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Tesco

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FY2020 Annual Report · Tesco
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Serving shoppers  
a little better every day.

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Contents

Strategic report.
2020 highlights ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................1
Chairman’s statement ..............................................................................................................................................................................2
Group Chief Executive’s review ....................................................................................................................................3
Strategic review ...........................................................................................................................................................................................................4
Our business model .........................................................................................................................................................................................6
Financial review .............................................................................................................................................................................................................7
Key performance indicators ................................................................................................................................................12
Principal risks and uncertainties .............................................................................................................................13
Longer-term viability statement .............................................................................................................................19
Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures ...........................20
Little Helps Plan (LHP)..............................................................................................................................................................................21
Non-financial reporting statement and  
section 172 statement...........................................................................................................................................................................23
Corporate governance.
Chairman’s letter ...............................................................................................................................................................................................24
Board leadership and company purpose ....................................................................................25
Board of Directors ................................................................................................................................................................................27
Executive Committee ...................................................................................................................................................................31
Division of responsibilities .......................................................................................................................................................33
Composition, succession and evaluation ..................................................................................35
Nominations and Governance Committee............................................................................38
Stakeholders ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................40
Corporate Responsibility Committee ...................................................................................................44
Audit Committee ................................................................................................................................................................................................46
Directors’ remuneration report .............................................................................................................................52
Directors’ report.................................................................................................................................................................................................65
Financial statements.
Independent auditor’s report ......................................................................................................................................69
Group income statement ..........................................................................................................................................................78
Group statement of comprehensive income/(loss) ...................................79
Group balance sheet ..............................................................................................................................................................................80
Group statement of changes in equity.................................................................................................81
Group cash flow statement ...............................................................................................................................................83
Notes to the Group financial statements .................................................................................84
Tesco PLC – Parent Company balance sheet .............................................................148
Tesco PLC – Parent Company statement  
of changes in equity ................................................................................................................................................................................149
Notes to the Parent Company financial statements ............................150
Related undertakings of the Tesco Group ...........................................................................155
Other information.
Supplementary information (unaudited) .....................................................................................161
Glossary – Alternative performance measures ....................................................164
Five-year record...............................................................................................................................................................................................170
Shareholder information ............................................................................................................................................................171

Our business was built with a simple mission – to be the 
champion for customers. That’s as true today as it was when 
Jack Cohen first set out his East London market stall in 1919.

Our core purpose is ‘serving shoppers a little better every 
day’ – putting customers at the heart of everything we do 
and guiding every decision we make.

2020 highlights.
Headline measures.

Group salesΔ

Group operating profit before exceptional 
and other itemsΔ(a)

(0.7)% £56.5bn

(2019: £56.9bn)

13.5% £2,959m

(2019: £2,607m)

Diluted EPS before exceptional and other itemsΔ(b)

Dividend per share

27.9% 17.92p

(2019: 14.01p)

58.6% 9.15p

(2019: 5.77p)

Retail free cash flowΔ(c)

Net debtΔ(c)

132.1% £2,063m
Statutory measures.
Statutory revenue

(2019: £889m)

(8.4 )% £(12.1)bn

(2019: £(13.2)bn)

Operating profit

1.3%

£64.8bn
(2019: £63.9bn)

(4.9)% £2,518m

(2019: £2,649m)

Statutory profit before tax

Statutory diluted EPS

(18.7)% £1,315m

(2019: £1,617m)

(26.8)% 9.54p

(2019: 13.04p)

Visit www.tescoplc.com/ar2020  
for more information.

Δ  Alternative performance measures (APMs)

Measures with this symbol Δ are defined in the Glossary section on pages 164 to 169.  
All measures reported on a continuing operations and 52-week comparable basis.  
Change shown at actual exchange rates. 2019 figures restated for adoption of IFRS 16 
as explained in Note 1 and Note 37.

(a)  Excludes amortisation of acquired intangibles and excludes exceptional items by virtue of 

their size and nature in order to reflect management’s view of underlying Group performance.

(b)  Diluted EPS before exceptional and other items refers to diluted earnings per share from 
continuing operations before exceptional items and amortisation of acquired intangibles, 
net pension finance costs and fair value remeasurements of financial instruments.

(c)  Net debt and Retail free cash flow exclude the impact of Tesco Bank.

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

1

Strategic reportChairman’s statement

A year of significant progress.

Highlights.
 – Significant progress in the financial year ended 29 February 2020, as we 

marked the completion of our turnaround. 

 – Announced the proposed sale of our businesses in Thailand and Malaysia  
will release material value, and allow us to simplify and focus our business. 
 – Appointed a new Group Chief Executive, Ken Murphy, to succeed Dave Lewis 

in October 2020.

After the year end, we also announced the proposed sale of our 
businesses in Thailand and Malaysia. This transaction, supported 
unanimously by the Board, will unlock significant value from an 
exceptionally high-quality business, and allows us to further simplify 
and focus the Group. On completion, and subject to approval, we 
have taken the decision to return c.£5bn of the proceeds to 
shareholders through a special dividend.
CEO succession.
In October 2019, we shared the news that Dave will leave the 
business later this year. The Board and I believe that Dave has 
done an outstanding job in turning the business around and 
reconnecting Tesco to its core purpose. 

The Board undertook a thorough succession process to find the 
best possible candidate and, as a result, we made the decision to 
appoint Ken Murphy to take up the baton from Dave.

Ken will bring to Tesco a wealth of experience, proven leadership in 
international retail businesses, a strong strategic mind and a track 
record in commercial and brand. What was very important to the 
Board in the recruitment process was that the new CEO would be 
a good fit for the strong culture that we have developed.

On behalf of the whole Board, I am extremely grateful to Dave for 
everything that he has achieved, and we look forward to welcoming 
Ken Murphy to the Board, and to Tesco, in October.

John Allan
Non-executive Chairman 
7 April 2020

This report covers our 2019/20 financial year, which ended 
on 29 February 2020. 

That year was one of significant progress, as we achieved our 
turnaround goals, further improved our business for customers, 
and firmly established ourselves on a strong financial footing. 

However, while the entire Tesco business has dealt with some 
serious challenges through the last five years of turnaround, 
undoubtedly the most significant of these occurred after our 
2019/20 year end, with the global outbreak of COVID-19.

As Dave reflects in his Group Chief Executive’s review, our more 
than 400,000 colleagues have risen to the challenge incredibly, 
working day and night to ensure our customers have access to 
the food and essentials they need, in a safe environment. 
I cannot commend them highly enough for their efforts, 
which have been nothing short of inspirational.

The remainder of this report addresses, for the most part, 
the 2019/20 financial year - before the greatest impact of the 
significant changes that COVID-19 brought to our business, and 
indeed our society as a whole. 

Our priority is to keep an absolute focus on serving customers 
and to play our part in feeding the nation, as the situation with 
COVID-19 continues to dominate our current trading following 
the year end. Given these circumstances, we have included 
commentary on COVID-19 in this report where possible, 
while recognising that, at the time of writing, the situation 
is rapidly evolving. 

For the latest updates on our response to the COVID-19 outbreak, 
I would encourage you to visit www.tescoplc.com/covid-19.
From turnaround to growth.
In 2019/20, we marked the end of our turnaround. 

The management team set in 2015 and shared in 2016 a strategy to 
stabilise the business, to rebuild the brand, and to move towards 
the next chapter of growth. Guided by six strategic drivers, the 
whole Tesco team worked tirelessly to achieve these objectives 
and by October 2019, we had achieved every one of our turnaround 
goals. That momentum continued through this year, with full-year 
Group operating profit before exceptional items and amortisation 
of acquired intangibles up 13.5% to £2,959m.

We now have a strong platform from which we can enter a new 
strategic phase, focused around earnings growth, cash profitability 
and cash flow, and with customer satisfaction at the heart. In June 
2019, we hosted a Capital Markets day, which set out untapped 
value opportunities for the Group, broadly categorised across 
three areas: growth, innovation and enabling technology.

2

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

Group Chief Executive’s review

Together, we can do this.

Highlights.
 – Five years of turnaround now complete - built a better business for 

customers, colleagues, suppliers and shareholders.

 – Strong foundations allow us to tackle the challenges of COVID-19 from 

a position of strength. 

In our five years of turnaround, we have taken decisive action to 
refocus our business on customers, making our offer more 
relevant and more competitive than ever before.

By focusing completely on customers, re-engaging our colleagues 
and fundamentally rethinking our relationship with suppliers, 
we have managed to deliver on the turnaround plan we set out 
in 2015. I am very proud of the achievement of the team over 
these five years.

As a stronger, more customer-focused business, we are also in a 
better position to step up and meet the unprecedented challenges 
of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Our colleagues have risen brilliantly to those challenges. In very 
difficult circumstances the whole Tesco team has pulled together 
to look after our customers and each other, doing everything 
possible to provide more of the food that people need, in a clean 
and safe environment. 

I am incredibly proud of what our colleagues are doing, and also 
the way that they’re doing it – working day and night to ensure 
everyone has access to the essentials, and putting our customers 
first, even while many of our colleagues have very real concerns 
about their own loved ones. 

At the time of writing, it seems likely that we are closer to the 
beginning of this situation than the end. While we are still learning 
and adjusting, we will step up and respond to each new challenge 
as it comes. And at all times, our focus will be the same: to ensure 
the health and safety of our customers and colleagues, to increase 
food and household supplies across stores and online, and to 
support our fantastic colleagues.

There is almost no part of our operation that remains untouched 
by this situation. 

 – To ensure food is available for all, we have changed the way we 
run our stores - taking actions to manage demand and support 
the smooth running of our supply chain.

 – Our Online team is exploring every opportunity possible to 

increase capacity, so that we can help the most vulnerable in 
society. For the majority of our customers that are able to shop 
in store safely, we have introduced distancing measures to 
protect customers and colleagues.

 – We have taken steps to support colleagues on sickness leave and 
also provided long-term sickness support for those required to 
isolate for 12 weeks. We also recruited more than 45,000 
additional colleagues in the two weeks to 7 April.

 – We have announced a £30m support package for local 

communities tackling COVID-19, including £25m towards our 
food donation programme.

 – Other parts of our business are stepping up too. Booker is 

supporting thousands of independent retailers in communities 
right across the UK, and Tesco Bank is providing critical services 
at a time of financial difficulty for many customers.

It is impossible to present an exhaustive list, or to overstate how 
much has changed – and the extraordinary lengths the whole 
Tesco team has gone to – in order to look after our customers.

Recognising the incredible contribution of our colleagues, in 
March we announced a 10% bonus for front-line colleagues in 
the UK & Ireland, with similar colleague recognition schemes 
in Central Europe and Asia.

The contribution of our supplier partners has also been 
outstanding. Existing supplier partners have increased production 
of key products to meet increased demand from customers, and 
new suppliers have stepped up to support at short notice. 

We also know that for many of our partners, and in particular 
our smallest suppliers, this is a challenging time economically. 
To support their businesses, we have reduced our payment 
terms for small suppliers from 14 days to five days.

These actions are the right ones to take, in a unique and difficult 
set of circumstances. Some of the things we’ve done have resulted 
in significant extra costs, as we meet unprecedented levels of 
demand and do everything possible to protect the health and 
safety of our customers and colleagues.

Our financial performance, and the strong platform we have built 
over the last five years, means that we are well-placed to deal 
with this and to continue meeting customers’ needs, and gives us 
confidence that the long-term future of our business is secure. 

As a team, Tesco has faced into many challenges over the last five 
years and we will rise to the challenges of the current situation in 
much the same way, working together to put customers first.

Together, we can do this.

Dave Lewis
Group Chief Executive 
7 April 2020

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

3

Strategic reportStrategic review

Turnaround delivered.

We have now delivered every element of our turnaround plan. From this position 
of strength, the transformation of our business continues at pace.

Key performance for all four stakeholder groups summarised below.

Customers.

Customer NPS(a)

Brand perception(b)

Quality perception(c)

Value perception(c)

14/15

19/20

Change

Suppliers.

10

6.8

12.2

6.1

29

+19 pts

Overall satisfaction(i)

26.1

+19.3 pts

27.4

+15.2 pts

21.0

+14.9 pts

Simple, transparent and  
easy to deal with(i)
Treats me fairly(i)

14/15

19/20

Change

55%

36%

55%

80% +25% pts

71% +35% pts

82% +27% pts

Colleagues.

14/15(d)

19/20(d)

Change

Shareholders.

14/15(j)

19/20(j)

Change

Great place to work(e)

70%

82% +12% pts

Operating profit(k)

£940m £2,959m +£2,019m

Great place to shop(f)

Inclusive culture(g)

Engagement in purpose(h)

23

73%

64%

44

+21 pts

Free cash flow(l)

£(1,340)m £2,063m +£3,403m

81%

+8% pts

Total indebtedness(l)

£(21.7)bn

£(14.7)bn down 32%

86% +22% pts

Dividend

1.16p

9.15p

+689%

Market capitalisation(m)

£13.7bn

£23.2bn

+£9.5bn

(a)  Walnut Tesco Multichannel tracker. Reflects % of UK Fans minus Critics answering the 
question ‘Based on your most recent experience of doing a grocery shop how likely is it 
that you would recommend this store to a friend or colleague?’.

(h)  % of colleagues agreeing that 'I can see a clear link between my work and the Tesco vision' 

(2014) and 'The link between my team’s work and Tesco’s purpose is clear' (2020).
(i)  Reflects % of UK & ROI suppliers responding positively to the statements 'Overall 

(b)  Based on YouGov Brand Index which is a score based upon six component questions 

covering quality, value, reputation and satisfaction; 12-week rolling data.

satisfaction of working with Tesco', 'Tesco is simple, transparent and easy to deal with', 
'Tesco treats me fairly', as part of the Supplier Viewpoint survey.

(c)  Reflects YouGov Brand perception measures of quality and value on a 12-week rolling basis.
(d)  14/15 data based on our 2014 What Matters to You survey and 2019/20 data based on 

our 2020 Every Voice Matters survey.

(e)  % of colleagues recommending Tesco as a great place to work.
(f)  The net promoter score for colleagues recommending Tesco as a great place to shop.
(g)  % of colleagues agreeing that 'Treat people how we like to be treated is practised at 
Tesco' (2014) and 'I feel I can be myself at Tesco without fear of judgement' (2020).

(j)  These figures reflect Tesco’s performance based on accounting standards applicable at 
the time of publication. Korea was first classified as a discontinued operation during 
FY15/16 and Turkey during FY16/17. Booker was consolidated from FY18/19.

(k)  Group operating profit before exceptional items and amortisation of acquired intangibles.
(l)  Free cash flow and total indebtedness exclude the impact of Tesco Bank.
(m)  Market capitalisation as at the end of 1H 2014/15 and end of 1H 2019/20.

4

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

 
 
 
Plastic packaging
Our packaging strategy is based on ‘4 Rs’: 
 – Remove it where we can. 
 – Reduce it where we can’t. 

 – Reuse more. 
 – Recycle what’s left. 

This year, we committed to remove one billion pieces of plastic 
from our UK stores by the end of 2020, and are working with our 
suppliers to remove 67 million pieces of multipack plastic from 
cans in our stores, saving 350 tonnes of plastic each year. 

From multipacks to multibuys 
Enabling technology.
Simpler for colleagues
All our large stores are using a new scheduler tool, providing 
greater flexibility and choice for colleagues. This simple 
technology enables us to reduce administration, making it 
simpler for colleagues to book and amend shifts, and feedback 
has been extremely positive.

Booker.co.uk relaunch
Booker already has a significant digital business, serving many 
thousands of customers online. These Booker customers will 
now benefit from the technology capability of Tesco, following 
a relaunch of Booker.co.uk this year. There have already been 
improvements to web analytics and invoicing, making the order 
process simpler for Booker customers.

A seamless store experience
Different technologies work for different customers, so we will 
continue to offer a choice of ways to shop and pay. One area 
we are exploring is the use of new technology to make shopping 
‘frictionless’: where items are automatically added to a digital 
shopping basket as customers pick them up from the shelf. 
We are testing this technology with colleagues in the Express 
store at our Welwyn Garden City campus.

In June 2019, we held a Capital Markets day 
to share ‘untapped value opportunities’ 
across the Group. Some of these 
opportunities are well-advanced in their 
execution, while others are at early stages 
of consideration.
Areas of progress this year include:
Growth.
New store openings
We have done extensive work to improve the model of our 
Express format, reducing the capital and the operational costs, 
while improving the mix. We have identified opportunities to open 
150 new Express stores in the UK over the next three years. 

Urban fulfilment centres
We have plans to open at least 25 urban fulfilment centres in 
the UK, as part of a plan to double the capacity of our online 
grocery business. These centres make use of existing surplus 
space in large stores, with a more efficient, automated system 
in a small footprint.

Clubcard Plus
We launched Clubcard in 1995 to help us better understand and 
communicate with our customers, and today there are 19 million 
households in the UK with Clubcard. At the end of 2019, we 
launched the UK’s first grocery loyalty subscription service, 
Clubcard Plus, giving customers even more value from their Tesco 
shop, including 10% off two big shops in-store each month.

A new Clubcard
Innovation.
Simplify to serve
As customer shopping habits continue to change, we are adapting 
the way we run our stores – improving customer service, and 
reducing our operating costs. In the UK, we have rolled out a new 
proposition for fresh food counters and in February we announced 
changes to the way we bake in our large stores, to better reflect 
customer demands.

Plant-based food
We have a market-leading range of plant-based foods, catering 
to a growing trend of veganism and flexitarian diets. In September 
2019 we launched our new ‘Plant Chef’ range, and we continue to 
expand this – for example with the launch of the UK’s first 
plant-based condiment range in January. 

New ways to shop 

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

5

Strategic reportOur business model
Our business model

Serving shoppers better.

Our differentiating 
capabilities.

Touch every part of 
our business.

Understanding customers.
We use our expertise to 
understand and meet our 
customers’ needs better 
than anybody else.
Our colleagues.
Our more than 400,000 
colleagues share a single 
purpose: to serve shoppers 
a little better every day.
Scale and reach.
Our unparalleled reach allows us 
to bring great quality products 
to more customers.
Own Brand and product.
We source the best quality 
products, with expert technical 
teams and close partnerships 
with growers and suppliers.
Services.
Services such as Mobile and 
Banking focus on the needs of 
Tesco shoppers and allow us to 
earn and retain their loyalty.
Innovation.
We encourage a culture of 
innovation so that our business 
remains at the cutting edge of 
new trends and demand.

Customers 
Tesco exists to serve 
customers – listening to them 
and acting on what is most 
important, however they 
choose to shop with us. 

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 online. Booker 
gives us access to further 
channels, including Business 
Centres and delivered 
wholesale.

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

To create value for our stakeholders.

Value for customers.
Our business model allows us 
to bring our customers the 
very best products at the best 
possible prices, however they 
choose to shop with us.  
As our business continues to 
strengthen, we can reinvest in 
our competitiveness and further 
improve the experience  
for customers.

Value for colleagues.
The expertise of our colleagues 
drives every part of our business 
model – from our store teams 
serving shoppers, to our Product 
teams developing new ranges. 
We want every colleague in our  
business to understand the part 
they play in serving shoppers a 
little better every day.

Value for suppliers.
Our conversations with suppliers 
focus on delivering great value, 
great quality products for  
our customers. When we get it 
right, our business grows, and 
our suppliers grow with us. 
Together with Booker, 
our combined growth gives 
further opportunity 
for suppliers.

Value for shareholders.
For shareholders, our business 
model allows us to deliver 
sustainable, profitable growth. 
Our underlying philosophy to 
create value for shareholders 
puts a focus on customer 
satisfaction, cash profitability, 
earnings growth and  
free cash flow.

Voted Britain’s Favourite 
Supermarket* by customers for 

Colleagues agreeing we have  
an inclusive culture

Record level of Group  
supplier satisfaction

Full-year dividend 

5 years 

 * Grocer Gold Awards 2019

81%

77.8%

9.15p

per share

6

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

Financial review

Turnaround complete.

“With our turnaround complete, our balance sheet strong and 
our liquidity and funding positions robust, we are well-placed 
to support colleagues and customers through the current 
challenging times.”

Alan Stewart 
Chief Financial Officer

Headline Group results.

53 weeks ended 29 February 2020  
on a continuing operations basis
Group sales (exc. VAT, exc. fuel)(b)

UK & ROI 
Central Europe
Asia
Tesco Bank

Fuel
Revenue (exc. VAT, inc. fuel)
Group operating profit before exceptional items and 
amortisation of acquired intangibles(c)

UK & ROI 
Central Europe
Asia
Tesco Bank

Include exceptional items and amortisation of acquired 
intangibles
Group statutory operating profit
Adjusted Group profit before tax(e)
Group statutory profit before tax
Adjusted diluted EPS(e)
Statutory diluted EPS
Statutory basic EPS
Dividend per share
Capex(f)
Net debt(d)
Retail free cash flow(d)

This year 
53-week basis
£57,370m
£45,752m
£5,332m
£5,218m
£1,068m
£7,390m
£64,760m
£3,005m

£2,230m
£156m
£426m
£193m
£(487)m

£2,518m
£2,276m
£1,315m
18.23p
9.54p
9.60p
9.15p
£1.1bn
£(12.3)bn
£1.9bn

Exclude 
week 53
£(843)m
£(843)m
–
–
–
£(140)m
£(983)m
£(46)m

£(46)m
–
–
–
£34m

–
£(37)m
–
(0.31)p
–
–
–
–
£0.2bn
£0.2bn

This year
52-week basis

Last year(a)

£56,527m £56,883m
£44,883m
£44,909m
£6,030m
£5,332m
£4,873m
£5,218m
£1,097m
£1,068m
£7,028m
£7,250m
£63,911m
£63,777m
£2,607m
£2,959m

£2,184m
£156m
£426m
£193m
£(453)m

n/a
£2,239m
n/a
17.92p
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
£(12.1)bn 
£2.1bn

£1,868m
£221m
£319m
£199m
£42m

£2,649m
£1,806m
£1,617m
14.01p
13.04p
13.13p
5.77p
£1.1bn
£(13.2)bn
£0.9bn

YoY 53-week 
change (Actual 
exchange rates)
1.1%
2.0%

5.1%
1.3%
15.3%

19.4%

(4.9)%
26.0%
(18.7)%
30.1%
(26.8)%

58.6%

6.9%
109.9%

YoY 52-week 
change (Actual 
exchange rates)
(0.7)%
0.1%
(12.1)%
6.7%
(2.6)%
3.2%
(0.2)%
13.5%

YoY 52-week 
change (Constant 
exchange rates)
(1.0)%
0.2%
(10.1)%
0.1%
(2.6)%
3.2%
(0.5)%
12.6%

16.9%
(27.6)%
24.8%
(3.0)%

16.9%
(29.4)%
33.5%
(3.0)%

24.0%

27.9%

8.4%
132.1%

Detailed below is a summary of our performance for the last financial 
year, which for UK & ROI was the 53 weeks ending 29 February 2020, 
and for all other operations was for the calendar year ended 
29 February 2020. To aid comparability, headline results and 
associated commentary is presented on a 52-week comparable basis.

We have delivered a strong performance, significantly growing 
profitability and free cash flow.

Group operating profit before exceptional items and amortisation of 
acquired intangibles of £2,959m grew by 13.5%. Strong performance 
in our UK & ROI and Asia segments was partly offset by the impact of 
disruption as we transform our business in Central Europe to improve 
long-term profitability in the region.

Retail free cash flow increased by £1,174m year-on-year to £2,063m, 
reflecting the strong increase in cash profitability, an improvement in 
working capital and the contribution from the sale of our share in our 
joint venture in China, Gain Land.

Reflecting the strength of our performance last year and given our 
robust liquidity and balance sheet, we propose to pay a final dividend of 
6.50 pence per ordinary share. This takes the total dividend for the year 
to 9.15 pence per ordinary share, up 58.6% year-on-year, including the 
payment of an interim dividend of 2.65 pence per ordinary share in 
November 2019. This represents a full-year dividend payout ratio of 
50% on a 53-week basis.

In March we announced that we had agreed to sell our businesses in 
Thailand and Malaysia to a combination of CP Group entities(g), following 
inbound interest and a detailed strategic review. Consideration for the 
disposal represents an enterprise value of $10.6bn (c.£8.2bn) on a cash 
and debt-free basis. Following completion of the disposal, we intend to 
return c.£5bn to shareholders via a special dividend and further de-risk 
the business by reducing indebtedness through a £2.5bn pension 
contribution, which is expected to eliminate the funding deficit. 

(a)  Last year figures restated for the adoption of IFRS 16 as explained in Note 1 and Note 37 to the Group financial statements.
(b)  Group sales exclude VAT and fuel. Sales growth shown on a comparable days basis for Central Europe and Asia. Booker consolidated from 5 March 2018 and therefore includes 

nine additional days in 2019/20 vs. 2018/19. The nine additional days of Booker sales in the current year contributed 0.2% to Group sales growth in the year.

(c)  Excludes amortisation of acquired intangibles and excludes exceptional items by virtue of their size and nature in order to reflect management’s view of underlying performance.
(d)  Net debt and Retail free cash flow exclude the impact of Tesco Bank in order to provide further analysis of the Retail cash flow statement. Net debt also includes lease liabilities 

following the adoption of IFRS 16. Net debt excluding lease liabilities was £(2.6)bn, down £0.2bn year-on-year.

(e)  Headline ‘diluted earnings per share’ and ‘adjusted Group profit before tax’ measures exclude exceptional items, amortisation of acquired intangibles, net pension finance costs and 

fair value remeasurements of financial instruments.

(f)  Capex is shown excluding property buybacks. Statutory capital expenditure (including property buybacks) for the 53 weeks ended 29 February 2020 was £2.1bn (2018/19: £1.2bn).
(g)  On 9 March 2020 we announced the proposed sale of our businesses in Thailand and Malaysia to a combination of CP Group entities. Completion of the disposal, which is conditional 

on shareholder approval and customary regulatory approvals in Thailand and Malaysia, is expected during the second half of 2020. Thailand and Malaysia will be treated as discontinued 
operations for the 2020/21 financial year. All guidance and forward-looking statements are on a continuing operations basis.

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

7

Strategic report 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial review continued

Segmental results.
UK & ROI(a)
In the UK, we continued our centenary celebrations offering significant 
savings to customers through our ‘100 Years of Great Value’ events, 
and introduced exclusive Clubcard Prices for our 19 million Clubcard 
holders. We have further strengthened our value proposition with the 
launch of our ‘Aldi Price Match campaign’ in March 2020, price 
matching to Aldi on hundreds of Tesco and branded products. 

The customer reaction to the launch of Clubcard Plus in November 
has been encouraging. For a £7.99 monthly subscription, customers 
can benefit from 10% off two big shops in-store as well as savings on 
popular Tesco brands and double data on Tesco Mobile. Subscribers 
can also apply for a Clubcard Plus credit card from Tesco Bank with no 
foreign exchange fees abroad(b).

Our fresh food volumes outperformed the market by 0.5%(c) supported 
by strong performance in our ‘food-to-go’ offer. We continue to 
improve our overall product mix, making our general merchandise offer 
more relevant by focusing on categories that are complementary to our 
food offer such as Home and Cook. In the coming year we are planning 
to rebalance space further, in particular by augmenting our F&F 
clothing offer in a number of our large stores. 

Our online grocery customer service ratings all improved year-on-year. 
Following a strong sales performance in the first half, a slower rate of 
growth in the second half of the year reflected our decision to maintain 
a sustainable approach to incentivising new customers in a highly 
competitive environment. We are taking steps to increase our online 
capacity to align to the long-term growth in customer demand in this 
channel, with our first urban fulfilment centre planned in our West 
Bromwich Extra store. This year we will also increase the number of vans 
and trial unmanned Click & Collect sites to further support order growth. 

In November we announced we will become the first UK retailer to 
remove plastic-wrapped tinned multipacks from all stores and replace 
them with plastic-free multibuys, eliminating 67 million pieces of plastic. 
This forms part of our commitment to remove one billion pieces of 
plastic from our UK stores by the end of 2020.

Booker sales grew (on a comparable days basis) by 3.8% excluding 
tobacco (2.9% including tobacco) despite a challenging market in both 
wholesale and retail, with small business confidence remaining low. 
The continued focus on customer service was recognised in November 
when Booker was named ‘Best National Wholesaler’ for overall 
customer satisfaction(d). The acquisition of Best Food Logistics in early 
March 2020 will provide more customers with the benefits of the 
sourcing capabilities of the wider Tesco business. 

In ROI, sales grew by 0.8% at constant exchange rates, and we saw 
particularly strong sales growth in core fresh food, including bakery 
and produce, as customers responded well to the continued 
investment in our ‘You won’t pay more’ value campaign.

UK & ROI operating profit before exceptional items and amortisation 
of acquired intangibles grew by 16.9% at actual exchange rates to 
£2,184m, with operating margin up 59 basis points year-on-year. The 
increase in profitability was driven by the actions we have taken to 
improve product mix, and cost savings through further refinements to 
our operating model including changes to our in-store counters offer 
and simplification of stock control processes. 

We have now delivered cumulative synergies (comprising the in-year 
benefit of new initiatives combined with the carry forward of prior year 
activity) of £207m from the Booker merger, exceeding our c.£200m 
target a year earlier than planned. While we still see many opportunities 
to deliver further synergies, these will no longer be considered 
separately to our overall UK & ROI performance. In the period, the 
challenge of a weak market in both the wholesale and catering sectors 
was exacerbated by the effect of the clearance of excess stock that 
had been built up in anticipation of Brexit disruption. Despite these 
challenges Booker’s profit growth (including synergies) outperformed 
the industry as a whole.

Central Europe(e)
In Central Europe, we have undertaken a significant transformation, 
fundamentally changing our approach in Poland and resizing, simplifying 
and improving the relevance of our businesses in the Czech Republic, 
Hungary and Slovakia. Sales fell by (10.1)% at constant exchange rates, 
reflecting disruption from the actions we have taken including the 
rationalisation of our general merchandise offer, making our customer 
offer more relevant and compelling. Across the region we rightsized 545 
hypermarkets, closed 28 stores and, in Poland, completed the transition 
to a two-format model (compact hypermarkets and supermarkets). We 
also invested to improve the shopping trip for customers, focusing on 
availability which improved by 1% and our key ‘Star Lines’ products 
which saw like-for-like growth of 20%. 

