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Tesco

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FY2017 Annual Report · Tesco
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Serving shoppers  
a little better every day.

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Welcome to 
our annual 
report

Strategic report:
Tesco at a glance  
Introduction  
Chairman’s statement 
Group Chief Executive’s statement 
The six strategic drivers 
Our business model 
Key performance indicators 
Financial review 
Environmental and social review 
Principal risks and uncertainties 
Corporate governance 
Financial statements 
Other information 

1
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3
4
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11
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26
32
79
166

Find out more online
We have produced a number of short videos  
that are available at www.tescoplc.com/ar2017 
and are featured within our report this year,  
as indicated by the video screen icon.

Tesco at a glance

As a leading retailer, with 460,000 colleagues, 
we serve millions of customers every week, 
in our stores and online.

£49.9bn∆ (a)

£55.9bn(a)

Group sales  
(exc. VAT, exc. fuel)
(2015/16: £47.9bn)

Statutory revenue  
(exc. VAT, inc. fuel)
(2015/16: £53.9bn)

£1,280m∆ (a)

Group operating profit  
before exceptional items
(2015/16: £985m)

£1,017m(a)

Operating profit
(2015/16: £1,072m)

£145m(a)

Statutory profit before tax
(2015/16: £202m)

7.90p∆ (a)

Diluted earnings per share  
before exceptional items  
and net pension finance costs 
(2015/16: 5.61p)

0.81p(a)

Statutory diluted EPS
(2015/16: 3.22p)

£(3.7)bn∆ (b)

Net debt 
(2015/16: £(5.1)bn)

6,809(a),(c)

Shops around the world
(2015/16: 6,733)

79m(a)

Shopping trips per week
(2015/16: 78m)

23m

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

460,000(a)

Colleagues at year end
(2015/16: 471,000)

(a)   Reported on a continuing operations basis.
(b)  Excludes the net debt of Tesco Bank.
(c)  Includes franchise stores.

 Alternative Performance Measures

Measures with this symbol 
Measures section of the Annual Report on pages 170 to 172.

 are defined in the Alternative Performance 

1

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Strategic reportIntroduction

Serving 
shoppers  
a little better 
every day.

We believe we have made another year of strong progress at Tesco. 

Having focused on our three turnaround priorities, we are competitive in the  
UK again, our balance sheet is more secure, and we continue to rebuild trust by 
operating with transparency. At the same time, feedback from our customers, 
colleagues, supplier partners and shareholders continues to improve. 

We have stabilised our business, and now we are rebuilding profitability.

But there is much more we want to do. We must keep listening and innovating;  
we want to offer truly helpful service; and we need to keep unlocking the power 
and potential of our colleagues.

So we have shared our plans to do that. Our six strategic drivers are not new;  
they have been guiding our efforts throughout much of the last three years. But 
taken together, they set a clear direction. Our intention is to become even more 
competitive for customers, simpler for colleagues, and an even better partner  
for suppliers, while creating long-term value for our shareholders.

At the centre of everything is our purpose: to serve shoppers a little better  
every day. If we keep putting the customer at the heart of our business, and  
ask ourselves how we can help serve them a little better every day, we can  
build on the momentum we are showing.

There is still work to do, but this year’s performance has demonstrated that  
every little help really can make a big difference at Tesco.

2

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Chairman’s statement

Building on strong foundations.

We welcome the fact that the UK 
Government has committed to 
reviewing the tax framework and look 
forward to working with them on this. 

In terms of the Board’s support for 
Tesco’s agenda, we have focused on 
three areas:

Our second focus has been helping  
the business to benefit from the 
expertise of our Board. We have had 
in-depth reviews of our six strategic 
drivers and risk management, and we 
have supported the leadership team  
on talent development and corporate 
responsibility.

John Allan Non-executive Chairman

 “ I am very pleased to  
report another strong  
year of improvement  
at Tesco.”

This year has been a significant  
one for Tesco, where, against a 
challenging external environment,  
we have continued to make progress 
against our purpose: to serve shoppers 
a little better every day. I am grateful 
to the management team and Tesco 
colleagues for all that they have  
done to deliver this.

In October, we shared our plans to  
create long-term value for stakeholders, 
and in November, Dave Lewis and the 
management team invited investors, 
supplier partners and analysts to Tesco’s 
offices in Welwyn Garden City to hear 
more about the six strategic drivers at 
the heart of those plans.

This report sets out the progress we  
are making against each of those drivers 
and tells the story of how we are building 
on the strong foundations we laid down 
in the last few years. 

Although the business has continued  
to make significant progress this  
year, across many of our markets  
we continue to face a challenging 
operating environment. In the UK, 
business rates in particular continue  
to be a considerable burden, and are  
the biggest tax we have paid this year.

Watch our videos
Visit www.tescoplc.com/ar2017  
to hear more from John Allan.

1.  corporate governance; 
2. helping the business to benefit from 

the expertise of our Board; and
3. exploring opportunities for future 

growth.

Throughout the year, we have continued 
to focus on strengthened corporate 
governance. In July, we appointed a  
new Non-executive Director, Steve 
Golsby, who brings a deep knowledge  
of Asia – in particular Thailand, our 
largest international market.

In January, we were pleased that 
Deanna Oppenheimer accepted the 
Board’s invitation to become Senior 
Independent Director. Deanna has  
a wealth of experience, and succeeds 
Richard Cousins, who decided to step 
down from the Board. I would like  
to thank Richard for his strong 
contributions to Board deliberations 
and wish him well for the future.

Our emphasis on strong governance 
also extends to issues we have faced 
within our business.

Last November, our Tesco Bank debit 
cards were the subject of an online 
fraudulent attack. We acted quickly  
to ensure customers’ accounts were 
protected and there was no data loss  
or breach of systems. 

Shortly after the end of our 2016/17 
financial year, we announced that our 
subsidiary business, Tesco Stores Limited, 
had reached an agreement on a Deferred 
Prosecution Agreement in relation to 
historic accounting practices, and that 
we had agreed with the UK Financial 
Conduct Authority to a finding of market 
abuse. This brings towards a close a 
challenging time in Tesco’s history. The 
Board will continue to support Dave and 
the management team in their efforts  
to restore trust in the Tesco business  
and brand.

Throughout the year, the Board has 
considered how Tesco can continue  
to create long-term value for our 
stakeholders. That included completing 
a portfolio review. As a result, we have 
sold Kipa, our retail business in Turkey; 
garden centre chain Dobbies; 
Euphorium bakery; Giraffe restaurants; 
and Harris + Hoole coffee shops.  

All of these businesses have different 
strengths and potential, but the sales 
have allowed Tesco’s management  
team to focus on the areas where Tesco 
can build on its core competencies and 
unique strengths to create future growth. 

This focus has allowed us to announce, 
in January, a proposed merger with 
Booker Group. This merger builds on 
Tesco’s core strength as a food business 
and allows both Tesco and Booker to 
unlock growth in the UK food market in 
a way that neither would be able to do 
alone – in particular by focusing on the 
fast-growing ‘out of home’ and ‘on the 
go’ food markets, to create the UK’s 
leading food business.

Reflecting our improved performance 
and the Board’s confidence in Tesco’s 
future prospects, I am pleased to 
confirm that we intend to recommence 
paying dividends in respect of the 
2017/18 financial year. We expect 
dividends to grow progressively from 
that financial year. 

We are conscious that the Tesco 
turnaround is a significant project, but  
I am confident that with the clear plans 
and superb talent we have in Dave and 
the whole Tesco team, there is a huge 
amount of potential to create sustainable, 
long-term value for all our stakeholders. 

John Allan
Non-executive Chairman

3

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Strategic reportGroup Chief Executive’s statement

A strong performance.

Dave Lewis Group Chief Executive

“ In every decision, we  
ask ourselves: how will  
this help serve shoppers  
a little better?”

Whilst our business continues to face 
significant external challenges, such 
as the increasing burden of business 
rates, National Living Wage and the 
Apprenticeship Levy in the UK, and 
greater competitive intensity in 
Poland, we are making good progress.

it help serve shoppers a little better 
every day? In the year, we’ve done a lot  
to strengthen our customer offer.  
We’re continuing to see a sustained 
improvement in the feedback we’re 
getting from customers on price,  
service, quality and availability. 

The energy and commitment of  
our 460,000 colleagues has enabled 
us to make further significant 
improvements to the way we serve 
our customers, and we have done  
this at the same time as increasing 
operating profit before exceptional 
items by 30% for the Group.

We continuously innovate to serve  
our customers better, and this year 
we have developed 2,422 new products  
with our supplier partners, as well as 
reformulating hundreds more products 
to make them healthier. We’ve also made 
shopping easier for parents by offering 
free fruit for children in our large stores.

In October 2014, we set out our three 
turnaround priorities and, in 2016, we 
shared the detail of the six strategic 
drivers which are driving our medium- 
and long-term decisions. This Annual 
Report gives a high-level overview of 
those six drivers.

The strategic drivers are designed to 
create sustainable value for our four 
stakeholders in our business: customers, 
colleagues, supplier partners, and  
our shareholders.

Customers
At the heart of everything we do are our 
customers. In every decision we take, 
and every plan we develop, we ask 
ourselves one simple question: will  

Our prices are lower, with a typical 
basket of products in the UK costing  
6% less than in September 2014. We’ve 
also made our offer simpler, for example 
by cutting multi-buy promotions by a 
further 24%. At the same time, we have 
worked hard to remove reasons for 
customers to shop elsewhere by 
introducing seven exclusive fresh  
food brands, alongside our existing  
Brand Guarantee.

Colleagues
Every day, our colleagues go the extra 
mile to help our customers and it is 
really encouraging to see this coming 
through in customer feedback, with  
a continued increase in ratings of 
colleague helpfulness through the year. 

4

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017 
This has been achieved while at the 
same time changing the way we serve 
our customers across our channels,  
as shopping habits change. 

Many colleagues have been impacted  
by the changes we have made to 
management structures and shift 
routines, including the move from 
night-time to day-time replenishment. 
This makes the feedback from 
customers even more humbling, and  
a credit to the unwavering commitment 
of our colleagues in serving shoppers  
a little better every day.

Creating opportunities for colleagues  
to get on has been a big focus and will 
continue to be as our business evolves. 
This year 4,000 colleagues have been 
promoted or moved to broader roles 
across the business. We have welcomed 
over 100 graduates and supported 1,200 
apprenticeships and work placements. 

Supplier partners
Strong partnerships with our suppliers 
mean we can serve our customers 
better, invest in innovation and grow our 
businesses together for the long term.

This year we have relaunched our online 
Supplier Network, which now has over 
5,000 members. Reflecting the strength 
of our partnerships, for the first time we 
topped the independent supplier survey 
run by Advantage in October, and our own 
internal Supplier Viewpoint survey shows 
that 77% of suppliers are positive about 
their relationship with us. We were also 
pleased to be recognised by supply chain 
body GS1 UK, for leading the industry in 
supporting small British suppliers.

Shareholders
In order to share more fully our 
investment case, we have set out more 
detail on our medium-term ambitions.  
In particular, we shared our ambition  
to deliver a Group operating margin  
of between 3.5% – 4.0% by our 2019/20 
financial year, and we have made  
good progress towards that ambition  
this year, with a step up from 1.8%  
to 2.3% in Group operating margin 
before exceptionals.

We have also announced our intention 
to recommence paying dividends in 
respect of the 2017/18 financial year,  
to return value to shareholders in a way 
which is sustainable for our business.

Governance
Following the year-end, we announced a 
Deferred Prosecution Agreement with 
the UK Serious Fraud Office in relation 
to historic accounting practices, and  
an agreement with the UK Financial 
Conduct Authority to a finding of market 
abuse. Over the last two and a half 
years, we have fully cooperated with 
this investigation, while at the same time 
taking steps to transform our business. 
What happened in 2014 is a huge source 
of regret for all of us, and we are 
determined to maintain and strengthen 
the changes we have been making to 
rebuild trust in our business and brand.

As well as bringing this matter towards  
a conclusion, we have made good 
progress on wider issues of corporate 
responsibility. We have made a 
commitment that by the end of 2017, no 

food that is safe for human consumption 
will go to waste from our UK retail 
operations – and this year we have seen 
a 148% increase in the amount of surplus 
food donated to people in need.

Future growth
In January, we announced a proposed 
merger with Booker Group, to create  
the UK’s leading food business. Bringing 
together the complementary skills of 
retail and wholesale businesses will allow 
us to unlock new opportunities and to 
better serve customers with a wide 
range of high-quality affordable food 
where they want it, when they want it. 

I’d like to thank all of my colleagues  
for everything they have done for our 
customers and our business this year.  
We have been through some tough  
years in rebuilding our business, and I’m 
continually grateful for everything they  
do. Our goal now is to go even further 
together. Over the last year we have 
turned a corner but, as always, we have 
more to do. We will keep putting the 
customer at the heart of the business, 
and we will continue to work openly  
and transparently with our supplier 
partners, our colleagues and every 
shareholder in our business. 

We will continue to strive to serve  
our shoppers a little better every day.

Dave Lewis
Group Chief Executive

5

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Strategic reportThe six  
strategic 
drivers.

Our six strategic drivers  
set out the plans and 
aspirations which will  
create long-term value  
for all of our stakeholders.

Strategic report

1 .

A differentiated 
brand

2 .

Reduce operating 
costs by £1.5bn

3 .

Generate £9bn cash 
from operations

A strong brand creates long-term  
value. Our purpose, to serve shoppers 
a little better every day, is at the  
heart of what our brand stands for.

We have undertaken a thorough  
review of our entire cost base,  
to identify further opportunities 
for meaningful savings.

Cash is the lifeblood of our business, 
and we have set a three-year target  
to generate £9bn of cumulative retail 
cash from operations.

4 .

Maximise the mix  
to achieve a 3.5% – 
4.0% Group margin

5 .

Maximise value 
from property 

6 .

Innovation

Building sustainable profitability  
across our businesses, channels  
and product ranges.

Our property strategy is about 
releasing value from our estate,  
and repurposing space to enhance  
our customer offer.

Our innovation strategy is driven  
by expertise and insight in our  
three differentiating capabilities: 
Product, Channel and Customer.

7

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017 
The six strategic drivers continued

1 .

A differentiated brand
We are on a journey to rebuild 
trust in our brand, and we  
have made significant progress. 
As the brand strengthens, we 
invest more in those things that 
make the Tesco brand and 
experience unique.

We take pride in the quality of 
our food, and that’s reflected in 
our ‘Food Love Stories brought 
to you by Tesco’ campaign, which 
aims to set out our food quality 
credentials and celebrate the 
passion and care that goes into 
the meals we all love.

Our opportunity is to 
differentiate through our 
products and services – with 
great quality at affordable prices, 
and a unique Tesco offer – and 
through customer experience, 
for example by simplifying our 
systems for ordering online, and 
delivering consistently great 
service in store.

With our Brand Guarantee, 
customers don’t have to worry 
about the price of branded 
products – which they could get 
from other retailers – and  
our own-label products become 
the point of differentiation, with 
a unique and helpful offer which 
gives customers a reason to 
choose Tesco. 

Reduce operating costs by £1.5bn

We’ve identified £1.5bn of potential savings for the years to 2019/20, with particular opportunities  
to simplify the way we run our stores, modernise our distribution and fulfilment networks, and more 
efficiently procure goods and services not for resale. This year we have generated £455m of cost 
savings, of which £226m contributes to our £1.5bn target.

2 .

Store operating model – 
c.£550m
Continuing to improve service  
in store is our absolute priority, 
and by recalibrating the way  
we serve customers we have 
identified opportunities to 
increase customer satisfaction 
while also reducing costs. In our 
UK stores, we have worked with 
colleagues to ensure that we 
schedule hours for when our 
customers need them most, 
reducing our night operations 
and moving replenishment to  
the daytime.

Logistics and distribution – 
c.£450m
Improving stock flow and 
increasing the efficiency of our 
supply chains reduces our costs, 
and also helps us get products to 
customers faster – so they benefit 
from fresher food too. As part of 
this work, we’re changing our 
distribution network – announcing 
the closure of our distribution 
centres in Welham Green and 
Chesterfield – to ensure that the 
way we distribute food and goods 
within our business is as simple 
and cost-effective as possible.

Goods not for resale – 
c.£500m
In our day-to-day operations  
we purchase a wide range of 
goods and services not for 
resale, covering everything  
from marketing to haulage and 
consumables. Consolidating our 
spend with our most important 
supplier partners has allowed  
us to make substantial savings 
– for example by reducing our 
number of haulage partners in 
Central Europe from 10 down to 
three, working across the region.

8

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 20173 .

Generate £9bn cash from operations
By improving profitability and
optimising working capital,
we will generate positive cash
from our retail operations.

Cash from operations is the
biggest contributor to free cash
flow, but working capital is a
significant opportunity – with
better forecasting, and a tighter
assortment of products in our
distribution centres, we can
reduce stock holding and drive
working capital benefits. 

We are also focused on  
capital discipline to improve  
free cash flow and have set 
rigorous hurdle rates for capital 
allocation, with a focus on 
payback periods and maximising 
returns, in order to balance 
longer-term investments with 
projects that will more quickly 
deliver cash.

Our world-class store ordering systems have allowed us to simplify back-
room procedures in stores – increasing the amount of stock that goes 
straight from a delivery onto shelves. This ensures great availability for 
customers, while also reducing the residual stockholding in store and  
allowing our colleagues to more efficiently manage stock by only handling  
a product once.

Maximise the mix to achieve  
a 3.5% – 4.0% Group margin

4 .

Our 88,000 square feet 
store in Surat Thani  
was too large, with an 
overly-broad range that 
made the shopping trip 
harder for customers. 
We took out around 
20% of the retail space, 
creating room for 
tenants such as Boots 
and KFC. These bring 
new income and attract 
more customers, with  
a halo effect on our 
core retail offer and  
a resulting increase  
in retail sales density.

Maximising the mix means looking at the full picture of everything we do to ensure we  
are delivering great service for our customers, and driving growth in areas which deliver 
sustainable profits – in order to achieve a 3.5% – 4.0% Group operating margin by our 
2019/20 financial year.

We serve shoppers through a wide range of channels and services. To ensure we can deliver 
these sustainably, we work hard to build long-term profitability – by investing in new areas, 
and by improving the economics of more recent channels, such as Grocery Home Shopping. 
We follow this approach in all parts of our business, from choosing how we allocate space  
in our large stores, to looking at the promotional mix we offer to our online customers.

9

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Strategic reportThe six strategic drivers continued

5 .

Maximise value from property
We have a significant property 
portfolio, combining both 
freehold and leasehold assets.  
We look closely at opportunities 
to insulate the business from 
future rental increases, by 
carefully optimising our freehold 
and leasehold mix.

Repurposing space – in our stores, 
malls or car parks – allows us to 
improve sales densities in our 
larger stores, while also improving 
our offer for customers. In  
the UK we have worked with 
other leading brands to open  
49 concessions in our stores  
this year, with partners including 
Arcadia Group and Holland & 
Barrett. We are also exploring 
opportunities to release value  
by selling ‘air rights’ above a  
small number of our stores in 
urban areas – working with a 
developer to build residential 
properties above or alongside 
our stores, without capital 
investment from Tesco.

Innovation

6 .

By listening to shoppers, and looking at broader customer trends,  
we can drive innovation in both the products we sell, and the 
channels through which we sell them.

Innovation touches everything we do, from the launch of our 
PayQwiq digital wallet, making the checkout process easier for 
customers, to our work on reformulation – taking hundreds of 
tonnes of salt, sugar and fat out of our own-label products to help 
customers live healthier lives.

The strength of the partnerships we have with our suppliers plays 
an important role in innovation. By building our businesses together,  
we also give suppliers the confidence to invest in innovative products 
and solutions for the benefit of our mutual customers.

10

We have innovated in  
our ranges, bringing 
customers great quality 
meat and produce at 
affordable prices through 
our exclusive fresh food 
brands. Our innovative 
Free From range also 
includes many of the 
products our customers 
miss most – like our 
award-winning Free From 
Garlic Baguette. In March 
2017, we were named Free 
From Retailer of the Year 
for the third year running.

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017 
Our business model

Customers, Product, Channels.

Our business is organised around the three pillars 
of Customers, Product and Channels. We place 
customers at the centre of everything we do to 
deliver our purpose – serving shoppers a little 
better every day.

Customers
Tesco exists to serve 
customers – listening to them 
and acting on what is most 
important to deliver the best 
possible shopping trip.

Reinvest
Our focus is always on making Tesco  
the best it can be for our customers. 

The better a job we do for customers,  
the more we will improve sales; the more  
our sales improve, the more we can reinvest  
in further improving the shopping trip.

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

Product
We build close and  
mutually-beneficial 
relationships with our 
supplier partners, to source 
the best-possible products 
that meet and anticipate 
customers’ needs. 

11

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Strategic reportKey performance indicators

Our Big 6 KPIs.

We have six simple key performance  
measures for the whole business. 

Sales

Profit

2015/16

2015/16

+1.1%

2016/17

2016/17

2015/16

2015/16

+24.9%

2016/17

2016/17

£49.9bn∆

Group sales (exc. VAT, exc. fuel)(a)
(2015/16: £47.9bn)

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.

£1,280m∆

Group operating profit before exceptional items(a)
(2015/16: £985m)

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

Cash flow

2015/16

2015/16

+9.1%

2016/17

2016/17

£2,279m∆

Retail cash generated from operations(b)
(2015/16: £2,088m)

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.

 Alternative Performance Measures

Measures with this symbol 
Measures section of the Annual Report on pages 170 to 172.

 are defined in the Alternative Performance 

12

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Strategic report

7pts 

Group Net Promoter Score(c)
(2015/16: 2pts)

By putting customers first and making  
them our main focus, more shoppers  
are choosing to shop at Tesco. Customer 
feedback continues to improve, reflecting  
our work to strengthen our offer.

83%

Great place to work(d)
(2015/16: 81%)

48pts

Great place to shop(c)
(2015/16: 41pts)

Every day our colleagues go the extra mile. 
Despite changes to the way we serve our 
customers across our channels, our 
colleagues remain focused on serving 
shoppers a little better every day.

77%

Group supplier satisfaction(e)
(2015/16: 70%)

We are committed to strong partnerships 
with our suppliers, built on open, fair and 
transparent relationships.

Customers 
recommend us 
and come back  
time and again

2015/16

2015/16

+5pts

2016/17

2016/17

Colleagues 
recommend  
us as a great 
place to work 
and shop

2015/16

2015/16

+2pts

2016/17

2016/17

We build  
trusted 
partnerships

2015/16

2015/16

+7pts

2016/17

2016/17

(a)  Reported on a continuing operations basis (excludes Turkey and Korea). Growth is at a constant exchange rate, on a comparable days basis.
(b)  Reported on a continuing operations basis (excludes Turkey and Korea). Growth is at an actual exchange rate, on a comparable days basis.
(c)  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.
(d)  Based on our internal ‘What Matters To You?’ survey. Chart shows the movement in ‘Great place to work’.
(e)  Based on the question “Overall, how satisfied are you with your experience of working with Tesco?” in our Supplier Viewpoint Survey.

13

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Financial review

Profit recovery continues.

“ This was a strong performance for  
Tesco where we delivered results  
ahead of expectations.”

Visit www.tescoplc.com/ar2017  
to find PDF and Excel downloads  
of our financial statements.

Alan Stewart Chief Financial Officer

Group results 2016/17

52 weeks ended  
25 February 2017 

On a continuing operations basis

Group sales (exc. VAT, exc. fuel)(a)
Fuel
Revenue (exc. VAT, inc. fuel)

Group operating profit before exceptional items(b)

UK & ROI(c)
International

Tesco Bank

Include exceptional items
Group operating profit

2016/17

2015/16

£47,859m
£49,867m
£6,050m
£6,074m
£55,917m £53,933m

£1,280m
£803m
£320m

£157m
£(263)m
£1,017m

£985m
£503m
£320m

£162m
£87m
£1,072m

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

£842m

£490m

Group statutory profit before tax

Diluted EPS before exceptional items
Diluted EPS before exceptional items and net pension finance costs
Diluted EPS
Basic EPS

£145m

£202m

6.75p
7.90p
0.81p
0.81p

4.05p
5.61p
3.22p
3.24p

Year-on-
year change
(Constant 
exchange 
rates)

Year-on-
year change
(Actual 
exchange 
rates)

1.1%
(1.0)%
0.8%

24.9%
57.7%
(12.5)%

(3.1)%

4.3%
(0.4)%
3.7%

29.9%
59.6%
0.0%

(3.1)%

(11.8)%

(5.1)%

71.8%

(28.2)%

Capex(d)
Net debt(e),(f)
Cash generated from retail operations(e)
(a)  Group sales exclude VAT and fuel. Sales growth shown on a comparable days basis.
(b)  Excludes exceptional items by virtue of their size and nature in order to reflect management’s view of the performance of the Group.
(c)  The elimination of intercompany transactions between continuing operations and the discontinued Turkey operation, as required by IFRS 5 and IFRS 10,  

£1.2bn
£(3.7)bn

£1.0bn
£(5.1)bn

£2.3bn

£2.1bn

has resulted in a reduction to the prior period UK & ROI operating profit of £(2)m.

(d)  Capex is shown excluding property buybacks.
(e)  Net debt and retail operating cash flow exclude the impact of Tesco Bank, in order to provide further analysis of the retail cash flow statement.
(f)  Net debt includes both continuing and discontinued operations.

The definition and purpose of the Group’s Alternative Performance Measures, which includes like-for-like sales, are defined on pages 170 to 172. A detailed 
analysis of discontinued operations can be found in Note 7.

This was a strong performance for Tesco where we delivered results ahead of expectations. We grew sales, excluding  
VAT, excluding fuel, by 1.1% at constant rates and we saw positive volume growth in both the UK & ROI and International 
segments. Group operating profit before exceptional items was £1,280m, up 29.9% on last year as we continue to rebuild 
profitability whilst investing in the customer offer. Our statutory profit before tax was down (28.2)% to £145m including  
£(263)m of exceptional costs. We generated retail operating cash flow of £2.3bn, up 9.1% on last year, including a £387m 
improvement (pre-exceptionals) in working capital, and we also reduced net debt (excluding Tesco Bank) by 27% to £(3.7)bn. 

Now that our business has stabilised we have also shared more detail about our clear plans for the coming years. We are 
well-placed to deliver our ambition of a Group operating margin of 3.5% – 4.0% by the 2019/20 financial year. This ambition  
is underpinned by six strategic drivers, including the £1.5bn operating cost reductions which we are on track to secure over  
the next three years. 

Reflecting our improved performance and confidence in future prospects, the Board has reviewed our dividend policy. We 
intend to recommence paying dividends in respect of the financial year 2017/18. We expect dividends to grow progressively 
from that financial year with the aim of achieving a target cover of around two times earnings per share over the medium term.

14

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017 
Segmental results
UK & ROI

On a continuing operations basis

2016/17

2015/16

Sales (exc. VAT, exc. fuel)
Like-for-like sales (exc. VAT, exc. fuel)
Statutory revenue (exc. VAT, inc. fuel)
Statutory revenue includes: fuel
Operating profit before exceptional items
Operating profit margin before exceptional items
Operating profit

0.9%

£37,692m £37,189m
(0.7)%
£43,524m £43,080m
£5,891m
£503m
1.17%
£597m

£5,832m
£803m
1.84%
£519m

Year-on-year 
change
(Constant 
exchange 
rates)
0.6%

Year-on-year 
change
(Actual 
exchange 
rates)
1.4%

UK & ROI like-for-like sales performance(a)

16/17
1Q

16/17
2Q

0.9%

0.3%

16/17
3Q

1.7%

16/17
4Q

0.6%

57.7%
67bp

59.6%
68bp

(a)  Exc. VAT, exc. fuel.

In the UK and the Republic of Ireland (ROI), we have now seen five consecutive quarters of like-for-like sales growth. In the UK, 
volumes grew 1.6% and transactions grew 1.7% as we continued to make fundamental improvements to all aspects of our offer. 
We saw annual positive like-for-like growth for the first time in seven years and outperformed the market across all categories 
on a volume basis. Volume outperformance was particularly strong in fresh food, where the exclusive brands we launched in 
March 2016 have helped to significantly strengthen our value proposition.

Significant product cost deflation in the first half of the year eased in the second half. In collaboration with our supplier 
partners, we have worked hard to minimise the impact of emerging inflationary cost pressures. Despite some inflation in  
a number of categories, the price of a typical customer basket remains around 6% cheaper than in September 2014 and 
promotional participation has fallen to 32% as we made a conscious decision to focus our investments on sustainable 
improvements rather than on short-term couponing and promotions. We achieved improvements in all key customer  
metrics, including colleague helpfulness and availability, where performance reached record levels.

In the Republic of Ireland, like-for-like sales fell by (0.1)% as we continued to invest in lowering prices. We have a leading position 
in the market in volume terms and have further grown volume share by making improvements across our customer offer, with  
a focus on fresh produce, meat and bakery.

Our full-year UK & ROI operating profit before exceptional items was £803m, up 60% on last year, with margin growth of 68 
basis points year-on-year. This improvement includes the impact of investments we have made in all aspects of our offer, 
particularly in lowering core prices and in the quality and price of the exclusive fresh food brands which we launched in March 
2016. These investments enabled us to drive volume growth, generating positive operational leverage. In addition to managing 
costs more effectively year-on-year, we are also optimising the mix of our offer across channels and products. For example, 
within our beers, wines and spirits category we have focused on improving the relevance and profitability of our offer by 
broadening our range of speciality beers, increasing the prominence of own brand products and maintaining a strong, stable 
core price position in an extremely promotional market.

International

On a continuing operations basis
Sales (exc. VAT, exc. fuel)
Like-for-like sales (exc. VAT, exc. fuel)
Statutory revenue (exc. VAT, inc. fuel)
Statutory revenue includes: fuel
Operating profit before exceptional items
Operating profit margin before exceptional items
Operating profit

1.3%

2016/17

2015/16
£11,163m £9,715m
2.0%
£11,381m £9,898m
£183m
£320m
3.23%
£314m

£218m
£320m
2.81%
£421m

Year-on-year 
change
(Constant 
exchange 
rates)
2.1%

Year-on-year 
change
(Actual 
exchange 
rates)
15.2%

International like-for-like sales performance(a)
16/17
4Q

16/17
1Q

16/17
2Q

16/17
3Q

3.0%

2.1%

(12.5)%
(46)bp

0.0%
(42)bp

(a)  Exc. VAT, exc. fuel.

(0.3)%

0.6%

International sales grew by 2.1% at constant exchange rates, including a 0.8% new store contribution driven by store openings  
in Thailand which more than offset the impact of store closures, primarily in Europe. International sales growth weakened in  
the second half due to an increasingly competitive environment in Europe, particularly Poland, and as we annualised a strong 
performance last year in Asia.

In the year, we grew like-for-like sales strongly in Thailand as we invested in both lowering prices and improving our fresh food 
proposition. We grew market share and were pleased to retain our number one position for customers for brand and trust(a).  
In Malaysia, top-line sales growth was held back by weak consumer spending across the market and a trend away from large 
stores towards convenience shopping, where we are currently under-represented.

In Central Europe, like-for-like sales grew in all markets apart from Poland which remains intensely competitive. Positive volume 
growth in the region was driven by a strong performance in fresh food where we improved quality and inspired customers with 
new ranges and events.

(a)  According to BASIS Global Brand Image tracker, February 2017.

15

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Strategic reportFinancial review continued

Segmental results continued
In a highly competitive environment, international operating profit before exceptional items was £320m, flat year-on-year at 
actual exchange rates and down by (12.5)% at constant exchange rates. Whilst we continued to invest in our offer in all of our 
markets, our response to intense competition in Poland weighed on profitability in Central Europe. We continued to focus on 
improving our store economics across the region, including simplifying management structures, reducing store administration 
and closing unprofitable store counters. We also opened a new distribution centre at Poznań in Poland, reducing transport 
costs for the country by 20%. From April 2017, we have separated the management of our international business, creating  
two new Executive Committee roles leading Asia and Central Europe, giving greater focus to each region.

The introduction of a new retail tax in Poland remains suspended pending the outcome of the European Commission’s 
investigation. We continue to be cautious about potential legislative changes in our European markets.

Tesco Bank

Revenue

Operating profit before exceptional items
Operating profit
Lending to customers
Customer deposits
Net interest margin

Risk asset ratio

2016/17

£1,012m

£157m
£77m
£9,961m
£8,463m
4.0%

20.0%

2015/16

£955m

£162m
£161m
£8,542m
£7,397m
4.2%

20.0%

Year-on-year 
change

6.0%

(3.1)%
(52.2)%
16.6%
14.4%
(0.2)%

–

Tesco Bank continues to provide a simple and transparent product offer to serve the banking and insurance needs of Tesco 
customers. Active customer account numbers grew by 3.5%, with particularly strong growth in current accounts. We have 
continued to improve our customer offer by introducing a new premium credit card, simplifying the loan application process by 
introducing digital signatures, giving interest rate guarantees on current accounts for new and existing customers and through 
a national roll-out of PayQwiq to all large stores, a digital wallet app that allows customers to pay with their phone in our shops.

Operating profit before exceptional items reduced by (3.1)% to £157m. This decline was due to the full year effect of the 
introduction of European Commission caps on interchange income which first came into effect in December 2015. Adjusting 
for this impact, we saw strong profit growth driven primarily by lending income. Exceptional items of £(80)m relating to Tesco 
Bank include an increase in the provision for customer redress and a restructuring charge.

Risk-weighted assets have risen in line with lending and the Core Tier 1 ratio has improved to 16.7%. The balance sheet remains 
strong and well-positioned to support future lending growth from both a liquidity and capital perspective.

Exceptional items in operating profit

Net impairment of non-current assets and onerous lease provisions
Net restructuring and redundancy costs

Provision for customer redress
Interchange settlement
Property transactions
Provision for SFO and FCA obligations
Past service credit and associated costs arising on UK defined benefit pension scheme closure
Total exceptional items in operating profit

2016/17
£(6)m
£(199)m

£(45)m
£57m
£165m
£(235)m
–
£(263)m

2015/16
£(423)m
£(126)m

–
–
£156m
–
£480m
£87m

Exceptional items are excluded from our headline performance measures by virtue of their size and nature, in order to reflect 
management’s view of the performance of the Group. In the current year, the net effect of exceptional items on operating 
profit is £(263)m. 

Our annual impairment testing resulted in a net charge of £(6)m. This comprises a net £103m provision release relating to 
property, a net increase of £(56)m in onerous lease provisions and a net £(53)m impairment charge in goodwill and intangible 
assets, principally relating to dunnhumby subsidiary, Sociomantic.

Net restructuring and redundancy charges of £(199)m relate principally to changes to our distribution network and store colleague 
structures and working practices in the UK & ROI, and also includes a £(35)m charge relating to Tesco Bank business simplification.

The provision for customer redress of £(45)m was recognised in Tesco Bank in the first half, following updated guidance 
published by the Financial Conduct Authority, proposing an extension to the Payment Protection Insurance settlement deadline 
which is now set at August 2019. 

Exceptional items include a credit of £57m in relation to a legal settlement in respect of interchange fees.

16

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017 
We generated net profits (pre-tax) of £165m from property transactions in the year, of which £91m related to the sale of the 
Letňany Shopping Mall and Liberec Forum Shopping Centre in the Czech Republic. We also sold a number of properties and 
development sites in the UK & ROI business.

An exceptional charge of £(235)m has been recorded as an adjusting post balance sheet event, following judicial approval  
on 10 April 2017 of a Deferred Prosecution Agreement between Tesco Stores Limited and the UK Serious Fraud Office regarding 
historic accounting practices and an agreement with the UK Financial Conduct Authority of a finding of market abuse in relation 
to the Tesco PLC trading statement announced on 29 August 2014.

Joint ventures and associates, interest and tax
Joint ventures and associates 
Losses from joint ventures and associates before exceptional items increased by £(9)m to £(30)m, due to lower profits 
recognised in our UK property joint ventures. After exceptional items, including an impairment of investment property within 
Gain Land, our associate in China, and an adjustment in insurance reserves in Tesco Underwriting, our share of post-tax losses 
from joint ventures and associates rose to £(107)m from £(21)m last year.

Finance income and costs

Interest receivable and similar income

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

2016/17
£48m

£61m
£109m
£(523)m
£6m

–

£(113)m

£(630)m
£(244)m

£(874)m

2015/16
£29m

–
£29m
£(490)m
£6m

£(19)m

£(155)m

£(658)m
£(220)m

£(878)m

Finance income rose to £109m, mainly due to the favourable effect of marking-to-market financial instruments. These are 
non-cash adjustments driven by changes in the market’s assessment of credit and debt risk.

Interest payable increased to £(523)m due to debt acquired as part of our February 2016 agreement to regain sole 
ownership of 49 stores and two distribution centres. The impact of this was partially offset by a £26m reduction in interest 
following the repayment of debt in the year.

Net pension finance costs of £(113)m reduced in line with the reduction in the opening IAS 19 pension deficit at the start of the 
2016/17 financial year. Net pension finance costs are calculated by multiplying the opening net deficit by the opening discount 
rate each year. For 2017/18, they are expected to increase to c.£(165)m.

An exceptional non-cash loss of £(244)m arose on the translation of the proceeds from the sale of our Homeplus business  
in Korea which were held in GBP money market funds in a non-Sterling denominated subsidiary. This does not represent any 
economic cost to the Group.

Group tax
Tax on profit before exceptional items was £(185)m with an effective rate of tax for the Group of 25%. This tax rate is higher  
than the UK statutory rate primarily due to the impact of the 8% supplementary tax surcharge on bank profits, introduced  
in January 2016, and depreciation of assets that does not qualify for tax relief. The tax rate benefited from the impact on 
deferred tax of the expected reduction in the UK corporation tax rate from 18% to 17% in 2020.

On a statutory basis, including an exceptional credit of £98m principally relating to a lower book value than tax value of 
property disposals and tax relief on exceptional impairment and restructuring costs, the tax charge was £(87)m. 

The effective tax rate on profit before exceptional items for the 2017/18 financial year is expected to be similar to this year,  
at around 25%.

Earnings per share (on a continuing operations basis)
Diluted earnings per share before exceptional items and net pension finance costs were 7.90p, 41% higher year-on-year 
principally due to our stronger profit performance. Statutory basic earnings per share from continuing operations were 
0.81p, lower than last year driven by higher net exceptional costs.

17

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Strategic reportFinancial review continued

Summary of total indebtedness

Net debt (excludes Tesco Bank)
Discounted operating lease commitments
Pension deficit, IAS 19 basis (post-tax)
Total indebtedness

2016/17
£(3,729)m
£(7,440)m
£(5,504)m

2015/16
£(5,110)m
£(7,814)m
£(2,612)m
£(16,673)m £(15,536)m

Movement
£1,381m
£374m
£(2,892)m
£(1,137)m

Net debt (excluding Tesco Bank) reduced by £1.4bn to £(3.7)bn, as our retail operating cash flow and property and business 
disposal proceeds were greater than capital expenditure and other charges.

We have a strong funding and liquidity profile underpinned by £4.4bn committed facilities and our key credit metrics (fixed 
charge cover, net debt/EBITDA and total indebtedness ratio) have improved over the year.

Discounted operating lease commitments 
The reduction in discounted operating lease commitments includes a benefit from the buybacks we have completed in the UK. 
In the year, we regained sole ownership of 16 superstores from a number of different vendors, resulting in an annual rent saving 
of £22m.

Pension 
The IAS 19 pension deficit measure, which relates to our closed UK defined benefit scheme, increased by £(2.9)bn to £(5.5)bn due 
to the reduction in bond yields. Despite this increase in the IAS 19 measure of our liabilities, the actual pension payments that are 
payable to members in the future have not changed.

During the year, we completed a de-risking programme which has reduced the future volatility of the scheme’s long-term funding.

At the last triennial valuation, the Trustee and the Company agreed a long-term funding plan where the Company is paying 
contributions of £270m a year to the UK defined benefit scheme. The next triennial actuarial valuation is effective as at  
31 March 2017 and work is already underway. The Trustee is aiming to conclude the valuation as soon as is reasonably possible.

Summary retail cash flow

Cash flow from continuing operations excluding working capital
(Increase)/decrease in working capital

underlying decrease in working capital
impact from exceptional items

cash impact of new approach to supplier payments

Cash generated from operations – continuing operations

Cash generated from operations – discontinued operations

Cash generated from operations
Interest paid

Corporation tax (paid)/received
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 in cash and cash equivalents
Include/(exclude) cash movements in debt items

Fair value and other non-cash movements

Movement in net debt

2016/17

2015/16

£1,695m

£2,033m

£387m
£197m

–

£377m
£(91)m

£(231)m

£2,279m

£2,088m

£(1)m

£2,278m
£(518)m

£(64)m
£1,696m

£(1,328)m
£368m
£1,620m
£(1,342)m

£646m
£1,114m

£(379)m

£1,381m

£493m

£2,581m
£(422)m

£125m
£2,284m

£(1,004)m
£1,280m
£543m
£(854)m

£969m
£4,219m

£(1,817)m

£3,371m

On an underlying basis, working capital improved by £387m driven by growing sales volumes, initiatives to reduce stockholding 
and the timing effect of a fuel payment. The reported total reduction in working capital also includes the net impact of 
exceptional items.

Excluding working capital, we generated £1.7bn of cash from continuing retail operations. The decrease of £(0.3)bn on the 
previous year primarily reflects the payment of a turnaround bonus to colleagues in cash rather than shares and higher  
net exceptional costs than last year.

Interest paid was £(96)m higher than last year due to the debt acquired as part of our February 2016 agreement to regain sole 
ownership of 49 stores and two distribution centres. The impact of this was partially offset by £1.2bn of debt we redeemed  
in September 2016 and a further £0.7bn of debt we redeemed in January 2017.

The cash tax outflow of £(64)m reflects payments by our international businesses which more than offset a refund of taxes 
already paid in the UK, as we continue to agree and close historic enquiries into tax returns.

Cash movements of £1.1bn in debt items primarily reflect the redemption of three medium-term notes on their maturity.

18

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Capital expenditure

UK & ROI
International
Tesco Bank
Group

2016/17
£731m
£403m
£46m
£1,180m

2015/16
£676m
£254m
£40m
£970m

Capital expenditure (excluding buybacks) of £1.2bn was £0.2bn higher than last year reflecting our planned increase in spend  
to refresh more than 200 stores in the UK and to accelerate the store opening programme in Thailand. We now expect Group 
capital expenditure to be around £1.25bn in 2017/18. This is around £250m below our original estimate, as we continue to focus 
on capital spend that delivers attractive returns and move more of our planned technology spend to cloud-based services.

There was a net reduction of (2.2)m square feet, which includes (1.7)m square feet related to the disposal of Dobbies garden 
centres with the balance being net closures of space. In Asia we opened 114 stores, primarily in our convenience format in 
Thailand. In Europe we closed 23 stores.

This year we repurposed just over 1.0m square feet across the Group, improving the ease and relevance of the shopping  
trip for customers. This included 0.5m square feet in Thailand repurposed for new and existing partners, including five new 
branches of Decathlon Sports, exclusive in the market to Tesco Lotus, and four new cinemas. In the UK, we repurposed  
0.1m square feet in 14 stores, introducing brands such as Miss Selfridge, Wallis and Holland & Barrett. 

Property

Property(a) – fully owned
Estimated market value
Net book value(b)

UK & ROI

2016/17
International

Group

UK & ROI

2015/16
International

% net selling space owned
% total property owned – by value(c)
(a)  Stores, malls, investment property, offices, distribution centres, fixtures and fittings and work-in-progress. Excludes joint ventures.
(b)  Property, plant and equipment excluding vehicles.
(c)  Excludes fixtures and fittings.

£13.1bn
£12.6bn
52%
50%

£6.7bn
£5.1bn
74%
78%

£19.9bn
£17.8bn
63%
57%

£13.3bn
£12.6bn
52%
47%

£6.4bn
£5.0bn
71%
75%

Group

£19.7bn
£17.6bn
61%
54%

The estimated market value of our fully owned property has increased by £0.2bn to £19.9bn, retaining a surplus of £2.1bn over 
the net book value, as the repurchase of 16 stores in the UK and a foreign exchange translation effect more than offset the 
impact of the sale of Turkey and Dobbies garden centres. Our Group freehold property ownership percentage, by value, has 
increased from 54% to 57% year-on-year, driven by both the UK & ROI and International. In International, the effect of the sale 
of our business in Turkey more than offset the impact of the sale of two large freehold shopping centres in the Czech Republic 
on the mix of freehold to leasehold.

In April 2017, we regained ownership of a further seven large stores in the UK with a freehold valuation of £219m in a transaction 
with British Land. Including the effect of this transaction, we have now increased our proportion of freehold ownership by 
value in the UK & ROI to 51%, up by 10% over two years. The repurchase of stores to date has resulted in an annualised saving  
of £152m rent, predominantly in relation to fixed-uplift and index-linked rental agreements. The Group operating lease charge 
reduced by 9% in the year to £1.0bn. We continue to seek opportunities to further reduce our exposure to index-linked and 
fixed-uplift rent inflation where the economics are attractive.

Looking ahead 
We made good progress over the last year, further strengthening our customer offer and delivering an improvement  
in profitability a little ahead of expectations. 

We are confident in the plans we have shared and in the progress we will make this year, including further steps towards 
reducing our costs by £1.5bn, generating £9bn retail cash from operations and improving Group operating margin to between 
3.5% and 4.0% by 2019/20. With a much more competitive offer and supplier partnerships as strong as they have ever been, 
we are much better positioned to navigate challenging market conditions. 

In January, we announced that we had agreed the terms of a proposed merger with Booker, focused on unlocking new growth, 
particularly in the faster-growing ‘out of home’ food market. We are continuing to engage as planned with the Competition and 
Markets Authority in advance of seeking shareholder approval for the transaction, anticipated in late 2017/early 2018.

Alan Stewart
Chief Financial Officer

19

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Strategic reportEnvironmental and social review

Every little help  
makes a big difference.

Our approach

As one of the world’s leading food 
retailers, we are very aware of the 
impact we can have in society and on 
the environment. Across the Group  
our actions are guided by our third 
value, ‘every little help makes a big 
difference’, reminding us of the positive 
impact we can have on colleagues, 
suppliers and wider society by making 
small, incremental changes. 

Our Social and Environmental plan 
naturally puts food at its heart. It serves 
to make sure we tread lightly when  
we source, supply and sell food, and  
use our extensive local presence and 
strong supply chain network to make a 
positive difference to the environment 
and society. Our plan contains a series 
of little helps to make it easier to  
eat healthier; grow our suppliers’ 
businesses sustainably; help to halve 
global food waste by 2030; and add 
value to local communities. 

We are committed to taking the actions 
we can to address global issues and to 
make a significant contribution to the 
communities we serve. We know there is 
more to do and our plan seeks, together 
with partners, to make every little help 
add up to a bigger difference. 

Our reporting 
Corporate responsibility is a fundamental 
part of our business, and evidence of  
the wider impact we can have on society 
is reflected throughout this report.

In November 2015, we joined the  
UN Global Compact, an initiative  
that encourages businesses worldwide  
to adopt sustainable and socially 
responsible policies. This year, we 
recommitted to the Compact and 
published an update on our progress 
against the 10 principles covering  
human rights, labour, environment  
and anti-corruption.

Our UN Global Compact membership 
reinforces our commitment to 
transparency. We publish a set  
of regularly updated corporate 
responsibility policies, available  
to view online. We also share frequent 
updates, blogs and news on our 
progress and key achievements.

Our governance
Our Corporate Responsibility Committee 
is chaired by our Chairman, John Allan. 
More information on the activities of  
the Corporate Responsibility Committee 
this year can be found in the Corporate 
Governance report.

Visit www.tescoplc.com/society  
for information on our ongoing activities  
and latest case studies.

Our three values

1.
2.
3.

No one tries  
harder for 
customers

We treat people 
how they want  
to be treated 

Every little help  
makes a big 
difference

20

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017 
Our colleagues

Our colleagues are at the heart of our 
business, serving our shoppers a little 
better every day. We continue to build 
trust and transparency with colleagues 
to create a culture which allows 
everyone at Tesco to be their best. 

This includes working hard to make  
sure colleagues are the first to know  
of any changes made to the business. 
This year we hosted colleague 
conferences where leadership teams 
talked about our business priorities – in 
the UK over 8,000 colleagues attended 
the event, with further events held  
for colleagues in Central Europe and 
Asia. Over the last year we have also 
refreshed our UK colleague policies,  
and made them accessible through  
our dedicated online colleague portal. 

that monitoring the pay gap between 
men and women is an important  
step towards ensuring everyone is 
rewarded fairly for their work and  
enjoys the same opportunities. 

The UK Government has published 
regulations requiring large employers  
to report their gender pay gap, which 
came into force in April 2017. We have 
monitored gender pay since 2002, and 
as part of our commitment to 
transparency, have published data 
online with an early analysis – using the 
calculations set out in the regulations, 
but covering the period from April 2015 
– April 2016. We look forward to sharing 
our formal disclosure, based on data 
for the 12 months to April 2017, later 
this financial year.

We want to encourage everyone in  
our business to reach their potential – 
whoever they are, wherever they  
work, whatever they do. After feedback 
from our annual colleague survey,  
it became clear that we needed  
to do more around access to learning 
opportunities and recognising great 
performance. We have introduced  
a new performance management 
process based on frequent 
performance and development 
conversations, inspiring colleagues  
to be their best.

Visit www.tescoplc.com/genderpay for 
information on our gender pay gap reporting.

Inclusivity, and creating a culture where 
everyone feels welcome, remain integral 
to our business. The ratio of male  
to female colleagues at year-end is 
outlined in the table, right. We believe 

Gender diversity

Board of Directors

Senior managers – Directors

Senior managers – Directors and managers

All employees

Male

Female

8

394

2,852

197,154

73%

75%

64%

43%

3

128

1,593

263,236

27%

25%

36%

57%

our colleagues. We provide free, 
independent, and confidential 
‘Protector Lines’ that enable our 
colleagues, suppliers and their staff 
around the world to raise concerns. 
Insights from these services are 
reviewed at Compliance Committee 
meetings which are chaired by the 
Group Chief Executive.

Supplier partnerships

Building strong, trusted partnerships 
with our suppliers is critical for our 
business. Over the last two and a half 
years, we have worked hard to change 
the way we work with our suppliers. A 
key part of our commitment has been 
publishing our payment terms. 

In the UK, we were the first retailer to 
publish our payment terms in October 
2015. In Central Europe this year, we 
simplified trade terms and took steps  
to ensure that we are paying our 
smallest suppliers quicker. 

We also now have a dedicated UK 
Supplier Engagement team and a  
Tesco Supplier Network. The Network  
is an online community of over 5,000 
Tesco suppliers, who can share ideas, 
innovate, and drive sustainability 
through our supply chain and in the 
products we sell. In Thailand, we have 
recently introduced e-newsletters and  
a supplier website to help communicate 
more openly with our partners.

For the past 10 years, the Tesco 
Sustainable Dairy Group (TSDG) has 
worked directly with over 600 dairy 
farmers to supply us with fresh milk.  
We pay guaranteed prices and agree 

long-term contracts. In 2016/17  
the number of farmers in the group 
increased to 700 – the largest group  
of dairy farmers working directly  
with a retailer in the UK. In June 2016,  
we unveiled a new ‘Fair for Farmers’ 
guarantee on all of our fresh milk.  
This makes clear to customers how 
every pint of milk sold at Tesco is 100% 
British, ensures farmers are paid fairly 
and that every cow is well cared for.

All these actions have been reflected  
in the positive feedback we’re receiving 
from our suppliers. In June, the UK 
Groceries Code Adjudicator reported 
that Tesco was the most improved 
retailer in the way it engages with 
suppliers. In October, the independent 
Supplier Advantage Survey ranked Tesco 
the number one UK retailer. Our own 
Supplier Viewpoint survey shows that 
now 77% of suppliers are satisfied with 
their experience of working with Tesco.

Business ethics and anti-bribery
Our Code of Business Conduct sets out 
our most important legal obligations  
and helps colleagues follow key policies. 

We encourage a ‘speak up’ culture 
across our supplier base, and amongst 

21

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Strategic reportEnvironmental and social review continued

Supplier partnerships continued

Human rights
Our supply chain investments are a 
positive force internationally, creating 
jobs and opportunities for people and 
communities. But we also want those 
jobs to be good jobs. 

We 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 work closely with  
our suppliers, NGOs and other 
stakeholders to meet the standards  
set out in its Base Code. 

NGOs and trade unions, to ensure we 
are addressing the most serious risks  
to workers and communities. We have 
moved to an approach based on three 
core pillars: 

 • Assurance – our programme to 

 •

ensure that the facilities we source 
from are positive places to work
Improvement – working 
collaboratively with others to 
address issues in lower tiers of  
our supply chain (our suppliers’ 
suppliers, and so on), where our 
direct leverage is reduced

 • Empowerment – a plan to support 
communities linked to our supply 
chain that face social challenges.

the Rainforest Alliance. This milestone  
is supported by our programme to 
improve conditions and low wages  
in the industry. 

Examples of our Improvement and 
Empowerment programmes include  
our tea supply chain. We are working  
in Malawi with Oxfam, the Malawian tea 
industry and some leading tea brands  
to improve wages across the industry. 
And in Assam, India, we are working with 
UNICEF to help prevent the trafficking  
of children from local communities into 
domestic slavery and sexual exploitation. 

Over the last year we have reviewed our 
human rights programme with suppliers 
and external experts, including labour 

An example of our Assurance 
programme in action is in our banana 
supply chain, where all of our bananas 
for the UK market are now certified by 

Visit www.tescoplc.com/modernslavery  
for our Modern Slavery Statement and  
www.tescoplc.com/humanrights for  
further information and case studies. 

reductions in a further 1,000 products 
each year for the next three years.

Our role in promoting healthier living 
across communities also remains a 
focus. Through our National Charity 
Partnership with Diabetes UK and  
the British Heart Foundation, and  
our support for Cancer Research’s  
Race for Life, we are continuing  
to encourage healthier lifestyles.

Visit www.tescoplc.com/healthyeating 
for more information about our work  
on healthier choices.

Healthier eating

Our customers want us to make it 
easier to make healthier choices. 
Through innovation, and making 
continuous small changes, our goal 
is to help customers do just that. 

This year, we began offering free fruit 
for children in 800 of our UK stores. 
Our hope is this change will promote 
healthy eating habits that will stay  
with children as they grow up. In 
January 2017, we also held our first  
UK colleague health month – helping 
colleagues to make healthier choices 
every day.

We continue to make significant 
progress in reformulating our products. 
We believe that every time we change 
the recipes for our food and soft 
drinks, we should try and make them 
healthier, without compromising  
on taste. 

In November, we reached a significant 
milestone, as the first retailer to have 
all its own brand soft drink recipes 
below the sugar content threshold for 
the UK soft drinks levy. In addition to 
our work on soft drinks, we have cut 
the salt, fat and sugar in over 3,000 of 
our own products since 2015, and plan 

22

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Environment strategy

Our environment strategy targets  
the five key areas that we have  
an impact on, either through our  
direct operations or through our 
sourcing activities.

Visit www.tescoplc.com/environment  
for further information on our strategy.

Climate
We are investing in renewable electricity both 
through on-site generation and procurement. 
In 2016/17 we invested a further £8m in solar 
power in Thailand. Our leading performance 
and disclosure has made us the only retailer 
included in the 2016 Carbon Disclosure Project 
Climate A List.

Forests
A key commitment is to achieve zero net 
deforestation in our supply chain by 2020. 

100% of palm oil in our UK own-brand 
products already comes from sources 
certified to the Roundtable on Sustainable 
Palm Oil standards.

