net carrying value of £252m (2015: £208m).

(b)  Includes £7m (2015: £44m) 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 4.6% (2015: 4.4%). Interest capitalised is deducted in determining taxable profit in the financial year in which it is incurred.

(c)  Net carrying value includes assets held under finance leases which are analysed below.

2016

2015

Land and
buildings
£m
55

Other
£m
21

Land and
buildings
£m
76

Other
£m
43

Net carrying value

These assets are pledged as security for the finance lease liabilities.
(d)  The net carrying value of land and buildings comprises:

110

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016 
Note 11 Property, plant and equipment continued

Freehold
Long leasehold – 50 years or more
Short leasehold – less than 50 years

Net carrying value

(e)  Construction in progress does not include land.

2016
£m
 13,005 
 491 
 1,863 

 15,359 

2015
£m
 15,057 
 607 
 1,613 

 17,277 

In the current year the Group reclassified property, plant and equipment with a net book value of £8m (2015: £81m) to development properties in inventories. 

Following a re-evaluation of the allocation of the prior year impairment between the components of cash-generating units, the prior year movement table has 
been re-presented. There is no impact on the total net carrying value, Income Statement, depreciation or impairment charge.

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
Charge for the year
Impairment losses
Reversal of impairment losses
Reclassification
Classified as held for sale
Disposals
At 28 February 2015

(a)(b) Refer to previous page for footnotes.

Land and
buildings
£m

 25,734 
 (314)
 799 
– 
 (591)
 30 
 (360)
 25,298 

 4,985 
 (186)
 446 
 3,621 
 (169)
 (358)
 (86)
 (232)
 8,021

Other(a)
£m

 10,851 
 (106)
 840 
 3 
 152 
 (18)
 (229)
 11,493 

 7,110 
 (96)
 847 
 671 
 (7)
 – 
 (16)
 (179)
 8,330

Total
£m

 36,585 
 (420)
 1,639 
 3 
 (439)
 12 
 (589)
 36,791 

 12,095 
 (282)
 1,293 
 4,292 
 (176)
 (358)
 (102)
 (411)
 16,351 

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. Fair values for the Group’s properties were determined with the assistance of independent, professional valuers where appropriate.

The net carrying value of £17,900m (2015: £20,440m) above comprises £13,731m (2015: £13,642m) of unimpaired assets and £4,169m (2015: £6,798m) of 
impaired assets . Of the impaired assets, £1,805m (2015: £3,841m) carrying value was supported by value in use and £2,364m (2015: £2,957m) was supported 
by fair value. Due to the individual nature of each property, these fair values are classified as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy.  

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, location , infrastructure, redevelopment potential and other factors. In some cases, fair values include residual valuations where stores may be 
viable for redevelopment. The key inputs to the valuation are the potential market rents and yields, both of which are largely based on rentals and yields for similar 
properties in that location.

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 6% (2015: 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 predominately range from 9% to 12% (2015: 9% to 12%) depending on the specific conditions in which each cash-generating unit 
operates. On a post-tax basis, the discount rates predominately range from 7% to 9% (2015: 7% to 10%). 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. 

A net impairment loss of £18m (£263m loss offset by £245m reversal) has been recognised in the year, largely reflecting normal fluctuations expected from store 
level performance within the continuing challenging economic environment. These losses and reversals have been largely presented net at an operating segment 
level to reflect the underlying trends in the businesses. The impairment loss of £263m (2015: £4,118m) relates to properties in the UK & ROI of £164m (2015: 
£3,484m) and International of £99m (2015: £634m), whilst the impairment reversal of £245m (2015: £176m) relates to properties in the UK & ROI of £126m 
(2015: £133m) and International of £119m (2015: £43m). 

Of the £18m net loss, a £93m release within exceptional items related to trading stores and online general merchandising hardware has been classified as ‘Net 
impairment of PPE, intangible assets and onerous lease provisions’ included within cost of sales. In addition, an £89m loss within exceptional items related to 
construction in progress and closed stores has been classified as ‘Net impairment of PPE, intangible assets and onerous lease provisions’ included within profits/ 
(losses) arising on property-related items. An additional £34m loss within exceptional items relating to business rationalisation in the UK & ROI has been classified 
as ‘Net restructuring and redundancy costs’ included within cost of sales. The remaining £12m reversal has not been included within exceptional items.

111

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Other informationFinancial statementsStrategic reportCorporate governance 
Notes to the Group financial statements continued

Note 11 Property, plant and equipment continued

The prior year net impairment loss of £4,116m included £174m related to Korean operations which were disposed of in the current financial year. Of the remaining 
£3,942m impairment loss related to continuing operations, £3,094m was classified as an exceptional item within ‘Impairment of PPE and onerous lease 
provisions’ within cost of sales. An additional £777m impairment loss related to construction in progress and closed stores was classified as ‘Impairment of PPE 
and onerous lease provisions’ included within profits/ (losses) arising on property-related items. The remaining £71m impairment loss was not included within 
exceptional items.

Note 12 Investment property

Cost
At beginning of the year
Foreign currency translation
Additions
Reclassification
Classified as held for sale
Disposals
Transfer to disposal group classified as held for sale 
At end of the year
Accumulated depreciation and impairment losses
At beginning of the year
Foreign currency translation
Charge for the year
Impairment losses for the year
Reversal of impairment losses for the year
Reclassification
Classified as held for sale
Disposals
Transfer to disposal group classified as held for sale
At end of the year
Net carrying value at end of the year

2016
£m

2015
£m

285
5
5
48
(91)
(43)
(39)
170

121
6
2
2
(7)
31
(47)
(7)
(9)
92
78

283
(4)
–
87
(51)
(30)
–
285

56
(5)
1
21
(20)
92
(1)
(23)
–
121
164

The estimated fair value of the Group’s investment property is £0.3bn (2015: £0.3bn). 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.

Note 13 Group entities 

The Group consists of the ultimate parent company, Tesco PLC, and a number of subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates held directly or indirectly by Tesco PLC. 
See pages 151 to 159 for a complete list of Group entities.

Subsidiaries
The accounting period ends of the subsidiaries consolidated in these financial statements are on or around 27 February 2016.   

Consolidated structured entities
The Group has a number of securitisation structured entities established in connection with Tesco Bank’s credit card securitisation transactions. Although 
none of the equity of these entities is owned by the Group, the Group has rights to variable returns from its involvement with these entities and has the ability 
to affect those returns through its power over them. As such these entities are effectively controlled by the Group, and are therefore accounted for as 
subsidiaries of the Group. 

These entities have financial year ends of 31 December. The management accounts of these entities are used to consolidate the results to 27 February 2016 
within these financial statements.  

112

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
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:

BLT Properties Limited
The Tesco Coral Limited Partnership
The Tesco Blue Limited Partnership
The Tesco Atrato Limited Partnership
The Tesco Passaic Limited Partnership
The Tesco Navona Limited Partnership
The Tesco Sarum Limited Partnership
The Tesco Dorney Limited Partnership
The Tesco Property (No. 2) Limited Partnership
Tesco Mobile Limited
Tesco Underwriting Limited
Trent Hypermarket Limited
Gain Land Limited

Tesco Lotus Retail Growth Freehold and 
Leasehold Property Fund

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
Associate

Business activity
Property investment
Property investment
Property investment
Property investment
Property investment
Property investment
Property investment
Property investment
Property investment
Telecommunications
Financial services
Retail
Retail

Share of issued share 
capital, loan capital 
and debt securities
50%
50%
50%
50%
50%
50%
50%
50%
50%
50%
49.9%
50%
20%

Associate

Property investment

25%

Country of 
incorporation
England
England
England
England
England
England
England
England
Jersey
England
England
India
British Virgin 
Islands
Thailand

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
India
People’s Republic of 
China/Hong Kong
Thailand

In the current year, the Group sold its interests in three joint ventures: The Tesco British Land Property Partnership; Shopping Centres Limited; and Tesco BL 
Holdings Limited. Additionally, the Group acquired the remaining interests in three other joint ventures: the Tesco Aqua Limited Partnership; The Tesco Red 
Limited Partnership; and The Tesco Property Limited Partnership. See Note 30 for further details on these transactions. 

The Group holds a 21% investment stake in Lazada Group S.A. This investment is not treated as an associate because the Group does not have the power to 
participate in key management decisions. Refer to Note 34 for details of the disposal of part of this investment subsequent to the reporting date.

The accounting period end dates of the joint ventures and associates consolidated in these financial statement range from 31 December 2015 to 27 February 
2016. The accounting period end dates for 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 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 their nature of activities and geographic market. 

The UK property joint ventures involve the Group partnering with third parties in carrying out some 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. 

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.  

113

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Other informationFinancial statementsStrategic reportCorporate governance 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Group financial statements continued

Note 13 Group entities continued

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.  

UK Property joint ventures

Gain Land Limited

Summarised Balance Sheet
Non-current assets 
Current assets (excluding cash and cash equivalents)
Cash and cash equivalents
Current liabilities(a)
Non-current liabilities(a)
Net (liabilities)/assets

Summarised Income Statement
Revenue
Profit/ (loss) after tax

Reconciliation to carrying amounts: 
Opening balance
Additions/ disposals(b)
Foreign currency translation
Share of profit/ (loss)(c)
Share of other comprehensive income
Impairment of joint ventures and associates
Dividends received from joint ventures and associates
Deferred profits offset against carrying amounts(d)
Closing balance

Group’s share in ownership
Group’s share of net assets/ (liabilities)
Goodwill
Deferred profits offset against carrying amounts(d)
Cumulative unrecognised losses(e)
Cumulative unrecognised hedge reserves(e)
Carrying amount 

2016
£m

4,158
58
38
(327)
(4,731)
(804)

296
(36)

49
(10)
– 
22
– 
– 
(29)
(32)
– 

50%
(402)
– 
(64)
143
323
– 

2015
£m

12 months to 
Dec 2015
£m

7 months to 
Dec 2014
£m

5,768
219
115
(401)
(6,628)
(927)

418
15

90
– 
– 
15
– 
– 
(56)
– 
49

50%
(464)
– 
– 
138
375
49

4,712
2,047
581
(5,550)
(153)
1,637

8,408
(341)

582
– 
(3)
(68)
– 
– 
– 
– 
511

20%
327
184
– 
– 
– 
511

4,543
1,979
579
(4,728)
(403)
1,970

4,811
(229)

– 
1,261
(2)
(47)
– 
(630)
– 
– 
582

20%
394
188
– 
– 
– 
582

(a)   Included within current and non-current liabilities of UK Property joint ventures are £(646)m (2015: £(750)m) derivative balances related to swaps which hedge the cash 

flow variability exposures of the joint ventures.

(b)  The disposal amount relates to The Tesco Property Limited Partnership. See Note 30.
(c)  The profit for the year for UK joint ventures related to £22m dividends received from joint ventures with £nil carrying amounts. £8m of losses and £13m of increases in  

the fair values of derivatives arising from these entities have been included in cumulative unrecognised losses and cumulative unrecognised hedge reserves respectively.
(d)  Deferred profits that arose from the transfer of properties into the UK Property joint ventures have been offset against the carrying amounts of the related joint ventures. 

These deferred profits were previously included under trade and other payables.

(e)  Cumulative unrecognised losses of £57m and cumulative unrecognised hedge reserves of £39m were disposed of relating to joint ventures disposed of or acquired  

in the period. 

At 27 February 2016, the Group has £115m (2015: £179m) loans to UK Property joint ventures and £nil (2015: £nil) to Gain Land Limited.

114

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Note 13 Group entities continued

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

Associates

2016
£m
219
23

2015
£m
252
14

2016
£m
55
2

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 name 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.

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 £57m (2015: £111m) is current.

Note 15 Inventories

Goods held for resale
Development properties

2016
£m
30
1,105
1,135

2016
£m
2,390
40
2,430

2015
£m
35
940
975

2015
£m
2,825
132
2,957

Goods held for resale are net of £75m (2015: £93m) relating to commercial income. These commercial income amounts will be recognised in cost of sales 
upon sale of those inventories.

In the year, the Group disposed of £102m of development properties together with £5m of PPE, representing 12 development sites in London. The sale 
generated a profit of £97m which has been classified as an exceptional item within ‘Property transactions’ in profits/ (losses) arising on property-related 
items. Refer to Note 4.

115

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Other informationFinancial statementsStrategic reportCorporate governance 
Notes to the Group financial statements continued

Note 16 Trade and other receivables

Trade receivables
Prepayments
Accrued income
Other receivables
Amounts owed by joint ventures and associates (Note 28)

2016
£m
496
319
121
491
180
1,607

2015
£m
533
352
183
803
250
2,121

Trade and other receivables includes £201m (2015: £97m) 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 £100m (2015: £158m) 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:

Trade receivables
Prepayments and accrued income
Other receivables
Amounts owed by joint ventures and associates

2016
£m
3
11
35
152
201

2015
£m
7
19
461
149
636

Trade and other receivables are generally non interest-bearing. Credit terms vary by country and the nature of the debt, ranging from seven to 60 days. 

At 27 February 2016, trade and other receivables of £37m (2015: £31m) were past due and impaired. The amount of the provision was £30m (2015: £42m). 
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

2016
£m
14
4
19
37

2015
£m
2
2
27
31

At 27 February 2016, trade and other receivables of £149m (2015: £146m) 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.

2016
£m
129
15
5
149

2015
£m
117
14
15
146

116

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016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:

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

2016
£m
4,723
3,819
8,542

2016
£m
3
3,758
146
2,181
2,608
8,696
(154)
8,542

2015
£m
3,906
3,814
7,720

2015
£m
3
3,744
158
2,033
1,922
7,860
(140)
7,720

At 29 February 2016, £2.6bn (2015: £3.0bn) of the credit card portfolio had its beneficial interest assigned to a securitisation structured entity, Delamare 
Cards Receivables Trustee Limited, for use as collateral in securitisation transactions.

At 29 February 2016, Delamare Cards MTN Issuer plc had £1.8bn (2015: £2.0bn) notes in issue in relation to securitisation transactions, of which £0.8bn  
(2015: £0.5bn) was externally issued.

At 29 February 2016, unsecured lending balances (including related asset backed notes) of £2.0bn had been prepositioned with the Bank of England  
(2015: £2.6bn). A further £0.6bn (2015: £1.3bn) had been pledged as collateral to enable drawings of £0.4bn (2015: £0.8bn) to be made from the Bank  
of England’s Funding for Lending Scheme.

Provision for impairment of loans and advances

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
Increase in allowance, net of recoveries, charged to the Group Income Statement
Amounts written off
Unwinding of discount
At 27 February 2016

Note 18 Cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments

Cash at bank and in hand
Short-term deposits

In addition to the above, £3,463m (2015: £593m) is held on money market funds and 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
 (157) 
(48)
62
3
(140)
(64)
47
3
(154)

2015
£m
2,134
31
2,165

2015
£m
5,076
366
2,698
23
1,759
9,922

2016
£m
2,334
748
3,082

2016
£m
4,545
388
2,091
14
1,530
8,568

Included in other payables are amounts of £275m (2015: £147m) which are non-current.

Netted against trade and other payables is £305m (2015: £347m) 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.

Amounts received in advance of income being earned of £131m (2015: £53m) are included in accruals and deferred income. 

117

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Other informationFinancial statementsStrategic reportCorporate governanceNotes to the Group financial statements continued

Note 20 Borrowings

Current

Commercial paper, bank loans and overdrafts
Loans from joint ventures (Note 28)
4% RPI MTN(a)
5.875% MTN
2.7% USD Bond
5.4478% Term Loan
5.5457% Secured Bond(d)(e)
Finance leases (Note 33)

Non-current

4% RPI MTN(a)
5.875% MTN
2.7% USD Bond
LIBOR + 0.5% Term Loan
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
LIBOR + 0.65% Tesco Bank 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(b)
5.5457% Secured Bond(d)(e)
6.067% Secured Bond(d)
LIBOR + 1.2% Secured Bond(d)
6% MTN
5.5% MTN
1.982% RPI MTN(c)
6.15% USD Bond
4.875% MTN
5.125% MTN(f)
5.2% MTN
Finance leases (Note 33)

Par value
–
–
£310m
€1,039m
$500m
£382m
£380m
–

Par value
£310m
€1,039m
$500m
£488m
€500m
$850m
£125m
€750m
£150m
€1,250m
£350m
£66m
£300m
€500m
£200m
£350m
£900m
£389m
€750m
£317m
£380m
£200m
£50m
£200m
£200m
£263m
$1,150m
£173m
€600m
£279m
–

Maturity
–
–
Sep 2016
Sep 2016
Jan 2017
Jan 2017
Feb 2029
–

Maturity
Sep 2016
Sep 2016
Jan 2017
Oct 2017
Nov 2017
Nov 2017
Aug 2018
Nov 2018
May 2019
Jul 2019
Dec 2019
Dec 2019
Apr 2020
Nov 2020
Nov 2020
May 2021
Feb 2022
Mar 2023
Jul 2024
Nov 2025
Feb 2029
Feb 2029
Feb 2029
Dec 2029
Jan 2033
Mar 2036
Nov 2037
Mar 2042
Apr 2047
Mar 2057
–

2016
£m
845
6
316
877
361
396
14
11
2,826

2016
£m
–
–
–
478
394
666
132
595
150
990
353
66
299
394
211
349
896
411
595
320
353
189
30
257
259
265
1,035
175
486
275
88
10,711

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

(a)  The 4% RPI MTN is redeemable at par, including indexation for increases in the Retail Price Index (RPI) over the life of the MTN.
(b)   The 3.322% Limited Price Inflation (LPI) MTN is redeemable at par, indexed 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%.