Operating profit before exceptional items in Central Europe was £156m, 
(29.4)% lower year-on-year. The actions described above to simplify 
our operations resulted in significant sales disruption and stock clearance 
costs, particularly in the second half of the year. In addition, performance 
reflected investments to improve the competitiveness of our offer, in 
particular our key ‘Star Lines’ products, over 600 everyday items which 
we have made available to customers at market-leading prices. Excluding 
a £(13)m provision made in the first half in respect of potential historical 
VAT liabilities, the change in operating profit was (23.5)%.
Asia(f)
In Asia, sales grew by 6.7% at actual exchange rates and by 0.1% at 
constant exchange rates. In Thailand, our new Express proposition roll 
out and large store reinvention programme are both progressing well 
and as part of our innovation in store formats we now have two of our 
‘ultra convenient’ E-Pop stores in the Bangkok region. We have 
simplified our fresh food offer, with more competitive prices and our 
‘Food Love Stories’ campaign has further improved customer quality 
perceptions. The simplification of our general merchandise ranges 
impacted our headline sales by c.(1)% in the year. In Malaysia, we 
increased our market share, opening two new small stores following 
favourable legislation changes, with plans for a further four openings 
in 2020/21. Across the region we are building trust with customers 
through our focus on reducing food waste and plastic usage.

We saw a strong increase in profitability in Asia, with growth of 33.5% 
at actual exchange rates and 24.8% at constant exchange rates. We 
accelerated our cost savings initiatives in Thailand, including a more 
efficient distribution operation and more focused, more effective 
marketing activity. In addition, we benefited from the flow through of 
prior year initiatives. We continued to optimise the mix of our product 
ranges as we focus on sustainable, profitable ranges in general 
merchandise. Performance also included a £24m benefit as a result 
of changes to how property tax is levied on businesses in Thailand.

In 2020/21, our Asia operations will be treated as a discontinued 
operation following the announcement on 9 March 2020 of the 
proposed sale of our businesses in Thailand and Malaysia(g).

Tesco Bank

Revenue
Operating profit before exceptional items
Statutory operating profit
Lending to customers
Customer deposits
Net interest margin
Total capital ratio

£193m
£74m

Last year
This year
£1,068m £1,097m
£199m
£169m
£8,451m £12,426m
£7,707m £10,465m
3.8%
18.3%

4.1%
23.1%

YoY
(2.6)%
(3.0)%
(56.2)%
(32.0)%
(26.4)%
0.3%
4.8%

Tesco Bank focuses on providing simple banking and insurance products 
to a broad range of Tesco customers. Tesco Bank sales were impacted 
by our decision to exit the mortgage market in September, which also 
drove the decline in lending to customers. The insurance market 
remains highly competitive and we continue to focus our investment on 
retention of existing customers. This year we have also invested in the 
customer experience through a number of initiatives, including the 
launch of the Clubcard Plus credit card, and a new Student Shopper 

(a)  UK & ROI consists of Tesco UK, ROI and Booker. Booker consolidated from 5 March 2018.
(b)  Subject to status.
(c)  Data is for the 52 weeks ending 22 February 2020 and is sourced from IRI Retail AdvantageTM, global insight providers to the retail industry. 

Aldi and Lidl do not submit data to IRI and are therefore excluded from their market definition.

(d)  HIM annual Wholesale Tracking programme.
(e)  Central Europe consists of Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia.
(f)  Asia consists of Thailand and Malaysia. 
(g)  Completion of the disposal is subject to shareholder and regulatory approval.

8

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

 
Card as part of our gift card range. In addition, we upgraded the 
Tesco Mobile app to allow customers to purchase foreign currency 
and we rolled out our Click & Collect service to more stores. 

Operating profit before exceptional items decreased by (3.0)% 
year-on-year to £193m. Our insurance income decreased as we 
focused on competitive pricing, however we delivered increased 
income from our loans portfolio in line with increased lending to 
customers, and higher income from our gift cards and travel money. 
The significant cost savings made this year include lower fraud costs 
resulting from the Bank’s continued focus on improved technology 
and safeguarding our customers, and lower ATM maintenance costs 
as a result of optimisation efficiencies. This has contributed to the 
cost:income ratio improving by 1.9% pts year-on-year. 

In February we stopped accepting new applications for personal 
current accounts, as part of our repositioning of Tesco Bank to focus 
on the right products and services for Tesco customers. This resulted in 
an exceptional charge of £(56)m relating to accelerated depreciation of 
intangible and fixed assets. Total exceptional items within statutory 
operating profit relating to Tesco Bank were £(119)m.
Exceptional items and amortisation of acquired 
intangibles in statutory operating profit .

This year
53-week 
basis
£(151)m

£55m
£(23)m
£(136)m

£(15)m

£(47)m

£37m
£(22)m
£(5)m
£(56)m

£(45)m
–
–
–

–

–
–

Exclude 
week 53
£44m

This year
52-week 
basis
£(107)m

Last year
£(182)m 

£(11)m
–
–

£44m
£(23)m
£(136)m

£104m
£(15)m
–

–

–

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–

–

–
–

£(15)m

£106m 

£(47)m

£37m
£(22)m
£(5)m
£(56)m

£(45)m
–
–
–

–

–
–

–

–
–
–
–

£(16)m
£(38)m
£(16)m
£37m

£176m

£7m
£(43)m

£(408)m 

£33m 

£(375)m 

£120m 

£(79)m

£1m

£(78)m

£(78)m

£(487)m

£34m £(453)m

£42m

Net restructuring and 
redundancy costs
Net property disposals
Booker integration costs
Acquisition of property joint 
venture
Net impairment (loss)/reversal 
of non-current assets
Impairment of investment in 
India joint venture 
Profit on disposal of Gain Land
Other corporate activity costs
Tesco Bank mortgage disposal
Closure of Tesco Bank current 
accounts to new customers
Provision for customer redress
Tesco Direct closure costs
Tesco Bank FCA provision
Release of amounts provided in 
relation of FCA obligations
Release of provision relating to 
HMRC VAT appeal
Sale of Lazada
Guaranteed minimum pensions 
(GMP) equalisation
Total exceptional items in 
statutory operating profit  
Amortisation of acquired 
intangible assets
Total exceptional items and 
amortisation of acquired 
intangibles in statutory 
operating profit

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 underlying performance of the Group.

This year, total exceptional items resulted in a net cost of £(375)m, 
compared to a net credit of £120m in the prior year. This year-on-year 
movement is principally due to provision releases and net impairment 
reversals in the base, as well as the accounting impact of obtaining full 
control of one of our property joint ventures (The Tesco Atrato Limited 
Partnership) through the acquisition of our partner’s 50% stake in 
September 2019. All of these significant movements are non-cash.

Exceptional restructuring and redundancy costs of £(107)m include a 
£(51)m charge relating to the simplification of our store operating model 
in the UK and a £(43)m charge relating to the transformation we have 
undertaken in Central Europe.

Exceptional net profits on property transactions of £44m have arisen 
from property disposals within the UK (£18m) and Central Europe (£26m).

We have incurred a £(23)m exceptional charge relating to Booker 
integration costs, bringing costs to date to £(38)m.

The acquisition of our partner’s stake in The Tesco Atrato Limited 
Partnership results in the Group taking on the joint venture’s external 
debt in addition to its freehold assets (15 stores and two distribution 
centres). The exceptional charge of £(136)m represents the net effect of 
the derecognition of the previously held IFRS 16 lease liabilities and right 
of use assets, and the impairment of the acquired assets. 

As announced at the half year, the impairment charge of £(47)m 
relating to our Trent Hypermarket joint venture relates to reduced 
profit expectations due to investments in the competitiveness of our 
offer and reduced store expansion plans.

Other exceptional items include a profit of £37m on the disposal of 
our 20% share in Gain Land in China, and a £(22)m charge relating to 
corporate activity, which includes costs relating to the proposed 
sale of our businesses in Thailand and Malaysia in addition to other 
Group projects.

Tesco Bank recognised a £(56)m exceptional accelerated depreciation 
charge following the decision to close our current account business to 
new customers. Also, as announced at the half year, Tesco Bank 
recognised an additional £(45)m provision for customer redress due to 
an unexpectedly high number of claims received in the weeks prior to 
the 29 August deadline in respect of Payment Protection Insurance (PPI).

Net exceptional items of £(33)m in week 53 comprise a £(44)m charge 
relating to further changes to our UK store operating model and £11m 
of net profits on property transactions in the UK.

Amortisation of acquired intangible assets is also excluded from our 
headline performance measures. The £(78)m charge primarily relates to 
our merger with Booker in March 2018, which resulted in the recognition 
of goodwill of £3,093m and a £755m intangible asset. 
Joint ventures and associates.
Our share of post-tax profits from joint ventures and associates 
before exceptional items was £26m, an increase of £5m year-on-year 
primarily due to a reduced level of losses from Gain Land, our former 
associate in China. 

Exceptional items of £(8)m comprise a £(12)m charge for land penalties 
arising in our 20% share of Gain Land, and in Tesco Bank, an exceptional 
gain of £4m in our insurance joint venture, Tesco Underwriting, 
reflecting a revision to the Ogden compensation tables which are used 
to calculate future losses in personal injury and fatal accident claims. 

Following the sale of our 20% share in Gain Land and proposed sale of 
our business in Thailand, which is inclusive of our 25% share of the 
Tesco Lotus Retail Growth Freehold and Leasehold Property Fund 
(TLGF), our share of post-tax profits from joint ventures and associates 
will primarily relate to our UK property joint ventures. In 2019/20 TLGF 
contributed £26m to profit.

Finance income and finance costs

Net interest on medium-
term notes, loans and bonds
Other interest receivable and 
similar income
Other finance charges and 
interest payable
Finance charges payable on 
lease liabilities
Capitalised interest
Net finance costs before 
exceptional charges, net 
pension finance costs and 
fair value remeasurements 
of financial instruments
Fair value remeasurements of 
financial instruments
Net pension finance costs
Net finance costs before 
exceptional charges
Exceptional items:
 – Fair value remeasurement 
on restructuring derivative 
financial instruments
 – Gain on Tesco Bank 
mortgage disposal

This year
53-week 
basis
£(212)m

Exclude
week 53

This year
52-week 
basis
£3m £(209)m

Last year
£(238)m

£23m

£(25)m

–

–

£23m

£25m

£(25)m

£(49)m

£(541)m

£6m

£(535)m

£(561)m

–
£(755)m

–
£9m

–
£(746)m

£1m
£(822)m

£(244)m

£18m

£(226)m

£(153)m

£(71)m
£(1,070)m

–

£(89)m
£(71)m
£27m £(1,043)m £(1,064)m

£(180)m

£29m

–

–

£(180)m

£29m

–

–

Net finance costs

£(1,221)m

£27m £(1,194)m £(1,064)m

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

9

Strategic report 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial review continued

 Net finance costs before exceptional charges, net pension finance 
costs and fair value remeasurements of financial instruments reduced 
by £76m year-on-year to £(746)m, mainly driven by a reduction in net 
interest payable following debt maturities, bond tenders and new debt 
issued at a significantly lower rate of interest. In addition, finance charges 
payable on lease liabilities reduced by £26m year-on-year due to ongoing 
lease utilisation and the buyback of 21 leasehold properties in the year.

Fair value remeasurements of financial instruments increased by £73m 
year-on-year driven by a fall in inflation expectations impacting the new 
index-linked swaps, which offset those put in place as part of historical 
sale and leaseback property transactions. The swaps were restructured 
to eliminate the impact of future inflation on the Group’s cash flow in 
relation to these property transactions. Fair value remeasurements also 
includes £(65)m primarily relating to the premium paid on the 
repurchase on long-dated bonds (last year: £(121)m). 

Net pension finance costs decreased by £18m year-on-year, primarily 
due to a lower opening pension deficit. For the 2020/21 financial year, 
net pension finance costs are expected to be no more than c.£55m. 
The exact cost will depend on the timing of the one-off pension 
contribution of £2.5bn, described overleaf. 

The exceptional charge of £(180)m included in net finance costs relates 
to actions taken to remove inflation risk from the historical sale and 
leaseback property transactions. The charge, which is non-cash, relates 
to the revaluation of credit risk associated with the historical swaps, 
described above, over a shorter timeframe.

An exceptional credit of £29m relates to a fair value remeasurement 
as part of the sale of Tesco Bank’s mortgage book that was 
completed in September. 

Group tax
Tax on Group profit before exceptional items and amortisation of 
acquired intangibles was £(430)m, £33m higher than last year due to 
increased profitability. This year’s charge also includes a credit arising 
from closing a number of issues relating to prior years across the 
Group. Group cash tax paid in the year was £340m, including £207m 
of corporate tax paid in the UK.

Following the reversal of the enacted 2% reduction in the rate of UK 
corporation tax from 1 April 2020, we now expect the Group’s effective 
tax rate to be around 21% in the medium term. For the 2020/21 financial 
year we expect an effective tax rate of c.24% as a result of a one-off 
rate change impact from revaluing deferred tax from 17% to 19%.

As previously announced, following changes to the timing of UK 
corporation tax payments, in common with other large UK companies 
we will have two additional quarterly cash payments in the 2021 fiscal 
year. This change effectively moves from payment of around half the 
tax liability after the financial year end to full payment in-year, and is 
expected to create a one-off additional cash outflow in the first half 
of our 2020/21 financial year. 

As part of the use of proceeds from the proposed sale of our 
businesses in Thailand and Malaysia, we intend to make a £2.5bn 
one-off contribution into the UK defined benefit pension scheme. 
As the Group will receive tax relief on this contribution, it is anticipated 
that the level of cash tax payable will be reduced by c.£120m in the year 
of payment and c.£60m per annum in the following three years. 

On a statutory 53-week basis, the total tax charge is £(380)m which 
includes a £53m credit relating to exceptional items.

Earnings per share

Diluted EPS pre-exceptional 
items, amortisation of 
acquired intangibles, net 
pension finance costs and fair 
value remeasurements of 
financial instruments
Statutory diluted earnings  
per share
Statutory basic earnings  
per share

This year
53-week 
basis
18.23p

Exclude 
week 53
(0.31)p

This year
52-week 
basis
17.92p

Last year
14.01p

9.54p

9.60p

–

–

n/a

n/a

13.04p

13.13p

Our diluted earnings per share before exceptional items, amortisation 
of acquired intangibles, net pension finance costs and fair value 
remeasurements of financial instruments was 17.92p, 27.9% higher 
year-on-year, due to our improved profit performance. 

Statutory basic earnings per share from continuing operations were 
9.60p, (26.9)% lower year-on-year, primarily reflecting the change in 
the level of exceptional items year-on-year.

10

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

Summary of Total indebtedness.(a)

This year 
53-week 
basis
£(2,765)m

Exclude
week 53

This year 
52-week  
basis
£191m £(2,574)m £(2,734)m

Last year Movement
£160m

£(9,533)m
£(2,573)m

£6m £(9,527)m £(10,470)m
£(2,573)m £(2,338)m

–

£943m
£(235)m

£(14,871)m £197m £(14,674)m £(15,542)m

£868m

Underlying Net 
debt (excludes 
lease liabilities 
and Tesco Bank) 
Lease liabilities
Pension deficit, 
IAS 19 basis 
(post-tax)
Total 
indebtedness

(a)  Total indebtedness is defined in the glossary, starting on page 164.

Total indebtedness was £(14,674)m, down £868m year-on-year driven by 
a reduction in our lease liabilities and underlying net debt, partly offset 
by an increase in the pension deficit. 

Our lease liabilities decreased by £943m year-on-year, principally 
reflecting the purchase of our partner’s 50% stake in the Tesco Atrato 
Limited property joint venture. The acquisition, which is treated as an 
asset acquisition, increases our freehold property ownership and 
borrowings, replacing associated right of use assets and lease liabilities. 
In addition, our lease liabilities reduced due to capital repayments made 
in the year and the buyback of a number of other leasehold properties.

On an IAS 19 basis, our pension deficit increased by £(235)m to £(2.6)bn. 
An increase in the measurement of scheme liabilities due to a fall in 
corporate bond yields was largely offset by strong asset performance, 
including that of our liability-driven investment portfolio, in addition to 
continued deficit contributions and the application of the latest 
actuarial assumptions.

As part of the use of proceeds from the proposed sale of our 
businesses in Thailand and Malaysia, we have reached agreement with 
the Trustees to make a £2.5bn one-off contribution into the Scheme. 
This, along with other measures, is expected to eliminate the funding 
deficit and significantly reduce the prospect of having to make further 
pension deficit contributions in the future.

The agreement with the Trustees also covers the key principles of 
the triennial scheme valuation, which will now be calculated as at 
31 December 2019. The Trustees will aim to conclude the valuation 
as soon as is reasonably possible. 

Our key credit metrics, which are Fixed charge cover and Total 
indebtedness/EBITDA, have further improved since the end of the 
last financial year, from 3.0 to 3.4 times and from 3.6 to 3.1 times 
respectively. We are now targeting leverage of c.2.5 times.
Summary retail cash flow.
Retail free cash flow increased by £1,174m year-on-year to £2,063m, 
reflecting a strong increase in cash profitability, a decrease in working 
capital and the contribution from the sale of our share in Gain Land.

We generated a net working capital inflow of £163m. This improvement 
is lower than initially planned, and includes the reversal of the £(210)m 
impact seen in the second half of last year primarily relating to our 
decision to delay the implementation of a new general ledger system. 
Our planned progress was held back by the timing of non-trade related 
payments, the deleveraging effect of lower sales in Central Europe and 
the continued prioritisation of securing availability for customers ahead 
of potential Brexit deadlines. These factors were partly offset by a 
refinement of payment terms with our largest suppliers.

The £(240)m impact shown in the table overleaf in working capital 
relating to week 53 is primarily driven by the timing of a fuel payment. 

Cash capital expenditure was £142m lower year-on-year as we maintain 
our disciplined approach to capital investment.

An £80m reduction in cash interest principally relates to debt maturities 
and bond tenders at a significantly lower rate of interest. Cash interest 
also includes the interest element of lease rental payments, which 
reduced by £26m year-on-year as leases were utilised and we bought 
back a number of other leasehold properties.

Retail cash tax paid in the year was £271m, a decrease of £31m  
year-on-year. The decrease year-on-year was due to IFRS 16 transitional 
adjustments and a higher charge for fair value remeasurements in the 
period, which are both eligible for cash tax relief.

We generated £258m of property proceeds including £167m from the sale 
of properties in Central Europe, mainly in Poland. We utilised £172m of 
cash primarily for the buyback of our Blandford, Chesterfield and High 
Wycombe stores, which will result in an annual cash rental saving of £8m. 

 
 
We purchased £149m of shares in the market following our commitment 
to offset any dilution from the issuance of new shares to satisfy the 
requirements of share schemes. Going forward we continue to expect 
to utilise c.£150m a year, with the precise amount depending on 
performance and market conditions.

The increase in repayments of obligations under leases of £27m is 
largely offset by a corresponding decrease within the interest 
element of lease rental payments included in net interest.

As previously announced, we will make a £0.3bn pension deficit 
contribution in the 2020/21 financial year, which in addition to the 
proposed one-off £2.5bn contribution in the second half of 2020, 
is expected to eliminate the funding deficit and significantly reduce 
the prospect of having to make further deficit contributions in the 
future, releasing c.£260m of annual free cash flow.

Operating profit before 
exceptional items and 
amortisation of acquired 
intangibles
Less: Tesco Bank operating 
profit before exceptional items
Retail operating profit from 
continuing operations before 
exceptional items and 
amortisation of acquired 
intangibles
Add back: Depreciation and 
amortisation
Other reconciling items
Pension deficit contribution
Underlying (increase)/decrease 
in working capital
Retail cash generated from 
operations before exceptional 
items
Exceptional cash items:

Relating to prior years:
 – Shareholder 

Compensation Scheme 
payments and SFO fine 

 – Onerous contract 

provisions

 – Restructuring payments
Relating to current year:
 – Restructuring payments
 – Integration costs 
 – Corporate costs
 – Other(a)

Retail operating cash flow
Cash capex
Net interest
Tax
Property proceeds
Property purchases – store 
buybacks
Market purchases of shares  
(net of proceeds)
Acquisitions, disposals and 
dividends received
Add back: Booker acquisition 
costs (included above)
Repayments of obligations 
under leases
Retail free cash flow

This year
53-week 
basis
£3,005m

This year
52-week 
basis

Exclude
week 53
Last year
£(46)m £2,959m £2,607m

£(193)m

–

£(193)m

£(199)m

£2,812m

£(46)m £2,766m £2,408m

£1,937m

£(29)m £1,908m £1,887m

£66m
£(267)m
£(77)m

£12m
–
£240m

£78m

£70m
£(267)m £(266)m
£163m £(306)m

£4,471m

£177m £4,648m £3,793m

£(230)m

– 

£(230)m

£(156)m

–

–

£(133)m

£(64)m
£(23)m
£(10)m
–
£4,241m
£(988)m
£(777)m
£(271)m
£269m
£(172)m

£(149)m

£345m

–

£(632)m 

–

–

 –

–

–

£(43)m

£(1)m

£(133)m

£(60)m

–
–
–
–

£(64)m
£(23)m
£(10)m
–

£(68)m
£(12)m 
–
£28m
£177m £4,418m £3,637m
£4m £(984)m £(1,126)m
£27m £(750)m £(830)m
£(271)m £(302)m
£285m
£258m
£(136)m
£(172)m

–
£(11)m
–

–

–

–

–

£(149)m

£(146)m

£345m £(635)m

–

£747m

£(632)m £(605)m

£1,866m

£197m £2,063m

£889m

(a)  Booker integration costs were previously included within ‘Other’.

Capital expenditure.
Our capital expenditure for the year was £1.1bn, broadly level on the 
prior year, and was primarily focused on store maintenance and refits.

In the UK & ROI spend has related to the maintenance of our stores 
in addition to 18 new Express store openings and our temporary 
replacement store in Kennington. We also opened five Jack’s stores 
in the UK, bringing the total to 12.

In Central Europe, our programme to address unproductive selling 
space by either refitting, downsizing or repurposing stores is now largely 
complete. In Poland we moved to a two-format model, which involved 

closing or resizing all hypermarkets to our better performing compact 
hypermarket format. The total space reduction in Central Europe was 
c.3 million sq. ft. with c.2.1 million sq. ft. of this within Poland.

In Asia we opened two new stores in Malaysia, following favourable 
legislation changes and a further 54 new stores in Thailand, primarily in 
our Express format. Following the proposed sale of our businesses in 
Thailand and Malaysia, in future years we expect our annual Group 
capital expenditure to be within a range of £0.9bn to £1.2bn.

Statutory capital expenditure of £2.1bn includes £914m relating to the 
acquisition of full control of the The Tesco Atrato Limited Partnership 
(comprising 15 stores and two distribution centres) and £136m relating 
to the buyback of a number of other leasehold properties in the year.

UK & ROI
Central Europe
Asia
Tesco Bank
Group

This year
£769m
£108m
£134m
£52m
£1,063m

Last year
£709m
£130m
£235m
£31m
£1,105m

Property.
The estimated market value of our fully owned property as at the 
year end increased by £0.4bn to £21.7bn. The market value of £21.7bn 
represents a surplus of £2.8bn over the net book value. Our Group 
freehold property ownership percentage, by value, has increased by 2% 
year-on-year. In September we completed the purchase of our 
partner’s 50% stake in The Tesco Atrato Limited Partnership property 
joint venture, which includes 15 stores and two distribution centres. 
This asset acquisition increased our percentage of fully owned property 
in UK & ROI by c.2% and will lead to an annualised cash rental saving of 
£41m. The repurchase of three large stores in the UK also supported an 
improvement in the percentage of fully-owned property, in addition to 
an annualised cash rental saving of £8m. 
Dividend.
Reflecting the strength of our performance last year and given our 
robust liquidity and balance sheet, we propose to pay a final dividend of 
6.50 pence per Ordinary share. This takes the total dividend for the year 
to 9.15 pence per Ordinary share, up 58.6% year-on-year, including the 
payment of an interim dividend of 2.65 pence per Ordinary share in 
November 2019. This represents a full-year dividend payout ratio of 
50% on a 53-week basis. We expect to maintain a full-year dividend 
payout ratio of 50% going forward and from 2020/21 our interim 
dividend will be set at 35% of the prior year full-year dividend.

The proposed final dividend was approved by the Board of Directors on 
7 April 2020 and is subject to the approval of shareholders at this year’s 
AGM. The final dividend will be paid on 3 July 2020 to shareholders who 
are on the register of members at close of business on 22 May 2020 
(the Record Date). Shareholders may elect to reinvest their dividend in 
the dividend reinvestment plan (DRIP). The last date for receipt of DRIP 
elections and revocations will be 12 June 2020.
Looking ahead.
COVID-19 is having a material impact on the operations of our business 
and we are incurring significant additional costs, particularly in payroll 
as we recruit additional colleagues to meet demand and cover the work 
of those colleagues who are absent and being paid. 

While the full financial impact of the crisis for 2020/21 is impossible to 
predict with a high degree of certainty, we have considered a range of 
scenarios to understand potential outcomes on our business and plan 
appropriately. Dependent on the scenario, the estimated impact on our 
retail cost lines is between c.£(650)m and c.£(925)m including significant 
cost increases in payroll, distribution and store expenses.

At this stage it would not be prudent to provide financial guidance for 
2020/21, however if customer behaviour were to return to normal by 
August it is likely that the additional cost headwinds incurred in our 
retail operations would be largely offset by the benefits of food volume 
increases, 12 months’ business rates relief in the UK and prudent 
operations management. 

Tesco Bank, which operates as a standalone regulated entity, is 
expected to be impacted by a reduction in income from all of its 
activities, including credit cards, loans and travel money. This expected 
decrease in income, in addition to provisions for potential bad debts, is 
likely to result in a loss for the Bank in the year ending February 2021. 
Notwithstanding this, the Bank’s capital ratios (Tier 1 ratio: 20.6% and 
Total ratio: 23.1% as at 29 February 2020) and liquidity are expected to 
remain strong.

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

11

Strategic report 
 
 
 
 
 
Key performance indicators

Our Big 6 KPIs.

Grow sales.
Why it’s important.
Sustainable growth in sales is important 
to our business model. A strong, growing 
business also creates opportunities for 
our suppliers to grow with us too.
What we measure.
Group sales is a measure of revenue 
excluding sales made at petrol filling 
stations. It demonstrates the Group’s 
underlying performance in the core 
retail and financial services businesses 
by removing the volatilities associated 
with the movement in fuel prices.
How we performed.
Group sales declined by (1.0)% at 
constant exchange rates and (0.7)% at 
actual exchange rates, to £56.5bn. In the 
UK & ROI, total sales increased by 0.1% at 
actual exchange rates, against a backdrop 
of subdued market growth.

Group salesΔ

£56.5bn (2018/19: £56.9bn) 
down (1.0)%(a)

Deliver profit.
Why it’s important.
Recovering our profitability has been key 
to our turnaround, building a platform for 
long-term growth and creating value for 
all stakeholders.
What we measure.
Group operating profit, before 
exceptional items and amortisation of 
acquired intangibles. It is the headline 
measure of the Group’s performance.
How we performed.
Group operating profit before 
exceptional items and amortisation of 
acquired intangibles of £2,959m grew 
by 13.5% at actual exchange rates and 
12.6% at constant exchange rates.

Group operating profit before 
exceptional items and amortisation 
of acquired intangiblesΔ 
£2,959m (2018/19: £2,607m*) 
up 13.5%(b)

Improve operating cash flow.
Why it’s important.
Strong cash generation is an important 
part of our underlying philosophy as we 
manage our business.
What we measure.
Retail operating cash flow is the cash 
generated 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.
How we performed.
We generated Retail operating cash 
of £4,418m, up 21.5%. This reflects a 
strong increase in cash profitability 
and a decrease in working capital.

Retail operating cash flowΔ
£4,418m (2018/19: £3,637m*) 
up 21.5%(b)

Customers recommend us and 
come back time and again.
Why it’s important.
Customers are at the heart of everything 
we do, and customer satisfaction is an 
important driver of loyalty.
What we measure.
Reflects % of Fans minus Critics 
answering the question ‘How likely is it 
that you would recommend Tesco to a 
friend or colleague?’
How we performed.
Our net promoter score for the Group 
declined by 3 points to 14 points. While our 
full-year performance is down on last 
year, we saw an improving trend in the 
final quarter of the year.

Group net promoter score
14 pts, down 3 pts(c)

Colleagues recommend us as a 
great place to work and shop.
Why it’s important.
When we get things right for our more 
than 400,000 colleagues, we make it 
even easier for them to do what they 
do best – serving shoppers a little 
better every day.
What we measure.
Our ‘Great place to work’ measure is 
the percentage of colleagues who agree 
or strongly agree with the statement 
‘I would recommend Tesco as a great 
place to work’.

‘Great place to shop’ is a net promoter 
score, answering the question ‘I would 
recommend Tesco as a place to shop’. 
How we performed.
Colleagues continue to recommend Tesco 
as a great place to work, with 82% of our 
colleagues across the Group agreeing. This 
is 10% higher than our peers, based on a 
benchmark of global retail companies. 

Great place to shop 46 pts,  
down 4 pts(d)

Great place to work 82%

Build trusted partnerships.
Why it’s important.
Close and trusted partnerships with our 
suppliers allow us to source the best 
quality products for our customers, 
at the best prices. 
What we measure.
Our supplier satisfaction measure reflects 
the percentage of suppliers across the 
Group who responded positively when 
asked ‘Overall how satisfied are you with 
your experience of working with Tesco?’, 
in our Supplier Viewpoint survey.
How we performed.
Overall Group supplier satisfaction 
reached its highest score to date of 77.8%. 
We saw particular improvements in 
supplier ratings for cooperation, respect 
and communication.

Group supplier satisfaction

77.8%, up 0.3% pts

Δ	 Alternative	performance	measures	APMs.

Measures	with	this	symbol	Δ	are	defined	in	the	Glossary	section	on	pages	164	to	169.

(a)  Reported on a continuing operations basis. Growth is at constant exchange rates on a non-comparable days, 52-week basis.
(b)  Reported on a continuing operations basis. Growth is at actual exchange rates on a 52-week basis.
(c)  Basis Tesco Global Brand tracker
(d)  Recommendations from Tesco retail colleagues. Excludes Tesco Bank, Jack’s, Tesco Bengaluru and Tesco Maintenance.
 * Restated for the adoption of IFRS 16. For more information see Note 1 and Note 37 on pages 84 and 143.