Marine
One of our biggest achievements in the last 
year has been our partnership with the 
Marine Stewardship Council (MSC). We have 
significantly increased our range of 
eco-labelled certified sustainable fish 
across our UK fresh, frozen and grocery 
ranges from 16 to 100.

Farmlands
Agriculture accounts for approximately 60% 
of our supply chain carbon footprint, 97% of 
our water footprint and the vast majority of 
our impact on biodiversity. We are working 
with suppliers and expert NGOs to roll out 
approaches, such as the Cool Farm Tool, to 
measure impact and drive improvements.

Freshwater
Lakes, rivers and aquifers are essential for the 
production of many products. We are mapping 
our key supply chains to understand their 
exposure to water risk, and how they overlap 
with key environmentally-sensitive river 
basins. We are piloting measures to reduce 
water use and local environmental impact.

Greenhouse gas emissions
Our carbon footprint is calculated 
according to the Greenhouse Gas 
Protocol. Our net carbon footprint in 
2016/17 was 3.9 million tonnes of CO2e. 

This year we have reduced our net 
carbon intensity per square foot of 
retail and distribution floor space by 
10% compared to last year, and 52.2% 
since 2006/07 through investments  
in energy efficiency and procuring 
renewable energy.

Scope 1
Scope 2(a)
Market-based method  
Location-based method
Scope 1 and 2 carbon intensity (kg CO2e/sq ft of stores and DCs)
Scope 3

Global tonnes of CO2e

2016/17 
1,236,980*

2015/16 

Base year 
2006/07

1,301,746 

1,345,507

2,004,992
2,528,323

Not Available 
2,259,984

26.33

51.14

1,097,491

1,064,460

1,582,275*
2,357,245*
22.95*
1,073,721*
3,892,977
1,154*
3,891,822
31.69*

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 DCs)
*  Independent limited assurance for greenhouse gas emissions data has been provided by KPMG LLP using the assurance standards ISAE 3000 and 3410.  

4,404,230

4,402,717

35.06

1,513 

4,669,951

–

4,669,951

66.23

KPMG has issued an unqualified opinion over the data and the respective full assurance opinion is available at: www.tescoplc.com/carbonfigures.

(a)  Tesco uses the market-based method for calculating Scope 2 emissions for our total emissions to account for our efforts in generating and purchasing low 
carbon energy. The location-method impact is provided for disclosure only and all intensity, net and gross emissions shown are calculated using the market 
based method. See www.tescoplc.com/carbonfigures.

23

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Strategic reportEnvironmental and social review continued

Tackling food waste from farm to fork

In 2016/17 0.5%◊ of food was wasted in 
our UK operations(a). It might seem a 
small number, but it still adds up to 
46,684 tonnes◊.

That is why we have made the 
commitment that no food that is safe  
for human consumption will go to waste 
from our UK retail operations by the  
end of 2017. Since 2009, we have sent  
no food waste direct to landfill. And with 
our chairmanship of the international 
Champions 12.3 coalition, we are  
also committed to accelerating  
progress towards the UN Sustainable 
Development Goal target to halve per 
capita global food waste by 2030.

In our own operations, we are rolling  
out our Community Food Connection 
programme to all our UK stores and using 
FoodCloud with FareShare to redistribute 
edible surplus food to people in need. 
Since 2015, we have provided over  
6 million meals for people in need. 

We also have a shared responsibility  
to reduce waste right across the food 
chain. We work in partnership with 
producers and supplier partners to help 
reduce waste from farm to fork. 

We are making links between our growers 
and our fresh and frozen suppliers to 
tackle waste. For example, we are 
supporting our prepared foods supplier 
to take onions which don’t quite meet 
the grade for fresh packs. They are then 
used in a wide range of products such  
as ready meals, salads and soups. As a 
result, over 6,000 tonnes of onions per 
year are kept within the human food 
supply chain, which may have otherwise 
gone to waste.

We are also helping customers reduce 
food waste at home. In the last year, we 
have continued to work on packaging 
and product innovations to extend 
product life. We have redeveloped our 
two portion chicken fillets packaging 
with a separate compartment for each 
fillet, so that customers can ‘eat one 
and keep one’. And in January 2017  
we were the first retailer to introduce 
frozen watermelon, beetroot, coconut 
and pomegranate.

International
Food waste is a global challenge, and  
our approach reflects this. We are 
expanding redistribution programmes 
internationally, and 400 stores across 
Central Europe are already donating 
surplus food to charity partners. In 
Malaysia, we are trialling a new food 
surplus donation app similar to our 
FareShare FoodCloud platform in the  
UK. We have committed to offer surplus 
for donation from all Central European 
stores by 2020 and all Malaysian 
Hypermarkets by the end of 2017/18.

We are also trialling the ‘Perfectly 
Imperfect’ range, which uses parts  
of the crop that previously fell outside 
our specifications, across 50 stores  
in Central Europe.

Food waste and surplus data
Transparency and measurement are 
essential for identifying industry-wide 
hotspots, and in tackling the root causes 
of food waste. We need clear, category-
specific measures of food waste, rather 
than the aggregated data currently 
provided by the wider retail industry.

That is why we have been publishing 
data on UK food waste in our own 

24

operations since 2013. This year we are 
changing the way we report our data in 
order to be even more transparent. As 
well as continuing to share the product 
category breakdown of food waste, we 
are now also sharing a breakdown of our 
2016/17 food surplus, the year-on-year 
increase of surplus donations and a 
breakdown of our surplus destinations. 
This enables us to clearly show our 
progress against our goal, that no food 
that’s safe for human consumption  
will go to waste from our UK retail 
operations by the end of 2017. 

By breaking out the different types of 
food surplus, we can see how much food 
is being wasted that is safe for human 
consumption. This year, a total of 38,696 
tonnes of surplus were safe for human 
consumption. Of this, 5,700 tonnes were 
donated to people in need; 16,605 
tonnes went to animal feed and 16,391 
tonnes went to anaerobic digestion and 
energy recovery. To achieve our target, 
we need to ensure that no food safe  
for human consumption is sent for 
anaerobic digestion or energy recovery.

For 2016/17, we saw a net increase  
of 4,004 tonnes in food waste (surplus 
minus donations and animal feed). This 
net increase came predominantly from 
Produce, Bakery and Chilled categories. 
We are looking at these categories  
to better understand the reasons for 
this increase. Overall, the proportion  
of food wasted against the total weight 
of food products sold in Tesco’s UK 
stores is 0.5%◊.

Our first priority is to reduce surplus 
food by working with our supplier 
partners. Where surplus exists, we  
look to donate this to people in need. 
Our donations have increased from 
2,303 tonnes last year to 5,700 tonnes  
in 2016/17 – an increase of 148%. At  
our current rate of donations, we are  
on track to donate over 11,700 tonnes 
next year.

By the end of 2017, Community Food 
Connection will be rolled out to all of 
our stores in the UK, reducing our waste 
and helping to feed even more people 
in need.

Learn more at tesco.com/foodwaste.

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017 
2016/17 total UK sales tonnage vs surplus tonnage

Strategic report

Total food sales

9,957,374 tonnes

Approximately to scale

Total food surplus 

71,178 tonnes 

2016/17 food surplus: progress against our target
(tonnes)

25,109

7,373

Damages

5,700

Not safe 
to donate

Donated

Food surplus safe for 
human consumption

16,605

Animal
feed

16,391

Anaerobic digestion 
and energy recovery

Surplus donations since 2013/14
(tonnes)

5,700†

2016/17 food waste by category
(surplus minus donations and animal feed)(c)

2,303

1,383

268

2013/14

2014/15

2015/16

  2016/17

†  During 2016/17 our rate of donation has increased. 
  The projected surplus donations for 2017/18 is 11,700 tonnes.

Food waste recalculation(b)
(surplus minus donations and animal feed)(c)

Year

2015/16

2014/15

2013/14

Food waste (tonnes)

 42,680

42,172 

 48,182 

46,684
tonnes◊
(waste)

Produce 35%

Chilled 26%

Meat, Agriculture & Local 9%

Bakery 8%

Impulse 7%

Frozen 6%

Grocery 6%

Beers, Wine & Spirits 3%

Euphorium 1%

Destination of 2016/17 food surplus 

Destination

Surplus tonnes

Donated
Animal feed(c)
Anaerobic digestion(c)
Energy recovery(c)
Landfill

5,700

18,794

38,653

8,031

–

* % do not total 100% due to rounding.

%*

8

26

54

11

0

◊  Independent limited assurance for food waste data has been provided by KPMG LLP using the assurance standards ISAE 3000. KPMG has issued an unqualified 

opinion over the data highlighted in this report with a ◊ and the full assurance opinion is available at: www.tescoplc.com/foodwastefigures.

(a)  The proportion of food wasted against the total weight of food products sold in Tesco’s UK stores.
(b)  Due to our change in definition, we have restated previous years’ waste figures. See www.tescoplc.com/foodwastefigures for further details.
(c)  Damaged bakery products contribute to animal feed total. Other food that is damaged or not safe to donate is sent to anaerobic digestion or energy recovery.  

See www.tescoplc.com/foodwastefigures for further details.

25

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Principal risks and uncertainties

A robust and 
systematic review.

“ The Board considers these 
to be the most significant 
risks faced by the Group 
that may impact the 
achievement of our  
six strategic drivers.”

We have an established risk 
management process to identify, 
assess and monitor the principal risks 
that we face as a business. 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. This review 
included those risks that we believe 
would threaten the Group’s business 
model, future performance, solvency 
or liquidity.

The risk management process relies  
on our judgement of the risk likelihood 
and impact and on the development 
and monitoring of appropriate internal 
controls. We maintain a Group Risk 
Register of the principal risks faced  
by the Group and this is an important 
component of our governance 
framework and of how we manage  
our business. 

Our risk management process is 
cascaded down the Group. 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. Our process for identifying  
and managing risk is set out in more 
detail on page 56 of the Annual Report 
and Financial Statements 2017. 

The table opposite sets out our 
principal risks, their link with our 
strategic drivers, their movement 
during the year and examples of 
relevant controls and mitigating 
factors. The Board considers these  
to be the most significant risks faced  
by the Group that may impact the 
achievement of our six strategic 
drivers as set out on pages 6 to 10. 
They do not comprise all 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. With 
respect to the particular risks related 
to Tesco Bank, in addition to the 
principal risk described, we also draw 
attention to the commentary on pages 
3 and 30 addressing the incident of 
November 2016.

Strategic drivers
  A differentiated brand 
1

  Reduce operating costs  by £1.5bn 
2

  Generate £9bn cash  from operations 
3

  Maximise the mix to achieve  a 3.5% – 4.0% Group margin 
4

  Maximise value from property 
5

6

Innovation

26

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017 
Assessment of risk 

Customer

Tesco Bank

Transformation

People

Liquidity

Principal risks

Safety

Competition
and markets

Political, 
regulatory and 
compliance

Brand,
reputation
and trust

Data
security and
data privacy

Technology

Oversight
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.

27

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Strategic reportPrincipal risks and uncertainties continued

Key to risk movement

 Risk increasing 

 No risk movement 

 Risk decreasing

Principal risk
Customer

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.

1

3

4

6

Risk movement

Key controls and mitigating factors

We continue to focus 
on customer needs 
and placing our 
customer at the 
centre of our 
decision-making 
process.

Customer insight management is undertaken Group-wide to understand customer 
behaviours, expectations and experience.

We monitor the effectiveness of these processes by regular tracking of our 
business, and those of our competitors, against measures that customers tell  
us are important to their shopping experience. 

We have strategically repositioned our business to focus on customers and are 
investing further in our customer proposition, reducing prices across our ranges 
and improving service with additional colleague hours.

We have well established product development and quality management processes, 
which keep the needs of our customers central to our decision making. 

Ongoing monitoring allows us to react quickly and appropriately.

Transformation

Failure to achieve our transformation objectives  
due to poor prioritisation, ineffective change 
management and a failure to understand and 
deliver the technology required, resulting  
in an inability to progress sufficiently quickly  
to maintain or increase operating margin  
and generate sufficient cash to meet  
business objectives.

3

4

6

Liquidity

Business performance does not deliver cash  
as expected; access to funding markets or 
facilities is restricted; failures in operational 
liquidity and currency risk 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. 

3

4

5

Competition and markets

Failure to deliver an effective, coherent  
and consistent strategy to respond to our 
competitors and changes in macroeconomic 
conditions in the operating environment, 
resulting in a loss of market share and failure  
to improve profitability.

1

2

6

Achieving our 
transformation goals 
continues to demand 
further effort  
and investment  
as both internal  
and external 
expectations of 
transformation  
have increased.

The Executive Committee have responsibility and oversight for all transformation 
activities. The multiple transformation programmes, including Finance, People, IT, 
UK, Central Europe and new Group structures have been designed to simplify  
our business and clarify accountability.

Transformation programmes are supported by experienced resource from  
within the business and externally as required reporting directly to the  
Executive Committee.

We have imposed 
increased discipline 
and strategic 
planning across  
all of our Treasury 
activities.

We maintain an infrastructure of policies and reports to ensure discipline over,  
and oversight around, liquidity matters. There are specific treasury and debt-related 
policies in place and communicated across the Group. Reporting activity includes  
the provision of rolling liquidity reports, forecasts and cash flow, and treasury 
performance reporting of key metrics. These reports are regularly reviewed by  
the Board, Executive Committee and management.

We are managing corporate debt through the implementation of a strategy to reduce 
our debt level.

Updates on the funding strategy are regularly provided to the Pension Trustees,  
with whom there is regular communication and engagement. 

While recognising that Tesco Bank is financially separate from Tesco PLC, there  
is ongoing monitoring of the activities of Tesco Bank that could give rise to risks  
to Tesco PLC.

The Audit Committee reviews and approves annually the going concern and viability 
statements and reports into the Board.

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

Our Board actively develops and regularly challenges the strategic direction of  
our business and we actively seek to be competitive on price, range and service,  
as well as developing our online and multiple formats to allow us to compete in 
different markets.

Our Executive Committee and operational management regularly review markets, 
trading opportunities, competitor strategy and activity and we engage in market 
scanning and competitor analysis to refine our customer proposition.

28

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Principal risk
Brand, reputation and trust

Risk movement

Key controls and mitigating factors

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. 

A broad range of 
factors impacted our 
brand, reputation 
and trust in the year 
and, on balance, the 
level of risk remains 
unchanged.

1

Technology

A significant failure of IT infrastructure or  
key IT systems results in loss of information, 
inability to operate effectively, financial or 
regulatory penalties and negatively impacts  
our reputation.

Failure to build in resilience capabilities at the 
time of investing in and implementing new 
technology.

1

6

Our technology 
landscape continues 
to require further 
investment as 
external threats 
increase, and the 
challenges around 
securing the right 
capability to deliver 
change continue.

We have developed communication and engagement programmes to listen to  
our stakeholders and reflect their needs in our plans. The development of new 
corporate responsibility goals has also been aligned with customer priorities  
and our brand.

We maximise the value and impact of our brand with the advice of specialist external 
agencies and in-house marketing expertise, including a Digital Marketing team. The 
Digital Marketing team manages activities and content relating to social media with 
country teams, to issue considered responses to legitimate customer feedback.

Maintaining a differentiated brand is one of our strategic priorities and our Group 
processes, policies and our Code of Business Conduct, which is refreshed annually, 
set out how we can make the right decisions for our customers, colleagues, suppliers, 
communities and investors.

There is a Board-level Corporate Responsibility Committee in place to oversee  
all corporate responsibility activities and initiatives.

Our technology strategy is becoming fully aligned with the overall Group strategy, 
directed investment in technology resilience is being evaluated, and greater 
adoption of cloud computing technologies provides further resilience. We have 
governance processes in place around new system implementations, including 
change management controls.

Closer alignment of business continuity and technology disaster recovery via  
the planned establishment of a business continuity forum.

Data security and data privacy

Failure to comply with legal or regulatory 
requirements relating to data security or data 
privacy in the course of our business activities, 
results 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.

1

6

In a climate where 
data risk is 
increasing globally 
and regulatory 
expectations are 
expanding, we hold  
personal data in a 
number of locations. 
The data security 
incident experienced 
at Tesco Bank 
highlights the rising 
profile for this  
risk globally.

We have a multi-year data security governance and oversight plan in  
place, including a Privacy Executive Committee, Group Compliance Committee, 
Business Unit Compliance Committees and the Senior Data Usage Governance 
Committee to help ensure focus on relevant laws and regulations. These 
structures are supported by a Group-wide information security blueprint  
as well as relevant data security policies across our businesses.

Our Cyber Security team investigates and mitigates the risks of cyber-attack.  
We have established a third party penetration testing plan to enable ongoing 
identification of assessment of vulnerabilities.

A programme of compliance monitoring and review has been rolled out with 
training across our businesses – we have active monitoring processes to identify 
and deal with IT security incidents. We also draw attention to the commentary  
on pages 3 and 30 addressing the Tesco Bank incident of November 2016.

Political, regulatory and compliance
This has been renamed to include political risk 
reflecting the challenges faced in the various 
markets in which we operate.

Failure to comply with requirements as  
the regulatory environment becomes more 
restrictive, due to changes in the global political 
landscape, results in fines, criminal penalties, 
consequential litigation and an adverse  
impact on our reputation; financial results or 
unfavourable effects on our ability to do business.

Change in the global political environment means 
there is a push towards regulation of foreign 
investors and a favouring of local companies.

These changes can have an adverse impact  
on the Group.

1

A changing  
political environment 
has resulted in  
increased regulatory 
intervention in our 
markets around  
the world.

Wherever we operate we aim to contribute to important discussions in public policy 
and engage with Government and regulatory bodies to represent the views of our 
customers, colleagues and communities; and to ensure that the impact of political  
and regulatory changes is incorporated into our strategic planning.

Group and Country Compliance Committees monitor and guide legal and regulatory 
compliance with support from our Group Regulatory Ethics and Compliance team,  
and country developments are monitored by our local management teams. We also 
have comprehensive guidance across the Group to ensure compliance with the UK 
Bribery Act (and applicable local legislation).

Our Group Code of Business Conduct has been recently updated and relaunched 
with appropriate training across the Group. This sets out clear behavioural 
guidance, consistent with our values and is supported by an externally managed 
whistleblowing service (Protector Line) to allow colleagues to report any instances 
of inappropriate behaviour.

The tax environment in each location is evaluated as part of the regulatory 
landscape in each location of operations. The Group has tax policies and oversight 
for each country it operates in.

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

29

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Strategic reportPrincipal risks and uncertainties continued

Principal risk
Safety

Risk movement

Key controls and mitigating factors

Failure to meet safety standards in relation  
to workplace or product, resulting in death, 
injury or illness to customers, colleagues,  
or third parties.

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

Our dedicated Quality Standards team undertakes horizon scanning to keep abreast  
of and inform new product safety legislation. Standards for health and safety are 
defined for all of our sites. Health and safety monitoring processes are in place  
and we have created a Group team whose primary objective is to ensure that safety 
standards are met. 

1

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.

1

6

Tesco Bank

Global Product Safety Standards are communicated to our suppliers and tested 
through our audit programmes.

Our people are our 
most valuable asset. 
We continue to 
advance diversity and 
inclusion and see a 
strong improvement 
in colleague 
engagement.

The Executive Committee meets regularly to review and monitor people policies and 
procedures and talent development. Objectives and remuneration arrangements for 
senior management are approved by this Committee. Objectives and remuneration 
arrangements form part of a coherent and consistent remuneration framework and 
have been redesigned to promote appropriate behaviours as well as the delivery of 
results. Talent planning, training and people development processes are embedded 
across the Group.

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

We have implemented ethical rules, guidelines, policies and procedures in line with  
our values. Training around our Code of Business Conduct has been recently updated 
and relaunched across the Group.

Tesco Bank is exposed to a number of risks,  
the most significant of which are credit risk, 
operational risk, liquidity and funding risk, market 
risk, and legal and regulatory compliance risk.

The Bank continues  
to actively manage  
the risks to which  
it is exposed.

1

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.

The Bank operates a risk management framework that is underpinned by governance, 
policies, processes and controls, reporting, assurance and stress testing.

There is Bank Board risk reporting throughout the year, 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.

In November 2016, Tesco Bank’s debit cards were the subject of an online fraudulent 
attack. The Group’s priority throughout was to ensure customers’ accounts were 
protected and that it communicated with customers immediately and transparently, 
reassuring customers that there was no data loss or breach of systems. The Group has 
undertaken immediate remedial action and an independent review of the issue and 
continues to work closely with the authorities and regulators on this incident.

Booker merger 
In January 2017, the boards of Tesco PLC and Booker Group PLC, announced their agreement, subject to regulatory approval, 
shareholder approval and other conditions to a merger. As well as the risk of conditions to closing not being met, the ability  
to realise the expected strategic and financial objectives is subject to a successful and timely integration process.

Brexit
The result of the referendum on the United Kingdom’s membership of the European Union leading to the departure of the UK 
from the EU (Brexit), could cause disruptions to and create uncertainty around our business, including affecting our relationships  
with our existing and future customers, suppliers and colleagues. These disruptions and uncertainties could have an adverse 
effect on our business, financial results and operations. As further details of the Brexit terms emerge, the management will 
continue to assess the potential risks and impacts of these on Tesco stakeholders.

30

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Longer term viability statement
1. The context for assessment
The aim of the viability statement is for the Directors to assess the prospects of the Company meeting its liabilities over  
the assessment period, taking into account the current financial position, outlook and principal risks.

The Directors have based their assessment of viability on the Group’s current strategic plan, which is updated and approved 
annually by the Board, delivering the Group’s purpose of ‘serving shoppers a little better every day’ and underpinned by  
the six strategic drivers (detailed on page 6). The strategic plan necessarily makes assumptions relating to: the prevailing 
economic climate and global economy; the structural challenges facing our sector; competitor actions; market dynamics; 
changing customer behaviours; and the costs associated with delivering the strategy. Strategic plans also address and 
respond to the Group’s principal risks. 

2. The assessment period
The Directors have assessed the viability of the Company over a three-year period to February 2020. The Directors have 
determined that a three-year period is an appropriate timeframe for assessment, given the dynamic nature of the retail 
sector and product offering, and is in line with the Company’s strategic planning period.

3. Assessment of viability
The viability of the Company has been assessed taking into account the Company’s current financial position, including 
external funding in place over the assessment period, and after modelling the impact of certain scenarios arising from  
the principal risks which have the greatest potential impact on viability in that period.

Three scenarios have been modelled, considered severe but plausible, that encompass these identified risks. None of these 
scenarios individually threaten the viability of the Company, therefore the compound impact of these scenarios has been 
evaluated as the most severe stress scenario. 

Scenario
Competitive pressure

Data security or regulatory breach

Brexit impact

Associated principal risks
 • Brand, reputation and trust 
 • Competition and markets 
 • Customer

 • Brand, reputation and trust
 • Data security and data privacy
 • Political, regulatory and compliance

 • Competition and markets
 • Political, regulatory and compliance

Description
Failure to respond to fierce competition and changes in the 
retail market drives sustained significant like-for-like volume 
decline in core food categories with no offsetting price inflation, 
putting pressure on margins.

A serious data security or regulatory breach results in a significant 
monetary penalty and a loss of reputation among customers.

Brexit continues to drive high UK domestic inflation and increased 
import costs from a weaker Sterling, compounded by new import 
duties and tariffs, with a consequential economic impact.

These scenarios assumed that external debt is repaid as it becomes due and also considered the results with and without 
the proposed Booker merger (detailed in Note 36) which is still subject to regulatory and shareholder approval and other 
conditions to a merger.

The scenarios above are hypothetical and purposefully severe for the purpose of creating outcomes that have the ability  
to threaten the viability of the Group. In the case of these scenarios arising, various options are available to the Group  
in order to maintain liquidity so as to continue in operation such as: accessing new external funding early; more radical 
short-term cost reduction actions; and reducing capital expenditure. None of these actions are assumed in our current 
scenario modelling.

4. Viability statement
Based on these severe but plausible scenarios, the Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Company will continue 
in operation and meet its liabilities as they fall due over the three-year period considered.

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.

Robert Welch 
Group Company Secretary
11 April 2017

31

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Strategic reportCorporate governance report
Chairman’s introduction

John Allan Non-executive Chairman

 “ The Board is committed  

to maintaining the highest 
standards of corporate 
governance in its 
management of the  
affairs of Tesco and  
its accountability to 
shareholders and  
other stakeholders.”

32

Dear Shareholder

Good corporate governance is critical in helping us to build a successful business that  
can be sustained over the longer term. The Board is committed to maintaining the highest 
standards of corporate governance in its management of the affairs of Tesco and its 
accountability to shareholders and other stakeholders. However, corporate governance 
does not exist in isolation and cannot be reduced to compliance with checklists and codes.  
In order for the Board to be able to review strategy, to determine our approach to risk  
and to respond to events, we need to have a thorough understanding of our business. 
During the year, the Board received presentations on a number of areas of the business 
from senior management to ensure it was fully aware of the Group’s performance, the 
market environment and progress on the six strategic drivers as well as visiting a number  
of Tesco sites.

Culture
Serving shoppers a little better every day is at the heart of everything we do at Tesco.  
As a Board we are responsible for ensuring that our activities reflect the culture we wish 
to instil in our colleagues and other stakeholders and drive the right behaviours. We have 
a responsibility to ensure that our colleagues do the right things in the right way by setting 
the tone from the top and leading by example. This means that in every decision we take, 
and every plan we develop, we ask ourselves one simple question: how will it help serve 
our shoppers a little better every day?

Our values help our colleagues to understand how to put this into action:

 • no one tries harder for customers;
 • we treat people how they want to be treated; and
 • every little help makes a big difference.

These values are recognised across the Group and have become a vital part of Tesco’s 
culture. They ensure that every colleague at Tesco understands what is important – 
about how we work together as a team and how customers are at the centre of what  
we do. The values are supported by our Code of Business Conduct which sets out the 
standards that are required across the Group and further emphasises the need to do 
things in the right way. Tesco has taken steps to further incentivise the right behaviours 
by embedding ethical leadership and behaviour as key measures under the Performance 
Share Plan (PSP) for both Executive Directors and senior management.

The Board was encouraged by the most recent Group-wide employee engagement survey 
‘What Matters To You?’, which showed significant year-on-year progress in colleagues who 
would recommend Tesco as a great place to work, increasing by two percentage points  
to 83%, and as a great place to shop, increasing by 7pts to 48pts.

Succession planning
Proper planning for Board and senior management succession and refreshing and selecting 
the right individuals from a diverse talent pool are key issues for the Board. These are 
essential in ensuring a continuous level of quality in management, in avoiding instability  
by helping mitigate the risks which may be associated with unforeseen events, such as  
the departure of a key individual, and in promoting diversity. During the year, the Board 
reviewed succession planning for the Board and Executive Committee to ensure we  
have an appropriate pipeline of talent both now and for the future. 

Risk management
The Board remains focused on ensuring that the Group’s risk management and internal 
control systems are effective in underpinning robust decision-making on major activities. 
The Board has continued to debate and develop its understanding of risk, risk appetite 
and tolerance, risk testing and how we can maximise our opportunities. As we move forward, 
the Board’s challenge will be to oversee the integration of these systems with the Group’s 
strategic priorities as they continue to evolve. 

Protecting the Group from operational and reputational risk is an essential part of the 
Board’s role. Supported by the Audit Committee, we have continued to drive a better 
understanding of the risks we face, further developed and tested our tolerance on risk 
and ensured our Group risk map continues to reflect the Group’s strategic objectives  
and opportunities.

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Diversity and inclusion
The Board believes it is important to have an appropriate balance of experience, skills, 
knowledge and backgrounds on the Board and at senior management level. This is vital  
for bringing both the expertise required and to enable different perspectives to be 
brought to the Board and Committee discussions. The combination of these factors 
means that the Board benefits from a diverse range of competencies and thoughts, 
which promotes a dynamic environment for decision-making. We have discussed the 
reports from Sir Philip Hampton and Dame Helen Alexander, and from Sir John Parker  
in the areas of women in leadership positions and ethnic diversity, respectively. We are 
committed to having a diverse Board and senior management team as this diversity 
improves our performance.

I am pleased to report that during the year we exceeded our gender diversity target  
of having 25% of women on the Board. At the end of the year, 27% of the Board were 
women. We have now moved on to our new gender diversity target of having at least 
one-third of women on the Board by the end of 2020. Although our overriding principle 
will continue to be to make appointments on the basis of merit relative to a number  
of different criteria including diversity of gender, background and personal attributes, 
alongside the appropriate skill set, experience and expertise, future appointments to the 
Board must also complement the balance of skills that the Board already possesses. 

The Board recognises the need to create the conditions that foster talent and encourage 
all colleagues to achieve their full career potential in the Group. As part of our overall 
approach to human resource management we encourage colleague diversity and aspire  
to be an inclusive organisation. To this end, we are proud to have one of the largest LGBT+ 
colleague networks in Europe, with the aim of attracting, supporting and developing our 
LGBT+ colleagues.

Engaging with shareholders
Meaningful engagement with shareholders is one of the key aspects of corporate 
governance. I and my fellow Directors welcome open, meaningful discussions with 
shareholders, particularly with regard to governance, strategy, succession planning  
and remuneration. The Board and management have undertaken a number of activities  
in this regard during the year, many of which are detailed in this Annual Report.

The Board also receives regular reports on investor relations activities and, in particular, 
on shareholder sentiment and feedback. The Board continues to believe that ongoing 
engagement with shareholders and other stakeholders is vital to ensuring their views  
and perspectives are fully understood and taken into consideration. This will remain a  
key focus for the Board in 2017/18. At the Company’s forthcoming Annual General Meeting 
(AGM), all Directors who are able to attend will be available, as usual, to meet with 
shareholders to discuss any issues they may have. I encourage as many shareholders  
as possible to attend the AGM on 16 June 2017.

Conclusion
During a challenging year, I have greatly valued the diverse and complementary range  
of skills and experience of my fellow Board members. All of our discussions and debates 
have taken place within a culture of openness, mutual trust and respect, and that 
environment has enabled us to integrate successfully those Non-executive Directors  
who joined the Board in 2016. 

John Allan
Non-executive Chairman

33

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Corporate governanceCorporate governance report continued
Board of Directors

John Allan CBE 
Non-executive Chairman  
Appointed 1 March 2015 

N R C

Steve Golsby  
Independent Non-executive Director 
Appointed 1 October 2016

C

Skills and experience John brings a wealth of 
executive management expertise from across 
the commercial and financial sectors. He was CEO 
of Exel PLC and when it was acquired by Deutsche 
Post in 2005 he joined the board of Deutsche 
Post, becoming CFO in 2007 until his retirement in 
2009. John was Chairman of Dixons Retail plc and 
following its merger with Carphone Warehouse was 
Deputy Chairman and Senior Independent Director 
of Dixons Carphone until 2015. He was also 
previously a non-executive director of National 
Grid plc, the UK Home Office Supervisory Board, 
3i plc, PHS Group plc, Connell plc, Royal Mail plc, 
Wolseley plc and Hamleys plc.

External appointments Chairman of Barratt 
Developments PLC and London First, and a 
non-executive director of Worldpay Group PLC.

Skills and experience Steve has a wealth of 
knowledge of operating internationally and a strong 
background in consumer marketing. He held senior 
executive positions with Bristol Myers Squibb and 
Unilever, before being appointed President of 
Mead Johnson Nutrition, a leading global infant 
nutrition company in 2004 and then President  
and CEO from 2008 to 2013. He was previously  
a non-executive director of Beam Inc.

External appointments Non-executive director  
of Mead Johnson Nutrition Company, advisor to 
Thai Union Group PLC, a global leader in the seafood 
industry, and an Honorary Advisor to the Thailand 
Board of Investment.

Byron Grote  
Independent Non-executive Director 
Appointed 1 May 2015 

AN

R

Skills and experience Byron brings broad financial 
and international experience to the Board. He served 
on the BP PLC board from 2000 until 2013 and  
was BP’s CFO during much of that period. He was 
previously a non-executive director of Unilever PLC.

External appointments Vice Chairman of the 
Supervisory Board of Akzo Nobel NV and a 
non-executive director of Anglo American PLC  
and Standard Chartered PLC.

Mark Armour  
Independent Non-executive Director 
Appointed 2 September 2013

A

Skills and experience Mark has significant strategic 
and financial expertise. He was CFO of Reed 
Elsevier Group PLC (now RELX Group PLC), and its 
two parent companies, Reed Elsevier PLC and Reed 
Elsevier NV, from 1996 to 2012. Prior to joining Reed 
Elsevier, he was a partner at Price Waterhouse in 
London. He was previously a non-executive director 
and chair of the audit committee of SABMiller PLC.

External appointments Non-executive director  
of the Financial Reporting Council.

30 years in a variety of different roles across 
Europe, Asia and the Americas. He has experience 
across many sectors in the UK and overseas, and 
has been responsible for a number of business 
turnarounds. He was previously a non-executive 
director of Sky PLC.

External appointments Member of the Governance 
Committee of the Consumer Goods Forum and 
Chair of Champions 12.3, a UN programme seeking 
to add momentum to the achievement of the UN 
Sustainable Development Target 12.3 by 2030.

Mikael Olsson  
Independent Non-executive Director 
Appointed 1 November 2014 

CR

Skills and experience Mikael provides the Board 
with valuable retail and value chain experience as 
well as knowledge of sustainability, people and 
strategy in an international environment. He worked 
for IKEA Group for 35 years and was a member  
of the executive committee from 1995 until 2013, 
holding the position of CEO and President from 
2009 until 2013. 

External appointments Non-executive director  
and vice chairman of Volvo Cars Group, non-
executive director of Ikano S.A., Lindengruppen  
AB and The Schiphol Group.

Deanna Oppenheimer  
Senior Independent Director 
Appointed 1 March 2012 
Appointed Senior Independent Director  
3 January 2017

RN

C

Skills and experience Deanna has significant 
marketing, brand management and consumer 
knowledge and experience. She held a number  
of senior roles at Barclays plc, including Chief 
Executive of UK Retail and Business Banking and Vice 
Chair of Global Retail Banking. Prior to Barclays, 
Deanna held senior positions at Washington Mutual, 
Inc. She was previously a non-executive director  
of Catellus and Plum Creek Timber. 

External appointments Founder of consumer-
focused boutique advisory firm, CameoWorks LLC, 
a non-executive director of AXA Group, the Joshua 
Green Corporation, Whitbread PLC, Worldpay 
Group PLC and Brooks Sports. Additionally, she  
is a senior advisor to Bain & Company.

Dave Lewis  
Group Chief Executive 
Appointed 1 September 2014 

Skills and experience Dave has significant 
experience in brand marketing, customer 
management and general management. Prior  
to joining Tesco, he worked for Unilever for nearly  

34

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Simon Patterson  
Independent Non-executive Director  
Appointed 1 April 2016 

A

Lindsey Pownall OBE  
Independent Non-executive Director  
Appointed 1 April 2016 

C

Skills and experience Simon has extensive 
knowledge of and years of experience in finance, 
technology and global operations gained in various 
management and leadership roles. He was a 
member of the founding management team of the 
logistics software company Global Freight Exchange 
and has worked at the Financial Times and McKinsey 
& Company. He has previously served on the 
boards of Skype, MultiPlan, Cegid Group, Intelsat, 
Gerson Lehrman Group and N Brown Group. 

Skills and experience Lindsey has substantial 
experience in food, grocery and retail brand 
development, having enjoyed a career of over 20 
years at Samworth Brothers, the leading UK 
supplier of premium quality chilled and ambient 
foods. She joined the Samworth Board in 2001 and 
served as Chief Executive between 2011 and 2015.

External appointments Non-executive director  
of Meadow Foods Limited.

External appointments Managing Director of 
Silver Lake Partners, a leading global technology 
investment firm, board member of Dell, a Trustee  
of the Natural History Museum and a Trustee of  
the Royal Foundation of the Duke and Duchess  
of Cambridge and Prince Harry. 

Alan Stewart  
Chief Financial Officer 
Appointed 23 September 2014 

Skills and experience Alan brings to the Board 
significant corporate finance and accounting 
experience from a variety of highly competitive 
industries, including retail, banking and travel, as 
well as executive leadership experience within a 
listed company environment. Prior to joining Tesco, 
he was UK CEO and CFO of Thomas Cook Holdings, 
Group Finance Director of WHSmith plc and  
CFO for AWAS and Marks & Spencer plc. He was 
previously a non-executive director of Games 
Workshop Group plc.

External appointments Non-executive director  
of Diageo plc and Tesco Bank, Member of the 
Advisory Board, Chartered Institute of Management 
Accountants and Member of the Main Committee 
and Chairman of the Pension Committee of the  
100 Group of Finance Directors.

Alison Platt  
Independent Non-executive Director 
Appointed 1 April 2016 

R

Skills and experience Alison has extensive 
experience of the property sector and customer 
service delivery. She has also significant  
business-to-business and international  
commercial experience, having held a number  
of senior positions at Bupa. Alison was previously 
Chair of ‘Opportunity Now’, which seeks to 
accelerate change for women in the workplace,  
as well as a non-executive director of the  
Foreign & Commonwealth Office and Cable  
& Wireless Communications PLC.

External appointments Chief Executive of 
Countrywide plc.

Committee membership (at 11 April 2017)

N

A

R

C

 Nominations Committee

 Audit Committee

 Remuneration Committee

 Corporate Responsibility Committee

 Chair of Committee

35

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Corporate 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. The following individuals serve on our Executive Committee.

Alessandra Bellini  
Chief Customer Officer

Alessandra joined the Executive Committee  
on 1 March 2017. 

As Chief Customer Officer, Alessandra is 
responsible for building the Tesco brand globally 
and putting the customer at the heart of 
everything that we do. 

Prior to Tesco, Alessandra worked at Unilever  
for over 21 years, latterly as Vice President for  
the Food Category in North America and Food 
General Manager for the USA. Previously, she  
had a 12-year career in advertising, working both 
in Italy and the UK. 

An international executive, Alessandra has held 
roles in North America, the UK, Italy and Central 
and Eastern Europe.

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 CEO 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.

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 
Tesco pension trustee. 

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

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 become CEO of Halfords 
Group PLC, a role he held until 2015. 

Matt served as a non-executive director at 
Dunelm Group PLC from 2012 to 2015.

Tony Hoggett  
CEO Asia

Tony joined the Executive Committee on  
1 April 2017.

Tony joined Tesco as a 16-year old student in 1990 
and managed a number of stores in the north of 
England. Between 2007 and 2011 he held a number 
of roles in China before moving to Turkey as Chief 
Operating Officer for Tesco Kipa. In 2011, Tony 
returned to the UK as Managing Director for 
Superstores, before becoming Managing Director 
for Extra in 2012. He was also appointed as a 
board member of Tesco Mobile at this time.  
In 2014, he joined the UK Leadership Team as 
Retail Director UK and then Chief Operating 
Officer UK in 2016.

Jane Lawrie  
Group Communications Director

Jane joined the Executive Committee on  
10 October 2016.

As Group Communications Director, Jane is 
responsible for rebuilding trust in the Tesco  
brand and our business. 

Jane has over 25 years' experience of corporate, 
financial, colleague and digital communications. 
She joined Tesco from Coca-Cola, where she led 
European public affairs and communications. She 
has significant experience in advising businesses 
on trust and corporate reputation, including  
previous roles at Diageo and Boots the Chemist.

36

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017 
Dave Lewis  
Group Chief Executive

Dave joined the Board and the Executive 
Committee on 1 September 2014. His full 
biography appears on page 34.

Alan Stewart 
Chief Financial Officer

Alan joined the Board and the Executive 
Committee on 23 September 2014. His  
full biography appears on page 35.

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, government 
relations, regulatory and compliance functions 
across Tesco globally. 

Jason Tarry  
Chief Product Officer

Jason joined the Executive Committee on 
1 January 2015. 

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.

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. 

Matt Simister  
CEO Central Europe

Matt joined the Executive Committee on  
1 April 2017.

Matt joined Tesco in 1996 as a marketer. He built 
on his UK experience with three years as 
Commercial Director for our Czech and Slovak 
businesses before returning to the UK to set  
up our Group Food capability, managing our 
regional fresh food and Tesco Brand sourcing, 
buying and inbound supply chains for the UK, ROI, 
Central Europe and Asia. For the last two years,  
Matt has integrated these capabilities into the  
UK business.

37

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Corporate governanceCorporate governance report continued

UK Corporate Governance Code compliance
The Board confirms that throughout the year 
ended 25 February 2017 the Company applied 
the main principles and complied with the 
relevant provisions set out in the UK Corporate 
Governance Code (Code) issued by the Financial 
Reporting Council (FRC) in September 2014.  
The Code can be found on the FRC website at:  
www.frc.org.uk.

In April 2016, the FRC published an updated 
version of the Code which will apply to the 
Company for the financial year beginning  
26 February 2017, and the Company is preparing 
to report on the updated Code next year. 

Governance framework
The 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 colleagues 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.

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

Chairman:
• lead the Board;
• promote high 

standards of corporate   
governance;

• ensure the effectiveness    
   of the Board; and
• available to investors.

SID: 
• sounding board 
for Chairman;
• intermediary for  
other NEDs; and

• available to investors.

NEDs: 
•  sound judgement, 

objectivity and experience 
to Board deliberations; 

•  effective challenge 

and scrutiny of 
executive proposals; and
•  constructively challenge 
strategies proposed by 
Executive Directors.

Group Chief Executive
•  executive leadership 

and day-to-day 
management of Tesco 
to ensure the delivery 
of the strategy 
determined by 
the Board. 

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 and Executive Committee;
• 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 

Audit 

Nominations

Executive Committee

Corporate 
Responsibility  

Remuneration  

Disclosure

Delegation to Group functions 

Product  

Legal 

Finance

Customer

People

Tesco 
Bank

Channels  

38

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 20171. Leadership

Role of the Board
The Board has a collective responsibility to create and deliver sustainable value for  
our shareholders, in a way that is supported by the right culture, values and behaviours 
throughout the Group. We are accountable to shareholders for managing the Company  
in a manner which promotes the long-term and sustainable success of the Company for 
the benefit of shareholders as a whole. To support our role in determining the strategic 
objectives and policies of the Group, we have a well-defined corporate governance 
framework.

The Board provides entrepreneurial leadership of the Company within a framework  
of prudent and effective controls for risk assessment and management. The Board is 
primarily responsible for: 

 • determining strategic direction and demonstrating leadership; 
 •

focusing on matters that consistently add value for our shareholders and  
other stakeholders;
the governance and stewardship of the Group to provide protection and security  
for the shareholders’ assets; 

 •

 • Board and Committee appointments; 
 •

setting the Group’s culture, standards and values, and ensuring that its obligations  
to shareholders and other stakeholders are understood and met; and 

 • determining the nature and extent of the principal risks the Group is willing to take  

to achieve its strategic objectives. 

Another key responsibility is to ensure that management maintains a system of internal 
control that provides assurance of effective and efficient operations, internal financial 
controls and compliance with laws and regulations.

Matters reserved for the Board
The Board is the decision-making body for those matters that are considered of 
significance to the Group owing to their strategic, financial or reputational implications  
or consequences. To retain control of these key decisions, certain matters have been 
identified that only the Board may approve and there is a formal schedule of powers 
reserved to the Board. These include approval of:

the Company’s strategic and operating plans;
risk appetite;
long-term plans and budgets;

 •
 •
 •
 • financial results, viability statement and governance;
 • material contracts;
 • capital and liquidity matters; and 
 • major acquisitions, mergers and disposals.

Specific responsibilities have been delegated to the Board Committees, each of which  
is responsible for reviewing and dealing with matters within its own terms of reference. 
Each Committee reports to, and has its terms of reference approved by, the Board.  
The Committee papers and minutes are shared with all Directors. In addition, we  
have approved a Group Delegated Authorities Schedule which sets out who within  
the management team has authority to take decisions based on the nature of the 
decision and the values associated with it.

Board meetings
In order to carry out our work, a planned programme of agendas has been established  
to ensure all necessary matters are covered and to allow sufficient time for debate  
and challenge. We also take time to review past decisions where necessary. At Board 
meetings, we receive and consider papers and presentations from the Executive Directors 
on relevant topics and senior management are regularly invited to attend meetings for 
specific items. This enables the Non-executive Directors to engage with colleagues from 
across the Group. Minutes of meetings record any material concerns expressed by 
Directors and on resignation, any Non-executive Director having such concerns provides  
a written statement to the Chairman which is circulated to the Board. Effective review  
and decision-making is supported by providing the Board with high-quality, accurate,  
clear and timely information, including input from advisers where necessary.

39

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Corporate governanceCorporate governance report continued
Leadership continued

Board meetings are structured around the following areas:

 • financial results;
 • business reviews;
 •
reporting; and
 • corporate activities.

During the year, the Board and its Committees continued to focus on delivering the 
Company’s strategy. We held a strategy day in November which included in-depth 
discussions of strategic matters and a number of presentations by senior management. 
In addition, the Board also held a number of in-depth strategy sessions throughout  
the year focused on the six strategic drivers and risk management.

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.

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. The Board received 
updates on litigation and compliance-related matters. 
A number of meetings were held on the proposed 
merger with Booker Group PLC and other transactions, 
often with advisers in attendance.  

The Group Chief Executive provided updates to 
the Board during the year on business performance, 
investor engagement, business priorities and 
operations, as well as regulatory and corporate 
responsibility, colleague matters and key stakeholder 
metrics. Reports were also provided to the Board 
by the Chief Financial Officer setting out progress 
on the six strategic drivers.

Corporate         Reporting

Business
reviews

Financial
results

Updates were provided to the Board on consumer 
and market trends with discussions on competition 
issues and strategies for navigating the challenges faced 
by the business. 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 Brexit vote and 
the potential impact on the Group. Further updates 
were provided to the Board on tax strategy, the Group's 
treasury position and strategy for the business in general.

The Board reviewed the Annual Report and 
the half-yearly results, including the going concern 
review and viability statement. In addition, the Board 
received reports from the external auditor as well 
as the results of an annual property valuation.

Division of responsibilities
The Board has agreed a clear division of responsibilities between the running of the Board 
and running the business of the Group. The Chairman is responsible for the leadership  
of the Board and to ensure that it operates effectively, while the responsibility for the 
day-to-day management of Tesco has been delegated to the Group Chief Executive.  
The responsibilities of the Chairman, Group Chief Executive, Senior Independent Director 
and other Directors are clearly defined so that no individual has unrestricted powers  
of decision.

The Group Chief Executive is supported by the Executive Committee, which is responsible  
for making and implementing operational decisions while running Tesco’s day-to-day 
business, and for making recommendations to the Board. The Group’s senior management 
structure has been designed to support management’s decision-making responsibilities, 
aligned to personal accountability and delegated authority, while embedding risk and 
control in business decision-making.

40

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Gender split at Board level

3

8

Gender split at Executive 
Committee level

3

8

Gender split at all employee level (%)

46

54

Male

Female

Board members’ expertise

Financial (6)

Retail (6)

Strategy (7)

Marketing (5)

Technology (1)

Tenure of Non-executive Directors

4

2

3

<1 year

1-3 years

>3 years

Non-executive Directors 
The Non-executive Directors provide a strong independent element to the Board and  
a solid foundation for good corporate governance. Although all Directors are equally 
accountable under the law for the stewardship of the Company’s affairs, the Non-
executive Directors fulfil a vital role in corporate accountability. They have responsibility 
for constructively challenging the strategies proposed by the Executive Directors, 
scrutinising the performance of management in achieving agreed goals and objectives,  
as well as playing a leading role in the functioning of the Board Committees. Between 
them, the current Non-executive Directors have the appropriate balance of skills, 
experience, knowledge and independent judgement gained through experience in a 
variety of business sectors. See pages 34 and 35 for a description of the skills and 
experience of each Non-executive Director.

Diversity and inclusion
The Board continues to recognise that diversity is key for introducing different perspectives 
into Board debate and for better anticipating the risks and opportunities in building a 
long-term sustainable business. As set out on pages 34 to 37, each member of the Board 
and Executive Committee offers 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 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.

Board Committees
The four principal Committees of the Board are: Audit; Corporate Responsibility; 
Nominations; and Remuneration. Board Committee members are appointed by the  
Board upon the recommendation of the Nominations Committee, which reviews the 
composition of each Committee regularly. The Committee memberships are spread between 
the Non-executive Directors, drawing on each of their relevant skills and experience. 
Committee members are expected to attend each Committee meeting, unless there  
are exceptional circumstances which prevent them from doing so. Only members of  
the Committees are entitled to attend their meetings, but others may attend at the 
Committee’s discretion.

The terms of reference of each Committee are available to view on the Company’s website 
and on request from the Group Company Secretary at the Company’s registered office. 
The terms of reference are normally reviewed annually. 

The current membership of the Board’s Committees is shown in the table below:

Audit Committee
–

Corporate 
Responsibility 
Committee
C

Nominations 
Committee
C

Remuneration 
Committee
M

M

–

C
–

–

M

–

–

–

M

–
M

M

–

–

M

–

–

M
–

M

–

–

–

–

–

M
M

C

–

M

–

John Allan

Mark Armour

Steve Golsby

Byron Grote
Mikael Olsson

Deanna Oppenheimer

Simon Patterson

Alison Platt

Lindsey Pownall

M: Member  C: Chair

2. Effectiveness

Board balance
Effective management and good stewardship are led by the Board. The Board is currently 
composed of the Chairman, who was independent on appointment, two Executive 
Directors and eight Non-executive Directors. The balance of Directors on the Board 
ensures that no individual or small group of Directors can dominate the decision-making 
process and that the interests of shareholders are protected. Biographies of all current 
Directors are set out on pages 34 and 35. Simon Patterson, Alison Platt and Lindsey Pownall 
joined the Board on 1 April 2016 and Steve Golsby joined on 1 October 2016. Richard Cousins 
stood down from the Board and as Senior Independent Director on 3 January 2017 and was 
succeeded by Deanna Oppenheimer as Senior Independent Director.

41

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Corporate governanceCorporate governance report continued
Effectiveness continued

Board independence
Independent Non-executive Directors form a majority of the Board. The Board considers 
each of its current Non-executive Directors to be independent in character and judgement. 
In reaching its determination of independence, the Board has concluded that each 
provides objective challenge to management, is willing to stand up and defend his or  
her own beliefs and viewpoints in order to support the ultimate good of the Company  
and that there are no business or other relationships likely to affect, or which could 
appear to affect, the judgement of the Non-executive Directors.

Mark Armour

Steve Golsby

Byron Grote

Mikael Olsson

Deanna Oppenheimer

Simon Patterson

Alison Platt

Lindsey Pownall

Date of  

appointment

02/09/2013

01/10/2016

01/05/2015

01/11/2014

01/03/2012

01/04/2016

01/04/2016

01/04/2016

Full years  
in role at  
2017 AGM

Considered 
independent  
by the Board

3

<1

2

2

5

1

1

1

√

√

√

√

√

√

√

√

Commitment 
In order to effectively discharge their responsibilities, Non-executive Directors are 
expected to commit sufficient time to their role and all Directors are expected to attend 
each Board meeting and each Committee meeting for which they are members, save  
for in exceptional circumstances. To help enable this, scheduled Board and Committee 
meetings are arranged at least a year in advance to allow Directors to manage other 
commitments. If a Director is unable to attend a meeting because of exceptional 
circumstances, he or she still receives the papers and other relevant information in 
advance of the meeting and has the opportunity to discuss with the relevant Chair or  
the Group Company Secretary any matters he or she wishes to raise and to follow up  
on the decisions taken at the meeting. The Chairman, Group Chief Executive and Group 
Company Secretary are always available to discuss issues relating to meetings or other 
matters with the Directors. Reasons for non-attendance are generally prior business  
and personal commitments or illness. The Board is satisfied that the Chairman and each 
of the Non-executive Directors are able to devote sufficient time to the Company’s 
business. Non-executive Directors are advised on appointment of the time required to 
fulfil their role and are asked to confirm that they can make the required commitment.

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 scheduled 
Board meetings in 2016/17:

Number of scheduled  

meetings eligible to attend

Number of scheduled 
meetings attended

John Allan

Mark Armour

Richard Cousins (stood down 03/01/17)

Steve Golsby

Byron Grote

Dave Lewis

Mikael Olsson

Deanna Oppenheimer

Simon Patterson

Alison Platt 

Lindsey Pownall 

Alan Stewart 

6 

6 

5

3

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

5

3

6

6

6

5

6

5

6

6

42

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017In addition to the six scheduled meetings of the Board during the year, there were  
seven further meetings held mainly in respect of transactions, including the proposed 
Booker Group PLC merger. 

During the year, the Chairman met with Non-executive Directors without Executive 
Directors being present. Among the issues discussed at these meetings were strategy, 
Board composition, performance of the Group, the proposed Booker Group PLC merger  
and management performance.

Induction
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. The programme is designed to 
facilitate their understanding of Tesco, the six strategic drivers, the role of the Board  
and its Committees, the Company’s corporate governance practices and procedures,  
as well as providing them with appropriate training and guidance as to their duties, 
responsibilities and liabilities as a director of a public limited company.

During the year, the Group provided tailored induction programmes for Simon Patterson, 
Alison Platt, Lindsey Pownall and Steve Golsby, all Non-executive Directors. Meetings were 
arranged with the Chairman, Group Chief Executive and Senior Independent Director,  
as well as senior members of management to ensure they gained a thorough overview 
and understanding of the key business channels. In addition, they visited various stores 
and sites. 

Each new Director is provided with a wealth of information via our online Board  
portal, including:

 • history, values and ‘Every Little Helps’ culture of Tesco;
 • Group strategy, including progress on the six strategic drivers;
 • consumer and industry trends; 
 • governance framework;
 • operational and management structure (including succession plans);
 • key relationships with investors and other stakeholders;
 •

internal control framework and Group risk profile, including key areas of focus  
for internal audit;
remuneration policy; and

 •
 • corporate responsibility activities. 

Members of the Board have access to all Board and Committee papers and minutes.

Development
The Chairman regularly discusses training requirements with the Board and arranges 
meetings or asks for information to be provided, as appropriate. As part of the ongoing 
development of Directors, key site visits are arranged during the year. In addition, all 
Directors are provided with the opportunity for, and encouraged to attend, training to 
ensure they are kept up to date on relevant legal, regulatory and financial developments 
or changes in best practice. Typical training for Directors includes attendance at 
seminars, forums, conferences and working groups, as well as receiving updates from 
relevant bodies on various legal, regulatory and corporate governance matters. Directors 
also receive the benefit of teach-ins and technical updates provided at Board and 
Committee meetings, which aim to ensure that Directors remain up to date with key 
developments on the business environment in which Tesco operates.

To ensure the Board as a whole remains fully informed of the views of shareholders,  
the members receive regular reports on shareholder sentiment at Board meetings. 
Although not part of their induction programme, all Non-executive Directors can attend 
shareholder meetings and analyst presentations, and shareholders may meet informally 
with Directors at the AGM.

43

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Corporate governanceCorporate governance report continued
Effectiveness continued

Information and support
The Group Company Secretary, through the Chairman, is responsible for advising the 
Board on all governance matters and for ensuring that Board procedures are followed, 
applicable rules and regulations are complied with, and that due account is taken of 
relevant codes of best practice. The Group Company Secretary is also responsible for 
ensuring communication flows between the Board and its Committees, and between 
senior management and Non-executive Directors. All Directors have access to the advice 
of the Group Company Secretary and, in appropriate circumstances, may obtain 
independent professional advice at the Company’s expense. In addition, a Directors’  
and Officers’ Liability Insurance policy is maintained for all our Directors and each 
Director has the benefit of a Deed of Indemnity.