(c)  The 1.982% RPI MTN is redeemable at par, including indexation for increases in the RPI over the life of the MTN.
(d)   The bonds are secured by a charge over the Property, Plant and Equipment held within the Tesco Property Limited Partnership, a 100% owned subsidiary of Tesco PLC.  
  The carrying amounts of assets pledged as security for secured bonds is £838m.
(e)   This is an amortising bond which matures in February 2029. £14m is the principal repayment due within the next 12 months, and is payable quarterly during 2016/17.  
  The remainder is payable in quarterly instalments until maturity in February 2029. 
(f)   The decrease in carrying value of the bond includes £186m of reduction due to a change of the hedge relationship from a fair value to a cash flow hedge.  
  This has been recognised in the Statement of Comprehensive Income in the current year. 

118

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Note 20 Borrowings continued 

Borrowing facilities
The Group has the following undrawn committed facilities available at 27 February 2016, 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

2016
£m
100
2,200
2,700
5,000

2015
£m
132
200
4,800
5,132

The current year undrawn committed facilities include £2.4bn 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.

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 
‘Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement’. Derivatives may qualify as hedges for accounting purposes and the Group’s hedging policies are 
further described below.

Net finance cost of £53m (2015: £46m) 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 on an effective interest rate basis.

A gain of £45m on hedging instruments was recognised during the year, offset by a loss of £48m on hedged items (2015: a gain of £27m on hedging 
instruments was offset by a loss of £73m on hedged items).

Cash flow hedges
The Group uses forward contracts to mainly 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.

The Group also uses forward contracts to hedge the future purchase of diesel for own use.

Cash flow hedging ineffectiveness resulted in a loss of £50m during the year (2015: £nil).

Net investment hedges 
The Group uses currency denominated borrowings to hedge the exposure of a portion of its net investment in overseas operations (with non-Sterling 
functional currency) against changes in value due to changes in foreign exchange rates. There was £nil (2015: £nil) that was recorded as resulting from  
net investment 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:

Current
Non-current

2016

2015

Asset
£m
176
1,532
1,708

Liability
£m
(62)
(889)
(951)

Asset
£m
153
1,546
1,699

Liability
£m
(89)
(946)
(1,035)

119

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Other informationFinancial statementsStrategic reportCorporate governanceNotes to the Group financial statements continued

Note 21 Financial instruments continued

The fair value and notional amounts of derivatives analysed by hedge type are as follows:

2016

2015

Asset

Liability

Asset

Liability

Fair value
£m

Notional
£m

Fair value
£m

Notional
£m

Fair value
£m

Notional
£m

Fair value
£m

Notional
£m

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 contracts
Derivatives not in a formal hedge 
relationship
Interest rate swaps and similar 
instruments
Cross-currency swaps
Index-linked swaps
Forward contracts
Total

30
280

–
651
108
76

5
4
529
25
1,708

320
1,377

–
1,713
950
1,173

70
25
3,589
1,107
10,324

(129)
–

(263)
(63)
–
(15)

(14)
(4)
(421)
(42)
(951)

3,241
–

998
1,379
–
292

2,234
40
3,589
958
12,731

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 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 33)
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 contracts

Total financial liabilities
Total 

23
561

–
241
119
84

6
10
580
75
1,699

721
1,201

86
311
942
974

640
44
3,589
1,292
9,800

(80)
(11)

(199)
(170)
–
(35)

(6)
(1)
(474)
(59)
(1,035)

2016

2015

Carrying
value
£m

3,082
8,542
3,463
1,135
149
1

35
935
637
101
18,080

(1,938)
(877)

(9,512)
(1,111)
(99)
(7,397)
(82)

(406)
(67)
(421)
(57)
(21,967)
(3,887)

Fair
value
£m

3,082
8,822
3,463
1,135
163
1

35
935
637
101
18,374

(1,936)
(865)

(9,136)
(800)
(101)
(7,405)
(82)

(406)
(67)
(421)
(57)
(21,276)
(2,902)

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)

2,303
817

462
1,754
–
1,271

2,982
36
3,589
965
14,179

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)

* 

 Joint venture and associates loan receivables carrying amounts of £149m (2015: £207m) are presented on the Balance Sheet net of deferred profits of £57m (2015: £67m) 
historically arising from the sale of property assets to joint ventures.

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 table excludes trade and other receivables/payables which have fair values equal to their carrying values.

120

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016 
Note 21 Financial instruments continued

Financial assets and liabilities by category
The accounting classifications of each class of financial assets and liabilities at 27 February 2016 and 28 February 2015 are as follows:

At 27 February 2016
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 33)
Derivative financial instruments:

Interest rate swaps and similar instruments
Cross-currency swaps
Index-linked swaps
Forward contracts

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 33)
Derivative financial instruments:

Interest rate swaps and similar instruments
Cross-currency swaps
Index-linked swaps
Forward contracts

Loans and
receivables/
other 
financial
liabilities
£m
3,082
8,542
3,463
30
149
1
(7,397)
(82)
(2,815)
(10,623)
(99)

–
–
–
–
(5,749)

Loans and
receivables/
other 
financial
liabilities
£m
2,165
7,720
593
35
207
1
(6,914)
(106)
(1,998)
(10,520)
(141)

–
–
–
–
(8,958)

Available-
for-sale
£m
–
–
–
1,105
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
1,105

Available-
for-sale
£m
–
–
–
940
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
940

Fair value
through
profit  
or loss
£m
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

(371)
868
216
44
757

Fair value
through
profit  
or loss
£m
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

(256)
630
225
65
664

The above tables exclude trade and other receivables/ payables that are classified under loans and receivables/ other financial liabilities.

Total
£m
3,082
8,542
3,463
1,135
149
1
(7,397)
(82)
(2,815)
(10,623)
(99)

(371)
868
216
44
(3,887)

Total
£m
2,165
7,720
593
975
207
1
(6,914)
(106)
(1,998)
(10,520)
(141)

(256)
630
225
65
(7,354)

121

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Other informationFinancial statementsStrategic reportCorporate governanceNotes to the Group financial statements continued

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 27 February 2016 and 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 27 February 2016
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 contracts

Total liabilities
Total

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 contracts

Total liabilities
Total

Level 1
£m

Level 2
£m

Level 3
£m

980

–
–
–
–
980

–
–
–
–
–
980

–

35
935
637
101
1,708

(406)
(67)
(421)
(57)
(951)
757

125

–
–
–
–
125

–
–
–
–
–
125

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

The following table presents the changes in Level 3 instruments for 52 weeks ended 27 February 2016 and 53 weeks ended 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 Comprehensive Income
Purchase of non-controlling interests
At end of the year

2016
£m
112
–
9
4
125

Total
£m

1,105

35
935
637
101
2,813

(406)
(67)
(421)
(57)
(951)
1,862

Total
£m

940

29
812
699
159
2,639

(285)
(182)
(474)
(94)
(1,035)
1,604

2015
£m
96
–
(16)
32
112

During the financial year, there were no transfers (2015: £nil) between Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements, and no transfers into and out of Level 3 fair value 
measurements. £121m of Level 3 assets relate to an investment in an unlisted entity measured at cost (2015: £112m).

122

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016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 27 February 2016
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

Gross 
amounts of 
recognised 
financial 
assets/
(liabilities)
£m

Net amounts 
presented in 
the Group 
Balance 
Sheet
£m

3,413
1,708
1,916
7,037

(1,176)
(82)
(951)
(8,877)
(11,086)

(331)
–
(309)
(640)

331
–
–
309
640

3,082
1,708
1,607
6,397

(845)
(82)
(951)
(8,568)
(10,446)

Related amounts  
not offset in 
 the Group Balance Sheet

Financial 
instruments
£m

Collateral
£m

Net amount
£m

–
(365)
–
(365)

–
83
365
–
448

–
(4)
–
(4)

–
(1)
121
–
120

3,082
1,339
1,607
6,028

(845)
–
(465)
(8,568)
(9,878)

*  Repurchases, securities lending and similar agreements are included within the Deposits by banks balance of £82m in the Group Balance Sheet (Note 23).

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

Gross 
amounts of 
recognised 
financial 
assets/
(liabilities)
£m

Net amounts 
presented in 
the Group 
Balance 
Sheet
£m

2,405
1,699
2,490
6,594

(2,222)
(97)
(1,035)
(10,291)
(13,645)

(240)
–
(369)
(609)

240
–
–
369
609

2,165
1,699
2,121
5,985

(1,982)
(97)
(1,035)
(9,922)
(13,036)

Related amounts not offset in 
the Group Balance Sheet

Financial 
instruments
£m

Collateral
£m

Net amount
£m

–
(331)
–
(331)

–
103
331
–
434

–
(2)
–
(2)

–
–
61
–
61

2,165
1,366
2,121
5,652

(1,982)
6
(643)
(9,922)
(12,541)

*  Repurchases, securities lending and similar agreements are included within the Deposits by banks balance of £106m in the Group Balance Sheet (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 agreement 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. 

Financial risk management is carried out by a central treasury department under policies approved and delegated by the Board of Directors. The Board 
provides written principles for risk management.

Interest rate risk
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 policy is to fix interest rates for the year on a minimum of 50% and maximum of 70% 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 88% (2015: 79%). The remaining balance of debt is in 
floating rate form. The average rate of interest paid on an historical cost basis this year, excluding joint ventures and associates, was 3.94% (2015: 4.09%).  
A progression towards revised policy levels will proceed with due consideration to optimal execution, costs and interest cover. 

Forward rate agreements, interest rate swaps, caps and floors may be used to achieve the desired mix of fixed and floating rate debt.

The Group has Retail Price Index (‘RPI’) linked 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’) linked 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. RPI linked debt and LPI linked debt are hedged for the effects of inflation until maturity.

123

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Other informationFinancial statementsStrategic reportCorporate governanceNotes to the Group financial statements continued

Note 22 Financial risk factors continued

For interest rate risk relating to Tesco Bank, refer to the separate section on Tesco Bank financial risk factors on pages 126 and 127. 

During 2016 and 2015, 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 33)
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
–
4,725
–
1,059
83
1
(99)
(10,729)
(3,165)
(82)

(6,732)
1,898
(633)
(13,674)

2016

Floating
£m
3,082
3,817
3,463
76
66
–
–
(2,709)
(4,232)
–

6,732
(1,898)
633
9,030

Total
£m
3,082
8,542
3,463
1,135
149
1
(99)
(13,438)
(7,397)
(82)

–
–
–
(4,644)

Fixed
£m
–
4,041
–
904
141
1
(141)
(10,571)
(2,868)
(106)

(6,523)
1,973
(567)
(13,716)

2015

Floating
£m
2,165
3,679
593
71
66
–
–
(1,947)
(4,046)
–

6,523
(1,973)
567
5,698

Total
£m
2,165
7,720
593
975
207
1
(141)
(12,518)
(6,914)
(106)

–
–
–
(8,018)

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 Group holds positions with an approved list of investment grade rated counterparties and monitors the exposure, credit rating, outlook and credit  
default swap levels of these counterparties on a regular basis. The net counterparty exposure under derivative contracts is £1.3bn (2015: £1.4bn). The  
Group considers its maximum credit risk to be £18.7bn (2015: £14.7bn) 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 pages 126 and 127.

Liquidity risk 
The Group finances its operations by a combination of retained profits, disposals of assets, debt capital market issues, commercial paper, bank borrowings 
and leases. 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.

Liquidity risk is managed by short-term and long-term cash flow forecasts. In addition, the Group has committed facility agreements for £5.0bn (2015: 
£5.1bn), consisting of a revolving credit facility and bilateral lines as alternate sources of liquidity, 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 27 February 2016 (2015: £7.4bn), plus a Euro 
Commercial Paper programme of £2.0bn, £nil of which was in issue at 27 February 2016 (2015: £0.5bn), and a US Commercial Paper programme of  
$4.0bn, £nil of which was in issue at 27 February 2016 (2015: £0.7bn). 

For liquidity risk relating to Tesco Bank, refer to the separate section on Tesco Bank financial risk factors on pages 126 and 127.

The following is an analysis of the undiscounted contractual cash flows payable under financial liabilities and derivatives taking into account contractual terms 
that provide the counterparty a choice of when (the earliest date) an amount is repaid by the Group. The potential cash outflow of £17.1bn is considered 
acceptable as it is offset by financial assets of £18.7bn (2015: £17.8bn offset by financial assets of £14.7bn).

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 (2015: 3%).

At 27 February 2016
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

*  Trade and other payables includes £435m (2015: £505m) of deferred income.

124

Due
within
1 year
£m

(2,436)
(482)
(5,891)
(82)
(18)
(8,293)

63
(145)
4,694
(4,551)
(17,141)

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

(1,659)
(388)
(946)
–
(14)
(78)

26
(264)
1,228
(1,121)
(3,216)

(1,034)
(339)
(329)
–
(11)
(34)

22
(109)
98
(74)
(1,810)

(1,777)
(311)
(201)
–
(12)
(5)

13
(202)
98
(75)
(2,472)

(617)
(276)
(135)
–
(9)
(16)

9
(293)
492
(496)
(1,341)

Due
beyond
5 years
£m

(5,370)
(3,008)
(1)
–
(123)
(142)

944
(126)
3,470
(2,670)
(7,026)

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Note 22 Financial risk factors continued

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

*  Refer to previous table for footnotes.

Due
within
1 year
£m

(1,975)
(403)
(5,914)
(106)
(20)
(9,775)

41
(97)
4,397
(3,979)
(17,831)

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)
(2,511)

(915)
(343)
(124)
–
(19)
(25)

25
(173)
1,260
(1,203)
(1,517)

(670)
(306)
(142)
–
(19)
(2)

20
(77)
76
(69)
(1,189)

(1,468)
(283)
(173)
–
(12)
(2)

14
(195)
76
(70)
(2,113)

Due
beyond
5 years
£m

(5,758)
(2,968)
–
–
(168)
(56)

1,068
(375)
3,152
(2,782)
(7,887)

The above table has been re-presented to provide more clarity on the cash flows from derivatives taking into account contractual terms that provide the 
counterparty a choice of when (the earliest date) an amount is repaid by the Group. 

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 currency exposures that could significantly impact the Group Income Statement are 
hedged. These exposures are hedged via forward foreign currency contracts or purchased currency options, which are designated as cash flow hedges. At 
the year-end, forward foreign currency transactions, designated as cash flow hedges, equivalent to £1.4bn were outstanding (2015: £2.2bn). The notional 
and fair value of these contracts is shown in Note 21; 

•  net investment exposure 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 derivatives and borrowings in matching currencies, which are formally designated 
as net investment hedges. During the year, currency movements increased the net value, after the effects of hedging, of the Group’s overseas assets by 
£168m (last year increase by £5m). The Group also ensures that each subsidiary is appropriately hedged in respect of its non-functional currency assets; and
•  loans to non-UK subsidiaries. These are hedged via foreign currency derivatives 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 on the next page.

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 27 February 
2016. 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.

125

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Other informationFinancial statementsStrategic reportCorporate governanceNotes to the Group financial statements continued

Note 22 Financial risk factors continued

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 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 (2015: 1%)
5% appreciation of the Czech Koruna (2015: 10%)
10% appreciation of the Euro (2015: 10%)
5% appreciation of the Hungarian Forint (2015: 5%)
5% appreciation of the South Korean Won (2015: 5%)
10% appreciation of the US Dollar (2015: 10%)
5% appreciation of the Polish Zloty (2015: 5%)

2016

2015

Income
gain/ (loss)
£m
88
(1)
(285)
(1)
–
(1)
(2)

Equity
gain/ (loss)
£m
(44)
–
(94)
(1)
–
95
–

Income
gain/ (loss)
£m
57
(4)
(31)
(1)
–
(3)
–

Equity
gain/ (loss)
£m
–
7
(39)
2
2
96
1

A decrease in interest rates and a depreciation of foreign currencies would have the opposite effect to the impact in the table above. 

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 excludes £39m (2015: £100m) 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 profit, debt capital market issues, commercial paper, bank borrowings , disposals of property 
assets and leases. The policy for debt is to smooth debt maturity profile with the objective of ensuring continuity of funding. This policy continued during the 
financial year, with bonds redeemed of £nil (2015: £1,493m) and new bonds issued of £nil (2015: £2,095m). 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 29 for the value of the Group’s net debt of £5.1bn (2015: £8.5bn), and the Group Statement of Changes in Equity for the value of the Group’s 
equity of £8.6bn (2015: £7.1bn).

Insurance risk
The Group is exposed to the risk of being inadequately protected from liabilities arising from unforeseen events. The Group 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 Group with some cover being provided by the Group’s captive insurance companies, 
ELH Insurance Limited in Guernsey and Valiant Insurance Company DAC (formerly Valiant Insurance Company Limited) in the Republic of Ireland. ELH 
Insurance Limited covers Assets, Earnings and Combined Liability, while Valiant Insurance Company DAC covers Combined Liability only. 

Tesco Bank

Interest rate risk
Interest rate risk arises mainly 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%; -0.5% parallel movement in interest rates. Tesco Bank also use the Capital at Risk (‘CaR’) approach which assesses the sensitivity 
(value change) of a reduction in the Bank’s capital to movements in interest rates. The scenarios considered include both parallel and non-parallel movements 
of the yield curve and have been designed to ensure that impacts are assessed across a suitable range of severe but plausible movements in interest rates. 
This approach has replaced Economic Value of Equity (‘EVE’) measurement and reporting in the period. Interest rate risk is primarily managed using interest 
rate swaps as the main hedging instrument.

Liquidity and funding risk 
Liquidity risk is the risk that Tesco Bank has insufficient liquidity resources to meet its obligations as they fall due or can access these only at excessive cost. 
Funding risk is the risk that Tesco Bank does not have sufficiently stable and diverse sources of funding.