12

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

Principal risks and uncertainties 

A robust approach to risk.

Key elements of our risk management framework.

We have an established risk management framework to manage and report the risks that we face as a business (see diagram below).  
A risk that can seriously affect our performance, future prospects or reputation of the Group is termed a principal risk. 

To manage our risks effectively we have identified a risk appetite which is driven by the following:

 – our performance should be competitive, responsible and focused on creating value for all our stakeholders including 

customers, colleagues, suppliers and shareholders;

 – our behaviours must be in line with our code of business conduct to protect and enhance our reputation;
 – we aim to operate our business within the capital allocation framework we have set out; and
 – we seek to ensure that our principal risks are effectively managed.

Risk management policy, standards and guidelines

Principal Risks

Board, Audit Committee, Executive Committee and Group Risk and Compliance Committee

Top-down

Group and 
strategic 
level risk:
 – Identification
 – Assessment
 – Prioritisation 
 – Management
 – Oversight 
 – Reporting

Includes the 
identification and 
management of 
emerging risks

Lines of defence

2nd line 
Compliance and  
support functions

Risk

R i s k  Appetite
&   A ssessment 

3rd line 
Internal Audit

1st line  
Management

Assuran c e

onitorin g
& Auditin g

M

1

G

o

v

C

l

e

e

r

a

r

n

a

n

c

e

2

7

6

I
n
v
e
s
t

i

g

a

&
S
a
n
c

t

i

t

o

i

o

n

n

s

s

C

o

m

Culture &
Leadership

3

5

4

m

unications

& Training

d s,
u r e s
c e
n
a

r

a

S t a n d
d
e
P r o c
&   G u i d

s
e
i
c
oli
P

C o ntrols

Bottom-up

Business unit 
and operational 
level risk:
 – Identification
 – Assessment
 – Prioritisation 
 – Management
 – Oversight 
 – Reporting

Includes the 
identification and 
management of 
emerging risks

Business unit operational risk and compliance committees 

Business unit risks

Oversight.
Board  
Overall responsibility for risk 
management, including risk 
appetite and oversight for 
the risk assessment and 
mitigation strategy.

Audit Committee  
Oversight of the risk 
framework and internal 
control assurance on  
behalf of the Board.

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

Group Risk and Compliance 
Committee  
Oversight of key regulatory 
and compliance risks on behalf 
of the Executive Committee, 
reporting bi-annually to the 
Audit Committee.

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

13

Strategic report 
uncertainty over the longer-term trade issues could remain until 
31 December 2020 and potentially beyond. We have amended our 
Brexit risk description accordingly and continue to monitor this risk.

Liquidity and risks related to our transformation programme have 
reduced. An improved credit rating, reduction in indebtedness and 
improving cash flow position has resulted in reduced exposure and 
the transformation programme is delivering capability with pilot 
and major releases taking place over the past year. 

We have noted a slight increase in our Health and Safety risk 
primarily driven by a shift in the external regulatory landscape 
leading to potentially higher penalties and legal action. Our 
Group-wide injury statistics continue to improve as we identify 
and implement improvement opportunities to further enhance 
our controls.

We recognise the potential risk of disruption to activities in view of 
the proposed sale of our businesses in Thailand and Malaysia. We 
have appropriate plans in place to monitor and manage these risks.

Key focus areas
As part of our focus on continuous improvement we have begun 
work to refine risk appetite for our principal risks with the 
Executive and Audit Committee this year and will continue to 
progress this in the coming year (see risk appetite below). We have 
also developed our assessment of emerging risks and integrated 
this into our bi-annual risk review process (see emerging risks and 
Corporate governance).

The table opposite sets out our principal risks, their movement 
during the year, and a summary of key controls and mitigating 
factors. They do not comprise all our risks and are not set out in 
priority order. Additional risks not presently known, or currently 
deemed to be less material, may also have adverse effects.

Risk appetite – During the year we have initiated 
work to formalise our approach to develop and 
report our risk appetite. We have worked with the 
Executive Committee, Audit Committee and subject 
matter experts to agree our methodology. We have 
revised our internal Board reporting guidance to 
ensure matters presented for approval clearly 
indicate the risk(s) and as we progress we will also 
integrate reference to our risk appetite. Next year 
we will formalise reporting to the Board and improve 
oversight by further developing and embedding our 
assessment and reporting against risk appetite.

Principal risks and uncertainties continued 

Principal risks are discussed and agreed by Executive 
management and the Audit Committee and are cascaded to 
the business units (top-down) who manage and report on the 
principal risks and any additional significant business unit risks. 
Business units also escalate risks as appropriate (bottom-up) 
to the Executive Committee. 

The principal risks are discussed and evaluated through regular 
meetings with senior management. Each principal risk is 
discussed at least annually by the Board to provide oversight 
and ensure that they remain well managed and relevant.

The seven steps of the risk, controls and assurance framework 
on page 13 are embedded within our business as a key element 
of how we manage our risks and ensure appropriate controls 
are established. 

The risk assessment process relies on our evaluation of the risk 
likelihood and impact, and on the development and monitoring of 
appropriate internal controls. We maintain risk registers detailing 
the risks we face, and this is an important component of how we 
manage our risks. 
Risk management.
We have performed a robust review of our principal risks which 
includes periodic assessments of the risks we believe could 
threaten the Group’s business model, future performance, 
solvency or liquidity.

The COVID-19 outbreak has become a global pandemic moving 
from an emerging risk for the business to a principal risk. The 
Booker integration and synergy realisation risk has significantly 
reduced over the year and is now considered to be operating in 
a business as usual capacity. Consequently it has been retired as 
a principal risk. Other principal risks remain largely unchanged 
from last year.

Risks related to climate change and sustainability remain an integral 
part of a number of our principal risks including brand, reputation 
and trust, and responsible sourcing and supply chain. We have 
enhanced our risk descriptions for these two principal risks over 
the year to further reflect that.

The risks associated with Brexit remain due to there being no clarity 
on the long-term trading relationship with the EU. Although the UK 
entered the standstill transition period on 31 January 2020, 

Emerging risks – This year we have conducted a 
formal exercise to identify and assess emerging risks. 
While assessing potential emerging risks we have 
considered our risk exposure across a number of 
themes e.g. finance and economics, geopolitical and 
security, social and humanitarian, technological, 
climate and sustainability (see TCFD on page 20).

Emerging risk and horizon scanning are integrated as 
part of regular risk discussions and reported at both 
business unit and Executive Committee level and we 
will continue to embed this further going forward. 
Our subject matter experts supported by our second 
line of defence teams have been working through the 
year to deepen our understanding of key risks like 
climate change, sustainability, cyber, packaging, 
artificial intelligence, animal welfare and more 
recently pandemics.

14

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

Key risk movement.

Risk increasing

No risk movement

Risk decreasing

New risk

Principal risk

Risk movement

Key controls and mitigating factors

Customer.†
Uncertainties (including Brexit) 
and macroeconomic conditions 
impact our customers’ budgets 
and force customers to 
reappraise the concepts of value 
and loyalty in a way in which we 
are unable to respond.

  There is continued volatility 
and uncertainty with the 
need for customer 
reassurance on both value 
and quality; however we 
feel that we have the right 
strategy and processes in 
place to monitor this risk.

 – We have a value, price, promotions and Clubcard strategy that drives 
our business priorities with governance and oversight mechanisms.

 – We have a consistent approach to building impactful customer 
propositions, offering high-quality and competitive value while 
improving the customer experience.

 – Propositions are being developed across channels and geographies 

to ensure consistency in the customer engagement.

 – Group-wide customer insight analysis is undertaken to understand and 

leverage trends around customer behaviour, expectations and experience 
across the different parts of the business to improve our propositions.
 – We monitor the effectiveness of our processes by regularly tracking our 
business and competitors against measures that customers tell us are 
important to their shopping experience.

 – We have well-established product development and quality 

management processes, which keep the needs of our customer central 
to our decision-making.

  The risk has decreased 

driven by on-going delivery 
of key programmes to meet 
our transformation 
objectives.

 – We have clear market strategies and business plans to address changes 
to business priorities, strategic objectives and external market factors. 

 – We have executive-level governance and oversight for all the transformation 

activities to ensure programmes are adequately resourced, milestones 
achieved and to approve key rollout decisions. 

 – Real-time independent assurance activities are conducted over the 

transformation programme. 

Transformation.†
Failure to achieve our 
transformation objectives due to 
poor prioritisation, ineffective 
change management and a failure 
to understand and deliver the 
technology required, results in an 
inability to progress sufficiently 
quickly to maintain or increase 
operating margin and generate 
sufficient cash to meet business 
objectives.
Liquidity.†
Failure of our business performance 
to deliver cash as expected; access 
to funding markets or facilities 
being 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.

  The risk has decreased 
driven by a reduction in 
our debt levels and 
improving credit rating 
and debt metrics.

Competition and markets.†
Failure to deliver an effective, 
coherent and consistent strategy 
to respond to our competitors and 
changes in market conditions results 
in a loss of market share and failure 
to improve profitability.

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

Brand, reputation 
and trust.†
Failure to create brand 
reappraisal opportunities to 
improve quality, value and service 
perceptions as well as meet climate 
and sustainability expectations 
results in a negative impact on the 
trust which our stakeholders place 
in our brand.

  We continue to implement 
a number of initiatives and 
activities aligned to our 
strategic priorities, thereby 
helping reappraise the 
brand and continue to 
build and maintain trust.

 – We maintain an infrastructure of systems, policies and reports to ensure 
discipline and oversight on liquidity matters, including specific treasury 
and debt-related issues. 

 – Our treasury policies are communicated across the Group and are regularly 

reviewed by the Board, Executive Committee and management. 

 – The Group’s funding strategy is approved annually by the Board and includes 

maintaining appropriate levels of working capital, undrawn committed 
facilities and access to the capital markets. 

 – The Audit Committee reviews and annually approves the viability and going 

concern statements and reports into the Board. 

 – There is a long-term funding framework in place for the pension deficit and 

there is ongoing communication and engagement with the Pension Trustees. 

 – Liquidity levels and sources of cash are regularly reviewed, and the Group 
maintains access to committed credit facilities and debt capital markets. 
 – 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.

 – Our Board develops and regularly challenges the strategic direction of our 
business to enhance our ability to remain competitive on price, range and 
service. This includes the development of our online channels 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. 
 – We engage in market scanning and competitor analysis to refine our 

customer proposition.

 – Our Group policies, procedures and our Code of Business Conduct sets out 
detailed expectations and behaviours around how we can make the right 
decisions for our customers, colleagues, suppliers, communities and investors.

 – We listen to our customers and stakeholders as part of our communication 
and engagement programmes. We reflect these needs in our plans including 
building upon health, community, sourcing, climate and sustainability 
initiatives as part of our LHP on pages 21 to 23.

 – We continue to maximise the value and impact of our brand with the advice 

of specialist external agencies and in-house marketing expertise. 

 – Our Corporate Responsibility Committee oversees all corporate responsibility 

activities and initiatives, including climate and sustainability programmes 
which ensures alignment with customer priorities and our brand strategy.

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

15

Strategic report 
 
 
 
 
Principal risks and uncertainties continued 

Principal risk

Risk movement

Key controls and mitigating factors

Technology.
Failure of our IT infrastructure or 
key IT systems results in a loss of 
information, inability to operate 
effectively, financial or regulatory 
penalties, and negative impacts on 
our reputation. Further, failure to 
build resilience at the time of 
investing in and implementing new 
technology, results in potential loss 
of operating capability.

  There continues to be a 
growing dependence on 
technology throughout the 
Group. We continue to 
make improvements and 
invest in disaster recovery 
and business continuity 
measures which are 
helping to limit exposure 
to external threats.

Data security and data 
privacy.†
Failure to comply with legal or 
regulatory requirements relating to 
data security and data privacy in the 
course of our business activities, 
results in reputational damage, fines 
or other adverse consequences. 
This includes criminal penalties and 
consequential litigation which may 
result in an adverse impact on our 
financial performance or 
unfavourable effects on our 
ability to do business.

  As a retail organisation we 
hold a large amount of 
customer and colleague 
personal data, and the 
threat landscape has been 
ever growing. Since the 
introduction of General 
Data Protection Regulation 
(GDPR) we have seen an 
increase in individuals’ 
awareness levels, as well as 
an increase in the financial 
penalties which can be 
levied by the data 
protection authorities. 

Political, regulatory and 
compliance.†
Failure to comply with legal and 
other requirements as the 
regulatory environment becomes 
more restrictive, due to changes 
in the global political landscape, 
results in fines, criminal penalties for 
Tesco or colleagues, consequential 
litigation and an adverse impact on 
our reputation, financial results, 
and/or our ability to do business.

Health and safety.
Failure to meet safety standards 
in relation to our workplace, results 
in death or injury to our customers, 
colleagues or third parties and leads 
to adverse financial and reputational 
consequences.

  Long-term changes in the 

global political environment, 
including that in some 
markets there is a push 
towards greater regulation 
of foreign ownership of 
companies resulting in 
favouring of local 
companies. 

  This risk has increased 

primarily driven by a shift 
in the regulatory landscape 
which may lead to an 
increase in penalties and 
fines. Group-wide injury 
statistics continue to 
improve alongside 
identifying continuous 
improvement opportunities 
to further embed controls. 

 – Our multi-year programme continues to enhance our technology 

infrastructure and resilience capabilities. This involves significant investment 
in our hosting strategy, partnering with cloud providers and re-engineering 
some of our legacy retail systems, while building redundancy for key 
business systems. 

 – Our new data centre facility provides greater resiliency and oversight 

for our key systems.

 – Our technology security programme continues to enhance information 

security capabilities thereby strengthening our infrastructure and 
information technology general controls. 

 – We have combined governance processes covering both technology 

disaster recovery and business continuity to ensure alignment. 

 – We put our customers and colleagues at the heart of all decisions we make 
in relation to the processing of personal data. Our multi-year technology 
security programme is driving the enhancement of our data security 
capabilities.

 – We have an established team in our security operations centre to detect, 

report and respond to security incidents. 

 – We have a third-party supplier assurance programme focusing on third-party 

data security and privacy risks.

 – We invest significantly across the Group to help us comply with the 

requirements of GDPR in Europe, and any other relevant legislation globally. 

 – We have a privacy compliance programme, which includes assessment 

and monitoring of risk across our global business.

 – There is regular reporting on progress and results of the security and privacy 

programmes to governance and oversight committees.

 – We recognise the importance of training and communication to help prevent 

data security and privacy-related incidents and have regular induction, 
awareness and refresher courses for our colleagues.

 – Our data privacy and protection policies clearly set out how we can protect 

and appropriately restrict customer, supplier and colleague data.
 – Next generation behaviour-based anti-virus and malware solutions, 

data and payment encryption and threat detection tools help us reduce 
the likelihood of being compromised.

 – Wherever we operate, we aim to ensure that the impact of political and 
regulatory changes is incorporated in our strategic planning and policies. 
 – We have compliance programmes and committees to manage our most 

important risks (e.g. anti-bribery and competition law). 

 – Our compliance programmes ensure that controls are implemented to 
mitigate the risk and we conduct assurance activities for each risk area.

 – Our Code of Business Conduct and various policies (e.g. gifts and 

entertainment, conflicts of interest) are supported by new starter and annual 
compliance training and other tools such as our whistleblowing hotline. 
 – The engagement of leadership and senior management is critical to the 

successful management of this risk area. Structured communication plans 
are established to provide a clear tone, from the top, for our colleagues.

 – We have a business-wide, risk-based safety framework which defines how 
we implement and report on safety controls to ensure that colleagues, 
contractors and customers have a safe place to work and shop. 
 – Each business is required to maintain a comprehensive risk register 

and a safety improvement plan to document and track enhancements.
 – Governance and oversight is established in the form of our Group Risk 

and Compliance Committee and business unit-specific health and safety 
committees. These committees review critical metrics and monitor the 
effectiveness of related controls. 

 – Safety audits, whistleblowing arrangements and annual colleague survey 
results, informs management on delivery of targeted safety initiatives 
including communication plans.

 – Second and third line of defence assurance activities such as store and 
distribution compliance reviews, safety health checks and audits help us 
assess compliance with established policies and processes and continuously 
seek to identify areas of potential improvement.

16

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

 
 
 
 
Principal risk

Risk movement

Key controls and mitigating factors

People.
Failure to attract, retain and 
develop the required capability 
and continue to evolve our 
culture results in an impact on 
the delivery of our purpose and 
strategic drivers.

  Market competitiveness 
continues to affect our 
ability to attract and retain 
key specialist talent. There 
is a continued challenge 
from fast-changing and 
complex legislation.

  Given the evolution in 

external standards and 
expectations we recognise 
the importance of sourcing 
safe products in a 
responsible manner. We 
continue to monitor and 
improve our controls to 
ensure we have a 
sustainable supply chain.

Responsible sourcing and 
supply chain.
Failure to meet product safety 
standards results in death, 
injury or illness to customers.

Failure to ensure that products 
are sourced responsibly across 
our supply chain (including fair pay 
for workers, adhering to human 
rights, clean and safe working 
environments, meeting climate 
change and sustainability 
commitments) and that all social 
and environmental standards are 
met results in supply chain 
disruption, regulatory breaches, 
and reputational impacts of not 
meeting societal expectations.

 – Our talent planning and people development processes are established 

across the Group. 

 – Talent and succession planning are regularly discussed by line management 

and the Executive Committee with regular oversight by the Nominations and 
Governance Committee and the Board. 

 – We have clear potential and performance criteria and talent principles which 

are underpinned by our employer value proposition and strategy.

 – An independent assessment of all promotions and external hires is conducted 

at leadership level to ensure capability, potential, leadership and values. 

 – The Remuneration Committee agrees objectives and remuneration 

arrangements for senior management. 

 – ‘How to’ and ‘when to’ speak up has been relaunched across all areas and our 
protector line and complaint process allows colleagues to confidentially raise 
any workplace concerns e.g. dishonest activity or something endangering 
colleagues, the public or the environment. 

 – We have a Group Inclusion strategy to ensure we provide equal opportunities 

for growth and development to all our colleagues. 

 – We have product standards, policies and guidance covering both food and 
non-food, as well as goods and services not for resale, to help ensure that 
products are safe, legal and of the required quality.

 – Assurance, improvement and empowerment are our three human rights 
pillars in place to appropriately monitor conditions and progress, tackle 
endemic sector risks and address wider community needs. Measures include 
policies and guidance to help to ensure the rights of workers are respected 
and environmental impacts are managed responsibly. Refer to pages 21 to 23 
for specific actions highlighted under our LHP.

 – Supplier audit and product analysis programmes are in place to 

monitor product safety, traceability and integrity, human rights and 
environmental standards, including unannounced audits of supplier 
sites and facilities.

 – We run colleague training programmes on food and product safety, 

responsible sourcing, hygiene controls, and also provide support for stores. 
We also provide targeted training for colleagues and suppliers dealing with 
specific challenges such as modern slavery.

 – Crisis management procedures are embedded within operations to quickly 
resolve issues if non-compliant products are produced or sold with clear 
escalation protocols.

 – Our LHP pages 21 to 23 references the creation of a fourth pillar, Planet, and 

the steps being implemented to cover climate and sustainability. 

Brexit.†
Failure to prepare for the UK’s 
future trading relationship with the 
EU (whatever form that may take) 
results in disruption to and creates 
uncertainty around our business and 
our ability to supply our customers. 
Any disruption or uncertainty could 
have an adverse effect on our 
business, financial results and 
operations.

  The UK entered the 

 – With the UK’s future trading relationship with the EU (and others) still to be 

standstill transition period 
on 31 January 2020 and 
uncertainty over the 
longer-term trade issues 
could remain until 
31 December 2020 and 
potentially beyond. The risk 
of business disruption and 
cost increases therefore 
remain unchanged.

determined, we continue to contribute to important public policy discussions 
and engage with government, regulatory bodies and industry e.g. sharing of 
analysis and data, to aid policy makers’ understanding of food and product 
supply chains.

 – We continue to assess and monitor the potential risks and impacts on our 

customers, colleagues and shareholders, while taking appropriate mitigation 
measures to address challenges including logistics, resourcing and supply.
 – We have developed a detailed Brexit contingency plan for any political and 
macroeconomic changes that could have a material impact on our market 
and customer proposition with clear oversight by our senior leaders through 
the Brexit Governance Group.

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

17

Strategic report 
 
 
Principal risks and uncertainties continued 

Principal risk

Risk movement

Key controls and mitigating factors

  The Bank continues to 

actively manage the risks 
to which it is exposed.

 – The Bank has a formal structure for reporting, monitoring and managing risks. 
This comprises, at its highest level, the Bank’s risk appetite, approved by the 
Bank Board and supported by the risk management framework.

 – The Tesco PLC Board also reviews and approves the financial risk appetite. 
Risk appetite defines the type and amount of risk that the Bank is prepared 
to accept in order to meet its strategic objectives. It forms a link between 
day-to-day risk management of the business and its strategic priorities, 
long-term plan, capital planning and stress testing. Adherence to risk 
appetite is monitored monthly.

 – The risk management framework brings together governance, risk appetite, 
the three lines of defence, the policy framework and the risk management 
tools to support the business in managing risk as part of day-to-day activities.

 – There is Bank Board risk reporting throughout the year, with updates to the 
Tesco PLC Audit Committee provided by the Bank’s Chief Financial Officer, 
and Audit Committee Chairman. A member of the Tesco PLC Board is also 
a member of the Bank’s Board to enhance visibility and knowledge sharing.

  The COVID-19 outbreak has 
become a global pandemic 
moving from an emerging 
risk to becoming a principal 
risk for the business.

 – The safety and wellbeing of our colleagues and customers has been and 
continues to be our overriding priority. Our Executive Committee are 
monitoring events closely with regular Board oversight evaluating the 
impacts and designing appropriate response strategies. 

 – The availability of cash resources and committed facilities together with 
strong cash flow, support Tesco’s liquidity and longer-term viability.

 – Our teams are working tirelessly to implement specific actions to minimise 
disruption faced by our customers in these challenging times. Our business 
continuity and crisis management plans have been mobilised in all parts of 
the Group and additional measures have been implemented including 
increasing our retail store colleague headcount (with redeployment of 
colleagues where possible), securing additional supply chain capacity to meet 
changes in demand (including measures to prevent customer stockpiling), 
implementing changes to stores (including hours, additional security, hygiene 
and social distancing measures), and extending support to colleagues and 
customers at increased risk. 

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

COVID-19.†
The recent outbreak and global 
spread of the COVID-19 may have a 
significant and prolonged impact on 
global economic conditions, disrupt 
our supply chain (including our 
supplier base, specifically regarding 
business closure and consolidation, 
labour shortage, raw material 
supply and potential cost inflation), 
increase employee absenteeism and 
adversely impact our operations. 

Governments and public bodies in 
affected countries have introduced 
temporary emergency public 
measures such as travel bans, 
quarantines and public lockdowns 
(also impacting our mall operations). 
Should these continue for an 
extended period of time, they 
would increase pressure on our 
supply chain and operations 
(including Tesco Bank due to an 
economic downturn).

† 

Indicates that the principal risk has been included as part of the longer-term viability scenarios as detailed on page 19.

Internal control.
The key elements of the Group’s internal control framework are monitored throughout the year and the Audit Committee has conducted 
a review of the effectiveness of the Group’s risk management and internal control systems on behalf of the Board. To support the Board’s 
annual assessment, Group Audit and Advisory prepared a report on the Group’s principal risks and internal controls. This describes the risk 
management systems and key internal controls, as well as the work conducted in the year to improve the risk and control environment 
including the level of assurance undertaken. The internal control framework is intended to effectively manage rather than eliminate the risk of 
failure to achieve business objectives. It can only provide reasonable, but not absolute, assurance against the risk of material misstatement or 
financial loss.

18

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

 
 
Longer-term viability statement

Assessing the Group’s longer-term prospects and viability
The Directors have based their assessment of viability on the 
Group’s current long-term plan, which is updated and approved 
annually by the Board. The plan delivers the Group’s purpose of 
‘serving shoppers a little better every day’ and is underpinned by 
a clear strategic focus on driving sustainable and profitable growth 
through innovation and technology.

The Group conducts an annual strategic planning process, 
comprising a comprehensive reassessment of progress against 
the Group’s strategic objectives alongside a careful evaluation of 
the longer-term opportunities and risks in each market in which 
the Group operates. The process for assessing the principal and 
emerging risks in each market is an important input to this process.

The Group’s strategic planning and viability statement are 
considered over a three-year period, as this horizon most 
appropriately reflects the dynamic and changing retail 
environment in which the Group operates.

Long-term planning process
The long-term planning process builds from the Group’s current 
position and considers the evolution of the strategic objectives 
over the next three years. As part of this process, a longer-term 
assessment of the prospects of the Group is also considered.

Current position
The Group has delivered on every part of the turnaround plan  
outlined in 2016 and continues the transformation of the business  
at pace, supported by:

 – A strategic focus on driving growth across the Group through 

innovation and technology.

 – A clear set of financial priorities to deliver cash profit, free cash 
flow and earnings per share growth, underpinned by a robust 
capital allocation framework.

 – A diversified portfolio of businesses covering retail, wholesaling, 

banking and data science.

Scenario

Data security 
or regulatory 
breach

Associated  
principal risks
 – Brand,  

reputation 
and trust

 – Data security  

and data privacy

 – Political, 

regulatory and 
compliance

Brexit impact

 – Competition 
and markets

 – Political, 

regulatory and 
compliance

 – Brexit

 – Transformation
 – Liquidity

Reduction in 
cost savings 
and cash 
generation

Refer to the Group Chief Executive’s review on page 3 and the 
Financial review from page 7 for further detail regarding the Group’s 
strategic and financial progress.

Impact of 
COVID-19

 – COVID-19
 – Liquidity
 – Tesco Bank

Longer-term prospects
The following factors are considered both in the formulation of the 
Group’s strategic plan, and in the longer-term assessment of the 
Group’s prospects:

 – The principal risks and uncertainties faced by the Group, as well 
as emerging risks as they are identified (such as climate change), 
and the Group’s response to these.

 – The prevailing economic climate and global economy, competitor 
activity, market dynamics and changing customer behaviours.

 – The potential short- and longer-term economic impact of Brexit.
 – How the Group can best position itself to take advantage of the 

rapidly evolving retail market and structural shifts in how 
customers shop.

 – Opportunities for further cost reduction through operational 

simplification and leveraging technology. 

 – The resilience afforded by the Group’s operational scale.

Assessing the Group’s viability
The viability of the Group has been assessed, taking into account 
the Group’s current financial position, including external funding in 
place over the assessment period, and after modelling the impact 
of certain scenarios arising from the Group’s principal risks 
outlined on pages 13 to 18.

Four ‘severe but plausible’ scenarios have been modelled that address 
the principal risks that the Group has assessed would have the most 
direct and material impact on the Group. None of these scenarios, 
either individually or in aggregate threaten the viability of the Company.

Scenario

Competitive 
pressure

Associated  
principal risks
 – Brand,  

reputation  
and trust
 – Competition 
and markets

 – Customer

Description

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

Description

A serious data security or 
regulatory breach results in a 
significant monetary penalty, and 
a loss of customer reputation. 
The modelling of this scenario is 
approached via a ‘reverse-stress 
test’ given the inherent 
uncertainty of value. 
This assesses the risk in the 
context of the residual headroom 
after all other downside scenarios 
have been applied.
Assumes a no-deal Brexit 
scenario which results in an 
increase to cost of goods sold.
A broad assessment of the 
potential impact has been 
modelled including: higher 
import tariffs, higher sourcing 
costs from a weaker Sterling, 
higher labour costs and the 
potential cost of customs 
friction from border controls. 
Appropriate mitigation options 
open to the Group have also been 
considered within this scenario.
Failure to achieve the Group’s 
transformation objectives resulting 
in an inability to progress 
sufficiently quickly to maintain or 
increase operating margin and 
generate sufficient cash to meet 
business objectives.
Assumes a 12-week lockdown 
and phased recovery. A broad 
assessment of the financial impact 
has been modelled including the 
impact on sales, margin and 
operating costs. 
In modelling the scenario, the 
Group has considered the 
potential impact on retail, catering 
and wholesale sales, the cost 
implications of the operational 
actions being taken to continue to 
serve customers, together with the 
impact of reduced income from 
the mall businesses in Central 
Europe and Asia.
The Bank has modelled an 
economic downturn scenario from 
the impact of COVID-19 in relation 
to the expected credit losses on 
its lending book. The Bank has 
sourced updated macroeconomic 
projections from a third-party 
provider and has used this 
modelling to assess the adequacy 
of capital and liquidity in place to 
support the business through the 
expected economic downturn.

These scenarios assumed that external debt is repaid as it becomes due 
and committed facilities renewed as they become due. The scenarios 
above are hypothetical and purposefully severe with the aim 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: (i) accessing new external funding early; (ii) more radical short-term 
cost reduction actions; and (iii) reducing capital expenditure. None of 
these actions are assumed in our current scenario modelling.

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

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

19

Strategic reportTask Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures

In June 2017 Tesco publicly committed to implementing the 
recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial 
Disclosures (TCFD). We recognise climate change as the biggest 
environmental threat the world faces, and one which poses 
particular challenges to our business including our supply chain 
and operations. Conversely, effectively responding to climate 
change can enhance our business resilience and enable us to 
take advantage of any opportunities it may offer. 

Our first TCFD scenario analyses were conducted in the financial 
year 2018/19, assessing the UK business – our biggest market. 
We prioritised produce, animal protein categories as well as our 
UK estate. Produce and animal protein are key commercial 
categories, with supply chains around the world.
Strategy.
We assessed the risks and opportunities we may face in 2030 
under two climate scenarios; a ‘Pessimistic’ scenario and an 
‘Optimistic’ scenario. The ‘Pessimistic’ scenario is where the world 
fails to address climate change, leading to global temperatures 
continuing to rise well above 2 degrees. This scenario assumes 
limited policy or regulatory support and looks at physical climate 
risks. The ‘Optimistic’ scenario is where the world rises to the 
challenge of tackling climate change and limits global warming to 
well below 2 degrees. This low-carbon transition scenario centres 
on the rapid changes that will be needed by 2030 to cut emissions 
in line with the Paris Agreement. Our scenarios are based on those 
developed by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

Our scenario analyses assessed Tesco’s exposure to physical climate 
risks such as rising temperatures, changes in rainfall patterns and 
extreme weather events. Beyond physical risks, we also assessed risks 
and opportunities arising from a transition to a low-carbon world 
aligned with the Paris Agreement. These transition risks are a result of 
market and societal shifts related to agriculture, diets and energy use. 