The appointment and removal of the Group Company Secretary is a matter reserved  
for the Board as a whole.

All Directors receive detailed papers and other relevant information on the business  
to be conducted at each Board or Committee meeting well in advance and all Directors  
have direct access to senior management should they wish to receive additional 
information on any of the items for discussion. Directors are provided between  
meetings with relevant information on matters affecting the business. 

Conflicts of interest
The Directors have a statutory duty under the Companies Act 2006 to avoid situations  
in which they have or can have a direct or indirect interest that conflicts or may conflict 
with the interests of the Company. This duty is in addition to the existing duty that a 
Director owes to the Company to disclose to the Board any transaction or arrangement 
under consideration by the Company. The Company’s conflict of interest procedures are 
reflected in the Articles of Association and the Code of Business Conduct. In line with 
that Act, the Company’s Articles of Association allow the Directors to authorise conflicts 
and potential conflicts of interest where appropriate. The decision to authorise a conflict 
can only be made by non-conflicted Directors. Directors do not participate in decisions 
concerning their own remuneration or interests.

The Group Company Secretary minutes the consideration of any conflict or potential 
conflict of interest and authorisations granted by the Board. On an ongoing basis, the 
Directors inform the Group Company Secretary of any new, actual or potential conflict  
of interest that may arise or if there are any changes in circumstances that may affect  
an authorisation previously given. Even when authorisation is given, a Director is not 
absolved from his or her duty to promote the success of the Company.

Furthermore, the Company’s Articles of Association include provisions relating to 
confidential information, attendance at Board meetings and availability of Board papers 
to protect a Director from breaching his or her duty if a conflict of interest arises. These 
provisions will only apply where the circumstance giving rise to the potential conflict  
of interest has previously been authorised by the Directors.

Performance evaluation
The Board undertakes an annual evaluation of its own performance as well as that  
of its Committees and individual Directors. This provides an opportunity to consider  
ways of identifying greater efficiencies, maximising strengths and highlighting areas for 
further development, as well as checking that each Director continues to demonstrate 
commitment to his or her role and each has sufficient time to meet his or her 
commitments to the Company.

Following an external review in 2015 by Independent Board Evaluation, who has no 
connection to the Group, the Board conducted an internal review in 2016 led by the 
Chairman with the support of the Group Company Secretary and Lintstock Ltd. The 2016 
evaluation was carefully structured but pragmatic, designed to bring about a genuine debate 
on issues that were relevant, check on progress against matters identified in the previous 
evaluation and assist in identifying any potential for improvement in the Company’s 
processes. It entailed completion of a detailed questionnaire to assess the effectiveness  
of the Board, its Committee and individual Directors and the preparation of a composite 
report. The questionnaire focused on the operation of the Board and its Committees, key 
areas of Board focus, composition and capability, risk management and internal control, 
leadership and accountability, effectiveness of Board meetings and strategy. The results  
of the performance evaluation were presented and discussed at Board and Committee 
meetings in February 2017.

44

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Relations with our investors

Having assessed the findings of the evaluation, the Directors were satisfied that the 
Board and each of its Committees operated effectively in 2016. Key areas of focus arising 
from the report to be addressed in the year ahead included strategy planning, Board 
dynamics and succession planning.

Details of the main areas identified for improvement in the 2015 external evaluation 
report and the actions taken during 2016/17 are set out below:

Areas identified
Enhancing and strengthening risk 
management procedures

Action taken
Approval of new risk, controls and assurance framework

Greater alignment of Board 
development with strategy

Board receives regular deep dives and ‘master classes’ on 
the six strategic drivers and risk management

Standardising the principal information 
provided to new Directors as part of  
their induction programme

Revised induction programme developed, including standard 
list of information to be provided to new Directors 

Continuing to allocate sufficient time  
to visit stores, distribution centres  
and other Tesco sites

Board calendar includes annual site visits. Non-executive 
Directors invited to join the Chairman on visits to stores both 
in the UK and internationally

The Senior Independent Director also led the Non-executive Directors in evaluating  
the performance of the Chairman, with the Chairman continuing to show effectiveness  
in leadership.

Election and re-election of Directors
Directors newly appointed by the Board are required to submit themselves for election 
by shareholders at the AGM following their appointment. Steve Golsby, having been 
appointed as a Director on 1 October 2016, will retire and submit himself for election  
at the forthcoming AGM. In accordance with best practice and the UK Corporate 
Governance Code, all other Directors will submit themselves for re-election at the 
forthcoming AGM.

Code of Business Conduct
All colleagues are required to comply with the Code of Business Conduct, which  
is intended to help them put Tesco’s principles into practice. This clarifies the basic rules 
and standards colleagues are expected to follow and the behaviour expected of them. 
Colleagues must complete mandatory Code of Business Conduct training and annually 
attest to compliance with the Code. Designated colleagues are required to complete 
additional mandatory training, including on anti-bribery and corruption laws, data 
protection laws and supplier legislation.

3. Relations with our investors

Shareholder engagement
The Board welcomes the opportunity to openly and purposefully engage with shareholders 
as it recognises the importance of a continuing effective and meaningful dialogue, whether 
with institutional, private or employee shareholders. The Board takes responsibility for 
ensuring that such dialogue takes place.

Institutional shareholders
During the year, numerous activities were undertaken to engage with our institutional 
shareholders:

 •

 •

 •

 •

 •

the Chairman, Group Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officer 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 and North America, as well as other stand-alone meetings and calls with 
investors based in Europe, Asia and Australia;
the Investor Relations team held further investor meetings throughout the year  
and attended a number of store tours and conferences;
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;
in November, investors, analysts and supplier partners, including shareholders 
representing over 40% of our issued share capital, attended an Investor and Analyst 
Seminar at Tesco’s offices in Welwyn Garden City to meet our management team  
and learn about the six strategic drivers;

45

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Corporate governanceCorporate governance report continued
Relations with our investors continued

 • a presentation was held for investors and analysts following the announcement  
of our recommended merger with Booker Group PLC in January and subsequent 
meetings were held between the Chairman, Group Chief Executive, Chief Financial 
Officer and institutional investors to discuss the proposed merger; and

 • we also engaged socially responsible investors by holding calls to discuss various issues 

and responding to queries. 

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 views of major shareholders. All Non-executive Directors  
are able to attend scheduled meetings with major shareholders.

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

Video recordings of the Group Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officer commenting  
on results statements were uploaded to our website during the year, along with the 
results presentations and transcripts of analysts’ calls.

Following the announcement of the proposed Booker Group PLC merger, a dedicated 
section of our website was made available containing details of terms of the proposed 
merger and presentations.

Debt investors
The Treasury team holds biannual formal review meetings with all of our relationship 
banks and maintains regular contact with them. In addition, it held calls with the three 
credit rating agencies following the results announcements and the Chief Financial 
Officer and Group Treasury Director met with each of the credit rating agencies  
during the year.

Following the full-year and half-year results, the Chief Financial Officer and Group 
Treasury Director held conference calls with fixed income investors.

Annual General Meeting
The AGM was held on Thursday 23 June 2016 at the ExCel Centre in London. At the 
meeting, all shareholders were given an opportunity to question the Board on the 
business being proposed. All Directors attended 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. 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.

The AGM for this year will be held on Friday 16 June 2017 at 2.00 p.m. at the ExCel Centre 
in London. Full details will be included in the Notice of Meeting.

46

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Nominations Committee

John Allan Non-executive Chairman

“ We recognise that good 

succession planning 
contributes to the delivery 
of the Group’s strategy.”

Nominations Committee attendance 

Number of scheduled 
meetings eligible  

to attend

Meetings 
attended

1

1

1

1

1

1

Member

John Allan

Deanna 
Oppenheimer

Byron Grote

Nominations Committee responsibilities
The responsibilities of the Nominations 
Committee include:

 • review of the structure, size and composition 
(including skills, knowledge, experience, and 
diversity) of the Board and its Committees  
and making recommendations to the Board 
regarding any changes;

 • identification and nomination of candidates  

for appointment to the Board;

 • review of succession over the longer term  

for Directors and senior management; 

 • keeping under review the time commitment 

expected from the Chairman and Non-
executive Directors; and

 • ensuring an effectiveness review is conducted 

annually of the Board, its Committees  
and Directors.

The Committee’s terms of reference are 
available at www.tescoplc.com.

Dear Shareholder

Following two years of significant change in the composition of the Board, 2016/17 was quieter 
and this was reflected in the activity of the Committee during the year. Although we held  
only one scheduled meeting during the year, there were a number of ad hoc meetings which 
allowed us to fulfil our responsibilities.

The main issues considered by the Committee during the year were the appointment  
of Steve Golsby as a new Non-executive Director in October 2016 and the effective 
management succession of senior management.

The Committee instructed executive search firm, Egon Zehnder, who do not have any 
connection to the Company and are a signatory to the Voluntary Code of Conduct of 
Executive Search Firms, to compile a gender-balanced long list of candidates for the  
new Non-executive Director role. The Committee concluded that Steve’s broad international 
expertise and significant management experience in South East Asia, having lived and worked 
there for many years, made him the ideal candidate to bolster the capabilities  
and effectiveness of the Board.

The Committee has continued to scrutinise the robustness of succession planning 
arrangements for the Executive Directors and the Executive Committee, together with  
the adequacy of the pipeline of leadership talent below the Executive Committee.  
We recognise that good succession planning contributes to the delivery of the Group’s 
strategy by ensuring the desired mix of skills and experience of Board members and senior 
management now and in the future. An in-depth review was conducted during the year  
of the Group’s talent management approach and succession pipeline and this will continue 
to be a focus during 2017/18.

Richard Cousins stood down from the Board and as Senior Independent Director  
in January 2017. During his time on the Board, Richard discharged his responsibilities  
with great diligence, including being part of the committee which led to my appointment  
as Chairman. The Committee was pleased to recommend the appointment of Deanna 
Oppenheimer as his successor. Deanna joined the Board in March 2012 and was appointed  
as Chair of the Remuneration Committee in January 2015. She brings continuity to the 
Board’s composition, given her knowledge and experience of Tesco’s business.

John Allan
Nominations Committee Chair

47

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Corporate governanceCorporate governance report continued
Nominations Committee continued

Nominations Committee activities
During 2016/17, the Committee considered, amongst other matters, the following:

 •

 •

selecting and recommending Steve Golsby as a new Non-executive Director  
and a member of the Corporate Responsibility Committee;
succession planning for Executive Directors, Non-executive Directors and the  
Executive Committee;
in accordance with Non-executive Directors’ letters of appointment, the extension  
of Mark Armour’s appointment following three years of service on the Board;
 • making a recommendation to the Board regarding the re-election of Directors  

 •

at the 2017 AGM;
reviewing the results of the annual performance evaluation of the Committee; and
reviewing the Committee’s terms of reference.

 •
 •

Board appointments process
When considering the recruitment of a new Director, the Committee adopts a formal, 
rigorous and transparent procedure with due regard to diversity, including gender. Prior  
to making an appointment, the Committee will evaluate the balance of skills, knowledge, 
independence, experience and diversity on the Board and, in light of this evaluation, will 
prepare a full description of the role and capabilities required. In identifying suitable 
candidates, the Committee:

 • uses open advertising or the services of external advisers to facilitate the search;
 • considers candidates from different genders and a wide range of backgrounds;
 • considers candidates on merit and against objective criteria ensuring that appointees have 
sufficient time to devote to the position, in light of other potential significant positions; and

 • engages from time-to-time with the Group’s major shareholders on future skills 

requirements and ideas for potential candidates.

Where the Committee appoints external advisers to facilitate the search, it ensures that  
the firm selected has signed up to the relevant industry codes (for example, on diversity)  
and has no connection with the Company.

48

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Corporate Responsibility Committee 

Dear Shareholder

As set out in last year’s Annual Report, during the year the Committee undertook a root 
and branch review of its role and activities, and of Tesco’s corporate responsibility 
activities and their impact across the Group. Supported by Jane Lawrie, our new Group 
Communications Director, the Committee facilitated the development  
of a new corporate responsibility strategy.

The new corporate responsibility strategy recognises that responsible behaviour within 
Tesco will drive trust and add value to our business. The new approach to corporate 
responsibility is aligned with our ‘Product, Channel, Customer and People’ business 
model and with Tesco’s core value of ‘serving shoppers a little better every day’. The new 
approach will enable us to focus our resources on activities that recognise the impact we 
can have on the environment, health, our local communities and our other stakeholders. 

The Committee’s role in the governance of the new corporate responsibility strategy  
has also been evaluated. Going forward we will meet three times a year. This will better 
enable the Committee to monitor performance of the new strategy to ensure it is 
meeting its objectives. 

During the year, Steve Golsby was appointed to the Committee, bringing an additional 
perspective given his knowledge of international business. 

John Allan
Corporate Responsibility Committee Chair

Key activities
In February 2017, the Committee approved a new corporate responsibility strategy,  
which includes the following key components:

 • alignment with Tesco’s existing ‘Product, Channel, Customer and People’ business 

model and a focus on three main priorities:
 – fresh affordable food that is fair to farmers and suppliers; 
 – food waste and the environment; and 
 – Tesco’s role in health and local society. 

 • creation of a clear ownership structure for corporate responsibility from Executive 

 •
 •

Committee level down through the value chain; 
increasing the number of Committee meetings to three per year; and
implementing a communications plan, with specific focus on empowering colleagues  
to influence change in their local communities.

Terms of reference
The Committee’s terms of reference will be thoroughly reviewed in 2017/18 to ensure  
they are aligned to the new corporate responsibility strategy. Details of the revised  
terms of reference will be set out in next year’s Annual Report. 

John Allan Non-executive Chairman

“ Our new approach to 
corporate responsibility  
is aligned with Tesco’s core 
value of ‘serving shoppers  
a little better every day’.”

Corporate Responsibility  
Committee attendance

Member

John Allan

Steve Golsby

Deanna 
Oppenheimer

Mikael Olsson

Lindsey 
Pownall

Number of  
scheduled meetings 
eligible to attend

Meetings 
attended

2

1

2

2

2

2

1

1

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 Committee’s terms of reference are 
available at www.tescoplc.com.

49

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Corporate governanceCorporate governance report continued
Audit Committee report

Byron Grote Audit Committee Chair

“ The Committee has 

continued to play a key  
role within the Tesco PLC 
governance framework  
to support the Board in 
matters relating to financial 
reporting, internal control 
and risk management.”

Dear Shareholder

On behalf of the Board, I am pleased to present this year’s Audit Committee report. The 
Committee has continued to play a key role within the Tesco PLC governance framework 
to support the Board in matters relating to financial reporting, internal control and risk 
management. We have had another busy year undertaking our principal responsibilities 
which are set out in this report. Some of this year’s highlights include the following:

 • overseeing the continued development of the Group’s risk management and internal 

controls framework, including the creation of a new risk, controls and assurance model 
aiming to align the approach to risk and further embed the risk management culture 
across the Group;
in-depth review of specific principal risk areas, and potential impacts arising from Brexit; 
regular review of the Group’s IT general controls and information security risks and the 
ongoing implementation of the technology transformation project which continues to 
strengthen controls in these areas; 

 •
 •

 • monitoring key compliance activities in the Group, including in the areas of data privacy, 

anti-bribery and fraud and in respect of the Group’s whistleblowing arrangements; 
review of the ongoing development of the Group’s finance transformation programme;
review and consideration of tax regulations, disclosures and new reporting requirements; 

 •
 •
 • assessment of the going concern and viability statements and the underlying models  

and assumptions, prior to consideration by the Board; and

 • oversight of a corporate simplification programme to simplify our corporate structure 
and intra-group financing arrangements, and to drive greater efficiencies in the Group. 

During the year, the Committee also monitored the significant work carried out to 
develop and strengthen our supplier systems and processes, including in response to  
the findings of the Groceries Code Adjudicator (GCA) following her January 2016 report 
into historic supplier issues at Tesco. Further details can be found on pages 75 to 76.

Looking ahead, these areas will remain a key focus in 2017/18. We will also continue to 
oversee preparations for the implementation of some new and significant accounting 
standards, namely IFRS 9 ‘Financial Instruments’; IFRS 15 ‘Revenue from contracts  
with customers’; and IFRS 16 ‘Leases’, as further described in Note 1 to the financial 
statements on page 98.

Audit Committee responsibilities
The Committee’s terms of reference, which were updated in April 2017, can be found  
at www.tescoplc.com. Responsibilities include:

 • monitoring the Group’s financial reporting processes;
 •

review, and challenge where necessary, of the actions and judgements of management in 
relation to the interim and annual financial statements before submission to the Board;
review of the interim and annual financial statements and announcements relating 
to the financial performance of the Group;

 •

 •

 •

 • 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 in accordance with the Group’s non-audit services policy;
review and agreement with the external auditor as to the nature and scope of the 
external audit and approving the audit fee;
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 Group;
review of the Group’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 business continuity plans and processes for the prevention of fraud, bribery 
and corruption.

Byron Grote
Audit Committee Chair

50

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Audit Committee Membership 
The Committee comprises Byron Grote, as Chairman, Mark Armour and Simon Patterson. 
Richard Cousins stepped down from the Board and Audit Committee with effect from  
3 January 2017. All of the Committee members are independent Non-executive  
Directors and the Board is satisfied that a majority of members have significant,  
recent and relevant financial experience for the purposes of the Code and are 
competent in accounting and auditing.

In addition, and as required by the revised Code which was issued in April 2016 and 
applies to the Company from its 2017/18 financial year, the Board considers that the 
Committee members as a whole have competence relevant to the Company’s sector,  
in addition to general management and commercial experience. The expertise and 
experience of the members of the Committee is set out in each of their biographies  
on pages 34 to 35. 

Robert Welch is appointed as Secretary to the Committee. Other regular attendees at 
Committee meetings include the Chairman, Group Chief Executive, Chief Financial Officer, 
Chief Audit & Risk Officer, Group Head of Finance & Performance and representatives of 
the external auditor.

Audit Committee meetings 
The Committee met six times in the 2016/17 financial year, with each meeting having a 
distinct agenda to reflect the annual financial reporting cycle of the Group and particular 
matters for the Committee’s consideration. The Committee has a forward-looking 
planner, which is designed to ensure that its responsibilities are discharged in full during 
the year. This planner is regularly reviewed and developed to meet the changing needs  
of the Group. 

The Chairman of the Committee reports to the Board following each meeting and 
Committee meetings are generally scheduled close to Board meetings in order to 
facilitate an effective and timely reporting process.

Committee members met in private following each Committee meeting and also held 
separate private sessions with the Chief Audit & Risk Officer and the external auditor,  
in order to provide additional opportunity for open dialogue and feedback without 
management present. The Committee Chairman also meets with the Chief Financial 
Officer on an ad hoc basis and prior to each Committee meeting.

Audit Committee attendance

Member

Byron Grote

Mark Armour

Richard 
Cousins(a)
Simon 
Patterson(b)

Number of 
scheduled meetings 
eligible to attend

Meetings 
attended

6

6

5

6

6

6

5

6

(a)   Richard Cousins attended all possible meetings 
in the year, prior to his resignation effective  
3 January 2017.

(b)  Appointed 1 April 2016.

51

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Corporate governanceCorporate governance report continued
Audit Committee report continued

Key activities
A summary of some of the key matters considered at each meeting is set out below:

Meeting
March 2016

April 2016

July 2016

Key matters considered
 • Key accounting judgements relating to the 2015/16 financial results
 • Risk, control and assurance framework, risk appetite and internal control effectiveness 
 • Viability statement and going concern review
 • Group compliance update, including anti-fraud and bribery, privacy and implementation of GCA recommendations
 • Code compliance
 • External audit update on 2015/16 audit 
 • Internal audit update and plan for 2016/17

 • Preliminary results and Annual Report 2015/16
 • Report from Disclosure Committee, including fair, balanced and understandable reviews
 • Tesco Bank update
 • Whistleblowing review
 • Tax update, disclosures and transparency publication 
 • External audit – Deloitte year-end final report and non-audit services 

 • Risk, control and assurance framework and risk appetite
 • Technology – IT and information security controls update
 • Insurable risk review
 • GSCOP compliance update
 • Treasury, funding and corporate simplification update
 • Key accounting matters, including Brexit impacts
 • External audit – audit plan, approval of audit fee, non-audit services, management letter observations from 2015/16 audit
 • Internal audit update

September 2016  • Interim results statement and going concern review

 • Group compliance update, including whistleblowing, anti-bribery and fraud, gifts and entertainment, privacy transformation plans  

November 2016

February 2017

and GSCOP

 • UK & ROI and International Finance Director reports and key financial controls update
 • Treasury risk management framework
 • External audit - Deloitte interim report and non-audit services
 • Internal audit update

 • Risk, control and assurance update, including principal risk review process, risk management roadmap and risk culture
 • Risk reviews – pensions, technology and IT controls, transformation
 • Treasury risk management framework
 • Tesco Bank Personal Current Account incident
 • Viability statement – modelling and assumptions
 • Internal and external audit updates including Deloitte non-audit services
 • Non-audit fees policy update
 • Internal audit charter and 2017/18 plan
 • Corporate simplification

 • Risk, control and assurance update, principal risks and internal control effectiveness
 • Group tax matters, risks and reporting
 • Treasury – funding plan and liquidity review
 • Tesco Bank Personal Current Account incident update
 • Key accounting judgements relating to the 2016/17 financial results
 • Corporate simplification
 • Internal audit update
 • External audit – Deloitte early warning report and non-audit services
 • Committee effectiveness review and terms of reference

April 2017

 • Preliminary results and Annual Report 2016/17
 • Report from Disclosure Committee, including fair, balanced and understandable reviews
 • Tesco Bank update
 • Group compliance update, including whistleblowing, anti-bribery and fraud, gifts and entertainment, privacy transformation plans and 

GSCOP

 • Going concern and viability statement reviews
 • Code compliance
 • External audit – Deloitte year-end final report, external audit effectiveness review, Deloitte non-audit services
 • Internal audit effectiveness review
 • Review of executive expenses

The Committee is responsible for assisting the Board’s oversight of the quality and integrity of the Company’s financial reporting  
and the Company’s accounting policies and practices. During the year, the Committee has continued to receive updates regarding the 
Group’s ongoing finance transformation programme and the actions taken to address observations raised by Deloitte in its letter to 
management following completion of the 2015/16 audit. Recommendations have been implemented to further enhance the Group’s 
financial reporting systems and controls environment. The Committee has also received regular updates, including from Group Audit  
& Advisory and the UK & ROI and International Finance Directors, on the development and effectiveness of the Group’s key internal 
financial controls.

The Committee continues to focus on commercial income and inventory 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. 

52

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017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 position  
and 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.

In relation to the financial statements, the Committee reviewed and recommended 
approval of the half-year results and these annual financial statements, considered 
impairment reviews, the going concern and viability statements and their underlying 
assumptions, reviewed corporate governance disclosures and monitored the statutory 
audit. As part of its review of the financial statements, the Committee considered,  
and challenged as appropriate, the accounting policies and significant judgements  
and estimates underpinning the financial statements. Details regarding the significant 
financial reporting matters and how they were addressed by the Committee are set  
out later in this report. 

The Committee also reviewed the disclosures regarding the Company’s alternative 
performance measures (APMs) having regard, in particular, to the Guidelines on 
Alternative Performance Measures issued by the European Securities and Markets 
Authority in October 2015. The Company has been notified that the Annual Report  
and Financial Statements have been selected for review as part of the Financial 
Reporting Council’s (FRC) second thematic review into the use of APMs in annual 
reports and accounts. This will represent the FRC’s first review of the Company’s APM 
reporting and the Company will use any feedback from the process to further improve 
the quality of its disclosures.

The Committee carried out a number of in-depth reviews of specific principal risk  
areas this year and reported its findings and recommendations to the Board. The 
Committee received updates from management in relation to the Group’s transformation, 
technology, information security, data privacy, treasury, tax, pensions, insurance and  
key compliance risks and the controls and mitigating actions employed in each of these 
areas. The Committee has assessed the effectiveness of the Group’s whistleblowing 
arrangements and reviewed compliance with the Groceries Supply Code of Practice.

The Committee received update reports during the year from the Tesco Bank Audit 
Committee, the Disclosure Committee and the Group Compliance Committee. Group 
Audit & Advisory provided regular updates on its work, including findings from its internal 
audit programme and the status of management actions to address such findings. 
Reports from Deloitte, as external auditor, were also presented and considered at each 
Committee meeting.

Reports were also requested on ad hoc matters as they arose. One key matter this year  
has been the Committee’s review of the fraud attack on Tesco Bank Personal Current 
Accounts which occurred in November 2016. The Committee has considered the 
implications for Tesco Bank and the Group, and the remediation plans developed in 
response to the incident. Further details regarding the incident can be found in the 
Principal risks and uncertainties section on page 30.

The Committee also considered a payroll systems error, which had been discovered as  
a result of an internal review. The error resulted in the pay of some UK colleagues, after 
salary sacrifice, not reaching National Living Wage levels. The Committee reviewed the 
actions taken by management to understand the root cause of the issue, to review historic 
payments in order to reimburse affected colleagues (total reimbursement costs are 
expected to be £9.7m), and to implement a payroll system solution to remedy the error  
and prevent a future breach.

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
Going concern 
basis for the 
financial 
statements  
and viability 
statement

How the issue was addressed by the Committee
The Committee reviewed management’s assessment of going concern and 
long-term viability with consideration of forecast cash flows, including sensitivity to 
trading and expenditure plans and potential mitigating actions. The Committee also 
considered the Group’s financing facilities and future funding plans. 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, and 
recommended the approval of the viability statement.

53

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Corporate governanceCorporate governance report continued
Audit Committee report continued

Issue
Fixed asset 
impairment  
and onerous 
lease provisions

How the issue was addressed by the Committee
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 
projected cash flows, growth rates, discount rates and the use of independent third 
party valuations and considering any impacts of the uncertainties arising from Brexit.

Goodwill 
impairment

Valuation of 
China associate

The Group has recognised a £112m release of impaired PPE assets, together with  
an onerous lease provision of £56m in the year and a £7m charge for Software and 
other intangible assets. See Note 11 to the financial statements for fixed assets 
impairment, and Note 25 for property provisions.

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 projections, growth rates  
and discount rates. The Group has recognised a goodwill impairment of £46m.  
See Note 10 to the financial statements.

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.

Pensions

The Committee reviewed and challenged the estimates used by management in 
valuing pension liabilities, principally the discount rate. See Notes 4 and 27 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 Kipa business in 
Turkey. See Notes 7 and 31 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 prior periods. In respect 
of the announcement of 28 March relating to matters regarding the SFO and FCA, 
the booking of a provision was considered appropriate as an adjusting post balance 
sheet event. In respect of remaining matters and uncertainties regarding the 
outcomes, no provision was required and disclosure as contingent liabilities at 
year-end was appropriate. See Notes 4, 25, 32 and 35 to the financial statements.

Recognition and 
disclosure of 
commercial 
income

The Committee reviewed management’s assessment of the controls that exist over 
the recognition of commercial income. Disclosure of commercial income was 
reviewed and challenged with respect to FRC publications and market practice.  
See Notes 1 and 20 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 and consistently applied across 
years and appropriately presented. Consideration was also given to the quality  
of earnings within underlying results. See Note 4 to the financial statements.

Alternative 
performance 
measures

The Committee considered the disclosure of the Company’s alternative 
performance measures with respect to applicable guidelines. See Note 1  
and the Glossary to the financial statements.

Committee effectiveness review 
The effectiveness of the Audit Committee was evaluated this year as part of the Board 
evaluation process. Further details can be found on pages 44 to 45. The review found 
that the Committee was operating effectively and that its broad role and remit remained 
appropriate for the current needs of the business. In order to identify opportunities for 
further improvement, members discuss how the Committee is functioning in the private 
sessions that follow each meeting.

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. 
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.

54

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017  
In April 2017, the Committee considered an assessment of the effectiveness and 
independence of the GAA function, facilitated by Independent Audit, which included 
consideration of the GAA’s role, remit, positioning and performance. The review examined 
the quality of reporting to the Committee and other stakeholders, the composition and 
resources of GAA, its collaboration with other teams and its impact on the organisation. 
The Committee discussed the approach and findings of the assessment and was satisfied 
that GAA remains effective and is adequately resourced. The Committee approved updates 
to the GAA charter and the 2016/17 audit plan which was developed by GAA. The 
Committee regularly met in private with the Chief Audit & Risk Officer during the year  
and discussed the work of GAA and the findings of audits performed. 

Internal control 
The Board monitors the key elements of the Group’s internal control framework 
throughout the year and has conducted a review of the effectiveness of the Group’s risk 
management and internal control systems. To support the Board’s annual assessment, 
GAA prepared a report on the Group’s risk and internal control effectiveness, which 
described the risk management systems and arrangements in place for internal control, 
as well as work conducted in the year to improve the control environment.

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 misstatement or loss.

The Group continues to implement transformation programmes, including the implementation 
of a roadmap setting out a staged process to achieve a more advanced level of risk 
management maturity. Transformation programmes are intended to increase the overall 
level of control environment maturity and improve consistency across the Group. The 
ongoing implementation of the technology transformation programme will further 
strengthen IT general controls.

The key elements of the Company’s risk management process are set out on page 26.

External audit
Deloitte were appointed as our external auditors during the 2015/16 financial year with 
Panos Kakoullis as lead partner. The Group intends to put the external audit out to tender 
every 10 years and rotate the lead partner every five years.

The Committee considers the effectiveness of the external auditor on an ongoing basis 
during the year, considering its independence, objectivity and scepticism, through its  
own observations and interactions with the external auditor, and having regard to the:

 • experience and expertise of the auditor in their direct communication with, and  

support to, the Committee;

 • content, quality of insights and added value of their reports;
 •
 •

fulfilment of the agreed external audit plan;
robustness and perceptiveness of the external auditor in their handling of key 
accounting and audit judgements;
the interaction between management and the auditor, including ensuring that 
management dedicates sufficient time to the audit process;

 •

 • provision of non-audit services as set out below; and
 •

review and consideration of the results of management’s evaluation of the  
effectiveness of the external auditor.

This year, the Committee also considered the findings of the FRC’s Audit Quality Review  
of Deloitte and the actions being taken by Deloitte to address the matters raised. The 
Committee considered an internal effectiveness review of Deloitte in April 2017, which  
was facilitated by Independent Audit. The review concluded that the external auditor  
was effective and the Committee recommended to the Board the reappointment of  
Deloitte at the 2017 AGM.

Deloitte contribute a further independent perspective on certain aspects of the Group’s 
financial control systems arising from their work, and report both to the Board and the 
Committee.

The process for approving all non-audit work provided by our external 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 Group that the services 
are purchased from Deloitte rather than another supplier. Where Deloitte have been chosen, 
this is as a result of their demonstrating that they have the relevant skills and experience to 
make them an appropriate supplier to undertake the work in a cost-effective manner. 

55

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Corporate governanceCorporate governance report continued
Audit Committee report continued

The Statutory Audit Services for Large 
Companies Market Investigation (Mandatory 
Use of Competitive Tender Processes and 
Audit Responsibilities) Order 2014
Following a formal tender process, Deloitte  
were appointed as our external auditor with 
effect from the 2015 AGM. The Company is  
in compliance with the requirements of The 
Statutory Audit Services for Large Companies 
Market Investigation (Mandatory Use of 
Competitive Tender Processes and Audit 
Responsibilities) Order 2014, which relates to  
the frequency and governance of external audit 
tenders and the setting of a policy on the 
provision of non-audit services. The Committee 
reviews and makes a recommendation to the 
Board with regard to the reappointment of  
the external auditor each year. In making this 
recommendation, the Committee considers 
auditor effectiveness and independence, 
partner rotation and any other factors that  
may impact the Committee’s judgement 
regarding the external auditor. 

56

EU regulations that became effective from 17 June 2016 prohibit the provision of certain 
non-audit services by the external auditor and introduce a cap on non-audit fees. The 
regulations require the Group to cap the level of non-audit fees paid to its external 
auditor at 70% of the average audit fees paid in the previous three consecutive financial 
years. The 70% cap will first apply to the Group for the period ending February 2021.  
A non-audit services policy was approved in 2016/17, reflecting the changes.

In 2016/17, Deloitte received total fees of £11.8m (2015/16: £16.5m), consisting of £5.5m  
of audit fees (2015/16: £5.9m) and £6.3m for non-audit and audit-related services 
(2015/16: £10.6m), which is a decrease of £3.7m versus the previous period. The total  
of Deloitte’s non-audit and audit-related fees in the year equated to 115% of the audit 
fees. Fees paid to Deloitte are set out in Note 3 to the financial statements and details  
of the significant non-audit work undertaken this year are set out below.

With the exception of the appointment of Deloitte to provide services in relation to the 
Company’s proposed merger with Booker Group PLC, Deloitte were not instructed to 
provide any significant new non-audit services for the Group in 2016/17. Aside from the 
Booker transaction-related services, the non-audit fees incurred in 2016/17 principally 
related to the completion of certain key activities that were continuing from the previous 
financial year. Steps are being taken to reduce the level of non-audit fees going forward 
to ensure compliance with the applicable regulations. 

The Committee determined that it was appropriate for the external auditor to provide 
the required due diligence and reporting accountant services in respect of the Booker 
transaction. The appointment was also subject to an ethics review by Deloitte, which 
concluded that the proposed services were consistent with the FRC’s Revised Ethical 
Standards 2016 and that there were appropriate safeguards in place to preserve 
Deloitte’s independence as external auditor.

Nature of service
Transactional Services 
– Due diligence and 
other services on the 
proposed merger with 
Booker Group PLC 

Safeguards to preserve independence
Engagement team separate to the audit team  
with independent reviews. 

Level of fees 
in 2016/17  
(£m)
1.9

Level of fees 
in 2015/16
(£m)
Nil

Retail Consultancy 
– Markdown  
price optimisation

Forensic  
services

Tax advisory/
compliance

Advisory team separate to the audit team. The 
service is limited to the provision of 
administrative support. Decision-making 
accountability remained with management.

Careful consideration of the scope of services  
has been completed to ensure the advocacy  
and management threats are mitigated, together 
with working with informed management. Clear 
separation of the engagement teams has also  
been established.

1.5

1.2

All tax teams separate to the audit team. In March 
2017, all tax services had been transitioned to a  
new provider.

0.3

4.6

2.3

1.1

Key elements of the risk management process 
The risk management process facilitates the identification of risks through workshops 
and discussions with business leaders which are facilitated by GAA. In the year, the Group 
has also subjected its risks to review to ensure relevance and completeness. 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 strategic drivers. Risks are 
maintained in Group or business 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 and business level on an ongoing basis with follow up by 
GAA throughout the year. At the Group level each principal risk has an Executive owner. 
The Group Chief Executive has overall accountability for the control and management of 
risk. The Board has overall responsibility for risk management. All principal risks are 
reviewed by either the Board or a Board Committee on an annual basis. The principal 
risks are detailed on pages 26 to 30, showing the risk movement and examples of relevant 
key controls and mitigating factors.

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017 
Directors’ remuneration report
Annual statement from the Remuneration Committee Chair

Deanna Oppenheimer  
Remuneration Committee Chair

 “ The Group’s reward 

principles directly align  
with the way Tesco is 
implementing its business 
plans to become more 
competitive for customers, 
simpler for colleagues and  
an even better partner  
for its suppliers, whilst 
continuing to create long-
term value for shareholders.”

Dear Shareholder

I am pleased to present the Directors’ remuneration report for 2016/17. Executive 
Directors’ pay continues to be implemented in accordance with the Remuneration Policy 
approved by shareholders at the 2015 Annual General Meeting (AGM). The full Policy can  
be found on the Company’s website at www.tescoplc.com or in the 2015/16 Directors’ 
remuneration report.

Tesco’s over arching reward framework, which underpins the business’ core purpose  
of ‘Serving shoppers a little better every day’ enables it to attract, retain and motivate 
the best, most service focused people by applying consistent reward principles across 
the organisation. The Group’s reward principles directly align with the way Tesco is 
implementing its business plans to become more competitive for customers, simpler  
for colleagues and an even better partner for its suppliers, whilst continuing to create 
long-term value for shareholders. 

Overview of performance in 2016/17
Tesco has had a year of strong progress, delivering against the three turnaround 
priorities of improving competitiveness in the UK, a more secure balance sheet and 
rebuilding trust, which were set in 2014. A stable platform has been established and a 
strong performance delivered in spite of significant external challenges, which made  
2016/17 another challenging year for retailers. In the UK, Tesco recorded annual positive 
like-for-like growth for the first time since 2009/10, and the UK and Republic of Ireland 
has had five consecutive quarters of like-for-like sales growth. The portfolio review  
was completed, including the sale of a number of businesses. Trust in the Tesco brand 
continues to be rebuilt, which is at its highest level for five years, and Tesco is the most 
improved food retailer in terms of quality perception. Details of how our remuneration 
policy aligns with Tesco’s strategy and supports the Big 6 KPIs on which Tesco regularly 
reports to shareholders are set out below and in the At a glance section of this report.

Big 6 KPIs
Group sales(a)
Group operating profit(b)  
(before exceptional items)

Retail cash flow generated  
from operations(b)
Customers recommend us  
and come back time and again

Colleagues recommend us as a: 
Great place to work  
Great place to shop

Supplier satisfaction

2016/17

£49.9bn

2015/16

£47.9bn

Year-on-
year 
change 

Annual bonus 
performance
measure

PSP
performance
measure

1.1%

£1,280m

£985m

24.9%

£2,279m

£2,088m

9.1%

7pts

2pts

+5pts 

83% 
48pts

77%

81% 
41pts

70%

+2% 
+7pts

+7%

(a)  reported on a continuing operations basis at actual exchange rates, excluding fuel.
(b)  reported on a continuing operations basis at actual exchange rates.

Incentive outcomes
The annual bonus for 2016/17 has been determined based on Tesco’s performance  
over the year in sales growth (50% weighting), Group operating profit (before exceptional 
items) (30% weighting) and Individual Objectives (20% weighting). For consistency with  
the annual bonus targets set at the beginning of 2016/17, sales and operating profit are 
translated at constant exchange rates and exclude UK businesses sold during 2016/17, 
resulting in sales of £48.2bn and operating profit of £1,219m. Both of these outcomes  
are positioned between the target and stretch performance levels, which the Committee 
set at the beginning of the year. This was a strong performance in a deflationary retail 
market and against a background of intense competition. Alongside these outcomes,  
the Committee reviewed the performance of each of the Executive Directors against  
the Individual Objectives which were set at the start of the year. As a result, the 
Committee determined that 75.6% and 74.2% of the maximum bonus opportunity  
should pay out for the Group Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officer, respectively.  
A break-down of the targets and performance assessments is provided in the At a glance 
section of this report and the Annual Report on Remuneration.

57

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Corporate governanceDirectors’ remuneration report continued

The first Performance Share Plan (PSP) in which the Executive Directors participate is due to 
vest based on the performance period ending in 2017/18. Any payments from these awards will, 
therefore, be set out in next year’s Directors’ remuneration report. Details of the PSP awards 
which were granted to the Group Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officer in 2016 are set out 
on page 63. As reported previously, buyout awards were made to the Group Chief Executive 
and Chief Financial Officer to compensate them for awards forfeited on leaving their previous 
employers. The final tranche of these buyout awards vested in February 2017 for the Group 
Chief Executive and will vest in July 2018 for the Chief Financial Officer.

Implementation of remuneration in 2017/18
For 2017/18 the Committee does not intend to make any changes to remuneration 
arrangements for the Executive Directors, in particular: 

 • No salary increases will be made to the Executive Directors in 2017/18. 
 • The maximum annual bonus opportunity will continue to be 250% of base salary for the 
Group Chief Executive and 225% of base salary for the Chief Financial Officer, with 50% 
of any bonus awarded deferred into shares for three years. Performance measures will 
continue to be sales growth (50% weighting), Group operating profit (30%) and Individual 
Objectives (20%). The Committee has set challenging targets across all incentive 
schemes, which support the business’ ambition to deliver 3.5–4.0% Group operating 
margin by 2019/20. Full details of the targets set by the Committee, and performance 
against these will be disclosed in next year’s Directors’ remuneration report.

 • The maximum annual PSP opportunity will continue to be 275% of salary for the Group 
Chief Executive and 250% of salary for the Chief Financial Officer. The performance 
measures will continue to be relative total shareholder return (TSR) (50% weighting), 
retail cash generation from operations (30%) and key stakeholder measures (customer, 
supplier and colleague – total 20%). 

 • Malus and clawback will continue to apply to both the annual bonus and PSP awards.

As reported last year, the TSR methodology for the PSP awards was amended, with this 
measure requiring outperformance of a combined FTSE350 Food & Drug and General 
Retailer index. Shareholders may recall that for the purpose of the 2016 awards made last 
year, the Committee wished to signal Tesco’s intention to grow returns to shareholders. 
Accordingly, an additional 2% p.a. outperformance stretch was applied to the normal  
6% such that the TSR outperformance required for stretch vesting for these awards  
was 8%. 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 for the 2017 awards has been determined to be 6% p.a. 
relative to the index.

Building increased trust in the key stakeholder constituencies (customer, supplier  
and colleague) continues to be critical to delivering Tesco’s strategy. The approach  
to the calibration of these metrics for the 2017 PSP award reflects Tesco’s ongoing 
evolution in how it measures and assesses performance. The resulting targets continue  
to require stretching improvements to achieve maximum vesting reflective of the 
ambitions of the Board. 

Agenda for 2017/18
The current Remuneration Policy was approved by shareholders at the 2015 AGM,  
with a 96% vote in favour. This policy is effective for three years and a new Remuneration 
Policy will be presented to shareholders for approval at the 2018 AGM. The Committee 
will therefore conduct a full review of the Remuneration Policy during 2017/18 to ensure 
that it continues to align with Tesco’s strategy, motivate management, reflect market 
best practice and support the delivery of sustainable long-term returns to shareholders. 

As part of the review process I will be reaching out formally over the course of the next 
year to engage major shareholders in the review process. As ever, I welcome the views  
of all stakeholders and I look forward to these meetings. 

Deanna Oppenheimer
Remuneration Committee Chair

58

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Approach to reward
At Tesco we want to attract, retain and motivate the very best colleagues in the market across our business. To do that we need to be very 
clear and committed to three things: our purpose, our values and the reward and opportunity we offer our colleagues.

Our core purpose is serving shoppers a little better every day and one of our core values is we treat people how they want to be treated. 
We know that looking after our colleagues in a culture of trust and transparency is essential to the success of Tesco. Where colleagues feel 
recognised and rewarded for the work they do together, where they have the opportunity to get on and where they are supported in their 
development as they move through their careers in the business – they in turn try their hardest for customers.

To attract and retain talented colleagues to support this purpose and live those values, we believe that we should offer a total reward 
opportunity that is in the top quartile of the market. We set this principle for our colleagues at all levels of the business and aim to move 
towards this position over time. The vast majority of our UK retail colleagues are already realising the opportunity to earn top quartile 
reward, with over 88% of the Executive Committee and UK retail colleagues at Work Levels 1–5 having the potential to earn upper quartile 
reward. The chart below shows the elements of the total reward package for our colleagues at all levels of our UK retail business.

Participation in pay structures

Grade

Group Chief Executive

Chief Financial Officer

Executive Committee

Work Levels 4–5

Work Levels 1–3

PSP

Annual bonus

Pension

Benefits

Salary

Our International businesses provide benefits aligned to local practice.

We will continue to embed our core values across the organisation, to offer a package that is truly competitive and attracts top talent 
to drive results so that when the business does well, the result of our collective hard work is shared by all colleagues.

At a glance
Link to strategy
The Committee believes it is important for Executive Directors that a significant proportion of the remuneration package is 
performance-related and the performance conditions applying to incentive arrangements support the delivery of the Company’s 
strategy. Incentive arrangements are designed to enable Executive Directors and senior managers to share in the long-term success  
of the Group, without delivering over-generous benefits or encouraging excessive risk taking. The Committee considers performance 
against a range of measures to ensure that the assessment is rounded, taking into account both qualitative and quantitative factors.

The success of Tesco is driven by continuing to deliver on the Big 6 KPIs and creating sustainable value for all our stakeholders. The table 
below sets out how each of the performance measures within the annual bonus and PSP link to Tesco’s strategy.

Variable pay element

Short-term incentive – 
Annual bonus

Performance measure

Link to strategy

Sales 

 • Incentivises the delivery of top-line revenue growth, which is the foundation  

to ensuring sustainable levels of profit in the future.

Group operating profit

 • Incentivises the delivery of Tesco’s strategy by encouraging the creation of 

shareholder value through delivery of a strong financial position.

Individual Objectives

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

Long-term incentive – PSP

Relative TSR vs a retail 
sector index

Cash from operations

Key stakeholder measures
(customer, supplier and 
colleague)

for the year.

 • Directly aligns Executive Directors’ interests with those of shareholders in 

delivering share price growth and returns.

 • Continues to be a key measure and reflects the need to protect and strengthen 

the Group’s financial position so that we can maintain the flexibility to make 
returns to shareholders and invest in a better shopping experience for 
customers.

 • These measures 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 the Group’s financial performance, 
we need to continue to improve stakeholder alignment, particularly in relation to 
the customer, supplier and colleague measures.

59

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Corporate governanceDirectors’ remuneration report continued
At a glance

Year-end decisions made
Changes to remuneration framework since appointment

Change in base salary since appointment

2016/17 annual bonus outturn

PSP vesting

Policy element
Base salary from 26 February 2017

Pension

Annual bonus

Annual bonus measures

Annual bonus deferral

Performance Share 
Plan (PSP)

PSP measures

Payment for threshold 
performance

Malus and clawback

Shareholding guidelines

Dave Lewis

Alan Stewart

No change since
1 September 2014

No change since 
23 September 2014

Nil

75.6%

n/a

Nil

74.2%

n/a

£1,250,000

£750,000

Cash allowance in lieu of pension of 25% of salary

Maximum of 250% of salary

Maximum of 225% of salary

Sales growth (50%). Group operating profit (30%).  
Individual Objectives (20%)

50% of bonus awarded deferred into Tesco shares for three years

Maximum of 275% of salary

Maximum of 250% of salary

Relative TSR (50%). Retail cash generation from operations (30%).  
Key stakeholder measures (20%)

20%

20%

Clawback will apply to cash payments up to the third anniversary  
of payment and to PSP awards up to the fifth anniversary of grant 

Malus will apply to the annual bonus deferred shares and the PSP 
awards in the three-year period prior to vesting

400% of salary

300% of salary

For the 2016/17 annual bonus, the financial and non-financial performance outcomes were as follows:

Performance outcome

Between target and stretch

Threshold

Target

£47.6bn

£48.1bn

Stretch

£48.6bn

Performance outcome as a 
percentage of maximum bonus

Group Chief 
Executive

32.6%

Chief 
Financial 
Officer

32.6%

Between target and stretch

£944m

£48.2bn

£1,101m
£1,219m

£1,258m

26.3%

26.3%

Between target and stretch

16.7%

15.3%

Performance measure
Sales growth(a)  
(50%)

Group operating profit(a) 
(30%)

Individual Objectives 
(20%)

Overall performance 
(100%)

Between target and stretch

Group Chief Executive 

Chief Financial Officer

Group Chief Executive

Chief Financial Officer

84%

77%

75.6%

74.2%

75.6%

74.2%

(a)   Reported on a continuing operations basis, excluding UK businesses sold during 2016/17, at constant exchange rates.

60

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017This part of the report has been prepared in accordance with Part 3 of The Large and Medium-sized Companies and Groups (Accounts 
and Reports) (Amendment) Regulations 2013 and Rule 9.8.6 of the Listing Rules. The Annual Report on Remuneration and the Annual 
Statement will be put to an advisory shareholder vote at the Annual General Meeting on 16 June 2017. 

Single total figure of remuneration – Executive Directors (audited)
The table below provides a summary ‘single total figure’ of remuneration for 2016/17 and 2015/16. Where necessary, further explanations 
of the values provided are included below.

Dave Lewis

Alan Stewart

Year

2016/17

2015/16

2016/17

2015/16

Salary
(£’000)

1,250 

1,250

750

750

Benefits
(£’000)

Short-term
annual bonus
(£’000)

Long-term
Performance
Share Plan
(£’000)

223

80

46

40

2,361

2,989

1,252

1,614

–

–

–

–

Pension
(£’000)

313

313

188

188

Total
(£’000)

4,147

4,632

2,236

2,592

Salary
Salaries are normally reviewed annually, with changes being effective from 1 July. The Committee considered the Group Chief Executive’s 
and Chief Financial Officer’s salaries during 2016 taking into account pay review budgets across the Group. As a result, the Committee 
determined that the salaries for the Group Chief Executive and the Chief Financial Officer would remain unchanged in 2016/17. In line with 
the position taken in 2016, no increases to the salaries of the Group Chief Executive and the Chief Financial Officer are planned for 2017/18.

Salary

Increase in year (%)

Annual salary (£’000)

Salary received in year (£’000)

Directors

Dave Lewis

Alan Stewart

Nil

1,250

1,250

Nil

750

750

Benefits (audited)
The following table shows a breakdown of the grossed up cash value of the benefits received by the Executive Directors in 2016/17.

Benefit

Car benefits (£’000)

Healthcare benefits (£’000)

Security (£’000)

Relocation fees (£’000)

Total (£’000)

Description

Company car or cash alternative, fuel and driver

Disability and health insurance

Installation of security measures to meet business standards

Relocation costs: stamp duty and legal fees

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

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)

Directors

Dave Lewis

Alan Stewart

71

1

9

142

223

45

1

–

–

46

Directors

Dave Lewis

Alan Stewart

25%

313

313

25%

188

188

Annual bonus performance against targets in 2016/17 (audited)
Stretching, relevant and measurable financial and non-financial annual bonus targets were set at the start of the performance period 
by the Committee. The Committee assessed each discrete element of the annual bonus separately to form a rounded assessment  
of performance of the Executive Directors at the end of the financial year.

The table below sets out performance against the financial measures applicable for the 2016/17 annual bonus outcomes.

Measures
Sales(a) (50%)
Group operating profit(a) (30%)

Performance targets

Underpin

Threshold

n/a

£944m

£47.6bn

£944m

Target

£48.1bn

£1,101m

Stretch

£48.6bn

£1,258m

Actual 
performance

Payout
(% maximum)

£48.2bn

£1,219m

65%

88%

(a)   Reported on a continuing operations basis, excluding UK businesses sold during 2016/17, at constant exchange rates. 

Performance for the formulaic financial elements of the plan (sales and Group operating profit) has been strong with both sales  
and Group operating profit performance being between target and stretch. A Group operating profit underpin of £944m, set at  
the beginning of the year, below which no portion of the annual bonus pays out, was exceeded. 

61

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Corporate governance 
Directors’ remuneration report continued
Annual report on remuneration

The Committee carefully reviewed the performance of the Group Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officer against Individual 
Objectives set at the beginning of the financial year. Details of how their performance was assessed against the Individual Objectives  
are set out in the table below.

Individual Objective

Weighting

Actual achievement

Dave Lewis

Complete portfolio reshaping

3-year corporate strategy

Technology Transformation Plan  
(including Data Privacy and Security)

Alan Stewart Complete portfolio reshaping

Conduct full review of existing on and off 
balance sheet debt and achieve savings 
in annualised interest cost

6.66%

6.66%

6.66%

6.66%

6.66%

Stretch performance – completed in Q3 2016/17

Stretch performance – strategy agreed by the Board and presented 
to the market in Q4 2016/17

Target performance – good progress made, but further work  
on some aspects still to be completed

Stretch performance – completed in Q3 2016/17

15.3%

Between target and stretch performance – achieved annualised 
interest cost savings of £28m 

Payout

16.7%

Develop long-term succession planning  
for Finance team

6.66%

Target performance – plans in place and implementation underway  
in Q2 2016/17

In determining the final level of bonus payable, the Committee considered the wider performance of the Group and noted that 
management were continuing to make fundamental improvements to the way we serve customers as well as making significant progress 
in building profitability. In particular, the Group has achieved increased volumes and positive like-for-like sales, reduced costs, and 
increased operating profit and cash flow. On the basis of the above, the annual bonus will pay out at 75.6% of the maximum for Dave 
Lewis and 74.2% of the maximum for Alan Stewart. In line with the approved Remuneration Policy, 50% of payouts will be deferred into 
Tesco shares for three years. 

2016/17 payouts were as follows:

Annual bonus 2016/17 (audited)

Maximum bonus opportunity (% of salary)

Actual bonus (% of maximum)

Actual bonus (% of salary)

Actual bonus (£’000)

Deferred into shares (50% of actual bonus) (£’000)

Directors

Dave Lewis

Alan Stewart

250%

75.6%

189%

2,361

1,180.5

225%

74.2%

167%

1,252

626

2017/18 annual bonus 
The structure of the annual bonus awards to be granted in 2017/18 will be the same as for 2016/17 awards, with performance being 
assessed against three measures.

Performance measure
Sales growth

Group operating profit

Individual Objectives

Weighting
50%

30%

20%

The annual bonus performance measures have been selected to provide an appropriate balance between incentivising Executive Directors 
to meet key objectives and financial targets for the year and incentivising them to achieve specific strategic and operational objectives.

The targets set are considered to be appropriately stretching taking into account the internal budget and external forecasts, and were 
subject to a rigorous process of challenge by the Committee. In relation to exchange rates, the 2017/18 targets were set based on 
2016/17 average actual foreign exchange rates. Performance against these targets will be measured based on the same rates in order  
to ensure consistent treatment of foreign exchange in both targets and actual performance. To ensure that Executive Directors are  
not incentivised to grow sales at the expense of satisfactory profitability, a Group operating profit underpin will continue to be applied 
to the annual bonus below which no portion of the bonus will be paid. The effect of any corporate activity on targets and actual 
performance will be assessed around the time of completion of a transaction.

Executive bonus targets are considered by the Board to be commercially sensitive as they could inform Tesco’s competitors of its 
budgeting. Therefore, we do not publish details of the targets on a prospective basis. However, we will provide full and transparent 
disclosure of the targets and the performance against these targets on a retrospective basis in next year’s Annual Report at the same 
time that the bonus outcome is reported. 

2016/17 PSP vesting
No PSP 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.

62

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 20172016 PSP award grant
The following summarises the PSP awards made to Dave Lewis and Alan Stewart in 2016. 

Plan

Type of award

Dave Lewis 

Tesco Performance 
Share Plan 

Alan Stewart

Tesco Performance 
Share Plan

Nil cost options subject to 
performance conditions and 
continued employment 

Nil cost options subject to 
performance conditions and 
continued employment

Date of
awards

Gross
number of
shares

Face
value(a)
(£)

Threshold
vesting (% of
face value)

Stretch
vesting (% of
face value)

End of
vesting
period

12/05/16

2,161,405

3,437,499

 20% 

100% 

12/05/19

12/05/16

1,178,948 

1,874,999

 20% 

100% 

12/05/19

(a)   The face value has been calculated using the market price on grant of 159.04p (12 May 2016). The range of the Company’s share price for the year was 147.4p  

to 218.7p.

(b)  Details of the performance conditions applying to the awards were set out in last year’s Annual Report.
(c)  The table shows the maximum number of shares that could be released if awards were to vest in full.

2017 PSP awards
As set out in last year’s Annual Report, the performance measures for the PSP awards will be aligned with three key strategic priorities:

 • delivery of significant value to shareholders through share price and dividend performance;
 •
 • building trust with key stakeholders (customers, suppliers and colleagues).

returning the business to be one that generates sustainable, quality cash flow; and

Performance measures for the PSP are selected to ensure that they incentivise Executive Directors to deliver long-term sustainable 
returns for shareholders. Performance targets are set taking into account internal budget forecasts, external expectations and the 
need to ensure that targets remain motivational.