Tesco Bank operates within a Liquidity Risk Management Policy Framework (‘LRMP’) to ensure that sufficient funds are available at all times to meet 
demands from depositors; to fund agreed advances; to meet other commitments as and when they fall due; and to ensure the Board’s risk appetite is met. 
Liquidity and funding risk is assessed through the Individual Liquidity Adequacy Assessment Process (‘ILAAP’) on at least an annual basis. Formal limits are 
set within the LRMP to maintain liquidity risk exposures within the Liquidity Risk Appetite set by the Board and key liquidity measures are monitored on a 
daily basis. Tesco Bank maintains a conservative liquidity and funding profile to confirm that it is able to meet its financial obligations under normal, and 
stressed, market conditions.

126

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Note 22 Financial risk factors continued

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. 

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 27 February 2016
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.

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

Retail
unsecured
lending
£m

Retail 
mortgage
lending
£m

Retail
instalment
lending
£m

30
41
82

39
12
9

–
–
–

1
–
–

6,566
86
6,865

1,673
10
1,684

–
–
–

1
–
–

146
–
147

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

Total
£m

30
41
82

41
12
9

8,385
96
8,696

Total
£m

39
35
70

36
9
6

7,583
82
7,860

*  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 £11.9bn (2015: £11.5bn).

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.

127

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Other informationFinancial statementsStrategic reportCorporate governanceNotes to the Group financial statements continued

Note 23 Customer deposits and deposits by banks

Customer deposits
Deposits by banks

2016
£m
7,397
82
7,479

2015
£m
6,914
106
7,020

Included above is £1,573m (2015: £1,000m) non-current customer deposits and £nil (2015: £nil) non-current deposits by banks. 

Deposits by banks include liabilities of £82m (2015: £97m) that have been sold under sale and repurchase agreements.

Note 24 Provisions

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
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
Unwinding of discount
At 27 February 2016

The balances are analysed as follows:

Current
Non-current

Property
provisions
£m
328 
(1)
(104)
773
(61)

Restructuring
provisions
£m
–
–
–
325
–

Other
provisions
£m
105
–
–
37
(42)

6
941
(1)
(4)
154
(188)
(74)

47
875

–
325
4
(77)
166
(335)
–

–
83

–
100
–
–
–
(34)
–

–
66

2016
£m
360
664
1,024

Total
£m
433 
(1)
(104)
1,135
(103)

6
1,366
3
(81)
320
(557)
(74)

47
1,024

2015
£m
671
695
1,366

Property provisions
Property provisions comprise onerous lease provisions, including leases on unprofitable stores and vacant properties, dilapidations provisions and asset 
retirement obligation provisions. 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 properties to the Group is based on the same assumptions for growth rates and expected change in margins 
as those for Group owned properties, as discussed in detail in Note 11, discounted at the appropriate risk free rate. The cost of exiting lease contracts is 
estimated as the present value of expected surrender premiums or deficits from subletting at market rents, assuming that the Group can sublet properties  
at market rents, based on discounting at the appropriate risk adjusted rate. 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 exceptional charge in the year of £150m (2015: £612m 
charge), largely relating to onerous lease contracts for fully impaired properties and other onerous contracts relating to properties. The onerous property 
provision charge relates to contracts in the UK & ROI of £134m (2015: £574m) and International of £16m (2015: £38m), with £130m (2015: £492m) included 
within cost of sales and £20m (2015: £120m) included within profits/ (losses) arising on property-related items. Onerous lease provisions will be utilised over 
the lease terms.

Restructuring provisions
Of the £89m net charge (£166m charge, £77m release) recognised in the year, £22m relating to changes to store colleague structures and working practices 
in the UK & ROI has been classified as an exceptional item within ‘Net restructuring and redundancy costs’ within cost of sales. An additional £34m relating  
to UK head office restructuring costs has been classified as an exceptional item within ‘Net restructuring and redundancy costs’ within administrative 
expenses. The exceptional charges are expected to be utilised in the next financial year. The remaining £33m has not been included within exceptional items. 

The prior year charge of £325m related to cost saving initiatives including in the UK a restructuring of central overheads, simplification of store management 
structures and increased flexibility in working arrangements and was classified as an exceptional item.

Other provisions
The other provisions relate mainly to provisions for Tesco Bank customer redress in respect of potential complaints arising from the historical sales of Payment 
Protection Insurance (‘PPI’), in respect of customer redress relating to the historical 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. 

128

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Note 25 Share-based payments

For continuing operations, the Group Income Statement charge for the year recognised in respect of share-based payments is £308m (2015: £141m), which is 
made up of share option schemes and share bonus payments. Of this amount, £283m (2015: £120m) will be settled in equity and £25m (2015: £21m) in cash.

Share option schemes
The Company had eight share option schemes in operation during the financial year, all of which are equity-settled schemes:

i)  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.

ii)  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.

iii)  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 10 years from the date of grant for nil consideration. No further options will 
be granted under this scheme.

iv)   The Executive Incentive Plan (2014) was adopted on 10 February 2014. This scheme permits the grant of options in respect of ordinary shares to selected 

senior executives as a proportion of annual bonus following the completion of a required service period and is dependent on the achievement of corporate 
performance and individual targets. Options are normally exercisable between three and 10 years from the date of grant for nil consideration. Full details 
of this plan can be found in the Directors’ Remuneration Report. 

v)  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 10 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.

vi)  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 10 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.

vii) The Group Bonus Plan was adopted on 3 July 2009. This scheme was amended on 20 April 2015 to permit the grant of options in respect of ordinary 
shares to selected senior executives as a proportion of annual bonus following the completion of a required service period and is dependent on the 
achievement of corporate performance and individual targets. Options are normally exercisable between three and 10 years from the date of grant for  
nil consideration. 

viii) The Long-Term Incentive Plan (2015) was adopted on 14 May 2015. 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 10 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.

The following tables reconcile the number of share options outstanding and the weighted average exercise price (‘WAEP’):

For the year ended 27 February 2016

Savings-related  
Share Option  
Scheme

Irish Savings-related
Share Option  
Scheme

Approved Share  
Option Scheme

Unapproved Share 
Option Scheme

International  
Executive Share  
Option Scheme

Nil cost Share  
Option Schemes

Options

WAEP

Options

WAEP

Options

WAEP

Options

WAEP

Options

WAEP

Options

WAEP

Outstanding at 
28 February 2015 284,304,292
Granted
71,185,926
Forfeited
(76,535,735)
Exercised
(586,618)
Outstanding at
27 February 2016 278,367,865
Exercisable at
27 February 2016
Exercise price
range (pence)
Weighted average  
remaining contractual  
life (years)

13,188,829

191.11
151.00
218.82
150.00

8,122,650
2,153,891
(2,008,433)
(4,997)

218.19
151.00
264.53
150.00

7,534,373
–
(1,019,414)
–

400.03
–
354.25
–

45,312,593
–
(12,852,627)
–

380.72
–
364.62
–

29,096,990
–
(4,562,179)
–

381.86 11,724,776
– 13,560,088
(3,625,191)
(856,867)

355.53
–

173.32

8,263,111

189.46

6,514,959

407.19

32,459,966

387.09

24,534,811

386.76 20,802,806

329.78
282.00 to 
386.00

750,453

308.64
282.00 to 
386.00

6,514,959

407.19
318.60 to 
473.75

32,459,966

387.09
318.60 to 
473.75

24,534,811

2,302,052

386.76
318.60 to 
473.75

–
–
–
–

–

–

–

0.42

0.42

1.84

2.18

2.15

8.28

129

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Other informationFinancial statementsStrategic reportCorporate governance 
Notes to the Group financial statements continued

Note 25 Share-based payments continued

For the year ended 28 February 2015

Savings-related  
Share Option Scheme

Irish Savings-related
Share Option Scheme

Approved Share  
Option Scheme

Unapproved Share 
Option Scheme

International Executive 
Share Option Scheme

Nil cost Share  
Option Schemes*

Options

WAEP

Options

WAEP

Options

WAEP

Options

WAEP

Options

WAEP

Options

WAEP

Outstanding at 
22 February 2014 122,602,128
Granted
220,096,960
Forfeited
(57,445,888)
Exercised
(948,908)
Outstanding at 
28 February 2015 284,304,292
Exercisable at 
28 February 2015
Exercise price
range (pence)
Weighted average  
remaining contractual  
life (years)

18,832,155

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
–
400.30
253.25

52,804,433
–
(4,616,552)
(2,875,288)

376.63
–
394.86
283.00

32,586,360
–
(2,667,321)
(822,049)

–

379.15 21,099,083
5,105,144
388.13 (13,018,757)
(1,460,694)
253.84

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

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

–
–
–
–

–

–

–

0.42

0.42

2.65

2.89

2.95

8.46

*  Nil cost share options granted include buyout awards made to Dave Lewis and Alan Stewart in respect of awards forfeited on leaving previous employers.

Share options were exercised on a regular basis throughout the financial year. The average share price during the financial year ended 27 February 2016 
was 196.55p (2015: 245.50p).

The fair value of share options is estimated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes or Monte Carlo 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)

2016

2015

SAYE
1.3%
25-26%
0.9-1.3%
3 or 5
52.58
9-11%
188.50
151.00

Nil cost*
–
23-25%
0.6-1.6%
3-6
129.90 to 221.06
–
218.60 to 221.06
–

SAYE
2.4%
22-24%
0.9-1.3%
3 or 5
43.72
14-16%
187.00
150.00

Nil Cost
–
24%
1.8%
6
219.67
–
219.67
–

*  Nil cost options granted during the financial year ended 27 February 2016 are calculated using the Black-Scholes or Monte Carlo option pricing model.

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 2015/16. Eligible Republic of Ireland colleagues are able to participate in a Share 
Bonus Scheme, an all-employee profit-sharing scheme. Each year, colleagues may 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) and the Long-Term Incentive Plan (2015). Awards made under these plans 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
Long Term Incentive Plan

130

2016

2015

Number of
 shares 
15,979,321
–
8,762,915
33,338,199
529,292

WAFV 
pence
221.79
–
215.65
215.01
216.35

Number of
 shares 
18,949,708
84,454
2,808,053
27,211,291
–

WAFV 
pence
307.15
292.00
285.43
283.51
–

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Note 26 Post-employment benefits

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 (now closed 
to future accrual) and the Republic of Ireland, and the funded defined contribution pension scheme for employees in the UK. Of these schemes, the UK 
defined benefit deficit represents 94% of the Group deficit (2015: 95%).

Defined contribution plans
A new defined contribution scheme, Tesco Retirement Savings Plan, was opened on 22 November 2015 and is open to all Tesco employees in the UK.

A defined contribution pension scheme is one under which members pay contributions to an independently administered fund, into which the Group  
also pays contributions based upon a fixed percentage of the members’ contributions. The Group has no legal or constructive obligation to pay further 
contributions to this fund once its initial contributions have been paid. Members’ benefits upon retirement are then determined by the amount of 
contributions paid into the fund, together with the performance of the investments into which those contributions have been invested. Members are able  
to choose the investments into which their contributions are invested, as well as how they wish to receive benefits upon retirement. As a result, any risks 
associated with either the future value of benefits or the performance of the assets invested lie with the member. 

The contributions payable for defined contribution schemes of £175m (2015: £23m) have been recognised in the Group Income Statement. This includes 
£43m (2015: £nil) of salaries paid as pension contributions. 

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:

i) representatives of the Group; and
ii) representatives of the Scheme participants, in accordance with its articles of association and UK pension law.

Willis Towers Watson Limited (formerly 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 credit 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.

Closure to future accrual and new members
The Career Average section of the Scheme (‘Pension Builder’) was closed to new members and future accrual on 21 November 2015. The Final Salary section 
of the Scheme, which was closed to new entrants in 2001, was also closed to future accrual on 21 November 2015. As a result of this closure a one off past 
service credit of £538m and other associated costs of £(58)m have been recognised as exceptional items as set out in Note 4. 

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. As at 27 February 2016, 
none of the liabilities related to active members, as the Scheme had closed to future accrual.

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

131

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Other informationFinancial statementsStrategic reportCorporate governanceNotes to the Group financial statements continued

Note 26 Post-employment benefits continued

UK principal assumptions 
The major assumptions, on a weighted average basis, used by the actuaries to value the defined benefit obligation as at 27 February 2016 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

2016 
%
3.8
2.9
1.9
N/A

2.7
1.9

N/A
N/A

2015 
%
3.7
3.1
2.1
3.2

2.9
2.1

3.1
2.1

* 

In excess of any Guaranteed Minimum Pension (‘GMP’) element.

The rate of increase in salaries and career average benefits are no longer applicable, as the Scheme has closed to future accrual. 

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 SAPS S2 normal light male pensioners for male senior managers. 
100% of the SAPS S2 all female pensioners for female staff and 80% of SAPS S2 all female pensioners for female senior managers.

These assumptions were used for the calculation of the pension liability as at 27 February 2016 for the 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

2016 
Years
23.1
24.5
25.4
26.8

2015 
Years
23.0
24.4
25.3
26.7

Overseas
The most significant overseas scheme is the funded defined benefit scheme which operates in the Republic of Ireland. An independent actuary, using the 
projected unit credit method, carried out the latest actuarial assessment of the Republic of Ireland scheme as at 27 February 2016. At the year end, the deficit 
relating to the Republic of Ireland was £145m (2015: £168m).

The accounting valuation has been based on the most recent actuarial valuation and updated by Willis Towers Watson Limited to take account of the 
requirements of the applicable accounting standard in order to assess the liabilities of the scheme as at 27 February 2016. The scheme’s assets are stated 
at their market values as at 27 February 2016. The liabilities relating to retirement healthcare benefits have also been determined in accordance with the 
applicable accounting standard.

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.

The Operations and Audit Pensions Committee (formally the 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. 

132

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016 
 
Note 26 Post-employment benefits continued

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

2016 
£m
312
1,797
N/A
439

2015
£m
340
1,920
310
490

The UK defined benefit obligation is no longer sensitive to salary growth as the Scheme has closed to future accrual.

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

2016 
£m

475
892
3,861
5,228

1,935
338
6
2,279

707
317
1,024

650
640
204
1,494
277
10,302

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

The Scheme uses financial instruments to balance the asset allocation and to manage inflation risk, interest rate risk, liquidity risk and foreign currency risk. 
The analysis of investments above are shown net of such instruments.

At the year end, 74% (2015: 73%) 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 £171m (2015: £166m) relating to property used by the Group. In addition, Group property with net carrying value of £412m (2015: 
£434m) has been held as security in favour of the Scheme.

Movement in Group pension deficit during the financial year 
Changes in the fair value of defined benefit pension assets, including movements of Korean operations up to classification as held for sale, 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
Transfer to disposal group classified as held for sale
Closing fair value of defined benefit pension assets

*  Contributions by employer include £125m (2015: £167m) of salaries paid as pension contributions. 

2016 
£m
9,677
360
59
433
223
11
6
(346)
(121)
10,302

2015
£m
8,124
386
874
563
13
11
(15)
(279)
–
9,677

133

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Other informationFinancial statementsStrategic reportCorporate governanceNotes to the Group financial statements continued

Note 26 Post-employment benefits continued

Changes in the present value of defined benefit pension obligations, including movements of Korean operations up to classification as held for sale,  
are as follows: 

Opening defined benefit pension obligation
Current service cost
Past service credit
Interest cost
Gains/ (losses) on change of financial assumptions 
Losses on change of demographic assumptions
Experience gains
Foreign currency translation
Benefits paid
Actual member contributions
Transfer to disposal group classified as held for sale
Closing defined benefit pension obligation

2016 
£m
(14,519)
(570)
535
(515)
1,007
–
98
(14)
346
(11)
166
(13,477)

2015
£m
(11,317)
(631)
–
(522)
(2,553)
(66)
272
30
279
(11)
–
(14,519)

The amounts that have been charged to the Group Income Statement and Group Statement of Comprehensive Income, excluding all movements relating  
to Korean operations, for the year ended 27 February 2016 are set out below: 

Analysis of the amount charged to operating profit:
Current service cost
Past service credit
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 on defined benefit pension obligation
Demographic assumption losses on defined benefit pension obligation
Financial assumption gains/ (losses) on defined benefit pension obligation
Foreign currency translation
Total gains/ (losses) recognised in the Group Statement of Comprehensive Income

Summary of movements in Group deficit during the financial year 
Changes in the Group deficit, including movements of Korean operations up to classification as held for sale, are as follows: 

Deficit in schemes at beginning of the year
Current service cost
Past service credit
Net pension finance cost*
Contributions by employer**
Additional contribution by employer
Foreign currency translation
Remeasurements
Transfer to disposal group classified as held for sale
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

Includes £nil (2015: £2m) in Korea.

* 
**  Contributions by employer include £125m (2015: £167m) of salaries paid as pension contributions. 

2016 
£m

(555)
535
(20)

358
(513)
(155)
(175)

59
95
–
1,006
(12)
1,148

2016 
£m
(4,842)
(570)
535
(155)
433
223
(8)
1,164
45
(3,175)
563
(2,612)

2015
£m

(605)
–
(605)

383
(517)
(134)
(739)

874
274
(66)
(2,536)
18
(1,436)

2015
£m
(3,193)
(631)
–
(136)
563
13
15
(1,473)
–
(4,842)
957
(3,885)

134

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016 
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

2016 
£m
10,302
(117)
(13,360)
(3,175)
59
95

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

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 27 February 2016 of £11m (2015: £11m) was determined in accordance with the advice of independent actuaries. During the year, £nil  
(2015: £1m) has been charged to the Group Income Statement and £1m (2015: £1m) of benefits were paid.

Expected contributions 
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.