For produce, we focused on agricultural production by country 
and product. Our assessments indicate some physical risks and 
opportunities to our produce supply chain. For animal protein, 
our assessment focused on milk, beef, lamb and chicken. 
The assessment shows transition risks and opportunities arising 
from potential policy and societal shifts. To assess climate risks 
on our property estate, we assessed how our stores and 
distribution centres might fare under these scenarios. 
Key findings. 
Produce
The results of our risk assessment indicate physical risks as well as 
unrealised opportunities to our produce supply chain. For example, 
long-term changes in temperature and rainfall patterns (chronic 
climate change) will adversely impact production by 2030. The 
countries most impacted will be South Africa, Egypt, Spain and 
Peru. In the UK, our analysis shows that higher temperatures and 
rainfall by 2030 can support a longer growing season. This can 
potentially increase yield for certain crops if other growing conditions 
such as land availability and soil fertility are also favourable. 

We are currently sharing these results with our supply partners and 
working with those in the impacted areas to conduct more detailed 
scenario analyses and mitigation planning. 

Protein
The results of our scenario analysis show transition risks to our 
protein supply chain. These include societal dietary shifts away from 
animal protein as well as potential new policies aimed at keeping 
global temperature rises well below 2 degrees. Opportunities 

identified include projected growth in plant-based food and meat 
alternatives. Working with our key suppliers, we are expanding our 
plant-based ranges, addressing the climate impacts of livestock 
farming as well as supporting effective climate policy development.

UK property 
Our scenario analysis of climate risks facing our UK estate shows 
both physical and transition climate risks. For example, some of our 
stores and distribution centres, especially those in the South East 
region, will face an increased risk of flooding as a result of climate 
change. Effective policies to address carbon emissions from energy 
could increase our compliance costs. These results are informing 
our risk management and business continuity plans. Our renewable 
electricity transition plan forms part of our mitigation plan, enabling 
us to switch to onsite renewable electricity generation as well as 
long-term power purchase agreements which provide price 
stability and limit our exposure to high carbon prices.
Governance.
Our LHP outlines our climate change commitments, both for our 
own operations and our supply chain. The Corporate Responsibility 
Committee is responsible for climate change as part of the LHP. 
The Committee meets three times during the year and receives 
regular updates on our LHP commitments and performance. This 
year, results of the TCFD analysis were presented to the Executive 
Committee and the Corporate Responsibility Committee. Climate 
risks were also evaluated at the Audit Committee as part of the 
overall risk framework.
Risk management.
The identification and management of climate-related risks follow 
our established risk management process. Key elements of the 
risk management process are set out on page 13. Following our 
assessment of emerging risks, climate change has been highlighted 
and is considered an integral part of both the responsible sourcing 
and supply chain, and the brand, reputation and trust principal 
risks on pages 17 and 15. Principal risks are monitored by the Audit 
Committee to ensure effective management and mitigation 
through our policies, processes, practices and performance.
Metrics and targets.
In May 2017, Tesco announced new science-based climate targets 
for our own operations and supply chain. Our own operations 
targets are aligned with the Paris Agreement’s aspiration to limit 
global warming to 1.5 degrees.

We are on track to reduce absolute carbon emissions from our 
operations from 2015/16 levels by 35% by 2020, 60% by 2025 and 
100% by 2050. To help us meet these targets, we have committed 
to source 100% of our electricity from renewable sources by 2030. 
Our science-based climate change targets for our supply chain 
includes explicit targets for manufacturing and agricultural 
suppliers – recognising the different approaches required to 
reduce emissions in both areas. Our climate change metrics and 
targets are disclosed in the full LHP report available on our website.
Future TCFD analysis.
We aim to conduct climate risks assessments for all relevant parts 
of our business. In 2020/21, we will expand our assessment to the 
grocery and prepared foods categories as well as soy – a key 
commodity in animal feed. The results of this assessment will be 
reported in next year’s Annual Report. 

20

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

Little Helps Plan

Making a difference every day.
Our approach.

Everything we do is driven by our purpose to serve shoppers a little 
better every day. That means we try to get each of the 80 million 
weekly transactions in store right, every time, for every customer. 
It also means taking actions today to ensure we serve tomorrow’s 
shoppers equally well.

For 100 years, Tesco has provided affordable, quality food to 
customers from all walks of life and we know that to continue 
doing so for the next 100 years, we must continue to embrace 
sustainable production and consumption behaviours while 
adapting to the changing world around us. Our Little Helps Plan 
helps us to navigate our way forward, focusing on areas where 
we can make a big difference while supporting our values:

 – No one tries harder for customers shapes our belief that it’s our 
responsibility to make the right calls on behalf of our customers;
 – We treat people how they want to be treated drives how we 

work with suppliers, partners, colleagues and communities; and
 – Every little help makes a big difference captures our belief that 

everyone at Tesco has a role to play. This encapsulates our 
ambition to make a positive difference.

Our Little Helps Plan is the framework through which we shape 
our long-term approach to sustainability and enables us to 
demonstrate, monitor and improve our performance, both within 
our own operations and the wider supply chain. The Plan focuses 
on the aspects of sustainability that are most relevant for Tesco 
and our stakeholders and demonstrates the positive contribution 
we make toward the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 
measuring our impacts, targeting our responses and framing our 
collaboration with key stakeholders to scale our efforts. 

This year we have refreshed the framework. After incorporating 
stakeholder feedback and external trends, we have integrated our 
previous foundation areas under the existing three pillars while 
creating a fourth pillar – Planet. This new pillar provides a platform 
for the work we’re doing to address important environmental 
issues such as climate change, deforestation and sustainable 
agriculture. Our Code of Business Conduct underpins everything 
we do to ensure we remain a responsible, safe, ethical business 
both within our own operations and across our global supply chain.

Serving shoppers a little better every day.
Our values

No one tries harder  
for customers

We treat people how they  
want to be treated

Every little help makes  

a big di

e

  People.

Employment and skills 
Diversity and inclusion 
Human rights 
Health, safety  
and wellbeing

  Products.

Food waste 
Packaging
Health and diets
Animal welfare

  Planet.

Climate change 
Agriculture
Marine
Forests

  Places.

Supporting  
communities

Code of Business Conduct

UN Sustainable Development Goals
The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide a useful benchmark to assess the relevance of our initiatives and in line with UN Global Compact guidance we have focused on goals 
which are particularly relevant to us: where expectations, risks and opportunities for Tesco are greatest, and where we can make the biggest difference. See www.tescoplc.com/sustainability 
for more information on how our strategy supports the SDGs.

Our Little Helps Plan helps us navigate some of the biggest challenges facing the world today.
Further information about the governance of the Little Helps Plan and a full review of our activity and performance against  
our KPIs can be found on our website and within the comprehensive Little Helps Plan Report available online.

Visit www.tescoplc.com/sustainability to learn 
more about our activities and progress.

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

21

Strategic reportLittle Helps Plan continued

People.

Product.

Our customers, colleagues and those within our supply chain are 
vital to our continued success. As an employer of choice, we 
remain committed to treating people how they want to be treated 
and giving everyone the opportunity to get on. Our latest gender 
pay gap report can be found on our website.
Decent, fair, safe work for all.
With more than 400,000 colleagues around the world and millions 
of people who work within our supply chain, we are committed to 
promoting human rights and seek to ensure that there is decent, 
fair, safe work for all.

Health and safety is central to how we do business and we are 
committed to our vision that no one should ever be hurt while 
working or shopping at Tesco. We have seen a 17% reduction in our 
injury volume year-on-year in our UK, Republic of Ireland and 
Central Europe businesses. Our accident frequency rate has also 
reduced by 7%. This has been primarily driven by continued efforts 
to strengthen our operating routines and an unrelenting focus on 
safe colleague behaviour as a culture across Tesco.
Investing in the future.
The world of work is changing and preparing colleagues with the 
skills needed for the future is a top priority. This year we have 
continued to invest in digital skills for colleagues. Across the UK, 
Central Europe and Asia, our digital champions have delivered over 
90,000 learning opportunities to improve the digital confidence 
of colleagues, and in India we have helped develop more than 200 
colleagues in leading on automation and continuous improvement. 
Other key priorities for this year included developing diverse talent 
and building diversity and inclusion capability across all levels of the 
business. We continued to build an understanding of diversity and 
inclusion among colleagues and leaders through the introduction of 
digital learning and have leveraged our colleague networks to help 
inform the agenda. This includes making commitments to the Race 
at Work Charter and The Valuable 500. We’ve also renewed our 
colleague engagement approach through the launch of our Every 
Voice Matters programme, which will help give more timely and 
responsive insight into how our colleagues are feeling across the 
Group and enable us to drive more focused action.
Sourcing with care.
Beyond our own colleagues, our human rights strategy focuses 
on four priority areas within our supply chain: sustainable 
livelihoods, forced labour, worker representation and gender 
equality. We support our suppliers to comply with the Ethical 
Trade Initiative (ETI) Base Code and undertake due diligence to 
help them meet our standards on human rights. This year 97% of 
critical non-conformances identified at our tier 1 suppliers were 
remediated on time and we continue to work with the 
remaining 3% to resolve these issues.

In December 2019, a UK customer found a handwritten message 
within a Christmas card we sold reading 'please help us and notify 
human rights organisation'. We immediately launched an 
investigation and removed the cards from sale. While we did not 
find evidence of prison labour, we found other issues of concern 
that had regrettably not been identified by the independent auditor 
who had visited the previous month. We ceased working with the 
factory and supplier and have since reviewed our whole supply 
base for cards. Further information is provided in our Modern 
Slavery Statement available on our website.

Gender diversity 2019/20 (actual year-end headcount)

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

Male
9
376

69%
75%

Female
4
128

2,809
180,186

63%
1,639
44% 225,320

31%
25%

37%
56%

Our Product pillar focuses on addressing issues related to health, 
food waste, packaging and animal welfare as we strive to provide 
affordable, sustainable, healthy products while ensuring that we 
never compromise on product safety.
Tackling food waste.
At Tesco, we have no time for waste and we have committed to 
help halve food waste from farm to fork in each of the markets in 
which we operate in line with UN SDG Target 12.3. We publish our 
food waste data for every market in the Group. Our target is that 
no food that is safe for human consumption will be wasted in our 
UK retail operations. Over the course of this year, we have reached 
77%◊ of our target as we have embedded new processes to ensure 
our progress is sustainable.

Visit www.tescoplc.com/sustainability  
to find out more about our food waste 
performance.

Packaging: Remove, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.
We are committed to only using packaging where it serves a 
purpose. This year in the UK we announced our Remove, Reduce, 
Reuse and Recycle plan to deliver our goals. Since 2018, we have 
removed over 10,000 tonnes of hard-to-recycle packaging from 
our Own Brand products and we pledged to remove one billion 
pieces of plastic from products for sale in UK stores by the end of 
2020. In January we announced the elimination of 350 tonnes of 
plastic wrap from 67 million tinned food multipacks.
Healthier food choices.
We continually adjust the recipes of our Own Brand products to 
help customers lead healthier lives and respond to changing dietary 
preferences. In 2019, we more than doubled the range of our 
exclusive plant-based range Wicked Kitchen and also launched new 
products within our Tesco branded range, Plant Chef. We now have 
over 300 lines of targeted plant-based products.

As a Peas Please Pledger and a supporter of Veg Power, we are 
committed to increasing vegetable consumption and 42% of our 
chilled and frozen ready meals now contribute at least 1 of 5 a day, 
up from 26% in 2018. 

Planet.

Our long-term success depends on the health of the natural 
environment. The climate crisis, global biodiversity loss and the 
inefficient way in which resources are consumed present a real 
threat to our ability to provide customers with affordable, healthy, 
sustainable food. Details on our carbon strategy are provided on 
page 67 and our response to the recommendations of TCFD can 
be found on page 20.

Halving the environmental impact of the average UK 
shopping basket.
In 2018, we launched our ground-breaking partnership with WWF to 
make it easier for customers to buy affordable, healthy, sustainable 
food. This year we jointly launched the Sustainable Basket Metric, 
which will help us track our progress in halving the environmental 
impact of the average UK shopping basket against seven key 
sustainability issues. 

◊	 KPMG	LLP	was	engaged	to	provide	independent	limited	assurance	over	the	selected	
food	waste	data	highlighted	in	this	report	with	a	◊	using	the	assurance	standard	ISAE	
3000. KPMG has issued an unqualified opinion over the selected data. KPMG’s full 
assurance statement is available at: www.tescoplc.com/foodwastefigures. 

22

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

 
Places.

We are proud to be a valued member of thousands of communities 
around the world, and we are passionate about playing an active 
role in helping these communities thrive – from the jobs we 
provide to the good causes we support. This year, across the 
Group, we have donated £98m to good causes through our charity 
partnerships, community grant programmes and colleague and 
customer fundraising.
Record-breaking giving.
We continued to support our three national health charity 
partners: Cancer Research UK, Diabetes UK and the British 
Heart Foundation with the aim of lowering the risk of heart and 
circulatory disease, cancer and Type 2 diabetes. In the UK this 
year, we raised over £6.6m through store events, donations and 
fundraising activity. A showcase moment was almost 5,000 people 
taking part in our biggest fundraising event Dance Beats – the 
longest dance marathon relay ever at Wembley Stadium, 30 hours 
of continuous dancing to claim the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS® 
and donate £2m to our charity partners. 

Beyond our corporate charity partners, we also continued to 
support local community groups with our Bags of Help scheme in 
the UK, Community Fund initiative in Ireland and our You Choose, 
We Help programme in Central Europe, allowing customers to 

decide which local projects receive funding. To celebrate our 
100th birthday, this year we introduced increased funding for 
larger projects with our Bags of Help Centenary grants in England, 
Scotland and Wales and, in Northern Ireland, our Tesco Centenary 
Fund. We announced that we will be introducing Bags of Help in 
Northern Ireland in 2020. This dedicated grant will see community 
groups share more than £125,000 across the year.
Food redistribution.
One of our important commitments is that no food that is safe 
for human consumption will be wasted in our UK retail operations. 
In support of that commitment, we continued our work with 
FareShare to donate surplus food from our stores through 
Community Food Connection. Since 2016 we have donated over 
48 million meals to people in crisis through this initiative in the UK. 
We now run surplus food donation programmes in all the markets 
in which we operate.

Our Tesco Food Collection programme encourages customers to 
donate long-life food to our charity partners, The Trussell Trust, 
who have a network of over 400 foodbanks, and FareShare, who 
redistribute surplus food to a network of charities including 
homeless hostels, women’s refuges and breakfast clubs.

Section 172 statement.

Section 172 of the Companies Act 2006 requires a director of a company to act in the way he or she considers, in good faith, would most 
likely promote the success of the company for the benefit of its members as a whole but having regard to a range of factors set out in 
section 172(1)(a)-(f) in the Companies Act 2006. In discharging our section 172 duty, we have regard for these factors taking them into 
consideration when decisions are made. Examples of how the Directors have oversight of stakeholder matters and had regard for these 
matters when making decisions are set out on pages 40 to 43.

This Strategic report, including the non-financial reporting statement below, 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 
7 April 2020

Non-financial reporting statement.

This LHP section of the Annual Report and the full LHP report (available at www.tescoplc.com/littlehelpsplan) contain a wide range of  
non-financial information about employees, environmental and social matters – from human rights to food waste. As required under the  
non-financial reporting requirements, the table below sets out where more information on non-financial matters can be found within the  
rest of the Annual Report and also on our website. The due diligence carried out for each policy is contained within each respective  
policy’s documentation.

Non-financial matter
Business model

Environmental matters

Employees

Social matters

Respect for human rights

Anti-corruption and anti-bribery  
matters, health and safety

Policies and standards which govern our approach
Strategic review 
Business model and KPIs 
Principal risks and uncertainties
Principal risks and uncertainties: political, regulatory and compliance 
Principal risks and uncertainties: responsible sourcing and supply chain 
Details of our approach to protecting the environment in supply chains can be found on our website
Principal risks and uncertainties: health and safety; people 
Chairman’s letter: culture and inclusion; Company purpose and values 
Directors’ report: employment policies 
Stakeholder engagement: colleagues
Principal risks and uncertainties: COVID-19 
Information about how we do business, including our approach to tax, can be found on our website  
Directors’ report: Groceries Supply Code of Practice
Principal risks and uncertainties: responsible sourcing and supply chain 
Details of our policy, as well as our approach to protecting human rights, can be found on our website 
Directors’ report: Modern Slavery Act, anti-corruption and anti-bribery matters 
Our Code of Business Conduct and other related policies can be found on our website

Page

4 and 5 
6 and 12 
13 to 18
16 
17

16 and 17 
24, 25, 26 
66 
41
18 

66
17 

67 

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

23

Strategic report 
Corporate governance report

Chairman’s letter.

“Having an effective corporate governance 
framework supports our culture and the 
delivery of our strategy.”
Board role and effectiveness.
In my role as Chairman, my responsibility is to provide leadership 
and ensure that we have a Board able to make high-quality 
decisions and that works effectively for the benefit of our 
business and all of our stakeholders. A key part of that role is 
to ensure the Board works collaboratively with the executive 
team, providing support and guidance, constructively challenging 
management when necessary, and exercising an appropriate level 
of rigorous enquiry and intellectual debate. This involves having 
Directors with a diverse range of skills, experience and attributes, 
which we have across our current Board.

The Board is committed to maintaining the highest standards 
of corporate governance in the management of its affairs and 
ensuring its activities reflect the culture we wish to nurture with 
our colleagues and other stakeholders. Throughout the year, 
the Board has focused on four key areas of business, some of 
which were considered at each meeting and others reviewed 
periodically throughout the year. A breakdown of the time spent 
on these key focus areas is set out below:

Operational performance
Financial performance and risk
Governance (including culture and stakeholder matters)
Strategy

20%
24%
22%
34%

Following the external Board effectiveness review last year, 
it was agreed that an internal review be conducted this year. 
This assessed progress against the actions agreed as part of 
last year’s review as well as some current themes and areas of 
boardroom best practice. It concluded that the Board continues 
to operate in an effective way, with good progress made against 
all of the areas identified for improvement last year. For further 
information on the Board effectiveness review, see page 37.
Culture and inclusion.
The Group’s success depends on our continual commitment to 
high corporate governance standards, as well as a strong and 
healthy culture both in the boardroom and across the Group. 
Our culture comes to life through our three values:

 – No one tries harder for customers;
 – We treat people how they want to be treated; and
 – Every little help makes a big difference.

Our values are integral to the way we behave and the way we do 
business. They ensure that every colleague at Tesco understands 
what is important, how we work together as a team and why 
customers are at the centre of everything we do. 

The Board and executive management play a key role in ensuring 
that our culture, strategy and capability are all aligned in a way that 
creates sustainable value for our stakeholders. 

We monitor our progress against goals and gather feedback from 
our stakeholders. Through stakeholder insights, metrics and KPIs 
we can assess our progress and respond accordingly. The Board 
was encouraged by the new colleague-listening programme ‘Every 
Voice Matters’: over 254,000 colleagues completed the new 
deep-dive survey in January 2020 and 82% would recommend 
Tesco as a great place to work.

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 inclusion, 

24

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

we have established an External Advisory Panel to help guide our 
inclusion agenda and implemented an Inclusion Strategy which aims 
to ensure that everyone feels welcome at Tesco. We also have 
several well-established colleague networks supported by an 
Executive Committee member, including Women at Tesco, Black 
Asian Minority Ethnic Network, Armed Forces Network, Disability 
Network and Out at Tesco, each providing support to allow 
colleagues to be themselves at work and develop within the Group. 
We also work with the young, retired and those who have been in 
long-term unemployment through various external organisations, 
providing them with the tools and confidence needed to get back 
into the workplace and reach their full potential. 
Stakeholder engagement.
The Board is supportive of the 2018 UK Corporate Governance 
Code and, in particular, its focus on boards demonstrating how the 
views of stakeholders are captured and taken into account when 
making decisions. This is an area where we have strong foundations 
on which to build.

We have a diverse and global community of stakeholders which 
includes colleagues, customers, shareholders and supplier 
partners, as well as the communities in which we operate. 
We continue to listen to these stakeholders and their insights 
help shape our strategy and the decisions we take. However, it is 
not practicable to please all stakeholders all of the time, and a key 
part of the Board process is to balance the sometimes conflicting 
needs of our stakeholders to ensure all are treated consistently 
and fairly. The Board also receives regular updates throughout the 
year on engagement with our stakeholders, including feedback 
from colleague surveys and engagement forums, discussing 
customer and supplier surveys, and details of stakeholder meetings. 

During the summer, we held a Capital Markets Day to share our 
thoughts on the untapped value opportunities available to us, 
and also held our first environmental, social and governance 
event. These provided opportunities to engage with stakeholders 
and receive their feedback, which has helped to inform Board 
and Committee decisions. 
Board changes.
On 30 September 2020, Dave Lewis will step down as Group 
Chief Executive. He will be succeeded by Ken Murphy, who will 
join us from Walgreens Boots Alliance, on 1 October 2020. Ken’s 
appointment follows a thorough and orderly process to identify 
and interview prospective candidates.

As part of its discussions on succession planning and regular Board 
refreshment, the Board had also planned that Mark Armour would 
retire from the Board as a Non-executive Director at the 2020 
AGM. However, in the interest of continuity in these turbulent 
times, Mark has agreed to continue in his role for a further year 
to provide the Board and the Audit Committee with valuable input 
during their discussions, especially given his specialisms of risk and 
strategy, which make him an important member of the Board and 
the Audit Committee during this period. One effect this will have 
is on Board diversity levels. It had been intended that, following 
Mark’s retirement, one third of the Board would be female, 
bringing it into line with the target set by the Hampton-Alexander 
Review. The Board would like to reiterate their continued strong 
commitment to reaching this aim in the very near future, and will 
revisit this once the marketplace for directors stabilises.

John Allan
Non-executive Chairman

Board leadership and  
company purpose.

Company purpose  
and values.

Our values and leadership behaviours 
are a vital part of our culture to ensure 
that through our conduct and decision-
making we do the right thing for the 
business and our stakeholders.

The Board has overall responsibility for establishing the 
Company’s purpose, values and strategy to deliver the 
long-term sustainable success of the Company and generate 
value for shareholders. The Board places great importance 
on ensuring these key themes continue to be appropriate 
for the businesses and markets in which we operate around 
the world, while being aligned with our culture.

The Board recognises that it is accountable to stakeholders 
for ensuring that the Group is appropriately managed and 
achieves its objectives in a way that is supported by the 
right culture and behaviours. Our purpose is at the heart 
of everything we do at Tesco, and the Board is responsible 
for ensuring that its activities reflect the culture we wish to 
instil in colleagues to drive the right behaviours. The Board 
has a responsibility to ensure that colleagues do the right 
things in the right way by setting the tone from the top 
and leading by example. This means that in decisions taken, 
and plans developed, the Directors ask themselves one 
simple question: how will it help serve our shoppers a 
little better every day?

Our values are recognised across the Group and support 
our culture. They ensure that every colleague at Tesco 
understands what is important, how we work together 
as a team and how customers are at the centre of what 
we do. Leadership behaviours further guide our conduct 
and decision-making so that we do the right thing for the 
business and our stakeholders, with reward being linked to 
delivery and performance. This helps create a culture of 
inclusivity, where everyone feels welcome, talent is fostered, 
and colleagues can achieve their full career potential.

Our Code of Business Conduct, which defines the standards 
and behaviours expected of colleagues, is a fundamental part 
of our culture and supports our values. The Code of Business 
Conduct is supported by Group policies and mandatory 
training which includes: anti-bribery and corruption; 
competition law; data protection; and supplier legislation. 
All new colleagues are required to complete training on the 
Code of Business Conduct within five days of joining Tesco 
and refresher training is required on an annual basis. In 
addition, ‘Protector Line’, an independent and confidential 
whistleblowing service, allows colleagues and suppliers to 
raise concerns regarding misconduct and any breaches of 
the Code of Business Conduct. The Board routinely 
receives updates on compliance with the Code of Business 
Conduct and also receives reports of any matters raised 
through Protector Line which are subject to independent 
investigation. Updates on any investigations undertaken 
are provided to the Board.

Our Code of Business Conduct can be found 
on our website at www.tescoplc.com.

Our purpose.
Serving  
shoppers  
a little better 
every day.

As a business, serving customers  
is at the heart of everything we do. 

Our values underpin our purpose  
and are recognised across the 
Group as the basis of our culture.

The Board sets the strategy for the 
Group to align with our purpose. 
It oversees the implementation of 
that strategy to ensure that the 
Group is suitably resourced to 
deliver on its strategic objectives. 

The Board holds an annual 
strategic planning session at which 
senior managers present on each of 
our global business areas to better 
understand market trends, technology 
developments, innovation and people 
strategies as well as culture, diversity 
and inclusion, which support the 
long-term planning and strategic 
direction of the Group.

Throughout the year, the Board 
receives regular updates on these 
areas to ensure the delivery of 
strategy in line with our purpose.

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

25

Corporate governanceCorporate governance report continued

Board leadership and company purpose continued

Company purpose and values continued

Our values

Link to strategy

Board oversight

Our values

Link to strategy

Board oversight

Our values

Link to strategy

Board oversight

No one tries harder for customers.

Understanding people – customers, colleagues, communities – and what matters to them is key to 
our success at Tesco. To us, making a difference starts with listening to customers and talking to 
them using all the tools at our disposal, from Clubcard data to social media, and then acting by 
changing and innovating to meet their needs.

Whenever a customer chooses to shop at 
Tesco, we want their experience to be better 
than expected and better than their last 
interaction with us. This applies to their entire 
Tesco experience, from the quality of the offer 
to the thoughtfulness of the service. With the 
skills, expertise and dedication of colleagues 
worldwide, we are well placed to achieve this. 
Issues that matter to our customers also 
matter to the Board. Independent consumer 
research commissioned each year helps 

identify where consumers and influencers think 
we should be focusing our attention and how 
well they feel we are addressing these issues 
currently. Across our markets consumers have 
told us similar things. They want good, fresh, 
affordable food that is produced with respect 
for farmers and suppliers, and for all our 
colleagues to be treated fairly. These key focus 
areas for our customers are also key focus 
areas for the Board.

We treat people how they want to be treated.

We know that looking after our colleagues with respect and compassion is essential to building a 
culture of trust, a necessary component to the success of Tesco. We focus on ensuring that our 
business is a place 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.

We employ more than 400,000 colleagues 
globally and the Board aims to ensure that every 
one of them has the opportunity to get on.

The Board recognises that getting on means 
different things to different colleagues. For 
some, it’s about enabling them to be 
themselves, flexibility that allows them to fit 
work around their lives and being supported in 
leading a healthy lifestyle. For others, it means 
developing the skills they need now and in the 
future, choices to move roles and opportunities 
to gain experience. Whatever it is colleagues 
want to achieve, the Board’s aim is to help 

them succeed by providing them with the 
flexibility, skills and reward to get on.

Customers are at the heart of everything we 
do and every decision we make to ensure we 
offer customers the value, quality and service 
that they expect and it is delivered in the right 
way for them. In support of this, members 
of the Board have spent time engaging with 
customers, colleagues and a wide range of 
stakeholders. Through customer, colleague and 
supplier surveys the Board receives insight into 
how Tesco is perceived, what our stakeholders 
want and how they want to be treated. 

Every little help makes a big difference.

This value captures how, when we add up all the small things we do, Tesco can make a big 
difference to the things customers, colleagues, communities and wider society care about.

It covers the little things we do every day as well as linking these things together to contribute to 
the bigger global initiatives in which we are involved. It helps us take the right actions to ensure 
trust and transparency in our business.

The philosophy of how small actions can add 
up to make a big difference, plays a key part in 
how the Board thinks about its decisions and 
actions, trying at all times to make a positive 
contribution to the lives of colleagues, 
customers and the communities we operate in.

The Little Helps Plan is the embodiment of this 
value and identifies the most pressing social 
and environmental challenges facing the 
business, our customers and our communities. 

The Little Helps Plan sets out our 
commitments to help tackle these challenges. 

Further details can be found on pages 21 to 23 
and on our website at www.tescoplc.com.

Updates and progress on the Little Helps Plan 
are reviewed by the Corporate Responsibility 
Committee, which approves and monitors 
changes to the Little Helps Plan. The 
Committee further oversees the Group’s 
conduct with regard to its corporate and 
societal obligations as a responsible corporate 
citizen. More detail on the Committee’s 
activities can be found on pages 44 to 45. 

26

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

Board of Directors.

John Allan CBE 
Non-executive Chairman 
Appointed March 2015 
Tenure 5 years
Skills and experience. 
John has significant board, retail and financial experience gained 
from both 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 during 
its turnaround period, 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 Worldpay Group PLC, National Grid plc, 
the UK Home Office Supervisory Board, 3i plc, PHS Group plc, 
Connell plc, Royal Mail plc, Wolseley plc and Hamleys plc and 
chairman of London First.
Contribution.
John has extensive leadership experience and a wealth of 
knowledge gained across a number of business sectors, including 
retail. As Chairman, he has a deep understanding of governance 
and what is required to lead an effective Board. 
External appointments.
 – Chairman of Barratt Developments PLC; 
 – President of the Confederation of British Industry; and
 – Chair of the Council of Imperial College. 

Dave Lewis 
Group Chief Executive
Appointed September 2014 
Tenure 5.5 years 
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 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.
Contribution.
Dave’s extensive international consumer experience and 
expertise in change management, business strategy, brand 
management and customer development, along with his drive, 
enthusiasm and commitment to customers make him a 
valuable member of the Board.
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.

Alan Stewart 
Chief Financial Officer
Appointed September 2014 
Tenure 5.5 years
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. 
Alan is a non-executive director of Tesco Bank. Prior to joining 
Tesco, he was UK CEO and CFO of Thomas Cook Holdings, 
group finance director of WH Smith PLC and CFO for AWAS and 
Marks & Spencer plc. He was previously a non-executive 
director of Games Workshop Group plc.
Contribution.
Alan’s deep understanding of financial operations and risk 
management, and his leadership experience and ability to set 
financial strategy make him a valuable member of the Board.
External appointments.
 – Non-executive director of Diageo plc;
 – 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.