2017 PSP measures
The PSP awards to be granted in 2017 will be made on the following basis:

Performance measure

Weighting

Definition of measure

Relative TSR vs index comprising companies from 
FTSE350 Food & Drug Retailers (adjusted to exclude 
Tesco) 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, weighted 85% and 15%, respectively. The index weightings were 
selected 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 and pension deficit repayments

Three stakeholder measures: customers, suppliers and colleagues

Relative TSR will be determined over a three-year performance period commencing on 26 February 2017 using a three-month average TSR at 
the beginning and end of the performance period by reference to the Company’s performance against the indices shown in the table above. 

The effect of any corporate activity on targets and actual performance will be assessed around the time of completion of a transaction.

2017 PSP targets

Performance
measure

TSR

Definition

Relative TSR vs  
a retail sector index 

Cash
Generation

Cumulative retail  
cash generated  
from operations

Weighting

50%

Vesting
level

25%

Threshold

Performance
required

Performance
description

Performance 
equal to
index

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

30%

25%

£9.2bn

Cumulative retail cash 
generated from operations 
+/- movement in working 
capital excluding Tesco Bank 
and pension deficit payments

Vesting
level

100%

Stretch

Performance
required

6% p.a. 
outperformance  
of the index 

100%

£10.2bn

Stakeholder measure(a)

i) Customers

ii) Suppliers

iii) Colleagues

iv) 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 
great place to shop

6.66%

0%

7pts

Performance equal to  
that achieved in 2016/17

100%

20pts

6.66%

0%

77%

Performance equal to  
that achieved in 2016/17 

100%

81%

3.33%

0%

81%(b)

Performance equal to  
that achieved in 2016/17

100%

84%

3.33%

0%

45pts(b)

Performance equal to  
that achieved in 2016/17

100%

50pts

(a)  As set out in the Annual Statement from the Committee Chair the approach to the calibration of the 2017 PSP stakeholder measures compared with the prior 

year reflects Tesco’s ongoing evolution in how it measures and assesses performance.

(b)  Average of full- and half-year ‘What Matters To You’ survey results.

63

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Corporate governanceDirectors’ remuneration report continued
Annual report on remuneration continued

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 was determined to be 6% p.a. relative to the index. In relation to the stakeholder measures, the base line at commencement  
is shown on page 63. 

2017 PSP award grant
Awards will be made to Dave Lewis and Alan Stewart in May 2017 and reported in next year’s Annual Report. 

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.

Remuneration scenarios
The composition and value of the Executive Directors’ remuneration packages in three performance scenarios is set out in the charts 
below. These show that the proportion of long-term incentives supports the long-term nature of the business and changes significantly 
across the performance scenarios. 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 level of remuneration is in accordance with the Remuneration Policy.

Group Chief Executive – Dave Lewis
(£million)

Chief Financial Officer – Alan Stewart
(£million)

9.0

8.0

7.0

6.0

5.0

4.0

3.0

2.0

1.0

0

£5,067k

34%

31%

35%

£1,786k

100%

£8,348k

41%

38%

21%

9.0

8.0

7.0

6.0

5.0

4.0

3.0

2.0

1.0

0

£2,765k

34%

30%

36%

£984k

100%

£4,546k

41%

37%

22%

Minimum

On-target

Maximum

Minimum

On-target

Maximum

Fixed pay

Annual bonus

Long-term incentive

Fixed pay

Annual bonus

Long-term incentive

Fixed pay

Minimum

On-target

Maximum

Fixed pay comprises:
 • 2017/18 annualised salary (on which other elements of the remuneration package are calculated)
 • benefits as set out in the Single total figure of remuneration table of this report
 • pension benefits which represent 25% of base salary

Annual bonus 

Long-term incentive – PSP

0%

0%

50% payout

50% vesting

100% payout

100% vesting

64

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Executive Directors’ interests in share awards

Number of
options held
as at
27/2/16

Date of
grant

Number of
options held
as at
25/2/17

Options
granted

Date on which 
option vests/
becomes
exercisable

Exercise
price (p)

Expiry
date

–

–

–

–

452,265

607,940

610,089

1,566,987

2,161,405

2,161,405

939,720

939,720

469,860

469,860

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

17/02/15

24/10/24

18/02/16

24/10/24

14/02/17

24/10/24

24/07/18

24/07/25

12/05/19

12/05/26

12/05/19

12/05/26

On the earlier of  
12 May 2019 or the 
resumption of 
dividend payments 
to the Company's 
shareholders

12/05/26

11,920

151

01/02/19

01/08/19

Director
Dave Lewis

Alan Stewart 

Plan
Listing Rule 
9.4.2 
arrangement

Listing Rule 
9.4.2 
arrangement

Listing Rule 
9.4.2 
arrangement

Performance 
Share Plan 2011

Performance 
Share Plan 2011

Executive 
Incentive Plan 
2014

Executive 
Incentive Plan 
2014

Savings Related 
Share Option 
Scheme

Listing Rule 
9.4.2 
arrangement

Listing Rule 
9.4.2 
arrangement

Listing Rule 
9.4.2 
arrangement

Listing Rule 
9.4.2 
arrangement

Performance 
Share Plan 2011

Performance 
Share Plan 2011

Executive 
Incentive Plan 
2014

Executive 
Incentive Plan 
2014

Savings Related 
Share Option 
Scheme

24/10/14

452,265

24/10/14

607,940

24/10/14

610,089

24/07/15

1,566,987

12/05/16

12/05/16

12/05/16

–

–

–

18/11/15

11,920

24/10/14

252,873

24/10/14

327,085

24/10/14

308,543

06/07/15

56,950

24/07/15

854,720

–

–

–

–

–

–

252,873

327,085

308,543

56,950

854,720

12/05/16

12/05/16

–

–

1,178,948

1,178,948

507,449

507,449

12/05/16

 –

253,724

253,724

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

18/06/15

24/10/24

24/06/16

24/10/24

23/06/17

24/10/24

06/07/18

06/07/25

24/07/18

24/07/25

12/05/19

12/05/26

12/05/19

12/05/26

On the earlier of  
12 May 2019 or the 
resumption of 
dividend payments 
to the Company's 
shareholders

12/05/26

18/11/15

11,920

–

11,920

151

01/02/19

01/08/19

(a)   No options lapsed or were exercised by Executive Directors in 2016/17.

65

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Corporate governanceDirectors’ remuneration report continued
Annual report on remuneration continued

Shareholding guidelines
The Committee believes that a significant shareholding by Executive Directors creates greater alignment with the interests  
of shareholders and demonstrates their ongoing commitment to the business. This requirement is at the upper end of typical  
market practice for similar-size companies.

The shareholding guidelines are based on:

 •

 •

shares included – shares held outright and by an Executive Director’s connected persons. Shares held in plans which are not subject  
to performance conditions (such as deferred annual bonus shares and buyout awards) will be included (on a net of tax basis);
shares not included – vested but unexercised market value share options and unvested awards which are subject to performance 
conditions (e.g. PSP). Share options (e.g. Sharesave) will not be included;

 • accumulation period – new appointees will be expected to achieve the 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; and
 • holding policy – where an Executive Director does not meet the shareholding requirement he or she will be required to hold, and  
not dispose of, at least 50% of the net number of shares that vest under incentive arrangements until the requirement is met.

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. Executive Committee members are required to hold 200% of salary in Tesco shares within five full financial 
years of appointment to the Executive Committee. As at the date of this report, this had been met by all Executive Committee 
members, except Jane Lawrie and Alessandra Bellini who were appointed on 10 October 2016 and 1 March 2017, respectively. 

The table below sets out shares held by the Executive Directors and their connected persons (including beneficial interests) and  
a summary of outstanding and unvested share awards as at 25 February 2017.

Ordinary 
shares 
beneficially 
owned  
at 27/2/16
100,893

Ordinary 
shares 
beneficially 
owned
at 25/2/17
101,870

Unvested 
deferred 
annual bonus 
shares subject 
to continued 
employment
1,409,580

Unvested  
PSP awards 
subject to 
performance 
conditions
3,728,392

Vested but 
unexercised nil 
cost options
1,670,294

Unvested nil 
cost options, 
not subject to 
performance 
conditions
–

Executive
Director
Dave Lewis

Current
shareholding 
(% of salary)
280%

Shareholding
requirement  
(% of salary)
400%

Alan Stewart

50,837

51,813

761,173

2,033,668

579,958

365,493

258%

300%

(a)  Executive Directors’ shareholdings based on the three-month average share price to 25 February 2017 of 201.95p per share.
(b)  Between 26 February and 11 April 2017, Dave Lewis and Alan Stewart both acquired 73 partnership shares under the all-employee Share Incentive Plan. No other 

changes in Executive Director interests occurred in the period.

Although the table 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.

Policy for new hires
The Committee will seek to align the remuneration package offered to new Executive Directors with the policy but may offer variable 
remuneration appropriate and necessary to recruit and retain the individual. A summary of the policy is set out below.

Provision
Variable remuneration

Policy for new hires
 • Awards are limited to the current aggregate annual bonus and PSP award policy of 600% of base salary

Buyout awards

 • The limit above excludes awards made to compensate the Executive Director for awards forfeited from their previous 

employer. Any buyout award will be made taking into account relevant factors, including performance conditions attached 
to 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

Legal fees

 • The Company will pay legal fees incurred by any new Executive Directors in respect of their appointment

Internal promotions

 • 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

Non-executive Directors

 • Arrangements will normally reflect the approach outlined on pages 69 and 70 for the Chairman and Non-executive Directors

66

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Service agreements and Leavers Policy
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 Leavers 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 

 • 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

 • 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 colleague discount. No account will be taken of pension when determining 
termination 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 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 

Annual bonus entitlement

Statutory pay entitlements

 • Under the service agreements, while in employment Executive Directors are also entitled to sick pay, paid holiday  

and maternity or paternity leave

Legal fees

 • Where appropriate, the Company will meet an Executive Director’s reasonable legal fees in connection with the 

termination of their employment and/or the reasonable cost of outplacement services 

Malus and clawback

 • 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 PSP 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

For a full version of the new hire and leaver policies, please refer to the 2015/16 Directors’ remuneration report or the Company’s website at www.tescoplc.com. 
The service agreements are available to shareholders to view at the Company’s registered office.

Share price performance graph

310

260

210

160

110

60

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

i

0
0
1
£
f
o
e
u
a
V

l

Feb
2009

Feb
2010

Feb
2011

Feb
2012

Feb
2013

Feb
2014

Feb
2015

Feb
2016

Feb
2017

Tesco

FTSE100

Source: Datastream

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

Remuneration of the Group Chief Executive
The table on the next page lays out the historical single figure data for the role of Group Chief Executive as well as annual bonus and PSP 
payout levels as a percentage of stretch opportunity for the Group Chief Executive. 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.

67

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Corporate governance 
 
 
 
 
 
Directors’ remuneration report continued
Annual report on remuneration continued

Group Chief Executive remuneration history

Group Chief Executive single figure of 
remuneration (£’000)

Annual bonus vesting (% of maximum award) 

PSP vesting (% of stretch award) 

Share option vesting (% of maximum award) 

2010/11

2011/12

2012/13

2013/14

2014/15

2015/16

2016/17

Sir Terry
Leahy 
7,150

75%

75% 

100% 

Philip
Clarke 
4,595

0% 

 46.5% 

100%

Philip
Clarke 
1,280

Philip
Clarke 
1,634

Philip
Clarke
764

Dave
Lewis(b)
4,133

0% 

0% 

0%

0%

0%

n/a

0%

0%

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

Dave
Lewis
4,632

96%

n/a

n/a

Dave
Lewis
4,147

76%

n/a

n/a

(a)   Philip Clarke elected not to take a bonus for 2011/12 and left the Board on 1 September 2014.
(b)   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 had no impact on the single figure for 2015/16  
or any future years.

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.

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.

The Committee has the discretion to scale back deferred share awards and PSP 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 PSP 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.

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. Alan Stewart is a non-executive director 
of Diageo PLC and received fees of £92,000 in the year plus a product allowance of £1,250. He does not receive any fees as a director of 
Tesco Personal Finance Group Limited (Tesco Bank). Dave Lewis stood down as a non-executive director of Sky plc on 13 October 2016  
and received fees of £54,500 in the period.

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 
Employees’ Share Scheme 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 25 February 2017, the Trusts held 13,006,919 shares.

Change in Group Chief Executive remuneration compared with changes in employee remuneration
The following table illustrates the change in Group Chief Executive salary, benefits and bonus between 2015/16 and 2016/17 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 Group Chief Executive 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.

In the UK, the total reward package for a typical customer assistant is ahead of the voluntary Living Wage on a national basis and the 
same hourly rate is paid to all colleagues regardless of age. The Company is committed to rewarding colleagues with a total reward 
package that provides them with choice and that they really value.

Group Chief Executive

UK colleagues

Salary
0%

1.5%

Benefits
179%(a)
0%

Bonus
(21)%
(12)%(b)

(a)  Increase in Group Chief Executive benefits reflects payment of relocation fees to Dave Lewis, details of which are set out on page 61.
(b)  Includes 2015/16 Turnaround Bonus for year-on-year comparison.

68

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017For 2016/17, a new Colleague Bonus Plan was launched to all UK colleagues below manager level, with a maximum opportunity of 3.5%  
of earnings to be taken as cash or shares. The payout was an average of 3.1% of earnings. For 2015/16, colleagues at Work Levels 1–4 
received a one-off Turnaround Bonus of 5% of earnings. 

Bonuses for 2016/17 for UK eligible colleagues paid out on average at 82% of the maximum bonus opportunity (2015/16: 94% of the 
maximum bonus opportunity). 

Relative importance of spend on pay
The chart shows total colleague pay compared with distributions to shareholders and for further context, Group operating profit. 
Tesco’s colleagues are essential to how the Company does business and meets the needs of its customers. In 2016/17, we employed,  
on average, 464,520 colleagues across the Group (compared with 475,399 excluding Turkey in 2015/16).

(£m)

8000

7000

6000

5000

4000

3000

2000

1000

0

£6,897

£7,362

£985

£1,280

£0

£0

2015/16

2016/17

2015/16

2016/17

2015/16

2016/17

Total
employee pay

Distributions
to shareholders

Group 
operating profit

Total employee pay includes wages and salaries, social security, pension and share-based costs at actual exchange rates (£7,362m in 
2016/17 and £6,897m excluding Turkey in 2015/16 – see Note 3 of the financial statements). Distributions to shareholders include interim 
and final dividends paid in respect of each financial year (£nil in respect of 2015/16 and 2016/17) (see Note 8 of the financial statements). 
Reflecting Tesco’s improved performance and the Board’s confidence in its future prospects, Tesco announced on 27 January 2017  
that the Company intends to recommence paying dividends in respect of the financial year 2017/18. There were no share buy-backs  
in 2015/16 or 2016/17. 

Chairman and other Non-executive Directors’ dates of appointment
The Chairman and other Non-executive Directors do not have service contracts, but each has a letter of appointment with the 
Company. Appointments are for an initial period of three years after which they are reviewed. In line with the UK Corporate Governance 
Code, all Directors submit themselves for re-election by shareholders every year at the Annual General Meeting. All Non-executive 
Directors’ and the Chairman’s appointments can be terminated by either party without notice. Non-executive Directors and the 
Chairman have no entitlement to compensation on termination. 

The letters of appointment are available for shareholders to view at the Company’s registered office.

Director
John Allan 

Mark Armour 

Steve Golsby

Byron Grote 

Mikael Olsson 

Date of appointment 
1 March 2015 

2 September 2013 

1 October 2016 

1 May 2015 

1 November 2014

Deanna Oppenheimer

1 March 2012 

Simon Patterson 

Alison Platt 

Lindsey Pownall 

1 April 2016 

1 April 2016 

1 April 2016 

Notice period
None

None

None

None

None

None

None

None

None

Appointment end date in accordance  
with letter of appointment
AGM 2017

AGM 2017

AGM 2017

AGM 2017

AGM 2017

AGM 2017

AGM 2017

AGM 2017

AGM 2017

69

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Corporate governanceDirectors’ remuneration report continued
Annual report on remuneration continued

Non-executive Director fees
Following a review of independently sourced data, it was deemed appropriate to increase Non-executive Director fees in accordance 
with the levels set out below effective from 1 March 2017. Non-executive Director fees are normally reviewed biennially. 

Basic fee 

Additional fees:

Senior Independent Director

Chairs of the Audit and Remuneration Committees 

Membership of Audit, Corporate Responsibility,  
Nominations and Remuneration Committees 

2016/17

£70,000 p.a.

£26,000 p.a.

£30,000 p.a.

From 1 March 2017

£72,000 p.a.

£27,000 p.a.

£31,000 p.a.

£12,000 p.a. for each Committee

£12,500 p.a. for each Committee

The Company reimburses the 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. For Non-executive Directors based 
overseas the Company would meet travel and accommodation expenditure as required to fulfil their duties.

Chairman's fee
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 may have the benefit of home security, colleague discount and healthcare for himself  
and his partner. The Committee may introduce additional benefits for the Chairman if it is considered appropriate to do so. The Company 
reimburses the Chairman for reasonable expenses in performing his duties and may settle any tax incurred in relation to these expenses.

Fees paid during 2016/17 (audited)
The following table sets out the fees paid to the Non-executive Directors for the year ended 25 February 2017. Non-executive Directors are 
not paid a pension and do not participate in any of the Company’s variable incentive schemes. 

Director

John Allan 

Mark Armour 

Steve Golsby

Byron Grote 

Mikael Olsson 

Deanna 

Oppenheimer

Simon Patterson

Alison Platt

Lindsey Pownall

Former Director

Richard Cousins 

Date

2016/17 

2015/16 

2016/17 

2015/16 

2016/17 

2015/16 

2016/17 

2015/16 

2016/17 

2015/16 

2016/17 

2015/16 

2016/17 

2015/16 

2016/17 

2015/16 

2016/17 

2015/16 

2016/17 

2015/16 

Fees (£’000)

Taxable expenses (£’000)

Tesco PLC

Tesco Bank

Tesco PLC

Tesco Bank

Benefits
(£’000)

Total
(£’000)

650

650 

82 

82 

28

n/a 

124

85 

94

94 

127

119 

71

n/a 

71 

n/a 

71 

n/a 

107

115

 – 

 – 

– 

– 

– 

n/a 

– 

– 

–

– 

69

82 

–

n/a 

– 

n/a 

– 

n/a 

– 

– 

 13 

 – 

– 

– 

6 

n/a 

– 

1 

5

4 

13

25 

–

n/a 

3 

n/a 

15 

n/a 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

n/a 

– 

– 

– 

– 

9 

7 

– 

n/a 

– 

n/a 

– 

n/a 

– 

– 

3

10 

– 

– 

–

n/a 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

n/a 

– 

n/a 

– 

n/a 

–

– 

666

660

82

82

34

n/a

124

86

99

98

218

233

71

n/a

74

n/a

86

n/a

107

115

(a)   The figures in this table show the amount receivable in the year and are from the date of appointment or until the date that a Director ceased to be a Director 
of Tesco PLC. Simon Patterson, Alison Platt and Lindsey Pownall joined the Board on 1 April 2016 and Steve Golsby joined on 1 October 2016. Richard Cousins 
stood down from the Board on 3 January 2017.

(b)   Deanna Oppenheimer was appointed to the Board of Tesco Personal Finance Group Limited (Tesco Bank) in July 2012 and stood down on 31 December 2016. 

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. 

(c)   The Chairman’s benefits are made up of security costs, healthcare insurance and taxable travel expenses. 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.

70

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Beneficial share ownership (audited)
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 25 February and 11 April 2017.

Director
John Allan(a)
Mark Armour 

Steve Golsby
Byron Grote(b)
Mikael Olsson 
Deanna Oppenheimer(b) 
Simon Patterson

Alison Platt 

Lindsey Pownall

Ordinary shares held at 25 February 2017

Ordinary shares held at 27 February 2016

224,349

25,000 

–

173,700

5,000 

103,500

–

–

–

194,349

25,000

n/a

143,700

5,000

103,500

n/a

n/a

n/a

(a)  John Allan also held 298,000 bonds in the Company as at 25 February 2017 (198,000 as at 27 February 2016).
(b)  Byron Grote and Deanna Oppenheimer held their shares in the form of American Depositary Receipts (ADR). Each ADR is equivalent to three Ordinary Shares 

of 5 pence each 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 reflects the value delivered for shareholders; and 
to monitor the level and structure of remuneration of senior management.

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

As required by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Tesco Bank has a separate independent remuneration committee. The 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.

Membership of the Remuneration Committee and attendance at meetings

Deanna Oppenheimer (Chair) 

John Allan 

Byron Grote 

Mikael Olsson 

Alison Platt

Number of scheduled 
meetings eligible to attend

Meetings attended

6 

6 

6 

6 

6 

6

6

6

6

5

Alison Platt was appointed to the Board and joined the Committee on 1 April 2016. She missed one Committee meeting due to an 
unavoidable prior business commitment arranged prior to joining the Committee.

The Committee schedules meetings two years in advance with five scheduled meetings typically in a year. The Committee also convenes 
on an ad hoc basis between scheduled meetings when necessary. The Directors’ biographies can be found on pages 34 and 35. 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.

Robert Welch, Group Company Secretary, is Secretary to the Committee. The Group Chief Executive 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.

71

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Corporate governanceDirectors’ remuneration report continued
Annual report on remuneration continued

Remuneration Committee activities 2016/17
The following provides a summary of the key areas of focus of the Committee during the year: 

Strategy and policy

Reviewed market trends

Considered executive remuneration at Tesco over the longer term 

Considered BEIS’ and BIS Select Committee’s corporate governance inquiries

Salary review

Approved Executive Director and Executive Committee salaries

Short-term incentives

Reviewed performance against targets and determined annual bonus outturn

Long-term incentives

Determined vesting percentage for 2013 PSP award

Approved 2017/18 performance measures and targets

Reviewed turnaround bonus

Reviewed annual bonus design for Tesco Bank colleagues

Approved measures and targets for 2016 PSP award

Monitored performance of outstanding awards against targets

Approved annual offering of Sharesave

Governance and other matters

Considered trends in remuneration practice and corporate governance developments

Reviewed shareholder feedback and AGM votes, giving consideration to the implications for future remuneration policy  
and its implementation

Reviewed shareholding guidelines and progress of Executive Directors

Approved the Directors’ remuneration report

Received report from Tesco Bank remuneration committee

Reviewed dilution limits under Tesco’s share plans

Reviewed the Committee’s performance and terms of reference 

Committee advisers
The Committee has authority to obtain the advice of external independent remuneration consultants. It is solely responsible for  
their appointment, retention and termination and for approval of the basis of their fees and other terms. Over the course of the  
year, the Committee was supported by its appointed adviser, PwC. PwC was appointed adviser to the Committee in 2015 following  
a comprehensive selection process. The Chair of the Committee agrees the protocols under which PwC provides advice.

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. Willis Towers Watson also provided the Committee with benchmarking data 
and assessments during the year and fees for this were £49,000 (2015/16: £9,000).

During the year, PwC provided independent advice and commentary on a range of topics including remuneration trends, corporate 
governance and consulting with shareholders. PwC fees for advice provided to the Committee were £155,000 (2015/16: £148,000). Fees 
are charged on a time and materials basis. PwC also provided general consultancy services to management during the year. 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. However, the Committee is satisfied that these activities do not compromise 
the independence of the advice it has received from PwC.

Payments outside Remuneration 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 approved Remuneration 
Policy 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.

Compliance
In carrying out its duties, the 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 79 to 85, covers the disclosures referred to in this report that are specified for audit 
by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Considering colleagues’ views
The Company undertakes a colleague 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. 

A significant portion of Tesco colleagues are shareholders so are able to express their views in the same way as other shareholders.

72

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017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 vital to maintain an open dialogue with shareholders on remuneration matters. The Committee 
regularly consults major 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.

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 2016 AGM.

AGM resolution % of votes
To approve the Directors’ remuneration report(a)

For

96.6% 

Against

3.4%

(a)   5,894,320 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.

Approved by the Board
11 April 2017

Deanna Oppenheimer
Remuneration Committee Chair

73

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Corporate governanceDirectors’ report

74

The Directors present their report, together with the audited accounts for the year 
ended 25 February 2017.

Group results
Group revenue (exc. VAT) increased by £2bn to £55.9bn, representing an increase of 3.7% 
(at actual rates). Group profit before tax was £145m from a profit before tax of £202m in 
2015/16. The loss for the year including discontinued operations was £(54)m. £(40)m 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 25 February 2017. As we announced in January 2017, the Board has 
reviewed its dividend policy and intends to recommence paying dividends in respect of 
the 2017/18 financial year. The Board expects dividends to grow progressively from that 
financial year with the aim of achieving a target cover of around two times earnings per 
share over the medium term.

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 28 on page 143. 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 2016 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 and in line with the recommendations of the Pre-Emption Group.

Shares held by the Company’s Share Incentive Plan Trust, International Employee Benefit 
Trust, Employees’ Share Scheme Trust and Tesco Ireland Share Bonus 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 Guidance and Transparency Rules (DTR) are published via a Regulatory 
Information Service and are 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 25 February 2017 and as at the date of this report:

Norges Bank

BlackRock Inc

Schroders plc

GIC Private Limited

% of total voting 
rights as at  

25 February 2017

% of total voting 
rights as at the 
date of this report

5.96

5.01

4.991

3.0788

5.96

5.01

4.991

3.0788

Articles of Association
The Company’s Articles of Association may only be amended by special resolution  
at a general meeting of the shareholders.

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Directors and their interests
The biographical details of the current serving Directors are set out on pages 34 and 35. 
The Directors who served during the year were: John Allan; Mark Armour; Richard 
Cousins (stood down from the Board on 3 January 2017); Steve Golsby; Byron Grote;  
Dave Lewis; Mikael Olsson; Deanna Oppenheimer; Simon Patterson; Alison Platt; Lindsey 
Pownall; and Alan Stewart. 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 57 to 73.

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.

Our Equal Opportunities, Diversity and Inclusion policies 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  
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 (2015/16: £nil) or incur any political 
expenditure during the year (2015/16: £nil).

Compliance with the Groceries (Supply Chain Practices) Market Investigation Order 
2009 and the Groceries Supply Code of Practice (the Code)
The Code regulates aspects of the commercial relationship between the largest grocery 
retailers in the UK and their suppliers of grocery products, establishing an overarching 
principle that retailers must deal with their suppliers fairly and lawfully. Retailer 
compliance with the Code is overseen by the Groceries Code Adjudicator (GCA), 
Christine Tacon. Specific supplier protections under the Code include the obligation for 
retailers to give reasonable notice of changes or reduction in the volume of purchases, 
and 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.

75

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Corporate governanceDirectors’ report continued

76

At Tesco, we have made fundamental changes to the way we operate to ensure we build 
transparent, long-term partnerships with our suppliers, consistent with the principle  
of fair dealing under the Code. These changes are having a positive effect on our 
relationships with suppliers. In the GCA’s annual supplier survey in 2016, Tesco ranked  
as the most improved retailer, with 65% of suppliers reporting an improvement in how  
we operate. The results of our own supplier survey, conducted twice each year, also  
show a marked improvement in how our suppliers view their relationship with Tesco. 
Suppliers to our UK grocery business rated their ‘overall satisfaction’ with Tesco at  
78.3% in February 2017, an improvement of 10.6% since February 2016.

In the last financial year, part of our change programme has focused on implementing  
the recommendations made by the GCA, in her report into historic supplier issues at 
Tesco, published in January 2016. The GCA confirmed on 19 September 2016 that we had 
complied with her requirements, which she continues to monitor at six-monthly intervals.

Retailers are required to train all members of their buying teams on their obligations 
under the Code, both when colleagues join the business and annually thereafter.  
In addition to our buying teams, we train a wider set of colleagues across our Product  
and other functions in the UK and in Tesco Bengaluru. For the 2016/17 financial year, we 
trained 1,188 new starters and 2,690 colleagues received annual refresher training.

We continue to engage positively with the GCA and her office on other matters. We meet 
with the GCA each quarter, and were pleased to host members of the GCA’s office team 
for a visit to our head office in Welwyn Garden City in October 2016. 

This year, 18 Code-related complaints were raised by suppliers. As at 25 February 2017,  
we had resolved 11 of the concerns following further discussion between the buying team 
and the relevant supplier, or between the Code Compliance Officer and the supplier; we 
had also closed a further four issues due to the supplier not responding to our follow-up 
communications post-resolution. The three remaining concerns have all been resolved 
since the end of the reporting period, two following further discussion with the relevant 
supplier and one due to the supplier not responding to our follow up communications; 
however, we have also reopened one of the concerns resolved prior to the end of the 
reporting period at the request of the supplier involved, and we are working with that 
supplier to resolve the matter. In eight instances, the complaints were referred to our 
Code Compliance Officer, and seven of those eight 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 the GCA determined that she was not able to 
accept appointment as arbitrator and the supplier is no longer pursuing the dispute. 

Going concern and longer term viability statement
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 31.

Events after the balance sheet date
On 1 March 2017, the Group announced the completion of the disposal of its 95.5% controlling 
stake in the Kipa business in Turkey following the receipt of all local regulatory approvals.

On 10 April 2017, the Group announced that its subsidiary, Tesco Stores Limited,  
had obtained Court approval and entered into a Deferred Prosecution Agreement  
(DPA) with the UK Serious Fraud Office (SFO) regarding historic accounting practices.  
On 28 March 2017, the Group also announced that it had agreed with the UK Financial 
Conduct Authority (FCA) to a finding of market abuse in relation to its trading statement 
announced on 29 August 2014. In making its finding, the FCA has expressly stated that it  
is not suggesting that the Tesco PLC Board of Directors knew, or could reasonably be 
expected to have known, that the information contained in that trading statement was 
false or misleading. The Group has agreed with the FCA (under its statutory powers)  
to establish a compensation scheme which will compensate certain net purchasers of 
Tesco Ordinary shares and listed bonds between 29 August 2014 and 19 September 2014 
inclusive. The Group has taken a total exceptional charge of £235m in respect of the DPA  
of £129m, the expected costs of the compensation scheme of £85m, and related costs. 
This has been recorded in the financial statements in the year to 25 February 2017 as an 
adjusting post balance sheet event.

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017On 6 April 2017, the Group unwound its joint venture with British Land Company PLC (British 
Land). The Group obtained sole control of BLT Properties Limited through the acquisition  
of British Land’s 50% interest in the joint venture. The acquisition increased the Group’s 
owned property portfolio by £0.2bn, comprising seven stores. British Land obtained sole 
control of one store and one retail centre, previously held in the joint venture.

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 Annual Report and Financial Statements. 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 
26 to 30. 

Neither the Group, nor any of the Directors, provides any representation, assurance or 
guarantee that the occurrence of the events expressed or implied in any forward-looking 
statements in this document will actually occur. Undue reliance should not be placed  
on these forward-looking statements. The Group undertakes no obligation to publicly 
update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, 
future events or otherwise.

Additional disclosures
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

Research and development

Greenhouse gas emissions

Financial instruments and financial risk management

Corporate governance report

Pages

1 to 31

10

23

125 to 135

32 to 56

Disclosures required pursuant to Listing Rule 9.8.4R can be found on the following pages:

Statement of capitalised interest

Allotment for cash of equity securities

Waiver of dividends

Pages

107 and 116

143

74

The Company has chosen, in accordance with Section 414 C(11) of the Companies Act 
2006, and as noted in this Directors’ report, to include certain matters in its Strategic 
report that would otherwise be required to be disclosed in this Directors’ report.  
The Strategic report can be found on pages 1 to 31.

By order of the Board

Robert Welch 
Group Company Secretary
11 April 2017

77

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Corporate 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;

 • provide additional disclosures when compliance with the 

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.

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 34 and 35 confirm that, to the best of their knowledge:

 •

 •

the financial statements, which have been prepared 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.

Financial statements

Statement of Directors’ responsibilities 
 Independent auditor’s report to the members of Tesco PLC 
Group income statement 
 Group statement of comprehensive income (loss) 
Group balance sheet 
Group statement of changes in equity  
Group cash flow statement  
 Notes to the Group financial statements  
 Tesco PLC – Parent Company balance sheet  
 Tesco PLC – Parent Company statement of changes in equity  
 Notes to the Parent Company financial statements  
 Related undertakings of the Tesco Group 

78
79   
86
87
88 
89
90
91
150
151
152
158

78

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017 
 
Independent auditor’s report to the members of Tesco PLC

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 25 
February 2017 and of the Group’s loss 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.

 • we have included a new risk relating to the Bank’s November 2016 

external payment fraud;

 • provisions and reserves relating to the Bank are identified as a 
significant risk for the audit, however it has not required the 
same level of focus as those matters included in our report and 
therefore we no longer report on this risk here;

 •

 • we continue to report on the pension obligation valuation risk, 
however accounting for the pension curtailment was only 
applicable to 2015/16;
the inventory valuation risk has been revised and does not 
include the capitalisation of directly attributable costs due to 
the reduced level of judgement exercised by management; and
the risk relating to compliance with laws and regulations has 
been refined to only relate to contingent liabilities since this is 
where the key risk lies.

 •

The financial statements that we have audited comprise the:

 • Group income statement;
 • Group statement of comprehensive income;
 • Group and Parent Company balance sheets;
 • Group and Parent Company statements of changes in equity;
 • Group cash flow statement; and
 •

related Notes 1 to 36 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”.

Summary of our audit approach
Key risks
The key risks we identified which had the greatest impact on  
our audit scope are:

store impairment review;
recognition of commercial income;
inventory valuation;

 •
 •
 •
 • pension obligation valuation;
 • contingent liabilities;
 • management override of controls;
 • Tesco Bank payment fraud; and
 •

retail technology environment, including IT security.

Within this report, any new risks are identified with 
 and any risks 
which are the same as the prior year, updated where required, are 
identified with 

.

Materiality 
The materiality that we used was £50m (2015/16: £50m), based  
on 5% of a normalised profit before tax. Refer to page 83 for 
further details.

Scoping
Our audit scoping provides full scope audit coverage of 97% 
(2015/16: 97%) of revenue and 91% (2015/16: 88%) of net assets.

Significant changes in our approach 
In our 2016/17 report the following changes to the risks identified 
have been made compared to our 2015/16 report:

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 Note 1 to the financial statements 
and the Directors’ statement on the longer-term viability of the 
Group contained within the strategic report on page 31.

We are required to state whether we have anything material to add 
or draw attention to in relation to:

 •

 •

 •

 •

the Directors’ confirmation on page 26 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 27 to 30 that describe those risks  
and explain how they are being managed or mitigated;
the Directors’ statement in Note 1 to the financial statements 
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; and
the Directors’ explanation on page 31 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.

We confirm that we have nothing material to add or draw 
attention to in respect of these matters.

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 confirm that we are independent 
of the Group and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities 
in accordance with those standards.

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.

79

Financial statementsTesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Independent auditor’s report to the members of Tesco PLC continued

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 description of the risks below should be read in conjunction with the significant matters considered by the Audit Committee discussed 
on pages 53 to 54. 

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.

Risk description
Store impairment review 
As described in Note 1 (Accounting policies) and Note 11 
(Property, plant and equipment), the Group held £18,108m 
(2015/16: £17,900m) of property, plant and equipment  
at 25 February 2017. 

Under IFRS, the Group is required to complete an  
impairment review of its store portfolio where there  
are indicators of impairment or impairment reversal. 

There continues to be judgement required in identifying 
indicators of impairment and determining the fair value  
of the Group’s store portfolio. Additionally, there is 
judgement in relation to triggering the reversals of 
impairments recognised in previous periods.

In light of the continued competitive environment in which 
the Group operates and changes in the macro environment, 
there is a risk that the carrying value of stores and related 
fixed assets may be higher than the recoverable amount. 
Where a review for impairment, or reversal of 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 and 
relies upon the Directors’ assumptions and estimates  
of future trading performance, longer-term growth rates  
and discount rates utilised; and 

How the scope of our audit responded to the risk

Key observations

Our audit procedures included assessing the design and 
implementation of key controls around the impairment  
review processes, assessing the appropriateness of the 
methodology applied by the Directors in calculating the 
impairment charges and reversals, 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 United Kingdom (UK), the general 
merchandising online business. As part of our procedures  
we have used data analytics to assist us in determining the 
completeness of the impairment indicator assessment.

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; 

Whilst we note actions 
are required by the  
Group to achieve  
these forecasts over  
the medium term,  
we concluded that  
the assumptions in  
the impairment models 
were within an acceptable 
range, and that the 
overall level of net 
reversal of impairment 
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.

 • fair value less costs of disposal is determined by reference 

 • assessing the long-term growth rates and discount rates 

to a sample of valuations completed by independent 
valuation specialists where applicable.

As a result of the Group’s impairment review completed 
during the year, an impairment release of £6m (2015/16: 
charge of £18m) was recognised.

Refer to page 54 for the Audit Committee’s discussion  
of this risk.

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 property fair values, 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. 

Additionally, we assess the adequacy of the store impairment 
related disclosures.

80

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017How the scope of our audit responded to the risk

Key observations

We obtained a detailed understanding and evaluated the design 
and implementation of controls that the Group has established  
in relation to commercial income.

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 
impact on the Group’s 
balance sheet as at  
25 February 2017.

In addition, our substantive audit procedures across the Group’s 
retail operations included a combination of the following:

 • we tested whether amounts recognised were accurate and 
recorded in the correct period based on the contractual 
performance obligations by agreeing a sample of individual 
supplier agreements;

 • commercial income balances included within inventories and 

trade and other receivables, or netted against trade and other 
payables have been tested via balance sheet reconciliation 
procedures;

 • we circularised a sample of suppliers to test whether the 

arrangements recorded were complete and held discussions 
with a sample of buyers to further understand the buying 
processes where required. Where responses from suppliers 
were not received, we completed alternative procedures  
such as agreement to underlying contractual arrangements;

 • we used data analytics to profile commercial income, 

identifying deals which exhibited characteristics of audit 
interest upon which we completed detailed testing;

 • we reviewed the steps taken by the Group to address the 

recommendations made by the Groceries Code Adjudicator 
(GCA) and reviewed the Group’s ongoing compliance with  
the Groceries Supplier Code of Practice (GSCOP). Additionally, 
we reviewed the reporting and correspondence to the supplier 
hotline in order to help identify any areas where further 
investigation was required; and

 • we also considered the adequacy of the commercial income 
related disclosure within the Group’s financial statements.

We obtained a detailed understanding and evaluated the design 
and implementation of controls that the Group has established  
in relation to the pension obligation valuation process.

In testing the pension valuation, 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 are satisfied that  
the methodology  
and assumptions  
applied in relation  
to determining the 
pension valuation  
are within an  
acceptable range.

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 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 and reports; and 
 • reviewing the proposed accounting and disclosure of actual  

and potential legal liabilities, drawing on third party assessment  
of open matters.

We concur that the 
liability recognised by 
management in respect 
of the DPA and FCA 
compensation scheme 
and the disclosures in 
relation to the ongoing  
UK shareholder actions 
are appropriate.

In relation to other 
ongoing legal matters  
in respect of previous 
corporate transactions, 
we are satisfied no 
specific disclosure  
is required.

Risk description
Recognition of commercial income 
As described in Note 1 (Accounting policies) and Note 20 
(Commercial income), 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.

In accordance with IFRS, commercial income should only  
be recognised as income within the income statement  
when the performance conditions associated with it have 
been met, for example where the marketing campaign  
has been held.

The variety and number of the buying arrangements  
with suppliers can make it complex to determine the 
performance conditions associated with the income,  
giving rise to a requirement for management judgement  
and scope for error in accounting for such income. As  
such we have identified this as a key risk.

Refer to page 54 for the Audit Committee’s discussion  
of this risk.

Pension obligation valuation 
As described in Note 1 (Accounting policies) and Note 27 
(Post-employment benefits), the Group has a defined benefit 
pension plan in the UK. At 25 February 2017, the Group 
recorded a net retirement obligation before deferred tax  
of £6,621m (2015/16: £3,175m), comprising scheme assets  
of £13,196m (2015/16: £10,302m) and scheme liabilities of 
£19,817m (2015/16: £13,477m). 

The pension valuation is dependent on market conditions  
and assumptions made. The risk specifically relates to  
the following key assumptions: 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. 

Refer to page 54 for the Audit Committee’s discussion  
of this risk.

Contingent liabilities 
The Group has been under investigation by the Serious  
Fraud Office (SFO) in the UK following the commercial income 
misstatements identified in 2014/15. On 10 April 2017, the 
Group announced that its subsidiary, Tesco Stores Limited, 
had reached a Deferred Prosecution Agreement (DPA) with 
the SFO. In addition, Tesco PLC and Tesco Stores Limited 
accepted a finding of market abuse from the FCA, arising  
from the same circumstances and as a result will implement  
a compensation scheme, as described in Note 35. This brings 
greater certainty to the Group’s exposure and a £235m 
liability has been recognised accordingly. Additionally, in 
2016/17 UK shareholder actions were initiated against the 
Group linked to the commercial income misstatements 
identified in 2014/15 which may result in legal exposures.

Separately, the Group has other ongoing legal matters 
relating to previous corporate transactions which require 
management judgement to be applied in order to determine 
the likely outcome.

As a result, judgement is required in assessing the nature  
of these exposures and their accounting and disclosure 
requirements. 

Refer to page 54 for the Audit Committee’s discussion  
of this risk.

81

Financial statementsTesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017 
Independent auditor’s report to the members of Tesco PLC continued

Risk description
Inventory valuation 
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 25 February 2017, the 
Group held inventories of £2,301m (2015/16: £2,430m). 

The Group provides for obsolescence based on forecast 
inventory usage. This methodology relies upon assumptions 
made in determining appropriate provisioning percentages 
to estimates of future sales. 

How the scope of our audit responded to the risk

Key observations

We obtained a detailed understanding and evaluated the design 
and implementation of controls that the Group has established  
in relation to inventory valuation.

We concur that the total 
level of provision is within 
an acceptable range.

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 whether 
it is held at the lower of cost and net realisable value, through 
comparison to vendor invoices and sales prices;

 • within the UK business, using data analytics to identify unusual 

inventory usage characteristics, completing assumption 
tolerance testing and recalculating the provision in totality 
based on the Group’s 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.

Management override of controls 
There are a number of areas within the Group 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. Additionally, the Group’s 
processes continue to be complex and reliant on legacy  
IT systems which lead to an increased risk of management 
override of controls.

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, which are included in Note 1. 

Management also exercises judgement in the presentation  
of the Group’s income statement and the quality of the 
Group’s earnings.

A risk exists that invalid journal entries are recorded to 
influence the results and/or the financial position as desired 
through the override of controls implemented to prevent 
the recording of inappropriate journals.

In order to address this risk, in addition to the procedures set 
out in the commercial income, impairment and inventory risks 
above, we have completed audit procedures including:

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 ‘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, testing 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 obtaining 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 non-recurring income 
and expense items 
included within profit 
before exceptional items 
which do not meet the 
Group’s definition of 
exceptional items and 
which largely offset. We 
concur that these have 
been appropriately 
included within profit 
before exceptional items.

Tesco Bank payment fraud 
In November 2016, Tesco Bank’s debit cards were the  
subject of an online fraudulent attack.

In assessing the potential exposures to the Bank, we have 
completed a range of procedures including:

The Group continues to work closely with the authorities  
and regulators on this incident. There is a risk that the Group 
has not identified and accounted for any liabilities which  
may arise from the incident.

 • understanding the cause of the issue, reviewing the incident 
reports prepared by external consultants and understanding 
management’s response to findings;

 • understanding the status of discussions with authorities  

Refer to page 53 for the Audit Committee’s discussion  
of this risk.

 • assessing the fraud losses and the treatment of associated 

recoveries from merchants; and

and regulators;

 • assessing whether the Group has appropriately identified and 

accounted for any other liabilities related to the payment fraud. 

We are satisfied that the 
Group has appropriately 
accounted for liabilities 
associated with the 
incident.

82

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017 
Risk description
Retail technology environment, including IT security 
The Group’s retail operations utilise a range of information 
systems where in 2015/16 we identified deficiencies in 
certain IT controls. These deficiencies could have an  
adverse impact on the Group’s controls and financial 
reporting systems.

As described on page 50 within the Audit Committee  
report, the Group is undergoing the replacement of  
a number of the Group’s key systems and changes to  
key elements of the Group’s IT infrastructure.

How the scope of our audit responded to the risk

Key observations

We have understood the Group’s replacement programme  
and the planned enhancements to the retail technology 
environment, including IT security. 

During the year we have assessed the design and implementation 
of the Group’s controls over the information systems that are 
important to financial reporting, including the changes made  
as part of the Group’s replacement programme. 

Where we noted deficiencies which affected applications and 
databases within the scope of our audit, we extended the scope 
of our substantive audit procedures.

Although we note progress 
has been made during the 
year in enhancing the 
Group’s controls over  
the information systems 
described above, given  
the complexity of the 
underlying systems the 
remediation process is  
not yet complete and 
therefore weaknesses 
remain in the control 
environment.

The historical weaknesses 
we noted last year in 
relation to user access  
and change management 
controls linked to the 
Group’s financial reporting 
systems are in the process 
of being remediated.

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 agreed with the Audit Committee that we would report to the 
Committee all audit differences in excess of £2.5m (2015/16: £2.5m), 
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. 

We determined materiality for the Group to be £50m (2015/16: £50m).

We have concluded it to be appropriate to determine materiality  
with reference to the Group’s historical and projected profitability  
as we consider the Group’s most recent profitability is not reflective 
of normal profitability as the Group continues to undergo a 
transformation process.

Materiality has therefore been determined as 5% of a normalised 
profit before tax and capped at £50m so not to exceed the 2015/16 
materiality. The materiality applied by the component auditors  
was £25m.

In our professional judgement, we believe that the use of an 
adjusted profit measure as set out above is acceptable, as the  
basis on which the materiality has been determined may otherwise 
skew the level of materiality determined in a manner not reflective 
of the Group’s long-term trading activity. In making this judgement, 
we considered a number of profit based and other measures with 
reference to the Group’s performance. The materiality selected 
represents 0.8% (2015/16: 0.6%) of the Group’s net assets.

Normalised 
2016/17 profit 
before tax and 
exceptional 
items £1,174m

Group materiality £50m

Component materiality £25m

Audit Committee reporting
threshold £2.5m

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. The 
Group has wholly owned grocery retail operations in nine countries, 
together with interests in a number of other businesses both in the 
UK 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 eight retail locations (UK, Republic of Ireland, Czech Republic, 
Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Malaysia and Thailand) and Tesco Bank. 
All of these were subject to a full audit and represent 97% (2015/16: 
97%) of the Group’s revenue and 91% (2015/16: 88%) of net assets.

In addition, four other businesses 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. The four locations accounted for 2% (2015/16: 2%) 
of the Group’s revenue and 6% (2015/16: 4%) of net assets. In the 
current year, Turkey and dunnhumby were subject to specific audit 
procedures on certain financial statement lines, whilst in 2015/16 
were full scope audits. The change in scope is due to only certain 
financial statement lines being considered to be significant context 
of the Group in 2016/17.

83

Financial statementsTesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Independent auditor’s report to the members of Tesco PLC continued

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.

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the Company 
and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have 
not identified any material misstatements in the Strategic report 
and the Directors’ report.

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.

The most significant component of the Group is its retail business  
in the UK. As such, there is extensive overlap between the Group  
and UK audit team to ensure an appropriate level of involvement  
in this audit work. During the course of our audit, we visited 50 
(2015/6: 75) retail stores in the UK to attend either inventory counts 
or in order to complete store control visits, and 6 (2015/16: 7) 
distribution centre inventory counts. 

We visited 7 (2015/16: 10) of the 9 (2015/16: 11) significant locations 
set out above, in addition to the Group’s shared service centre  
in Bengaluru, with the Group Audit Partner visiting 4 (2015/16: 4)  
of these locations. We also had a dedicated audit partner focused  
on overseeing the role of the component audit teams located 
outside of the UK and the Republic of 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 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 UK 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 financial management also attended part of the meeting  
to support these planning activities.

Revenue (%)
2 1

Net assets (%)

3

6

XX%XX%

97

Full audit scope

Specified audit procedures

Review

91

Opinion on other matters prescribed by the Companies  
Act 2006
In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of  
the audit: 

 •

 •

 •

the part of the Directors’ Remuneration report to be audited 
has been properly prepared in accordance with the Companies 
Act 2006; 
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; and
the Strategic report and the Directors’ report have been 
prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.

84

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017 
 
Respective responsibilities of Directors and auditor
As explained more fully in the Statement of Directors' responsibilities, 
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 the 
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
11 April, 2017

85

Financial statementsTesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Group income statement

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 profits/(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

Earnings/(losses) per share from continuing 
and discontinued operations
Basic
Diluted

Earnings/(losses) per share from  
continuing operations
Basic
Diluted

52 weeks ended  
25 February 2017

52 weeks ended  
27 February 2016

Before 
exceptional 
items
£m

Exceptional 
items 
(Note 4) 
£m

Before 
exceptional 
items
£m

Exceptional 
items 
(Note 4) 
£m

Total
£m

 55,917
(52,899)
3,018 

(1,734)
(4)
1,280 

(30)

109 
(630)
 729 

(185)
 544 

–
(116)
(116)

(261)
114
(263)

(77)

–
(244)
(584)

98
(486)

(37) 

(75)

507

(561)

515
(8)
507

(555)
(6)
(561)

55,917
(53,015)
2,902

(1,995)
110
1,017

(107)

109
(874)
145

(87)
58

(112)

(54)

(40)
(14)
(54)

53,933
(51,124)
2,809

(1,836)
12
 985 

(21)

29
(658)
335

(8)
327

–
35
35

22
30
87

–

–
(220)
(133)

62
(71)

 26 

(153)

 353 

(224)

359
(6)
353

(221)
(3)
(224)

6.32p
6.31p

6.76p
6.75p

(0.49)p
(0.49)p

4.42p
4.40p

0.81p
0.81p

4.06p
4.05p

Notes

2

13

5
5

6

7

9
9

9
9

Total
£m

53,933
(51,089)
2,844

(1,814)
42
1,072

(21)

29
(878)
202

54
256

(127)

129

138
(9)
129

1.70p
1.69p

3.24p
3.22p

The notes on pages 91 to 149 form part of these financial statements.

86

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017 
 
 
Group statement of comprehensive income/(loss)

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, joint ventures and associates

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 gains/(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

Total comprehensive income/(loss) for the year

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 91 to 149 form part of these financial statements.

Notes

27
6

6

52 weeks
2017
£m

52 weeks
2016
£m

(3,567)
579
(2,988)

80

764

–

385
(384)
–
(23)
822
(2,166)
(54)

1,164
(300)
864

5

168

(88)

318
(292)
186
(30)
267
1,131
129

(2,220)

1,260

(2,206)
(14)
(2,220)

(2,096)
(110)
(2,206)

1,270
(10)
1,260

1,485
(215)
1,270

87

Financial statementsTesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017 
 
 
Group balance sheet

Non-current assets
Goodwill, software and other intangible assets
Property, plant and equipment
Investment property
Investments in joint ventures and associates
Other investments
Trade and other receivables
Loans and advances to customers
Derivative financial instruments
Deferred tax assets

Current assets
Other investments
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 group 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 group classified as held for sale
Net current liabilities 
Non-current liabilities
Trade and other payables
Borrowings
Derivative financial instruments and other liabilities
Customer deposits and deposits from banks
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 

25 February
2017
£m

27 February
2016
£m

Notes

10
11
12
13
14
16
17
22
6

14
15
16
17
22

18
18

 7

19
21
22
24
6
25

7

19
21
22
24
27
6
25

28

2,717
18,108
64
739
823
180
5,795
1,303
707
30,436

284
2,301
1,475
4,166
286
13
2,727
3,821
15,073
344
15,417

(8,875)
(2,560)
(61)
(6,687)
(613)
(438)
(19,234)
 (171)
(3,988)

(324)
(9,433)
(607)
(2,276)
(6,621)
(88)
(685)
(20,034)
6,414

409
5,096
601
332
6,438
(24)
6,414

2,874
17,900
78
785
1,078
201
4,723
1,532
49
29,220

57
2,430
1,406
3,819
176
15
3,463
3,082
14,448
236
14,684

(8,293)
(2,826)
(62)
(5,906)
(419)
(360)
(17,866)
–
(3,182)

(275)
(10,711)
(889)
(1,573)
(3,175)
(135)
(664)
(17,422)
8,616

407
5,095
(141)
3,265
8,626
(10)
8,616

The notes on pages 91 to 149 form part of these financial statements.

Dave Lewis 
Alan Stewart

Directors
The financial statements on pages 86 to 149 were authorised for issue by the Directors on 11 April 2017 and are subject to the approval of 
the shareholders at the Annual General Meeting on 16 June 2017.

88

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Group statement of changes in equity

All other reserves

Share
capital
£m
407
–

Share
premium
£m
5,095
–

Other
reserves
£m
40
–

Capital
redemption
reserve 
£m
16
–

Hedging 
reserve
£m
211
–

Translation
reserve
£m
(401)
–

Treasury 
shares 
£m
(7)
–

Retained 
earnings 
£m
3,265
(40)

Non-
controlling 
interests 
£m
(10)
(14)

Total 
£m
8,626
(40)

Total 
equity 
£m
8,616
(54)

80

764
(3,567)

1

556

(2,166)

80

80

–
(3,567)

764
(3,567)

–

1

564

556

(2,923)

(2,166)

–

–
–

–

–

–

(2,963)

(2,206)

(14)

(2,220)

–
28
–
–
2
30
332

(24)
37
3
–
2
18
6,438

–
–
–
–
–
–
(24)

(24)
37
3
–
2
18
6,414

–

–
–

–

–

–

–

–

–
–

–

–

–

–

–
–
2
–
–
2
409

–
–
1
–
–
1
5,096

–

–
–

–

–

–

–

–
–
–
–
–
–
40

–

764
–

–

(13)

751

751

–
–
–
–
–
–
350

–

–
–

–

–

–

–

(24)
9
–
–
–
(15)
(22)

–

–
–

–

–

–

–

–
–
–
–
–
–
16

–

–
–

1

5

6

6

–
–
–
–
–
–
217

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
407

–
–
1
–
1
5,095

–
–

–

–

–

–

–

–
–
–
–
–
40

–
–

–

–

–

–

–

–
–
–
–
–
16

–
–

–

212

(36)

176

176

–
–
–
–
–
211

–
81

–

–

6

87

87

–
–
–
–
–
(401)

–
–

–

–

–

–

–

(5)
15
–
–
10
(7)

5
–

5
81

1,164

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

–
–
–
–
–
(10)

(5)
288
2
–
285
8,616

At 27 February 2016
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
Tax on items charged to equity
Total transactions with owners 
At 25 February 2017

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
Total transactions with owners 
At 27 February 2016

The notes on pages 91 to 149 form part of these financial statements.