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

2016
Ordinary shares of 5p each

2015
Ordinary shares of 5p each

Number

8,122,991,499
591,615
17,500,000
8,141,083,114

£m

406
–
1
407

Number

8,095,821,091
5,080,408
22,090,000
8,122,991,499

£m

405
–
1
406

During the financial year, 1 million (2015: 5 million) ordinary shares of 5p each were issued in relation to share options for an aggregate consideration of £1m 
(2015: £14m).

During the financial year, 18 million (2015: 22 million) ordinary shares of 5p each were issued in relation to share bonus awards for an aggregate consideration 
of £1m (2015: £1m).

Between 28 February 2016 and 6 April 2016 options over 17,969 ordinary shares were exercised under the terms of the Savings-related Share Options 
Scheme (1981). Between 28 February 2016 and 6 April 2016, no options have been exercised under the Discretionary Share Option Plan (2004) and the  
Irish Savings-related Share Option Scheme (2000).

As at 27 February 2016, the Directors were authorised to purchase up to a maximum in aggregate of 812.3 million (2015: 810.1 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.

135

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Other informationFinancial statementsStrategic reportCorporate governance 
Notes to the Group financial statements continued

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: 

Transactions

Sales to related parties
Purchases from related parties
Injection of equity funding
Dividends received

Joint ventures

Associates

2016
£m
408
496
–
32

2015
£m
430
549
14
79

2016
£m
–
14
–
9

2015
£m
–
14
10
9

Sales to related parties consists of services/management fees and loan interest. 

Purchases from related parties include £379m (2015: £430m) of rentals payable to the Group’s joint ventures (including those joint ventures formed as part of 
the sale and leaseback programme).

Transactions between the Group and the Group’s pension plans are disclosed in Note 26.

Balances

Amounts owed to related parties
Amounts owed by related parties
Loans to related parties (net of deferred profits)*
Loans from related parties

Joint ventures

Associates

2016
£m
13
28
149
6

2015
£m
22
17
207
16

2016
£m
1
3
–
–

2015
£m
1
26
–
–

*  Loans to related parties of £149m (2015: £207m) are presented net of deferred profits of £57m (2015: £67m) historically arising from the sale of property assets to 

joint ventures.

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 financial statements for those partnerships have been consolidated into these financial accounts pursuant to Regulation 7 of  
the Regulations.

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 and cash in lieu of pensions
Share-based payments
Joining costs and loss of office costs 

2016 
£m
20
3
9
5
37

2015
£m
14
3
4
8
29

Of the total remuneration to key management personnel, £26m (2015: £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: 

Credit card and personal 
loan balances

 Current and saving deposit 
accounts

Number of key 
management 
personnel
11
19

Number of key 
management 
personnel
8
16

£m
1
1

£m
–
1

At 27 February 2016
At 28 February 2015

136

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016 
Note 29 Analysis of changes in net debt

At
28 February 
2015
£m

Cash flow
£m

Fair value 
and foreign 
exchange 
movements
£m

Interest 
(charge)/
income 
£m

Other 
non-cash 
movements 
£m

Debt 
acquired on 
business 
combinations 
£m

Debt  
disposed 
– Korean 
operations 
£m

Reclassi- 
fications of 
movements  
in net debt 
disposal 
group
£m

At
27 February 
2016
£m

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

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)

907
2,894
1
(26)
742
426
17

(154)
23

–
4,830

(62)
–
(300)
4

–
(358)

969
2,894
1
(26)
1,042
422
17

(154)
23
–
5,188

1
(24)
–
–
(253)
–
1

314
–

–
39

–
–
(8)
–

(66)
(74)

1
(24)
–
–
(245)
–
1

380
–
–
113

–
–
–
26
(23)
(444)
–

8
(18)

–
(451)

–
–
–
(4)

–
(4)

–
–
–
26
(23)
(440)
–

8
(18)
–
(447)

–
–
(30)
–
–
–
(5)

–
–

–
(35)

–
–
–
–

–
–

–
–
(30)
–
–
–
(5)

–
–
–
(35)

–
–
(29)
–
(1,455)
(10)
29

(80)
–

–
(1,545)

–
–
–
–

–
–

–
–
(29)
–
(1,455)
(10)
29

(80)
–
–
(1,545)

–
–
–
–
94
3
–

–
–

–
97

–
–
–
–

–
–

–
–
–
–
94
3
–

–
–
–
97

9
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–

(9)
–

–
–
–
–

–
–

9
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
(9)
–

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 increase/ (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
Elimination of Tesco Bank movement in cash and cash equivalents
Retail cash movement in other net debt items 

Net increase/ (decrease) in short-term investments
Net increase/ (decrease) in joint ventures loans
Net decrease/ (increase) in borrowings and lease financing 
Net cash flows from derivative financial instruments
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 Chinese operations
Debt disposed on disposal of Korean operations
Debt acquired on business combinations
Retail other non-cash movements
Decrease/ (increase) in net debt for the year

Opening net debt
Closing net debt

2016 
£m
907
62

2,894
1
1,059
(154)
419
5,188

(447)
113
–
97
(1,545)
(35)
3,371

(8,481)
(5,110)

3,082
3,463
149
1
(13,253)
(185)
(99)

698
59

–
(6,085)

554
34
(1,441)
(1)

(121)
(975)

2,528
3,463
115
1
(11,812)
(184)
(99)

819
59
–
(5,110)

2015
£m
 (717)
(131)

(423) 
(40) 
(1,058) 

6
505
(1,858)

(443)
 241
255 
–
–
(79) 
(1,884) 

(6,597) 
(8,481) 

137

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Other informationFinancial statementsStrategic reportCorporate governance 
Notes to the Group financial statements continued

Note 30 Business combinations

During the year, the Group obtained sole control of three separate property partnerships, previously accounted for as joint ventures, through acquisition of 
the other partners’ 50% interests in each of the partnerships. The acquisitions increased the Group’s owned property portfolio by £1,714m, comprising 70 
stores and 2 distribution centres, reduced the Group’s undiscounted lease commitments by £852m (discounted £563m) and increased borrowings and 
derivative liabilities by £1,545m. 

On 20 March 2015 the Group received British Land Co PLC’s (‘British Land’) share of the Tesco Aqua Limited partnership (‘Aqua’) and cash of £96m in 
exchange for British Land taking sole ownership of three shopping centres, three retail parks and three standalone stores which were previously held in two 
joint ventures between the two companies. Further information received after the interim results August 2015 and within the measurement period resulted in 
the recognition of a deferred tax liability of £18m and associated goodwill of £22m, together with re-allocation of cash flows within investment activities to 
better reflect the facts and circumstances that existed at the acquisition date. The net profit of £28m on these transactions comprises a loss on acquisition of 
Aqua of £175m offset by a profit of £203m. The profit arises largely on the sale of the Group’s shares in the two joint ventures together with releases of related 
deferred income balances. 

On 25 February 2016, the Group obtained sole control of the Tesco Red Limited Partnership (‘Red’) and Tesco Property Limited Partnership (‘TPLP’) from 
British Airways Pension Fund and Phoenix Life Assurance Limited respectively, realising a net loss of £53m on acquisition. The Group additionally released 
previously recognised impairments, onerous leases and deferred income balances relating to these entities totalling £84m, resulting in a net profit of £31m 
from the two transactions.

The overall profit of £59m from these transactions has been classified as an exceptional item in ‘Property transactions’ included within ‘Profits/ (losses) 
arising on property-related items’. The profit includes a £14m gain on remeasuring the Group’s 50% interest in the three joint ventures immediately prior to 
the acquisition to a fair value asset of £24m. Across the three transactions, goodwill balances totalling £41m have been recognised on recognition of deferred 
tax liability balances on land, due to the Group controlling the reversal of a portion of these tax liabilities, and not expecting them to be realised. This goodwill 
is not deductible for tax purposes.

The table below sets out the provisional values to the Group in respect of these acquisitions. 

Plant, Property & Equipment
Cash
Other receivables
Borrowings
Derivative financial instruments
Deferred tax
Other liabilities
Total

Goodwill
Carrying value of investment in joint ventures immediately prior to acquisition
Purchase consideration*

Profit on related disposals and other items 

*  Additional cash payments of £67m were made to novate loans previously held by the other joint venture partners.

Aqua
£m
466
4
–
(474)

(57)
(18)
(70)
(149)

22
–
48

203

Red 
£m
410
9
–
(400)

–
(25)
(77)
(83)

19
–
69

50

TPLP 
£m
838
2
97
(591)

(23)
(80)
(4)
239

–
10
149

34

Total 
£m
1,714
15
97
(1,465)

(80)
(123)
(151)
7

41
10
266

287

The acquisitions above have increased profit for the period by £12m; there has been no impact on revenues in the period.

In addition, the Group obtained sole control of Euphorium Group Limited and Harris + Hoole Holdings Ltd (Ireland) for total consideration of £7m. 

The overall cash outflow of £325m on acquisition of subsidiaries comprises the £273m purchase consideration for Aqua, Red, TPLP, Euphorium Group Limited 
and Harris + Hoole Holdings Ltd (Ireland), together with the £67m novated loans, net of £15m cash acquired. 

Note 31 Commitments and contingencies

Capital commitments
At 27 February 2016, there were commitments for capital expenditure contracted for, but not provided for, of £215m (2015: £182m), principally relating 
to £151m store buy-back commitments of seven stores.

Contingent liabilities
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. 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 2014, relating to the recognition of commercial income and the deferral of costs. 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 and/or other consequences. The Group
is cooperating with the SFO.

In November 2015 the Group reached agreement in principle to settle a class action by US investors who dealt through the American Depository Receipts 
(‘ADRs’) programme which represented approximately 2.3% of issued share capital. This consisted of a settlement of US$12 million with no admission of 
liability. The Group is also facing a claim in Ohio by the remaining holders of ADRs, which is equivalent to 0.16% of the total issued ordinary shares of the 
Group. The Group is defending this claim. 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 and the Group is consequently unable to make any assessment of the likely outcome 
or quantum.

138

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016 
Note 31 Commitments and contingencies continued

For details of assets held under finance leases, which are pledged as security for the finance lease liabilities, see Note 11. 

Tesco PLC has irrevocably guaranteed the liabilities of the following Irish subsidiary undertakings, which undertakings have been exempted pursuant to 
Section 357 of the Companies Act, 2014 of Ireland from the provisions of Section 347 & 348 of that Act:

Monread Developments Limited; Edson Properties Limited; Edson Investments Limited; Cirrus Finance (2009) Limited; Commercial Investments Limited; 
Chirac Limited; Clondalkin Properties 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; Tesco Ireland Holdings Limited; Golden Island Management Services Limited. 

Prior to the disposal of its Korean operations (‘Homeplus’), Tesco PLC provided guarantees in respect of thirteen Homeplus lease agreements in Korea in the 
event of termination of the relevant lease agreement by the landlord due to Homeplus’s default. Entities controlled by MBK and CPPIB, as the purchasers of 
Homeplus, undertook to procure Tesco PLC’s release from these guarantees following the disposal of Homeplus. The maximum potential liability as at 27 
February 2016 under these guarantees is approximately KRW627bn (£357m). This liability decreases over time with all relevant leases expiring in the period 
between 2026 and 2033. Tesco PLC has the benefit of an indemnity from the purchasers of Homeplus for any claims made under such guarantees.

Tesco Bank
At 27 February 2016, Tesco Bank had commitments of formal standby facilities, credit lines and other commitments to lend, totalling £11.9bn (2015: £11.5bn). 
The amount is intended to provide an indication of the potential volume of business and not of the underlying credit or other risks.

Note 32 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

2016 
£m

2015
£m

1,218

1,041

235
44
(27)
1,470

235
36
(24)
1,288

On 27 June 2013 the final 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. 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.

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
At end of the year, including CRD IV adjustments

2016 
£m
1,041
–
190
8
(50)
3
39
(2)
1,229
(11)
1,218

2015
£m
913
–
131
14
(50)
3
25
(1)
1,035
6
1,041

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.

139

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Other informationFinancial statementsStrategic reportCorporate governanceNotes to the Group financial statements continued

Note 33 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 that 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:

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

Within one year
Greater than one year but less than five years
After five years
Total minimum lease payments
Analysed as:
Current finance lease payables
Non-current finance lease payables

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

Minimum lease payments

2016
£m
18
46
123
187
(88)
99

2015
£m
20
70
167
257
(116)
141

Present value of net
minimum lease payments

2016
£m
11
20
68
99

11
88
99

2016 
£m
1,296
3,918
7,831
13,045

2016 
£m
3,272
2,303
2,256
7,831

2015
£m
10
35
96
141

10
131
141

2015
£m
1,324
4,686
9,697
15,707

2015
£m
4,243
2,853
2,601
9,697

Total operating lease commitments in Korea of £1,242m were included in 2015.

The Group has used operating lease commitments discounted at 7% (2015: 7%) of £7,814m (2015: £9,353m) 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.

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 £3.2bn (2015: £4.7bn) and the total lease rentals, if they were to  
be incurred following the option exercise date, would be £2.6bn (2015: £3.9bn) using current rent values. The lease break options are exercisable between 2016 
and 2023.

140

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016 
Note 33 Lease commitments continued

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 10 years
Greater than ten years but less than 15 years
After 15 years
Total contingent additional lease rentals

2016 
£m
45
72
686
718
1,115
2,636

2015
£m
10
372
1,095
1,084
1,349
3,910

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: 

Within one year
Greater than one year but less than five years
After five years
Total minimum lease receivables

Note 34 Events after the reporting period

2016 
£m
198
293
230
721

2015
£m
211
314
297
822

On 12 April 2016 the Group announced the disposal of an 8.6% stake (on a fully diluted basis) in Lazada Group S.A. (‘Lazada’) to Alibaba Group Holding 
Limited (‘Alibaba’) for gross cash consideration of US$129m (£90m). The Group’s investment in Lazada was recognised as an available-for-sale financial  
asset at 27 February 2016 with a total carrying value of £121m which represented a 19.6% stake on a fully diluted basis. Following the transaction, which  
also involved issue of new capital by Lazada, the Group retains an 8.3% (on a fully diluted basis) investment in Lazada. This investment is subject to a  
put/call option giving the Group the right to sell and Alibaba the right to buy at fair market value in the following 12 to 18 months.

141

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Other informationFinancial statementsStrategic reportCorporate governanceTesco PLC – Parent Company balance sheet

Non-current assets
Investments
Derivative financial instruments

Current assets
Derivative financial instruments
Receivables
Short-term investments
Cash and cash equivalents

Current liabilities
Borrowings
Derivative financial instruments
Payables

Net current assets

Non-current liabilities
Borrowings
Derivative financial instruments

Net assets
Equity
Share capital
Share premium
All other reserves
Retained earnings
Total equity

27 February
2016
£m

28 February
2015
£m

Notes

6
11

11
7
8

10
11
9

10
11

14

13,338
1,502
14,840

83
11,861
622
13
12,579

(1,778)
(2)
(6,350)
(8,130)
4,449

(5,993)
(614)
(6,607)
12,682

407
5,095
187
6,993
12,682

13,219
1,439
14,658

19
12,533
593
22
13,167

(632)
(61)
(6,607)
(7,300)
5,867

(7,440)
(635)
(8,075)
12,450

406
5,094
10
6,940
12,450

The notes on pages 144 to 150 form part of these financial statements.

Dave Lewis 
Alan Stewart

Directors 
The Parent Company financial statements on pages 142 to 150 were authorised for issue by the Directors on 12 April 2016 and are subject to the approval  
of the shareholders at the Annual General Meeting on 23 June 2016.

Tesco PLC
Registered number 00445790

142

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016 
 
 
 
 
Tesco PLC – Parent Company statement of changes in equity

At 28 February 2015
Loss for the year
Other comprehensive income/ (loss)
Change in hedge relationship 
Net fair value gain on cash flow hedges
Reclassified and reported in Income Statement
Tax relating to components of other  
comprehensive income
Total other comprehensive income
Total comprehensive income/(loss)
Transactions with owners
Purchase of treasury shares
Share-based payments
Issue of shares
Dividends
Total transactions with owners
At 27 February 2016

At 22 February 2014
Profit for the period
Other comprehensive income/ (loss)
Net fair value gain on cash flow hedges
Reclassified and reported in Income Statement
Tax relating to components of other  
comprehensive income
Total other comprehensive income
Total comprehensive income
Transactions with owners
Purchase of treasury shares
Share-based payments
Issue of shares 
Dividends
Total transactions with owners
At 28 February 2015

All other reserves

Share capital
£m
406
–

Share 
premium 
£m
5,094
–

Capital 
redemption 
reserves £m
16
–

Hedging 
reserves
£m
11
–

Treasury 
Shares 
£m
(17)
–

Retained 
earnings
£m
6,940
(222)

Total equity
£m
12,450
(222)

–
–
–

–
–
–

–
–
1
–
1
407

–
–
–

–
–
–

–
–
1
–
1
5,095

–
–
–

–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
16

186
132
(113)

(38)
167
167

–
–
–
–
–
178

–
–
–

–
–
–

(5)
15
–
–
10
(7)

–
–
–

–
–
(222)

–
275
–
–
275
6,993

186
132
(113)

(38)
167
(55)

(5)
290
2
–
287
12,682

All other reserves

Share capital
£m
405
–

Share 
premium 
£m
5,080
–

Capital 
redemption 
reserves £m
16
–

Hedging 
reserves
£m
(4)
–

Treasury 
Shares 
£m
(20)
–

Retained 
earnings
£m
3,922
3,819

Total equity
£m
9,399
3,819

–
–

–
–
–

–
–
1
–
1
406

–
–

–
–
–

–
–
14
–
14
5,094

–
–

–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
16

83
(63)

(5)
15
15

–
–
–
–
–
11

–
–

–
–
–

(15)
18
–
–
3
(17)

–
–

–
–
3,819

–
113
–
(914)
(801)
6,940

83
(63)

(5)
15
3,834

(15)
131
15
(914)
(783)
12,450

The notes on pages 144 to 150 form part of these financial statements.