A i

Mark Armour 
Independent Non-executive Director
Appointed September 2013 
Tenure 6.5 years
Skills and experience.
Mark has significant strategic planning and financial expertise, 
as well as experience of executive leadership. He was CFO of 
Reed Elsevier Group plc and its two parent companies, 
Reed Elsevier PLC and Reed Elsevier NV (now RELX PLC), from 
1996 to 2012. This role has provided him with considerable 
experience of digital business transition and operating in a 
multi-channel environment. 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.
Contribution.
Mark’s background in finance, risk and strategy and associated 
sectors make him a valuable member of the Board.
External appointments.
 – Member of the Takeover Panel.

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

27

Corporate governanceCorporate governance report continued

Board leadership and company purpose continued

A i

Board of Directors continued
Melissa Bethell 
Independent Non-executive Director
Appointed September 2018  
Tenure 1.5 years
Skills and experience.
Melissa brings to the Board a wealth of international business 
strategy and investment management experience. Melissa is 
currently a partner of Atairos, an equity investment fund backed 
by Comcast NBCUniversal. She is managing partner of the London 
office and responsible for Atairos’ investment activities in Europe. 
Melissa was previously a managing director of Bain Capital, where 
she worked for over 18 years and was a member of the senior 
leadership team responsible for strategy setting, fundraising and 
portfolio management. Prior to joining Bain Capital, Melissa worked 
in the capital markets group at Goldman, Sachs & Co., with a 
particular focus on media and technology. She was also previously 
a director of Ship Midco Limited and served as a non-executive 
director of Samsonite Corporation (Samsonite International S.A.), 
Worldpay Group PLC and Atento S.A.
Contribution.
Melissa’s extensive international corporate experience, with a 
focus in the financial sector is invaluable in delivering our strategy.
External appointments.
 – Partner at Atairos, an independent, private investment firm and 

managing director of Atairos Europe; and

iCR

Steve Golsby 
Independent Non-executive Director
Appointed October 2016 
Tenure 3.5 years
Skills and experience. 
Steve has a wealth of knowledge of operating internationally, 
specifically significant leadership experience in Asia. He has a 
strong background in consumer marketing and 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. He was president 
and CEO from 2008 to 2013 and a non-executive director from 
2013 to 2017. He was also previously a non-executive director of 
Beam Inc. His extensive international and board experience give 
him invaluable insights and understanding as Chair of the 
Remuneration Committee.
Contribution.
Steve’s extensive experience of building and developing 
international businesses, together with his operational experience 
and strong background in consumer marketing, make him a 
valuable member of the Board. As Chairman of the Remuneration 
Committee, he is responsible for setting and implementing the 
remuneration policy.
External appointments.
 – Advisor to Thai Union Group PLC, a global leader in the seafood 

 – Non-executive director and chair of the audit committee 

industry; 

of Exor N.V.

N

A i

Stewart Gilliland  
Independent Non-executive Director
Appointed March 2018 
Tenure 2 years
Skills and experience.
Stewart has significant business and management experience in 
international markets, specifically those in Europe, having 
previously held roles with leading consumer-facing companies, 
including Whitbread, Mitchells & Butler and Interbrew. He held the 
position of chief executive of Müller Dairies UK and Ireland until 
2010. Prior to joining Tesco, he was chairman of Booker Group plc.
Contribution.
Stewart has over 20 years’ experience and knowledge in 
international marketing, logistics and business management 
having held a number of senior roles, predominantly in  
customer-centric businesses. The breadth and diversity of 
his experience benefit the Board.
External appointments.
 – Interim executive chairman of C&C Group plc; 
 – Non-executive director and chair of the remuneration 

committee of Nature’s Way Foods Ltd; and

 – Chairman of Curious Drinks Limited.

28

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

 – Honorary Advisor to The British Chamber of Commerce Thailand;
 – Honorary investment advisor to the Thailand Board of 

Investment; and

 – External advisor to Bain & Company.

iR

N A

Byron Grote  
Independent Non-executive Director
Appointed May 2015 
Tenure 5 years
Skills and experience.
Byron brings broad financial and international experience to the 
Board, having worked across BP PLC in a variety of commercial, 
operational and executive roles covering numerous geographies. 
Byron’s strategic focus and financial experience complements the 
balance of skills on the Board and makes him ideal for the role of 
Chair of the Audit Committee. 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.
Contribution.
Byron brings a wide range of experience and skills including finance, 
strategy, risk and supply chain logistics through a variety of 
executive and non-executive roles. He is Chairman of the Audit 
Committee and, as such, is responsible for leading the Committee 
to ensure effective internal controls and risk management systems 
are in place.
External appointments.
 – Vice chairman of the supervisory board of Akzo Nobel N.V.;
 – Senior independent director of Anglo American PLC; and
 – Non-executive director of Standard Chartered PLC. 

iCR

Mikael Olsson  
Independent Non-executive Director
Appointed November 2014 
Tenure 5.5 years
Skills and experience.
Mikael joined the Board after an extensive career at IKEA Group, 
holding a variety of senior roles including being a member of the 
executive committee from 1995 until 2013 and holding the position 
of CEO and president from 2009 until 2013. He brings a wealth of 
retail and value chain experience as well as knowledge of 
sustainability, people and strategy in an international environment. 
He was previously a non-executive director and vice chairman of 
Volvo Cars AB.
Contribution.
Mikael brings an extensive range of skills with his strategic, retail 
and property experience through his executive and non-executive 
directorships, supporting the delivery of the Group’s strategy.
External appointments.
 – Non-executive director of Ikano S.A.;
 – Non-executive director of Lindengruppen AB; and
 – Non-executive director and chair of the people committee 

(combined nomination and remuneration committee) of The 
Royal Schiphol Group.

iC

N R

Deanna Oppenheimer  
Senior Independent Director
Appointed March 2012 
Tenure 8 years
Skills and experience.
Deanna has significant marketing, brand management and 
consumer knowledge and experience, bringing a broad perspective 
to the Board. She held several senior roles at Barclays plc, including 
chief executive of UK Retail and Business Banking and vice chair of 
Global Retail Banking. Deanna was appointed as chair of Hargreaves 
Lansdown plc in February 2018. She is the founder of advisory firm, 
CameoWorks LLC, which provides bespoke support to early stage 
companies. Deanna was previously a non-executive director of 
NCR Corporation and Worldpay, Inc. 
Contribution.
Deanna’s extensive board, investor and commercial experience 
makes her a strong Senior Independent Director and fundamental 
to the effective operation of the Board.
External appointments.
 – Chair of Hargreaves Lansdown plc;
 – Non-executive director of Whitbread PLC;
 – Founder of consumer-focused boutique advisory firm, 

CameoWorks LLC; and

 – Senior advisor to Bain & Company.

A i

Simon Patterson  
Independent Non-executive Director
Appointed April 2016 
Tenure 4 years
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.
Contribution.
Simon brings to the Board more than 20 years’ experience in senior 
positions, predominantly in the management consultancy, 
technology, digital and finance sectors. 
External appointments.
 – Managing director of Silver Lake Partners, a leading global 

technology investment firm;

 – Board member of Dell Technologies Inc., Zephyr Holdco Limited 

and FlixBus;

 – Trustee of the Natural History Museum; and
 – Trustee of The Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of 

Cambridge.

i

RN

Alison Platt CMG 
Independent Non-executive Director
Appointed April 2016 
Tenure 4 years
Skills and experience.
Alison has extensive experience of leadership in customer-driven 
organisations across the healthcare, insurance and property 
sectors. As CEO of Countrywide, a position she held until January 
2018, she gained significant business-to-business experience 
adding this to the international experience she gained while leading 
a number of Bupa’s businesses across Asia, Southern and Eastern 
Europe and the Middle East. Alison’s experience as a CEO enables 
her to provide challenge and advice to the Board across a range of 
issues. Alison was previously chair of Opportunity Now and a 
non-executive director of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office 
and Cable and Wireless Communications PLC.
Contribution.
Alison has gained significant business-to-business and international 
commercial experience from working for high-profile consumer-
facing companies. Her membership of the steering group for the 
Hampton-Alexander Review provides strategic insights on diversity 
and inclusion.
External appointments.
 – Member of the steering group of the Hampton-Alexander  

Review; and

 – Non-executive director of Dechra Pharmaceuticals PLC.

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

29

Corporate governanceCorporate governance report continued

Board leadership and company purpose continued

C i

Board of Directors continued
Lindsey Pownall OBE 
Independent Non-executive Director
Appointed April 2016 
Tenure 4 years
Skills and experience. 
Lindsey has substantial experience in food, grocery and retail 
brand development, having enjoyed a career of more than 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. 
Lindsey is a passionate advocate of supplier relationships, 
customers, colleagues and sustainability which directly support 
Tesco’s strategy and her role as Chair of the Corporate 
Responsibility Committee.
Contribution. 
Lindsey’s in-depth understanding of the food retail sector and 
stakeholder focus together with her wealth of experience in 
supply leadership and strategic development make her a valuable 
member of the Board. As Chair of the Corporate Responsibility 
Committee, she is responsible for corporate responsibility 
objectives and strategy. 
External appointments.
 – Non-executive director of Story Contracting Limited;
 – Senior Adviser of Paine Schwartz Partners, LLC; and
 – Non-executive director of P and P Food Safety Holdings 

(Delaware) Inc.

Ken Murphy 
Group Chief Executive Designate
Skills and experience.
Ken will join the Board of Tesco PLC on 1 October 2020 
to succeed Dave Lewis as Group Chief Executive. Ken has 
worked for Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. for over 20 years in 
a number of senior management roles across the business. 
Through his role as Executive Vice President, Chief Commercial 
Officer and President Global Brands at Walgreens Boots Alliance 
Ken had overall responsibility for brand strategy and the 
commercial offer in the retail businesses of Walgreens and 
Boots. He previously worked for Procter & Gamble and 
Coopers & Lybrand.
Contribution.
Ken is a growth-orientated business leader with strong 
commercial, marketing and brand experience within retail and 
wholesale businesses. He has experience in global product brand 
management, product development, sales and marketing, 
sourcing, manufacturing and distribution. 
External appointments.
 – Non-executive director of Hatch Beauty LLC.

Robert Welch 
Group Company Secretary
Appointed August 2016
Skills and experience.
Robert has worked as a company secretary for over 25 years during 
which time he has held the positions of group company secretary 
at FirstGroup plc and company secretary at Kazakhmys PLC. 
Robert has also held senior positions at BPB plc and 
Kwik Save Group PLC. 

He is a member of the ICSA’s Company Secretaries’ Forum and the 
Association of General Counsel and Company Secretaries of FTSE 
100 companies.

Board Committee key.

N

A

R

C

i

Nominations and 
Governance Committee

Audit Committee

Remuneration Committee

Corporate Responsibility 
Committee

Chair of Committee

Independent Board 
member

Board and Committee meetings. 
Directors are expected to attend all Board and relevant Committee meetings.  
The table below shows the attendance at the scheduled Board and Committee meetings:

John Allan 
Mark Armour
Melissa Bethell(a)
Stewart Gilliland(b)
Steve Golsby 
Byron Grote 
Dave Lewis(c)
Mikael Olsson 
Deanna Oppenheimer 
Simon Patterson 
Alison Platt(b)
Lindsey Pownall 
Alan Stewart 

Audit  
Committee
–
5/5
4/5
5/5
–
5/5
–
–
–
5/5
–
–
–

Nominations and 
Governance 
Committee
4/4
–
–
3/3
–
4/4
–
–
4/4
–
3/3 
–
–

Corporate 
Responsibility 
Committee
3/3
–
–
–
3/3
–
–
3/3
3/3
–
–
3/3
–

Remuneration 
Committee
4/4
–
–
–
4/4
4/4
–
4/4
4/4
–
4/4
–
–

Board
6/6
6/6
6/6
6/6
6/6
6/6
6/6
6/6
6/6
6/6
6/6
6/6
6/6

(a)  Melissa Bethell’s absence at a scheduled Committee meeting during the year was due to commitments pre-dating her 

appointment to the Board.

(b)  Stewart Gilliland and Alison Platt became members of the Nominations and Governance Committee on 18 April 2019.
(c)  Board changes: It was announced in October 2019 that Ken Murphy would succeed Dave Lewis as Group Chief Executive. 

Dave Lewis will cease to be a Director of the Board on 30 September 2020. Ken Murphy will join the Board on 1 October 2020.

30

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

 
Executive Committee.

Dave Lewis 
Group Chief Executive
Dave joined the Board and the Executive Committee on 
1 September 2014. His full biography appears on page 27.

Alan Stewart 
Chief Financial Officer
Alan joined the Board and the Executive Committee on 
23 September 2014. His full biography appears on page 27.

Natasha Adams 
Chief People Officer
Natasha is responsible for setting the people strategy and plans 
at Tesco, including reward, colleague experience and capability.

Natasha joined Tesco in 1998 as a Personnel Manager and has 
served in a range of store-focused roles over the last 20 years, 
including as Customer Services Director UK, Business Support 
Director UK and Group Personnel Manager for Scotland. In 2016 
Natasha was promoted to People Director for Tesco’s UK and 
Ireland stores and joined the UK Leadership Team before being 
appointed to her current role of Chief People Officer.

Natasha is a Tesco Pension Trustee.

Natasha joined the Executive Committee on 1 June 2018.

Alessandra Bellini 
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 joining Tesco in 2017, 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. As an international executive, Alessandra has held roles in 
North America, the UK, Italy and Central and Eastern Europe. 

Alessandra joined the Executive Committee on 1 March 2017.

Christine Heffernan 
Group Communications Director
Christine is responsible for building trust in the Tesco brand 
and its businesses.

Christine joined Tesco in 2014. Since October 2018 she has 
supported the Group Chief Executive in delivery of the corporate 
reputation plan for the centenary year and prior to that was the 
Corporate Affairs Director for Tesco Ireland. Prior to Tesco, 
Christine worked in communications in both the energy and 
telecoms sectors.

Christine joined the Executive Committee on 1 March 2019.

Tony Hoggett 
Chief Operations Officer
Tony is responsible for developing the operational capability and 
strategy across the Group as well as leading the operations of the UK 
business. Tony also has responsibility for Tesco’s joint venture in India. 

Tony joined Tesco in 1990 and has served in a range of leadership 
roles in the UK and Asia over the last three decades. Between 2007 
and 2011 he held the roles of VP South China, as well as President 
North China, before moving to Turkey as Chief Operating Officer 
for Tesco Kipa.

In 2011, Tony returned to the UK and held Managing Director roles 
across all of our large store formats. He also joined the board of 
Tesco Mobile in 2012. In 2014, he joined the UK Leadership Team as 
Retail Director and then was appointed Chief Operating Officer UK 
in 2016 and CEO, Asia in 2017. Tony was appointed to his current 
role on 1 June 2018. 

Tony joined the Executive Committee on 1 April 2017.

Alison Horner 
CEO, Asia
Alison is responsible for Tesco’s businesses in Thailand and Malaysia. 
Alison also leads our developing business partnerships across the region. 

Alison joined Tesco in 1999 and worked in a variety of operational 
leadership roles running stores and leading change programmes, 
prior to being appointed Chief People Officer in 2011. She was 
appointed to her current role on 1 June 2018. Alison is a member 
of the Manchester Business School Advisory Board. 

Alison joined the Executive Committee on 1 March 2011.

Gerry Mallon 
Chief Executive, Tesco Bank
Gerry is responsible for leading Tesco Bank.

Gerry joined Tesco in 2018 and has held a number of leadership 
roles in financial services. Most recently Gerry served as chief 
executive officer of Ulster Bank Ireland where he led significant 
change in the business, including broad investment in technology to 
modernise the bank. In this role, Gerry was a member of the RBS 
personal and business banking executive committee. Before joining 
Ulster Bank, Gerry served as chief executive officer of Danske Bank 
UK (formerly Northern Bank) for eight years, successfully leading the 
organisation in the aftermath of the financial crisis. Earlier in his 
career, Gerry held roles at Bank of Ireland, McKinsey & Company 
and the UK Civil Service. Outside of financial services, Gerry served 
as pro-chancellor and chair of council at the University of Ulster, 
president of the Institute of Banking in Ireland, and he is currently 
chairman of the Irish Football Association. 

Gerry joined the Executive Committee on 13 August 2018.

Adrian Morris 
Group General Counsel
Adrian is responsible for the legal, company secretarial, government 
relations, regulatory and compliance functions across Tesco. 

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. Adrian is a Tesco Pension Trustee. 

Adrian joined the Executive Committee on 6 September 2012.

Matt Simister 
CEO, Central Europe
Matt is responsible for all of Tesco’s businesses in the Czech 
Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia. 

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. Following this, he returned 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. In April 2017, Matt was appointed to 
his current role of CEO, Central Europe.

Matt joined the Executive Committee on 1 April 2017.

Jason Tarry 
CEO, UK & ROI
Jason is responsible for all of Tesco’s businesses in the UK and ROI. 

Jason joined Tesco in October 1990 on the graduate recruitment 
programme. He has held a number of positions in the UK and 
internationally across both food and non-food divisions. Jason 
became CEO for clothing across the Group in 2012, before being 
appointed as Chief Product Officer in January 2015. In July 2018, 
Jason was appointed to his current role of CEO, UK & ROI. 

Jason joined the Executive Committee on 1 January 2015.

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

31

Corporate governanceCorporate governance report continued

Board leadership and company purpose continued

Executive Committee continued

Charles Wilson 
CEO, Booker
As a member of the Executive Committee Charles contributes to the 
broad Tesco strategy agenda. He is specifically responsible for delivering 
UK & ROI cost synergies and driving the growth agenda set out in the 
Booker merger agreement. As a member of Jason’s UK & ROI 
leadership team he is responsible for leading the Booker business.

Charles joined Tesco in March 2018 following the merger of Tesco 
PLC and Booker Group plc. Charles became an executive director 
of Booker Group plc in 1998, which merged with Iceland plc in 2000. 
In 2001 he became an executive director of Arcadia Group plc and 
in 2004 he became an executive director of Marks & Spencer plc. 
In 2005 he was appointed as chief executive of Booker Group plc. 
Charles started his career in 1986 with Procter & Gamble following 
which he was a consultant with OC&C Strategy Consultants and a 
director of Abberton Associates. 

Charles joined the Executive Committee on 5 March 2018.

Andrew Yaxley 
Chief Product Officer
Andrew is responsible for setting the strategy and policy for the 
planning, ranging, sourcing and supply of the products we sell across 
the Group. In addition, he has direct responsibility for managing this 
for the UK. 

Andrew joined Tesco in 2001 from Mars Inc. He has worked across a 
number of product divisions including four years as Commercial 
Director for our Czech and Slovak businesses. On returning to the 
UK in 2007 he first led the Packaged Division and then in 2010 the 
Fresh Division. He became Managing Director of the London business 
in 2013, before moving to Ireland as CEO in April 2015. In July 2018, 
he was promoted to Chief Product Officer. 

Andrew joined the Executive Committee on 16 July 2018.

Compliance with the UK Corporate Governance Code.

The Board is committed to high standards of governance and has applied the Principles set out in the UK Corporate Governance Code 
2018 (Code) throughout the period under review. The Board has complied with all of the Code’s Provisions with the exception of 
Provision 38, aligning executive director pension contributions with the workforce. An explanation of how we will comply with this 
Provision in the future is set out on page 53 in the Directors’ remuneration report. 

Monitoring compliance with the Code is the responsibility of the Nominations and Governance Committee who receive regular updates 
from management and report their findings to the Board. During the year, all Committee terms of reference have been reviewed to 
reflect the requirements in the updated Code.

Board leadership and company purpose.

Audit, risk and internal control.

The core objective of the Board is to create and deliver the 
long-term sustainable success of the Company, generating value 
for shareholders and contributing to the wider society in a way 
that is supported by the right culture and behaviours.

See pages 25 to 26 for more details on culture, purpose and values.
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, which is 
supported by the corporate governance framework. Responsibilities 
are clearly defined in role statements to ensure that no one 
individual has unrestricted powers of decision-making and no small 
group of Directors can dominate the Board’s decision-making. 

Committee terms of reference determine the authority given 
to each of the Board’s Committees.

For more details on Board composition, leadership and role 
statements see pages 33 to 35.
Composition, succession and evaluation.

The Board, with the support of the Nominations and Governance 
Committee, keeps under constant review the composition of the 
Board and its Committees, succession planning, diversity, inclusion 
and governance-related matters. 

The Board undertakes a review of its effectiveness and that of its 
Committees and Directors annually. Every third year the evaluation 
is conducted by an external Board evaluation specialist.

See page 37 for more details on Board effectiveness. The activities 
of the Nominations and Governance Committee can be found on 
pages 38 to 39.

32

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

The Board is accountable to stakeholders for ensuring that the 
Group is appropriately managed. The Board sets the Group’s risk 
appetite and satisfies itself that financial controls and risk 
management systems are robust, while ensuring the Group is 
adequately resourced. The Board receives regular updates on 
audit, risk and internal control matters with detailed oversight 
undertaken by the Audit Committee and its findings are reported 
to the Board. 

See pages 13 to 14 and 46 to 51 for more details on audit, 
risk management and internal control and the work of the 
Audit Committee.
Remuneration.

The Board, supported by the Remuneration Committee, 
ensures that the remuneration policies are designed to support 
strategy and promote long-term sustainable success. Executive 
remuneration is aligned to the successful delivery of the  
Company’s long-term strategy.

See page 59 for more details on the remuneration policy and 
implementation of the policy.

  Further details demonstrating how the Principles and Provisions 
of the Code have been applied can be found throughout the 
Corporate governance report, the Directors’ report, each of the 
Board Committee reports and the Strategic report. 

The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) is responsible for the 
publication and periodic review of the UK Corporate Governance 
Code and this can be found on the FRC website www.frc.org.uk.

 
 
 
 
 
 
Division of responsibilities.

Operations of the Board.

The Board is collectively responsible 
for the long-term success of the Group 
ensuring that it operates within a 
framework of effective controls.

The Board is responsible for setting the overall strategy of the 
Group ensuring that value is created over the long-term. There 
is a formal schedule of matters reserved for the Board of those 
matters that are considered of significance to the Group owing to 
their strategic, financial or reputational importance. Further details 
are set out below. 
Board information.
The Board has a detailed programme that ensures operational and 
financial performance, risk, governance, strategy, culture and 
stakeholder engagement are discussed at the appropriate time. 

At Board meetings, Directors receive and consider papers and 
presentations from the Executive Directors, senior management 
and subject-matter experts. The Board challenges management to 
ensure that the flow and quality of information to the Board is of 
a high standard. A review and refresh of Board and Committee 
papers was undertaken during the year to ensure that high-quality, 
clear and timely information is provided to Directors supporting 
the Board in its decision-making process. 

In the rare event of a Director being unable to attend a meeting, 
the Chair of the respective meeting discusses the matters 
proposed with the Director concerned wherever possible, seeking 
their support and feedback accordingly. The Chair subsequently 
represents those views at the meeting. 
Board balance.
The operations of the Board are underpinned by the collective 
experience of the Directors and the diverse skills and experience 
which they possess. These ensure that leadership and decision-
making is focused and balanced, and is approached with 
independent thought and judgement. With the relationship 
between the Directors being one of trust and mutual respect, open 
and frank conversations ensure that even the most challenging 
decisions are taken for the benefit of the Company as a whole, 
with due consideration for all stakeholders who may be affected.
Role statements.
Role statements set out the division of responsibilities between the 
Chairman and Group Chief Executive as well as the responsibilities of 
the Senior Independent Director and Non-executive Directors ensuring 
challenge, debate and an independent and objective mindset. 

Chairman
The Chairman is responsible for effective leadership of the Board 
and maintaining a culture of openness and transparency at Board 
meetings. The Chairman promotes the effective communication 
between Executive and Non-executive Directors and ensures all 
Directors effectively contribute to discussions and feel 
comfortable in engaging in healthy debate and constructive 
challenge. The Chairman ensures all Directors receive accurate, 
timely and clear information to assist them to make their 
decisions, identifies training and development needs as required, 
and ensures appropriately tailored induction programmes are 
delivered for new Directors.

Group Chief Executive
The Group Chief Executive has day-to-day responsibility for the 
effective management of the Group’s business and for ensuring 
that Board decisions are implemented. He plays a key role in 
devising and reviewing Group strategies for discussion and 
approval by the Board. The Group Chief Executive is tasked with 
providing regular operational updates to the Board on all matters 
of significance relating to the Group’s business or reputation and 
for ensuring effective communication with shareholders and other 
key stakeholders. 

Senior Independent Director
The Senior Independent Director provides a sounding board for 
the Chairman and acts as an intermediary for the Non-executive 
Directors, where necessary, and is available to shareholders 
should they have any concerns where communication through 
normal channels has not been successful or where such 
channels are inappropriate. The Senior Independent Director 
meets with the Non-executive Directors at least annually when 
leading the Non-executive Directors appraisal of the 
performance of the Chairman.

Non-executive Directors
The Non-executive Directors bring insight and experience to the 
Board. They have responsibility for constructively challenging the 
strategies proposed by the Executive Directors, scrutinising the 
performance of management in achieving agreed goals and 
objectives and play leading roles in the functioning of the Board 
Committees, bringing an independent view to the discussion. 
They meet with the Senior Independent Director to review the 
Chairman’s performance and other matters.

Group Company Secretary
The Group Company Secretary is secretary to the Board. His 
responsibilities include ensuring the Board has the information, 
time and resources it needs in order to discharge its duties and 
function effectively and efficiently. 

Summary of matters reserved for the Board.

 – Group strategy, operating plans, long-term plans  

 – Review of remuneration policies and  

and budget; 

 – Changes to corporate and capital structure;
 – Major acquisitions, mergers, joint ventures and disposals;
 – Significant capital expenditure and borrowing;
 – Material contracts;
 – Risk management and internal control;
 – Changes to pension scheme;
 – Financial reporting and disclosures;

share schemes; and

 – Dividend policy and payment.

The schedule of matters reserved for the 
Board can be found at www.tescoplc.com.

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

33

Corporate governanceCorporate governance report continued

Division of responsibilities continued

Operations of the Board continued

The Group Company Secretary advises the Board on all governance 
matters and facilitates induction programmes for new Directors 
and provides briefings and guidance on governance, legal and 
regulatory matters. The appointment and removal of the Group 
Company Secretary is a matter reserved for the Board as a whole.
Time commitment.
Regular Board and Committee meetings are scheduled throughout 
the year ensuring that Directors allocate sufficient time to 
discharge their duties effectively. During the year, the Board held 
six scheduled meetings and additional strategy and planning days, 
which included presentations by senior management on each of 
the business areas. In addition to scheduled meetings, the Board 
held additional meetings to consider matters of a time-sensitive 
nature, including the proposed sale of the Thailand and Malaysia 
businesses. Directors are expected to attend all Board and relevant 
Committee meetings. The table on page 30 shows the record of 
attendance at the scheduled Board and Committee meetings. The 
nature of the Non-executive Director role makes it impossible to 
be specific about the maximum time commitment. However, it is 
anticipated that at least 20 days per annum after the induction 
phase is required plus additional time to devote to preparation 
ahead of each meeting. Directors are also required to regularly 
update and refresh their skills, knowledge and familiarity with the 
Company. It is recognised that at certain times it may be necessary 
to convene additional Board, Committee or shareholder meetings.

Prior to appointment, the Nominations and Governance 
Committee assesses the commitments of a proposed candidate, 
including other directorships, to ensure they have sufficient time 
to devote to the role. Thereafter, the Committee regularly assesses 
the time commitments of Directors to ensure that they each 
continue to have sufficient time for their role. This assessment 

takes into account the number of external commitments each 
Director has and considers the potential additional time required 
in the event of corporate stress. Directors obtain approval prior 
to undertaking additional external appointments.
Conflicts of interest.
Directors are required to report actual or potential conflicts of 
interest to the Board for consideration and, if appropriate, 
authorisation. If such conflicts exist, Directors excuse themselves 
from consideration of the relevant matter. The Company maintains 
a register of authorised conflicts of interest which is reviewed 
annually by the Nominations and Governance Committee. 

Details of the Directors’ service contracts and terms of 
appointment, together with their interests in the Company’s 
shares, are shown in the Directors’ remuneration report on 
pages 52 to 64. 

If Directors have concerns about the Company or a proposed 
action which cannot be resolved, it is recorded in the Board 
minutes. Upon resignation, Directors are encouraged to provide 
a written statement of any concerns for consideration by the 
Board. No such concerns were raised in 2019/20 and up to the 
date of this report.
Independent advice.
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. 
No such requests were made in 2019/20. 

A Directors’ and Officers’ Liability Insurance policy is maintained 
for all Directors and each Director has the benefit of a Deed 
of Indemnity.

Corporate governance framework.

The Board is supported by the activities of each of the Board Committees which 
ensure the right level of attention and consideration are given to specific matters.

The Board

Audit Committee

Corporate  
Responsibility  
Committee

Nominations and 
Governance  
Committee

Remuneration 
Committee

Committee roles. 
Role of Audit Committee
Provides independent assessment and oversight of financial 
reporting processes including related internal controls, risk 
management and compliance, as well as overseeing the 
effectiveness of the internal and external audit functions.  
For more information see pages 13 to 18 and 46 to 51.

Role of Corporate Responsibility Committee
Ensures that the Board maintains an adequate focus on 
corporate responsibility and sustainability matters, especially 
those that support Tesco’s strategy. For more information 
see pages 44 to 45.

34

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

Role of Nominations and Governance Committee
Reviews the size, composition, tenure and skills of the Board, 
leads the process for new appointments, monitors Board and 
senior management succession planning, considers independence, 
diversity, inclusion and Group governance matters. For more 
information see pages 38 to 39.

Role of Remuneration Committee
Determines remuneration policy and packages for Executive 
Directors and senior managers, having regard to pay across 
the Group. For more information see pages 52 to 64.

Having an effective corporate governance framework supports 
the Board in the delivery of the Group’s strategy and supports 
long-term sustainable growth. Through matters reserved for the 
Board, Committee terms of reference and a robust delegated 
authority framework, it sets out how the business is managed 
and ensures effective and efficient decision-making through 
defined authority levels. Efficient internal reporting, internal 
controls and oversight of current and emerging risks are 
embedded into our business processes which align to the 
Group’s strategy, purpose and values.

The Board has delegated specific responsibilities to four key 
Board Committees which are each chaired by an Independent 
Non-executive Director, focusing on specific areas of the 
Board’s responsibilities.