89

Financial statementsTesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Group cash flow statement

Cash flows generated from/(used in) operating activities
Operating profit/(loss) of continuing operations
Operating profit/(loss) of discontinued operations
Depreciation and amortisation
(Profit)/loss arising on sale of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets
(Profit)/loss arising on sale of subsidiaries and other investments
(Profit)/loss arising on sale of joint ventures and associates
Impairment loss on goodwill
Net impairment loss/(reversal) on other investments
Net impairment loss/(reversal) on loans/investments in joint ventures and associates
Net impairment loss/(reversal) on property, plant and equipment, software and other intangible assets  
and investment property 
Adjustment for non-cash element of pensions charge
Additional contribution into pension schemes
Share-based payments
Tesco Bank fair value movements included in operating profit
Retail (increase)/decrease in inventories
Retail (increase)/decrease in development stock
Retail (increase)/decrease in trade and other receivables
Retail increase/(decrease) in trade and other payables
Retail increase/(decrease) in provisions
Tesco Bank (increase)/decrease in loans and advances to customers
Tesco Bank (increase)/decrease in trade and other receivables
Tesco Bank increase/(decrease) in customer and bank deposits, trade and other payables
Tesco Bank increase/(decrease) in provisions
(Increase)/decrease in working capital
Cash generated from/(used in) operations
Interest received/(paid)
Corporation tax received/(paid)
Net cash generated from/(used in) operating activities
Cash flows generated from/(used in) 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/(paid)
Net cash generated from/(used in) investing activities 
Cash flows generated from/(used in) 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
Dividends paid to equity owners
Net cash generated from/(used in) 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 group at the end of the year
Cash held in disposal group
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year 

The notes on pages 91 to 149 form part of these financial statements.

90

52 weeks
2017
£m

52 weeks
2016
£m

Notes

1,017
(117)
1,304
(78)
3
(5)
46
(12)
–
(5)

7
(248)
15
98
124
16
(74)
510
11
(1,529)
(24)
1,474
25
533
2,558
(522)
(47)
1,989

(1,205)
(169)
205
(25)
–
512

15
–
736
141
28
41
279

1
185
(2,036)
475
(12)
–
(1,387)
881
3,082
(131)
3,832
(11)
3,821

1,072
102
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

27
27

31
31

28

8

7
18

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Notes to the Group financial statements

Note 1 Accounting policies, judgements and estimates

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 pension assets 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 Directors’ report on page 76.

The accounting policies set out below have been applied consistently 
to all periods presented in these consolidated financial statements.

Presentation changes to the Group balance sheet
The Group balance sheet includes additional line items to  
better reflect the current and non-current categorisation of 
trade and other receivables, trade and other payables, other 
investments and customer deposits and deposits from banks.  
In the prior year, each of these balances was presented on  
one line in the balance sheet, with additional information on the 
current and non-current categorisation included within the notes.

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 25 February 
2017 (prior financial year 52 weeks ended 27 February 2016). For 
the UK and the Republic of Ireland (UK & ROI), the results are for 
the 52 weeks ended 25 February 2017 (prior financial year 52 
weeks ended 27 February 2016). For all other operations, the 
results are for the calendar year ended 28 February 2017 (prior 
calendar year ended 29 February 2016).

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’s share of the results of joint ventures and associates  
is included in the Group income statement and Group statement 
of other comprehensive income/(loss) 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. Dividends received from joint ventures or 
associates with nil carrying value are recognised in the income 
statement as part of the Group’s share of post-tax profits/(losses) 
of joint ventures and associates. 

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. 

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 retail banking and 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.

91

Financial statementsTesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Notes to the Group financial statements continued

Note 1 Accounting policies, judgements and estimates 
continued

Business combinations and goodwill
The Group accounts for all business combinations by applying the 
acquisition method. All acquisition-related costs are expensed.

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 industry 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 trade and other receivables, except in cases where the 
Group currently has a legally enforceable right of set-off and 
intends to offset amounts due from suppliers against amounts 
owed to those suppliers, in which case only the net amount 
receivable or payable is recognised. Accrued commercial income 
is recognised within accrued income when commercial income 
earned has not been invoiced at the balance sheet date.

Finance income
Finance income, excluding income arising from financial services, 
is recognised in the period to which it relates using the effective 
interest rate method. 

Finance costs
Finance costs directly attributable to the acquisition or 
construction of qualifying assets are capitalised. Qualifying assets 
are those that necessarily take a substantial period of time to 
prepare for their intended use. All other borrowing costs are 
recognised in the Group income statement in finance costs, 
excluding those arising from financial services, in the period  
in which they occur. For Tesco Bank, finance cost on financial 
liabilities is determined using the effective interest rate method 
and is recognised in cost of sales.

92

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.

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. 

Cloud software licence agreements
Licence agreements to use cloud software are treated as service 
contracts and expensed in the income statement, unless the 
Group has both a contractual right to take possession of the 
software at any time without significant penalty, and the ability  
to run the software independently of the host vendor. In such 
cases the licence agreement is capitalised as software within 
intangible assets.

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.  

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017 
Note 1 Accounting policies, judgements and estimates 
continued

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 10% to 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.

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 property, plant and equipment.

Short-term and other investments
Short-term and other investments in the Group balance sheet 
comprise receivables, loan receivables and available-for-sale 
financial assets.

Receivables and loan receivables are recognised at amortised cost. 
Available-for-sale financial assets are recognised at fair value.

Refer to the financial instruments accounting policy for further detail. 

Inventories
Inventories comprise goods and development properties held for 
resale. Inventories are valued at the lower of cost and fair value 
less costs to sell using the weighted average cost basis. Directly 
attributable costs and incomes (including applicable commercial 
income) are included in the cost of inventories.

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 discontinued 
operations are presented separately in the Group income 
statement (and the comparatives 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. 

The Group as a lessor
Amounts due from lessees under finance leases are recorded as 
receivables at the amount of the Group’s net investment in the 
leases. Finance lease income is allocated to accounting periods  
so as to reflect a constant periodic rate of return on the Group’s 
net investment in the lease. Rental income from operating leases 
is recognised on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. 

The Group as a lessee
Assets held under finance leases are recognised as assets of the 
Group at their fair value or, if lower, at the present value of the 
minimum lease payments, each determined at the inception of 
the lease. The corresponding liability is included in the Group 
balance sheet as a finance lease obligation. Lease payments are 
apportioned between finance charges and a reduction of the 
lease obligations so as to achieve a constant rate of interest on 
the remaining balance of the liability. Finance charges are charged 
to the Group income statement. Rentals payable under operating 
leases are charged to the Group income statement on a straight-
line basis over the term of the lease. 

Sale and leaseback
A sale and leaseback transaction is one where the Group sells  
an asset and immediately reacquires the use of the asset by 
entering into a lease with the buyer.

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.

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Financial statementsTesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Notes to the Group financial statements continued

Note 1 Accounting policies, judgements and estimates 
continued

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.

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 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
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 
At each balance sheet date, management reviews the carrying 
amounts of its loans and advances to determine whether there is 
any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. 

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. 

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.

94

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017 
Note 1 Accounting policies, judgements and estimates 
continued

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, management 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.

Loan impairment provisions are established on a portfolio basis 
using statistical methodology taking into account the level of 
arrears, security, past loss experience, credit quality and defaults 
based on portfolio trends.

The portfolios include mortgages, credit card receivables, 
personal current accounts and personal loans. 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.

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.

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.

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 it 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.

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 

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.

95

Financial statementsTesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Notes to the Group financial statements continued

Note 1 Accounting policies, judgements and estimates 
continued

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.

Judgements and sources of estimation uncertainty
The preparation of the consolidated Group financial statements 
requires management to make judgements, estimates and 
assumptions in applying the Group’s accounting policies to 
determine the reported amounts of assets, 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.

Judgements
Critical judgements, apart from those involving estimations,  
that are applied in the preparation of the consolidated financial 
statements are discussed below:

Discontinued operations
Management has applied judgement in presenting the Group’s retail 
operations in Turkey as a discontinued operation. Management 
consider the retail operations in Turkey as an operating segment, 
one level below the reportable Retail International segment. 
Management further considered previous treatment of similar 
disposals in China and Korea as discontinued operations. Refer  
to Note 7.

Business combinations
The Group is an equity partner in several property joint ventures. 
Management has applied judgement in accounting for the 
acquisition of the partner’s interests in the joint ventures  
as business acquisitions instead of asset acquisitions, due  
to the property management services provided within the joint 
venture being viewed as significant processes which, together 
with the property assets, constitute a business. The Group has 
further applied judgement in determining that where the Group 
leases properties in the joint venture, any increase in valuation  
of those properties above vacant possession value is attributed  
to the value of the lease contract, and does not create goodwill 
on acquisition.

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.

Management has applied judgement in determining that Gain Land 
is an associate of the Group. The Group has significant influence by 
virtual of holding a 20% equity interest which presumes significant 
influence per IAS 28, together with having a contractual right to 
appoint two out of 10 directors, whilst taking into account that  
the remaining 80% interest is held by one other party.

Structured entities
Management has applied judgement in determining whether  
the Group has control over any structured entities involved  
in the Group’s credit card securitisations and retail property 
transactions. Refer to Note 13 for additional disclosures.

Leases
Management exercises judgement in determining the classification 
of leases as finance or operating leases at inception of the lease. 
Management considers the likelihood of exercising break clauses  
or extension options in determining the lease term. Where the 
lease term constitutes substantially all of the economic life of  
the asset, or where the present value of minimum lease payments 
amount to substantially all of the fair value of the property, the 
lease is classified as a finance lease. All other leases are classified 
as operating leases.

Management further applies judgement in determining the 
accounting treatment of the sale and leaseback transactions. 
Factors considered include 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).

Refer to Note 34 for additional disclosures on judgements made 
relating to operating leases including those arising from sale 
and leasebacks.

Classification of mall properties
Management 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.

Determination of cash-generating units
The Group has determined each store as a separate cash-
generating unit for impairment testing. Refer to Note 11.

Operating segments
The Group’s reportable segments are in line with its management 
reporting structure. Management has assessed the retail operations 
in different countries and determined that they share similar 
economic characteristics, products, customers and supply chain 
operations. The retail operations have therefore been aggregated  
in the UK & ROI and International segments, in line with the way they 
are managed below the Chief Operating Decision Maker (CODM). 
Tesco Bank operates in a different industry and reports separately 
hence is a separate segment.

Alternative performance measures (APMs): Exceptional items
Management exercises judgement in determining the adjustments 
to apply to IFRS measurements in order to derive APMs which 
provide additional useful information on the underlying trends, 
performance and position of the Group.

96

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Note 1 Accounting policies, judgements and estimates 
continued

This assessment covers 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. A breakdown of the 
exceptional items included in the Group income statement, 
together with the impact of these items to the Group’s cash  
flow statement for the period, is disclosed in Note 4 to the 
consolidated financial statements.

Refer to page 170 for further detail on APMs.

Sources of estimation uncertainty
The key assumptions about the future, and other key sources  
of estimation uncertainty at the reporting period end that may 
have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the 
carrying amount of assets and liabilities within the next financial 
year are discussed below:

Impairment
a) Impairment of goodwill
Management tests annually whether goodwill has suffered any 
impairment through estimating the value in use of the cash-
generating units to which goodwill has been allocated. Key 
estimates and sensitivities for impairment of goodwill are 
disclosed in Note 10.

b) Impairment of investments
Where there are indicators of impairment or reversals of previous 
impairment for investments in joint ventures and associates or 
other investments, management performs an impairment test  
for the investment based on the higher of value in use and fair 
value less costs of disposal. Key estimates and sensitivities for 
impairment of investments are disclosed in Note 13.

c) Impairment of assets
Where there are indicators of impairment, management performs 
an impairment test. Recoverable amounts for cash-generating units 
are the higher of fair value less costs of disposal, and value in use. 
Value in use is calculated from cash flow projections based on  
the Group’s three year internal forecasts. The forecasts are 
extrapolated to five years based on management’s expectations, 
and beyond five years based on estimated long-term growth rates. 
Key estimates and sensitivities for impairment of assets are 
disclosed in Note 11. Fair value is determined with the assistance  
of independent, professional valuers where appropriate.

Commercial income
Management is required to make estimates in determining the 
amount and timing of recognition of commercial income (as 
defined on page 92) for some transactions with suppliers. In 
determining the amount of volume-related allowances recognised 
in any period, management estimate the probability that the 
Group will meet contractual target volumes, based on historical 
and forecast performance. There is limited estimation involved  
in recognising income for promotional and other allowances. 

Management 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. Commercial 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. Management views 
that the cost of inventories sold (which is inclusive of commercial 
income) provides a consistent and complete measure of the 
income statement impact of the overall supplier relationships.

Management considers the best indicator of the estimation 
undertaken is by reference to commercial income balances  
not settled at the balance sheet date and has therefore provided 
additional disclosures of commercial income amounts reflected  
in the balance sheet. Refer to Note 20 for commercial income 
disclosures.

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.

Key estimates and sensitivities for property provisions are 
disclosed in Note 25.

Uncertain tax provisions 
Tax provisions are recognised for uncertain tax positions where  
a risk of an additional tax liability has been identified and it is 
probable that the Group will be required to settle that tax. 
Measurement is dependent on management’s expectation  
of the outcome of decisions by tax authorities in the various  
tax jurisdictions in which the Group operates. This is assessed  
on a case by case basis using in-house tax experts, professional 
firms and previous experience. Refer to Note 6.

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. Management has estimated the 
inventory provisioning percentage for different product categories 
based on various factors, including the expected sales profiles of 
the items, the prevailing sales prices, the item’s seasonality 
pattern and expected 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 and sensitivities for post-employment benefit 
obligations are disclosed in Note 27.

Contingent liabilities
Contingent liabilities are possible obligations whose existence  
will be confirmed only on the occurrence or non-occurrence  
of uncertain future events outside the Group’s control, or present 
obligations that are not recognised because it is not probable  
that a settlement will be required or the value of such a payment 
cannot be reliably estimated. The Group does not recognise 
contingent liabilities but discloses them. Refer to Note 32 for  
the disclosures.

97

Financial statementsTesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Notes to the Group financial statements continued

Note 1 Accounting policies, judgements and estimates 
continued

Standards issued but not yet effective
As of the date of authorisation of these financial statements,  
the following standards were in issue but not yet effective. The 
Group has not applied these standards in the preparation of the 
financial statements, and has not adopted any new or amended 
standards early:

 •

IFRS 9 ‘Financial instruments’ replaces IAS 39 ‘Financial 
instruments: Recognition and Measurement’ with the  
exception of macro hedge accounting. The standard is  
effective for accounting periods beginning on or after 
1 January 2018. The standard covers three elements:
 – Classification and measurement: Changes to a more 

principle based approach to classify financial assets as 
either held at amortised cost, fair value through other 
comprehensive income (FVOCI) or fair value through  
profit or loss, dependent on the business model  
and cash flow characteristics of the financial asset;
 – Impairment: Moves to an impairment model based  
on expected credit losses based on a three stage 
approach; and 

 – Hedge accounting: The IFRS 9 hedge accounting 

requirements are designed to allow hedge accounting  
to be more closely aligned with the Group’s underlying  
risk management. A new International Accounting Standards 
Board (IASB) project is in progress to develop an approach  
to better reflect dynamic risk management in entities’ 
financial statements. 

  The Group expects to continue applying the existing hedge  
  accounting requirements of IAS 39 for its portfolio hedge  
  accounting until this new approach is implemented. 

  The Group intends to quantify the potential impact of IFRS 9  
  once it is practicable to provide reliable estimates, which will  
  be no later than in the Annual Report and Financial Statements  
for the year ended 24 February 2018. IFRS 9 is expected to  
result in a more significant impact for Tesco Bank than for the  

  Retail business. 

 •

IFRS 15, ‘Revenues from Contracts with Customers’ is  
effective for periods beginning on or after 1 January 2018.  
IFRS 15 introduces a five-step approach to the timing of 
revenue recognition based on performance obligations  
in customer contracts.  

The Group recognises revenue from the following  
principal activities:
 – Retailing and associated activities; and
 – Retail banking and insurance services through Tesco Bank.  

  An assessment of the impact of IFRS 15 has been completed.  

Revenue recognition under IFRS 15 is expected to be  
consistent with current practice for the Group’s revenue,  
with the exception of Clubcard loyalty points, certain  
telecommunication contracts and certain bespoke contracts 
fulfilled by dunnhumby, where the timing of revenue recognition 
will change. Had the principles of IFRS 15 been applied  
in the current reporting period, it would not have had  
a significant impact on the financial statements. 

 •

IFRS 16 ‘Leases’ is effective for annual periods beginning on  
or after 1 January 2019 subject to EU endorsement. IFRS 16 
provides a single lessee accounting model, requiring lessees  
to recognise right of use assets and lease liabilities for all 
applicable leases.  

98

IFRS 16 is expected to have a significant impact on the amounts 
recognised in the Group’s consolidated financial statements. On 
adoption of IFRS 16 the Group will recognise within the balance 
sheet a right of use asset and lease liability for all applicable 
leases. Within the income statement, rent expense will be 
replaced by depreciation and interest expense. This will result  
in a decrease in cost of sales and an increase in finance costs. 
The standard will also impact a number of statutory measures 
such as operating profit and cash generated from operations, 
and alternative performance measures used by the Group. 

The full impact of IFRS 16 is currently under review, including  
understanding the practical application of the principles of the  
standard. It is therefore not practical to provide a reasonable  
estimate of the financial effect until this review is complete.

Alternative performance measures (APMs)
In the reporting of financial information, the Directors have
adopted various APMs, previously termed ‘Non-GAAP measures’, 
of historical or future financial performance, position or cash 
flows other than those defined or specified under International 
Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).

These measures are not defined by IFRS and therefore may
not be directly comparable with other companies’ APMs, including 
those in the Group’s industry.

APMs should be considered in addition to, and are not intended
to be a substitute for, or superior to, IFRS measurements.

Purpose
The Directors believe that these APMs assist in providing
additional useful information on the underlying trends,
performance and position of the Group.

APMs are also used to enhance the comparability of information
between reporting periods and geographical units (such  
as like-for-like sales), by adjusting for non-recurring or 
uncontrollable factors which affect IFRS measures, to  
aid the user in understanding the Group’s performance.

Consequently, APMs are used by the Directors and management 
for performance analysis, planning, reporting and incentive setting 
purposes and have remained consistent with the prior year.

The key APMs that the Group has focused on this year are as follows:

 • Group sales (previously termed 'Revenue exc. fuel'): This is the 
headline measure of revenue for the Group. It excludes the 
impact of sales made at petrol filling stations due to the 
significant volatility of fuel prices. This volatility is outside the 
control of management and can mask underlying changes in 
performance. 

 • Like-for-like sales: This is a widely used indicator of a retailer’s 
current trading performance. It is a measure of growth in 
Group online sales and sales from stores that have been open 
for at least a year (but excludes prior year sales of stores 
closed during the year) at constant foreign exchange rates. 

 • 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 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 by virtue of their size and 
nature in order to reflect management’s view of the 
performance of the Group.

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Note 1 Accounting policies, judgements and estimates 
continued

 • Retail operating cash flow: This is the operating cash flow of 
continuing operations, excluding the effects of Tesco Bank’s  
cash flows. 

 • Net debt: This excludes the net debt of Tesco Bank but includes 
that of the discontinued operations to reflect the net debt 
obligations of the Retail business.

 • Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations before 

exceptional items and net pension finance costs: This relates to 
profit after tax before exceptional items from continuing 
operations, 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 period adjusted 
for the effects of potentially dilutive options.

Some of our IFRS measures are translated at constant exchange 
rates. Constant exchange rates are the average actual periodic 
exchange rates for the previous financial year and are used to 
eliminate the effects of exchange rate fluctuations in assessing 
performance. Actual exchange rates are the average actual 
periodic exchange rates for that financial year.

Refer to the Glossary (page 170) for a full list and comprehensive 
descriptions and purpose of the Group’s APMs.

99

Financial statementsTesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017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.

The principal activities of the Group are therefore presented in the following segments:

 • Retailing and associated activities (Retail) in:

 – UK & ROI – the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland; and
 – International – Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Malaysia, and Thailand; 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. 

Excluded from the current year segmental information below are the retailing and associated activities of Turkey which have been 
classified as discontinued operations. Turkey's performance in the comparative year has been excluded from segmental information. 
Refer to Note 7 for further detail.

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 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.

Income statement 
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 25 February 2017 
At constant exchange rates
Continuing operations
Group sales
Revenue
Operating profit before exceptional items*
Exceptional items
Operating profit/(loss)
Operating margin

UK & ROI
£m

International
£m

37,424
43,248
793
(291)
502
1.8%

9,892
10,084
280
87
367
2.8%

Tesco
Bank
£m

1,012
1,012
157
(80)
77
15.5%

48,328
54,344
1,230
(284)
946
2.3%

Total at
constant
exchange
£m

Foreign
exchange
£m

Total
at actual
exchange
£m

1,539
1,573
50
21
71
–

Tesco
Bank
 £m

1,012
1,012
157
(80)
77
15.5%

49,867
55,917
1,280
(263)
1,017
2.3%

Total
at actual
exchange
£m

49,867
55,917
1,280
(263)
1,017
2.3%
(107)
109
(874)
145

UK & ROI
£m

International
£m

37,692
43,524
803
(284)
519
1.8%

11,163
11,381
320
101
421
2.8%

52 weeks ended 25 February 2017 
At actual exchange rates
Continuing operations
Group sales
Revenue
Operating profit before exceptional items*
Exceptional items
Operating profit/(loss)
Operating margin
Share of post-tax profits/(losses) of joint ventures and associates
Finance income
Finance costs
Profit/(loss) before tax
* 

Intercompany recharges totalling £2m (2016: £2m) between continuing operations and the Turkey discontinued operations have been eliminated. 

100

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Note 2 Segmental reporting continued

Income statement continued

52 weeks ended 27 February 2016 
At actual exchange rates
Continuing operations
Group sales
Revenue 
Operating profit before exceptional items*
Exceptional items
Operating profit/(loss)
Operating margin
Share of post-tax profits/(losses) of joint ventures and associates
Finance income
Finance costs
Profit/(loss) before tax
*  Refer to previous table for footnote.

UK & ROI
£m

International
£m

37,189
43,080
503
94
597
1.2%

9,715
9,898
320
(6)
314
3.2%

Tesco
Bank
£m

955
955
162
(1)
161
17.0%

Total
at actual
exchange
£m

47,859
53,933
985
87
1,072
1.8%
(21)
29
(878)
202

Balance sheet
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 group). 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 25 February 2017
Goodwill, software and other intangible assets
Property, plant and equipment and investment property
Investments in joint ventures and associates
Non-current other investments
Non-current trade and other receivables(a) 
Non-current loans and advances to customers
Deferred tax asset
Non-current assets(b)

UK & ROI
£m
 1,293
12,893
11
 – 
23
 – 
601 
14,821

International
£m
 322
5,206
657
 – 
20
 – 
106
6,311

Inventories and current trade and other receivables(c)
Current loans and advances to customers
Current other investments
Total trade and other payables
Total 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 group(d)
Liabilities of the disposal group(d)
Net debt (including Tesco Bank)(e)
Net assets
(a)  Excludes loans to joint ventures of £137m (2016: £149m) which forms part of Net debt.
(b)  Excludes derivative financial instrument non-current assets of £1,303m (2016: £1,532m).
(c)  Excludes net interest and other receivables of £1m (2016: £1m) which forms part of Net debt. 
(d)  Excludes Net debt of the disposal group of £(65)m. Refer to Note 7.
(e)  Refer to Note 30.

2,389
– 
– 
(7,006)
 – 
(914)
(7)
(579)
(6,600)
100
 – 
 – 
2,204

1,048
– 
– 
 (1,951) 
 – 
(125)
(67)
(13)
(21)
46
 – 
 – 
5,228

Tesco
Bank
£m
 1,102
73
71
810
–
5,795
 – 
7,851

338
4,166
156
(242)
(8,963)
(84)
(14)
(8)
 – 
 – 
 – 
(722)
2,478

Unallocated
£m
 – 
 – 
 – 
 13
–
 – 
 – 
13

 – 
 – 
128
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
187
(95)
(3,729)
(3,496)

Total
£m
 2,717
18,172
739
823
43
5,795
707
28,996

3,775
4,166
284
(9,199)
(8,963)
(1,123)
(88)
(600)
(6,621)
333
(95)
(4,451)
6,414

101

Financial statementsTesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Notes to the Group financial statements continued

Note 2 Segmental reporting continued

Balance sheet continued

At 27 February 2016
Goodwill, software and other intangible assets
Property, plant and equipment and investment property

Investments in joint ventures and associates
Non-current other investments
Non-current trade and other receivables(a)
Non-current loans and advances to customers
Deferred tax asset
Non-current assets(b)

Inventories and current trade and other receivables(c)
Current loans and advances to customers
Current other investments
Total trade and other payables
Total 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 group(d)
Liabilities of the disposal group(d)
Net debt (including Tesco Bank)(e)
Net assets
(a)–(e) Refer to previous table for footnotes.

Other segment information

52 weeks ended 25 February 2017

Capital expenditure (including acquisitions through  
business combinations):

Property, plant and equipment(a)
Investment property
Goodwill, software and other intangible assets

Depreciation and amortisation:

Property, plant and equipment
Investment property
Software and other intangible assets

Impairment:

Property, plant and equipment loss
Property, plant and equipment reversal
Investment property loss
Investment property reversal
Goodwill, software and other intangible assets loss
Goodwill, software and other intangible assets reversal

UK & ROI
£m
1,391
12,815

International
£m
309
5,085

5
–
31
–
–
14,242

2,526
–
–
(6,580)
–
(837)
(64)
(403)
(3,153)
165
–
–
5,896

704
–
21
–
49
6,168

995
–
–
(1,736)
–
(129)
(39)
(3)
(22)
71
–
–
5,305

Tesco
Bank
£m
1,174
78

76
927
–
4,723
–
6,978

314
3,819
57
(252)
(7,479)
(58)
(32)
2
–
–
–
(975)
2,374

Unallocated
£m
–
–

–
151
–
–
–
151

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
(5,110)
(4,959)

UK & ROI
£m

International
£m

Tesco
Bank
£m

Total
 continuing
operations
£m

Discontinued
operations(b)
£m

 995
–
111

 (687)
 (1)
 (117)

 (12)
118
 (2)
3
 (54)
– 

 386
 – 
16 

 (349)
 – 
(26)

(155)
161
 (1)
1
–
1 

12 
 – 
34

 (17)
 – 
 (101)

 – 
– 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 

 1,393 
– 
161 

 (1,053)
 (1)
 (244)

 (167)
279
 (3)
4
 (54)
1 

 2 
 – 
– 

 (5)
 – 
 (1)

 (106)
–
 – 
 – 
 – 
–

Total
£m
2,874
17,978

785
1,078
52
4,723
49
27,539

3,835
3,819
57
(8,568)
(7,479)
(1,024)
(135)
(404)
(3,175)
236
–
(6,085)
8,616

Total
£m

 1,395 
– 
161 

 (1,058)
 (1)
 (245)

 (273)
279
 (3)
4
 (54)
 1

(a)  Includes £nil (2016: £1,742m) of property, plant and equipment acquired through business combinations.
(b)  Discontinued operations in this table represents amounts up until the point a disposal group is classified as such. This comprises those of Turkey in the first 
four months of the year ended 25 February 2017 and the 12 months of the year ended 27 February 2016. In the year ended 27 February 2016, discontinued 
operations also comprises the results of Korea for the first six months of the year.

102

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Note 2 Segmental reporting continued

Other segment information continued

52 weeks ended 27 February 2016

Capital expenditure (including acquisitions through  
business combinations):

Property, plant and equipment(a)
Investment property
Goodwill, software and other intangible assets

Depreciation and amortisation:

Property, plant and equipment
Investment property
Software and other intangible assets

Impairment:

Property, plant and equipment loss
Property, plant and equipment reversal
Investment property loss
Investment property reversal
Goodwill, software and other intangible assets loss

(a)–(b) Refer to previous table for footnotes.

UK & ROI
£m

International
£m

Tesco
Bank
£m

Total
 continuing
operations
£m

Discontinued
operations(b)
£m

 2,300 
 5 
 188 

 (688)
 (2)
(145)

(164)
126
 – 
7
 (177) 

 231 
 – 
 17 

(279)
–
(26)

(98)
105
(2)
 –
 (10)

 8 
 – 
 32 

 (16)
 – 
(75)

 – 
 – 
 – 
 –
 – 

2,539
5
237

(983)
(2)
(246)

(262)
231
(2)
7
 (187) 

60
–
4

 (94)
 – 
(9)

 (1) 
 14 
 – 
 –
 – 

Total
£m

 2,599 
 5 
 241 

 (1,077)
 (2)
(255)

 (263)
245
(2)
7
 (187) 

103

Financial statementsTesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Notes to the Group financial statements continued

Note 2 Segmental reporting continued

Cash flow statement 
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 an analysis of Retail continuing and discontinued operations.

Operating profit/(loss) of continuing operations*
Operating profit/(loss) of discontinued operations
Depreciation and amortisation
ATM net income
(Profit)/loss arising on sale of property, plant and equipment and  
intangible assets
(Profit)/loss arising on sale of subsidiaries and other investments 
(Profit)/loss arising on sale of joint ventures and associates
Impairment loss on goodwill
Net impairment loss/(reversal) on other investments
Net impairment loss/(reversal) on loans/investments in joint ventures 
and associates
Net impairment loss/(reversal) on property, plant and equipment, 
software and other intangible assets and investment property
Adjustment for non-cash element of pensions charge
Additional contribution into pension schemes
Share-based payments
Tesco Bank fair value movements included in operating profit
Cash flows generated from operations excluding working capital
(Increase)/decrease in working capital
Cash generated from/(used in) operations
Interest received/(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
Alternative performance measure: Free cash flow

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/(paid)
Net cash generated from/(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
Dividends paid to equity owners
Net cash generated from/(used in) financing activities

Retail

2017
£m
940
(117)
1,186
(43)
(80)

7
(5)
46
(12)
–

(5)

7
(248)
14
–
1,690
588
2,278
(518)
(64)
1,696

2016 
£m
911
102
1,243
(38)
165

–
(1)
18
(7)
1

182

(395)
(223)
273
–
2,231
350
2,581
(422)
125
2,284

(1,199)

(858)

(129)
368

205
(25)
–
509

15
–
736
111
28
41
292

1
185
(2,036)
475
(12)
–
(1,387)

(146)
1,280

3,237
(325)
192
350

(1)
(77)
(2,894)
17
41
3
(461)

1
286
(1,328)
154
(17)
–
(904)

Tesco Bank
2017
£m
77
–
118
43
2

2016 
£m
161
–
91
38
(1)

Tesco Group

2017
£m
1,017
(117)
1,304
–
(78)

3
(5)
46
(12)
–

(5)

7
(248)
15
98
2,025
533
2,558
(522)
(47)
1,989

2016 
£m
1,072
102
1,334
–
164

–
(1)
18
(7)
1

182

(395)
(223)
283
72
2,602
(168)
2,434
(426)
118
2,126

–
–
–
–
–

–

–
–
10
72
371
(518)
(147)
(4)
(7)
(158)

(13)

(1,205)

(871)

(21)
(192)

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
(120)
–
–
(154)

–
300
–
–
–
–
300

(169)
615

205
(25)
–
512

15
–
736
141
28
41
279

1
185
(2,036)
475
(12)
–
(1,387)

(167)
1,088

3,237
(325)
192
350

(1)
(77)
(2,894)
(103)
41
3
(615)

1
586
(1,328)
154
(17)
–
(604)

(4)
–
–
–
–

–

–
–
1
98
335
(55)
280
(4)
17
293

(6)

(40)
247

–
–
–
3

–
–
–
30
–
–
(13)

–
–
–
–
–
–
–

Intra-Group funding and intercompany transactions

45

50

(45)

(50)

–

–

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 group  
at the end of the year
Cash held in disposal group
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year
*  Tesco Bank operating profit as per Bank income statement excluding ATM net income segmental adjustment. Refer to page 169.

646
2,528
(131)
3,043

969
1,558
1
2,528

235
554
–
789

(11)
3,032

–
2,528

–
789

(62)
616
–
554

–
554

881
3,082
(131)
3,832

(11)
3,821

907
2,174
1
3,082

–
3,082

104

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017 
Note 2 Segmental reporting continued

Cash flow statement continued

Operating profit/(loss)
Depreciation and amortisation
ATM net income
(Profit)/loss arising on sale of property, plant and equipment and  
intangible assets
(Profit)/loss arising on sale of subsidiaries and other investments 
(Profit)/loss arising on sale of joint ventures and associates
Impairment loss on goodwill
Net impairment loss/(reversal) on other investments
Net impairment loss/(reversal) on loans/investments in joint ventures 
and associates
Net impairment loss/(reversal) on property, plant and equipment, 
software and other intangible assets and investment property
Adjustment for non-cash element of pensions charge
Additional contribution into pension schemes
Share-based payments
Cash flows generated from operations excluding working capital
(Increase)/decrease in working capital

Cash generated from/(used in) operations
Interest received/(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
Alternative performance measure: Free cash flow

Continuing operations

Discontinued operations

Retail

2017
£m
940
1,180
(43)
(84)

7
(5)
46
(12)
–

2016
£m
911
1,140
(38)
167

–
(1)
18
(7)
1

(106)

195

6
(248)
14
1,695
584
2,279
(499)
(64)
1,716
(1,193)

(129)
394

(401)
(223)
271
2,033
55
2,088
(379)
167
1,876
(770)

(145)
961

2017
£m
(117)
6
–
4

–
–
–
–
–

101

1
–
–
(5)
4
(1)
(19)
–
(20)
(6)

–
(26)

2016
£m
102
103
–
(2)

–
–
–
–
–

(13)

6
–
2
198
295
493
(43)
(42)
408
(88)

(1)
319

2017
£m
823
1,186
(43)
(80)

7
(5)
46
(12)
–

(5)

7
(248)
14
1,690
588
2,278
(518)
(64)
1,696
(1,199)

(129)
368

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

Included within net impairment loss/(reversal) of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets for discontinued operations is £99m  
of impairment loss representing remeasurement to fair value less costs to sell of the Group’s Turkish operations. Refer to Note 7.

Note 3 Income and expenses

Continuing operations

Profit/(loss) before tax is stated after charging/(crediting) the following:
Property rental income, of which £38m (2016: £39m) 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
Operating lease expenses, of which £84m (2016: £102m) relates to hire of plant and machinery
Net impairment loss/(reversal) on property, plant and equipment and investment property 
Net impairment loss/(reversal) of goodwill, software and other intangible assets
Net impairment loss/(reversal) of investments in and loans to joint ventures and associates

Auditor’s remuneration
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
Total audit services
Audit-related assurance services
Total audit and audit-related 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 non-audit services
Total auditor’s remuneration

2017
£m

(358)
(50)
20
41,140
1,337
1,298
1,043
(113)
53
–

2017
£m
1.5 
4.0
5.5
0.5
6.0

–
0.3
5.5
5.8
11.8

2016
£m

(316)
(53)
20
39,534
1,252
1,231
1,142
26
187
1

2016
£m
1.5 
4.4
5.9
0.6
6.5

0.3
0.9
8.8
10.0
16.5

Other non-audit services of £5.5m (2016: £8.8m) represents: transaction-related services £1.9m (2016: £nil); retail consultancy services £1.5m (2016: 
£4.6m); forensic services £1.2m (2016: £2.3m); international employee services £0.6m (2016: £0.9m); pension advisory services of £nil (2016: £0.6m); 
and other £0.3m (2016: £0.4m). In addition to the amounts shown above, the auditor received fees of £0.2m (2016: £0.2m) for the audit of the main 
Group pension scheme. More detail on non-audit services, along with a description of the work of the Audit Committee, is set out in the Corporate 
Governance Report on page 50 and includes how objectivity and independence is safeguarded when non-audit services are provided by Deloitte.

105

Financial statementsTesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Notes to the Group financial statements continued

Note 3 Income and expenses continued

Employment costs, including Directors’ remuneration

Continuing operations
Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Post-employment defined benefits (Note 27)(a)
Post-employment defined contributions (Note 27)(b)
Share-based payments expense (Note 26)
Termination benefits(c)
Total
(a)  Includes £nil (2016: £538m) of exceptional past service credit. Refer to Note 4.
(b)  Includes £nil (2016: £58m) of additional exceptional costs. Refer to Note 4.
(c)  Includes £146m (2016: £58m) of exceptional redundancy costs. Refer to Note 4.

Post-employment expenses include £135m (2016: £168m) of salaries paid as pension contributions.

The average number of employees by operating segment during the financial year was: 

2017
£m
 6,051 
473
35
341
294
168
7,362

2016
£m
5,932
395
10
175
308
77
6,897

Continuing operations

UK & ROI
International
Tesco Bank
Total

Note 4 Exceptional items 

Income statement
52 weeks ended 25 February 2017
Profit/(loss) for the period included the following exceptional items: 

Average number
of employees

Average number of 
full-time equivalents

2017
 327,601
133,041
3,878
464,520

2016
 335,068 
 136,699
 3,632 
 475,399 

2017
 218,522
120,692
3,556
342,770

2016
 225,378 
 122,557
 3,354 
 351,289

Exceptional items included in:

Cost of  
sales  
£m
(153)
25

Admin-
istrative 
expenses  
£m
(26)
–

Property- 
related  
items  
£m
(20)
(31)

Total 
exceptional 
items included 
within operating 
profit £m
(199)
(6)

Share of JV 
and associates 
profits/ 
(losses) 
£m
–
(54)

Finance  
costs  
£m
–
–

Taxation  
£m
39
20

Exceptional 
items within 
discontinued 
operations 
£m
–
–

Net restructuring and redundancy costs(a) 
Net impairment (loss)/reversal of 
non-current assets and onerous lease 
provisions(b)
Provision for customer redress(c)
Interchange settlement(d)
Amounts provided in relation to DPA  
and FCA obligations(e)
Property transactions(f)
Insurance reserve adjustment(g)
Foreign exchange losses on GBP short term 
investments held in overseas entities(h) 
Exceptional items related to discontinued 
operations(i)
Total
(a)  This includes £164m relating to ongoing UK & ROI changes to the Group’s distribution network and to store colleague structures and working practices. It also 

–
–
(244)

–
–
(235)

(45)
57
(235)

(45)
57
–

–
(23)
–

165
–
–

165
–
–

–
(11)
–

50
–
–

(244)

(263)

(261)

–
–
–

–
–
–

–
–
–

–
–
–

–
–
–

(116)

(77)

114

98

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–
–
–

–
–
–

(75)

(75)

includes £35m relating to Tesco Bank business simplification and head office relocation costs. 

(b)  Net impairment (loss)/reversal of non-current assets includes a reversal of £103m in property, plant and equipment and investment property, a net £(53)m loss 
in goodwill, software and other intangible assets and a net charge of £(56)m of onerous lease provisions. Refer to Notes 10, 11, 12 and 25 for further details on 
impairment. The £(54)m loss relates to the Group’s share of impairment in Gain Land Limited following a fair valuation exercise of its investment properties.

(c)  Updated guidance from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) proposing an extension to the expected Payment Protection Insurance (PPI) settlement 

deadline, inclusion of items that had previously been out of scope for settlement and higher operational costs and claim rates than previously estimated,  
have resulted in a provision of £45m.

(d) This relates to settlement of a legal case in respect of interchange fees.
(e) The Group has taken a total exceptional charge of £235m in respect of the Deferred Prosecution Agreement (DPA) of £129m, the expected costs of the 

compensation scheme of £85m, and related costs. This has been recorded in the financial statements in the year to 25 February 2017 as an adjusting post 
balance sheet event. Refer to Notes 25 and 35 for further details.

(f)  As part of the Group’s strategy to maximise value from property, the Group generated a profit on disposal of surplus properties and development sites of 

£74m. In addition, two malls in Central Europe were disposed of, generating a profit of £91m. There is a tax credit of £50m primarily due to a lower book value 
than tax value of assets disposed. Refer to item (b) overleaf for cash proceeds.

(g)  The Group’s share of the results for the year of its joint venture, Tesco Underwriting, reflects an adjustment to insurance reserves following a revision to the 

Ogden tables, which are used to calculate future losses in personal injury and fatal accident claims.

(h)  The Group received £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. Over the year, this has generated a £244m loss which 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.

(i)   On 10 June 2016, the Group announced the proposed sale of its Turkish operations. This charge includes: an impairment of £(99)m following a remeasurement 
of the assets and liabilities of the Turkish operations to fair value less costs to sell; £(3)m of costs to sell the Turkish operations and £27m of net adjustments on 
profits/(losses) of past disposals. Refer to Note 7 for further details.

106

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Note 4 Exceptional items continued

Income statement
52 weeks ended 27 February 2016
Profit/(loss) for the period included the following exceptional items:

Exceptional items included in:

Net impairment (loss)/reversal of non-current assets and 
onerous lease provisions 
Net restructuring and redundancy costs 
Property transactions 
Past service credit and other associated costs 
Foreign exchange losses on GBP balances held in  
overseas entities 
Release of overprovision of tax liabilities in prior years 
Loss on disposal of Korean operations 
Total

Cost of  
sales  
£m

Admin-
istrative 
expenses  
£m

Property- 
related  
items  
£m

Total 
exceptional 
items included 
within operating 
profit £m

Finance  
costs  
£m

Taxation  
£m

Exceptional 
items within 
discontinued 
operations 
£m

(314)

(75)
–
424

–

–
–

35

–

(34)
–
56

–

–
–

22

(109)

(17)
156
–

–

–
–

30

(423)

(126)
156
480

–

–
–

87

–

–
–
–

(220)

–
–

(220)

73

9
(20)
(86)

–

86
–

62

15

–
–
–

–

–
(168)

(153)

Cash flow statement
The table below shows the impact of exceptional items on the Group cash flow statement:

Prior year restructuring costs and other exceptional costs including trading store redundancies(a)

Current year restructuring costs and other exceptional costs including trading store redundancies(a)

Utilisation of onerous lease provisions

Property transactions(b)

Provision for customer redress(c)

Legal settlement

Exceptional cash flows from discontinued operations

Defined benefit pension scheme closure cost

Property transactions – buy-back of property joint ventures, net of £15m cash acquired

Total

Cash flows from  
operating activities

Cash flows from  
investing activities

2017  
£m

(54)

(78)

(113)

36

(28)

57

2

–

–

(178)

2016  
£m

(251)

(63)

(90)

218

(34)

–

–

(58)

–

(278)

2017  
£m

–

–

–

490

–

–

–

–

–

490

2016  
£m

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(139)

(139)

(a)  Cash outflows on settlement of restructuring and redundancy costs. 
(b)   The proceeds from property transactions totalled £526m comprising £490m net proceeds from the sale of two malls in Central Europe and other properties 

in the UK & ROI, and £36m for development sites in UK & ROI. Refer to item (f) on the previous page.

(c)  Settlement of claims for customer redress in Tesco Bank.

Note 5 Finance income and costs

Continuing operations

Finance income

Interest receivable and similar income
Financial instruments – fair value remeasurements
Total finance income
Finance costs

GBP MTNs and Loans

EUR MTNs

USD Bonds

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 27)

Foreign exchange losses on GBP short-term investments held in overseas entities (Note 4)

Total finance costs

Net finance cost

2017
£m

48
61
109

(227)

(114)

(93)

(8)

(81)

6

–

(517)

(113)

(244)

(874)

(765)

*  A deferred tax liability is recognised in respect of capitalised interest at the applicable rate in the country in which the interest is capitalised.

2016
£m

29
–
29

(176)

(122)

(86)

(9)

(97)

6

(19)

(503)

(155)

(220)

(878)

(849)

107

Financial statementsTesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017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
*   Prior year adjustments include a tax credit of £24m in relation to an impairment reversal classified as exceptional.

2017
£m

70
–
111
19
200

(43)
(36)
(34)
(113)
87

2016
£m

81
(86)
73
(191)
(123)

(69)
169
(31)
69
(54)

The Finance Act 2016 included legislation to reduce the main rate of UK corporation tax from 20% to 19% from 1 April 2017 and to 17% 
from 1 April 2020. These rate reductions were substantively enacted by the balance sheet date and therefore included 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/(loss) before tax
Tax credit/(charge) at 20% (2016: 20.1%)
Effect of:

Non-qualifying depreciation
Other non-deductible items(a)
Unrecognised tax losses
Release of provisions for uncertain tax positions – exceptional credit
Property items taxed on a different basis to accounting entries(b)
Banking surcharge tax
Differences in overseas taxation rates
Adjustments in respect of prior years
Share of losses of joint ventures and associates
Change in tax rate

2017
£m
145
(29)

2016
£m
202
(41)

(33)
(82)
(48)
–
77
(17)
15
17
(21)
34
(87)
60.0%

(49)
(4)
(103)
86
114
(3)
5
22
(4)
31
54
(26.6)%

Total income tax credit/(charge) for the year
Effective tax rate
(a)  This includes expenses not qualifying for tax relief including DPA and FCA obligations provision, impairments and movements in uncertain tax positions partially 

offset by non-taxable income.

(b)  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.

108

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017 
2017
£m
729
(146)

2016
£m
335
(67)

(33)
(50)
(14)
(1)
(17)
(7)
39
(5)
49
(185)
25.4%
113
(23)
4
(204)
24.2%

(30)
(4)
(59)
102
(3)
8
22
(4)
27
(8)
2.4%
155
(31)
3
(36)
7.3%

Note 6 Taxation continued

Reconciliation of effective tax charge on alternative performance measures

Profit/(loss) before tax before exceptional items
Tax credit/(charge) at 20% (2016: 20.1%)
Effect of:

Non-qualifying depreciation
Other non-deductible items(a)
Unrecognised tax losses
Property items taxed on a different basis to accounting entries(b)
Banking surcharge tax
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% (2016: 20.1%)
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 
(a)  This includes expenses not qualifying for tax relief, impairments and movements in uncertain tax positions partially offset by non-taxable income.
(b)  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.

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 of movement on available-for-sale investments
Fair value movements on cash flow hedges

Total tax on items credited/(charged) to Group statement of comprehensive income

2017
£m

2016
£m

–

2
2

2017
£m

(13)
–
–

579
(15)
5
556

–

–
–

2016
£m

6
–
–

(300)
–
(36)
(330)

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 28 February 2015

(Charge)/credit to the Group  
income statement

(Charge)/credit to the Group statement of 
changes in equity

(Charge)/credit to the Group statement of 
comprehensive income
Discontinued operations
Business combinations
Foreign exchange and other movements(b)
At 27 February 2016

Property- 
related 
items(a)
£m
(953)

Retirement
benefit
obligation(c)
£m
957

Share-based
payments
£m
3

Short-term
timing
differences
£m
248

Tax losses
£m
69

Financial 
instruments
£m
(10)

46

–

–
232
(136)
(5)
(816)

(86)

–

(300)
(10)
–
2
563

5

–

–

(2)
–
–
6

(36)

–

–

(68)
(4)
3
143

3

–

–

(22)
–
–
50

–

–

(36)

–
14
–
(32)

Other
pre/post-tax 
temporary
differences
£m
1

Total
£m
315

(1)

(69)

–

–
–
–
–
–

–

(336)
130
(126)
–
(86)

109

Financial statementsTesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017 
Total
£m

(86)

113

2

569
18
1
2
619

Notes to the Group financial statements continued

Note 6 Taxation continued

At 27 February 2016

(Charge)/credit to the Group  
income statement

Property- 
related 
items(a)
£m

Retirement
benefit
obligation(c)
£m

Share-based
payments
£m

Short-term
timing
differences
£m

Tax losses
£m

Financial 
instruments
£m

Other
pre/post-tax 
temporary
differences
£m

(816)

563

162

(20)

6

14

143

(6)

50

(41)

(32)

4

–

–

(Charge)/credit to the Group statement of 
changes in equity
(Charge)/credit to the Group statement of 
comprehensive income
Discontinued operations
Business combinations
Foreign exchange and other movements(b)
At 25 February 2017
(a)   Property-related items include a deferred tax liability on rolled over gains of £277m (2016: £321m) and deferred tax assets on capital losses of £185m (2016: 

–
18
–
(8)
(644)

579
–
–
–
1,122

(10)
–
–
–
(38)

–
–
1
10
148

–
–
–
1
23

–
–
–
(1)
8

–
–
–
–
–

–

–

–

–

–

–

2

£137m). The remaining balance relates to accelerated tax depreciation. It is not anticipated these will reverse materially in the foreseeable future.

(b)   The deferred tax charge for foreign exchange and other movements is a £2m credit (2016: £nil) 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.

(c)  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 27.

Certain deferred tax assets and liabilities have been offset and are analysed as follows:

Deferred tax assets
Deferred tax liabilities

2017
£m
707
(88)
619

2016
£m
49
(135)
(86)

No deferred tax liability is recognised on temporary differences of £3.2bn (2016: £2.9bn) 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 25 February 2017 is estimated to be £192m 
(2016: £141m) 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. 

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

2017
£m
108
202
310

2016
£m
155
89
244

As at 25 February 2017, the Group has unused trading tax losses from continuing operations of £859m (2016: £728m) available for offset 
against future profits. A deferred tax asset has been recognised in respect of £45m (2016: £274m) of such losses. No deferred tax asset  
has been recognised in respect of the remaining £814m (2016: £454m) due to the unpredictability of future profit streams. Included in 
unrecognised tax losses are losses of £18m that will expire in 2021 (2016: £32m in 2020) and £92m that will expire between 2022 and 2037 
(2016: £2m between 2021 and 2036). Other losses will be carried forward indefinitely. 

The 2016 balance for unrecognised deferred tax assets has been restated to exclude amounts in respect of discontinued operations. 
These include unrecognised deferred tax assets of £161m in respect of tax losses and £8m in relation to deductible temporary differences.

Current tax
Within the Group current tax liability of £613m is £383m of capital gains tax liabilities which may arise in respect of the sale of the Korea 
and China businesses.

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. We monitor 
income tax developments in these territories (which include the OECD Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) initiative and European 
Union’s state aid investigations) which could affect the Group’s tax liabilities. 

110

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Note 7 Discontinued operations and non-current assets classified as held for sale 

Assets and liabilities of the disposal group and non-current assets classified as held for sale

Assets of the disposal group
Non-current assets classified as held for sale
Total assets of the disposal group and non-current assets classified as held for sale
Total liabilities of the disposal group
Total net assets of the disposal group and non-current assets classified as held for sale

25 February 
2017
£m
198
146
344
(171)
173

27 February 
2016
£m
–
236
236
–
236

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 10 June 2016, the Group announced the proposed sale of its 95.5% controlling interest in Tesco Kipa Kitle Pazarlama Ticaret Lojistik 
ve Gıda Sanayi A.Ş. (referred to as Turkish operations or Turkey) to Migros Ticaret A.Ş. (Migros). In accordance with IFRS 5 ‘Non-current 
Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations’, the assets and liabilities related to the Turkish operations have been classified as  
a disposal group held for sale within the period. Local regulatory approval was granted on 9 February 2017 and the sale completed on  
1 March 2017.

At year end, an impairment charge of £99m has been recognised in property, plant and equipment primarily based on the latest 
completion statement as at 1 March 2017 reflecting fair value less costs to sell. This impairment has been included as an exceptional 
item within discontinued operations. The gain/(loss) on disposal at completion will also reflect the impact of the recycling of Turkey’s 
currency translation reserve; at the year end the recycling would have increased the loss on sale by £119m. The equivalent amount  
for the recycling of the currency translation reserve at the date of disposal will be recorded as a non-cash loss within discontinued 
operations in the year ending 24 February 2018.

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. The comparative includes the Korean operations, which were sold on 22 October 
2015 and disclosed as discontinued in the 2016 Annual Report.

Income statement

2017

2016

Revenue
Expenses(b)
Profit/(loss) before tax before exceptional items
Taxation
Profit/(loss) after tax before exceptional items
Net impairment (loss)/reversal of non-current assets and onerous lease provisions
Costs to sell and other provisions – Turkey
Loss after tax on disposal of Korean operations
Net adjustments to profit/(loss) of past disposals 
Total profit/(loss) after tax of discontinued operations(c)
(a)   These figures represent the income statement of Turkey for the current year and the net adjustments to profit/(loss) of past disposals of £27m. 
(b)   Intercompany recharges totalling £2m (2016: £2m) between continuing operations and the Turkey discontinued operation have been eliminated and 

Total(a)
£m
543
(580)
(37)
–
(37)
(99)
(3)
–
27
(112)

Turkey
£m
500
(555)
(55)
–
(55)
15
–
–
–
(40)

Korea
£m
3,526
(3,404)
122
(41)
81
–
–
(168)
–
(87)

Total
£m
4,026
(3,959)
67
(41)
26
15
–
(168)
–
(127)

intercompany recharges and intercompany loan interest totalling £48m between continuing operations and the Korea discontinued operation have been 
eliminated in 2016. These eliminations impact the performance of continuing and discontinued operations, reducing the profit/(loss) before tax of continuing 
operations by £2m (2016: £50m), whilst increasing the profit/(loss) before tax of Turkey and Korea discontinued operations by the same respective amounts.

(c)  Total profit/(loss) after tax of discontinued operations includes a loss of £6m attributable to non-controlling interests (2016: loss of £2m).

Loss per share impact from discontinued operations

Basic
Diluted

2017
Pence/share
(1.30)
(1.30)

2016
Pence/share
(1.54)
(1.53)

111

Financial statementsTesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017  
Notes to the Group financial statements continued

Note 7 Discontinued operations and non-current assets classified as held for sale continued

Balance sheet

Assets of the disposal group
Goodwill, software and other intangible assets
Property, plant and equipment
Inventories
Trade and other receivables
Cash and cash equivalents
Total assets of the disposal group
Trade and other payables
Borrowings
Other liabilities
Total liabilities of the disposal group
Total net assets of the disposal group 

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

Turkey 
2017
£m

9
121
43
14
11
198
(88)
(76)
(7)
(171)
27

Turkey
2017
£m
(20)
13
21
14
(2)
12
–
12

Korea and 
Turkey
2016
£m
408
(20)
8
396
(108)
 288
(366)
 (78)

On 22 October 2015, the Group completed the sale of its Korean operations to a group of investors led by MBK Partners. There remains 
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 was recorded in 2016 for potential additional capital gains tax on the disposal, 
payable in Korean Won. The impact of foreign exchange movements has increased this provision to £329m as at 25 February 2017.

The Group is vigorously contesting this interpretation through the Korean legal process. During the year ended 27 February 2016, the 
Group filed a claim for a refund of the capital gains tax withheld by the purchasers and the Korean National Tax Service commenced  
an investigation into this claim. As the investigation is ongoing, the Group has not recognised the benefit of this claim in its financial 
statements for the current or prior years.

Note 8 Dividends

No dividend has been paid or is proposed in respect of the financial year ended 25 February 2017 (2016: £nil).

Note 9 Earnings/(losses) per share and diluted earnings/(losses) 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. 

For the 52 weeks ended 25 February 2017 there were 20 million (2016: 26 million) potentially dilutive share options. As the Group has 
recognised a profit for the period from its continuing operations dilutive effects have been considered in calculating diluted earnings 
per share.

112

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Note 9 Earnings/(losses) per share and diluted earnings/(losses) per share continued

Profit/(loss) (£m)
Continuing operations(a)
Discontinued operations(b)
Total
Weighted average number of shares (millions)
Earnings/(losses) per share (pence)
Continuing operations
Discontinued operations
Total
(a)  Excludes losses from non-controlling interest of £8m (2016: £7m).
(b)  Excludes losses from non-controlling interest of £6m (2016: £2m).

2017

Potentially
 dilutive share 
options 

–
–
–
20

–
–
–

Basic 

66
(106)
(40)
8,148

0.81
(1.30)
(0.49)

2016

Potentially
 dilutive share 
options 

–
–
–
26

(0.02)
0.01
(0.01)

Diluted

Basic 

66
(106)
(40)
8,168

0.81
(1.30)
(0.49)

263
(125)
138
8,126

3.24
(1.54)
1.70

Diluted

263
(125)
138
8,152

3.22
(1.53)
1.69

Alternative performance measure: Earnings/(losses) per share and diluted earnings/(losses) per share from continuing operations  
before exceptional items

Profit/(loss) (£m)
Continuing operations(a)
Discontinued operations(b)
Total
Weighted average number of shares (millions)
Earnings/(losses) per share (pence)
Continuing operations
Discontinued operations
Total
(a)  Excludes losses from non-controlling interest of £7m (2016: £3m).
(b)  Excludes losses from non-controlling interest of £1m (2016: £3m).