143

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Other informationFinancial statementsStrategic reportCorporate governanceNotes to the Parent Company financial statements

Note 1 Authorisation of financial statements and 
statement of compliance with FRS 101

The Parent Company financial statements for the year ended 27 February 2016 
were approved by the Board of Directors on 12 April 2016 and the balance sheet 
was signed on the Board’s behalf by Alan Stewart and Dave Lewis.

These financial statements were prepared in accordance with Financial Reporting 
Standard 101, ‘Reduced Disclosure Framework’ (‘FRS 101’). The Company meets the 
definition of a qualifying entity under FRS 100, ‘Application of Financial Reporting 
Requirements’ as issued by the Financial Reporting Council.

The Company’s financial statements are presented in Pounds Sterling, its functional 
currency, generally rounded to the nearest million.

The principal accounting policies adopted by the Company are set out in Note 2. 
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, 
except for certain financial instruments and share-based payments that have been 
measured at fair value.

Note 2 Accounting policies

Basis of preparation of financial statements
The Parent Company financial statements have been prepared in accordance 
with Financial Reporting Standard 101, ‘Reduced Disclosure Framework’ 
(FRS 101) and the Companies Act 2006 (the ‘Act’). FRS 101 sets out a reduced 
disclosure framework for a ‘qualifying entity’ as defined in the standard which 
addresses the financial reporting requirements and disclosure exemptions in the 
individual financial statements of qualifying entities that otherwise apply the 
recognition, measurement and disclosure requirements of EU-adopted IFRS. 

These are the first financial statements of the Company prepared in 
accordance with FRS 101. The Company’s date of transition to FRS 101  
is 22 February 2014. The Company has notified its shareholders in writing 
about, and they do not object to, the use of the disclosure exemptions  
used by the Company in these financial statements. 

FRS 101 sets out amendments to EU-adopted IFRS that are necessary to 
achieve compliance with the Act and related Regulations. The prior year 
financial statements were re-stated for material adjustments on adoption  
of FRS 101 in the current year. For more information see Note 16. 

The financial year represents the 52 weeks to 27 February 2016 (prior 
financial year 53 weeks to 28 February 2015).

As permitted by FRS 101, the Company has taken advantage of the 
disclosure exemptions available under that standard in relation to business 
combinations, financial instruments, capital management, presentation of 
comparative information in respect of certain assets, presentation of a cash 
flow statement, standards not yet effective, impairment of assets and related 
party transactions. Where required, equivalent disclosures are given in the 
consolidated financial statements of Tesco PLC. 

The Parent Company financial statements are prepared on a going 
concern basis as set out in Note 1 of the consolidated financial statements 
of Tesco PLC. 

The Directors have taken advantage of the exemption available under 
Section 408 of the Companies Act 2006 and not presented an Income 
Statement or a Statement of Comprehensive Income for the  
Company alone.

A summary of the Company’s significant accounting policies is set out below.

Short-term investments
Short-term investments are recognised initially at fair value, and subsequently 
at amortised cost. All income from these investments is included in the Income 
Statement 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.

Impairment of investments
The Company has determined its investment in each entity as a separate 
cash-generating unit for impairment testing. Where there are indicators  
of impairment, the Company 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 Company’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 of the consolidated financial statements of Tesco PLC. Fair 
value is determined by independent, professional valuer where appropriate.

Foreign currencies
Transactions in foreign currencies are translated to the functional currency 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 to the functional currency 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 or Monte Carlo model. The resulting cost is 
charged to the Income Statement 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.

Receivables
Receivables 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.

Interest-bearing borrowings
Interest-bearing bank loans and overdrafts are initially recognised at fair 
value, 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 Income 
Statement over the period of the borrowings on an effective interest basis. 

Payables
Payables 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 
investing activities. The Company does not hold or issue derivative financial 
instruments for trading purpose; 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 re-measurement are immediately recognised in the Company 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 items being hedged. 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 ongoing basis. This 
effectiveness testing is performed at each reporting date 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.

144

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016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.

Note 2 Accounting policies continued

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 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 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 re-measuring 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 Company Income Statement in the same period 
or periods during which the hedged transaction affects the Company Income 
Statement. The classification of the effective portion when recognised in the 
Company Income Statement 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 Income Statement within finance income or costs.

Hedge accounting is discontinued when the hedging instrument expires  
or is sold, terminated or exercised, or if a voluntary de-designation takes
place 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 Company Statement of Changes in Equity until the forecasted 
transaction occurs or the original hedged item affects the Company Income 
Statement. If a forecasted hedged transaction is no longer expected to occur, 
the net cumulative gain or loss recognised in the Company Statement of 
Changes in Equity is reclassified to the Company Income Statement.

Pensions
The Company participates in defined benefit pension schemes and cannot 
identify its share of the underlying assets and liabilities of the schemes. 
Accordingly, as permitted by IAS 19 ‘Employee Benefits’, the Company  
has accounted for the schemes as defined contribution schemes, and  
the charge for the period is based upon the cash contributions payable.

The Company also participates in a defined contribution scheme open to  
all UK employees. Payments to this scheme are recognised as an expense  
as they fall due.

Taxation
The tax expense included in the Company 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 Company Income Statement except to the extent 
that it relates to items recognised in the Company Statement of Comprehensive 
Income or directly in the Company Statement of Changes in Equity, in which 
case it is recognised in the Company Statement of Comprehensive Income  
or directly in the Company 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 are expected to apply in  
the period when the liability is settled or the asset realised based on the tax 
rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet 
date. Deferred tax is charged or credited in the Company 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. 

145

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Other informationFinancial statementsStrategic reportCorporate governance 
Notes to the Parent Company financial statements 
continued

Note 3 Auditor remuneration 

Fees payable to the Company’s auditor for the audit of the Company and Group financial statements are disclosed in Note 3 of the Group financial statements. 

Note 4 Employment costs, including Directors’ remuneration

Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Pension costs (Note 13)
Share-based payment expense (Note 12)

2016 
£m
21
2
2
7
32

2015
£m
22
3
2
4
31

The average number of employees (all Directors of the Company) during the financial year was 10 (2015: 10).

The Schedule 5 requirements of SI 2008/410 for Directors’ remuneration are included within the Directors’ Remuneration Report on pages 48 to 70.

Note 5 Dividends

For details of dividends see Note 8 in the Group financial statements.

Note 6 Investments

Cost
At 28 February 2015
Additions
Disposals
At 27 February 2016
Impairment
At 28 February 2015
Impairment
At 27 February 2016

Net carrying value
At 27 February 2016
At 28 February 2015

The list of the Company’s subsidiary undertakings and joint ventures is shown on pages 151 to 159. 

Note 7 Receivables 

Amounts owed by Group undertakings*
Amounts owed by joint ventures and associates**
Other receivables
Deferred tax asset

Shares 
in Group
undertakings
£m

Shares in 
joint  
ventures
£m

16,145
278
(20)
16,403

(2,952)
(122)
(3,074)

13,329
13,193

26
–
(17)
9

–
–
–

9
26

2016 
£m
11,770
46
45
–
11,861

Total
£m

16,171
278
(37)
16,412

(2,952)
(122)
(3,074)

13,338
13,219

2015
£m
12,346
120
12
55
12,533

*  

 Amounts owed by Group undertakings are either interest-bearing or non interest-bearing depending on the type and duration of receivable relationship. 

**  Of amounts owed by joint ventures and associates, £46m (2015: £112m) is due after more than one year.

146

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Note 8 Short-term investments

Short-term investments

Note 9 Payables

Amounts owed to Group undertakings*
Other payables
Taxation and social security
Accruals and deferred income
Deferred tax liability**

2016 
£m
622

2016 
£m
6,289
45
2
6
8
6,350

*  Amounts owed to Group undertakings are either interest-bearing or non-interest bearing depending on the type and duration of creditor relationship.
**  The deferred tax asset/ (liability) recognised by the Company, and the movements thereon, during the financial year are as follows: 

At 28 February 2015
Charge to the Income Statement for the year
Movement in reserves for the year
At 27 February 2016

Note 10 Borrowings

Current

Bank loans and overdrafts
Loans from joint ventures
4% RPI MTN (a)

5.875% MTN

2.7% USD Bond

Non-current

4% RPI MTN (a)
5.875% MTN
2.7% USD Bond
5.5% USD Bond
3.375% MTN
5.5% MTN
6.125% MTN
5% MTN
3.322% LPI MTN (b)
6% MTN
5.5% MTN
1.982% RPI MTN (c)
6.15% USD Bond
4.875% MTN
5.125% MTN (d)
5.2% MTN

Financial 
instruments 
£m
15
(1)

Other timing 
differences 
£m
40
(24)

(38)
(24)

–
16

Par value

Maturity

£310m

€1,039m

$500m

Sept 2016

Sept 2016

Jan 2017

Par value
£310m
€1,039m
$500m
$850m
€750m
£350m
£900m
£389m
£317m
£200m
£200m
£263m
$1,150m
£173m
€600m
£279m

Maturity
Sept 2016
Sept 2016
Jan 2017
Nov 2017
Nov 2018
Dec 2019
Feb 2022
Mar 2023
Nov 2025
Dec 2029
Jan 2033
 Mar 2036
Nov 2037
Mar 2042
Apr 2047
Mar 2057

2016
£m
224
–
316

877

361
1,778

2016
£m
–
–
–
666
595
353
896
411
320
257
259
265
1,035
175
486
275
5,993

2015
£m
593

2015
£m
6,558
39
4
6
–
6,607

Total 
£m
55
(25)

(38)
(8)

2015
£m
622
10
–

–

–
632

2015
£m
313
872
325
625
548
353
895
407
318
261
262
263
917
175
631
275
7,440

(a)  The 4% RPI MTN is redeemable at par, including indexation for increases in the RPI over the life of the MTN.
(b)  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%.

(c)  The 1.982% RPI MTN is redeemable at par, including indexation for increases in the RPI over the life of the MTN.
(d)  The decrease in carrying value of the bond includes £186m of reduction due to a change of the hedge relationship from a fair value to a cash flow hedge – with 

an  equivalent movement in the cash flow hedge reserve. 

147

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Other informationFinancial statementsStrategic reportCorporate governance 
 
 
Notes to the Parent Company financial statements 
continued

Note 11 Derivative financial instruments

The fair value of derivative financial instruments has been disclosed in the Company’s Balance Sheet as:

Current
Non current
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 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 contracts
Total 

2016

2015

Asset
£m
83
1,502
1,585

Liability
£m
(2)
(614)
(616)

Asset
£m
19
1,439
1,458

Liability
£m
(61)
(635)
(696)

2016

2015

Asset

Liability

Asset

Liability

Fair value
£m

Notional
£m

Fair value
£m

Notional 
£m

Fair value
£m

Notional
£m

Fair value
£m

Notional 
£m

17
280

–
650
117
–

–

65
1,377

–
1,713
890
–

–
–

(195)
–
–
–

–

–

–
–

400
–
–
–

–

15
561

–
242
113
2

–

513
8
1,585

3,339
232
7,616

(419)
(2)
(616)

3,339
65
3,804

508
17
1,458

65
1,201

–
311
882
99

–

3,339
1,361
7,258

–
(11)

(199)
(8)
–
(1)

–

(417)
(60)
(696)

–
817

400
483
–
474

–

3,339
1,285
6,798

* 

 These are designated as cash flow hedges and net investment hedges at Group level, but for Parent Company financial statements are classified as cash flow hedges and 
‘not in a formal hedge relationship’. 

Note 12 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 weighted average exercise price (WAEP) of share option schemes relating to the Company employees are:

Savings-related
Share Option Scheme

Approved
Share Option Scheme

Unapproved
Share Option Scheme

Nil cost
share options

For the year ended 27 February 2016
Outstanding at 28 February 2015
Granted
Forfeited
Exercised
Outstanding at 27 February 2016
Exercisable at 27 February 2016

Exercise price range (pence) 
Weighted average remaining 
contractual life (years)

Options
–

23,840
–
–
23,840
–

–

–

WAEP
–

151.00
–
–
151.00
–

–

–

Options
19,008

–
(19,008)
–
–
–

–

–

WAEP
315.65

–
315.65
–
–
–

–

–

Options
6,152,817

–
(6,152,817)
–
–
–

–

–

WAEP
378.20

–
378.20
–
–
–

–

–

Options
2,821,238

2,478,657
–
(220,807)
5,079,088
1,354,714

–

–

Savings-related
Share Option Scheme

Approved
Share Option Scheme

Unapproved
Share Option Scheme

Nil cost
share options

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)

Options
9,108

–
(9,108)
–
–
–

–

–

WAEP
332.59

–
332.59
–
–
–

–

–

Options
19,008

–
–
–
19,008
19,008

–

–

WAEP
315.65

–
–
–
315.65
315.65
312.75 to 
318.60

0.66

Options
9,475,594

–
(1,954,751)
(1,368,026)
6,152,817
6,152,817

–

–

WAEP
374.24

–
402.69
315.78
378.20
378.20
312.75 to 
473.75

2.71

Options
10,714,937

2,771,506
(9,229,019)
(1,436,186)
2,821,238
631,436

–

–

WAEP
–

–
–
–
–
–

–

8.61

WAEP
–

–
–
–
–
–

–

8.71

148

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016 
 
 
 
Note 12 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

Note 13 Pensions

2016

2015

Shares
number
–

WAFV
pence
–

Shares
number
1,302

WAFV
pence
307.15

The total cost of participation in defined benefit pension schemes (now closed to future accrual and new members) to the Company was £2.0m (2015 £2.5m). 
The total cost of participation in the Tesco Retirement Savings Plan (a defined contribution scheme) to the Company was £0.1m (2015: £nil). Further 
disclosure relating to all schemes can be found in Note 26 of the Group financial statements.

Note 14 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

2016
Ordinary shares of 5p each

2015
Ordinary shares of 5p each

Number

8,122,991,499
591,615

17,500,000
8,141,083,114

£m

406
–

1
407

Number

8,095,821,091
5,080,408

22,090,000
8,122,991,499

£m

405
–

1
406

During the financial year, 1 million (2015: 5 million) ordinary shares of 5p each were issued in relation to share options for an aggregate consideration  
of £1m (2015: £14m).

During the financial year, 18 million (2015: 22 million) ordinary shares of 5p each were issued in relation to share bonus awards for an aggregate consideration 
of £1m (2015: £1m).

Between 28 February 2016 and 6 April 2016 options over 17,969 ordinary shares were exercised under the terms of the Savings-related Share Options 
Scheme (1981). Between 28 February 2016 and 6 April 2016 , no options have been exercised under the Discretionary Share Option Plan (2004) and the Irish 
Savings-related Share Option Scheme (2000). 

As at 27 February 2016, the Directors were authorised to purchase up to a maximum in aggregate of 812.3 million (2015: 810.1 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 15 Contingent liabilities

In addition to the contingent liabilities shown in Note 31 of the Group financial statements the Company has entered into financial guarantee contracts to 
guarantee the indebtedness of Group undertakings amounting to £2,364m (2015: £2,364m). These guarantees are treated as contingent liabilities until it 
becomes probable they will be called upon.

In addition, the Company has guaranteed the rental payments of certain Group undertakings relating to a portfolio of retail stores, distribution centres and 
mixed use retail developments. 

The likelihood of the above items being called upon is considered remote. 

149

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Other informationFinancial statementsStrategic reportCorporate governance 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Parent Company financial statements 
continued

Note 16 Explanation of transition to FRS 101

As stated in Note 2, these are the Company’s first financial statements prepared in accordance with FRS 101.

The accounting policies set out in Note 2 have been applied in preparing the financial statements for the year ended 27 February 2016, the comparative 
information presented in these financial statements for the year ended 28 February 2015 and in the preparation of an opening FRS 101 balance sheet at  
22 February 2014 (the Company’s date of transition).

In preparing its opening FRS 101 balance sheet, the Company has adjusted amounts reported previously in financial statements prepared in accordance  
with its old basis of accounting (UK GAAP). An explanation of how the transition from previously adopted UK GAAP to FRS 101 has affected the Company’s 
financial position and financial performance is set out in the following tables and the notes that accompany the tables.

Reconciliation of equity

 Non-current assets 
 Investments 
 Derivative financial instruments 

 Current assets
 Derivative financial instruments
 Receivables 
 Short-term investments 
 Cash and cash equivalents 

 Current liabilities 
 Borrowings 
 Derivative financial instruments 
 Other payables

 Net current assets 

 Non-current liabilities 
 Borrowings 
 Derivative financial instruments 

 Net assets 
 Equity 
 Share capital 
 Share premium 
 All other reserves 
 Retained earnings 
 Total equity 

22 February 2014  
(date of transition to FRS 101)

28 February 2015  
(date of last UK GAAP financial statements)

Notes

UK GAAP 
£m

IAS 32
£m

All other 
reserves £m

FRS 101  
£m

UK GAAP 
£m

IAS 32 
£m

All other 
reserves £m

FRS 101  
£m

 (a) 

 (a) 

 (b) 

 (b) 

13,691
1,430
15,121

64
12,536
1,016
 106 
13,722

(1,705)
(130) 
(8,953)
(10,788)

2,934

(7,953)
(703) 
(8,656)
9,399

 405 
5,080
 – 

3,914
9,399

(250)
–
(250)

–
250
–
 – 
250

–
 – 
–
–

250

–
 – 
–
–

 – 
–
–

–
–

–
–
–

 – 
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–

–

–
–
–
–

–
–
(8)

8
–

13,441
1,430
14,871

64
12,786
1,016
 106 
13,972

(1,705)
(130) 
(8,953)
(10,788)

3,184

(7,953)
(703) 
(8,656)
9,399

 405 
5,080

(8) 

3,922
9,399

13,504
1,439
14,943

19
12,248
593
 22 
12,882

(632)
(61) 
(6,607)
(7,300)

5,582

(7,440)
(635) 
(8,075)
12,450

 406 
5,094
 – 

6,950
12,450

(285)
–
(285)

–
285
–
 – 
285

–
 – 
–
–

285

–
 – 
–
–

 – 
–
 – 

–
–

–
–
–

 –
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–

–

–
–
–
–

–
–
10

(10)
–

13,219
1,439
14,658

19
12,533
593
 22 
13,167

(632)
(61) 
(6,607)
(7,300)

5,867

(7,440)
(635) 
(8,075)
12,450

 406 
5,094
 10 

6,940
12,450

(a)  Reclassification of investment in subsidiaries via redeemable preference shares to receivables. 
(b)  Reallocation of reserves previously allocated to Retained earnings to All other reserves as split out in the Statement of changes in equity. 