The composition of each Committee is reviewed by the 
Nominations and Governance Committee annually and also at 
the time of any Board changes. Cross-Committee membership 

provides visibility and awareness of matters relevant between 
the Committees. Each Committee Chair provides a written and 
verbal report on Committee activities to the Board after each 
Committee meeting and Committee papers and minutes are 
shared with all Directors.

The Board delegates responsibility for the day-to-day operational 
management of the Company to the Group Chief Executive, who 
is supported by the Executive Committee, Group Risk and 
Compliance Committee and other committees. When the need 
arises, a standing Disclosure Committee is convened to consider 
timely and accurate disclosure of sensitive information and the 
Board has agreed a Delegation of Authority.

Matters considered by each of the Committees are 
set out in the Committee terms of reference which 
can be found at www.tescoplc.com.

Composition, succession and 
evaluation. 

Having a diverse Board with different perspectives, insights and viewpoints 
benefits the Group’s stakeholders through better business performance.

Board composition 
(number of Directors)

Board gender split  
(%)

Board tenure 
(number of Directors)

Board expertise 
(number of Directors)

1

2

31

1

2

10

69

5

5

Chairman (independent 
upon appointment)

Executive Director

Independent 
Non-executive Director

Male

Female

1-3 years

3-5 years

5-7 years

7-9 years 

9

9

11

Technology

Risk

11

8

4

Financial

Retail

Strategy

Marketing

Diversity and inclusion.
The Board sets the tone for inclusion and diversity across the 
Group and believes it is important to have an appropriate balance 
of skills, knowledge, experience and diversity on the Board and at 
senior management level to ensure good decision-making. It 
recognises the need to create conditions that foster talent and 
encourage all colleagues to achieve their full potential. To this end, 
we are committed to providing an inclusive working environment 
where difference is embraced and valued, as evidenced by our 
commitment to the Race at Work Charter. More detail on the 
Group’s employment policies are set out in the Directors’ report 
on pages 65 to 66.

The Board, Nominations and Governance Committee, and 
Executive Committee receive regular updates on the progress of 
diversity and inclusion initiatives across the Group, with the goal of 
ensuring all colleagues have an opportunity to get on, developing 
the skills they need for now and the future, whoever they are, 
wherever they work and whatever they do.

The Board has adopted a Board diversity and inclusion policy 
which sets out its approach to diversity and inclusion on the Board. 
This policy sits alongside the Company’s equal opportunities and 
diversity policy, which sets out the Group’s wider commitment to 
diversity and inclusion across Tesco. More information on the 
implementation of the Board diversity and inclusion policy can be 
found in the Nominations and Governance Committee report on 
pages 38 to 39. The policy can be found on the Company’s 
website at www.tescoplc.com. 

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

35

Corporate governanceCorporate governance report continued

Composition, succession and evaluation continued

Board expertise.
The Board’s skills matrix supports our approach to diversity by 
mapping the broad diversity of the Board in regard to gender, 
ethnicity, geographical expertise, professional background, 
tenure, age and other distinctions between Directors, linking 
these to our strategy. This enables the Board to develop a 
refreshment and succession plan for Non-executive Directors 
that meets the future needs of the Group. This is vital for 
bringing the expertise required and enabling different 
perspectives, insights and viewpoints to be brought to Board 
and Committee meetings. 

As set out in their biographies on pages 27 to 30, each member 
of the Board offers a range of core skills and experience that is 
relevant to the successful operation of the Group, while providing 
a strong independent element to the Board and a solid foundation 
for good corporate governance, fulfilling the vital role of corporate 
accountability. The oversight each of the Directors provides is 
balanced with individuals contributing a broad range of skills, 
diverse experience and knowledge, demonstrating independence 
and constructive challenge. 
Non-executive Directors’ independence.
The Nominations and Governance Committee considers whether 
each of the Non-executive Directors continues to be independent 
in character and judgement in line with the definition set out in the 
Code. For more information on the conclusion of the review 
undertaken by the Committee see pages 38 to 39.

The Non-executive Directors met with the Chairman without the 
Executive Directors being present on a number of occasions and, 
at least annually, Directors meet with the Senior Independent 
Director to review the Chairman’s performance and other matters.
Appointment, induction and development.
Non-executive Directors are initially appointed for a three-year 
term with an expectation that they will continue for at least a 
further three years. Directors are nominated by the Nominations 
and Governance Committee and are subsequently approved by 
the Board for election or re-election annually by shareholders at 
the Company’s AGM. 

After three years’ service the performance of a Non-executive 
Director is rigorously assessed by the Nominations and Governance 
Committee. Any development needs identified are discussed by the 
Chairman with the Non-executive Director. 

All Directors will submit themselves for election or re-election at 
the forthcoming AGM in June 2020. Detailed information on the 
contribution that each of the Directors brings to the Board is set 
out in the Board biographies on pages 27 to 30 and in the 2020 
Notice of Annual General Meeting.

Upon appointment, all new Directors receive a comprehensive 
induction programme over a number of months which is designed 
to facilitate their understanding of the business and is tailored to 
their individual needs. The Chairman and the Group Company 
Secretary are responsible for delivering the programme covering 
the Company’s core purpose and values, strategy, key areas of the 
business and corporate governance. 

The Board believes strongly in the development of its Directors and 
the Group’s colleagues. The Chairman regularly discusses training 
requirements with each Director. 

New Director induction programme 
is delivered through:
 – meetings with senior managers across the 
Group as well as a number of advisors;

 – attendance at Committee meetings;
 – site visits to stores and distribution centres;
 – working in a store, providing an opportunity 
to meet colleagues and see at first hand the 
operations of a store; and

 – access to a library of reference materials.

In support of the ongoing development of Directors, teach-ins and 
technical updates are provided at Board and Committee meetings 
to ensure that Directors remain up to date with key developments 
in the business environment in which Tesco operates. Directors are 
encouraged to attend training sessions to ensure their knowledge 
is up to date on relevant legal, regulatory and financial 
developments or changes.

The Board receives presentations on each of the business areas to 
understand the market conditions and challenges in the different 
countries the Group operates in. Directors have spent time 
individually and collectively exploring specific operational activities 
in detail through presentations, meetings and site visits giving them 
the opportunity to meet with local senior management to gain an 
insight of the business operations. 

The Board visits our overseas business functions on a regular basis 
to gain a greater understanding of the market conditions that the 
business operates in and to understand the challenges they face. 
This provides in-depth knowledge for the Directors, enabling them 
to share their own experiences and challenge the business.

Board visit to Thailand.
In June 2019, the Board travelled to Thailand to 
meet colleagues and customers, and gain a greater 
understanding of the Thai business operations and 
retail market. During the trip, the Board visited one  
of our Thai hypermarkets in Bangkok taking part in  
the ‘hypermarket reinvention’ programme. The 
programme optimises sales floor space to better 
cater to today’s customers and their shopping 
experience, as well as maximising efficiency and 
simplifying store processes.

Further details of the Group’s approach to diversity and 
inclusion can be found online at www.tescoplc.com.

36

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

Board effectiveness.
Good corporate governance is about implementing the right systems and controls 
across the Group to facilitate effective management and sound decision-making.

The Board carries out a review of the effectiveness of its performance and that of its Committees and Directors every year.  
The evaluation is externally facilitated every three years. The next external evaluation will be in respect of the 2021/22 financial year. 
Progress against 2018/19 actions.
Set out below is the progress made against actions identified through the 2018/19 external Board effectiveness review:

Action
Further shaping the narrative and agreeing the priorities of the Group 
for the longer term.

Continuing to develop and articulate the appetite for risk and 
ensuring it is aligned with the emerging longer-term strategy.

Developing a refreshment and succession plan for Non-executive 
Directors, designed to optimise strategic relevance, diversity of 
perspective and governance expertise to meet the future needs of 
the Group. 

Progress
During the year, the Board held an additional strategy session which 
focused on long-term opportunities and threats. Regular updates were 
provided throughout the year to the Board and its Committees on 
progress against strategic developments and plans.

A risk appetite framework has been developed during the year and 
formalised risk appetite metrics are being progressed with the business. 
Additional narrative is disclosed on pages 13 to 14. 

A Non-executive Director composition assessment exercise was 
undertaken to enable the Nominations and Governance Committee to 
plan for the Board changes due to occur in the next few years. A skills 
matrix was developed to ensure that the Board has the necessary skills 
to fulfil its strategic objectives.

2019/20 internal evaluation.
During the year, an internal evaluation was led by the Chairman, with the support of the Group Company Secretary using an online 
questionnaire to capture the views of each Director. The 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 Board’s processes.

Internal evaluation themes.

Board/Committee 
composition, expertise 
and dynamics 

Strategic oversight, 
culture and stakeholders 

Risk management and 
internal control 

Succession planning and 
human resource 
management 

Effectiveness 

Board support, 
management/focus of 
meetings, paper content, 
time allocation

The internal evaluation concluded that the Board, its Committees and each of its Directors continue to be effective, with high scores being 
recorded across each of the themes. All Directors continued to demonstrate a collaborative and constructive mindset, creating a conducive 
environment at Board meetings for participation and challenge. The clarity of the strategy together with the understanding of the capabilities 
for implementing and monitoring it were regarded highly.

The internal effectiveness review identified some opportunities for the Board and the resulting areas of focus are summarised below:

 – greater focus on the impact of technology and the threats and opportunities of an ever-changing market on the development of a 

longer-term strategy;

 – further increase the oversight of succession planning at the Board, while maintaining the strong oversight at the Nominations and 

Governance Committee; and

 – further developing the appetite for risk and ensuring it is aligned with the emerging longer-term strategy.

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

37

Corporate governance 
 
 
 
Nominations and Governance 
Committee.

“It is important to have a diverse Board to bring different 
perspectives, insights and viewpoints in decision-making 
which ultimately benefits the Group’s stakeholders 
through better business performance.”

John Allan 
Chairman

Dear Shareholder.
The Committee held four scheduled meetings during the year, 
which were attended by all members. Two further meetings were 
held to discuss the appointment of Ken Murphy as successor to 
Dave Lewis. Committee membership together with attendance at 
meetings is detailed in the table on page 30. The Committee’s full 
terms of reference are available on the corporate website at  
www.tescoplc.com.
Committee responsibilities and key activities.
Details of the key areas of responsibility of the Committee and 
the time spent on each area during 2019/20 are set out below:

Board composition:
 – Review the size and composition of the Board 

and its Committees;

 – Review Directors’ skills matrix; 
 – Recommendation of annual re-election of 

Directors; and

 – Three-year and six-year review of Non-executive 

Directors’ performance.

Succession planning:
 – Succession plans for the Board, Executive 
Committee and senior management; and

 – Talent management. 
Effectiveness:
 – Review plans for the current year’s 

effectiveness review; 

 – Review progress against the actions identified in 

the previous year’s effectiveness review;

 – Review Non-executive Director time commitments; and
 – Review of Non-executive Director independence.
Governance:
 – Review and approve changes to the Group’s 

corporate governance framework;

 – Ensure compliance with the UK Corporate 

Governance Code;

 – Review of matters reserved for the Board;
 – Review Directors’ conflicts of interest; and
 – Assess the Group’s approach to diversity and inclusion.

Board composition and diversity.
The Committee has sought to balance the composition of the 
Board and its Committees and to refresh them progressively over 
time. In discharging its responsibilities, the Committee regularly 
reviews the structure, size and composition of the Board and its 
Committees, including skills, knowledge, independence and 
diversity, to ensure they are aligned with the Group’s strategy.

Our Non-executive Directors are drawn from a wide range of 
industries and backgrounds, including retail, infant nutrition, retail 
and investment banking, property, extractive industry and food 
manufacturing, and have a wealth of experience in complex 
organisations with global reach.

The Committee recognises the importance of the Board’s 
awareness and preparations for the future, and ensuring that the 
skills, experience and knowledge of individuals reflect the changing 
demands of the business, all while upholding the culture and values 
of the Group. During the year, a composition assessment exercise 
was undertaken by the Committee and a Non-executive Director 
succession plan developed. This provides a structured and 
systematic approach to refreshing the Board, replacing retiring 
Non-executive Directors and planning for the future. To support 
the succession plan, a skills matrix was also developed to ensure 
the Board and its Committees have and maintain the necessary 
skills to deliver the Group’s strategic priorities.

The Committee strongly believes that diversity and providing an 
inclusive culture is a key driver of business success and the 
Committee is committed to having a diverse and inclusive 
leadership team which provides a range of perspectives, insights 
and critical challenge needed to support good decision-making, 
helping with risk management and strategic planning at the 
current time of crisis. 

As set out in the Board’s diversity and inclusion policy:

 – all Board appointments are made on merit against a set of 

objective criteria, in the context of the skills and experience 
needed for the Board to be effective and guard against 
‘group think’;

 – the Committee will only work with executive search firms 
who have signed up to the UK Voluntary Code of Conduct 
on Gender Diversity; and

 – the Board supports the recommendations set out in the 
Hampton-Alexander Review on gender diversity and the 
Parker Report on ethnic diversity.

Focus of Committee activities in 2019/20
Board composition 
Succession planning
Effectiveness
Governance

The Committee will continue to review progress against the Board 
diversity and inclusion policy annually and report on progress 
against the policy in the Annual Report. As at the date of this 
report, 31% of the Board are female and the intention was for this 
to rise above the 33% target at the AGM, when Mark Armour was 
due to step down. However, Mark’s skills in risk and strategy as well 
as his knowledge of the business are crucial at the present time, 

22%
24%
28%
26%

38

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

and his offer to continue to support the Board through the current 
situation was gratefully accepted. This means that the Board will 
not be able to reach the Hampton-Alexander target by the time of 
the AGM, as hoped, but the Committee will continue to work 
towards this in the very near future.

The Committee would like to provide its assurance that it is dedicated 
to bringing the Board in line with the target set by the Hampton-
Alexander Review. Alison Platt is helping ensure this commitment is 
offered all due attention, given her role on the steering group for the 
Hampton-Alexander Review, and in providing leadership on the 
Committee’s goals on diversity and inclusion. The Committee will now 
be looking to fulfil this aim through seeking key Board additions when 
the director recruitment market returns to normal.

Following the appointment of Melissa Bethell in September 2018, 
the Board is in line with the Parker Report’s recommendation. 
Further details on initiatives to promote and support diversity 
and inclusion throughout Tesco can be found on pages 35 to 36. 
The Board diversity and inclusion policy is available at  
www.tescoplc.com.

Following a formal review of the composition of Board Committees 
and discussions with each Non-executive Director, the Board 
agreed to a recommendation from the Committee appointing 
Stewart Gilliland and Alison Platt to the Nominations and 
Governance Committee from April 2019. These appointments have 
enhanced the experience on the Committee and further 
strengthened its capabilities to meet its responsibilities. 

In accordance with the Non-executive Directors’ letters of 
appointment, the Committee reviewed the performance of Mark 
Armour and Steve Golsby after having been on the Board for six 
and three years, respectively. The review took into account each 
Director’s commitment, contribution and effectiveness on the 
Board and relevant Committees. The Committee also considered 
the training and development needs of the Directors. The review 
concluded that both Mark Armour and Steve Golsby continued to 
make a significant contribution to the Board and its Committees.
Succession planning.
Ken Murphy will join the Board from Walgreens Boots Alliance 
as CEO when Dave Lewis steps down from the Board on 
30 September 2020. Our succession process is described below.

When Dave Lewis informed the Board of his intention to leave 
the Company, the Committee engaged the Lygon Group, which 
specialises in the recruitment of high-calibre executives, to carry 
out a targeted search for his successor. Lygon Group has no 
connection with Tesco or any commercial connection with any 
Director of the Group other than to assist with searches for 
executive and non-executive talent.

In conjunction with the Lygon Group, the Committee considered 
the role of Group Chief Executive in order to formulate a more 
detailed role and person profile. This considered the experience, 
knowledge and leadership characteristics required for the position.

The Lygon Group initiated a thorough global search against this 
profile, which produced a long-list of candidates, which was then 
reduced to a shortlist of several candidates. These shortlisted 
candidates were interviewed by members of the Committee, the 
Group Chief Executive and other members of the Board, and 
feedback on each candidate was compiled. Following an in-depth 
critique, an independent leadership assessment and further testing 
of the candidates’ credentials, the process culminated with the 
Committee meeting to agree a recommendation to the Board that 
Ken Murphy be appointed as the successor Group Chief Executive. 
The recommendation received unanimous Board approval. 
On 2 October, the Board announced that Ken Murphy would 
succeed Dave Lewis as Group Chief Executive, subject to 

shareholder approval at the 2020 AGM. Through regular dialogue 
with institutional shareholders, we have discussed these changes.

Succession planning continues to be a priority for the Committee 
and throughout the year the Committee focused on the succession 
pipeline for the Board and senior management. This is essential to 
ensure a continuous level of quality in management. It further aids 
us in avoiding instability by mitigating the risks which may be 
associated with unforeseen events, such as the departure of a 
key individual, as well as promoting diversity and inclusion. In this 
regard the Committee is pleased to note that Mark Armour 
deferred leaving the Board in order to provide some additional 
continuity during these challenging times.

The Committee has also continued to focus on talent and the 
ability to retain and progress high-potential colleagues to improve 
the overall capability of the Group. This has been facilitated 
through regular presentations and discussions with the Chief 
People Officer. This has provided the Committee with oversight 
of internal talent progress targeted at potential future Executive 
Committee members and a broader leadership talent pool, with 
a bespoke development plan having been put in place for these 
colleagues. The Board also met with high-potential colleagues in 
Thailand on its visit to the country in June.
Effectiveness.
As highlighted in my letter on page 24, an internal Board 
effectiveness review was conducted during the year. It concluded 
that the Board and its Committees continued to operate 
effectively. The review was overseen by the Committee and full 
details are provided on page 37. The Senior Independent Director 
also met with the Directors to appraise my own performance. 

During the year, the Committee reviewed the independence, 
time commitment and potential conflicts of interests of the 
Non-executive Directors and concluded that each continued to 
demonstrate challenge and independent judgement and to 
devote sufficient time to discharging their duties.
Governance.
During the year, the Committee reviewed the matters which 
are reserved for the decision of the Board and recommended a 
number of updates which were adopted by the Board. The full 
schedule of matters reserved for the Board is available at  
www.tescoplc.com.

Additionally, the Committee considered recent corporate 
governance developments and their implications for Tesco. 
The new UK Corporate Governance Code 2018 and the 
Companies (Miscellaneous Reporting) Regulations 2018 apply to 
Tesco for this financial year. An implementation plan was put in 
place by the Committee for these new requirements, including the 
implementation of a new Tesco Corporate Governance Code for 
large subsidiary companies. This will allow us to report on them in 
2020, including in this Annual Report.

The Committee reviewed compliance with the UK Corporate 
Governance Code. While the pension contributions of the current 
Executive Directors are not yet aligned with the workforce, the 
Remuneration Committee has agreed that the Chief Financial 
Officer’s pension contributions will be reduced to 7.5% by the 
end of 2022. Full disclosure on pension arrangements for 
Executive Directors can be found on page 53 of the Directors’ 
remuneration report.

John Allan
Nominations and Governance Committee Chair

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

39

Corporate governanceStakeholders.

Our business was built on a simple mission: 
to be the champion for customers. That 
mission is the same today. Our customers 
want great value products which they can 
buy easily. To achieve this we rely on our 
customers, colleagues, suppliers, 
communities and shareholders. 

Culture, underpinned by our values, plays a fundamental role in the 
way that we do business and the delivery of our strategic goals and 
KPIs. Our values ensure that every colleague understands what is 
important to Tesco, how we work together as a team and why 
customers are the centre of everything we do.

Our Little Helps Plan identifies the most pressing social and 
environmental challenges facing the business. This provides a 
philosophy for how our business should be run in a way that 
makes a positive contribution to our colleagues, customers, 
supplier partners and communities.

The Board recognises that having robust governance structures 
in place is vital to decision-making. The Board spends a lot of time 
listening to and understanding the views of its key stakeholders. 
When discussing matters at Board meetings these views form an 
integral part of its decision-making.
Customers.
 – Customers are at the heart of what we do. Every decision 

we take is to ensure we deliver great value and great quality 
for our customers.

Colleagues.
 – The experience and expertise of our colleagues is essential 
for the delivery of our strategic objectives. Operating within 
a culture of openness and inclusivity ensures that each 
of our colleagues is focused on delivering great service for 
our customers.

Suppliers.
 – Building trusted partnerships with our suppliers is important 
in enabling us to provide the best products at the best prices 
for our customers and provides a great platform for our 
suppliers to grow.

Shareholders.
 – A key objective of the Board is to create value for shareholders 

and deliver long-term, sustainable growth.

Community.
 – The Board is committed to improving sustainability and helping 
communities thrive by positively contributing both socially and 
economically. We strive to make sustainable products accessible 
and affordable for all. 

A key consideration of the Board in making its decisions is to 
balance the sometimes conflicting needs of our stakeholders to 
ensure they are all treated consistently and fairly.

This was demonstrated through the decisions made when 
considering the proposed sale of our Thai and Malaysian 
businesses. This decision followed a detailed strategic review in 
response to interest received in selling the businesses. Directors 
unanimously agreed that it would be in the best interests of all 
stakeholders, taking into consideration among other things: 

 – the impact on our colleagues and customers in Asia recognising 

that through the sale, significantly higher value could be 
generated for the Asia business from a well-established 
retailer in the region than could be achieved through the 
continued ownership and investment from Tesco;

 – the release of material value which will enable a stronger focus 
on driving cash generation and returns to shareholders; and 
 – a further de-risking of the business by reducing indebtedness 

through a significant pension contribution.

Set out on pages 41 to 43 you will find examples of how the Board 
and its Committees have oversight of stakeholder considerations, 
which are taken into account when making key decisions. 

Directors’ duty under section 172 of 
Companies Act 2006.

In discharging our section 172 duties, Directors are required to 
have regard, among other matters, to the:

 – likely consequences of any decisions in the long-term;
 – interests of the company’s employees;
 – need to foster the company’s business relationships with 

suppliers, customers and others;

 – impact of the company’s operations on the community 

and environment;

 – desirability of the company maintaining a reputation for 

high standards of business conduct; and

 – need to act fairly as between members of the company.

In addition to the above, we also have regard to other factors 
which we consider relevant to the decision being made. Those 
factors include the interests and views of Tesco pensioners and 
our relationship with regulators and NGOs.

40

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

The Board acknowledges that every decision it makes will not 
necessarily result in a positive outcome for all of the Group’s 
stakeholders. By considering the Company’s purpose, vision and 
values, together with its strategic priorities and having a process in 
place for decision-making the Board does however, aim to make 
sure that its decisions are consistent and predictable. 

Details on how the Board operates and the way in which it 
reaches decisions, including the matters discussed and debated 
during the year, the key stakeholder considerations that were 
central to those discussions and the way in which it has had regard 
to the need to foster the Company’s business relationship with 
customers, suppliers and other stakeholders are set out on pages 
40 to 43. More detail of the activity undertaken by the Board and 
its Committees’ activities can be found on pages 38 to 39, 44 to 64, 
together with the Strategic report on pages 1 to 23.

Colleagues.
Culture, succession planning, diversity and inclusion.
We have more than 400,000 colleagues serving Tesco customers 
around the world. We continue to celebrate the diversity within our 
business and create an environment where colleagues can be 
themselves and have an opportunity to get on. The Board 
receives updates on key elements of the people strategy 
which provides insight into a variety of areas including culture, 
diversity and inclusion, succession planning, future capabilities 
and colleague engagement. 
Workforce engagement.
Building on the long-established forums and conferences at store, 
regional and national level, the Board established four ‘Colleague 
Contribution Panels’ during the year hosted by an Independent 
Non-executive Director. These Colleague Contribution Panels 
will normally meet twice a year to seek the views of our global 
workforce on areas of specific interest to the Board and our 
colleagues. The case study below sets out details of the panel 
meetings held during 2019, with an overview of the discussions 
and outcomes. 

In addition to the Colleague Contribution Panels, we have engaged 
with contractors through a survey to obtain their views as part of 
capturing wider workforce engagement. The main concerns arising 
from our contracted workforce was the impact of tax legislation 
being extended to cover contractors in the private sector (IR35) 
and access to Tesco technology platforms. An action plan was put 
in place to ensure we were ready to comply with the changes 
relating to IR35 and consider the concerns of the contracted 
workforce, although the changes that the Government was due 
to make to these regulations have now been deferred for a year.

This year, we have also launched our new colleague-listening 
programme, Every Voice Matters, across the Group which has 
included updated questions and faster results. This will allow 
more frequent feedback to be provided to the Board on business 
priorities and how colleagues are feeling and will also enable timely, 
more focused action to be taken. More than 254,000 colleagues 
completed the new deep-dive survey in January 2020.

Case study.
Colleague Contribution Panels
The purpose of the Colleague Contribution Panels is for elected 
colleague representatives to meet with designated Non-executive 
Directors to strengthen the colleague voice in the boardroom, 
while helping colleagues to develop a better awareness of Board 
matters and business priorities. Colleagues’ views from the first 
‘what’s on your mind’ focus session saw some key themes 
emerging such as managing through growth and change, 
opportunities to get on, technology, reward and recognition. 

Following the Colleague Contribution Panels, the Board considered 
the feedback and developed an action plan. Actions included:

 – providing colleagues with a deeper understanding of the 

context of change; 

 – greater access to training and opportunities to get on; 
 – improvements in technological capabilities;
 – simplification through automation; and 
 – opportunities to further develop our reward strategy. 

Little Helps Plan commitment.
Our commitment to helping our colleagues get on is one of the key 
pillars of the Little Helps Plan and also aligns to our people strategy. 
Through the targets set by the Board, it aims to help colleagues 
succeed by providing them with flexibility, skills and a competitive 
total reward package. Delivery of the KPIs is overseen and 
challenged by the Corporate Responsibility Committee and 
reported to the Board. 
Whistleblowing.
Oversight by the Audit Committee of the whistleblowing policy and 
Protector Line, our independent and confidential whistleblowing 
service, provides colleagues and suppliers with the ability to raise 
concerns regarding misconduct and breach of the Code of 
Business Conduct. The Board routinely receives reports on any 
matters raised through Protector Line. 
Wellbeing.
Building on insights from the 2019 colleague health survey, this year 
we have worked with our charity partners to refine the colleague 
health strategy and align our ambitions to the wider customer health 
goals. Our work focuses on the little steps to wellbeing that colleagues 
can take to help them live healthier lifestyles both while at work and 
at home. Working alongside the mental health charity, Mind, our 
colleagues and their family members have access to a confidential 
employee assistance programme. This offers an independent and 
unlimited 24/7 telephone support line should they be feeling anxious, 
concerned about money, or needing some extra support in their life. 
We also offer online learning modules, Mindapples, for colleagues to 
explore and understand their own minds better. 
Colleague Clubcard.
UK colleagues are offered a package of benefits through our 
colleague Clubcard scheme to reward them for their hard work 
and commitment to Tesco. The Board receives updates on 
Clubcard initiatives, including the introduction of Clubcard Plus. 
Health and safety at work.
The Board places great importance on looking after the safety of 
colleagues, customers and anyone else impacted by our business, 
and is responsible for making Tesco a safe place to work and shop. 
Regular health and safety updates are provided to the Board.

Progress updates will be presented to representatives at this 
year’s Colleague Contribution Panels and panel representatives 
will feed back to colleagues. Our aim is to develop these Colleague 
Contribution Panels to facilitate open discussions and ensure that 
the Board is aware of the views of the workforce. 

Having a designated Non-executive Director for each region 
allows a deeper understanding of specific workforce-related 
matters in each country.

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

41

Corporate governanceStakeholders continued

Customers.
Customer feedback surveys.
The Board values feedback from customers – it helps to ensure we 
are providing them with what they want and need from Tesco. 
Through customer surveys and engagement, the Board is able to 
listen to customer views and take appropriate actions to ensure 
improvements are made. 
Understanding the customer.
We are innovative in the approaches we use to understand our 
customers. We use multiple data sources including Clubcard and 
we ensure we spend time with our customers to understand their 
needs so that we can develop products and propositions they will 
like. Insight about our customers is used to inform our decisions 
and we evaluate our propositions so that we can learn and 
improve continuously.

In 2019 we launched Clubcard Plus offering additional 
rewards for loyalty. Regular updates on customer insight is 
provided to the Board. 
Competitive market.
The Board receives updates on the competitive market that 
we operate in, which helps to form our strategy and goals for 
the coming year - ensuring that our customers are at the heart 
of what we do. 

Through business updates from Tesco Bank, Booker, dunnhumby, 
Tesco Mobile and through our regional updates, the Board has 
visibility of customer requirements globally and the challenges 
within each of their markets. This oversight assists the Board 
with its strategic decision-making and enables us to offer the 
services our customers need.
Innovation.
Innovation at Tesco can come across through our products, our 
online or in-store experiences and the way we interact with our 
customers. It is essential that we keep innovating for the future to 
meet the changing needs of our customers, which is why we have 
a Group Innovation Team that ensures creativity and continuous 
improvement is embedded in our culture. 

The Board receives updates on innovation and technology 
advances to ensure that we have the capabilities to meet 
future requirements.

Shareholders.
Investors’ views and key market issues.
Senior management and the Investor Relations team held regular 
meetings with existing and potential institutional investors and 
analysts during 2019/20. The Investor Relations team provides the 
Board with regular feedback on investors’ views and key market 
issues so the Board keeps up to date with market conditions and 
ensures shareholder sentiment is understood and considered in 
decisions. The Chairman, Senior Independent Director and 
Committee chairs hold meetings with institutional shareholders, 
when required, to discuss key issues. 
Annual General Meeting.
The 2019 AGM was webcast to allow all shareholders globally to view 
the event. In 2019, all resolutions were passed with votes in favour 
ranging from 93.38% to 99.99%, with an average of 71% of votes 
cast. All Directors made themselves available to answer questions 
from shareholders. 
Store tours.
The Chairman hosts tours of our stores for private shareholders 
to provide insight into Tesco’s operations and obtain direct 
feedback that is passed to the Board. For more detail about the 
store tours that took place during 2019, see the case study below.
ESG and Capital Markets days.
In June 2019, Tesco hosted ESG and Capital Markets days, providing 
an opportunity for investors and analysts to hear more about 
Tesco’s strategy and performance, and ask questions. Members 
of the Board attended the event.
Funding and balance sheet strategy.
Throughout the year the Board has reviewed and approved various 
aspects of the Group’s funding strategy, including liability 
management, pension scheme deficit, market considerations, 
future dividend capability, approval of dividends, capital allocation, 
balance sheet and tax strategy. It considers the views of 
shareholders to: provide expected returns; ensure sufficient 
capital is retained to invest in the customer offer and grow the 
business in line with strategy; and ensure there are sufficient 
reserves for creditors and supplier payments. Senior management 
maintains regular dialogue with our relationship banks.