2017

Potentially
 dilutive share 
options 

2016

Potentially
 dilutive share 
options 

Diluted

Basic 

–
–
–
20

(0.01)
–
(0.01)

551
(36)
515
8,168

6.75
(0.44)
6.31

330
29
359
8,126

4.06
0.36
4.42

–
–
–
26

(0.01)
(0.01)
(0.02)

Basic 

551
(36)
515
8,148

6.76
(0.44)
6.32

Diluted

330
29
359
8,152

4.05
0.35
4.40

Alternative performance measure: Diluted earnings/(losses) per share from continuing operations before exceptional items  
and net pension finance costs

Profit before tax from continuing operations before exceptional items (£m)
Add: Net pension finance costs (£m) 
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)

Refer to page 170 for further detail on the Group’s APMs.

2017
729
113
842
845

(200)

645

8,168
7.90

2016
335
155
490
494

(37)

457

8,152
5.61

113

Financial statementsTesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Notes to the Group financial statements continued

Note 10 Goodwill, software and other intangible assets

Cost
At 27 February 2016
Foreign currency translation
Additions
Reclassification
Disposals
Transfer to disposal group classified as held for sale
At 25 February 2017
Accumulated amortisation and impairment losses
At 27 February 2016
Foreign currency translation
Charge for the year
Impairment losses
Reversal of impairment losses
Reclassification
Disposals
Transfer to disposal group classified as held for sale
At 25 February 2017

Net carrying value
At 25 February 2017
At 27 February 2016
*  Software includes £422m of internally generated development costs (2016: £464m).

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
Reclassification
Disposals
Transfer to disposal group classified as held for sale
At 27 February 2016

Goodwill
£m

 Software*
£m

Other
intangible
assets
£m

2,517
71
–
–
(123)
(39)
2,426

690
36
–
46
–
–
(99)
(39)
634

2,861
28
156
(15)
(43)
(16)
2,971

1,886
21
216
5
(1)
12
(34)
(13)
2,092

372
5
5
2
(10)
(11)
363

300
2
29
3
–
(12)
(1)
(4)
317

Total
£m

5,750
104
161
(13)
(176)
(66)
5,760

2,876
59
245
54
(1)
–
(134)
(56)
3,043

1,792
1,827

879
975

46
72

2,717
2,874

Goodwill
£m

 Software*
£m

Other
intangible
assets
£m

2,949
(21)
64
–
–
(475)
2,517

661
14
–
18
–
–
(3)
690

2,970
13
174
6
(224)
(78)
2,861

1,596
3
244
169
45
(125)
(46)
1,886

422
(1)
3
–
(7)
(45)
372

313
1
11
–
–
(6)
(19)
300

Total
£m

6,341
(9)
241
6
(231)
(598)
5,750

2,570
18
255
187
45
(131)
(68)
2,876

114

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Note 10 Goodwill, software and other intangible assets continued

Impairment of goodwill
The goodwill balances, discount rates and long-term growth rates for each group of cash-generating units are shown below:

Tesco Bank
UK*
Thailand
Malaysia

Balances £m

Pre-tax 
discount rates

Post-tax 
discount rates

Long-term 
growth rates

2017
802
735
181
74
1,792

2016
802
796
159
70
1,827

2017
12.0%
9.3%
10.0%
12.4%

2016
11.0%
9.1%
10.1%
12.3%

2017
9.1%
7.5%
8.0%
9.4%

2016
8.2%
7.2%
8.1%
9.4%

2017
3.0%
2.0%
2.7%
2.3%

2016
4.0%
2.0%
2.6%
2.1%

* 

Included in the UK prior year balance is £29m previously disclosed as Other.

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 the higher of fair value less costs of 
disposal, and value in use. The key estimates 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. The pre-tax discount rates used to calculate value in use 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. 

Cash flow projections are based on the Group’s three year internal forecasts, the results of which are reviewed by the Board. Estimates 
of selling prices and direct costs are based on past experience and expectations of future changes in the market. The forecasts are 
extrapolated to five years based on management’s expectations, and beyond five years based on estimated long-term average growth 
rates as shown above. These long-term growth rates for the Retail business are based on inflation forecasts by recognised bodies. The 
long-term growth rate for Tesco Bank is based on inflation and GDP growth forecasts by recognised bodies.

Goodwill related to the Sociomantic acquisition of £46m, within the UK balance, was fully impaired in the year due to lower forecast 
cash flows for the business. This charge has been classified as an exceptional item within ‘Net impairment of non-current assets and 
onerous lease provisions’ 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. A reasonably possible increase in the discount rate or reduction in the long-term growth rate by one percentage point, 
would not indicate impairment in any group of cash-generating units apart from Malaysia where an increase in the discount rate by one 
percentage point would reduce the recoverable value by £90m to its carrying value of £74m.

Impairment of software and other intangible assets
A net impairment loss of £7m has been recognised against software and other intangible assets as part of the impairment review 
discussed in Note 11. This loss has been classified as an exceptional item within ‘Net impairment of non-current assets and onerous 
lease provisions’ within cost of sales. Of the prior year impairment loss of £169m, a loss of £154m was recognised principally as a result 
of an evaluation of the cash-generating unit for technology relating to online general merchandising as the Group moved towards a 
single online platform for customers.

115

Financial statementsTesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Notes to the Group financial statements continued

Note 11 Property, plant and equipment

Cost
At 27 February 2016
Foreign currency translation
Additions(b)
Reclassification
Classified as held for sale
Disposals
Transfer to disposal group classified as held for sale
At 25 February 2017
Accumulated depreciation and impairment losses
At 27 February 2016
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 25 February 2017

Net carrying value
At 25 February 2017
At 27 February 2016

Land and
buildings
£m

Other(a)
£m

Total
£m

22,557 
727
816
(103)
(316)
(674)
(317)
22,690

7,198 
258
419
246
(246)
(58)
(137)
(353)
(232)
7,095

10,468 
327
579
58
(6)
(594)
(151)
10,681

7,927 
239
639
27
(33)
11
(1)
(539)
(102)
8,168

33,025 
1,054
1,395
(45)
(322)
(1,268)
(468)
33,371

15,125 
497
1,058
273
(279)
(47)
(138)
(892)
(334)
15,263

15,595
15,359

2,513
2,541 

18,108
17,900 

Construction in progress included above(c)
At 25 February 2017
At 27 February 2016
(a)  Other assets consist of fixtures and fittings with a net carrying value of £2,023m (2016: £2,145m), office equipment with a net carrying value of £161m (2016: 

66
63

57
121

123
184

£144m) and motor vehicles with a net carrying value of £329m (2016: £252m).

(b)  Includes £6m (2016: £7m) 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 4.9% (2016: 4.6%). Interest capitalised is deducted in determining taxable profit in the financial year in 
which it is incurred.

(c)  Construction in progress does not include land.

Assets held under finance leases
Net carrying value includes assets held under finance leases, which are analysed below. These assets are pledged as security for the 
finance lease liabilities.

Net carrying value

Land and buildings
The net carrying value of land and buildings comprises:

Freehold
Long leasehold – 50 years or more
Short leasehold – less than 50 years

Net carrying value

2017

2016

Land and
buildings
£m
66

Other
£m
27

Land and
buildings
£m
55

Other
£m
21

2017
£m
 13,175 
 404 
 2,016 

2016
£m
 13,005 
 491 
 1,863 

 15,595 

 15,359 

In the current year the Group reclassified property, plant and equipment with a net book value of £nil (2016: £8m) to development 
properties in inventories.

116

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017 
 
Note 11 Property, plant and equipment continued

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
(a)–(b) Refer to previous page for footnotes.

Land and
buildings
£m

Other(a)
£m

Total
£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

11,493
34
493
17
2
(23)
(346)
(1,202)
10,468

8,330
49
759
–
(25)
(77)
(20)
(281)
(808)
7,927

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

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 the higher of fair value less costs of disposal, and value in use.

The key estimates 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. The 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 and predominately range from 9% to 13% (2016: 9% to 
12%). On a post-tax basis, the discount rates predominately range from 7% to 10% (2016: 7% to 9%). 

Cash flow projections are based on the Group’s three year internal forecasts, the results of which are reviewed by the Board. Estimates 
of selling prices and direct costs are based on past experience and expectations of future changes in the market. The forecasts are 
extrapolated to five years based on management’s expectations, and beyond five years based on estimated long-term average growth 
rates. These long-term growth rates are based on inflation forecasts by recognised bodies and range from 1% to 3% (2016: 2% to 6%).

Fair values are determined with 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. Fair values for the 
Group’s properties were determined with the assistance of independent, professional valuers where appropriate.

The net carrying value of £18,108m (2016: £17,900m) above comprises £13,338m (2016: £13,731m) of unimpaired assets and £4,770m (2016: 
£4,169m) of impaired assets. Of the impaired assets, £2,196m (2016: £1,805m) carrying value was supported by value in use and £2,574m 
(2016: £2,364m) 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.

The total net impairment reversal of £6m includes an impairment loss of £106m relating to the Group’s decision to sell its Turkish operations. 
This impairment has been classified as an exceptional item relating to discontinued operations; refer to Note 4 and Note 7 for further details.

The remaining net impairment reversal of £112m (£279m reversal offset by £167m losses) relating to continuing operations largely reflects 
normal fluctuations expected from store level performance within the continuing challenging economic environment. These losses and 
reversals have been largely presented net at a country level to reflect the underlying trends in the businesses. The impairment reversal  
of £279m (2016: £231m) relates to properties in the UK & ROI of £118m (2016: £126m) and International of £161m (2016: £105m), whilst the 
impairment losses of £167m (2016: £263m) relate to properties in the UK & ROI of £12m (2016: £164m) and International of £155m (2016: £99m).

117

Financial statementsTesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Notes to the Group financial statements continued

Note 11 Property, plant and equipment continued

Of the £112m net reversal relating to continuing operations, a £134m reversal within exceptional items related to trading stores has been 
classified as ‘Net impairment of non-current assets and onerous lease provisions’ included within cost of sales. In addition, a £30m charge 
within exceptional items related to construction in progress and closed stores has been classified as ‘Net impairment of non-current 
assets and onerous lease provisions’ included within profits/(losses) arising on property-related items. The remaining £8m reversal has  
not been included within exceptional items as it relates to the ongoing management of the property portfolio.

The prior period net impairment charge of £18m included a £14m reversal relating to the Turkish operations, which were classified as 
discontinued in the current financial year. Of the remaining £32m impairment charge related to continuing operations, an £80m release 
within exceptional items related to trading stores and online general merchandising hardware, which was classified as ‘Net impairment  
of non-current assets and onerous lease provisions’ included within cost of sales. In addition, a £90m charge within exceptional items 
related to construction in progress and closed stores was classified as ‘Net impairment of non-current assets and onerous lease 
provisions’ included within profits/(losses) arising on property-related items. An additional £34m charge within exceptional items relating 
to business rationalisation in the UK & ROI was classified as ‘Net restructuring and redundancy costs’ included within cost of sales. The 
remaining £12m reversal was not included within exceptional items.

The Group has carried out a sensitivity analysis on the impairment tests for its trading stores portfolio. A reasonably possible increase  
of one percentage point in the post-tax discount rates for each geographic region would increase impairment by £278m. A decrease by  
one percentage point would decrease impairment by £243m.

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

2017
£m

2016
£m

170
7
–
56
(25)
(37)
–
171

92
6
1
3
(4)
45
(12)
(24)
–
107
64

285
5
5
48
(91)
(43)
(39)
170

121
6
2
2
(7)
31
(47)
(7)
(9)
92
78

The estimated fair value of the Group’s investment property is £0.2bn (2016: £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 158 to 164 for a complete list of Group entities.

Subsidiaries
The accounting year ends of the subsidiaries consolidated in these financial statements are on or around 25 February 2017. 

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 under contractual agreements.  
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 25 February 2017 within these financial statements.

118

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Note 13 Group entities continued

Unconsolidated structured entities
In prior years, the Group 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 include the loans from 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.

Interests in joint ventures and associates
Principal joint ventures and associates
The Group’s principal joint ventures and associates are:

Gain Land Limited

Nature of  
relationship
Associate

Business activity
Retail

Share of issued 
share capital, 
loan capital and 
debt securities

Country of 
incorporation
20% British Virgin Islands

Included in ‘UK property joint ventures’:
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

Joint venture Property investment
Joint venture Property investment
Joint venture Property investment
Joint venture Property investment
Joint venture Property investment
Joint venture Property investment
Joint venture Property investment
Joint venture Property investment
Joint venture Property investment

50%
50%
50%
50%
50%
50%
50%
50%
50%

England
England
England
England
England
England
England
England
Jersey

Included in ‘Other joint ventures and 
associates’:
Tesco Mobile Limited
Tesco Underwriting Limited
Trent Hypermarket Limited
Tesco Lotus Retail Growth Freehold  
and Leasehold Property Fund
*  On 6 April 2017, the Group purchased the remaining 50% equity interest in BLT Properties Limited. Refer to Note 35 for further details.

Joint venture Telecommunications
Financial services
Joint venture
Retail
Joint venture
Associate Property investment

England
England
India
Thailand

50%
49.9%
50%
25%

Principal area of 
operation
People’s Republic of 
China/ 
Hong Kong

United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom

United Kingdom
United Kingdom
India
Thailand

The accounting period end dates of the joint ventures and associates consolidated in these financial statements range from 31 December 
2016 to 25 February 2017. 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, and for Tesco Underwriting Limited, regulatory capital requirements.

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 other contractual arrangements between the Group and the entities.

The Group made a number of judgements 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;

119

Financial statementsTesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Notes to the Group financial statements continued

Note 13 Group entities continued

 •

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.

Summarised financial information for joint ventures and associates 
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. 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.

Summarised balance sheet
Non-current assets(a) 
Current assets (excluding cash and cash equivalents)
Cash and cash equivalents
Current liabilities(b)
Non-current liabilities(b)
Net (liabilities)/assets

Summarised income statement
Revenue
Profit/(loss) after tax

Reconciliation to carrying amounts: 
Opening balance
Additions/(disposals)
Foreign currency translation
Share of profits/(losses)(c)
Dividends received from joint ventures and associates
Deferred profits offset against carrying amounts(d)
Closing balance

UK property joint ventures

Gain Land Limited

2017
£m

4,060
99
48
(301)
(4,831)
(925)

12 months 
to Dec 2016
£m

12 months 
to Dec 2015
£m

2016
£m

4,158
58
38
(327)
(4,572)
(645)

4,471
2,261
631
(6,208)
(169)
986

4,712
2,047
581
(5,550)
(153)
1,637

292
–

296
(36)

9,081
(626)

8,408
(341)

– 
– 
– 
14
(14)
– 
– 

49
(10)
– 
22
(29)
(32)
– 

511
– 
 47
(125)
– 
– 
433

582
– 
(3)
(68)
– 
– 
511

Group’s share in ownership
Group’s share of net assets/(liabilities)
Goodwill
Deferred property profits offset against carrying amounts(d)
Cumulative unrecognised losses(e)
Cumulative unrecognised hedge reserves(f)
Carrying amount 
(a)  The non-current asset balances of UK property joint ventures are reflected at historic depreciated cost to conform to the Group’s accounting policies. The 

50%
(323)
– 
(64)
143
244
– 

50%
(463)
– 
(63)
175
351
– 

20%
197
236
– 
– 
– 
433

20%
327
184
– 
– 
– 
511

aggregate fair values in the financial statements of the joint ventures are £5,242m (2016: £5,415m).

(b)   The current and non-current liabilities of UK property joint ventures largely comprise loan balances of £4,121m (2016: £4,151m) and derivative swap balances of 
£703m (2016: £487m) entered into to hedge the cash flow variability exposures of the joint ventures. The 2016 derivative balance of £487m reflects a £159m 
reduction due to valuation adjustments for credit risk not included in the prior year.

(c)  The profit for the year for UK property joint ventures related to £14m dividends received from joint ventures with £nil carrying amounts. £21m of losses and 

£107m of decreases in the fair values of derivatives arising from these entities have been included in cumulative unrecognised losses and cumulative 
unrecognised hedge reserves respectively. The loss of £(125)m for Gain Land Limited includes an impairment loss of £(54)m treated as an exceptional item. 
Refer to Note 4.

(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. £1m relating to The Brookmaker Limited Partnership has been released during the year as a result of the disposal.

(e)  Cumulative unrecognised losses of £3m were disposed of relating to The Brookmaker Limited Partnership. 
(f)  The 2016 cumulative unrecognised hedge reserves balances have been reduced by £79m to reflect valuation adjustments for credit risks.

At 25 February 2017, the Group has £103m (2016: £115m) loans to UK property joint ventures and £nil (2016: £nil) to Gain Land Limited.

120

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Note 13 Group entities continued

Other joint ventures and associates
The Group also has interests in a number of other joint ventures and associates, excluding UK property joint ventures and Gain Land Limited. 
These are not considered to be individually material to the Group. 

Aggregate carrying amount of other joint ventures and associates
Group’s share of profits/(losses) for the year

Joint ventures

Associates

2017
£m
245
(7)

2016
£m
219
23

2017
£m
61
11

2016
£m
55
2

Impairment
Management has performed impairment tests and sensitivity analysis on its investments in Gain Land Limited, Trent Hypermarket 
Limited and Tesco Underwriting Limited. The carrying values of Trent Hypermarket Limited of £112m (2016: £96m) and Tesco Underwriting 
Limited of £71m (2016: £76m) are included within ‘Other joint ventures and associates’ as discussed above.

The recoverable values of these investments were estimated taking into account forecast cash flows, equity valuations of comparable entities 
and/or recent transactions for comparable businesses. No impairment was recognised in the period for these investments. Sensitivity tests 
for reasonably possible increases in the discount rates of one percentage point would not indicate impairment in any of the investments.

Future changes in estimated cash flows, discount rates, competitive landscape, retail market conditions and other factors may result in 
impairment losses or reversals of impairment in future periods.

Note 14 Other investments

Loans receivable
Available-for-sale financial assets
Total other investments
Of which:
Current
Non-current

2017
£m
13
1,094
1,107

284
823
1,107

2016
£m
30
1,105
1,135

57
1,078
1,135

The Group holds an 8.8% investment stake in Lazada Group S.A. (2016: 21%), which is also included within available-for-sale financial 
assets. Refer to Note 31 for details of the disposal of part of this investment during the year.

Note 15 Inventories

Goods held for resale
Development properties

Goods held for resale are net of commercial income (refer to Note 20).

Note 16 Trade and other receivables

Trade receivables
Prepayments
Accrued income
Other receivables
Amounts owed by joint ventures and associates (Note 29)
Total trade and other receivables
Of which:
Current
Non-current

Trade and other receivables include commercial income (refer to Note 20).

Trade and other receivables are generally non interest-bearing. Credit terms vary by country and the nature of the debt, ranging from 7  
to 60 days.

2017
£m
2,276
25
2,301

2016
£m
2,390
40
2,430

2017
£m
490
322
207
483
153
1,655

1,475
180
1,655

2016
£m
496
319
121
491
180
1,607

1,406
201
1,607

121

Financial statementsTesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Notes to the Group financial statements continued

Note 16 Trade and other receivables continued

At 25 February 2017, trade and other receivables of £16m (2016: £37m) were past due and impaired. The gross amount of trade and other 
receivables was £68m (2016: £67m) with a provision of £52m (2016: £30m). 

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

2017
£m
–
3
13
16

At 25 February 2017, trade and other receivables of £130m (2016: £149m) 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.

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

2017
£m
119
10
1
130

2017
£m
5,795
4,166
9,961

2017
£m
3
4,107
155
2,419
3,471
10,155
(194)
9,961

2016
£m
14
4
19
37

2016
£m
129
15
5
149

2016
£m
4,723
3,819
8,542

2016
£m
3
3,758
146
2,181
2,608
8,696
(154)
8,542

At 28 February 2017, £2.5bn (2016: £2.6bn) 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. The total encumbered portion 
of this portfolio is £1.9bn (2016: £2.0bn).

At 28 February 2017, Delamare Cards MTN Issuer plc had £1.8bn (2016: £1.8bn) notes in issue in relation to securitisation transactions,  
of which £0.8bn (2016: £0.8bn) was externally issued. The Group owned £1.0bn (2016: £1.0bn) of Credit Card backed notes issued by 
Delamare Cards MTN Issuer plc.

Of the total £0.8bn (2016: £0.8bn) class A retained Credit Card backed notes, £0.6bn (2016: £nil) is held in a distinct pool for the 
purposes of collateralising the Bank of England’s Term Funding Scheme drawings. All other prepositioned assets with the Bank  
of England are held within their single collateral pool.

122

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Note 17 Loans and advances to customers continued

Provision for impairment of loans and advances

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
Increase in allowance, net of recoveries, charged to the Group income statement
Amounts written off
Unwinding of discount
At 25 February 2017

Note 18 Cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments

Cash and cash equivalents
Cash at bank and in hand
Short-term deposits

Short-term investments
Money market funds

£m
(140)
(64)
47
3
(154)
(103)
60
3
(194)

2016
£m
2,334
748
3,082

2016
£m
3,463

2017
£m
3,498
323
3,821

2017
£m
2,727

Included in cash and cash equivalents is an amount of £777m that has been set aside for completion of the merger with Booker Group Plc. This 
cash is not available to the Group and must be held in ring-fenced accounts until released jointly by the Group and its advisors on satisfaction 
of the completion terms of the merger as set out in the offering circular dated 27 January 2017. Until that time, or if the merger is not 
completed, it remains an asset of the Group. At the balance sheet date it was invested with a single financial institution at a floating rate  
of interest. Interest accrues and is payable to the Group.

Note 19 Trade and other payables

Trade payables
Other taxation on social security
Other payables
Amounts payable to joint ventures and associates (Note 29)
Accruals and deferred income
Total trade and other payables
Of which:
Current
Non-current

2017
£m
4,914
310
2,422
17
1,536
9,199

8,875
324
9,199

2016
£m
4,545
388
2,091
14
1,530
8,568

8,293
275
8,568

Trade and other payables are net of commercial income (refer to Note 20). 

Note 20 Commercial income

Below are the commercial income balances included within inventories and trade and other receivables, or netted against trade and 
other payables. Amounts received in advance of income being earned are included in accruals and deferred income.

Current assets
Inventories
Trade and other receivables
Trade/other receivables
Accrued income

Current liabilities
Trade and other payables

Trade payables
Accruals and deferred income

2017
£m

(75)

215
150

2016
£m

(75)

201
100

213
(22)

305
(43)

The 27 February 2016 accruals and deferred income disclosure, previously disclosed in Note 19 of the 2016 Annual Report and Financial 
Statements, included amounts that were unrelated to commercial income and has therefore been amended accordingly.

123

Financial statementsTesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Notes to the Group financial statements continued

Note 21 Borrowings 

Current

Bank loans and overdrafts
Loans from joint ventures (Note 29)
4% RPI MTN
5.875% MTN
2.7% USD Bond
5.4478% Term Loan
LIBOR + 0.5% Term Loan
1.250% MTN
5.5% USD Bond
5.5457% Secured Bond(a)(b)
Finance leases (Note 34)

Non-current

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(c)
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(d)
5.5457% Secured Bond(a)(b)
6.067% Secured Bond(a)
LIBOR + 1.2% Secured Bond(a)
6% MTN
5.5% MTN
1.982% RPI MTN(e)
6.15% USD Bond
4.875% MTN
5.125% MTN
5.2% MTN
Finance leases (Note 34)

Par value
–
–
£310m
€1,039m
$500m
£382m
£488m
€500m
$850m
£366m
–

Par value
£488m
€500m
$850m
£125m
€750m
£150m
€1,250m
£350m
£67m
£300m
€500m
£200m
£350m
£900m
£389m
€750m
£323m
£366m
£200m
£50m
£200m
£200m
£268m
$1,150m
£173m
€600m
£279m
–

Maturity
–
–
Sep 2016
Sep 2016
Jan 2017
Jan 2017
Oct 2017
Nov 2017
Nov 2017
Feb 2029
–

Maturity
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
–

2017
£m
912
6
–
–
–
–
484
423
709
15
11
2,560

2017
£m
–
–
–
129
641
150
1,063
353
67
299
423
210
349
896
411
640
326
339
190
31
253
255
270
1,063
175
522
275
103
9,433

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

(a)  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 £788m (2016: £838m).

(b)  This is an amortising bond which matures in February 2029. £15m (2016: £14m) is the principal repayment due within the next 12 months. The remainder is 

payable in quarterly instalments until maturity in February 2029.

(c)  The 1% RPI Tesco Bank Retail Bond is redeemable at par, indexed for increases in the RPI over the life of the bond.
(d)  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%.

(e)  The 1.982% RPI MTN is redeemable at par, indexed for increases in the RPI over the life of the MTN.

124

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Note 21 Borrowings continued 

Borrowing facilities
The Group has the following undrawn committed facilities available at 25 February 2017, 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

2017
£m
–
–
4,427
4,427

2016
£m
100
2,200
2,700
5,000

The current year undrawn committed facilities include £1.8bn (2016: £2.4bn) of bilateral facilities and a £2.6bn (2016: £2.6bn) syndicated 
revolving credit facility. During the year, £1.8bn equivalent of bilateral facilities were refinanced in a tenor of three years to a final 
maturity of August 2019. 

All facilities incur commitment fees at market rates and would provide funding at floating rates.

Note 22 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 income of £43m (2016: net finance cost of £53m) 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 £126m on hedging instruments was recognised during the year, offset by a loss of £26m on hedged items (2016: a gain of £45m 
on hedging instruments was offset by a loss of £48m 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 £57m during the year (2016: a loss of £50m). 

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 (2016: £nil) that 
was recorded as resulting from net investment hedge ineffectiveness.

Gains and losses accumulated in equity are recycled to the Group income statement on disposal of overseas operations.

125

Financial statementsTesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Notes to the Group financial statements continued

Note 22 Financial instruments continued

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

2017

2016

Asset
£m
286
1,303
1,589

Liability
£m
(61)
(607)
(668)

Asset
£m
176
1,532
1,708

Liability
£m
(62)
(889)
(951)

The fair value and notional amounts of derivatives analysed by hedge type are as follows:

Fair value hedges
Interest rate swaps and similar instruments
Cross-currency swaps
Cash flow hedges
Interest rate swaps and similar instruments
Cross-currency swaps
Index-linked swaps
Forward contracts
Derivatives not in a formal hedge relationship
Interest rate swaps and similar instruments
Cross-currency swaps
Index-linked swaps
Forward contracts
Total

2017

2016

Asset

Liability

Asset

Liability

Fair value
£m

Notional
£m

Fair value
£m

Notional
£m

Fair value
£m

Notional
£m

Fair value
£m

Notional
£m

29
386

–
334
152
75

3
1
592
17
1,589

543
791

–
2,384
651
1,174

71
27
3,589
1,126
10,356

(116)
(26)

(38)
–
–
(1)

(6)
(9)
(446)
(26)
(668)

3,050
408

598
–
–
947

1,156
44
3,589
741
10,533

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

126

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Note 22 Financial instruments continued 

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 29)*
Other receivables
Derivative financial instruments:

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 34)
Customer deposits – Tesco Bank
Deposits from banks – Tesco Bank
Derivative financial instruments:

2017

2016

Carrying
value
£m

3,821
9,961
2,727
1,107
137
–

32
721
744
92
19,342

(2,246)
(303)

(7,977)
(1,353)
(114)
(8,463)
(500)

Fair
value
£m

3,821
10,178
2,727
1,107
158
–

32
721
744
92
19,580

(2,269)
(291)

(8,414)
(1,248)
(125)
(8,485)
(500)

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)

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)

Interest rate swaps and similar instruments
Cross-currency swaps
Index-linked swaps
Forward contracts
Total financial liabilities
Total 
*  Joint venture and associates loan receivables carrying amounts of £137m (2016: £149m) are presented on the Group balance sheet net of deferred profits of 

(160)
(35)
(446)
(27)
(22,000)
(2,420)

(160)
(35)
(446)
(27)
(21,624)
(2,282)

(406)
(67)
(421)
(57)
(21,967)
(3,887)

(406)
(67)
(421)
(57)
(21,276)
(2,902)

£54m (2016: £57m) 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. The expected maturity of the financial assets and liabilities is not considered to be materially different to their 
current and non-current classification.

Financial assets and liabilities by category
The accounting classifications of each class of financial assets and liabilities at 25 February 2017 and 27 February 2016 are as follows:

At 25 February 2017
Cash and cash equivalents
Loans and advances to customers – Tesco Bank
Short-term investments
Other investments
Joint venture and associates loan receivables (Note 29)
Customer deposits – Tesco Bank
Deposits from banks – Tesco Bank
Short-term borrowings
Long-term borrowings
Finance leases (Note 34)
Derivative financial instruments:

Interest rate swaps and similar instruments
Cross-currency swaps
Index-linked swaps
Forward contracts

Loans and
receivables/
other financial
liabilities
£m
3,821
9,961
2,727
13
137
(8,463)
(500)
(2,549)
(9,330)
(114)

Fair value
through
profit  
or loss
£m
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
(4,297)

(128)
686
298
65
921

Available-
for-sale
£m
–
–
–
1,094
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
1,094

Total
£m
3,821
9,961
2,727
1,107
137
(8,463)
(500)
(2,549)
(9,330)
(114)

(128)
686
298
65
(2,282)

127

Financial statementsTesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Notes to the Group financial statements continued

Note 22 Financial instruments continued

At 27 February 2016
Cash and cash equivalents
Loans and advances to customers – Tesco Bank
Short-term investments
Other investments
Joint ventures and associates loan receivables (Note 29)
Other receivables
Customer deposits – Tesco Bank
Deposits from banks – Tesco Bank
Short-term borrowings
Long-term borrowings
Finance leases (Note 34)
Derivative financial instruments:

Interest rate swaps and similar instruments
Cross-currency swaps
Index-linked swaps
Forward 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)

Fair value
through
profit  
or loss
£m
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
(5,749)

(371)
868
216
44
757

Available-
for-sale
£m
–
–
–
1,105
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
1,105

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)

The above tables exclude trade and other receivables/payables that are classified under loans and receivables/other financial liabilities.

Fair value measurement
The following table presents the Group’s financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value at 25 February 2017 and 27 
February 2016, 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).

 •

Level 1
£m

Level 2
£m

Level 3
£m

964

–
–
–
–
964

–
–
–
–
–
964

–

32
721
744
92
1,589

(160)
(35)
(446)
(27)
(668)
921

130

–
–
–
–
130

–
–
–
–
–
130

Total
£m

1,094

32
721
744
92
2,683

(160)
(35)
(446)
(27)
(668)
2,015

At 25 February 2017
Assets
Available-for-sale financial assets
Derivative financial instruments:

Interest rate swaps and similar instruments
Cross-currency swaps
Index-linked swaps
Forward contracts

Total assets
Liabilities
Derivative financial instruments:

Interest rate swaps and similar instruments
Cross-currency swaps
Index-linked swaps
Forward contracts

Total liabilities
Total

128

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Note 22 Financial instruments continued

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 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

2017
£m
125
(4)
90
(81)
–
130

Total
£m

1,105

35
935
637
101
2,813

(406)
(67)
(421)
(57)
(951)
1,862

2016
£m
112
–
9
–
4
125

The following table presents the changes in Level 3 instruments for the year ended 25 February 2017. 

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
Disposal of available-for-sale financial asset
Purchase of non-controlling interests
At end of the year

During the financial year, there were no transfers (2016: £nil) between Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements, and no transfers into  
and out of Level 3 fair value measurements (2016: £nil). £128m of Level 3 assets relate to an investment in an unlisted entity measured at cost 
(2016: £121m). At the time of the partial disposal, the remaining investment was revalued, resulting in a gain of £88m recognised in the Group 
statement of comprehensive income.

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.

Gross 
amounts of 
recognised 
financial 
assets/
(liabilities)
£m

Gross amounts 
of financial 
assets/
(liabilities) 
offset in the 
Group balance 
sheet
£m

Net 
amounts 
presented 
in the 
Group 
balance 
sheet
£m

Related amounts  
not offset in the 
Group balance sheet

Financial 
instruments
£m

Collateral
£m

Net 
amount
£m

At 25 February 2017
Financial assets offset
Cash and cash equivalents
Derivative financial instruments
Total trade and other receivables
Total
Financial liabilities offset
Bank loans and overdrafts
Repurchases, securities lending and similar agreements*
Derivative financial instruments
Total trade and other payables
Total
*  Repurchases, securities lending and similar agreements are included within the deposits from banks balance of £500m (2016: £82m) on the Group balance 

(912)
(100)
(668)
(9,199)
(10,879)

(1,176)
(100)
(668)
(9,438)
(11,382)

3,821
1,589
1,655
7,065

4,085
1,589
1,894
7,568

–
(308)
–
(308)

(264)
–
(239)
(503)

–
100
308
–
408

264
–
–
239
503

–
–
115
–
115

–
(11)
–
(11)

(912)
–
(245)
(9,199)
(10,356)

3,821
1,270
1,655
6,746

sheet (Note 24).

129

Financial statementsTesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Notes to the Group financial statements continued

Note 22 Financial instruments continued

At 27 February 2016
Financial assets offset
Cash and cash equivalents
Derivative financial instruments
Total trade and other receivables
Total
Financial liabilities offset
Bank loans and overdrafts
Repurchases, securities lending and similar agreements*
Derivative financial instruments
Total trade and other payables
Total
*  Refer to previous table for footnote.

Gross 
amounts of 
recognised 
financial 
assets/
(liabilities)
£m

Gross amounts 
of financial 
assets/
(liabilities) 
offset in the 
Group balance 
sheet
£m

Net 
amounts 
presented 
in the 
Group 
balance 
sheet
£m

Related amounts  
not offset in the 
 Group balance sheet

Financial 
instruments
£m

Collateral
£m

Net 
amount
£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)

–
(365)
–
(365)

–
83
365
–
448

–
(4)
–
(4)

–
(1)
121
–
120

3,082
1,339
1,607
6,028

(845)
–
(465)
(8,568)
(9,878)

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 23 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 target fixing a minimum of 50%–70% of interest costs for senior unsecured debt of the Group excluding Tesco 
Bank. At the year end, the percentage of interest-bearing debt at fixed rates was 88% (2016: 88%). The weighted average rate of interest 
paid on senior unsecured debt this year, excluding joint ventures and associates, was 4.08% (2016: 3.94%). 

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.

For interest rate risk relating to Tesco Bank, refer to the separate section on Tesco Bank financial risk factors on pages 134 and 135. 
During 2017 and 2016, net debt was managed using derivative instruments to hedge interest rate risk.

130

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Note 23 Financial risk factors continued

Cash and cash equivalents
Loans and advances to customers – Tesco Bank
Short-term investments
Other investments
Joint ventures and associates loan receivables (Note 29)
Other receivables
Finance leases (Note 34)
Bank and other borrowings
Customer deposits – Tesco Bank
Deposits from banks – Tesco Bank
Derivative effect:

Interest rate swaps
Cross-currency swaps
Index-linked swaps

Total

2017

Floating
£m
3,821
4,223
2,727
85
63
–
–
(2,555)
(4,479)
–

5,288
(1,199)
328
8,302

Fixed
£m
–
5,738
–
1,022
74
–
(114)
(9,324)
(3,984)
(500)

(5,288)
1,199
(328)
(11,505)

2016

Floating
£m
3,082
3,817
3,463
76
66
–
–
(2,709)
(4,232)
–

6,732
(1,898)
633
9,030

Fixed
£m
–
4,725
–
1,059
83
1
(99)
(10,729)
(3,165)
(82)

(6,732)
1,898
(633)
(13,674)

Total
£m
3,821
9,961
2,727
1,107
137
–
(114)
(11,879)
(8,463)
(500)

–
–
–
(3,203)

Total
£m
3,082
8,542
3,463
1,135
149
1
(99)
(13,438)
(7,397)
(82)

–
–
–
(4,644)

Credit risk 
Credit risk arises from cash and cash equivalents, trade and other receivables, customer deposits, financial instruments and deposits 
from 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 (2016: £1.3bn). The Group considers its maximum credit risk to be £20.1bn (2016: £18.7bn) 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 134 and 135.

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 maintain a prudent level of cash together with sufficient committed bank facilities to meet liquidity 
needs as they arise. The Group retains 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 undrawn committed facilities totalling 
£4.4bn (2016: £5.0bn), consisting of a syndicated revolving credit facility and bilateral facilities, which mature between 2019 and 2021.

The Group has a £15.0bn Euro Medium Term Note programme, of which £6.8bn was in issue at 25 February 2017 (2016: £7.4bn), plus a Euro 
Commercial Paper programme of £2.0bn, £nil of which was in issue at 25 February 2017 (2016: £nil), and a US Commercial Paper programme of 
$4.0bn, £nil of which was in issue at 25 February 2017 (2016: £nil). The Group also has £1.7bn equivalent of USD denominated notes issued under 
144A documentation (2016: £nil).

For liquidity risk relating to Tesco Bank, refer to the separate section on Tesco Bank financial risk factors on page 134.

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 £18.4bn is considered acceptable as it is offset by financial assets of £20.1bn (2016: £17.1bn offset by financial assets of £18.7bn).

The undiscounted cash flows will differ from both the carrying values and fair values. 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 (2016: 3%).

131

Financial statementsTesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Notes to the Group financial statements continued

Note 23 Financial risk factors continued

At 25 February 2017
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 £268m (2016: £435m) of deferred income.

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
*  Refer to previous table for footnote.

Due
within
1 year
£m

(2,634)
(349)
(6,658)
(100)
(19)
(8,875)

34
(96)
1,402
(1,118)
(18,413)

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

Due
beyond
5 years
£m

(1,076)
(352)
(1,147)
(301)
(16)
(27)

23
(59)
105
(83)
(2,933)

(1,850)
(379)
(423)
(1)
(23)
(17)

19
(251)
105
(85)
(2,905)

(645)
(288)
(167)
(100)
(9)
(11)

14
(414)
528
(506)
(1,598)

(926)
(268)
(174)
–
(9)
(11)

10
(86)
96
(130)
(1,498)

(4,771)
(2,906)
–
–
(126)
(258)

1,430
(197)
2,878
(2,248)
(6,198)

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

Due
beyond
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)

(5,370)
(3,008)
(1)
–
(123)
(142)

944
(126)
3,470
(2,670)
(7,026)

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 £2.1bn were outstanding (2016: £1.4bn). The notional and fair values of these contracts are shown in Note 22;

 • 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 £751m (2016: increase by £168m). 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 25 February 2017. 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. 

132

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Note 23 Financial risk factors continued

The following assumptions were made in calculating the sensitivity analysis:

 •

the sensitivity of interest payable to movements in interest rates is calculated on net floating rate exposures on debt, deposits and 
derivative instruments with no sensitivity assumed for RPI-linked debt, which has been swapped to fixed rates;

 • changes in the carrying value of derivative financial instruments designated as fair value hedges from movements in interest rates or 

foreign exchange rates have an immaterial effect on the Group income statement and equity due to compensating adjustments in the 
carrying value of debt;

 • changes in the carrying value of derivative financial instruments designated as net investment hedges from movements in foreign exchange 

rates are recorded directly in the Group statement of comprehensive income;

 • changes in the carrying value of derivative financial instruments not designated as hedging instruments only affect the Group  

income statement;

 • all other changes in the carrying value of derivative financial instruments designated as hedging instruments are fully effective with no 

 •

impact on the Group income statement; and
the floating leg of any swap or any floating rate debt is treated as not having any interest rate already set, therefore a change in interest 
rates affects a full 12-month period for the interest payable portion of the sensitivity calculations.

Using the above assumptions, the following table shows the illustrative effect on the Group income statement and equity that would 
result, at the balance sheet date, from changes in 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 (2016: 1%)
5% appreciation of the Czech Koruna (2016: 5%)
10% appreciation of the Euro (2016: 10%)
5% appreciation of the Hungarian Forint (2016: 5%)
10% appreciation of the US Dollar (2016: 10%)
5% appreciation of the Polish Zloty (2016: 5%)

2017

2016

Income
gain/(loss)
£m
80
(2)
(83)
(2)
6
–

Equity
gain/(loss)
£m
(39)
1
(108)
–
170
–

Income
gain/(loss)
£m
88
(1)
(285)
(1)
(1)
(2)

Equity
gain/(loss)
£m
(44)
–
(94)
(1)
95
–

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.

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 raises finance in the public debt markets and borrows from financial institutions. The policy for debt is to smooth the  
debt maturity profile with the objective of ensuring continuity of funding. This policy continued during the financial year, with bonds 
redeemed of £1.9bn (2016: £nil) and new bonds issued of £nil (2016: £nil). The Group borrows centrally and locally, using a variety  
of capital market instruments and borrowing facilities to meet the Group’s business requirements of each local business.

Refer to Note 30 for the value of the Group’s net debt (£3.7bn; 2016: £5.1bn), and the Group statement of changes in equity for the value 
of the Group’s equity (£6.4bn; 2016: £8.6bn).

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.

133

Financial statementsTesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Notes to the Group financial statements continued

Note 23 Financial risk factors continued

Tesco Bank
Interest rate risk
Interest rate risk arises mainly where assets and liabilities in Tesco Bank’s banking activities have different repricing dates and from unexpected 
changes to the yield curve. Tesco Bank is exposed to interest rate risk through dealings with retail customers as well as through lending to and 
borrowing from the wholesale market. Tesco Bank has established limits for risk appetite and stress tests are performed using sensitivity to 
fluctuations in underlying interest rates in order to monitor this risk. 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 assess impacts across a suitable range of severe but plausible movements 
in interest rates. 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. 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 risks are 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 regular 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.

Credit risk
Credit risk is the risk that a bank borrower or counterparty will fail to meet its obligations in accordance with contractually agreed terms and 
Tesco Bank will incur losses as a result. 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 minimum requirements for management of credit activities 
defined across the customer life cycle. Customer lending decisions are managed principally through the deployment of appropriate credit 
scoring and associated rules, which exclude specific areas of lending, and an affordability assessment which determines a customer’s ability 
to repay the advances they are seeking. 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 risk 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.

Retail
unsecured
lending
£m

Retail 
mortgage
lending
£m

Retail
instalment
lending
£m

32
48
99

48
15
10

–
–
–

1
–
–

–
–
–

–
–
–

Total
£m

32
48
99

49
15
10

7,440
152
7,844

2,154
16
2,171

140
–
140

9,734
168
10,155

Credit quality of loans and advances

As at 25 February 2017
Past due and impaired
Less than 90 days past due 
90–179 days past due 
180 days plus past due
Past due but not impaired
Less than 29 days past due 
30–59 days past due 
60–119 days past due
Neither past due nor impaired
Low risk(a) 
High risk(b)
Total
(a)  Low risk is defined as an asset with a probability of default of less than 10%.
(b)  High risk is defined as an asset with a probability of default of 10% or more.

134

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Note 23 Financial risk factors continued

As at 27 February 2016
Past due and impaired
Less than 90 days past due 
90–179 days past due 
180 days plus past due
Past due but not impaired
Less than 29 days past due 
30–59 days past due 
60–119 days past due
Neither past due nor impaired
Low risk(a) 
High risk(b)
Total
(a)  Low risk is defined as an asset with a probability of default of less than 10%.
(b)  High risk is defined as an asset with a probability of default of 10% or more.

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

Total
£m

30
41
82

41
12
9

8,385
96
8,696

The credit risk exposure from off balance sheet items in 2017, mainly undrawn contractual lending commitments, was £12.1bn (2016: £11.9bn).

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. Insurance risk is defined as the risk accepted through the provision of insurance products in return for a premium. 
The timing and quantum of the risks are uncertain and determined by events outside the control of Tesco Bank. The key insurance risks 
within TU relate to underwriting risk and reserving risk. TU operates a separate framework to ensure that the TU insurance portfolio 
operates within agreed risk appetite. The Bank closely monitors performance of the portfolio against specific thresholds and limits.

Note 24 Customer deposits and deposits from banks

Customer deposits
Deposits from banks

Of which:
Current
Non-current

2017
£m
8,463
500
8,963

6,687
2,276
8,963

Deposits from banks include liabilities of £100m (2016: £82m) that have been sold under sale and repurchase agreements.

Note 25 Provisions

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
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 25 February 2017

Property
provisions
£m
941
(1)
(4)
154
(188)
(74)
47
875
12
(38)
99
(141)
–
44
851

Restructuring
provisions
£m
325
4
(77)
166
(335)
–
–
83
4
(18)
196
(162)
(5)
–
98

Other
provisions
£m
100
–
–
–
(34)
–
–
66
–
–
136
(28)
–
–
174

2016
£m
7,397
82
7,479

5,906
1,573
7,479

Total
£m
1,366
3
(81)
320
(557)
(74)
47
1,024
16
(56)
431
(331)
(5)
44
1,123

135

Financial statementsTesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017 
Notes to the Group financial statements continued

Note 25 Provisions continued

The balances are analysed as follows:

Current
Non-current

2017
£m
438
685
1,123

2016
£m
360
664
1,024

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 charge in the year of £61m (2016: £150m), 
largely relating to onerous lease contracts for fully impaired properties and other onerous contracts relating to properties. The Group has 
performed sensitivity analysis on the onerous lease provisions. A reasonably possible increase of one percentage point in the risk-free rate 
would reduce the provision by £43m. A decrease of one percentage point would increase the provision by £50m.

Of the net onerous property provision charge, a £76m charge (2016: £151m) has been recognised as an exceptional item; £56m in cost of  
sales and £20m in property-related items. This is made up of £56m classified as ‘Net impairment (loss)/reversal of non-current assets  
and onerous lease provisions’ and £20m classified as ‘Net restructuring and redundancy costs’.

Onerous lease provisions will be utilised over the relevant lease terms, predominantly within the next 25 years.

Restructuring provisions
Of the £178m net charge (£196m charge, £18m release) recognised in the year, £135m relating to ongoing UK & ROI changes to the 
distribution network and to store colleague structures and working practices has been classified as an exceptional item. Refer to  
Note 4 for further details. The exceptional charges are expected to be utilised in the next financial year.

Other provisions
On 10 April 2017, the Group announced that its subsidiary, Tesco Stores Limited, had obtained Court approval and entered into a Deferred 
Prosecution Agreement (DPA) with the UK Serious Fraud Office (SFO) regarding historic accounting practices. On 28 March 2017, the Group 
also announced that it had agreed with the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to a finding of market abuse in relation to its trading 
statement announced on 29 August 2014. In making its finding, the FCA has expressly stated that it is not suggesting that the Tesco PLC 
Board of Directors knew, or could reasonably be expected to have known, that the information contained in that trading statement was false 
or misleading. The Group has agreed with the FCA (under its statutory powers) to establish a compensation scheme which will compensate 
certain net purchasers of Tesco Ordinary shares and listed bonds between 29 August 2014 and 19 September 2014 inclusive. The Group has 
taken a total exceptional charge of £235m in respect of the DPA of £129m, the expected costs of the compensation scheme of £85m, and 
related costs. This has been recorded in the financial statements in the year to 25 February 2017 as an adjusting post balance sheet event.

Of the £235m, £91m is included within other current provisions to cover the cost of the compensation scheme and related costs. The remaining 
£144m has been recorded within accruals. These charges have been classified as an exceptional item within administrative expenses.

Other current provisions also include provisions for Tesco Bank customer redress in respect of potential complaints arising from the historic 
sales of Payment Protection Insurance (PPI), 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. A charge 
of £45m has been recognised in the year as an exceptional item in cost of sales. Refer to Note 4 for further details.

Note 26 Share-based payments

For continuing operations, the Group income statement charge for the year recognised in respect of share-based payments is £294m 
(2016: £308m), which is made up of share option schemes and share bonus payments. Of this amount, £36m (2016: £283m) will be 
settled in equity and £258m (2016: £25m) in cash. The movement between cash and equity settled charge with reference to the prior 
year is predominantly due to a one-off award which was previously disclosed as equity settled. During the year, colleagues were offered 
a choice of cash settlement, which resulted in a reclassification from equity to cash.

136

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Note 26 Share-based payments continued

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 vesting 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 vesting 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 vesting 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 25 February 2017

Savings-related  
Share Option  
Scheme

Outstanding at 
27 February 2016

Granted
Forfeited
Exercised
Outstanding at
25 February 2017

Exercisable at
25 February 2017
Exercise price  
range (pence)
Weighted average 
remaining contractual 
life (years)

Irish Savings-related
Share Option  
Scheme

Approved Share  
Option Scheme
WAEP
Options
189.46 6,514,959

Unapproved Share 
Option Scheme
WAEP
Options
407.19 32,459,966

International  
Executive Share  
Option Scheme
WAEP
Options
387.09 24,534,811

Nil cost Share  
Option Schemes

WAEP
386.76 20,802,806

Options WAEP
–

Options
278,367,865

WAEP
173.32

Options
8,263,111

32,923,969
(53,597,182)
(831,771)
256,862,881

190.00
1,681,721
205.10 (3,587,857)
(17,668)
168.91 6,339,307

150.11

–
190.00
(1,495,505)
207.57
150.03
– 
179.46 5,019,454

–
361.29
–

–
(8,009,380)
–
420.87 24,450,586

–
360.37
–

–
(6,039,761)
–
395.84 18,495,050

–
354.89
–
397.17

14,449,336
(6,880,744)
(731,078)
27,640,320

10,596,827

339.47

443,702

330.95 5,019,454

420.87 24,450,586

395.84 18,495,050

397.17

3,517,971

282.00  
to 364.00
0.43

322.00  
to 364.00
0.43

338.40  
to 473.75
1.10

338.40  
to 473.75
1.45

338.40  
to 473.75
1.43

–
–
–
–

–

–

7.70

137

Financial statementsTesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Notes to the Group financial statements continued

Note 26 Share-based payments continued

For the year ended 27 February 2016

Savings-related  
Share Option  
Scheme

Irish Savings-related
Share Option  
Scheme

Options
284,304,292

Options
WAEP
191.11 8,122,650

Approved Share  
Option Scheme
Options

Unapproved Share 
Option Scheme
Options
WAEP
218.19 7,534,373 400.03 45,312,593

WAEP

International  
Executive Share  
Option Scheme
Options
WAEP
380.72 29,096,990

Nil cost Share  
Option Schemes

WAEP
381.86 11,724,776

Options WAEP
–

71,185,926
(76,535,735)
(586,618)
278,367,865

151.00
2,153,891
218.82 (2,008,433)
150.00
(4,997)
173.32 8,263,111

151.00
–
264.53 (1,019,414)
150.00
–
189.46 6,514,959

–

–
354.25 (12,852,627)
–
407.19 32,459,966

–

–
364.62
–

–
(4,562,179)
–
387.09 24,534,811

355.53
–

– 13,560,088
(3,625,191)
(856,867)
386.76 20,802,806

13,188,829

329.78

750,453

308.64 6,514,959

407.19 32,459,966

387.09 24,534,811

386.76 2,302,052

282.00  
to 386.00
0.42

282.00  
to 386.00
0.42

318.60  
to 473.75
1.84

318.60  
to 473.75
2.18

318.60  
to 473.75
2.15

–
–
–
–

–

–

8.28

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)

Share options were exercised on a regular basis throughout the financial year. The average share price during the financial year ended 
25 February 2017 was 184.26p (2016: 196.55p).

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)

2017

2016

Nil cost
SAYE
–
1.4%
29–36%
29–32%
0.2–0.5%
0.4–0.7%
3–6
3 or 5
61.00 to 159.64
53.14
10–11%
–
211.00 159.04 to 196.84
–
190.00

Nil Cost
SAYE
–
1.3%
23–25%
25–26%
0.6–1.6%
0.9–1.3%
3 or 5
3–6
52.58 129.90 to 221.06
9–11%
–
188.50 218.60 to 221.06
–
151.00

Volatility is a measure of the amount by which a price is expected to fluctuate during a period. The measure of volatility used in the 
Group’s option pricing models is the annualised standard deviation of the continuously compounded rates of return on the share over  
a period of time. In estimating the future volatility of the Company’s share price, the Board considers the historical volatility of the 
share price over the most recent period that is generally commensurate with the expected term of the option, taking into account  
the remaining contractual life of the option.

Share bonus schemes
Selected executives participate in the Group Bonus Plan, a performance-related bonus scheme. The amount paid 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.

Eligible UK colleagues were able to participate in Shares In Success, an all-employee profit-sharing scheme. Until May 2015, shares were 
awarded as a percentage of earnings, up to a statutory maximum permitted under the Share Incentive Plan at the time of the award. 
Shares awarded through Shares In Success are held in trust on behalf of employees for a period of at least three years. 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. Shares awarded to colleagues through the Share Bonus 
Scheme are held in trust on behalf of employees for a period of at least two years and for a maximum period of three years.

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. 

138

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Note 26 Share-based payments continued

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

Note 27 Post-employment benefits

2017

2016

Number of
 shares 
–
–
33,293,571
61,533,740
–

WAFV 
pence
–
–
159.04
161.82
–

Number of
 shares 
15,979,321
–
8,762,915
33,338,199
529,292

WAFV 
pence
221.79
–
215.65
215.01
216.35

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 98% of the Group deficit (2016: 94%).

Defined contribution plans
A 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 £341m (2016: £175m) have been recognised in the Group income 
statement. This includes £135m (2016: £43m) 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 next triennial actuarial valuation is effective as at 31 March 2017 and work is already underway. The Trustee is aiming to conclude  
the valuation as soon as is reasonably possible.

The Scheme has a duration of 27 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 were recognised as 
exceptional items in the prior year. Refer to Note 4.

139

Financial statementsTesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Notes to the Group financial statements continued

Note 27 Post-employment benefits continued

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 25 February 2017, 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

UK principal assumptions 
The major assumptions, on a weighted average basis, used by the actuaries to value the defined benefit obligation as at 25 February 
2017 were as follows:

%
55
21
24

%
57
43

Discount rate
Price inflation
Rate of increase in deferred pensions*
Rate of increase in pensions in payment*
Benefits accrued before 1 June 2012
Benefits accrued after 1 June 2012

 *  In excess of any Guaranteed Minimum Pension (GMP) element.

2017 
%
2.5
3.2
2.2

3.0
2.2

2016
%
3.8
2.9
1.9

2.7
1.9

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 25 February 2017 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

2017 
Years
23.2
24.5
25.5
26.9

2016 
Years
23.1
24.5
25.4
26.8

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 25 
February 2017. At the year end, the deficit relating to the Republic of Ireland was £107m (2016: £145m).

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 25 February 
2017. The scheme’s assets are stated at their market values as at 25 February 2017. The liabilities relating to retirement healthcare 
benefits have also been determined in accordance with the applicable accounting standard.

Risks
The Group bears a number 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.

140

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017 
 
Note 27 Post-employment benefits continued

 •

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 the 
Group’s Trustee Governance and provide greater oversight and stronger internal control over the Group’s risks. Further mitigation of the risks 
is provided by external advisors and the Trustee who consider the funding position, fund performance, and impacts of any regulatory changes.

A different approach is used to calculate the triennial actuarial liabilities and the accounting liabilities. The key difference is that the 
accounting valuation requires the discount rate to be set using corporate bonds whilst the actuarial liabilities discount rate is based  
on expected returns of Scheme assets.

Sensitivity analysis of significant actuarial assumptions

Decrease in UK defined benefit obligation from a 0.1% increase in discount rate
Decrease in UK defined benefit obligation from a 1.0% increase in discount rate
Increase in UK defined benefit obligation from a 0.1% decrease in discount rate
Increase in UK defined benefit obligation from a 1.0% decrease in discount rate
Increase in UK defined benefit obligation from a 1.0% increase in pensions in payment
Increase in UK defined benefit obligation from each additional year of longevity assumed

2017 
£m
526
4,536
545
6,541
3,173
818

2016
£m
312
2,691
315
3,754
1,797
439

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

2017
£m

365
628
3,894
4,887

4,757
501
–
5,258

787
373
1,160

489
707
553
1,749
142
13,196

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

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 are shown net of such instruments.