Note 17 Events after the reporting period

No material events occurred after the year end date of 27 February 2016 and before the signing of the Company’s financial statements.

150

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Related undertakings of the Tesco Group

In accordance with Schedule 4 of The Large and Medium-sized Companies and Groups (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008, a full list of related 
undertakings, the country of incorporation and the percentage of share class owned as at 27 February 2016 are disclosed below. All undertakings are 
indirectly owned by Tesco PLC unless otherwise stated. Footnotes are included on page 159.

Subsidiary undertakings

Name of Undertaking

Acklam Management Company Limited(b)
Adminstore Limited

Adsega Limited(a)
Alfred Preedy & Sons (Trustees) Limited
Alfred Preedy & Sons Limited

Anthony Heagney Limited

Arena (Jersey) Management Limited(a)
Armitage Finance Unlimited
Armitage Luxembourg s.à r.l.
Bath Upper Bristol Road Management  
Company Limited(b)
Bedminster Estates Limited (in liquidation)
Beehythe Estates limited
Berry Lane Management Company Limited(b)
Blinkbox Books Limited (in liquidation)
Brian Ford’s Discount Store Limited (in liquidation)
Broughton Retail Park Nominee 1 Limited
Broughton Retail Park Nominee 2 Limited
Broughton Retail Park Nominee 3 Limited
Broughton Retail Park Nominee 4 Limited
Buckingham Road (Bletchley) Management Company Limited(b)
Bugden Ltd(a)
Buttoncable Limited
Buttoncase Limited(a)

Canterbury Road Management Limited(b)
Cardiff Cathays Terrace Management Company Limited(b)
Careneed News Limited

Cheshunt Finance Unlimited
Cheshunt Holdings Guernsey Limited(a)
Cheshunt Hungary Servicing Limited Liability Company

Cheshunt Luxembourg S.à r.l.
Cheshunt Overseas LLP (in liquidation)
China Property Holdings (HK) Limited
Chirac Limited
Cirrus Finance (2009) Limited

Cirrus Finance Limited
Cirrus Luxembourg s.à r.l.
Clondalkin Properties Limited
Comar Limited(a)
Commercial Investments Limited
Country Market Limited (The)

Country of Incorporation Share class

United Kingdom
United Kingdom

United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom

United Kingdom

Jersey
United Kingdom
Luxembourg
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
Guernsey
Hungary

Luxembourg
United Kingdom
Hong Kong
Ireland
Ireland

Ireland
Luxembourg
Ireland
United Kingdom
Ireland
United Kingdom

–
£0.01 A Ordinary shares
£0.01 B Ordinary shares
£0.01 C Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Deferred shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 10% Preference  
(Class B) shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Variable Preference (Class C) 
shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£0.90 Ordinary shares
No par value Ordinary shares
–

£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
–
£0.001 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
–
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Cumulative Redeemable 
Preference shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
–
–
£0.001 Non Cumulative Preference 
shares
£0.001 Ordinary shares
£0.001 Ordinary A shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
HUF 3,000,000.00 Business Share 
shares
£25.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
HKD 1.00 Ordinary shares
€1.25 Ordinary shares
€1.00 Ordinary shares
£1,000.00 A Ordinary shares
£1,000.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
€1.25 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
€1.25 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares

% held by Group 
companies
–
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000

100.000
100.000

100.000
100.000
100.000
–

100.000
100.000
–
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
–
100.000
100.000
100.000

100.000
–
–
100.000

100.000
100.000
100.000
99.994
100.000

100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000

151

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Other informationFinancial statementsStrategic reportCorporate governanceRelated undertakings of the Tesco Group continued

Country of Incorporation Share class

United Kingdom
Czech Republic
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom

Netherlands
Luxembourg
United Kingdom

United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Brazil
Colombia

Turkey
Canada
Czech Republic
France
China
United Kingdom
India
Italy
Japan
Korea, Republic of
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Hungary
Ireland
United Kingdom
Malaysia 
Mexico
Netherlands
United Kingdom
Poland
Slovakia
South Africa
Thailand
United Kingdom
USA
USA 
United Kingdom
Ireland
Ireland
Thailand
Guernsey
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom

United Kingdom
United Kingdom

£1.00 Ordinary shares
CZK 100,000.00 Ordinary shares
£0.10 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Cumulative Convertible 
Participating Preferred Ordinary 
shares
£1.00 Cumulative Redeemable 
Preference shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
€1.00 Ordinary shares
Ordinary shares
£0.001 A Ordinary shares
£0.001 B Ordinary shares
£0.001 C Ordinary shares
£0.001 Convertible shares
£0.25 Non Voting Ordinary shares
£0.10 Ordinary shares
R $1.00 Ordinary shares
COP$2000.00 Type A shares
COP$41.00 Type B shares
COP$1.00 Type C shares
TL25 Ordinary shares
CAD$0.01 Ordinary shares
CZK 200,000 Basic business shares
€2.00 Ordinary shares
Registered capital US $140,000
£1.00 Ordinary shares
INR 10.00 Ordinary shares
€1.00 common shares
JPY 10,000 Ordinary shares
KRW 5,000.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
Registered capital HUF 500,000
€1.00 Ordinary shares
£3.59 Ordinary shares
RM 1.00 Ordinary shares
MXN 1.00 Common shares
€1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
PLN 50.00 Ordinary shares 
No shares in issue
No par value Ordinary shares
THB 100.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
No par value Common stock
–
£1.00 Ordinary shares
€2.00 Ordinary shares
€1.00 Ordinary shares
THB 10.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£0.01 B Preference shares
£0.01 Ordinary shares
£0.01 Preferred Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares

% held by Group 
companies
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000

100.000

100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
–
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
99.999
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000

Name of Undertaking

Crazy Prices(a)
Crest Ostrava a.s
Cullen’s Holdings Limited
Cullen’s Stores Limited
Daily Wrap Produce Limited(a)
Day And Nite Stores Limited

Delamare Holdings BV
Delamare Luxembourg s.à r.l.
Delamare One Limited(a)

Dillons Newsagents Limited
Dobbies Garden Centres Limited
dunnhumby Brazil Consultora Ltda
dunnhumby Colombia S.A.S.

Dunnhumby Computer Information Technology and Consultancy Services LLC
dunnhumby Consulting Canada Limited
dunnhumby Czech s.r.o.
dunnhumby France SAS
dunnhumby Information Technology Consulting (Shanghai) Company Limited
dunnhumby International Limited
dunnhumby IT Services India Private Limited
dunnhumby Italia Srl.
dunnhumby Japan K.K
dunnhumby (Korea) Limited
dunnhumby Employment Company Limited
dunnhumby Holding Limited
dunnhumby Hungary Kft
dunnhumby Ireland Limited
dunnhumby Limited
dunnhumby (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd
dunnhumby Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V.
dunnhumby Netherlands B.V.
dunnhumby Overseas Limited
dunnhumby Poland Sp z.o.o
dunnhumby Slovakia s.r.o.
dunnhumby South Africa (Pty) Ltd
dunnhumby (Thailand) Limited
dunnhumby Trustees Limited
dunnhumby Inc
Dunnhumby Ventures LLC
Edinburgh Butterfly Farm Limited 
Edson Investments Limited
Edson Properties Limited
Ek-Chai Distribution System Co., Ltd.
ELH Insurance Limited
Euphorium (London) Limited
Euphorium (North London) Limited
Euphorium Group Limited

Euphorium IP Limited
Europa Foods Limited

152

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Name of Undertaking

Faraday Properties Limited
Flitwick Pharmacies Limited
Food & Wine Lovers Limited
Forum Liberec, s.r.o
Genesis sp. z o.o.
Gibbs News Limited
Gibbs Newsagents Limited

Giraffe Cafe Limited
Giraffe Concepts Limited

Golden Island Management Services Limited

Halesworth SPV Limited
Harris and Hoole Holdings Limited
Harris and Hoole Limited
Harris and Hoole Nominees Limited
Harts The Grocers (Russell Square) Limited
Harts The Grocers (TCR) Limited
Highams Green Management Company Limited(b)
Honiton Wholesale Supplies Ltd (in liquidation)
J E Properties Holdings Limited
J.E.Cohen & Company Limited
Jasper Sp. z o. o.
Kabaty Investments Tesco (Polska) Sp. z o. o. Sp.k
Kingsway Fresh Foods Ltd(a)
KSS Retail Limited
Launchgrain Limited(a)
Launchtable Limited(a)
Laws Stores Limited

Lee (Southern) Limited
Lekárenˇ Tesco Dunajská Streda, k.s.
Lekárenˇ Tesco Petržalka, k.s.
Lekárenˇ Tesco Piešt’any, k.s.
Lekárenˇ Tesco Prešov Vukov, k.s.
Lekárenˇ Tesco Senec, k.s.
Lekárenˇ Tesco Trencˇín, s.r.o. 
Lekárenˇ Tesco Banská Bystrica, k.s.
Lekárenˇ Tesco Košice, k.s.
Lekárenˇ Tesco Lama, k.s.
Lekárenˇ Tesco Nitra, k.s.
Lekárenˇ Tesco Spišská Nová Ves, k.s.
Lekárenˇ Tesco Zlaté Piesky, k.s.
Lekárenˇ Tesco Zvolen, k.s.
Linebush III Holdings Limited
Linebush III Limited

Country of Incorporation Share class

United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Czech Republic
Poland
United Kingdom
United Kingdom

United Kingdom
United Kingdom

Ireland

United Kingdom
Ireland
United Kingdom
Ireland
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Poland
Poland
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom

United Kingdom
Slovakia
Slovakia
Slovakia
Slovakia
Slovakia
Slovakia
Slovakia
Slovakia
Slovakia
Slovakia
Slovakia
Slovakia
Slovakia
United Kingdom
United Kingdom

£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
CZK 1.00 Quota shares
PLN 500.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 A Cumulative Redeemable 
Preference shares
£1.00 A Ordinary shares
£1.00 B Cumulative Redeemable 
Preference shares
£1.00 B Ordinary shares
£1.00 D Ordinary shares
£1.00 Deferred shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£0.01 A Ordinary shares
£0.50 B Ordinary shares
£0.50 Deferred shares
£1.00 Incentive shares
£0.50 Ordinary shares
€1.269738 A Ordinary shares
€1.269738 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
€1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary Shares
€1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
–
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
PLN 100.00 Ordinary shares
PLN Partnership Interest
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£0.001 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 3.5% Cumulative Preference 
shares
£1.00 5.25% Cumulative Preference 
shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
Limited Partnership
Limited Partnership
Limited Partnership
Limited Partnership
Limited Partnership
Limited Partnership
Limited Partnership
Limited Partnership
Limited Partnership
Limited Partnership
Limited Partnership
Limited Partnership
Limited Partnership
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary A shares
£1.00 Ordinary B shares

% held by Group 
companies
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000

100.000
100.000

100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
–
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000

100.000

100.000
99.975
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000

153

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Other informationFinancial statementsStrategic reportCorporate governanceRelated undertakings of the Tesco Group continued

Country of Incorporation Share class

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Ireland
United Kingdom

United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Ireland

United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Slovakia
Slovakia
Slovakia
Slovakia
United States
United States
United States
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Ireland
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom

Ireland
Ireland
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Ireland
China
Netherlands
Germany
United States
Turkey
United Kingdom
Russia
India

£0.01 Ordinary A shares
£1.20 Ordinary B shares
£0.01 Ordinary C shares
£0.01 A Ordinary shares
£1.00 B Ordinary shares
£0.01 C Ordinary shares
£1.20 Ordinary A shares
£1.20 Ordinary B shares
£1.00 Ordinary A shares
£1.00 Ordinary B shares
£1.00 Redeemable Cumulative 
Preference shares
£1.00 2% Non Cumulative 
Preference shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£0.10 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
€0.001 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Non Cumulative Preference 
shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
€1.25 ‘A’ Ordinary shares
€1.25 ‘B’ Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£0.10 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
€1.00 Registered capital
€1.00 Registered capital
€1.00 Registered capital
€1.00 Registered capital
US$0.01 Common Stock shares
US$0.01 Ordinary shares
US$0.01 Equity shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
€1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
–
£1.00 Deferred shares
US$0.001 Ordinary shares
€1.00 Ordinary shares
€1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
€1.269738 Ordinary shares
€1.00 Ordinary shares
€100.00 Ordinary shares
€1.00 Ordinary shares
US$50.00 Common stock 
TRY 25.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
RUR 1.00 Ordinary shares
RS 10.00 Ordinary shares

% held by Group 
companies
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000

100.000

100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000

100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
–
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000

Name of Undertaking

Linebush IV Limited

Linebush Limited

Linebush V Limited

London and Home Counties Superstores Limited

Lowfoods Limited

M & W Limited
Mills (East Midlands) Limited
Mills (West Midlands) Limited
Mills Group Holdings Limited 
Mills Group Limited
Monread Developments Limited
Morgam Holdings Limited

Morgam News Limited
Motorcause Limited
Nabola Development Limited

NPL (Hardgate) Limited (in liquidation)
NutriCentre Limited
Oakwood Distribution Limited
Obchodný dom Bratislava, s.ro
Obchodný dom Košice, s.ro.
Obchodný dom Nitra, s.ro.
Obchodný dom Prešov, s.ro.
Old FEHC Inc.
Old FENM Inc.(a)
Old FEPC LLC(a)
One Stop Community Stores Ltd
One Stop Convenience Stores Limited
One Stop Stores Limited(c)
One Stop Stores Trustee Services Limited
Orpingford
Orpington (Station Road) Limited
Oxford Fox and Hounds Management Company Limited(b)
Paper Chain (East Anglia) Limited

PEJ Property Developments Limited
Pharaway Properties Limited
Power Supermarkets Limited
Premier Garage (Worthing) Limited (in liquidation)
Pulford Foods Limited (in liquidation)
R.J.D. Holdings
Shuke Advertising (Shanghai) Co., Ltd
Sociomantic Labs B.V 
Sociomantic labs GmbH
Sociomantic Labs Inc

Sociomantic Labs Internet Hizmetleri Limited Şireketi
Sociomantic Labs Limited 
Sociomantic Labs LLC 
Sociomantic Labs Private Limited 

154

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Name of Undertaking

Sociomantic Labs Pte Ltd
Sociomantic Labs S.r.l
Sociomantic Labs s.r.o.
Sociomantic Labs SARL
Sociomantic Labs Servicos Web Ltda 
Sociomantic Labs Sp.z.o.o. 
Sociomantic S.L.U. 
Sociomantic AB
S Bottomley & Bros Limited

Sanders Supermarkets Limited

Sarcon (No. 239) Limited (in liquidation)
Seacroft Green Nominee 1 Limited
Seacroft Green Nominee 2 Limited
Snowman Retail 1 Limited
Snowman Retail 2 Limited
Spen Hill Developments (Holdings) Ltd
Spen Hill Developments (Portishead) Ltd
Spen Hill Developments (Tonbridge) Limited
Spen Hill Developments Limited
Spen Hill Management Limited(d)
Spen Hill Properties (Holdings) plc(a)
Spen Hill Properties (Southend) Limited
Spen Hill Regeneration Limited
Spen Hill Residential No 1 Limited
Spen Hill Residential No 2 Limited
Station House Welling Management Limited(b)
Statusfloat Limited
Stewarts Supermarkets Limited(a)
Streatham Management Company Limited(b)
T & S Management Services Limited
T & S Properties Limited
T & S Stores Limited(a)
Tapesilver Limited(a)
Teesport (GP) Limited
Teesport (Nominee) Limited
The Teesport Limited Partnership
Telegraph Properties (Kirkby) Limited (in liquidation)
Tesco (Foxtrot 1) Limited
Tesco (Foxtrot 2) Limited
Tesco (Jersey) Limited(a)
Tesco (Overseas) Ltd(a)
TESCO (POLSKA) sp. z o.o.