Case study.
Store tours
During the year, the Chairman hosted three 
tours around the Orpington Extra store, which 
celebrated its 10th anniversary since opening. 
This store continues to be a focal point within 
the Orpington community. 

The tour gave private shareholders the opportunity 
to meet and talk to the Chairman and senior 
management, receive a presentation on store 
operations and learn about its role in the local 
community. Feedback from attendees enables the 
Board to better understand what is important to our 
private shareholders and balance this with what our 
customers want.

42

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

Suppliers.
Partnerships with suppliers.
The Board is committed to building trusted partnerships with our 
suppliers, which are crucial to delivering many of our commitments. 
Through these partnerships, we deliver value and quality to our 
customers, and we help our partners to develop and grow. 

With oversight from the Corporate Responsibility Committee,  
we conduce initiatives such as working with suppliers to remove 
hard-to-recycle plastic packaging material from multipacks and 
tackling deforestation in our soy supply chains. It is important 
that we work closely with suppliers, combining our knowledge 
and expertise to help bring solutions to the industry. These 
collaborative activities provide direct insight into the challenges 
and provide visibility on supplier progress which helps us to 
meet our responsibilities and obligations. 

In August 2019, we invited suppliers to a conference to talk 
about how we can tackle the problem of packaging waste 
together. Over two days, we gave details of our progress and 
shared the latest part of our strategy. Updates on progress are 
provided to the Board.
Supplier insight.
The Board receives feedback on supplier surveys which seek 
suppliers’ views in relation to their interaction and experiences 
with Tesco. Management action plans set out focus areas for 
further improvements.

A responsible sourcing strategy has been developed to identify key 
challenges across the supply chain. The Corporate Responsibility 
Committee continues to monitor progress against the strategy 
and reports to the Board on specific matters.

During 2019, the Board visited a number of suppliers in Thailand 
to gain a greater understanding of the challenges in the Thai 
market and obtained first-hand insight into how farming is 
undertaken in the region. 
Treating suppliers fairly.
The Board places great importance on ensuring suppliers are 
treated fairly. Expected behaviours are set out in Tesco’s Code of 
Business Conduct. Additionally, Tesco complies with the Groceries 
Supply Code of Practice (GSCOP). The Board and Audit Committee 
receive updates in relation to compliance with the Code of 
Business Conduct, GSCOP and engagement with the Groceries 
Code Adjudicator. More information on our compliance with 
GSCOP can be found on page 66.

Communities.
Contributing to the community.
The Board places great importance on helping the communities 
we serve. The Little Helps Plan targets include supporting local 
community projects and facilitating food surplus donations to 
provide meals for those in need globally. Progress against these 
actions and the impact that these actions have on stakeholders 
are reviewed by the Corporate Responsibility Committee.
Renewable energy.
We are committed to sourcing 100% of our electricity from 
renewable sources by 2030. The Board regularly reviews our 
renewable energy strategy, which is approved on an annual basis.
Sustainability.
Through the Little Helps Plan, the Board and Corporate 
Responsibility Committee have oversight of sustainability 
issues facing the business. We work in partnership with our 
stakeholders to contribute to solving some of the global 
challenges, such as climate change, sustainability, food waste 
and health and wellbeing issues. Through engagement with 
customers, suppliers, non-governmental organisations and 
other stakeholders this ensures alignment of our stakeholder 
priorities and helps us deliver our strategic objectives against 
our Little Helps Plan KPIs. Progress against these actions, and 
the impact that these actions have on stakeholders are 
reviewed by the Corporate Responsibility Committee.
Charity partnerships.
Through our health charity partnerships approved by the 
Board, we support our colleagues in living healthier lives and 
our customers in making healthier choices every time they shop 
with us through initiatives such as in-store health events and 
our partnership with Jamie Oliver promoting healthier recipes. 

With our partner WWF, and overseen by the Corporate 
Responsibility Committee, we are working to reduce the overall 
environmental impact of the average shopping basket by half. 
In order to achieve this, we have developed the Tesco-WWF 
Sustainable Basket Metric to enable us to measure the impact of 
an average shopping basket and understand how best to reduce it.

Progress against our health-related KPIs is reported within the 
Little Helps Plan on which the Corporate Responsibility Committee 
receives updates. More detailed information on these initiatives 
can be found at www.tescoplc.com.

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

43

Corporate governanceCorporate Responsibility  
Committee.

“Through the Little Helps Plan we demonstrate that  
‘every little help makes a big difference’ and recognise 
the global responsibility Tesco has to the communities 
and customers it serves.”

Lindsey Pownall 
Non-executive Director

Dear Shareholder.
Committee responsibilities and key activities.
The Corporate Responsibility Committee oversees the Group’s 
social and environmental obligations as a responsible citizen, 
ensures its responsibilities are discharged in such a way as to build 
trust, respect and confidence, and identifies and monitors external 
developments which may affect the Group. It is an important forum 
in the Board’s oversight and challenge on engagement with many of 
our stakeholders including: customers; suppliers; NGOs; and health 
partnerships. 

The Committee held three scheduled meetings during the year, 
which were attended by all members. Committee membership 
together with attendance at meetings is detailed in the table on 
page 30. During the year a review was undertaken to ensure that 
the Committee continued to operate effectively and that its terms 
of reference delegated from the Board remained relevant. The 
Committee’s full terms of reference are available on our website 
at www.tescoplc.com. 
Progress against our corporate responsibility strategy.
Every little help makes a big difference is a core value at Tesco. 
It is at the heart of the Little Helps Plan and is how Tesco makes a 
difference to the social and environmental challenges that matter 
most to our customers, colleagues and communities. As part of 
the corporate governance framework, the Committee tracks the 
progress and potential risks associated with the Little Helps Plan 
through regional updates detailing how we are implementing and 
delivering on the targets and actions of the Little Helps Plan. While 
good progress has been made so far there is still more to 
accomplish and the Committee is excited to be part of the journey. 

As part of our long-term business planning process and in line with 
the Group’s principal risks, each country has set a three-year 
roadmap for delivery of the Little Helps Plan targets. This year the 
Committee reviewed the updated Little Helps Plan strategy and the 
appropriateness of the key performance indicators. The evolved 
approach will be cascaded across the Group during 2020/21. 

More information on the Little Helps Plan  
can be found on pages 21 to 23 and on  
our website at www.tescoplc.com.

Details of the key areas of responsibility of the 
Committee and the time spent on each of them 
during 2019/20 are detailed below:

Progress against corporate responsibility 
strategy:
 – Progress against KPIs
 – Update on Little Helps Plan activity
 – Regional updates
 – Strategic plan and evolution of the Little Helps Plan

Responsible sourcing strategy:
 – Thailand visit
 – Animal welfare
 – Deforestation
 – Packaging
 – Human rights and supply chain

Little Helps Plan communications/marketing 
strategy:
 – Engagement with external stakeholders
 – Oversight of the health charity partnership 

initiatives

 – Strategic partnership with WWF
 – Community programmes

Governance: 
 – Committee effectiveness
 – Review of terms of reference
 – Oversight of ESG engagement
 – Engagement with stakeholders
 – Oversight of TCFD findings

Focus of Committee activities in 2019/20
Progress against corporate responsibility strategy
Responsible sourcing strategy
Little Helps Plan communications/marketing strategy
Governance

30%
25%
25%
20%

44

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

Responsible sourcing strategy.
One of our business values is to treat people how they want to be 
treated. To enable our customers to enjoy affordable, sustainable 
and healthy food in the long term, we need to work hand-in-hand 
with our suppliers and customers to respond to the challenges 
across the global food industry. We are passionate about leading 
the industry in addressing sustainability challenges in our supply 
chains, ensuring our products are sourced with respect for the 
environment and the suppliers who produce them.

As a Committee, we were delighted that Tesco attained a high 
score in the Oxfam second annual scorecard for supermarket 
efforts on human rights in food supply chains. The Committee 
continues to oversee the governance of modern slavery and human 
rights and the processes in place to identify high-risk areas. 

A responsible sourcing strategy has been developed in consultation 
with a range of experts to identify key challenges across the supply 
chain. The Committee reviewed the responsible sourcing strategy 
and will continue to monitor the progress.

Through ongoing engagement with our stakeholders, Governments 
and NGOs, we are committed to achieving net zero deforestation 
in key raw materials by 2020 and are taking the lead on initiatives 
where we can make a real difference, although there are challenges 
in the global market. In December 2019, we demonstrated our 
leadership on deforestation by becoming the first company to 
contribute to the Cerrado Initiative, committing £10m over five 
years to support soy farmers in Brazil and help end soy-associated 
deforestation in one of the most important areas of biodiversity. 

We are committed to promoting animal welfare and to delivering 
on our commitment to treat animals humanely at all life stages. 
The Committee has discussed the Group’s position, minimum 
standards and challenges faced in each of the countries we serve, 
noting the differences from country to country due to differing 
local standards and culture. Steps are being taken to address 
key issues where it makes good business sense to do so. The 
Committee will continue to review the Group’s position and drive 
change where necessary.

We take the sustainability of our products and packaging extremely 
seriously and always consider the impact of our business on the 
environment. In September 2019, we launched a new own-brand 
range of affordable plant-based products as part of our 
commitment to making food more sustainable. This delivers on 
stakeholder recommendations for more plant-based food options 
to be available to the customer in an effort to improve health, and 
reduce emissions and climate change impacts from food products.

In November 2019, we announced we will remove one billion 
pieces of plastic from products for sale in UK stores by the end of 
2020 in support of our Remove, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle strategy. 
We have removed carrier bags from our online deliveries and we 
are working towards our packaging becoming part of a closed loop 
system. I visited one of our UK stores trialling some of these 
initiatives and was excited by the progress and the enthusiasm of 
our colleagues. The Committee discussed the progress being made 
in the UK and other areas of the Group, noting feedback from 
customers and lessons to be shared across the Group. As a result 
of these initiatives, we announced in January 2020 that we would 
remove 67 million pieces of plastic through replacing plastic-
wrapped multipacks with plastic-free multibuys on tinned foods, 
eliminating 350 tonnes of plastic from the environment.

Case study.
During the Committee’s visit to Thailand, 
Committee members spent time at the Duang 
Prateep Foundation. The Foundation operates a 
number of projects covering education, child abuse 
and welfare of both the elderly and slum youths. 

The Committee were able to see how surplus food 
donated from Tesco Lotus is distributed to children 
at the Foundation. Tesco Lotus provides fresh food 
from local hypermarkets and packaged food from 
distribution centres.  

In June 2019, members of the Board visited Thailand to see the 
corporate responsibility work in practice, with a focus on food 
waste and farming. This was an opportunity to observe food 
surplus donations at a local Tesco store, meal preparation 
using surplus food at the Duang Prateep Foundation and visits to 
a local seafood supplier and other suppliers connected to our 
direct sourcing programme which strives to improve farming 
in the region. 

Little Helps Plan communications and 
marketing strategy.
During the year, the Committee reviewed the marketing and 
communication strategy of the Little Helps Plan. The strategy 
demonstrates the dependencies between a successful Tesco 
and a thriving society and planet and is designed to show the 
value we create across all stakeholder groups. Success is 
measured through improvements in our YouGov brand health 
index and bespoke shareholder engagements. Since 2016, we 
have increased customer trust in every single year.

In 2019/20, a calendar of events was approved by the Committee, 
including Dance Beats which culminated in the world’s longest 
dance marathon relay at Wembley stadium. This was held in 
conjunction with our health charity partnerships, British Heart 
Foundation, Cancer Research UK and Diabetes UK, to support 
the life-changing work of the charities. Over £1m was raised 
by our colleagues, customers and other stakeholders, which 
was matched by Tesco.

We have also launched a groundbreaking, long-term partnership 
with WWF. The aim of the partnership is to improve the sustainability 
of food, while ensuring it remains affordable for all. The Committee 
has reviewed the key deliverables of the partnership and the 
one-year plan to establish metrics and measure progress. More on 
this can be found in our Little Helps Plan report online  
at www.tescoplc.com.

Lindsey Pownall
Corporate Responsibility Committee Chair

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

45

Corporate governanceAudit Committee.

“The Committee has continued to support in monitoring the 
integrity of financial reporting, the effectiveness of risk 
management and internal controls processes, and in 
governance and compliance matters.”

Byron Grote 
Non-executive Director

Dear Shareholder.
I am pleased to present this year’s Audit Committee report which 
provides an insight into the work carried out by the Committee, 
our discussions and focus over the past year. The Committee 
supports the Board in fulfilling its responsibilities in respect of 
monitoring the integrity of financial reporting, the effectiveness of 
risk management and internal controls processes and governance 
and compliance matters. The Committee also recommended the 
appointment of the external auditor, Deloitte, as well as monitored 
and assessed their effectiveness, objectivity and independence, 
further details of this process can be found on page 50. As well as 
the key activities undertaken or overseen by the Committee during 
the year the Committee has, through a periodic and structured 
rolling forward-looking planner, considered a variety of special 
focus matters including: 

 – the accounting judgements used to assess the Group’s 

international assets, reviewing the store impairment model and 
annual property valuation, the impact of reporting against IFRS 16;

 – store buybacks and acquisition accounting;
 – future cash flows and the management of the Group’s debt 

profile; as well as receiving updates on the continuing 
transformation programmes.

Looking ahead, these items will remain a key focus in 2020/21 
and, as the full impact of COVID-19 emerges, the Committee will 
continue to monitor developments and adapt its approach to best 
support the Group’s stakeholders.

In October 2019, the Financial Reporting Council published a 
thematic review of impairment disclosures. Having reviewed 
their recommendations, we strengthened our impairment 
disclosures. The Committee continues to oversee the integrity 
of financial disclosures, ensuring that financial information is 
presented in a fair, balanced and understandable manner. 

In November 2019, the Committee held a dedicated product quality 
assurance session during which we explored the Group’s adoption 
of a risk management and controls framework and reviewed the 
mitigations in place for those principal risks relevant to product 
safety, set out on pages 13 to 18. 

In support of the Board’s strategy to simplify the Group and reduce 
total indebtedness, the Committee considered an in-depth 
valuation report in relation to the disposal of our businesses in 
Thailand, Malaysia and China, including the recommended pension 
contribution and return of funds to shareholders. The Committee 
also considered the sale of the Tesco Bank mortgage book, and 
debt capital management initiatives. 

Committee membership together with attendance 
at meetings is detailed in the table on page 30.

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

The Committee regularly monitored the Group’s known and 
emerging risk exposures in relation to changes in the external 
regulatory and political environment, including the possible 
impact of Brexit on the Group’s risk management activities and 
the recent emerging global spread of COVID-19, and the public 
health responses of governments in all markets in which the 
Group operates. Further information can be found on pages 
13 to 18 of this Annual Report.

Byron Grote
Audit Committee Chair

Audit Committee membership.
All of the Committee members are independent Non-executive 
Directors and the Board is satisfied that Byron Grote, Mark Armour 
and Melissa Bethell have significant, recent and relevant financial 
experience. Additionally, Byron Grote and Mark Armour, having 
both held Chief Financial Officer roles for significant periods, are 
considered suitably qualified in accounting and/or auditing. 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 27 to 30.

Robert Welch is appointed as Secretary to the Committee. At the 
invitation of the Chair of the Committee other regular attendees 
include: the Group Chairman, Group Chief Executive, Chief 
Financial Officer, Group General Counsel, Chief Audit and Risk 
Officer, Deputy Chief Financial Officer and representatives of 
the external auditor, each of whom can be asked to withdraw 
from the meeting if necessary.
Audit Committee meetings.
The Committee held five scheduled meetings in the year. Each 
meeting has 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 structured rolling forward-looking planner, 
which is designed to ensure that its responsibilities are discharged 
in full during the year. This planner is developed with the Group 
Company Secretary and its content regularly reviewed with 
management and Deloitte. It is developed to meet the changing 
needs of the Group as the year progresses.

The Chair of the Committee provides a written and verbal update 
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.

46

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

Committee members met in private following each Committee 
meeting and also held separate private sessions with the Chief 
Audit and Risk Officer and the external auditor, in order to provide 
additional opportunity for open dialogue and feedback without 
management present. The Committee Chair also meets with the 
Chief Financial Officer, Chief Audit and Risk Officer and external 
auditor on an ad hoc basis and prior to each Committee meeting.
Key discussions in the year.
The Committee carried out a number of in-depth reviews of 
specific principal risk areas this year, considered emerging risks 
and reported its findings and recommendations to the Board, 
including the oversight of various Tesco Bank matters and a deep 
dive into product quality assurance. The Committee considered 
the significant progress made towards the Group’s integration of 
Booker and consequently endorsed the retirement of the Booker 
integration and synergy realisation risk from the Group’s principal 
risks. More information can be found at page 14. The Committee 
received updates from management in relation to: key financial 
controls; the Group’s transformation programmes; information 
technology general controls and system renewals; treasury; tax; 
pensions; insurance; and compliance. The Committee also received 
update reports during the year from the Tesco Bank Audit 
Committee, the Disclosure Committee and the Group Risk and 
Compliance Committee.

The Committee monitors the activity, role and effectiveness of 
internal Group Audit & Advisory (GAA), detailed on pages 49 to 50, 
and at each meeting receives a GAA update covering a range of 
management issues, including periodic reviews of the employment 
of former auditor employees and non-audit services policies, the 
internal audit charter, 2020/21 audit plan and executive expenses. 

GAA provided regular updates on its work, including findings from 
its internal audit programme, the status of management actions 
to address such findings and the continued support provided to 
the business. The Committee continued its focus on Group 
transformation and the enhancement of internal controls and 
received regular updates from GAA on the work that is being 
undertaken to review and strengthen the Group’s processes 
in these areas. 

Additionally, at each meeting the Committee considers reports 
from our external auditor, Deloitte, in relation to their interim and 
year-end reports, audit plan, audit fees, auditor independence 
and non-audit services, early warning report, management letter 
observations and updates on their ongoing audit work. 

The Audit Committee is monitoring the outcome of audit 
market reform initiatives and accordingly will modify its 
approach as required. 

Key financial controls 
The Committee has overseen the introduction of a number of 
enhancements to the Group’s key financial controls programme 
during the year, which included: a refresh of the Key Financial 
Controls environment, ensuring controls remain relevant and 
appropriately mitigate financial risk for our core processes; the 
inclusion of IT general controls; the introduction of operating 
effectiveness testing to strengthen our control rigour; and changing 
our organisational structure and resources to strengthen our 2nd 
line of defence capability. Enhancements made through the 
Finance Transformation programme provide effective tools with 
which to monitor and report on our key financial controls. These 
changes directly support our management and mitigation of the 
technology and transformation principal risks. Further details can 
be found on pages 13 to 18. 

Impairment reviews
The Committee regularly received updates on various impairment 
reviews across the Group and discussed the associated accounting 
policies and judgements, underlying valuations, stress testing and 
material triggers used in the impairment assessment. In addition, 
the Committee considered the goodwill impairment testing and 
the impairment of the Group’s investments in preparation for the 
disposals announced prior to publication of this report. The 
Committee also reviewed recommendations from the FRC 
Thematic Review on impairment reporting to improve disclosure. 
See Note 15 for further information. 

IT general controls
The Committee has continued to monitor the Group’s 
emerging risks in relation to technology and progress against its 
IT remediation, data collection processes and transformation plans, 
including a review of the Group’s technology platforms and systems. 
The Committee received regular risk updates from the Chief 
Technology Officer, the Chief Audit and Risk Officer and the external 
auditors which were discussed in the context of the Group’s risk 
appetite. See our technology risk on page 16 of this Annual Report.

Cash flow
In support of the Group’s focus on managing free cash flow, 
throughout the year the Committee received reports from the 
Chief Finance Officers for the UK & ROI, Central Europe and Asia 
which provided an insight into retail operations and impairment 
reviews. The Committee regularly reviewed working capital 
management arrangements, including consideration of the Group’s 
distributable reserves position. Regular updates were provided in 
relation to the Group’s commitment to offset the dilution of shares 
through the issuance of share-based awards. As part of the 
Committee’s oversight of finance policies, reports on the Group’s 
interest rate risk management and debt capital management 
policies were received.

Brexit
During the year the Committee continued to consider the 
management and mitigation of Brexit as a principal risk and 
received regular updates on the business’ contingency preparation 
with a particular focus on the possible impacts to: working capital; 
goods and services for and not for resale; Tesco Bank’s metrics; 
and the modelling of scenarios as part of the Group’s viability 
assessment. The Committee will continue to monitor the possible 
impacts of Brexit closely during the Brexit Transition Period. 

Compliance
The Committee received and reviewed the annual ethics and 
compliance data covering: privacy; fraud; anti-bribery; gifts and 
entertainment; and the annual Code of Business Conduct 
declarations. The Committee discussed the controls and mitigating 
actions employed to reduce instances of fraud and compliance 
breaches in support of the Group’s overall compliance strategy 
and culture. The Committee has assessed the effectiveness of the 
Group’s whistleblowing arrangements and reviewed compliance 
with the Groceries Supply Code of Practice (GSCOP). 

Product quality assurance 
During the year, the Committee held a deep-dive session which 
examined the approach to risk management controls in product 
quality across the Group. The session explored the system of 
technical standards and accompanying assurance framework 
which had been in operation across the Group since 2018. The 
Committee evaluated the rigorous standards in place to drive focus 
on improving food quality and safety standards for all consumers. 
The Committee reviewed the business’ mobility and response 
protocols in the scenario of an emergency product withdrawal, 
as well as the impact of social and economic pressures on farming 
and the risks in agriculture, especially animal welfare. 

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

47

Corporate governanceAudit committee continued

Key activities.
Statutory reporting
In relation to the financial statements, the Committee 
ensures that Tesco provides accurate, timely financial 
results and implements accounting standards and 
judgements effectively. This includes our status as a 
going concern and longer-term prospects and viability. 
The Committee reviewed and recommended the approval 
of the 2019/20 interim financial statements, the Group’s 
2019/20 preliminary results and this annual report. It 
considered property valuations, impairment reviews, 
reviewed the Group’s distributable reserves position in 
advance of the declaration of dividends, reviewed corporate 
governance disclosures and monitored the statutory audit. 
The Committee considered a comprehensive report from 
the Group’s Disclosure Committee on fair, balanced and 
understandable reviews, the Group’s compliance with 
relevant regulatory frameworks and validation of 
management’s representations to Deloitte. 

The Committee is responsible for assisting the Board’s 
oversight of the quality and integrity of the Group’s financial 
reporting and accounting policies and practices. 

The Committee considered the viability and going concern 
statements, their underlying assumptions and the longer-
term prospects, including the appropriateness of a 
three-year period assessment reflecting the dynamic and 
changing retail environment in which the Group operates, 
see page 19. 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.

Risk and control
On behalf of the Board, the Committee oversees the risk 
management strategy and appetite and the appropriateness, 
effectiveness of internal control processes and UK 
Corporate Governance Code compliance, further details of 
discussions can be found on pages 13 to 18. The Committee 
reviews and approves principal and emerging risks (including 
climate change, Brexit and COVID-19) via updates from the 

UK & ROI, Central Europe and Asia Finance Directors. 
This includes key financial controls updates, insurable risk 
reviews, risk appetite monitoring and review of internal 
control effectiveness. 

During the year, the Committee has continued to 
receive updates regarding the Group’s ongoing Finance 
Transformation programme and any actions taken to 
address observations raised by Deloitte in its letter to 
management following completion of the 2018/19 audit. A 
number of 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 and Advisory 
and Group Finance directors, on the development and 
effectiveness of the Group’s key internal financial controls.

Risk and control further encompasses People and 
Technology Transformation programmes; IT general controls 
and security programme updates. Oversight of pensions, 
solvency and liquidity, debt capital management, tax, Tesco 
Bank (including the Bank’s risks) and corporate simplification 
updates were also considered during the year.

Compliance
The Committee supports the Board’s in discharging its 
responsibilities in relation to anti-bribery, whistleblowing, 
GSCOP, annual and Group compliance statements, as well 
as GDPR and privacy compliance. The Committee also 
monitors anti-fraud, as well as gifts and entertainment 
policy compliance. 

External audit 
The Committee considers the audit scope and auditor’s 
fees, auditor independence and non-audit fees, as well as 
update reports, management letter observations and 
effectiveness reviews.

Internal audit
The Committee receives update reports detailing progress 
against next steps and recommendations, the 2020/21 audit 
plan, internal audit charter, review of executive expenses 
and an effectiveness review.

Other governance matters
The Committee annually reviews its own effectiveness and 
its terms of reference.

48

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

Significant financial statement reporting issues.
The Committee considered the following significant issues during 
the year. As part of these considerations, the Committee received 
updates from management and sought assurance from the internal 
and external auditors. The Committee was satisfied with how each 
of the significant issues discussed was addressed.

Issue
Contingent 
liabilities

Issue
Going concern 
basis for the 
financial 
statements and 
viability 
statement

Disposals and 
discontinued 
operations 

Impairment 

Pensions 

How the issue was addressed by the Committee
The Committee reviewed and challenged 
management’s assessment of forecast cash 
flows including sensitivity to trading and 
expenditure plans, and for the potential impact 
of uncertainties including Brexit and the 
COVID-19 pandemic. 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. For further information 
see page 19 of this Annual Report.

The Committee considered the key judgements 
made by management regarding the disposal of 
Tesco Bank’s mortgage business and the disposal 
of the Group’s 20% share in its associate Gain 
Land Limited, including the classification of 
assets as held for sale and their valuation, and 
the presentation of discontinued operations. 
The Committee also carefully considered the 
requirements of IFRS 5 ‘Non-current assets held 
for sale and discontinued operations’ regarding 
the status of the Group’s strategic review of its 
Asia business at the balance sheet date. 
For further information, see Note 1 to the 
financial statements. 

The Committee reviewed and challenged 
management’s impairment testing of goodwill 
and the Group’s portfolio of store cash-
generating units. The Committee noted that 
an impairment modelling tool has now been 
deployed in key markets, ensuring a consistent 
workflow and approach to the process. 
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. The Committee 
also reviewed the enhanced impairment 
disclosures. For further information, see  
Note 15 to the financial statements.

The Committee reviewed and challenged the 
estimates used by management in valuing 
pension liabilities, including the discount rate. 
For further information, see Note 29 to the 
financial statements. 

How the issue was addressed by the Committee
The Committee further considered 
management’s assessment of the status of 
ongoing regulatory investigations and litigation 
relating to prior periods. The Committee 
concurred with management’s assessment 
that due to the stage of the remaining 
matters and the uncertainties regarding the 
outcomes, no provision was required, and 
disclosure as contingent liabilities at the year 
end was appropriate. See Note 34 to the 
financial statements. 

The Committee reviewed management’s 
reporting against the controls that exist 
over the recognition of commercial income 
across the Group, including Booker, and 
considered the appropriateness of accounting 
judgements adopted. See Notes 1 and 22 to the 
financial statements.

The Committee considered the presentation of 
the Group’s 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 clear, even-handed 
and consistently applied across years. 
Consideration was also given to the quality of 
earnings within underlying results. See Note 4 
to the financial statements.

The Committee considered the impact of IFRS 16 
‘Leases’, on the Group’s financial reporting. 
The Committee considered the key judgements 
made in determining the impact of IFRS 16 and 
reviewed and challenged management’s 
presentation of the impact. See Notes 1 and 37 
to the financial statements.

Recognition and 
disclosure of 
commercial 
income

Exceptional 
items

New accounting 
standards

 Internal audit – Group Audit and Advisory (GAA).
GAA is an independent assurance function within Tesco providing 
services to the Board and all levels of management. Its remit is to 
provide independent and objective assurance and advice to 
provide insight, deliver value, protect and help the organisation 
achieve its priorities. GAA helps the organisation accomplish its 
objectives by bringing a systematic, disciplined approach to 
evaluating and improving the effectiveness of risk management, 
control, compliance and governance processes.

GAA’s responsibilities include supporting management in the 
assessment and mitigation of risks to protect the business, 
delivering the annual audit plan 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 facilitates 
the Group’s risk management processes with the Audit Committee 
and the Board. In February 2020, the Committee conducted an 
assessment of the effectiveness of the GAA function in protecting 
the business. This assessment was facilitated by Lintstock Ltd, an 
independent company, who distributed a questionnaire-based 
assessment to key stakeholders, collated the anonymous 
responses and provided the assessment reports which were 
discussed with the Committee Chairman, Chief Financial Officer 
and Chief Audit and Risk Officer. This assessment included 

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

49

Corporate governanceAudit committee continued

consideration of the structure and scope of GAA’s work, its 
capabilities, independence, the adequacy and responsiveness 
of the audit plan, quality of audit reports and its engagement 
with stakeholders.

The Committee discussed the approach and findings of the 
assessment. The overall assessment concluded that GAA was highly 
effective, with good ratings across all measures. Improvements 
noted included the adequacy and delivery of the audit plan and the 
opportunity for stakeholders to contribute to it, quality of the audit 
reports and the monitoring and follow-up on audit findings and 
improved stakeholder relationships. In addition, there was 
recognition of the level of independence of GAA and its expertise 
and ability to handle difficult issues. The Committee also concluded 
that GAA is adequately resourced. 

Aspects highlighted to focus on included increasing the focus on 
risk and responding and adapting to Tesco’s priorities and the 
external environment. Additionally, a continuing focus on 
technology including the use of data analytics to keep pace with 
advances was deemed appropriate. Continuing to build on the 
sharing of insights and audit learnings through the business was 
also highlighted as a focus area alongside increasing the level of 
engagement with the business to further develop relationships 
within Tesco. 