The Government Bonds category consists of assets of the value of £6,594m (2016: £2,903m) and associated repurchase agreements and 
swaps of £(1,837)m (2016: £(968)m). The repurchase agreements and swaps serve to help the scheme reduce exposure to fluctuations in 
interest rate risk and inflation risk.

141

Financial statementsTesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Notes to the Group financial statements continued

Note 27 Post-employment benefits continued

At the year end, 75% (2016: 74%) 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 £176m (2016: £171m) relating to property used by the Group. In addition, Group property with net carrying value 
of £411m (2016: £412m) 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 all movements of discontinued 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 contributions 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 £nil (2016: £125m) of salaries paid as pension contributions.

2017 
£m
10,302
385
2,689
28
248
2
13
(471)
–
13,196

Changes in the present value of defined benefit pension obligations, including all movements of discontinued 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 
Experience gains
Foreign currency translation
Benefits paid
Actual member contributions
Transfer to disposal group classified as held for sale
Closing defined benefit pension obligation

2017 
£m
(13,477)
(35)
–
(498)
(6,455)
199
(25)
471
(2)
5
(19,817)

2016
£m
9,677
360
59
433
223
11
6
(346)
(121)
10,302

2016
£m
(14,519)
(570)
535
(515)
1,007
98
(14)
346
(11)
166
(13,477)

The amounts that have been charged to the Group income statement and Group statement of comprehensive income, excluding 
discontinued operations, for the year ended 25 February 2017 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
Financial assumption gains/(losses) on defined benefit pension obligation
Foreign currency translation
Total gains/(losses) recognised in the Group statement of comprehensive income
*  Past service credit in prior year previously included £(10)m in relation to Turkey, which is now classified as discontinued.

2017 
£m

(35)
–
(35)

385
(498)
(113)
(148)

2,689
199
(6,455)
(12)
(3,579)

2016
£m

(555)
545
(10)

358
(513)
(155)
(165)

59
95
1,006
(12)
1,148

142

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Note 27 Post-employment benefits continued

Summary of movements in Group deficit during the financial year 
Changes in the Group deficit, including movements of discontinued 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(a)
Contributions by employer(b)
Additional contributions 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
(a)  Includes £nil (2016: £nil) discontinued operations up to reclassification as held for sale. 
(b)  Contributions by employer include £nil (2016: £125m) of salaries paid as pension contributions.

2017 
£m
(3,175)
(35)
–
(113)
28
248
(12)
(3,567)
5
(6,621)
1,122
(5,499)

2016
£m
(4,842)
(570)
535
(155)
433
223
(8)
1,164
45
(3,175)
563
(2,612)

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

2017 
£m
13,196
(146)
(19,671)
(6,621)
2,689
199

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

Remeasurements on defined benefit pension assets of £2,689m represent the growth of assets beyond returns expected by the discount 
rate. This is due to unusually sharp movements in global equities, global fixed income and currency markets following the EU referendum.

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 25 February 2017 of £13m (2016: £11m) was determined in accordance with the advice of independent actuaries. During the 
year, £nil (2016: £nil) has been charged to the Group income statement and £1m (2016: £1m) of benefits were paid.

Additional contributions 
A plan to pay £270m a year was agreed with the Trustee to fund the UK pension deficit and to meet the expenses of the scheme. The expenses 
of the scheme were £22m (2016: £27m).

Note 28 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

2017
Ordinary shares of  
5p each

2016
Ordinary shares of  
5p each

Number

£m

Number

8,141,083,114
849,439
33,000,000
8,174,932,553

407 8,122,991,499
591,615
17,500,000
409 8,141,083,114

–
2

£m

406
–
1
407

During the financial year, 0.8 million (2016: 0.6 million) ordinary shares of 5p each were issued in relation to share options for an aggregate 
consideration of £1m (2016: £1m) and 33.0 million (2016: 17.5 million) ordinary shares of 5p each were issued in relation to share bonus awards.

Between 26 February 2017 and 5 April 2017, options over 110,014 ordinary shares were exercised under the terms of the Savings-related Share 
Options Scheme (1981) and the Irish Savings-related Share Option Scheme (2000). Between 26 February 2017 and 5 April 2017, no options have 
been exercised under the Discretionary Share Option Plan (2004).

As at 25 February 2017, the Directors were authorised to purchase up to a maximum in aggregate of 814.1 million (2016: 812.3 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.

143

Financial statementsTesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017 
Notes to the Group financial statements continued

Note 29 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
Dividends received

Joint ventures

Associates

2017
£m
418
416
17

2016
£m
408
496
32

2017
£m
–
16
11

2016
£m
–
14
9

Sales to related parties consists of services/management fees and loan interest.

Purchases from related parties include £286m (2016: £379m) 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 27.

Balances

Joint ventures

Associates

2016
£m
1
Amounts owed to related parties
3
Amounts owed by related parties
Loans to related parties (net of deferred profits)*
–
Loans from related parties (Note 21)
–
*   Loans to related parties of £137m (2016: £149m) are presented net of deferred profits of £54m (2016: £57m) historically arising from the sale of property assets 

2016
£m
13
28
149
6

2017
£m
17
16
137
6

2017
£m
–
–
–
–

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 
statements 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 

Attributable to:
The Board of Directors (including Non-executive Directors)
Executive Committee (members not on the Board of Directors)

2017 
£m
13
2
17
1
33

12
21
33

2016
£m
20
3
9
5
37

11
26
37

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, mortgage and 
personal loan balances

Current and saving  
deposit accounts

Number of key 
management 
personnel
6
11

Number of key 
management 
personnel
4
8

£m
1
1

£m
–
–

At 25 February 2017
At 27 February 2016

144

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017 
Note 30 Analysis of changes in net debt

Total Group
Cash and cash equivalents
Short-term investments
Joint venture loans
Interest and other receivables
Bank and other borrowings
Interest payables
Finance lease payables
Net derivative financial instruments
Net derivative interest
Net debt of the disposal group
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 group
Net debt

At
27 February 
2016
£m

Cash flow
£m

Fair value 
and foreign 
exchange 
movements
£m

Interest 
income/ 
(charge)
£m

Other 
non-cash 
movements 
£m

Reclassifications 
of movements  
in net debt of 
the disposal 
group
£m

At
25 February 
2017
£m

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)

881
(736)
(15)
(25)
1,851
522
12
(475)
(16)
–
1,999

235
–
–
4
–
239

646
(736)
(15)
(25)
1,851
518
12
(475)
(16)
–
1,760

(131)
–
–
–
(372)
(18)
(6)
655
–
–
128

–
–
1
–
16
17

(131)
–
–
–
(373)
(18)
(6)
639
–
–
111

–
–
–
25
(21)
(479)
–
15
(15)
–
(475)

–
–
–
(3)
–
(3)

–
–
–
25
(21)
(476)
–
15
(15)
–
(472)

–
–
3
–
10
 (10)
(21)
–
–
–
(18)

–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
3
–
10
(10)
(21)
–
–
–
(18)

(11)
–
–
–
73
3
–
–
–
(65)
–

–
–
–
–
–
–

(11)
–
–
–
73
3
–
–
–
(65)
–

3,821
2,727
137
1
(11,712)
(167)
(114)
893
28
(65)
(4,451)

789
34
(1,440)
–
(105)
(722)

3,032
2,727
103
1
(10,272)
(167)
(114)
998
28
(65)
(3,729)

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 venture loans
Net (increase)/decrease 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 of on disposal of Korean operations
Debt acquired on business combinations
Retail other non-cash movements
(Increase)/decrease in Net debt for the year

Opening Net debt
Closing Net debt

2017 
£m
881
(235)

(736)
(15)
1,863
(475)
477
1,760

(472)
111
–
–
(18)
1,381

2016
£m
907
62

2,894
1
1,059
(154)
419
5,188

(447)
113
97
(1,545)
(35)
3,371

(5,110)
(3,729)

(8,481)
(5,110)

145

Financial statementsTesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Notes to the Group financial statements continued

Note 31 Business combinations and disposals

Business combinations 
The Group has paid £25m of deferred consideration in the year, related to its obligations under the purchase agreements for the 
acquisitions of Sociomantic Labs and Bzz Agent Limited from prior years.

Disposals
During the year, the Group sold its interests in Dobbies Garden Centres, Giraffe and Harris + Hoole and closed its Nutricentre business, 
further enhancing the focus of the UK retail business on its core strengths. The Group received £213m in cash, net of cash disposed, 
and recognised £1m in deferred consideration. Of the net cash received, £192m related to the sale of Dobbies Garden Centres. In total, 
the Group disposed of net assets of £243m and incurred costs to sell of £15m, £8m of which had been paid as at the year end.

In addition, the Group disposed of a 6.9% interest (on a fully diluted basis) in Lazada Group S.A. (Lazada) for net cash consideration of 
US$115m (£81m), retaining an 8.8% shareholding. 

The total loss on these transactions amounted to £7m, which is included within operating profit before exceptional items.

On 10 June 2016, the Group announced the proposed sale of its 95.5% controlling interest in its Turkish operations to Migros. The assets 
and liabilities related to the Turkish operations have been classified as a disposal group held for sale during the year and are presented 
within discontinued operations. Local regulatory approvals were obtained on 9 February 2017 and the sale completed on 1 March 2017. Refer 
to Notes 7 and 35 for further information.

Note 32 Commitments and contingencies

Capital commitments
At 25 February 2017, there were commitments for capital expenditure contracted for, but not incurred, of £115m (2016: £215m), 
principally relating to store development.

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.

For details of assets held under finance leases, which are pledged as security for the finance lease liabilities, refer to Note 11.

As previously reported, 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 of expected profits in 2014, and purport to have secured 
third party funding for such litigation. In this regard, the Group has received two High Court claims against Tesco PLC. The first was 
received on 31 October 2016 from a group of 112 investors and the second was received on 5 December 2016 from an investment 
company and a trust company. The merit, likely outcome and potential impact on the Group of any such litigation that either has been 
or might potentially be brought against the Group is subject to a number of significant uncertainties and therefore, the Group cannot 
make any assessment of the likely outcome or quantum of any such litigation as at the date of this disclosure.

Prior to the disposal of its Korean operations (Homeplus), Tesco PLC provided guarantees in respect of 13 Homeplus lease agreements 
in Korea in the event of termination of the relevant lease agreement by the landlord due to Homeplus’ 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, which currently remains outstanding. 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. The maximum potential liability under the lease guarantees as at 25 February 2017 is KRW575bn (£407m).

Subsidiary audit exemptions
The following UK subsidiary undertakings are exempt from the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to the audit of 
individual accounts by virtue of section 479A of that Act.

Name
Tapesilver Limited
Launchgrain Limited
Armitage Finance ULC
Tesco (Overseas) Limited
Buttoncable Limited 
Cheshunt Finance Unlimited
Dillons Newsagents Limited
Tesco Mobile Communications Limited
Tesco Mobile Services Limited
Tesco International Internet Retailing Limited

146

Company number
05205362
05260856
05966324
03193632
05294246
06807552
00140624
04780729
04780734
00041420

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017 
Note 32 Commitments and contingencies continued

Tesco PLC will guarantee all outstanding liabilities that these subsidiaries are subject to as at the financial year ended 25 February 2017 
in accordance with section 479C of the Companies Act 2006, as amended by the Companies and Limited Liability Partnerships 
(Accounts and Audit Exemptions and Change of Accounting Framework) Regulations 2012.

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. 

Tesco Bank
At 25 February 2017, Tesco Bank had contractual lending commitments totalling £12.1bn (2016: £11.9bn). The contractual amounts 
represent the amounts that would be at risk should the available facilities be fully drawn upon and not the amounts at risk at the 
reporting date.

Note 33 Tesco Bank capital resources

The following tables analyse the regulatory capital resources of Tesco Personal Finance PLC (TPF), being the regulated entity at the 
balance sheet date:

Tier 1 capital: 
Shareholders’ funds and non-controlling interests, net of tier 1 regulatory adjustments
Tier 2 capital: 
Qualifying subordinated debt
Other interests
Total tier 2 regulatory adjustments
Total regulatory capital

2017 
£m

2016
£m

1,381

1,218

235
63
(31)
1,648

235
44
(27)
1,470

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 are currently being phased in. The following 
tables analyse the regulatory capital resources of TPF (being the regulated entity) applicable as at the year end. 

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
Movement 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

2017 
£m
1,218
–
153
5
(50)
3
64
1
1,394
(13)
1,381

2016
£m
1,041
–
190
8
(50)
3
39
(2)
1,229
(11)
1,218

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. 

147

Financial statementsTesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Notes to the Group financial statements continued

Note 34 Lease commitments

Finance lease commitments – Group as lessee
The Group has finance leases for various items of plant, equipment, fixtures and fittings. There are also a small number of buildings that 
are held under finance leases. The fair value of the Group’s lease obligations approximate their carrying value.

Future minimum lease commitments under finance leases and hire purchase contracts, together with the present value of the net 
minimum lease commitments, are as follows:

Minimum lease 
commitments 

2017
£m
19
57
126
202
(88)
114

2016
£m
18
46
123
187
(88)
99

Present value of net
minimum lease 
commitments 

2017
£m
11
30
73
114

11
103
114

2017 
£m
1,199
3,767
7,395
12,361

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

Within one year
Greater than one year but less than five years
After five years
Total minimum lease commitments 
Less future finance charges
Present value of minimum lease commitments

Within one year
Greater than one year but less than five years
After five years
Total minimum lease commitments
Analysed as:
Current finance lease commitments
Non-current finance lease commitments

Operating lease commitments – Group as lessee
Future minimum lease commitments 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 commitments

Future minimum lease commitments 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 commitments – after five years

2017 
£m
3,161
2,225
2,009
7,395

The Group has used operating lease commitments discounted at 7% (2016: 7%) of £7,440m (2016: £7,814m) in its calculation of total 
indebtedness. Total operating lease commitments in Turkey of £27m were included in 2016. The discounted operating lease commitment 
included in total indebtedness is not an appropriate proxy for the expected impact of recognising a lease liability under IFRS 16 ‘Leases’, 
primarily due to differences in the discount rates used and the treatment of additional lease rentals arising from contracts that contain 
extend or buy conditions, amongst other differences.

Operating lease commitments 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 commitments exclude those falling after the buy-back date. The current market 
value of these properties is £2.9bn (2016: £3.2bn) and the total undiscounted lease rentals, if they were to be incurred following the option 
exercise date, would be £2.6bn (2016: £2.6bn) using current rent values, as shown overleaf.

148

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017 
Note 34 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 ten years
Greater than ten years but less than fifteen years
After fifteen years
Total undiscounted contingent additional lease rentals
Total discounted contingent additional lease rentals at 7% 

The lease break options are exercisable between 2017 and 2023.

2017 
£m
23
170
709
670
1,019
2,591
1,107

2016
£m
45
72
686
718
1,115
2,636
1,111

Operating lease commitments with joint ventures and associates 
In prior years, the Group 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 varied. However, common factors included: 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 amounts 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 35 Events after the reporting period

2017 
£m
194
298
229
721

2016
£m
198
293
230
721

On 1 March 2017, the Group announced the completion of the disposal of its 95.5% controlling stake in the Kipa business in Turkey 
following the receipt of all local regulatory approvals.

On 10 April 2017, the Group announced that its subsidiary, Tesco Stores Limited, had obtained Court approval and entered into a Deferred 
Prosecution Agreement (DPA) with the UK Serious Fraud Office (SFO) regarding historic accounting practices. On 28 March 2017, the  
Group also announced that it had agreed with the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to a finding of market abuse in relation to its 
trading statement announced on 29 August 2014. In making its finding, the FCA has expressly stated that it is not suggesting that the Tesco 
PLC Board of Directors knew, or could reasonably be expected to have known, that the information contained in that trading statement 
was false or misleading. The Group has agreed with the FCA (under its statutory powers) to establish a compensation scheme, which will 
compensate certain net purchasers of Tesco ordinary shares and listed bonds between 29 August 2014 and 19 September 2014 inclusive. 
The Group has taken a total exceptional charge of £235m in respect of the DPA of £129m, the expected costs of the compensation scheme 
of £85m, and related costs. This has been recorded in the financial statements in the year to 25 February 2017 as an adjusting post balance 
sheet event.

On 6 April 2017, the Group unwound its joint venture with British Land Company PLC (British Land). The Group obtained sole control of 
BLT Properties Limited through the acquisition of British Land’s 50% interest in the joint venture. The acquisition increased the Group’s 
owned property portfolio by £0.2bn, comprising seven stores. British Land obtained sole control of one store and one retail centre, 
previously held in the joint venture.

Note 36 Proposed Booker Group transaction

On 27 January 2017, the Group announced that it had reached an agreement on the terms of a recommended share and cash merger 
with Booker Group PLC. The transaction is subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals.

149

Financial statementsTesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Tesco PLC – Parent Company balance sheet

Non-current assets
Investments
Receivables
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 (including profit/(loss) for the year of £(247)m (2016: £(222)m))
Total equity

The notes on pages 152 to 157 form part of these financial statements.

Dave Lewis 
Alan Stewart

25 February
2017
£m

27 February
2016
£m

Notes

6
7
12

12
7
8
9

11
12
10

11
12

15

13,082
18
1,274
14,374

155
7,469
1,398
790
9,812

(840)
–
(4,978)
(5,818)
3,994

(5,440)
(466)
(5,906)
12,462

409
5,096
162
6,795
12,462

13,338
46
1,502
14,886

83
11,815
622
13
12,533

(1,778)
(2)
(6,350)
(8,130)
4,403

(5,993)
(614)
(6,607)
12,682

407
5,095
187
6,993
12,682

Directors 
The Parent Company financial statements on pages 150 to 157 were authorised for issue by the Directors on 11 April 2017 and are subject 
to the approval of the shareholders at the Annual General Meeting on 16 June 2017.

Tesco PLC
Registered number 00445790

150

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017 
 
 
 
 
Tesco PLC – Parent Company statement of changes in equity

At 27 February 2016
Loss for the year
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/(loss)
Transactions with owners
Purchase of treasury shares
Share-based payments
Issue of shares
Dividends
Total transactions with owners
At 25 February 2017

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

All other reserves

Share 
capital
£m
407
–

Share 
premium 
£m
5,095
–

Capital 
redemption 
reserves  
£m
16
–

Hedging 
reserves
£m
178
–

Treasury 
shares 
£m
(7)
–

Retained 
earnings
£m
6,993
(247)

–
–

–

–
–

–
–
2
–
2
409

–
–

–

–
–

–
–
1
–
1
5,096

–
–

–

–
–

–
–
–
–
–
16

166
(162)

(14)

(10)
(10)

–
–
–
–
–
168

–
–

–

–
–

(24)
9
–
–
(15)
(22)

–
–

–

–
(247)

–
49
–
–
49
6,795

Total 
equity
£m
12,682
(247)

166
(162)

(14)

(10)
(257)

(24)
58
3
–
37
12,462

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

The notes on pages 152 to 157 form part of these financial statements.

151

Financial statementsTesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Notes to the Parent Company financial statements

Note 1 Authorisation of financial statements  
and statement of compliance with FRS 101

is included in the income statement as interest receivable  
and similar income.

The Parent Company financial statements for the year ended  
25 February 2017 were approved by the Board of Directors on  
11 April 2017 and the balance sheet was signed on the Board’s  
behalf by Dave Lewis and Alan Stewart.

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 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.

The financial year represents the 52 weeks to 25 February 2017  
(prior financial year 52 weeks to 27 February 2016).

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.

Presentation changes to the Parent Company balance sheet
The Parent Company balance sheet includes an additional line item 
to better reflect the current and non-current categorisation of 
receivables. In the prior year the balance was presented on one line 
in the balance sheet, with additional information on the current and 
non-current categorisation included within the note.

Short-term investments
Short-term investments are recognised initially at fair value, and 
subsequently at amortised cost. All income from these investments 

Investments in subsidiaries and joint ventures
Investments in subsidiaries and joint ventures are stated at cost 
less, where appropriate, provisions for impairment.

Foreign currencies
Transactions in foreign currencies are translated 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 
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 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 item 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.

152

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Note 2 Accounting policies continued

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.

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 
remeasuring the derivative instrument is recognised directly  
in the Company statement of 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 remeasurement 
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 forecast 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.

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.

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.

Judgements and sources of estimation uncertainty
The preparation of the Company financial statements requires 
management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions  
in applying the Company’s accounting policies to determine the 
reported amounts of assets, 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.

Judgements
Critical judgements, apart from those involving estimations, are not 
applied in the preparation of the Company financial statements.

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.

Sources of estimation uncertainty 
The key assumptions about the future, and other key sources of 
estimation uncertainty at the reporting period end that may have 
a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying 
amount of assets and liabilities within the next financial year are 
discussed below.

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.

Impairment of investments
Where there are indicators of impairment, management performs 
an impairment test. Recoverable amounts for cash-generating 
units are the higher of fair value less costs of disposal, and value 
in use. Value in use is calculated from cash flow projections based 
on three year internal forecasts. The forecasts are extrapolated 
to five years based on management’s expectations, and beyond 
five years based on estimated long-term growth rates. Fair value  
is determined with the assistance of independent, professional 
valuers where appropriate.

153

Financial statementsTesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017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 14)
Share-based payment expense (Note 13)

2017 
£m
15
2
3
6
26

2016
£m
21
2
2
7
32

*  Wages and salaries include recharges from other Group companies for Tesco PLC related activities.

The average number of employees (all Directors of the Company) during the financial year was 11 (2016: 10).

The Schedule 5 requirements of SI 2008/410 for Directors’ remuneration are included within the Directors’ Remuneration Report on  
pages 57 to 73.

Note 5 Dividends

For details of dividends see Note 8 in the Group financial statements.

Note 6 Investments

Cost
At 27 February 2016
Additions
Disposals
At 25 February 2017
Impairment
At 27 February 2016
Charge for the year
At 25 February 2017

Net carrying value
At 25 February 2017
At 27 February 2016

Shares 
in Group
undertakings
£m

Shares in 
joint  
ventures
£m

16,403
32
(9)
16,426

(3,074)
(279)
(3,353)

13,073
13,329

9
–
–
9

–
–
–

9
9

Total
£m

16,412
32
(9)
16,435

(3,074)
(279)
(3,353)

13,082
13,338

On 6 April 2017, the Company disposed of its £9m investment in a UK property joint venture. Refer to Note 17.

The list of the Company’s subsidiary undertakings and joint ventures is shown on pages 158 to 165. 

Note 7 Receivables 

Amounts owed by Group undertakings*
Amounts owed by joint ventures and associates
Other receivables

Of which:
Current
Non-current

2017 
£m
7,428
18
41
7,487

7,469
18
7,487

2016
£m
11,770
46
45
11,861

11,815
46
11,861

*  Amounts owed by Group undertakings are either interest-bearing or non interest-bearing depending on the type and duration of the receivable relationship.

154

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Note 8 Short-term investments

Short-term investments

Note 9 Cash and cash equivalents

2017 
£m
1,398

2016
£m
622

Included in cash and cash equivalents of £790m is an amount of £777m that has been set aside for completion of the merger with 
Booker Group PLC. This cash is not available to the Company and must be held in ring-fenced accounts until released jointly by the 
Company and its advisors on satisfaction of the completion terms of the merger as set out in the offering circular dated 27 January 
2017. Until that time, or if the merger is not completed, it remains an asset of the Company, and at the balance sheet date it was 
invested with a single financial institution at a floating rate of interest.

Note 10 Payables

Amounts owed to Group undertakings(a)
Other payables
Taxation and social security
Accruals and deferred income
Deferred tax liability(b)

2017 
£m
4,889
50
1
6
32
4,978

2016
£m
6,289
45
2
6
8
6,350

(a)  Amounts owed to Group undertakings are either interest-bearing or non interest-bearing depending on the type and duration of the creditor relationship.
(b)  The deferred tax asset/(liability) recognised by the Company, and the movements thereon, during the financial year are as follows:

At 27 February 2016
Charge to the income statement for the year
Movement in reserves for the year
At 25 February 2017

Note 11 Borrowings

Current

Bank loans and overdrafts
4% RPI MTN
5.875% MTN
2.7% USD Bond

5.5% USD Bond

Non-current

Financial 
instruments 
£m
(24)
–
(14)
(38)

Other 
timing 
differences 
£m
16
(10)
–
6

Par value

Maturity

£310m
€1,039m
$500m

Sep 2016
Sep 2016
Jan 2017

$850m

Nov 2017

2017
£m
131
–
–
–

709
840

Total 
£m
(8)
(10)
(14)
(32)

2016
£m
224
316
877
361

–
1,778

5.5% USD Bond
3.375% MTN
5.5% MTN
6.125% MTN
5% MTN
3.322% LPI MTN(a)
6% MTN
5.5% MTN
1.982% RPI MTN(b)
6.15% USD Bond
4.875% MTN
5.125% MTN
5.2% MTN

2016
£m
666
595
353
896
411
320
257
259
265
1,035
175
486
275
5,993
(a)  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 

Par value
$850m
€750m
£350m
£900m
£389m
£323m
£200m
£200m
£268m
$1,150m
£173m
€600m
£279m

Maturity
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

2017
£m
–
641
353
896
411
326
253
255
270
1,063
175
522
275
5,440

one year is 5%, with a minimum of 0%.

(b)  The 1.982% RPI MTN is redeemable at par, including indexation for increases in the RPI over the life of the MTN.

155

Financial statementsTesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017 
 
 
Notes to the Parent Company financial statements continued

Note 12 Derivative financial instruments

The fair value of derivative financial instruments has been disclosed in the Company’s balance sheet as:

2017

2016

Asset
£m
155
1,274
1,429

Liability
£m
–
(466)
(466)

Asset
£m
83
1,502
1,585

Liability
£m
(2)
(614)
(616)

2017

2016

Asset

Liability

Asset

Liability

Fair value
£m

Notional
£m

Fair value
£m

Notional 
£m

Fair value
£m

Notional
£m

Fair value
£m

Notional 
£m

16
386

–
296
162
–

569
–
1,429

65
791

–
907
591
–

3,339
–
5,693

–
(26)

–
–
–
–

(440)
–
(466)

–
408

–
–
–
–

3,339
–
3,747

17
280

–
650
117
–

513
8
1,585

65
1,377

–
1,713
890
–

3,339
232
7,616

–
–

(195)
–
–
–

(419)
(2)
(616)

–
–

400
–
–
–

3,339
65
3,804

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 not in a formal hedge relationship
Index-linked swaps
Forward contracts
Total 

Note 13 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 26 to 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:

For the year ended 25 February 2017

Outstanding at 27 February 2016
Granted
Forfeited
Exercised
Outstanding at 25 February 2017
Exercisable at 25 February 2017
Exercise price range (pence) 
Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)

For the year ended 27 February 2016

Savings-related
Share Option Scheme

Approved
Share Option Scheme

Unapproved
Share Option Scheme

Nil cost
share options

Options
23,840
–
–
–
23,840
–
–
–

WAEP
151.00
–
–
–
151.00
–
–
–

Options
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

WAEP
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

Options
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

Options
WAEP
5,079,088
–
5,511,106
–
–
–
–
(41,636)
– 10,548,558
2,250,252
–
–
–
–
–

Savings-related
Share Option Scheme

Approved
Share Option Scheme

Unapproved
Share Option Scheme

Nil cost
share options

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
–
–

WAEP
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
7.68

WAEP
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
8.61

156

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017 
 
 
Note 14 Pensions

The total cost of participation in defined benefit pension schemes (now closed to future accrual and new members) to the Company 
was £nil (2016: £2.0m). The total cost of participation in the Tesco Retirement Savings Plan (a defined contribution scheme) to the 
Company was £2.9m (2016: £0.1m). Further disclosure relating to all schemes can be found in Note 27 to the Group financial statements.

Note 15 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

2017
Ordinary shares of 
5p each

2016
Ordinary shares of 
5p each

Number

£m

Number

8,141,083,114
849,439
33,000,000
8,174,932,553

407 8,122,991,499
591,615
17,500,000
409 8,141,083,114

–
2

£m

406
–
1
407

During the financial year, 0.8 million (2016: 0.6 million) ordinary shares of 5p each were issued in relation to share options for an aggregate 
consideration of £1m (2016: £1m) and 33.0 million (2016: 17.5 million) ordinary shares of 5p each were issued in relation to share bonus awards.

Between 26 February 2017 and 5 April 2017, options over 110,014 ordinary shares were exercised under the terms of the Savings-related 
Share Option Scheme (1981) and the Irish Savings-related Share Option Scheme (2000). Between 26 February 2017 and 5 April 2017, no 
options have been exercised under the Discretionary Share Option Plan (2004).

As at 25 February 2017, the Directors were authorised to purchase up to a maximum in aggregate of 814.1 million (2016: 812.3 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 16 Contingent liabilities

In addition to the contingent liabilities shown in Note 32 to the Group financial statements, the Company has entered into financial 
guarantee contracts to guarantee the indebtedness of Group undertakings amounting to £2,534m (2016: £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.

The Company also has joint responsibility for the compensation scheme disclosed in Note 17.

Note 17 Events after the reporting period

On 10 April 2017, the Group announced that its subsidiary, Tesco Stores Limited, had obtained Court approval and entered into a 
Deferred Prosecution Agreement (DPA) with the UK Serious Fraud Office (SFO) regarding historic accounting practices. On 28 March 
2017, the Group also announced that it had agreed with the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to a finding of market abuse in relation  
to its trading statement announced on 29 August 2014. In making its finding, the FCA has expressly stated that it is not suggesting  
that the Tesco PLC Board of Directors knew, or could reasonably be expected to have known, that the information contained in  
that trading statement was false or misleading. The Group has agreed with the FCA (under its statutory powers) to establish a 
compensation scheme which will compensate certain net purchasers of Tesco ordinary shares and listed bonds between 29 August 
2014 and 19 September 2014 inclusive. The expected costs of the compensation scheme of £85m are the joint responsibility of Tesco 
PLC and Tesco Stores Limited. These have been recorded in the financial statements of Tesco Stores Limited and therefore no provision 
has been recorded in the financial statements of Tesco PLC.

On 6 April 2017, the Company disposed of its 50% investment in a UK property joint venture. See Note 35 to the Group financial statements.

157

Financial statementsTesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017 
Related undertakings of the Tesco Group

In accordance with Section 409 of the Companies Act 2006 and Schedule 4 of The Large and Medium-sized Companies and Groups 
(Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008, a full list of related undertakings, registered office address and the percentage of share  
class owned as at 25 February 2017 are disclosed below. All undertakings are indirectly owned by Tesco PLC unless otherwise stated.

Subsidiary undertakings incorporated in the United Kingdom

Registered 
address

Name of undertaking
Acklam Management Company 
Limited
Adminstore Limited

Class of share held
Limited by 
Guarantee
£0.01 A Ordinary
£0.01 B Ordinary
£0.01 C Ordinary
£1.00 Ordinary
£1.00 Ordinary

£1.00 Deferred
£1.00 Ordinary
£1.00 10% 
Preference (Class B)
£1.00 Ordinary
£1.00 Variable 
Preference (Class C)
£0.90 Ordinary
Limited by 
Guarantee

£1.00 Ordinary
Limited by 
Guarantee
£1.00 Ordinary

£1.00 Ordinary

£1.00 Ordinary

£1.00 Ordinary

£1.00 Ordinary
£1.00 Ordinary
£1.00 Cumulative 
Redeemable 
Preference
£1.00 Ordinary
Limited by 
Guarantee
Limited by 
Guarantee

£0.001 Non-
Cumulative 
Preference
£0.001 Ordinary
£0.001 Ordinary A
£0.01053258724 
Ordinary
£1.00 Ordinary
£0.10 Ordinary
£1.00 Ordinary
£1.00 Ordinary
£1.00 Cumulative 
Convertible 
Participating 
Preferred Ordinary
£1.00 Cumulative 
Redeemable 
Preference
£1.00 Ordinary
£0.001 A Ordinary
£0.001 B Ordinary
£0.001 C Ordinary
£0.001 Convertible
£0.25 Non-Voting 
Ordinary

% held  
by Group
–

100
100
100
100
100

100
100
100

100
100

100
–

100
–

100

100

100

100

100
100
100

100
–

–

100

100
100
100

100
100
100
100
100

100

100
100
100
100
100
100

Name of undertaking
dunnhumby Employment 
Company Limited
dunnhumby Holding Limited
dunnhumby International 
Limited
dunnhumby Limited

dunnhumby Overseas Limited
dunnhumby Trustees Limited
Europa Foods Limited
Faraday Properties Limited
Food & Wine Lovers Limited
Gibbs News Limited
Gibbs Newsagents Limited

Halesworth SPV Limited
Harts the Grocers  
(Russell Square) Limited
Harts the Grocers (TCR) 
Limited
Highams Green Management 
Company Limited
J E Properties Holdings 
Limited(l)
J.E. Cohen & Company Limited
KSS Retail Limited
Launchgrain Limited†
Laws Stores Limited(l)

Linebush III Holdings Limited(l)
Linebush III Limited

Linebush IV Limited

Linebush Limited

Linebush V Limited

London and Home Counties 
Superstores Limited

M & W Limited
Mills (East Midlands) Limited
Mills (West Midlands) Limited
Mills Group Holdings Limited(l)
Mills Group Limited

Registered 
address

5

5
5

5

5
5
1
6
1
2
2

1
1

1

1

1

1
5
1
1

2
2

2

2

2

1

2
2
2
2
2

Class of share held
£1.00 Ordinary

% held  
by Group
100

£1.00 Ordinary
£1.00 Ordinary

£3.59 Ordinary

£1.00 Ordinary
£1.00 Ordinary
£1.00 Ordinary
£1.00 Ordinary
£1.00 Ordinary
£1.00 Ordinary
£1.00 A Cumulative 
Redeemable 
Preference
£1.00 A Ordinary
£1.00 B Cumulative 
Redeemable 
Preference
£1.00 B Ordinary
£1.00 D Ordinary
£1.00 Deferred
£1.00 Ordinary
£1.00 Ordinary

£1.00 Ordinary

Limited by 
Guarantee
£1.00 Ordinary

£1.00 Ordinary
£0.001 Ordinary
£1.00 Ordinary
£1.00 3.5% 
Cumulative 
Preference
£1.00 5.25% 
Cumulative 
Preference
£1.00 Ordinary
£1.00 Ordinary
£1.00 Ordinary A
£1.00 Ordinary B
£0.01 Ordinary A
£1.20 Ordinary B
£0.01 Ordinary C
£0.01 A Ordinary
£1.00 B Ordinary
£0.01 C Ordinary
£1.20 Ordinary A
£1.20 Ordinary B
£1.00 Ordinary A
£1.00 Ordinary B
£1.00 Redeemable 
Cumulative 
Preference
£0.10 Ordinary
£1.00 Ordinary
£1.00 Ordinary
£1.00 Ordinary
£1.00 Ordinary

100
100

100

100
100
100
100
100
100
100

100
100

100
100
100
100
100

100

–

100

100
100
100
100 

100

100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100

100
100
100
100
100

1

1

1
2

2

2

1
1

1
1

1

1

1

1

1
1
1

1

1

2

1

1
1
1
96
2

1

2

Adsega Limited†
Alfred Preedy & Sons  
(Trustees) Limited
Alfred Preedy & Sons Limited

Anthony Heagney Limited

Armitage Finance Unlimited
Bath Upper Bristol Road 
Management Company 
Limited
Beehythe Estates Limited
Berry Lane Management 
Company Limited
Broughton Retail  
Nominee 1 Limited
Broughton Retail  
Nominee 2 Limited
Broughton Retail  
Nominee 3 Limited
Broughton Retail  
Nominee 4 Limited
Bugden Limited†
Buttoncable Limited
Buttoncase Limited†

Canterbury Road  
Management Limited
Cardiff Cathays Terrace 
Management Company 
Limited
Careneed News Limited

Cheshunt Finance Unlimited

Comar Limited†
Cullen’s Holdings Limited
Cullen’s Stores Limited
Daily Wrap Produce Limited†(l)
Day and Nite Stores Limited 

Delamare One Limited†

Dillons Newsagents Limited

158

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Name of undertaking
Morgam Holdings Limited

Morgam News Limited
Motorcause Limited
NutriCentre Limited
Oakwood Distribution Limited
One Stop Community  
Stores Limited
One Stop Convenience  
Stores Limited
One Stop Stores Limited†(a)
One Stop Stores Trustee 
Services Limited
Orpington (Station Road) 
Limited
Oxford Fox and Hounds 
Management Company 
Limited
Paper Chain (East Anglia) 
Limited 

PTLL Limited
Seacroft Green  
Nominee 1 Limited
Seacroft Green  
Nominee 2 Limited 
Snowman Retail 1 Limited
Snowman Retail 2 Limited
Sociomantic Labs Limited
Spen Hill Developments 
(Holdings) Limited
Spen Hill Developments 
Limited
Spen Hill Management  
Limited†(b)
Spen Hill Properties (Holdings) 
plc†
Spen Hill Regeneration Limited
Spen Hill Residential No 1 
Limited
Spen Hill Residential No 2 
Limited
Station House Welling 
Management Limited
Statusfloat Limited
Stewarts Supermarkets 
Limited†
T & S Management  
Services Limited
T & S Properties Limited
T & S Stores Limited†
Tapesilver Limited†
Teesport (GP) Limited
Teesport (Nominee) Limited
Tesco (Overseas) 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

Registered 
address

2

2
1
1
1
2

2

2
2

1

1

2

1
1

1

2
2
8
1

1

1

1

1
1

1

1

1
1

2

2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1

1

1

1

Class of share held
£1.00 Non-
Cumulative 
Preference
£1.00 Ordinary
£1.00 Ordinary
£1.00 Ordinary
£0.10 Ordinary
£1.00 Ordinary
£1.00 Ordinary

£1.00 Ordinary

£1.00 Ordinary
£1.00 Ordinary

£1.00 Ordinary

Limited by 
Guarantee

£1.00 Deferred
US$0.001 Ordinary 
£1.00 Ordinary
£1.00 Ordinary

£1.00 Ordinary

£1.00 Ordinary
£1.00 Ordinary
£1.00 Ordinary
£1.00 Ordinary

£1.00 Ordinary

£1.00 Ordinary

£1.00 Ordinary

£1.00 Ordinary
£1.00 Ordinary

£1.00 Ordinary

Limited by 
Guarantee
£1.00 Ordinary
£1.00 Ordinary

£1.00 Ordinary

£1.00 Ordinary
£0.05 Ordinary
£1.00 Ordinary
£1.00 Ordinary
£1.00 Ordinary
£1.00 Ordinary
£1.00 Ordinary
£1.00 Ordinary
£1.00 Ordinary
£1.00 A Ordinary
£1.00 B Ordinary
£1.00 Ordinary

£1.00 Ordinary

£1.00 Ordinary

% held  
by Group
100

100
100
100
100
100
100

100

100
100

100

–

100
100
100
100

100

100
100
100
100

100

100

100

100
100

100

–

100
100

100

100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100

100

100

Name of undertaking
Tesco Atrato (1LP) Limited
Tesco Barbers Wood Limited†(c)
Tesco Blue (3LP) Limited
Tesco Blue (FinCo2) Limited
Tesco Blue (GP) Limited

Tesco Blue (Nominee 1) 
Limited
Tesco Blue (Nominee 2) 
Limited
Tesco Blue (Nominee Holdco) 
Limited
Tesco Card Services Limited†(l)
Tesco Corporate Treasury 
Services PLC†
Tesco Depot Propco Limited
Tesco Distribution  
Holdings Limited

Tesco Distribution Limited
Tesco Dorney (1LP) Limited
Tesco Employees’ Share 
Scheme Trustees Limited†(e)
Tesco Estates Limited† 
Tesco Family Dining Limited
Tesco FFC Limited
Tesco Food Sourcing Limited
Tesco Freetime Limited
Tesco Fuchsia (3LP) Limited
Tesco Gateshead Property 
Limited
Tesco High Beech Limited†(c)
Tesco Holdings Limited†

Tesco Hungary (Holdings) 
Limited†(l)
Tesco International Internet 
Retailing Limited†
Tesco International  
Services Limited†
Tesco Kirkby  
(General Partner) Limited

Tesco Kirkby (LP) Limited
Tesco Kirkby  
(Unitholder1) Limited
Tesco Kirkby  
(Unitholder2) Limited
Tesco Lagoon GP Limited
Tesco Maintenance Limited
Tesco Mobile  
Communications Limited†
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
Tesco Opticians Limited
Tesco Overseas  
Investments Limited†

Registered 
address

1
1
1
1
1

1

1

1

1
1

1
1

1
1
1

1
1
1
1
1
1
1

1
1

1

1

1

1

1
1

1

6
1
1

1
1
1

1

1

1

1

1
1

Class of share held
£1.00 Ordinary
£1.00 Ordinary
£1.00 Ordinary
£1.00 Ordinary
£1.00 A Ordinary
£1.00 B Ordinary(d)
£1.00 Ordinary

% held  
by Group
100
100
100
100
100
100
100

£1.00 Ordinary

£1.00 Ordinary

£1.00 Ordinary
£1.00 Ordinary

£1.00 Ordinary
£1.00 Ordinary

£1.00 Ordinary
£1.00 Ordinary
£1.00 Ordinary

£1.00 Ordinary
£1.00 Ordinary
£0.01 Ordinary
£1.00 Ordinary
£1.00 Ordinary
£1.00 Ordinary
£1.00 Ordinary

£1.00 Ordinary
£0.10 Ordinary

£1.00 Preference
£1.00 Ordinary

£1.00 Ordinary

£1.00 Ordinary

£1.00 Ordinary

£1.00 Ordinary
£1.00 Ordinary

£1.00 Ordinary

£1.00 Ordinary
£1.00 Ordinary
£1.00 Ordinary

£1.00 Ordinary
£1.00 Ordinary
£1.00 Ordinary A
£1.00 Ordinary B(d)
£1.00 Ordinary

£1.00 Ordinary

£1.00 Ordinary

£1.00 Ordinary

£1.00 Ordinary
£1.00 Ordinary

100

100

100
100

100
100

100
100
100

100
100
100
100
100
100
100

100
100

100
100

100

100

100

100
100

100

100
100
100

100
100
100
100
100

100

100

100

100
100

159

Financial statementsTesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Related undertakings of the Tesco Group continued

Name of undertaking
Tesco Property Nominees  
(No.6) Limited
Tesco Property Partner  
(GP) Limited†

Tesco Property Partner  
(No.1) Limited†
Tesco Property Partner  
(No.2) Limited†
Tesco Red (3LP) Limited
Tesco Red (GP) Limited

Tesco Red (Nominee 1) Limited
Tesco Red (Nominee 2) Limited
Tesco Red  
(Nominee Holdco) Limited
Tesco Sarum (1LP) Limited
Tesco Seacroft Limited
Tesco Secretaries Limited
Tesco Services Limited
Tesco Stores Limited

Tesco Treasury Services PLC†
Tesco Worldwide Limited†(l)
The Teesport  
Limited Partnership
The Tesco Aqua  
Limited Partnership
The Tesco Blue  
Limited Partnership
The Tesco Kirkby  
Limited Partnership
The Tesco Navona  
Limited Partnership
The Tesco Passaic  
Limited Partnership
The Tesco Property  
Limited Partnership
The Tesco Red  
Limited Partnership
Trigger Retail Limited
Ventnor High Street 
Management Company 
Limited
Verulam Properties  
(2001) Limited(l)
Verulam Properties Limited
Weymouth Avenue  
(Dorchester) Limited
Wm. Low Supermarkets 
Limited
Worple Road PLC

Registered 
address

1

1

1

1

1
1

1
1
1

1
1
1
1
1

1
1
1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

2
1

1

1
1

6

1

Class of share held
£1.00 Ordinary

% held  
by Group
100

£1.00 A Ordinary
£1.00 B Ordinary
£1.00 Ordinary

£1.00 Ordinary

£1.00 Ordinary
£1.00 A Ordinary
£1.00 B Ordinary
£1.00 Ordinary
£1.00 Ordinary
£1.00 Ordinary

£1.00 Ordinary
£1.00 Ordinary
£1.00 Ordinary
£1.00 Ordinary
£1.00 A Preference
£1.00 B Preference
£1.00 Ordinary
£1.00 Ordinary
£1.00 Ordinary
Limited Partnership

Limited Partnership

Limited Partnership

Limited Partnership

Limited Partnership

Limited Partnership

Limited Partnership

Limited Partnership

£1.00 Ordinary
Limited by 
Guarantee

£1.00 Ordinary

£1.00 Ordinary
£1.00 Ordinary

£1.00 Ordinary

£1.00 Ordinary

100
100
100

100

100
100
100
100
100
100

100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100
–

100

100
100

100

100

Class of share held
£0.00000025 A 
Ordinary
£0.00000025 B 
Ordinary 
£0.00000025 C 
Ordinary
£0.00000025 D 
Ordinary
£0.00000025 E 
Ordinary
£0.00000025 F 
Ordinary
£0.00000025 G 
Ordinary
£0.00000025 H 
Ordinary
£0.00000025 J 
Ordinary
£0.00000025 K 
Ordinary
£0.00000025 L 
Ordinary
£0.00000025 M 
Ordinary
£0.00000025 N 
Ordinary
£0.00000025 O 
Ordinary
£0.00000025 P 
Ordinary
£1.00 Ordinary 
£1.00 Ordinary A
£1.00 Ordinary B(d)
£1.00 Ordinary

£1.00 Ordinary

£1.00 Ordinary

£1.00 Ordinary

£0.01 B Preference
£0.01 Ordinary
£0.01 Preferred 
Ordinary
£1.00 Ordinary
£1.00 Ordinary
£1.00 Ordinary

£1.00 Ordinary

£0.10 A Ordinary
£0.10 B Ordinary

£0.10 C Ordinary
£0.10 Ordinary
£1.00 Ordinary

£1.00 Ordinary

£1.00 Ordinary

£1.00 Ordinary

£1.00 Ordinary
£1.00 Ordinary
£1.00 Ordinary

£1.00 Ordinary

£1.00 Ordinary

% held  
by Group
100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100
100
100
100

100

100

100

100
100
100

100
100
100

100

100
100

100
100
100

100

100

100

100
100
100

100

100

Name of undertaking
Tesco Overseas ULC

Registered 
address

1

1
1

1

1

1

1

1
1
1

1
1
1

1

10

10
11

11

11

1

1

1

1

1

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
Tesco PEG Limited

Tesco PENL Limited
Tesco Pension (Jade) Limited(d)
Tesco Pension  
Investment Limited(d)
Tesco Pension Trustees 
Limited†(f)
Tesco Personal Finance  
Group Limited†

Tesco Personal Finance PLC
Tesco Property  
(Nominees) (No.1) Limited
Tesco Property  
(Nominees) (No.2) Limited
Tesco Property  
(Nominees) Limited
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

160

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017International subsidiary undertakings 

Registered 
address
28

Class of share held
£1.00 Ordinary

% held  
by Group
100

No par value 
Ordinary shares
£1.00 Ordinary

100

99.994

Name of undertaking
Arena (Jersey)  
Management Limited†
Armitage Luxembourg s.à.r.l.(j)

Cheshunt Holdings  
Guernsey Limited†
Cheshunt Hungary Servicing 
Limited Liability Company
China Property Holdings  
(HK) Limited
Chirac Limited
Cirrus Finance (2009) Limited

Cirrus Finance Limited
Cirrus Luxembourg s.à.r.l.(j)

Clondalkin Properties Limited
Commercial Investments 
Limited
Crest Ostrava a.s

Delamare Holdings B.V.
Delamare Luxembourg s.à.r.l.(j)

Department store Brno s.r.o.

Department store HK s.r.o.

Department store  
Pardubice s.r.o.
Department store Plzeň s.r.o.

dunnhumby (Korea) Limited

dunnhumby (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd
dunnhumby (Thailand) Limited
dunnhumby Brazil  
Consultora Ltda
dunnhumby Colombia S.A.S.

dunnhumby Computer 
Information Technology and 
Consultancy Services LLC
dunnhumby Consulting  
Canada Limited
dunnhumby Consulting 
Services India Private Limited
dunnhumby Czech s.r.o

dunnhumby France SAS
dunnhumby Hungary Kft

dunnhumby Information 
Technology Consulting 
(Shanghai) Company Limited
dunnhumby Ireland Limited
dunnhumby IT Services  
India Private Limited
dunnhumby Italia Srl.
dunnhumby Japan K.K
dunnhumby Mexico  
S. de R.L. de C.V.
dunnhumby Poland Sp z.o.o

29

18

22

20

24
24

24
29

24
24

16

31
29

16

16

16

16

70

72
77
61

60

62

63

64

16

65
22

66

71
67

68
69
73

HUF 100,000 Quota

HKD 1.00 Ordinary

€1.25 Ordinary
£1,000 A Ordinary
€1.00 Ordinary
£1,000 Ordinary
No par value 
Ordinary shares
€1.25 Ordinary
€1.25 Ordinary

CZK 100,000 
Ordinary
€1.00 Ordinary
No par value 
Ordinary shares
CZK 100,000 
Ordinary

CZK 100,000 
Ordinary
CZK 100,000 
Ordinary
CZK 100,000 
Ordinary
KRW 5,000.00 
Ordinary
RM 1.00 Ordinary
THB 100.00 Ordinary
BRL$1.00 Ordinary

COP$2,000.00  
Type A
COP$41.00 Type B
COP$1.00 Type C
TL 25.00 Ordinary

CAD$0.01 Ordinary

INR 10.00 Ordinary

CZK 200,000 Basic 
business
€2.00 Ordinary
Registered capital 
HUF 3,000,000
Registered capital 
US$140,000

€1.00 Ordinary
INR 10.00 Ordinary

€1.00 Common
JPY 10,000 Ordinary
MXN 1.00 Common

100

100

100
100
100
100
100

100
100

100

100
100

100

100

100

100

100

100
100
100

100

100
100
100

100

100

100

100
100

100

100
100

100
100
100

100

35

PLN 50.00 Ordinary

Name of undertaking
dunnhumby Slovakia s.r.o.
dunnhumby  
South Africa (Pty) Ltd
dunnhumby Inc

dunnhumby Ventures LLC
Edson Investments Limited
Edson Properties Limited
Ek-Chai  
Distribution System Co., Ltd.*
ELH Insurance Limited
Genesis sp. z.o.o.
Golden Island Management 
Services Limited

Jasper Sp. z.o.o.
Kabaty Investments Tesco 
(Polska) Sp. z.o.o. Sp.k
Lekáreň Tesco  
Dunajská Streda, k.s.
Lekáreň Tesco Petržalka, k.s.
Lekáreň Tesco Piešt’any, k.s.
Lekáreň Tesco Prešov Vukov, k.s.
Lekáreň Tesco Senec, k.s.
Lekáreň Tesco Trenčín, s.r.o.
Lekáreň Tesco  
Banská Bystrica, k.s.
Lekáreň Tesco Košice, k.s.
Lekáreň Tesco Lamač, k.s.
Lekáreň Tesco Nitra, k.s.
Lekáreň Tesco  
Spišská Nová Ves, k.s.
Lekáreň Tesco Trnava, k.s.
Lekáreň Tesco Zlaté Piesky, k.s.
Lekáreň Tesco Zvolen, k.s.
Letňany Development  
land 1 s.r.o.
Letňany Development  
land 2 s.r.o.
Marine Coffee Company  
Holdings Limited
Marine Coffee Company 
Nominees Limited
Monread Developments 
Limited
Nabola Development Limited

Obchodný dom Bratislava, s.r.o

Obchodný dom Košice, s.r.o.

Obchodný dom Nitra, s.r.o.

Obchodný dom Prešov, s.r.o.

Old FEHC Inc.

Old FENM Inc.†
Old FEPC LLC†
Orpingford
PEJ Property  
Developments Limited
Pharaway Properties Limited
R.J.D. Holdings

Registered 
address
75
76

78

79
24
24
37

19
35
24

35
35

59

59
59
59
59
59
59

59
59
59
59

59
59
59
16

16

25

25

24

24

59

59

59

59

39

39
39
24
24

Class of share held
No shares in issue
No par value 
Ordinary
No par value 
Common stock
–
€2.00 Ordinary
€1.00 Ordinary
THB 10.00 Ordinary

£1.00 Ordinary 
PLN 500.00 Ordinary
€1.269738 A Ordinary
€1.269738 Ordinary
PLN 100.00 Ordinary
PLN Partnership 
Interests
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
Limited Partnership
CZK 100,000 
Ordinary
CZK 100,000 
Ordinary
€1.00 Ordinary

€1.00 Ordinary

€0.001 Ordinary

€1.25 A Ordinary
€1.25 B Ordinary
€1.00 Registered 
capital 
€1.00 Registered 
capital 
€1.00 Registered 
capital
€1.00 Registered 
capital
US$0.01 Common 
Stock
US$0.01 Ordinary 
US$0.01 Equity 
€1.00 Ordinary
€1.00 Ordinary

24
24

€1.00 Ordinary
€1.269738 Ordinary

% held  
by Group
–
100

100

100
100
100
99.9

100
100
100
100
100
100

100

100
100
100
100
100
100

100
100
100
100

100
100
100
100

100

100

100

100

100
100
100

100

100

100

100

100
100
100
100

100
100

161

Financial statementsTesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Related undertakings of the Tesco Group continued

Class of share held
CZK 100,000 
Ordinary
€130,000 Registered 
Capital
SEK 1 Ordinary
€100.00 Ordinary
€1.00 Ordinary
US$50.00 Common 
Stock
TRY 25.00 Ordinary

RUR 1.00 Ordinary
INR 10.00 Ordinary

S$1.00 Ordinary
KC 1.00 Ordinary
€100.00 Ordinary
R$1.00 Ordinary

PLN 50.00 Ordinary
€1.00 Ordinary
£1.00 Ordinary
PLN 500.00 Ordinary
HUF 100,000 Quotas

INR 10.00 Ordinary

£0.50 A Ordinary
£0.50 B Ordinary
£0.01 Preference 
– Guaranteed fixed 
rate cumulative 
preference
£0.01 Preferred 
Ordinary
£0.01 Floating Rate 
Redeemable 
Preference†
£1.00 Ordinary
CLP 1.00 Ordinary

US$ 1.00 Ordinary
SGD 1.00 Ordinary
PLN 50.00 Ordinary
CZK 1.00 Ordinary
€1.00 Ordinary
BRL 1.00 Ordinary

No par value basic 
capital
CZK 2,000,000 
Ordinary
HUF 10.00 Common

THB 100.00 Ordinary

US$ 1.00 Ordinary

€1.00 Ordinary
€1.00 Ordinary 

€1.00 Ordinary 

HKD 10.00 Ordinary

Name of undertaking
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.*(h)
Tesco Mauritius Holdings 
Limited
Tesco Mobile  
(Thailand) Co. Limited
Tesco Mobile Polska Sp. z.o.o.
Tesco Property (No. 1) Limited
Tesco Property Limited

Tesco Sourcing India  
Private Limited 
Tesco Stores (Malaysia) Sdn 
Bhd*(i)

Tesco Stores (Thailand) 
Limited*

Tesco Stores ČR a.s.
Tesco Stores SR, a.s.
Tesco Technology Services  
HK Limited
Tesco Trustee Company  
of Ireland Limited†
Thundridge
Valiant Insurance Company 
DAC
Victoria BB Sp. z.o.o.
Wanze Properties  
(Dundalk) Limited
WSC Properties Limited

Registered 
address
24
24

Class of share held
€1.25 Ordinary
€1.25 Ordinary

% held  
by Group
100
100

14

38

US$ 1.00 Ordinary

100

TRL 1.00 A
TRL 1.00 B

98.67
95.495

30

£1.00 Ordinary

37

35
28
15

97

48

37

16
59
21

24

24
26

35
24

THB 100.00 Ordinary

PLN 50.00 Ordinary
£1.00 Ordinary
US$ 1.00 Registered 
Capital
INR 10.00 Ordinary

RM 1.00 A Ordinary

RM 10.00 Non-
Convertible 
Non-Cumulative 
Irredeemable 
Preference Shares
THB 10.00 A Ordinary
THB 10.00 B 
Preference
THB 10.00 C 
Preference
CZK 1000 Ordinary
€33,193.92 Ordinary
HKD 1.00 Ordinary

€1.25 Ordinary

€1.00 Ordinary
£1.00 Ordinary

PLN 800.00 Ordinary
€1.00 Ordinary

24

€1.00 Ordinary

100

100

100
100
100

100

100

100

100
<0.001

100

100
100
100

100

100
100

100
100

100

% held  
by Group
100

100

100
100
100
100

100

100
100

100
100
100
100

100
100
100
100
100

100

100
100
100

100

100

100
100

100
100
100
100
100
100

100

100

99.9

100

100

100
100

100

100

100

24

€1.25 Ordinary

Name of undertaking
Seberov site s.r.o.