Tesco (Yorkshire) Limited
TESCO Akadémia Képzési és Fejlesztési Korátolt Felelsség Társaság
Tesco Aqua (1LP) Limited
Tesco Aqua (3LP) Limited
Tesco Aqua (FinCo1) Limited
Tesco Aqua (FinCo2) Limited
Tesco Aqua (GP) Limited

Tesco Aqua (Nominee 1) Limited
Tesco Aqua (Nominee 2) Limited
Tesco Aqua (Nominee Holdco) Limited
The Tesco Aqua Limited Partnership
Tesco Atrato (1LP) Limited
Tesco Barbers Wood Limited(a)

Country of Incorporation Share class

Singapore
Italy
Czech Republic
France
Brazil
Poland
Spain
Sweden
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
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
Jersey
United Kingdom
Poland

United Kingdom
Hungary
Cayman Islands
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom

United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom

S$1.00 Ordinary shares
Quota shares
Kc 1.00 Ordinary shares
€100.00 Ordinary shares
R$1.00 Ordinary shares
PLN 50.00 Ordinary shares
€1.00 Ordinary shares
SEK 1 Ordinary shares
£10.00 Deferred shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Non-voting Ordinary shares
£0.50 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Preference shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
–
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
–
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£0.05 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
Limited Partnership
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
PLN 0.00 Additions To Capital shares
PLN 500.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
HUF 1.00 Business Share shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 A Ordinary shares
£1.00 B Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
Limited Partnership
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares

% held by Group 
companies
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
–
100.000
100.000
–
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000

155

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Other informationFinancial statementsStrategic reportCorporate governanceRelated undertakings of the Tesco Group continued

Country of Incorporation Share class

India
Cayman Islands
United Kingdom
United Kingdom

United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Jersey

Jersey

United Kingdom
Chile

United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Poland
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Netherlands
Czech Republic
United Kingdom
Brazil
United Kingdom
Slovakia
Czech Republic
United Kingdom
Cayman Islands
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Thailand
Hong Kong
United Kingdom
Netherlands
United Kingdom

United Kingdom

United Kingdom
Slovakia
Slovakia
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Hong Kong
Ireland
Ireland
Ireland
China
Turkey

United Kingdom
United Kingdom

INR 10.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 A Ordinary shares
£1.00 B Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
Limited Partnership
£0.50 A Ordinary shares
£0.50 B Ordinary shares
£0.01 Preference – Guaranteed Fixed 
Rate Cumulative Preference shares 
£0.01 Preferred Ordinary shares
£0.01 Floating Rate Redeemable 
Preference shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
CLP1.00 Ordinary shares
US$1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
PLN 50.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
€1.00 Ordinary shares
CZK 1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary Shares
BRL 1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
No par value basic capital shares
CZK 10,000.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
THB 100.00 Ordinary shares
US$1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
€1.00 Ordinary shares
£0.10 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Preference shares
£1.00 ‘A’ shares
£1.00 ‘B’ shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
€1.00 Ordinary shares
€1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
HKD 10.00 Ordinary shares
€1.25 Ordinary shares
€1.25 Ordinary shares
€1.25 Ordinary shares
US$1.00 Ordinary shares
TRL 1.00 A shares
TRL 1.00 B shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares

% held by Group 
companies
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000

100.000
100.000

100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
99.999
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
98.670
95.495
100.000
100.000

Name of Undertaking

Tesco Bengaluru Private Limited
Tesco Blue (1LP) Limited
Tesco Blue (FinCo2) Limited
Tesco Blue (GP) Limited

Tesco Blue (Nominee 1) Limited
Tesco Blue (Nominee 2) Limited
Tesco Blue (Nominee Holdco) Limited
The Tesco Blue Limited Partnership
Tesco Capital No. 1 Limited(a)

Tesco Capital No. 2 Limited(e)

Tesco Card Services Limited(a)
Tesco Chile Sourcing Limitada

Tesco Corporate Treasury Services PLC(a)
Tesco Depot Propco Limited
Tesco Distribution Holdings Limited
Tesco Distribution Limited
Tesco Dorney (1LP) Limited
Tesco Dystrybucja Sp. z.o.o.
Tesco Employees’ Share Scheme Trustees Limited(f)
Tesco Estates Limited(a)
Tesco Europe B.V.
Tesco EU IT Services s.r.o.
Tesco Family Dining Limited 
Tesco Food Sourcing Brazil Representação De Serviços Ltda.
Tesco Food Sourcing Limited
Tesco Foundation (Nadacia Tesco)
Tesco Property A.S.
Tesco Freetime Limited
Tesco Fuchsia (1LP) Limited
Tesco Fuel Limited
Tesco Gateshead Property Limited
Tesco Global Employment Company Limited
Tesco Guangdong (HK) Co. Limited
Tesco High Beech Limited(a)
Tesco Holdings BV
Tesco Holdings Limited(a)

Tesco Home Shopping Limited(a)

Tesco Hungary (Holdings) Limited(a)
Tesco International Clothing Brand s.r.o.
Tesco International Franchising s.r.o.
Tesco International Internet Retailing Limited(a)
Tesco International Services Limited(a)
Tesco International Sourcing Limited
Tesco Ireland Holdings Limited(g)
Tesco Ireland Limited
Tesco Ireland Pension Trustees Limited
Tesco Joint Buying Service (Shanghai) Co Limited
Tesco Kipa Kitle Pazarlama Ticaret Lojistik ve  
Gida Sanayi A.S.
Tesco Kirkby (General Partner) Limited
Tesco Kirkby (LP) Limited

156

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Name of Undertaking

Tesco Kirkby (Nominee 1) Limited
Tesco Kirkby (Nominee 2) Limited
Tesco Kirkby (Nominee Holdco) Limited
Tesco Kirkby (Unitholder 1) Limited
Tesco Kirkby (Unitholder2) Limited
The Tesco Kirkby Limited Partnership
Tesco Lagoon GP Limited
Tesco Licences Limited
Tesco Maintenance Limited
Tesco Mauritius Holdings Limited
Tesco Mobile (Thailand) Co., Ltd.
Tesco Mobile Communications Limited(a)
TESCO MOBILE POLSKA SP. Z O.O.
Tesco Mobile Services Limited
Tesco Navona (1LP) Limited 
Tesco Navona (GP) Limited

Tesco Navona (Nominee 1) Limited
Tesco Navona (Nominee 2) Limited
Tesco Navona (Nominee Holdco) Limited
Tesco Navona PL Propco Limited 
The Tesco Navona Limited Partnership
Tesco Opticians Limited
Tesco Overseas (Holdings) Limited
Tesco Overseas Investments Limited
Tesco Overseas ULC

Tesco Passaic (1LP) Limited
Tesco Passaic (GP) Limited

Tesco Passaic (Nominee 1) Limited
Tesco Passaic (Nominee 2) Limited
Tesco Passaic (Nominee Holdco) Limited
Tesco Passaic PL Propco Limited
The Tesco Passaic Limited Partnership
Tesco Pension (Jade) Limited
Tesco Pension Investment Limited
Tesco Pension Trustees Limited(a)
Tesco Personal Finance Compare Limited
Tesco Personal Finance Group Limited(a)

Tesco Personal Finance PLC
Tesco Property Limited
Tesco Property (No.1) Limited
Tesco Property (Nominees) (No.1) Limited
Tesco Property (Nominees) (No.2) Limited
Tesco Property (Nominees) Limited

Country of Incorporation Share class

United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Mauritius
Thailand
United Kingdom
Poland
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
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom

United Kingdom
China
Jersey
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom

£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
Limited Partnership
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
THB 25.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
PLN 50.00 Ordinary Shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary A shares
£1.00 Ordinary B Shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
Limited Partnership
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£0.00000025 A Ordinary shares
£0.00000025 B Ordinary shares
£0.00000025 C Ordinary shares
£0.00000025 D Ordinary shares
£0.00000025 E Ordinary shares
£0.00000025 F Ordinary shares
£0.00000025 G Ordinary shares
£0.00000025 H Ordinary shares
£0.00000025 J Ordinary shares
£0.00000025 K Ordinary shares
£0.00000025 L Ordinary shares
£0.00000025 M Ordinary shares
£0.00000025 N Ordinary shares
£0.00000025 O Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary A shares
£1.00 Ordinary B shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
Limited Partnership
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£0.10 A Ordinary shares
£0.10 B Ordinary shares
£0.10 C Ordinary shares
£0.10 Ordinary shares
US$1.00 Registered Capital shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares

% held by Group 
companies
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
99.998
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000

157

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Other informationFinancial statementsStrategic reportCorporate governanceRelated undertakings of the Tesco Group continued

Country of Incorporation Share class

United Kingdom
United Kingdom

United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom

United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Cayman Islands
United Kingdom

United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
India
Malaysia
Thailand

United Kingdom

Czech Republic

Slovakia
Hong Kong
United Kingdom
Ireland
France
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Hungary
Ireland
United Kingdom
Ireland
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Poland
Ireland
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom

£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 ‘A’ shares
£1.00 ‘B’ shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
Limited Partnership
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 ‘A’ shares
£1.00 ‘B’ shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
Limited Partnership
£1.00 Ordinary Shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary Shares
INR 10.00 Ordinary shares
RM 1.00 A Ordinary shares
THB 10.00 A Ordinary shares
THB 10.00 B Preference shares
THB 10.00 C Preference shares
£1.00 A Preference shares
£1.00 B Preference shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
CZK 20,000 Ordinary no.1 shares
CZK 1,000,000,000 Ordinary no.3 
shares
CZK 6,098,742,000 Ordinary no.4 
shares
CZK 5,808,040,000 Ordinary no.5 
shares
CZK 160,429,100 Ordinary no.6 
shares
CZK 1965,079,000 Ordinary no.7 
shares
€33,193.918875 Ordinary shares
$1.00 Ordinary Shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
€1.25 Ordinary shares
€1.60 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
HUF 10.00 Common shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
–
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
PLN 800.00 Ordinary shares
€1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares

% held by Group 
companies
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
<0.001
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000

100.000

100.000

100.000

100.000

100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
–
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000

Name of Undertaking

Tesco Property Finance 1 Holdco Limited
Tesco Property Finance 1 PLC

Tesco Property Holdings (No. 2) Limited
Tesco Property Holdings Limited
Tesco Property Nominees (No.5) Limited
Tesco Property Nominees (No.6) Limited
Tesco Property Partner (GP) Limited(a)

Tesco Property Partner (No.1) Limited(a)
Tesco Property Partner (No.2) Limited(a)
The Tesco Property Limited Partnership
Tesco Red (1LP) Limited
Tesco Red (GP) Limited

Tesco Red (Nominee 1) Limited
Tesco Red (Nominee 2) Limited
Tesco Red (Nominee Holdco) Limited
The Tesco Red Limited Partnership
Tesco Sarum (1LP) Limited
Tesco Seacroft Limited
Tesco Secretaries Limited
Tesco Services Limited
Tesco Sourcing India Private Limited
Tesco Stores (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd
Tesco Stores (Thailand) Ltd

Tesco Stores Limited

Tesco Stores CR a.s.

TESCO STORES SR, a.s.
Tesco Technology Services HK Limited
Tesco Treasury Services PLC(a)
Tesco Trustee Company of Ireland Limited(a)
Tesco Vin Plus SA (in liquidation)
Tesco Worldwide Limited(a)
Tesco.Com Limited(a)
Tesco-Global Stores Privately Held Co. Ltd
Thundridge
Trigger Retail Ltd
Valiant Insurance Company DAC
Value House Properties Limited (in liquidation)
Ventnor High Street Management Company Limited(b)
Verulam Properties (2001) Limited
Verulam Properties Limited
Victoria BB Sp z.o.o.
Wanze Properties (Dundalk) Limited
Weymouth Avenue (Dorchester) Limited
Whitecastle Properties Limited (in liquidation)
Wm. Low Supermarkets Limited

158

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Name of Undertaking

Woolwich Central Residents Management Company Limited(b)
Worple Road Plc
WSC Properties Limited

Country of Incorporation Share class

United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Ireland

–
£1.00 Ordinary shares
€1.00 Ordinary shares

% held by Group 
companies
–
100.000
100.000

Consolidated Structured Entities

Name of Undertaking
Delamare Cards Holdco Limited
Delamare Cards MTN Issuer plc
Delamare Cards Receivables Trustee Limited
Delamare Cards Funding 1 Limited
Delamare Cards Funding 2 Limited

Associated Undertakings

Place of incorporation
UK
UK
UK
UK
UK

Nature of business
Securitisation entity
Securitisation entity
Securitisation entity
Securitisation entity
Securitisation entity

Name of Undertaking

Country of Incorporation Share class

BLT Holdings 2010 Limited(a)
Broadfields Management Limited
Brookmaker (GP) Limited
Clarepharm Limited
dunnhumby Canada Limited
dunnhumby Norge A.S.
dunnhumby Consulting Services India Private Limited
Fred’s Food Construction Limited
Gain Land Limited
Koxka Hungary Refrigeration LLC 
Lazada Group S.A.
Merrion Shopping Centre Ltd
Retail Property Co., Ltd
Sandtable Limited
Shire Park Limited
Tesco (Fujian) Industry Limited
Tesco Atrato (GP) Limited
Tesco Card Services Ltd.
Tesco Coral (GP) Limited
Tesco Dorney (GP) Limited 
Tesco for Thais Foundation
Tesco Jade (GP) Limited

Tesco Lotus Retail Growth Freehold and Leasehold Property Fund
Tesco Mobile CR s.r.o.
Tesco Mobile Ireland Limited
Tesco Mobile Limited

Tesco Mobile Slovakia s.r.o
Tesco Nanjing Zhongshan (HK) Co. Limited
Tesco Property Partner (GP No.2) Limited
Tesco Sarum (GP) Limited
Tesco Underwriting Limited
The Tesco Atrato Limited Partnership
The Tesco Coral Limited Partnership
The Tesco Dorney Limited Partnership
The Tesco Property (No.2) Limited Partnership
The Tesco Sarum Limited Partnership
The Brookmaker Limited Partnership
Trent Hypermarket Private Limited
Xiamen Firste Property Limited

United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Canada
Norway
India
United Kingdom
British Virgin Islands
Hungary
Luxembourg
Ireland
Thailand
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
China
United Kingdom
Thailand
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Thailand
United Kingdom

Thailand
Czech Republic
Ireland
United Kingdom

Slovakia
Hong Kong
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Jersey
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
India
China

£1.00 Ordinary A shares
£0.10 Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary A shares
£0.10 Ordinary shares
CAD$1.00 Ordinary shares
NOK 1000 Ordinary shares
INR 10 Ordinary shares
£0.01 Ordinary shares
$1.00 Ordinary shares
HUF 1.00 Quota shares
€1.00 Ordinary shares
€1.00 Ordinary shares
THB 100.00 Ordinary A shares
£0.50 A Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
US$1.00 Registered Capital shares
£1.00 A Ordinary shares
THB 100.00 Ordinary A shares
£1.00 A Ordinary shares
£1.00 A Ordinary shares
Foundation
£1.00 A Ordinary shares
£1.00 B Ordinary shares
THB 10.40 Ordinary shares
CZK 100,000.00 Ordinary shares
€1.00 Ordinary shares
£0.10 A Ordinary shares
£0.90 B Ordinary shares
€1.00 Ordinary shares
US$1.00 Ordinary shares
£1.00 A Ordinary shares
£1.00 A Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary shares
Limited Partnership
Limited Partnership
Limited Partnership
Limited Partnership
Limited Partnership
Limited Partnership
INR 10.00 Equity shares
US$1.00 Registered Capital shares

(a)  Interest held directly by Tesco PLC.
(b)  Company limited by guarantee.
(c)  95.000% held directly by Tesco PLC and 5.000% held indirectly.
(d)  66.667% held directly by Tesco PLC and 33.333% held indirectly.
(e)  £0.01 Floating Rate Redeemable Preference Shares 100.000% held directly by Tesco PLC.
(f)  50.000% held directly by Tesco PLC and 50.000% held indirectly.
(g)  12.705% held directly by Tesco PLC and 87.295% held indirectly.

% held by Group 
companies
100.000
35.333
100.000
22.700
50.000
50.000
50.000
33.333
20.000
40.000
21.340
51.900
100.000
100.000
49.194
50.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
100.000
–
30.000
30.000
25.000
50.000
50.000
100.000
100.000
50.000
50.000
100.000
100.000
49.900
50.000
50.000
50.000
50.000
50.000
50.000
50.000
50.000

159

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Other informationFinancial statementsStrategic reportCorporate governance160

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016

Other information

162  Supplementary information 

(unaudited)
167  Financial calendar
167  Glossary
168 Five-year record

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016

161

Other informationCorporate governanceFinancial statementsStrategic reportSupplementary information (unaudited) 

Total sales performance at actual rates (exc. VAT, exc. fuel)

UK & ROI
UK
ROI

International
Europe
Asia
Tesco Bank
Group

1Q 
2015/16
(1.0)%
(0.3)%
(14.7)%
(3.9)%
(9.4)%
3.5%

0.9%
(1.7)%

2Q 
2015/16
(1.4)%
(0.9)%
(12.2)%
(5.2)%
(8.3)%
(0.7)%

(2.5)%
(2.3)%

3Q 
2015/16
(1.9)%
(1.5)%
(9.3)%
(6.6)%
(8.2)%
(4.5)%

(1.7)%
(2.9)%

Total sales performance at constant rates (exc. VAT, exc. fuel)

UK & ROI
UK
ROI

International
Europe
Asia
Tesco Bank
Group

1Q 
2015/16
(0.4)%
(0.3)%
(2.7)%
(0.5)%
1.8%
(3.5)%

0.9%
(0.4)%

2Q 
2015/16
(0.9)%
(0.9)%
(1.7)%
2.1%
3.3%
0.3%

(2.5)%
(0.3)%

Like-for-like sales performance (exc. VAT, exc. fuel)

UK & ROI
UK
ROI

International
Europe
Asia
Group

1Q 
2015/16
(1.5)%
(1.3)%
(4.4)%
(0.2)%
2.2%
(3.4)%

(1.2)%

2Q 
2015/16
(1.0)%
(1.0)%
(2.9)%
2.3%
4.0%
0.1%

(0.3)%

3Q 
2015/16
(1.5)%
(1.5)%
(0.9)%
2.4%
1.5%
3.7%

(1.7)%
(0.7)%

3Q 
2015/16
(1.5)%
(1.5)%
(1.2)%
2.9%
3.3%
2.4%

(0.5)%

4Q 
2015/16
0.4%
0.5%
(1.1)%
(1.5)%
(2.1)%
(0.6)%

6.9%
0.1%

4Q 
2015/16
0.5%
0.5%
1.1%
3.4%
2.2%
5.0%

6.9%
1.3%

4Q 
2015/16
0.9%
0.9%
1.0%
3.8%
4.1%
3.5%

1.6%

1H 
2015/16
(1.2)%
(0.6)%
(13.5)%
(4.6)%
(8.8)%
1.5%

(0.8)%
(1.9)%

1H 
2015/16
(0.6)%
(0.6)%
(2.2)%
0.8%
2.5%
(1.7)%

(0.8)%
(0.3)%

1H 
2015/16
(1.3)%
(1.1)%
(3.7)%
1.0%
3.2%
(1.7)%

(0.8)%

2H 
2015/16
(0.6)%
(0.3)%
(5.1)%
(4.0)%
(5.1)%
(2.5)%

2.4%
(1.3)%

2H 
2015/16
(0.3)%
(0.3)%
0.3%
2.9%
1.9%
4.3%

2.4%
0.4%

2H 
2015/16
(0.1)%
(0.1)%
0.0%
3.4%
3.7%
2.9%

0.6%

FY 
2015/16
(0.9)%
(0.4)%
(9.3)%
(4.3)%
(7.0)%
(0.5)%

0.8%
(1.6)%

FY 
2015/ 16
(0.5)%
(0.4)%
(1.0)%
1.8%
2.2%
1.3%

0.8%
0.1%

FY 
2015/16
(0.7)%
(0.6)%
(1.9)%
2.3%
3.5%
0.6%

0.0%

Notes
These results have been reported on a continuing operations basis and exclude the results from our operations in Korea. Like-for-like sales growth is reported at constant 
exchange rates. Growth rates are all based on comparable days. For example, for the UK and ROI, these results are for the 52 weeks ending 28 February 2015 and 27 February 
2016 respectively.

162

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Country detail

UK
ROI
Czech Republic
Hungary
Poland
Slovakia
Turkey
Malaysia
Thailand

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*

*  Excludes franchise stores.

Group space summary 

Actual Group space – store numbers*

Extra
Homeplus
Superstore
Metro
Express
Dotcom only
Total Tesco
One Stop***
Dobbies

UK***
ROI

UK & ROI***

Czech Republic***
Hungary
Poland
Slovakia
Turkey
Europe***
Malaysia
Thailand

Asia

International***
Group***

UK (One Stop)
Czech Republic

Franchise stores

 Revenue (exc. VAT, inc. fuel)

Local
currency 
(m)
41,259
2,503
42,483
576,799
11,188
1,370
2,135
4,511

195,081

Average 
exchange 
rate
1.000
1.375
37.36
426.3
5.787
1.375
4.264
6.075

52.66

Closing 
exchange 
rate
1.000
1.269
34.34
395.3
5.534
1.269
4.099
5.855

49.61

£m
41,259
1,821
1,137
1,353
1,933
996
501
742

3,705

February 2016

February 2015

No. of stores Million sq. ft.
5.2
3.5
8.3
10.4
8.9
4.2

2,498
289
283
204
132
45

9
3,460

1.0
41.5

% of  
total sq. ft.
12.5%
8.4%
20.0%
25.0%
21.5%
10.2%

2.4%
100%

No. of stores Million sq. ft.
5.2
4.0
9.1
10.4
7.9
4.1

2,481
321
306
195
123
45

14
3,485

1.6
42.3

% of  
total sq. ft.
12.3%
9.6%
21.6%
24.5%
18.7%
9.6%

3.7%
100.0%

2014/15
year-end
250
11
487
191
1,735

2015/16
year-end
252
–
478
177
1,732

Net gain/
Reduction**
2
(11)
(9)
(14)
(3)

Openings
2
–
1
1
29

Closures/
disposals
–
(11)
(10)
(15)
(32)

Repurposing/
extensions
5
–
–
–
–

6
2,680
770

35
3,485
149

3,634
209
209
449
155

173
1,195
54

1,759
1,813
3,008
6,642
76
131

207

6
2,645
779

36
3,460
149

3,609
201
208
440
161

169
1,179
62

1,815
1,877
3,056
6,665
134
103

237

–
(35)
9

1
(25)
–

(25)
(8)
(1)
(9)
6

(4)
(16)
8

56
64
48
23
58
(28)

30

–
33
24

1
58
–

58
–
–
–
6

1
7
8

65
73
80
138
61
–

61

–
(68)
(15)

–
(83)
–

(83)
(8)
(1)
(9)
–

(5)
(23)
–

(9)
(9)
(32)
(115)
(3)
(28)

(31)

–
5
–

–
5
–

5
–
5
–
–

–
5
4

20
24
29
34
–
–

–

163

*  Continuing operations.
**  The net gain/reduction reflects the number of store openings less the number of store closures/disposals. 
***  Excludes franchise stores.

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Other informationCorporate governanceFinancial statementsStrategic reportSupplementary information (unaudited) continued

Group space summary continued

Actual Group space – ‘000 sq. ft.*

2014/15
year-end
17,763
488
14,254
2,150
4,030

716
39,401
1,235

1,648
42,284
3,560

45,844
5,653
7,026
9,736
3,928

3,663
30,006
4,025

15,712
19,737
49,743
95,587
102
122

224

2015/16
year-end
17,846
–
14,002
2,005
4,031

Net gain/
reduction
83
(488)
(252)
(145)
1

Openings
127
–
16
15
70

Closures/
disposals
–
(488)
(268)
(160)
(69)

Repurposing/
extensions
(44)
–
–
–
–

716
38,600
1,256

1,652
41,508
3,560

45,068
5,558
6,931
9,688
3,969

3,492
29,638
4,164

15,536
19,700
49,338
94,406
185
96

281

–
(801)
21

4
(776)
–

(776)
(95)
(95)
(48)
41

(171)
(368)
139

(176)
(37)
(405)
(1,181)
83
(26)

57

–
228
44

4
276
–

276
–
–
–
41

4
45
136

255
391
436
712
86
–

86

–
(985)
(23)

–
(1,008)
–

(1,008)
(95)
(2)
(48)
–

(175)
(320)
–

(13)
(13)
(333)
(1,341)
(3)
(26)

(29)

–
(44)
–

–
(44)
–

(44)
–
(93)
–
–

–
(93)
3

(418)
(415)
(508)
(552)
–
–

–

Extra
Homeplus
Superstore
Metro
Express
Dotcom only
Total Tesco
One Stop**
Dobbies

UK**
ROI

UK & ROI**

Czech Republic**
Hungary
Poland
Slovakia
Turkey
Europe**
Malaysia
Thailand

Asia

International**
Group**

UK (One Stop)
Czech Republic
Franchise stores

*  Continuing operations.
**  Excludes franchise stores.

164

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Group space summary continued

Group space forecast to 25 February 2017 – ‘000 sq. ft.*

Extra
Homeplus
Superstore
Metro
Express
Dotcom only
Total Tesco
One Stop**
Dobbies

UK**
ROI

UK & ROI**

Czech Republic**
Hungary
Poland
Slovakia
Turkey
Europe**
Malaysia
Thailand

Asia

International**
Group**

UK (One Stop)
Czech Republic
Franchise stores

*  Continuing operations.
**  Excludes franchise stores.

2015/16  
year-end
17,846
–
14,002
2,005
4,031

2016/17
year-end
17,905
–
14,017
1,994
4,074

Net gain/
reduction
59
–
15
(11)
43

Openings
59
–
38
–
47

Closures/
disposals
–
–
(23)
(11)
(4)

Repurposing/
extensions
–
–
–
–
–

716
38,600
1,256

1,652
41,508
3,560

45,068
5,558
6,931
9,688
3,969

3,492
29,638
4,164

15,536
19,700
49,338
94,406
185
96

281

716
38,706
1,260

1,652
41,618
3,543

45,161
5,530
6,931
9,604
3,886

3,449
29,400
4,059

15,345
19,404
48,804
93,965
333
92

425

–
106
4

–
110
(17)

93
(28)
–
(84)
(83)

(43)
(238)
(105)

(191)
(296)
(534)
(441)
148
(4)

144

–
144
49

–
193
–

193
–
–
–
–

–
–
101

220
321
321
514
148
–

148

–
(38)
(45)

–
(83)
(17)

(100)
(28)
–
(84)
(83)

(3)
(198)
–

–
–
(198)
(298)
–
(4)

(4)

–
–
–

–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–

(40)
(40)
(206)

(411)
(617)
(657)
(657)
–
–

–

165

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Other informationCorporate governanceFinancial 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
Provisions for bad and doubtful debts

Operating profit before exceptional items

Restructuring and other exceptional items***

Operating profit

Net finance costs: movements on derivatives and hedge accounting
Net finance costs: interest
Share of (loss)/ profit of joint ventures and associates
Deduct: management charges 

2015/16*
£m

2014/15*, **
£m

576
379
955

(166)
(3)
(169)

786

(172)
(81)
(212)
(91)

(68)
162

(1)

161

(8)
(4)
(3)
(1)

537 
410 
947 

(153)
(19)
(172)

775 

(152)
(90)
(211)
(81)

(53)
188

(35)

153

(19)
(4)
5 
(1)

Profit before tax

145

134 

*  These results are for the 12 months ended 29 February 2016 and the previous period comparison is made with the 12 months ended 28 February 2015.
** 

 Issuance of Clubcard vouchers previously presented as an expense has been reclassified to revenue. There is no impact on operating profit before exceptional  
items or operating profit.

***   Restructuring and other exceptional items in 2015/16 consists of £1m restructuring costs; 2014/15 consists of an increase in PPI provision of £27m and restructuring costs 

of £8m.

166

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016 
Financial calendar

Financial year end 2015/16
Annual General Meeting/1Q interim management statement
Half-year end 2016/17
Interim Results
Financial year-end 2016/17

27 February 2016
23 June 2016
27 August 2016
5 October 2016
25 February 2017

Please note that these dates are provisional and subject to change, with the exception of the financial year-end and half-year-end.

Glossary

Capital expenditure (‘Capex’)
The additions to property, plant and equipment, investment property and 
intangible assets (excluding assets acquired under business combinations).

Market capitalisation
The total value of all Tesco shares calculated as total number of shares 
multiplied by closing share price at year-end. 

Capital employed
Net assets plus net debt plus dividend creditor less net assets of the disposal 
groups and non-current assets classified as held for sale.

MTN 
MTN refers to Medium Term Note.

Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations before 
exceptional items
Profit after tax before exceptional items attributable to owners of the parent 
divided 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. 

Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations before 
exceptional items and net pension finance costs
Profit after tax before exceptional items and net pension finance costs 
attributable to owners of the parent divided 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. 

Enterprise Value
This is calculated as Market capitalisation plus Net debt. 

Exceptional items 
Exceptional items relate to certain costs or incomes that derive from events 
or transactions that fall within the normal activities of the Group but which, 
individually or, if of a similar type, in aggregate, are excluded from the Group’s 
non-GAAP performance measures by virtue of their size and nature in order 
to better reflect management’s view of the performance of the Group.

The Group exercises judgement in assessing whether items should be 
classified as exceptional. This assessment covers both the nature of the  
item, cause of occurrence and the scale of impact of that item on reported 
performance. Reversals of previous exceptional items are assessed based  
on the same criteria.

FTE
FTE refers to full-time equivalents.

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.

Net Promoter Score (‘NPS’)
This is a loyalty measure based on a single question requiring a score 
between 0-10. The NPS is calculated by subtracting the percentage of 
detractors (scoring 0-6) from the percentage of promoters (scoring 9-10). 
This generates a figure between -100 and 100 which is the NPS.

Operating margin
Operating margin is based on operating profit before exceptional items  
and on revenue.

Operating profit before exceptional items 
This is the headline measure of the Group’s performance, and is based  
on operating profit before the impact of exceptional items.

Pension deficit, IAS 19 basis (post tax)
This is post-employment benefit obligations net of the related deferred tax.

Profit before tax before exceptional items and net pension  
finance costs 
This measure excludes exceptional items and the net finance costs of the 
defined benefit pension deficit as the costs are impacted by corporate bond 
yields, which can fluctuate significantly.

Retail cash flow
Cash generated from/ (used in) operations for retail activities.

Return on capital employed (‘ROCE’)
Return divided by the average of opening and closing capital employed. 

Return
Profit before exceptional items and interest, after tax (applied at effective 
rate of tax).

Revenue exc. fuel 
This is the headline measure of revenue for the Group. It excludes the impact 
of sales, predominantly fuel sales, made at petrol filling stations, due to the 
volatilities associated with movements in fuel prices.

Growth in sales
The YoY% (year-on-year) movement in revenue exc. fuel for continuing 
operations excluding fuel for 52 weeks at constant foreign exchange rate.

RPI
RPI refers to Retail Price Index.

Like-for-like
Like-for-like is the growth in sales from stores that have been open for at 
least a year at a constant foreign exchange rate and includes online sales.

Total indebtedness
Net debt plus IAS 19 deficit in the pension schemes (net of associated 
deferred tax) plus the present value of future minimum rentals payable  
under non-cancellable operating leases.

LPI
LPI refers to Limited Price Inflation.

167

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Other informationCorporate governanceFinancial statementsStrategic report 
Five-year record

Figures below reflect the latest published information. For years prior to 2015/16, these figures represent the comparatives from the following years’ financial 
statements. Korea was first classified as a discontinued operation in 2015/16. China was first classified as a discontinued operation in 2013/14. US was first 
classified as a discontinued operation in 2012/13.

The Group has determined new segments and defined new non-GAAP measures for 2015/16 onwards. Refer to Note 1 and Note 2. 2014/15 data for these 
new measures and segments has been presented, but prior historic data has not.

2012

2013

2014

2015(a)

2016

Financial statistics (£m)
Revenue (exc. fuel)(c)
UK & ROI
International
Tesco Bank
Group revenue (exc. fuel)(c)
Revenue
UK & ROI
International
Tesco Bank
Group revenue
Operating profit before exceptional items(c)
UK & ROI
International
Tesco Bank
Group operating profit before exceptional items(c)
Operating profit margin before exceptional items
Operating profit/ (loss) 
UK & ROI
International
Tesco Bank
Group operating profit 
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
Profit before tax before exceptional items and net pension finance costs(c)
Other financial statistics
Diluted earnings/ (losses) per share – continuing operations
Diluted earnings per share – continuing operations before exceptional items(c) 
Diluted earnings per share – continuing operations before exceptional items  
and net pension finance costs(c)
Dividend per share(b)
Cash generated from retail operating activities
Return on capital employed (‘ROCE’)(c)
Total shareholder return(c)
Net debt (excludes Tesco Bank)(c)
Discounted operating lease commitments
Pension deficit, IAS 19 basis (post tax)(c)
Total indebtedness (including lease commitments and pension deficit)(c)
Enterprise value (£m)(c)

Group retail statistics
Number of stores(d)
Total sales area – ‘000 sq. ft.(d)
Average employees
Average full-time equivalent employees

UK & ROI retail statistics 
Number of stores(d)
Total sales area – ‘000 sq. ft.(d)
Average full-time equivalent employees (‘FTE’)
Revenue (exc. fuel) per FTE – £
Weekly revenue (exc. fuel) per sq. ft. – £

(a)  53 weeks.
(b)  Dividend per share relating to the interim and proposed final dividend.
(c)  See glossary for definitions.
(d)  Including franchise stores.

168

1,044

1,021

1,003

1,044
63,916

1,021
63,406

1,003
63,557

4,182
91
(235)
4,038
(874)
3,164
(350)
2,814

2,806
8

14.76p
5,058
14.7%
(3.0%)

 6,838 
 9,988 
 1,407 
 18,233 
 32,324 

2,382
72
(397)
2,057
(529)
1,528
(1,504)
24

28
(4)

14.76p
3,888
14.5%
2.1%

 6,597 
 10,182 
 1,839 
 18,618 
 36,578 

2,631
60
(432)
2,259
(347)
1,912
(942)
970

974
(4)

14.76p
4,607
13.6%
3.7%

 6,597 
 9,419 
 2,559 
 18,575 
 33,597 

 6,049 
 110,563 
 514,615 

 401,791 

 6,653 
 106,040 
 506,856 

 388,375 

 7,305 
 109,572 
 510,444 

 391,868 

 3,116 
 42,522 

 3,288 
 43,950 

 3,524 
 45,300 

38,228
10,678
947
49,853

45,062
10,916
947
56,925

498
254
188
940
1.7%

(5,334)
(569)
153
(5,750)
(13)
(571)
(6,334)
670
(5,664)
(102)
(5,766)

(5,741)
(25)
490

(69.56)p
4.14p

5.46p
1.16p
1,860
4.0%
(9.5%)

 8,481 
 9,353 
 3,885 
 21,719 
 28,415 

 6,849 
 95,811 
 480,607 

 362,370 

 3,710 
 45,946 
 225,192 
 169,757 

 15.81 

37,189
10,208
955
48,352

43,080
10,398
955
54,433

505
277
162
944
1.7%

599
286
161
1,046
(21)
(863)
162
54
216
(87)
129

138
(9)
435

2.76p
3.41p

4.97p
–
 2,581 
5.8%
(11.8%)

 5,110 
 7,814 
 2,612 
 15,536 
 20,101 

 6,902 
 94,687 
 482,152 

 357,835 

 3,743 
 45,253 
 225,371 
 165,012 

 15.68 

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2016Designed and produced by 
Addison Group
www.addison-group.net

Printed by DST Systems

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This Report is printed on Amadeus Silk paper  
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The inks used are all vegetable oil based.

Tesco PLC 
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Shire Park 
Kestrel Way 
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Hertfordshire  
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www.tescoplc.com