Shuke Advertising  
(Shanghai) Co., Ltd
Sociomantic Labs AB
Sociomantic Labs B.V.
Sociomantic labs GmbH
Sociomantic Labs Inc

Sociomantic Labs Internet 
Hizmetleri Limited Şireketi
Sociomantic Labs LLC
Sociomantic Labs  
Private Limited
Sociomantic Labs Pte Ltd
Sociomantic Labs s.r.o.
Sociomantic Labs SARL
Sociomantic Labs Servicos  
Web Ltda
Sociomantic Labs Sp. z.o.o.
Sociomantic S.L.U.
Tesco (Jersey) Limited†
Tesco (Polska) Sp. z.o.o.
Tesco Akadémia Képzési  
és Fejlesztési Korátolt 
Felelősségű Társaság
Tesco Bengalaru Private 
Limited
Tesco Capital No. 1 Limited†

Registered 
address

16

95

91
86
80
94

92

88
84

89
82
83
81

87
90
28
35
22

23

28

Tesco Capital No. 2 Limited

28

13

36
35
16
32
12

59

16 

22

37

20

31
59

59

20

Tesco Chile Sourcing Limitada

Tesco Digital Ventures Pte Ltd
Tesco Dystrybucja Sp. z.o.o
Tesco EU IT Services s.r.o.
Tesco Europe B.V.
Tesco Food Sourcing Brazil 
Consultoria De Negoçios Ltda.
Tesco Foundation  
(Nadacia Tesco)
Tesco Franchise Stores ČR s.r.o.

Tesco-Global Stores Privately 
Held Company Limited
Tesco Global Employment 
Company Limited
Tesco Guangdong  
(HK) Co. Limited
Tesco Holdings B.V.
Tesco International  
Clothing Brand s.r.o.
Tesco International  
Franchising s.r.o.
Tesco International  
Sourcing Limited
Tesco Ireland  
Holdings Limited†(g)

162

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Subsidiary undertakings in liquidation
The following subsidiary undertakings were incorporated in  
the United Kingdom

Registered 
address

Name of undertaking
Blinkbox Books Limited
Bedminster Estates Limited
Brian Ford’s Discount Store 
Limited
Cheshunt Overseas LLP

Country Market Limited (The)
Crazy Prices†
Flitwick Pharmacies Limited
Honiton Wholesale Supplies 
Limited
Kingsway Fresh Foods Limited†
Launchtable Limited†
Lee (Southern) Limited
Lowfoods Limited

NPL (Hardgate) Limited
Power Supermarkets Limited 
Premier Garage (Worthing) 
Limited
Pulford Foods Limited
S.Bottomley and Bros.,Limited 

Sanders Supermarkets Limited

Sarcon (No. 239) Limited
Spen Hill Developments 
(Portishead) Limited
Spen Hill Developments 
(Tonbridge) Limited
Spen Hill Properties 
(Southend) Limited
Telegraph Properties (Kirkby) 
Limited
Tesco.Com Limited†
Tesco (Foxtrot 1) Limited
Tesco (Foxtrot 2) Limited
Tesco (Yorkshire) Limited 
Tesco Fuel Limited 
Tesco Home Shopping Limited†

Tesco Kirkby  
(Nominee 1) Limited
Tesco Kirkby  
(Nominee 2) Limited
Tesco Kirkby (Nominee Holdco) 
Limited
Tesco Overseas (Holdings) 
Limited†
Tesco PEIP Limited
Tesco PEL Limited
Tesco Personal Finance 
Compare Limited
Value House Properties 
Limited
Whitecastle Properties Limited

3
3
3

3

1
4
1
3

4
1
2
6

9
1
3

3
 1

 1

100
1

1

1

3

1
1
1
1
1
1

1

1

1

1

1
1
9

3

9

Class of share held
£0.001 Ordinary
£1.00 Ordinary
£1.00 Ordinary

% held  
by Group
100
100
100

Limited Liability 
Partnership
£1.00 Ordinary
£1.00 Ordinary
£1.00 Ordinary
£1.00 Ordinary

£1.00 Ordinary
£1.00 Ordinary
£1.00 Ordinary
£1.00 2% Non-
Cumulative 
Preference
£1.00 Ordinary
£1.00 Ordinary
£1.00 Ordinary
£1.00 Ordinary

£1.00 Ordinary
£10.00 Deferred
£1.00 Ordinary
£1.00 Non-voting 
Ordinary
£0.50 Ordinary
£1.00 Preference
£1.00 Ordinary
£1.00 Ordinary

£1.00 Ordinary

£1.00 Ordinary

£1.00 Ordinary

£1.00 Ordinary
£1.00 Ordinary
£1.00 Ordinary
£1.00 Ordinary
£1.00 Ordinary
£1.00 A Ordinary
£1.00 B Ordinary
£1.00 Ordinary

£1.00 Ordinary

£1.00 Ordinary

£1.00 Ordinary

£1.00 Ordinary
£1.00 Ordinary
£1.00 Ordinary

£1.00 Ordinary

£1.00 Ordinary

100

100
100
100
100

100
100
99.975
100

100
100
100
100

100
100
100
100

100
100
100
100

100

100

100

100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100

100

100

100

100
100
100

100

100

The following subsidiary undertakings were incorporated outside 
of the United Kingdom

Name of undertaking
dunnhumby Netherlands BV
Sociomantic Labs S.r.l in 
liquidazione
Tesco Aqua (1LP) Limited
Tesco Blue (1LP) Limited
Tesco Fuchsia (1LP) Limited 
Tesco Red (1LP) Limited 
Tesco Vin Plus S.A. 

Registered 
address
74
85

Class of share held
€1.00 Ordinary
Quota shares

% held  
by Group
100
100

40
40
40
40
17

£1.00 Ordinary
£1.00 Ordinary
£1.00 Ordinary
£1.00 Ordinary
€1.60 Ordinary

100
100
100
100
100

Associated undertakings
The following associated undertakings were incorporated in the 
United Kingdom

Name of undertaking
BLT Holdings 2010 Limited†*(k)
Broadfields Management 
Limited
Clarepharm Limited
Shire Park Limited
Tesco Atrato (GP) Limited*

Tesco Coral (GP) Limited*
Tesco Dorney (GP) Limited*
Tesco Jade (GP) Limited

Tesco Mobile 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

Registered 
address
54
55

Class of share held
£1.00 Ordinary A
£0.10 Ordinary

% held  
by Group
100
35.3

56
57
1

1
1
99

1

1

1
58
1

1

1

27

1

£0.10 Ordinary
£1.00 Ordinary
£1.00 A Ordinary

£1.00 A Ordinary
£1.00 A Ordinary
£1.00 A Ordinary
£1.00 B Ordinary
£0.10 A Ordinary
£0.90 B Ordinary
£1.00 A Ordinary

£1.00 A Ordinary
£1.00 Ordinary
Limited Partnership

Limited Partnership

Limited Partnership

Limited Partnership

Limited Partnership

22.7
54.5
100

100
100
30
30
100
100
100

100
49.9
50

50

50

50

50

The following associated undertakings were incorporated 
outside of the United Kingdom

Name of undertaking
dunnhumby Canada Limited

dunnhumby Norge A.S.
Gain Land Limited
Koxka Hungary Refridgeration 
LLC
Merrion Shopping Centre 
Limited
Retail Property Co., Limited*

Registered 
address
42

49
41
45

24

51

Tesco (Fuijan) Industry Limited

43

Class of share held
CA$ 1.00 Ordinary

NOK 1000 Ordinary
$1.00 Ordinary
HUF 1.00 Quota

€0.012697 Ordinary

THB 100.00 Ordinary 
A
US$ 1.00 Registered 
Capital

% held  
by Group
50

50
20
40

51.9

100

50

163

Financial statementsTesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017 
Related undertakings of the Tesco Group continued

Associated undertakings continued

Name of undertaking
Tesco Card Services Limited*

Registered 
address
52

Tesco for Thais Foundation
Tesco Lotus Retail Growth 
Freehold and Leasehold 
Property Fund
Tesco Mobile ČR s.r.o.

Tesco Mobile Ireland Limited
Tesco Mobile Slovakia s.r.o.
Tesco Nanjing Zhongshan (HK) 
Co. Limited
Trent Hypermarket  
Private Limited
Xiamen Firste Property Limited

37
53

16

24
59
20

46

44

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
Delamare Finance PLC

Registered
address
98

98

98

98

98

11

Class of share held
THB 100.00  
Ordinary A
Foundation
THB Listed

CZK 100,000 
Ordinary
€1.00 Ordinary
€1.00 Ordinary
US$ 1.00 Ordinary

INR 10.00 Equity

US$ 1.00 Registered 
Capital

% held  
by Group
100

–
25

50

50
50
50

50

50

Nature of business
Securitisation entity

Securitisation entity

Securitisation entity

Securitisation entity

Securitisation entity

Securitisation entity

Delamare Group Holdings 
Limited
*  Undertaking where other share classes are held by a third party.
† 

Securitisation entity

Interest held directly by Tesco PLC.

11

(a)  95% held by Tesco PLC.
(b)  66.6% held by Tesco PLC.
(c)  Application for strike off submitted to Companies House on  

22 February 2017.

(d)  Shares held by Tesco Pension Trustees Limited (TPTL), the corporate 

trustee of the Tesco PLC Pension Scheme (the Scheme). On behalf of the 
Scheme, TPTL holds a 50% shareholding in three property joint ventures 
with Tesco, and is the sole shareholder of Tesco Pension (Jade) Limited 
and Tesco Pension Investment Limited.

(e)  50% held by Tesco PLC.
(f)  This company is the corporate trustee of the Tesco PLC Pension Scheme.
(g)  12.705% held by Tesco PLC.
(h)  Sold with effect from 1 March 2017.
(i)  A third share class of £1.00 Ordinary B shares. A third party holds 100%  

of the Ordinary B shares in issue. The Group holds 70% of the voting rights 
of the entity.

(j)  Dissolved on 21 March 2017.
(k)  On 6 April 2017, Tesco PLC sold its entire holding of £1.00 Ordinary A shares 
in the capital of BLT Holdings 2010 Limited to British Land (Joint Ventures) 
Limited. As part of the transaction, Tesco Property Holdings Limited 
purchased 100% of the share capital in BLT Properties Limited, and 
certain subsidiaries, from BLT Holdings 2010 Limited.

(l) Entered liquidation on 3 April 2017.

164

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Registered office addresses

1

Tesco House, Shire Park, Kestrel Way, Welwyn Garden City AL7 1GA, 
United Kingdom

2 Apex Road, Brownhills, Walsall, West Midlands WS8 7TS, United Kingdom
3 KPMG LLP, 15 Canada Square, London E14 5GL, United Kingdom
4 Local Support Office, Abbey Retail Park, 1st Floor, Newtownabbey, 

Northern Ireland, BT36 7GU

5 184 Shepherd’s Bush Road, London W6 7NL, United Kingdom
6 c/o Morton Fraser LLP, 5th Floor, Quartermile Two, 2 Lister Square, 

Edinburgh, Scotland EH3 9GL, United Kingdom

7 Aurora House, 71–75 Uxbridge Road, London W5 5SL, United Kingdom
8 5th Floor, 10–12 Alie Street, London E1 8DE, United Kingdom
9 KPMG LLP, Saltire Court, 20 Castle Terrace, Edinburgh, Midlothian  

EH1 2EG, United Kingdom

10 Interpoint Building, 22 Haymarket, Edinburgh, Midlothian EH12 5BH, 

United Kingdom

11 35 Great St Helen’s, London EC3A 6AP, United Kingdom
12 Av. Paulista, 37 – 4º Andar, São Paulo, 01311–902, Brazil
13 Officina No 102, Oficinas Los Andes, San Patricio 4099, Vitacura, 

Santiago, Chile

14 Room 1101–1110, 10f, No. 600 Middle Long Hua Road, Xuhui District, 

Shanghai, China

15 R1108 Level 11, Bld No.1, China Central Place, No. 81 Jianguo Road, 

Chaoyang District, Beijing, China

16 Praha 10 – Vršovice, Vršovická 1527/68b, PSČ 10000, Prague,  

Czech Republic

53 1 Empire Tower, 32nd Floor, South Sathorn Road, Yannawa, Sathorn

Bangkok, 10120, Thailand

54 45 Seymour Street, York House, London W1H 7LX, United Kingdom
55 2 Paris Parklands, Railton Road, Guildford, Surrey GU2 9JX,  

United Kingdom

56 Thompson Jenner, 28 Alexandra Terrace, Exmouth, Devon EX8 1BD, 

United Kingdom

57 c/o Lamburn & Turner, Riverside House, 1 Place Farm, Wheathamstead

St Albans, Hertfordshire AL4 8SB, United Kingdom

58 Ageas House, Hampshire Corporate Park, Templars Way, Eastleigh

Hampshire SO53 3YA, United Kingdom

59 Kamenné nám. 1/A 815 61 Bratislava, Slovakia

60 Calle 32 b sur #48-100, Envigado, Antioquia, Colombia

61 Avenida Brigadeiro Luiz Antonio, No. 3142, 6th Fl Jardim Paulista

Sao Paulo, Brazil, 01402-901

62 Yeni Havaalani Caddesi, No. 40 Cigli, Izmir, 35610 Turkey

63 Davis LLP, 2800 Park Place, 666 Burrand Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada

64 4th Fl, Tower B, Paras Twin Towers, DLF Golf Course Road, Sector 54, 

Gurgaon, Haryana-HR, 122002, India

65 48 rue Cambon, 75001, Paris, France

66 Room 1001, Enterprise Development Tower, No. 398, Jiangsu Road

Changning District, Shanghai 200050, China

67 S-22 Greater Kailash, Part 1, Lower Ground Floor, New Delhi 110048, 

India

17 Centre de Commerces et de Loisirs, Cité Europe, 62231 Coquelles, 

68 Via Savonarola 217, 35137 Padova, Italy

France

69 Tokyo Club Buolding 11F, 2-6 Kasumigaseki 3-chrime, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

18 PO Box 25, Regency Court, Glategny Esplanade, St. Peter Port, 

Japan

GY1 3AP, Guernsey

19 Maison Trinity, Trinity Square, St Peter Port, GY1 4AT, Guernsey
20 15/F., Devon House, Taikoo Place, 979 King’s Road, Quarry Bay,  

Hong Kong

21 Level 54, Hopewell Centre, 183 Queens Road East, Hong Kong
22 H-2040 Budaörs, Kinizsi, ÚT 1–3, Hungary
23 81 & 82, EPIP Area, Whitefield, Bangalore, 560066, India
24 Gresham House, Marine Road, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin, Ireland
25 25–28 North Wall Quay, International Financial Services Centre,  

Dublin 1, Ireland

26 38/39 Fitzwilliam Square, Dublin 2, Ireland
27 PO Box 87, 22 Grenville Street, St Helier, JE4 8PX, Jersey
28 Lime Grove House, Green Street, St Helier, JE1 2ST, Jersey
29 6C Rue Gabriel Lippmann, Munsbach, L-5365, Luxembourg
30 C/o CIM Corporate Services Ltd, Les Cascades Building, Edith Cavell 

Street, Port Louis, Mauritius

31 Willemsparkweg 150 house, 1071 HS, Amsterdam, Netherlands
32 De Lairessestraat 137, 1075 HJ, Amsterdam, Netherlands
33 Ul. Wadowicka, 6 C w 13, 30 – 415, Kraków, Poland
34 ul. Gorczewska 212/226, 01-460, Warsaw, Poland
35 56 Kapelenka St, 30-347, Krakow, Poland
36 163 Tras Street, #03-01, Lian Huat Building, Singapore, 079024, 

Singapore

37 629/1 Nawamintr Road, Nuanchan, Buengkoom, Bangkok, 10230, 

Thailand

38 Yeni Havaalani Cad. No. 40, 35610 Cigli-Izmir, Turkey
39 The Corporation Trust Company, 1209 Orange Street, Delaware,  

USA, 19801

40 KPMG LLP, Century Yard, Cricket Square, PO Box 493, Grand Cayman, 

KY1-1106, Cayman Islands

41 P.O. Box 957, Offshore Incorporations Centre, Road Town, Tortola 

British Virgin Islands

42 Place Carillion, 7151 Jean-Talon East, Montreal Québec, H1M 3N, Canada
43 Room 1503, No.268 Fang Hu Dond Road, Huli District, Xiamen City, Fujian 

Province, China

44 Room 610, 705 Fanghu East Road, Huli District, Xiamen, PRC China
45 1148 Budapest, Kerepesi, út 76/D.3. em. 3, Hungary
46 Taj Building, 2nd Floor, 210, Dr D.N. Road Fort, Mumbai, 400001, India
47 5 Heienhaff, L-1736 Senningerberg, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg

Luxembourg

48 Level 8, Symphony House, Pusat Dagangan Dana 1, Jalan PJU 1A/46, 

47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia

49 Rosenkrantzgate 16, Oslo, O160, Norway
50 Einsteinova 24, Bratislava 851 01, Slovakia
51 313 CP Tower, Silom Road, Khwaeng Silom, Khet Bangrak, Bangkok, Thailand
52 Capital Tower, All Seasons Place, Fl.1-6, 87/1 Wireless Road, Lumpini, 

Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand

70 37th Floor, ASEM Tower, 517 Yeongdong-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul 

135-798, Korea

71 Floor 3, 2 Harbour Square, Crofton Road, Dun Laoghaire, Dublin, Ireland

72 10th Floor, Menara Hap Seng, No. 1 & 3 Jalan P Ramlee, Kuala Lumpur 

50250, Malaysia

73 Av President Masarik No. 111, Piso 1, Colina Polance V Seccion

Delegacion Miguel Hidalgo, C.P. 11560, Mexico

74 Herikerberweg 238, Luna Arena 1101CM, Amsterdam, Zuidoost, 

Netherlands

75 Cesta na Senec 2, Bratislava, 821 04, Slovakia

76 B4 Century Square, Heron Crescent, Century City, Cape Town 7441

South Africa

77 No. 319 Chamchuri Square Building, 16th Fl, Unit 01, Phayathi Road

Pathumwan sub District, Bangkok 10330, Thailand

78 424 Walnut Street, Suite 1800, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202, United States

79 One East Fourth Street, Suite 1400, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202,  

United States

80 Paul-Lincke-Ufer 39/40, 10999 Berlin, Germany

81 Rua Sansão Alves dos Santos, 76, 12° andar, conj. 121 e 122, EdifÍcio Uchôa 

Borges, CEP 04571-090, Pinheiros, São Paulo, Brazil

82 Stefanikova 18/25, Smichov 150 00, Prague 5, Czech Republic

83 18 rue de la Pépinière, Paris (75008), France

84 801, 8th Floor, El Tara Building, off Orchard Avenue, Hiranandani 

Gardens, Powai, Mumbai-400076, India

85 Piazzale Biancamano 8, Milan, Italy

86 Danzigerkade 13H 2hg, 1013AP Amsterdam, Netherlands

87 ul. Puławska 2, 02-566 Warszawa, Poland

88 Russian Federation, 121099, Moscow, Spasopeskovsky lane, 7/1, b.1.

Russia

89 30 A Tanjong Pagar Road, Singapore 088453, Singapore
90 Paseo de General Martinez Campos nº 9 1º izquierda, 28010 Madrid, Spain
91 c/o 7A Odenplan, Norrtullsgatan 6, 113 29 Stockholm, Sweden
92 Istiklal Caddesi Beyoglu Is Merkezi No: 187/5 Galatasaray, Istanbul, Turkey
93 5th Floor, 10-12 Alie Street, London E1 8DE, United Kingdom
94 C/O United Corporate Services, Inc., 874 Walker Road, Suite C, Dover,

DE 19904, United States

95 Room 886S, 8/F, 1111, Changshou Road, Jing’an District, Shanghai, 

People’s Republic of China

96 Local Support Office, Abbey Retail Park, 1st Floor, Newtonabbey, 

97

Northern Ireland BT36 7GU, United Kingdom
5th Floor, Unit 401, Tower B, The Millenia, No. 1&2 Murphy Road
Ulsoor, Bangalore, 560 008, India
Asticus Building, 2nd Floor, 21 Palmer Street, London SW1H 0AD, 
United Kingdom
99
20 Churchill Place, Canary Wharf, London E14 5HJ, United Kingdom
100 KPMG LLP, Stokes House, 17-25 College Square East, Belfast, BT1 6DH 

98

Northern Ireland

165

Financial statementsTesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Supplementary information (unaudited)

Total sales performance at actual rates (exc. VAT, exc. fuel)

1Q
2016/17

2Q
2016/17

3Q
2016/17

4Q
2016/17

1H
2016/17

2H
2016/17

FY
2016/17

UK & ROI

UK

ROI

International

Europe

Asia

Tesco Bank

Group

0.7%
0.3%

8.7%

5.6%
8.2%

2.8%

3.5%

1.8%

1.7%
1.0%

15.3%

16.5%
15.1%

18.2%

7.2%

4.7%

2.3%
1.4%

19.7%

23.2%
19.6%

27.7%

6.3%

6.5%

0.7%
0.2%

11.9%

16.1%
12.3%

20.9%

6.9%

4.1%

1.2%
0.7%

11.9%

10.9%
11.6%

10.1%

5.3%

3.3%

1.5%
0.8%

15.6%

19.5%
15.7%

24.1%

6.6%

5.2%

Total sales performance at constant rates (exc. VAT, exc. fuel)

UK & ROI

UK

ROI

International

Europe

Asia

Tesco Bank

Group

1Q
2016/17

0.3%
0.3%

0.2%

3.6%
2.4%

5.0%

3.5%

1.1%

2Q
2016/17

1.0%
1.0%

(0.3)%

2.8%
1.2%

4.8%

7.2%

1.5%

3Q
2016/17

4Q
2016/17

1H
2016/17

2H
2016/17

1.4%
1.4%

0.0%

1.5%
0.1%

3.2%

6.3%

1.5%

0.1%
0.2%

(1.7)%

0.6%
(1.5)%

3.2%

6.9%

0.3%

0.6%
0.7%

(0.1)%

3.2%
1.8%

4.9%

5.3%

1.3%

0.6%
0.7%

(0.9)%

1.0%
(0.7)%

3.2%

6.6%

0.9%

1.4%
0.7%

13.8%

15.2%
13.7%

17.1%

6.0%

4.3%

FY
2016/17

0.6%
0.7%

(0.5)%

2.1%
0.5%

4.0%

6.0%

1.1%

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

UK & ROI

UK

ROI

International

Europe

Asia

Tesco Bank

Group

1Q
2016/17

2Q
2016/17

3Q
2016/17

4Q
2016/17

1H
2016/17

2H
2016/17

FY
2016/17

0.3%
0.3%

0.3%

3.0%
2.8%

3.3%

n/a

0.9%

0.9%
0.9%

0.1%

2.1%
1.3%

3.0%

n/a

1.1%

1.7%
1.8%

0.5%

0.6%
0.7%

0.4%

n/a

1.5%

0.6%
0.7%

(1.3)%

(0.3)%
(0.8)%

0.5%

n/a

0.4%

0.6%
0.6%

0.2%

2.6%
2.0%

3.2%

n/a

1.0%

1.3%
1.2%

(0.4)%

0.1%
(0.1)%

0.4%

n/a

1.0%

0.9%
0.9%

(0.1)%

1.3%
0.9%

1.8%

n/a

1.0%

Notes
These results have been reported on a continuing operations basis and exclude the results from our operations in Turkey. Like-for-like sales growth is reported at 
constant exchange rates. Growth rates are all based on comparable days.

166

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Country detail

UK

ROI

Czech Republic

Hungary

Poland

Slovakia

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(a)

Extra

Superstore

Metro

Express

Dotcom only

Total Tesco
One Stop(c)
Dobbies

UK(c)
ROI

UK & ROI(c)

Czech Republic(c)
Hungary

Poland

Slovakia
Europe(c)
Malaysia

Thailand

Asia

International(c)
Group(c)

UK (One Stop)

Czech Republic

Franchise stores

Revenue (exc. VAT, inc. fuel)

Local
currency
(m)

41,458

2,483

43,017

595,463

10,832

1,405

4,458

204,059

Average
exchange
rate

Closing
exchange
rate

1.000

1.202

32.49

373.8

5.233

1.202

5.517

46.61

1.000

1.184

31.98

365.0

5.096

1.184

5.557

43.66

£m

41,458

2,066

1,324

1,593

2,070

1,169

808

4,378

February 2017

February 2016

No. of
stores

2,507

288

283

182

120

45

8

Million
sq. ft.

% of total
sq. ft.

5.2

3.4

8.2

9.4

8.6

4.2

0.9

13.1%

8.6%

20.5%

23.5%

21.5%

10.6%

2.2%

No. of
stores

2,498

289

283

204

132

45

9

3,433

39.9

100.0%

3,460

Million
sq. ft.

% of total
sq. ft.

5.2

3.5

8.3

10.4

8.9

4.2

1.0

41.5

12.5%

8.4%

20.0%

25.0%

21.5%

10.2%

2.4%

100.0%

2015/16 
year-end

2016/17 
year-end

Net gain/
reduction(b)

Openings

Closures/
disposals

Repurposing/
extensions

252

478

177

1,732

6

2,645
779

36

3,460

149

3,609
201

208

440

161

1,010
62

1,815

1,877

2,887

6,496
134

103

237

252

479

176

1,740

6

2,653
780

–

3,433

148

3,581
198

206

429

154

987
71

1,914

1,985

2,972

6,553
158

98

256

–

1

(1)

8

–

8
1

(36)

(27)

(1)

(28)
(3)

(2)

(11)

(7)

(23)
9

99

108

85

57
24

(5)

19

–

2

–

17

–

19
23

–

42

–

42
–

–

–

–

–
9

105

114

114

156
32

–

32

–

(1)

(1)

(9)

–

(11)
(22)

(36)

(69)

(1)

(70)
(3)

(2)

(11)

(7)

(23)
–

(6)

(6)

(29)

(99)
(8)

(5)

(13)

14

–

–

–

–

14
–

–

14

–

14
1

2

1

2

6
6

44

50

56

70
–

–

–

167

(a)   Continuing operations.
(b)   The net gain/reduction reflects the number of store openings less the number of store closures/disposals.
(c)   Excludes franchise stores.

Other informationTesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Supplementary information (unaudited) continued

Group space summary continued

Actual Group space – ’000 sq.ft.

Extra

Superstore

Metro

Express

Dotcom only

Total Tesco
One Stop(b)
Dobbies

UK(b)
ROI

UK & ROI(b)

Czech Republic(b)
Hungary

Poland

Slovakia
Europe(b)
Malaysia

Thailand

Asia

International(b)
Group(b)

UK (One Stop)

Czech Republic

Franchise stores

2015/16 
year-end

2016/17 
year-end

Net gain/
reduction

Openings

Closures/
disposals

Repurposing/
extensions(c)

17,846

14,002

2,005

4,031

716

38,600
1,256

1,652

41,508

3,560

45,068
5,558

6,931

9,688

3,969

26,146
4,164

15,536

19,700

45,846

90,914
185

96

281

17,748

14,075

1,993

4,054

716

38,586
1,269

–

39,855

3,543

43,398
5,479

6,896

9,578

3,859

25,812
4,005

15,522

19,527

45,339

88,737
212

92

304

(98)

73

(12)

23

–

(14)
13

(1,652)

(1,653)

(17)

(1,670)
(79)

(35)

(110)

(110)

(334)
(159)

(14)

(173)

(507)

(2,177)
27

(4)

23

–

96

–

40

–

136
44

–

180

–

180
–

–

–

–

–

35

514

549

549

729
39

–

39

–

(23)

(12)

(17)

–

(52)
(31)

(1,652)

(1,735)

(17)

(1,752)
(28)

(5)

(85)

(83)

(201)
–

(26)

(26)

(227)

(1,979)
(12)

(4)

(16)

(98)

–

–

–

–

(98)
–

–

(98)

–

(98)
(51)

(30)

(25)

(27)

(133)
(194)

(502)

(696)

(829)

(927)
–

–

–

(a)   Continuing operations.
(b)   Excludes franchise stores.
(c)  Repurposing of gross selling space is not included in the above net selling space measure.

Group space forecast to 24 February 2018 – ’000 sq.ft.

2016/17 
year-end

2017/18 
year-end

Net gain/
reduction

Openings

Closures/
disposals

Repurposing/
extensions

17,748

14,075

1,993

4,054

716

38,586
1,269

39,855

3,543

43,398
5,479

6,896

9,578

3,859

25,812
4,005

15,522

19,527

45,339

88,737
212

92

304

17,748

14,149

1,993

4,112

716

38,718
1,297

40,015

3,584

43,599
5,049

6,800

9,221

3,630

24,700
3,891

15,622

19,513

44,213

87,812
277

92

369

–

74

–

58

–

132
28

160

41

201
(430)

(96)

(357)

(229)

(1,112)
(114)

100

(14)

(1,126)

(925)
65

–

65

–

74

–

60

–

134
49

183

40

223
–

–

–

–

–
65

436

501

501

724
65

–

65

–

–

–

(2)

–

(2)
(21)

(23)

–

(23)
(291)

–

(167)

(208)

(666)
(60)

(16)

(76)

(742)

(765)
–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–
–

–

1

1
(139)

(96)

(190)

(21)

(446)
(119)

(320)

(439)

(885)

(884)
–

–

–

Extra

Superstore

Metro

Express

Dotcom only

Total Tesco
One Stop(b)

UK(b)
ROI

UK & ROI(b)

Czech Republic(b)
Hungary

Poland

Slovakia
Europe(b)
Malaysia

Thailand

Asia

International(b)
Group(b)

UK (One Stop)

Czech Republic

Franchise stores

(a)   Continuing operations.
(b)   Excludes franchise stores.

168

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Tesco Bank 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(b)

Operating profit
Net finance costs: movements on derivatives and hedge accounting

Net finance costs: interest
Share of profit/(loss) of joint venture(c)
Management charges

2017(a)
£m

622

390

1,012

(175)

(23)

(198)

814

(165)

(76)

(215)

(96)

(105)

157
(80)

77
6

(4)

(16)

–

2016(a)
£m

576

379

955

(166)

(3)

(169)

786

(172)

(81)

(212)

(91)

(68)

162
(1)

161
(8)

(4)

(3)

(1)

Profit before tax
(a)   These results are for the 12 months ended 28 February 2017 and the previous period represents the 12 months ended 29 February 2016.
(b)   Restructuring and other exceptional items in 2017 consists of an increase in the provision for customer redress of £45m and business simplification and head 

63

145

office relocation costs of £35m.

(c)   Share of profit/(loss) of joint venture includes a charge of £23m, representing the Group's share of losses incurred by Tesco Underwriting Limited (TU) relating 
to the impact on TU's insurance reserves of a change in the Ogden tables, which are used to calculate future losses in personal injury and fatal accident cases. 
The £23m charge has been reported as an exceptional item in the Group income statement.

169

Other informationTesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Glossary

Alternative performance measures

Introduction
In the reporting of financial information, the Directors have 
adopted various Alternative Performance Measures (APMs), 
previously termed Non-GAAP measures of historical or future 
financial performance, position or cash flows other than those 
defined or specified under International Financial Reporting 
Standards (IFRS).

These measures are not defined by IFRS and therefore may  
not be directly comparable with other companies’ APMs, including 
those in the Group’s industry. 

APMs should be considered in addition to, and are not intended  
to be a substitute for, or superior to, IFRS measurements. 

Purpose
The Directors believe that these APMs assist in providing 
additional useful information on the underlying trends, 
performance and position of the Group. 

APMs are also used to enhance the comparability of information 
between reporting periods and geographical units (such as 
like-for-like sales), by adjusting for non-recurring or uncontrollable 
factors which affect IFRS measures, to aid the user in 
understanding the Group’s performance.

Consequently, APMs are used by the Directors and management  
for performance analysis, planning, reporting and incentive-
setting purposes and have remained consistent with prior year.

The key APMs that the Group has focused on this year are  
as follows:

 • Group sales (previously termed Revenue exc. fuel): This is  

the headline measure of revenue for the Group. It excludes  
the impact of sales made at petrol filling stations due to the 
significant volatility of fuel prices. This volatility is outside  
the control of management and can mask underlying  
changes in performance. 

 • Like-for-like sales: This is a widely used indicator of a retailer’s 
current trading performance. It is a measure of growth in 
Group online sales and sales from stores that have been open 
for at least a year (but excludes prior year sales of stores 
closed during the year) at constant foreign exchange rates. 

 • 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 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 by virtue of their size and 
nature in order to reflect management's view of the 
performance of the Group. 

 • Retail operating cash flow: This is the operating cash flow  

of continuing operations, excluding the effects of Tesco Bank’s 
cash flows. 

 • Net debt: This excludes the net debt of Tesco Bank but includes 
that of the discontinued operations to reflect the net debt 
obligations of the Retail business. 

 • Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations before 
exceptional items and net pension finance costs: This relates  
to profit after tax before exceptional items from continuing 
operations, 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 period adjusted 
for the effects of potentially dilutive options.

Some of our IFRS measures are translated at constant exchange rates. Constant exchange rates are the average actual periodic 
exchange rates for the previous financial period and are used to eliminate the effects of exchange rate fluctuations in assessing 
performance. Actual exchange rates are the average actual periodic exchange rates for that financial period.

APM

Closest equivalent  
IFRS measure

Adjustments to reconcile  
to IFRS measure

Note reference
for reconciliation

Definition and purpose

Income statement
Revenue measures
Group sales

Revenue

•  Exclude sales made 

at petrol filling stations

Note 2

Growth in sales

No direct equivalent 

•  Consistent with accounting policy

Not applicable

Like-for-like

No direct equivalent

•  Consistent with accounting policy

Not applicable

•  Excludes the impact of sales made at petrol filling 
stations to demonstrate the Group’s underlying 
performance in the core retail and financial 
services businesses by removing the volatilities 
associated with the movement in fuel prices. This 
is a key management incentive metric.

•  Growth in sales is a ratio that measures year-on-
year movement in Group sales for continuing 
operations for 52 weeks. It shows the annual rate 
of increase in the Group’s sales and is considered  
a good indicator of how rapidly the Group’s core 
business is growing.

•  Like-for-like is a measure of growth in Group online 
sales and sales from stores that have been open for 
at least a year (but excludes prior year sales of stores 
closed during the year) at constant foreign exchange 
rates. It is a widely used indicator of a retailer’s 
current trading performance and is important when 
comparing growth between retailers that have 
different profiles of expansion, disposals and closures. 

170

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017 
APM

Closest equivalent  
IFRS measure

Adjustments to reconcile  
to IFRS measure

Note reference
for reconciliation

Definition and purpose

Profit measures
Operating profit 
before exceptional 
items

Operating profit*

•  Exceptional items

Note 2

•  Operating profit before exceptional items is the 
headline measure of the Group’s performance.  
It is based on operating profit before the impact  
of certain costs or incomes that derive from events 
or transactions that fall within the normal activities 
of the Group, but which are excluded by virtue  
of their size and nature in order to reflect 
management's view of the performance of the 
Group. This is a key management incentive metric.

Operating margin  No direct equivalent

•  Consistent with accounting policy

Not applicable

•  Operating margin is calculated as operating profit 

Profit before  
tax before 
exceptional items  
and net pension  
finance costs 

Profits/(losses) 
arising on 
property-related 
items 

Total finance  
costs before 
exceptional  
items and  
net pension  
finance costs

Diluted earnings  
per share  
from continuing 
operations before 
exceptional items 

Diluted earnings  
per share from 
continuing 
operations before 
exceptional items 
and net pension 
finance costs 

Tax measures
Effective tax  
rate before  
exceptional items

Effective tax  
rate before  
exceptional items 
and net pension 
finance costs

Profit before tax

•  Exceptional items 
•  Net pension finance costs

Note 9

before exceptional items divided by revenue. 
Progression in operating margin is an important 
indicator of the Group’s operating efficiency. 

•  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 and are reset each year based  
on often volatile external market factors.

No direct equivalent

•  Consistent with accounting policy

Not applicable

•  Profits/(losses) arising on property-related items 

Finance costs

•  Exceptional items
•  Net pension finance costs

Note 5

Diluted earnings  
per share

•  Exceptional items
•  Discontinued operations

Note 9

relates to the Group’s property activities including; 
gains and losses on disposal of property assets, 
development property built for resale and property 
joint ventures; costs resulting from changes in the 
Group’s store portfolio and distribution network, 
including pre-opening and post-closure costs; and 
income/(charges) associated with impairment of 
non-trading property and related onerous contracts.

•  These items are disclosed separately to clearly 

identify the impact of these items versus the other 
operating expenses related to the core retail  
and financial services operations of the business. 
They are often one-time in nature and can have  
a disproportionate impact on profit between  
reporting periods.

•  Total finance costs before exceptional items and 
net pension finance costs is the net finance costs 
adjusted for non-recurring one off items, and net 
pension finance costs, as the costs are impacted 
by bond yields, which can fluctuate significantly 
and are reset each year.

•  This relates to profit after tax before exceptional 
items from continuing operations, attributable  
to owners of the parent divided by the weighted 
average number of ordinary shares in issue during 
the financial period adjusted for the effects of 
potentially dilutive options. 

•  It excludes the impact of certain costs or incomes 
that derive from events or transactions that fall 
within the normal activities of the Group but  
which are excluded by virtue of their size and 
nature in order to reflect management’s view  
of the performance of the Group.

Diluted earnings  
per share

•  Exceptional items
•  Net pension finance costs
•  Discontinued operations

Note 9

•  This relates to profit after tax before exceptional 

items from continuing operations, 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 period adjusted 
for the effects of potentially dilutive options. 

•  It excludes the impact of certain costs or incomes 
that fall within the normal activities of the Group 
but which are excluded by virtue of their size  
and nature in order to reflect management’s view  
of the performance of the Group. It also excludes 
potentially volatile net pension finance costs.

Effective tax rate

•  Exceptional items and their  

Note 6

•  Effective tax rate before exceptional items is 

tax impact

Effective tax rate

•  Exceptional items and their  

Note 6

tax impact

•  Net pension finance costs  

and their tax impact

calculated as total income tax credit/(charge) 
excluding the tax impact of exceptional items divided 
by profit before tax before exceptional items. This 
provides an indication of the ongoing tax rate across 
the Group.

•  Effective tax rate before exceptional items and net 
pension finance costs is calculated as total income 
tax credit/(charge) excluding the tax impact of 
exceptional items and net pension finance costs 
divided by the profit before tax before exceptional 
items and net pension finance costs. 

171

Other informationTesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Glossary continued

Alternative performance measures continued

APM

Closest equivalent  
IFRS measure

Adjustments to reconcile  
to IFRS measure

Note reference
for reconciliation

Definition and purpose

Balance sheet measures 
Net debt 

Borrowings less cash  
and related hedges

•  Net debt from Tesco Bank

Note 30

•  Net debt excludes the net debt of Tesco Bank  

but includes that of the discontinued operations 
to reflect the net debt obligations of the Retail 
business. 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. It is a useful measure 
of the progress in generating cash and 
strengthening of the Group's balance sheet 
position and is a measure widely used by credit 
rating agencies.

•  Total indebtedness is the net debt plus the IAS 19 
deficit in the pension schemes (net of associated 
deferred tax) plus the present value of future 
minimum lease payments under non-cancellable 
operating leases to provide an overall view of the 
Group’s obligations. It is an important measure of 
the long-term obligations of the Group and is a 
measure widely used by credit rating agencies.

from operations of continuing operations,  
excluding the effects of Tesco Bank's cash flows.  
It is a measure of the cash generation and working 
capital efficiency by the Retail business, recognising 
that Tesco Bank is run and regulated independently 
from the retail operations, and a key measure to 
demonstrate the recovery of the retail operations. 
This is a key management incentive metric.

•  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. It is a measure of 
cash generation, working capital efficiency and 
capital discipline of the business.

Total indebtedness  Borrowings less cash  

and related hedges

•  Net debt from Tesco Bank 
•  Present value of future minimum 

Page 18 of the 
Strategic Report

lease payments under non-
cancellable operating leases

•  IAS 19 deficit in the pension schemes

Cash flow measures
Retail operating  
cash flow

Cash generated from 
operating activities

•  Tesco Bank operating cash flow
•  Discontinued operations

Note 2

•  Retail operating cash flow is the cash generated 

Free cash flow

Cash generated from 
operating activities

•  Purchase of property, plant and 

Note 2

equipment, investment property  
and non-current assets classified  
as held for sale

•  Purchase of intangible assets

*  Operating profit is not defined per IFRS, however is a generally accepted profit measure.

Other

Capital expenditure (Capex)
The additions to property, plant and equipment, investment 
property and intangible assets (excluding assets acquired under 
business combinations).

Capital employed
Net assets plus net debt plus dividend creditor less net assets  
of the disposal group and non-current assets classified as held  
for sale.

Enterprise Value
This is calculated as market capitalisation plus net debt.

FTE
FTE refers to full-time equivalents.

LPI
LPI refers to Limited Price Inflation.

Market capitalisation
The total value of all Tesco shares calculated as total number  
of shares multiplied by the closing share price at year-end.

MTN
MTN refers to Medium Term Note.

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. 

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).

RPI
RPI refers to Retail Price Index.

Total shareholder return
The notional annualised return from a share, measured as the 
percentage change in the share price, plus the dividends paid with 
the gross dividends, reinvested in Tesco shares. This is measured 
over both a one and five year period.

172

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Five-year record

Figures below reflect the latest published information. For years prior to 2016/17, these figures represent the comparatives from the following years’ 
financial statements. During the financial year, the Group decided to sell its operations in Turkey. Accordingly, these operations have been treated as 
discontinued in 2017. The 2016 statistics have been re-presented to be consistent with 2017. Prior years have not been re-presented. 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 alternative performance 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.

Financial statistics (£m)

Sales
UK & ROI

International

Tesco Bank
Group sales(c)
Revenue
UK & ROI

International

Tesco Bank

Group revenue
Operating profit/(loss) before exceptional items(c)
UK & ROI

International

Tesco Bank
Group operating profit/(loss) before exceptional items(c)
Operating profit margin before exceptional items

Operating profit/(loss)
UK & ROI

International

Tesco Bank

Group operating profit/(loss)
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 (£m)
Return on capital employed (ROCE)(c)
Total shareholder return(c)
Net debt (£m)(c)

Discounted operating lease commitments – continuing operations (£m)

Pension deficit, net of deferred tax – Group (£m)

Total indebtedness (£m)(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 (FTE)

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.

2013

2014

2015(a)

2016

2017

38,228

10,678

947

37,189

37,692

9,715

955

11,163

1,012

49,853

47,859

49,867

45,062

43,080

43,524

10,916

947

9,898

955

11,381

1,012

1,021

1,003

1,021

1,003

63,406

63,557

56,925

53,933

55,917

498

254

188

940

1.7%

(5,334)

(569)

153

(5,750)
(13)

(571)

(6,334)
670

(5,664)
(102)

2,382
72

(397)

2,057
(529)

1,528
(1,504)

2,631
60

(432)

2,259
(347)

1,912
(942)

24

970

(5,766)

28

(4)

974

(4)

14.76p

14.76p

3,888

14.5%

2.1%

6,597

10,182

1,839

4,607

13.6%

3.7%

6,597

9,419

2,559

18,618
36,578

18,575
33,597

(5,741)

(25)

490

(69.56)p

4.14p

5.46p

1.16p

1,860

4.0%

8,481

9,353

3,885

21,719
28,415

503

320

162

985

1.8%

597

314

161

1,072
(21)

(849)

202
54

256
(127)

129

138

(9)

490

3.22p

4.05p

5.61p

–

2,581

6.2%

5,110

7,814

2,612

803

320

157

1,280

2.3%

519

421

77

1,017
(107)

(765)

145
(87)

58
(112)

(54)

(40)

(14)

842

0.81p

6.75p

7.90p

–

2,278

8.1%

(7.5)%

3,729

7,440

5,504

(9.5)%

(11.8)%

15,536
20,101

16,673
19,262

6,653

7,305

106,040

109,572

6,849

95,811

6,733

91,195

6,809

89,041

506,856

510,444

480,607

475,399

464,520

388,375

391,868

362,370

351,289

342,770

3,288

3,524

3,710

3,743

3,739

43,950

45,300

45,946

45,253

43,610

225,192

225,378

218,522

169,757

165,007

172,486

15.81

15.68

16.31

173

Other informationTesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Shareholder information

Annual General Meeting 2017
This year’s Annual General Meeting will be held on Friday 16 June 
2017 at the ICC Capital Suite, ExCel London, 1st Floor, One Western 
Gateway, Royal Victoria Dock, London E16 1XL. The meeting will start 
at 2.00pm and registration will be open from 1.00pm.

A separate notice convening the meeting has been sent to our 
shareholders, which includes details of the ordinary and special 
business to be considered at the meeting. A copy of the Notice of 
Meeting can be found on our website at www.tescoplc.com/investors.

Managing shares online
Many of our shareholders find that the easiest way to manage  
their shareholding is online by setting up a Shareview portfolio  
at www.shareview.co.uk. This is a free, easy and secure service 
provided by the Company’s registrars, Equiniti. 

Some of the benefits of having a Shareview portfolio are:

 • monitor your shareholding;
 • access shareholder information;
 • elect to receive shareholder communications electronically;
vote on the resolutions at the Annual General Meeting, and  
 •
any other shareholder meetings;

 • use real-time market news and data to help research your 

investment decisions;

 • keep your contact details up to date; and
 • elect to receive any future returns on your investment directly 

into your bank account.

For more information and to register for this service, please visit 
www.shareview.co.uk. Registration can be completed within 
minutes in just four easy steps. Please note, you will need your 
Shareholder Reference Number. 

E-comms
We encourage our shareholders to accept all shareholder 
communications and documents electronically, in place of receiving 
traditional paper form copies by post. This helps us to reduce 
the environmental impact of our business and to reduce costs.  
If you would like to sign up to receive all future shareholder 
communications electronically, please register with Shareview,  
the internet-based platform provided by Equiniti, by visiting  
www.shareview.co.uk. Once you have signed up, you will receive  
an email to let you know when shareholder documents become 
available on our website, including our annual and half-yearly  
financial results, notices of shareholder meetings and other 
shareholder documents.

Tesco Share Account
We offer our shareholders a service to help them hold and manage 
their Tesco shares in a safe and simple way. With the Tesco Share 
Account (TSA) you can enjoy the convenience and reassurance of 
holding shares electronically, avoiding the need to hold paper share 
certificates, which can be lost or stolen and expensive to replace.

The TSA also offers shareholders access to preferential dealing 
rates and up-to-date market information through the Equiniti  
Share Dealing service. You can track your shares online and you  
will also receive an annual statement detailing your shareholding 
and trading activity.

The TSA is a nominee service sponsored by Tesco and provided by 
Equiniti Financial Services Limited (Equiniti), which is authorised and 
regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Your shares are 
held on your behalf by Equiniti on a private register. You remain the 
beneficial owner of your shares and continue to have the right to 
receive shareholder communications, vote at general meetings and 
to receive any dividends paid on your shares.

It is free to join the TSA and there are no annual fees to pay. Please 
note that there may be a charge for transferring shares out of the 
TSA. Further details can be found in the TSA Terms and Conditions 
available from www.shareview.co.uk/info/csn.

If you would like to join the TSA please contact Equiniti on  
0371 3284 2977 (or +44 (0) 121 415 7053 if outside of the UK).

Duplicate documents
Some of our shareholders hold multiple accounts on the share 
register and therefore receive duplicate copies of shareholder 
documentation as a result. If you have been receiving duplicate 
copies of shareholder documentation, please contact Equiniti  
on 0345 300 0430 to arrange for your accounts to be combined. 

Share dealing service
Equiniti offer Shareview Dealing, which is a real-time telephone  
and internet share dealing service in Tesco PLC shares available  
to all UK residents.

Further information about the Shareview Dealing service can be 
found at www.shareview.co.uk/dealing or by calling 0345 603 7037 
between 8.00am and 4.30pm (UK time), Monday to Friday (excluding 
public holidays in England and Wales).

Please remember that dealing fees vary between brokers and you 
are recommended to check that you are being charged the most 
competitive rate.

Changes to personal details
In order to avoid missing important correspondence relating to 
your shareholding, please inform Equiniti as soon as possible if:

 •
 •

you have recently moved house; or
there are any changes to your bank details.

These changes can be made quickly and easily online via your 
Shareview portfolio. Or you can write to Equiniti to confirm your 
changes. Please remember to include your Shareholder Reference 
Number on all written communications.

Share price information
Details of our current and historical share price data and other 
share price tools are available at www.tescoplc.com/investors. 

ShareGift
If you have a small shareholding which would cost more to sell than 
the shares are worth, you may wish to consider donating them to 
the charity ShareGift (Registered Charity 1052686), a charity that 
specialises in the donation of such shares for good causes. There  
are no implications for capital gains tax purposes on gifts of shares 
to charity. Further information about ShareGift can be found by 
visiting www.sharegift.org or by calling +44 (0) 20 7930 3737.

174

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017 
American Depositary Receipt (ADR)
The Company has a sponsored Level 1 ADR programme in place for 
which Deutsche Bank acts as depositary bank. The ADRs are traded 
on the US over the counter (OTC) market and one ADR represents 
three Ordinary shares. The ADR programme confers the right to 
receive dividends in US Dollars.

American Depository Receipt details:

Symbol

CUSIP

Exchange

Ratio

TSCDY

881575302

OTC Pink

1 ADR:3 Ordinary shares

All enquiries relating to the ADR programme should be directed to:
AST
Operations Centre
6201 15th Avenue
Brooklyn
New York, NY 11219
USA

Email: DB@astfinancial.com 
Telephone: +1 866 249 2593 (toll free from within the US and 
Canada). International: +1 718 921 8124 (from outside the US  
and Canada)
Website: www.adr.db.com 

Shareholder security
In recent years, we have become aware that some of our 
shareholders have received unsolicited phone calls or 
correspondence concerning investment matters. These  
are typically from overseas-based ‘brokers’ who target UK 
shareholders, offering to sell them what often turn out to  
be worthless or high-risk shares in US or UK investments. These 
operations are commonly known as ‘boiler rooms’. These ‘brokers’ 
can be very persistent and extremely persuasive. Shareholders 
are advised to be very wary of any unsolicited advice, offers to  
buy shares at a discount or offers of free company reports. Details 
of any share dealing facilities that we endorse are included in our 
mailings and on our website.

If you receive any unsolicited investment advice: 

 • make sure you note the correct name of the person and the 

organisation they claim to be calling from;
 • make a record of all information they give you;
 • check the Financial Services Register by visiting  

 •

 •

http://register.fca.org.uk to see if the person and  
firm contacting you are authorised by the FCA;
search the list of unauthorised firms to avoid at  
www.fca.org.uk/consumers/unauthorised-firms-individuals; and
report the matter to the FCA using the share fraud reporting 
form at www.fca.org.uk/consumers/report-scam-unauthorised-
firm or by calling the Consumer Helpline on 0800 111 6768.

Information on the latest investment scams can be found at  
http://scamsmart.fca.org.uk/warninglist.

Corporate website
You can access the corporate website at www.tescoplc.com.

The corporate website provides useful information including Annual 
Reports, results announcements and share price data, as well as 
background information about the Company and current issues.

Shareholders are encouraged to sign up to receive email 
notifications of results and press announcements as they are 
released by registering at www.tescoplc.com/investors/regulatory-
news/regulatory-news-email-alerts.

Useful contacts
Tesco PLC Registered Office:
Tesco House
Shire Park
Kestrel Way
Welwyn Garden City
AL7 1GA
General queries switchboard: +44 (0) 1992 632222

Registrars:
Equiniti Limited
Aspect House 
Spencer Road
Lancing
West Sussex
BN99 6DA

Telephone: (UK) 0371 384 2977 (outside UK) +44 (0) 121 415 7053
Calls to 03 numbers cost no more than a national rate call to a 01 or 
02 number. Calls from a mobile device may incur network extras.
Website: www.shareview.co.uk

Corporate Brokers
Barclays Bank PLC
Citigroup Global Markets Limited

Independent Auditors
Deloitte LLP

Group Company Secretary
Robert Welch

Investor Relations
Investor Relations Department
Tesco House
Shire Park
Kestrel Way
Welwyn Garden City
AL7 1GA

Telephone: +44 (0) 1707 912922

175

Other informationTesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017 
Shareholder information continued

Share register analysis
As at 25 February 2017, the Company had 8,174,932,553 Ordinary shares in issue (27 February 2016: 8,141,083,114) and 270,372 registered 
holders of Ordinary shares (27 February 2016: 247,387). Shareholdings are analysed below.

Range of shareholding
1 – 500
501 – 1,000
1,001 – 5,000
5,001 – 10,000
10,001 – 50,000
50,001 – 100,000
100,001 – 500,000
500,001 – 1,000,000
1,000,001 – 5,000,000
5,000,001+
Total

Category of shareholders
Private

Institutional and corporate
Employees

Financial calendar

Financial year end 2016/17
Q1 interim management statement

Number of 
holdings
165,439
27,767
54,489
12,325
8,699
611
505
137
229
171
270,372

%
61.19
10.27
20.15
4.56
3.22
0.23
0.19
0.05
0.08
0.06

Number of 
shares
22,007,918
20,575,303
127,537,599
86,501,867
161,977,058
41,259,831
114,990,273
98,101,493
506,854,984
6,995,126,227
100.00 8,174,932,553

%
0.27
0.25
1.56
1.06
1.98
0.50
1.41
1.20
6.20
85.57
100.00

Number of 
shareholders
203,679

% of total 
shareholders
75.33

6,597
60,096

2.44
22.23

Number of 
shares
354,999,248

7,717,825,169
102,108,136

% of issued 
share capital
4.34

94.41
1.25

25 February 2017
16 June 2017

16 June 2017
26 August 2017
4 October 2017
January 2018
24 February 2018

Annual General Meeting
Half-year end 2017/18
Interim results announcement 
Q3 and Christmas trading statement
Financial year-end 2017/18
Please note that these dates are provisional and subject to change, with the exception of the financial year end and half-year end.

176

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2017Designed and produced by 
Addison Group
www.addison-group.net

Printed by DST Systems

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Tesco PLC 
Tesco House 
Shire Park 
Kestrel Way 
Welwyn Garden City 
AL7 1GA

www.tescoplc.com