The Committee reviewed and agreed the GAA Charter and 2020/21 
Internal Audit Plan in November 2019. Following the recent changes 
to the IIA Code of Practice, the GAA Charter will be updated and 
subject for approval by the Committee in July 2020. Due to the 
evolving situation with the COVID-19 virus and the impact on the 
business, the Internal Audit Plan will continue to be reviewed to 
ensure, where necessary, it adapts appropriately to the changing 
needs of the business. 
External audit.
Deloitte continued as our external auditor for the 2019/20 financial 
year. It is our intention to put the external audit out to tender every 
10 years and to rotate the lead partner at least every five years. 
During 2019, Panos Kakoulis, who had been the lead partner since 
Deloitte’s initial appointment in 2015/16, retired and Simon Letts, 
who had been part of the external audit team since 2015/16, was 
appointed as the new lead partner and he took responsibility for 
the 2019/20 audit opinion. John Adam will replace Simon Letts in 
April 2020, having undertaken a transition into this role in the 
second half of the 2019/20 financial year. The Committee worked 
closely with management to ensure that a suitable auditor 
onboarding process was in place.

The Committee regularly reviews the role of the external auditor 
and the scope of their audit. The Committee considers the 
effectiveness of the external auditor on an ongoing basis during 
the year, considering, among other things, its independence, 
objectivity, appropriate mindset and professional scepticism, 
through its own observations and interactions with the external 
auditor, and having regard to the: 

 – experience and expertise of the external auditor in their direct 

communication with, and support to, the Committee;
 – content, quality of insights and 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 external auditor, 
including ensuring that management dedicates sufficient time 
to the audit process;

50

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

 – provision of non-audit services, as set out below;
 – review and consideration of the results of the evaluation of 

the effectiveness of the external auditor; and

 – other relevant UK professional and regulatory requirements.

The Committee conducted an audit effectiveness review of 
Deloitte in February 2020, which was facilitated by an independent 
company, Lintstock Ltd, who distributed a questionnaire-based 
assessment to key stakeholders, collated the anonymous 
responses and provided assessment reports containing territory or 
business-specific feedback to facilitate the evolution of services 
provided to the Group. The review concluded that the external 
auditor was highly effective and the Committee recommended to 
the Board the reappointment of Deloitte at the 2020 AGM.

Deloitte contributed a further independent perspective on certain 
aspects of the Group’s financial control systems arising from their 
work, and reported both to the Board and the Committee. The 
process for approving all non-audit work provided by the external 
auditor is overseen by the Committee in order to safeguard the 
objectivity and independence of the auditor, and compliance with 
regulatory and ethical guidance. Where Deloitte has been chosen, 
this is as a result of their demonstrating the relevant skills and 
experience to make it an appropriate supplier to undertake the 
work in a cost-effective manner.

Our policy for non-audit services reflects the regulations that 
prohibit the provision of certain non-audit services, such as payroll 
services, by the external auditor and introduces a cap on non-audit 
fees. In line with the regulations, the Group is required 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. The non-audit fees policy is compliant with 
new Ethical Standards for Auditors.

In 2019/20, Deloitte received total fees of £9.7m (2018/19: £12.0m) 
consisting of £7.4m of audit fees (2018/19: £8.0m), and £2.3m for 
non-audit and audit-related services (2018/19: £4.0m), which is a 
decrease of £1.7m in total fees versus the previous period. The total 
of Deloitte’s non-audit and audit-related fees in the year equated 
to 31% 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 in the table on page 51. 

In the period, Deloitte continued to report under the court-
approved Deferred Prosecution Agreement with Tesco Stores 
Limited. Safeguards were put in place to mitigate any threats to 
Deloitte’s independence by ensuring that work was conducted by 
individuals not directly involved in the external audit.

We continue to take steps to ensure the level of non-audit fees 
going forward is compliant with the 70% non-audit fee cap rules.

Key.

Increase

No change

Decrease

External audit fees – non-audit and audit related services.

Nature of service
Provision of reporting 
accountant services relating to 
Group disposals, working capital 
and profit forecast reporting

Retail consultancy: provision of 
administrative support relating 
to the Group’s markdown price 
optimisation process(a)

Forensic services: provision of 
data repository services for 
information needed by the 
Group and the SFO(a)

SFO Monitor role: Deloitte has 
been appointed as Monitor by 
the SFO under the Deferred 
Prosecution Agreement, agreed 
with Tesco Stores Limited

Other non-audit services: tax 
compliance and advisory 
projects relating to businesses 
outside of the EU and other 
miscellaneous risk and 
compliance services

Interim review performed under 
International Standards of 
Review Engagements (UK and 
Ireland) 2410

Level of fees in 
2019/20 (£m)
0.2 

Level of fees in 
2018/19 (£m)
–

Change

Safeguards to preserve independence

  Engagement team separate to the audit team with 
independent reviews and working with informed 
management.

– 

0.6 

1.3

1.7

0.6 

0.1

0.4 

0.4

0.5 

0.5

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

  Careful consideration of the scope of services 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.

  Under the Deferred Prosecution Agreement Deloitte was 
appointed to conduct independent reviews by individuals 
not directly involved in the commercial income audits.

  Careful consideration of the scope of services 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 where 
required. From March 2017, no tax services have been 
provided to entities within the EU as required by the 
applicable Ethical Standards.

  The interim review is considered a non-audit service under 
the applicable Ethical Standards, although the objectives of 
the review are aligned with those of the audit.

Total

2.3 

4.0

(a)  Engagement pre-dates Deloitte’s appointment as external auditor.
(b)  Deloitte’s work concluded in January 2019.

Appointment of auditor statement.
Following a formal tender process, Deloitte was appointed as 
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. The 
Company intends to conduct a tender process in line with the 
regulations and by no later than 2025.

Fair, balanced and understandable statement.
The Committee considered this Annual Report and Financial 
Statements 2020, taken as a whole, and concluded that the 
disclosures, as well as the processes and controls underlying its 
production, were appropriate and recommended to the Board 
that the Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020 is fair, 
balanced and understandable while providing the necessary 
information to assess the Company’s position and performance, 
business model and strategy.
Committee effectiveness review.
The Committee was evaluated this year as part of the Board 
evaluation process and rated very highly overall. Further details can 
be found on page 37. 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 
discussed how the Committee is functioning in the private 
sessions that follow each meeting and agreed that: developing a 
risk appetite approach for our principal risks, effective monitoring 
of the control environment and overseeing risk management 
remained a key focus for 2020/21. 

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

51

Corporate governance   
Directors’ remuneration report.

Annual statement.

“We have been busy this year building on our proud history 
of fostering a culture where colleagues feel welcome, 
included and fairly rewarded.”

Steve Golsby 
Remuneration Committee Chair

Dear Shareholder.
I am pleased to present this year’s Directors’ remuneration report. 
This report provides an update on our progress in implementing 
the remuneration policy approved at the June 2018 AGM. The 
Committee appreciated the high level of shareholder support 
that the remuneration policy received, with over 93% in favour, 
following constructive dialogue with a number of shareholders, 
their representative bodies and the wider stakeholder group. 
Overall, the Committee believes the remuneration policy is 
operating well, which was reflected in a vote of 97.25% in favour 
of the remuneration report at the 2019 AGM. No changes are 
proposed to the remuneration policy for 2020/21.

During the year, we continued to review the implementation of 
the remuneration policy and the Committee further reviewed 
colleague remuneration and related policies throughout the Group 
in light of the UK Corporate Governance Code 2018 (the Code). 
As a Committee, we are committed to ensuring that the interests 
of colleagues, shareholders and other key stakeholders are 
considered fairly, and in the context of wider societal expectations. 

To live up to our purpose, our colleagues need to reflect and 
represent the communities that we serve. The Committee has 
been busy this year, building on our proud history of fostering a 
culture where colleagues feel welcome, included, and fairly 
rewarded. During the year, we held our first Colleague Contribution 
Panels in each of our three regions, using the opportunity to hear 
directly from colleagues across the Group and consider their views 
on executive remuneration and other matters of interest to them. 
Further details of this engagement are set out in the Corporate 
Governance report. The Committee will continue to use the 
Colleague Contribution Panels to explain to colleagues how 
decisions on Executive Director remuneration reflect the Group’s 
reward principles and as valuable insight when making wider 
remuneration decisions. We have set out in the Reward Principles 
section on pages 55 and 56 specific details of how we are 
responding to the wider workforce aspects of the Code.
Key Committee decisions in the year.
The Executive remuneration framework has a number of 
specific goals. It is designed to be clear, simple and consistent. 
The framework must also motivate the leadership team to achieve 
the Company’s strategic objectives, to lead and incentivise 
colleagues, and to drive value for shareholders and other 
stakeholders. It is also designed to be competitive in the markets 
in which we operate and to be effective in competing for talent.

There were three key decisions for the Committee in 2019/20:
 – setting challenging targets for annual bonus and long-term 

incentives;

 – determining 2019/20 incentive outcomes for Executive Directors 

and Executive Committee members; and

 – remuneration matters relating to the appointment of 

Ken Murphy as CEO and the stepping down of Dave Lewis.

52

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

Targets for annual bonus and long-term incentives.
Annually in November, the Board reviews and adopts the Long 
Term Plan (LTP). Thereafter, in February the Committee reviews the 
metrics and targets of the annual bonus plan and Performance 
Share Plan (PSP) for the one- and three-year performance periods. 
This review takes into account not only the LTP, but also the 
performance of the business and market conditions since 
November to ensure metrics and targets are appropriately 
challenging, support the Group’s culture and strategy, and create 
value for stakeholders. The Committee also considers the overall 
construct of the remuneration package to ensure that potential 
pay outcomes are appropriate and reasonable against different 
performance scenarios.

The Committee remains mindful of the long-term focus of 
the business on the four key strategic metrics of: customer 
satisfaction, cash profitability, free cash flow and earnings 
growth. The way in which the annual bonus plan and PSP align 
with and support these metrics, as well as the delivery of the 
Big 6 KPIs, is set out below.

Financial 
performance  
metric
Group sales
Group  
operating profit 
before 
exceptional 
items and 
amortisation of 
acquired 
intangibles
EPS

Free cash flow

Link to strategy
Grow sales (Big 6 KPI)
Deliver profit (Big 6 KPI)

 PSP 
performance 
measure/ 
(weighting)

Annual bonus 
performance 
measure/ 
(weighting)
✓ (30%)
✓ (50%)

Earnings growth  
(key strategic metric)
Improve operating cash 
flow (Big 6 KPI) and 
Free cash flow  
(key strategic metric)

✓ (50%)

✓ (50%)

No change was made to the quantum or the financial metrics of 
the annual bonus during the year. The Committee reviewed the 
strategic objectives comprising individual and stakeholder metrics, 
which represent 20% of the annual bonus opportunity, and the 
significant progress made, and being made by the business on 
stakeholder metrics. It concluded that while stakeholder metrics 
continued to be core to the way we do business and would 
continue to be used for certain Executive Committee members 
who had specific responsibility for them, they would no longer 
apply to Executive Directors with their strategic objectives being 
based entirely on individual metrics. 

 
 
 
 
remains reflective of the wider business environment and contains 
appropriate incentives for senior executives to achieve the Group’s 
business objectives. 

In keeping with this approach, the base salary and maximum 
annual bonus and PSP opportunities for Alan Stewart will remain 
unchanged for 2020/21. The Committee is however cognisant of 
the current market volatility and negative impact on shareholders 
of the recent COVID-19 outbreak. While we do not believe it is 
possible at this stage to make a sensible and informed adjustment 
to the incentives, the Committee will use the discretion available to 
it under the remuneration policy when determining the final annual 
bonus and PSP outcomes and will make any necessary adjustments 
to ensure that the Executive Directors do not benefit unduly from 
windfall gains when the market recovers, and determine a fair 
outcome based on the performance of the Group.

The Committee will be reviewing the pension contribution rate 
of Alan Stewart, currently 25% of base salary. In line with our 
established reward principle of fairness throughout the 
organisation and the pension contribution rate for Ken Murphy of 
7.5% of base salary, we will ensure that the pension provision of 
Alan Stewart is reduced to that available to the wider workforce, 
currently 7.5% of base salary, by the end of 2022. The approach 
for moving to this position will be set out in next year’s 
remuneration policy to be put before shareholders.

Dave Lewis’ base salary, maximum annual bonus opportunity and 
pension contribution rate for 2020/21, until his departure, will 
remain unchanged.

Given that the remuneration policy will expire at the 2021 AGM, 
this year the Committee will undertake a review of Tesco’s 
remuneration arrangements. This review will take into 
consideration the governance developments and emerging 
market practices since the current policy was approved. 
However, we plan to undertake a more fundamental review of 
the policy in 2021/22 once Ken Murphy has had some time in 
role, so that his views can be expressed in the policy design. 
This policy would then be put before shareholders at the 2022 
AGM. We plan to continue regular dialogue with shareholders 
and will hold meetings with Tesco’s largest investors on both 
policies to obtain their views and feedback.
Conclusion.
The Committee will endeavour to report remuneration matters 
with clarity and transparency. We welcome any suggestions on 
how we can add to these qualities in the future and any comment 
you may have on this report.

Steve Golsby
Remuneration Committee Chair

2019/20 incentive outcomes.
As outlined in the Chairman’s Statement and Group Chief 
Executive’s review, Tesco has delivered a strong performance 
against a backdrop of challenging external conditions. With every 
element of the turnaround plan complete, the Group has been 
focused on generating sustainable growth within our disciplined 
capital expenditure allocation through the three pillars of Growth, 
Innovation and Enabling Technology. Further details can be found 
on page 5.

Following the end of the financial year, the Committee met and 
reviewed performance under the annual bonus plan and PSP for 
the Executive Directors and Executive Committee members. For 
the annual bonus, Group sales and Group operating profit were 
achieved at 10.9% and 47.9% of maximum, respectively. The 
Committee used its judgement in evaluating the strategic 
objectives, which varied from executive to executive. This led to an 
overall outcome of 75.9% for Dave Lewis and 76.4% for Alan Stewart 
of the maximum opportunity. Further details of the annual bonuses 
earned by the Executive Directors are reported on page 58.

For the 2017 PSP award, the Committee took all relevant factors 
into consideration to ensure that the outturn was a fair reflection 
of performance. In particular, the Committee considered the 
appropriateness of the TSR benchmark in view of significant 
changes in the retail landscape that were unforeseen when the 
targets were set. As Ocado has seen a significant shift away from 
being a retail-focused business towards a technology-focused 
business during the performance period, the Committee decided 
to remove Ocado from the TSR benchmark from 16 May 2018. 
This was the date on which a clear pattern emerged of Ocado 
pursuing a technology strategy. 

The Committee also noted that during the performance period 
management had taken decisions in the best interests of the 
Company that resulted in lower cash flow. It therefore adjusted the 
cash generation outcome for the rightsizing of the Poland business. 
In this way, the improvement in cash profitability, which has been a 
key strength of Tesco’s successful turnaround, is reflected 
appropriately in the 2017 PSP outcome. 

In combination with the consistently strong performance across 
all stakeholder measures, the overall outcome for the 2017 PSP is 
48.8% of maximum opportunity, with awards vesting later in the 
year. The Committee considered this outcome to be a fair and 
proportionate result. 
Appointment of new Group Chief Executive.
Dave Lewis will be stepping down as Group Chief Executive on 
30 September 2020. Ken Murphy will be appointed to the Board 
as Group CEO on 1 October 2020. Details of leaving and joining 
arrangements for Dave Lewis and Ken Murphy can be found on 
page 60. In summary, the Committee has approved good leaver 
status for Dave Lewis and his unvested annual bonus share awards 
will continue to vest at their normal time, with unvested PSP 
awards subject to pro-ration. No PSP award will be granted to him 
in 2020, but he will receive a pro rata annual bonus for 2020/21. 
The reward package for Ken Murphy has been set in line with the 
existing remuneration policy. There are no buyout arrangements.

Implementation of the remuneration policy in 
2020/21 and fairness.
The Committee remains sensitive to the issues affecting 
executive remuneration and the views expressed by investors, 
the UK Government and the wider public, particularly regarding 
restraint when setting quantum. The Committee believes such 
restraint is the right approach, while ensuring remuneration 

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

53

Corporate governanceDirectors’ remuneration report continued

Governance summary.
Operation of the Remuneration Committee.
The Committee determines the Company’s framework and policy 
for executive remuneration, as well as setting the remuneration 
of the Chairman, Executive Directors, Executive Committee 
members, Chief Audit and Risk Officer and Company Secretary. 
The Committee also reviews the remuneration arrangements for 
Group employees whose salaries exceed specified levels and 
administers the Group’s share incentive plans. In addition, the 
Committee has regard to workforce remuneration, related 
policies and the alignment of incentives and rewards with 
culture when setting Executives’ remuneration. 

The Committee maintains an active dialogue with shareholders 
and their representative bodies and its terms of reference 
were reviewed during the year.
Committee composition.
The Committee consists of Steve Golsby (Chair), John Allan, Byron 
Grote, Mikael Olsson, Deanna Oppenheimer and Alison Platt, who 
are all independent Non-executive Directors, except John Allan 
who is Non-executive Chairman. Meetings attendance is set out on 
page 30. No member of the Committee has any personal financial 
interest in the matters decided, other than as a shareholder, nor 
do members have any day-to-day involvement in running the 
business of Tesco. Robert Welch, Group Company Secretary, is 
Secretary to the Committee. Dave Lewis, Group Chief Executive, 
and Natasha Adams, Chief People Officer, attend meetings at the 
invitation of the Committee. The Committee is supported by the 
Reward, Corporate Secretariat and Finance functions. No Directors 
or Executives are involved in determining their own remuneration.
Risk management.
When developing the remuneration structures, the Committee 
considered whether any aspect of these might encourage 
risk-taking or behaviours that are incompatible or inconsistent 
with Tesco’s values, environmental and sustainability objectives, 
and the long-term interests of shareholders and other 

stakeholders. If necessary, the Committee would take appropriate 
steps to address this. The Committee also has the discretion to 
apply malus and clawback in certain circumstances.
Relations with Tesco Bank.
As required by the Financial Conduct Authority, 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 the Group remuneration 
policy. The Committee, however, does not make decisions in 
relation to, or direct, how remuneration is managed within 
Tesco Bank.
Committee advisers.
The Committee appoints an independent remuneration 
consultant to provide advice on particular matters.

During the year, the Committee conducted a competitive 
tendering exercise and agreed to retain PwC as its remuneration 
consultant. PwC is a signatory to the Remuneration Consultants’ 
Code of Conduct.

In 2019/20, PwC provided advice and commentary on a range 
of topics including remuneration trends, the leaving terms of 
Dave Lewis and joining terms of Ken Murphy, consulting with 
shareholders and corporate governance. PwC fees for advice 
provided to the Committee were £144,400 (2018/19: £120,700). 
Fees are charged on a time and materials basis. PwC also provided 
general consultancy services to management during the year and 
separate teams within PwC provided unrelated advisory services in 
respect to corporate tax compliance, technology consulting and 
internal audit services. However, the Committee is satisfied that 
these activities do not compromise the independence or 
objectivity of the advice it has received from PwC.

Remuneration Committee activities 2019/20.
The Committee met seven times during the year and the following provides a summary of the key areas of focus:

Base salaries 

Annual bonus 

Performance share plan 

Governance and other 
matters 

 – reviewed base salaries in accordance with the remuneration policy and in the broader colleague context 
 – 2019/20 annual bonus: reviewed performance against targets
 – 2020/21 annual bonus: reviewed and set metrics and targets to ensure continued alignment to strategy
 – 2020/21 annual bonus: agreed to align threshold vesting level at 25% for both financial metrics
 – 2017 PSP: reviewed performance against targets
 – 2019 PSP: set challenging targets to drive performance
 – approved leaving terms for Dave Lewis and joining terms for Ken Murphy
 – reviewed pension provision for Alan Stewart
 – considered 2018/19 Directors’ remuneration report
 – reviewed shareholder feedback on 2018/19 Directors’ remuneration report
 – evaluated the Committee’s performance
 – reviewed the Committee’s terms of reference

Shareholder voting.
The table below sets out the voting outcome for the remuneration report at the 2019 AGM and the remuneration policy at the 2018 AGM.

Remuneration report
Remuneration policy

Votes For

Votes Against

Number of shares
(millions)
6,989
6,732

Percentage  
of votes
97.25
93.15

Number of shares
(millions)
198
495

Percentage  
of votes
2.75
6.85

Votes withheld

Number of shares 
(millions)
1.5
35

54

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

 
 
Reward principles.
The principles of a fair workplace.
To live up to our purpose, our colleagues need to reflect and represent the communities we serve. Tesco aims to be a place where colleagues 
can get on, as they wish, irrespective of their background. We are proud of our long history of helping colleagues develop their careers in Tesco.

Our approach to reward is guided by the following principles:

 – Competitive: setting pay with reference to internal relativity and external market practices.
 – Simple: helping all colleagues to understand how they are rewarded.
 – Fair: achieving consistent outcomes through flexible and transparent policies.
 – Sustainable: aligning reward to business strategy and performance.
How our principles are brought to life.
Tesco provides colleagues across the Group with a competitive reward package. The Committee has responsibility for reviewing remuneration 
and related policies of colleagues throughout the Group. This ensures the reward, incentives and conditions available to colleagues are taken 
into account when deciding the remuneration of Executive Directors and senior management. 

In Tesco’s UK business in 2019/20 colleagues received a reward and benefits package in line with the elements set out in the table below. The 
purpose of each element is the same for all colleagues, which creates a consistent cascade throughout the organisation.

Element of pay
Base salary 

Benefits 

Pension 

All-colleague 
share plans

Annual bonus

Purpose
Base salary supports the recruitment and retention of colleagues of the calibre, capability and 
experience needed to perform their role. Base salary provides fixed remuneration and reflects the 
size, scope and complexity of individual role responsibilities.

A market-competitive level of benefits for colleagues, which enhance the reward package and 
provide other reasons to work at Tesco, such as discount in store.

The opportunity to save for retirement, with the employing company providing a match to employee 
contributions.

The opportunity to purchase shares in Tesco.

The opportunity for colleagues to receive an annual bonus for the delivery of business and personal 
goals. Annual bonus opportunity provides colleagues with a balance between fixed and variable pay 
related to market practice based on role. At senior levels a proportion of any bonus is deferred into 
Tesco PLC shares to provide additional alignment with shareholders’ experience.

Performance 
Share Plan

Colleagues with responsibility for long-term Group performance are incentivised to achieve Tesco’s 
strategy and create sustainable shareholder value.

WL1-3(a)

Executive 
Committee
 and WL4-5(a)

Hourly-paid 
colleagues in 
stores

Other 
colleagues

✓

✓

✓

✓

(b) 

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓ 

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

✓

(a)  WL refers to Work Levels, which are Tesco’s internal grading system.
(b) 

It was agreed jointly with our unions in 2019 that hourly-paid colleagues in stores would no longer receive annual bonus, replacing it with a higher rate of base pay.

The balance between the different elements of remuneration 
depends largely on the role and seniority of colleagues. Junior 
colleagues’ remuneration is principally fixed pay, reflecting our 
principle of helping to support a decent standard of living, where 
regular pay levels help with personal budgeting and planning. For 
more senior colleagues, remuneration is weighted more towards 
variable pay, which can increase or decrease based on the 
performance achieved against our goals. This approach to 
pay design also reflects each individual’s ability to influence 
Tesco’s performance. 

So while the balance of the elements of remuneration may differ, 
we have a consistent overall principle that all colleagues should 
be paid competitively against the relevant pay benchmark.

Colleagues across the Group are regularly asked how they feel 
about pay and benefits at Tesco. In our 2020 survey, 71% of 
colleagues agreed that the total reward package at Tesco is 
competitive, which is well ahead of relevant external benchmarks. 
In addition, 85% said that they are able to work flexibly and 76% 
agreed that Tesco supports their health and wellbeing. 

Over the last year, Tesco has continued to focus on building a fair 
workplace, providing colleagues with the flexibility, skills and reward 
to get on as part of our overall employee value proposition. Our 
ongoing initiatives include:

 – helping our colleagues be at their best through our health and 

wellbeing offerings;

 – helping young people start their careers, with increased 

apprenticeships and support for developing employability in 
partnership with the Prince’s Trust and Institute of Grocery 
Distribution (IGD); and

 – building skills for the future, with many online learning 

programmes, creating greater choice for colleagues to work 
flexibly and own their own careers.

In March 2020, we announced a 10% bonus for front-line colleagues 
in the UK & ROI to recognise their incredible contribution in helping 
customers get the products that they need during the COVID-19 
pandemic, with similar colleague recognition schemes in Central 
Europe and Asia.

We will continue to invest in our colleagues to ensure we remain an 
employer of choice. 

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

55

Corporate governance 
 
Directors’ remuneration report continued

Reward principles continued

Group Chief Executive pay compared to pay of UK employees.
Tesco is a retail business with one of the largest workforces in the UK, employing over 300,000 colleagues, mostly in customer-facing roles in 
store or working in our distribution network. Given the workforce profile, all three of the Group Chief Executive pay ratio reference points 
compare our Group Chief Executive’s remuneration with that of colleagues in mainly customer-facing roles and there is relatively little 
difference in the outcomes as shown below. Whatever the Group Chief Executive pay ratio, Tesco will continue to invest in competitive pay 
for all colleagues.

The following table shows the ratio between the single total figure of remuneration (STFR) of the Group Chief Executive for 2019/20 and the 
lower quartile, median and upper quartile pay of our UK colleagues. The median pay ratios for 2018/19, which we voluntarily disclosed in last 
year’s Directors’ remuneration report, are shown for comparison.

Total pay ratio

Financial year
2018/19
2019/20

Method

Option C
Option C

25th percentile 
pay ratio

50th percentile 
pay ratio

75th percentile 
pay ratio

247:1
355:1

226:1
305:1

209:1
279:1

Total pay and benefits amounts used to calculate the ratio

Financial year
2019/20(a)

25th percentile pay ratio

50th percentile pay ratio

75th percentile pay ratio

Method
Option C

Total pay and 
benefits
£18,086

Total salary
£17,025

Total pay and 
benefits
£21,057

Total salary
£19,692

Total pay and 
benefits
£23,046

Total salary
£20,135

(a)  The total FTE pay and benefits for the relevant colleagues is based on the period from 10 February 2019 to 8 February 2020.

The reporting regulations offer three calculation approaches for 
determining the pay ratio – Options A, B and C. The table above 
was calculated using the approach determined by Option C, which 
is deemed the most appropriate methodology for Tesco. 

As more than half of Tesco’s colleagues work part-time, the 
exercise required to determine full-time equivalent (FTE) is 
extensive and particularly complex, making it not feasible to adopt 
Option A. Option B was not considered appropriate because the 
definition of pay for Gender Pay Gap (GPG) purposes is very 
restrictive compared to the FTE pay and benefits used for this 
exercise. This could result in some unusual results for the best 
equivalents chosen on the basis of GPG data alone (for example 
the ratio for the P50 colleague being lower than that of the 
P75 colleague). 

Tesco decided to use Option C as it has completed comprehensive 
data collation and analysis of all relevant colleagues for the purpose 
of GPG reporting and was able to use additional pay data which is 
not used for GPG reporting (including overtime, salary sacrifice 
values and employer pension contributions). This approach 
minimised the differing definitions of pay for STFR and GPG to 
enable Tesco to select the ‘best equivalents’ of P25, P50 and P75.

The only adjustments made to determine the pay and benefits of 
the colleagues identified as P25, P50 and P75 related to working 
hours, basing amounts on a 36-hour working week.

Tesco believes the ‘best equivalent’ colleagues identified are 
reasonably representative of the 25th, 50th and 75th percentiles as 
Tesco has compiled pay on an FTE basis by using the most recent 
GPG data, then adding further pay and benefits data to ensure the 
STFR reflects total pay paid throughout the financial year. Tesco 
reviewed pay across a sample of employees at each percentile 
before selecting the employee which was most representative.

As set out on page 55, our reward framework across the Group is 
based on a consistent set of principles for all – that overall 
remuneration should be competitive when compared to similar 
roles in other organisations from which we draw our talent. 
Colleague pay is therefore determined using the same principles as 
the pay for our Executive Directors. On this basis, we believe the 
median ratio is consistent with the Company’s wider policies on 
employee reward, pay and progression.

In the case of the Group Chief Executive, his total remuneration 
comprises a significant proportion in variable pay and therefore 
the single figure will vary considerably depending on the level of 
performance against the metrics which drive the annual bonus and 
PSP. In 2018/19 the annual bonus and PSP paid out at 52.5% and 
28.8% of maximum potential compared to 75.9% and 48.8% in 
2019/20, which has resulted in an increase in the pay ratio.
Gender pay.
Tesco’s gender pay report for the year to April 2019 shows that the 
median gender pay gap has reduced from 8.9% to 8.0%. This is 
significantly below the UK national average of 17.3%. The median 
bonus gap has reduced from 31.1% to 25.4%.

These improvements indicate that the actions we are taking are 
working. The remaining gap is largely driven by two factors:

 – male colleagues are choosing to work premium hours (Sundays, 
bank holidays and night work), which attract higher rates of pay, 
more often than female colleagues. If these premium hour 
payments were to be removed from the calculation, then 
Tesco’s median gender pay gap would reduce to 3.6%; and
 – a higher proportion of men are in more senior roles. As a 

member of the 30% Club, we are improving the balance and are 
committed to achieving a minimum of 30% of women in our 
senior roles. This has already been achieved on our Board and 
Executive Committee.

We will continue to focus our efforts across three core pillars:

 – support and attract talented women: initiatives like the ‘Women 
at Tesco’ network and ‘Own Your Career’ programme provide 
opportunities for women to drive their careers forward. We also 
monitor recruitment practices and insist on gender-balanced 
hiring;

 – equip and empower our leaders: all our business leaders, 

directors and managers have completed diversity and inclusion 
training programmes; and

 – sustain an inclusive culture: we review our policies and practices 

to ensure a truly inclusive colleague experience.

Through these actions, Tesco is creating a diverse and inclusive 
workplace, where everyone is welcome.

Further information is set out in the Tesco Gender  
Pay Gap Report at www.tescoplc.com/genderpay.

56

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

 
 
Annual report on remuneration.

Guided by our remuneration policy, we aim to reward colleagues responsibly and fairly so that all our people are rewarded competitively 
against the relevant pay benchmark for their role. 

Tesco focuses on executive pay in the context of the overall spend on remuneration across the Group:

 – Between 2015/16 and 2019/20, we have invested significantly in pay for our customer-facing colleagues, and the hourly-rate for UK store 

colleagues has increased by 14%. Over the same period, the base salary of Dave Lewis and Alan Stewart has remained unchanged as set out 
in the chart on page 62.

 – Since July 2014, Executive Committee base salary costs as a proportion of the total Group spend on remuneration have fallen by 27% and 
now represent 0.1% of total Group wage costs. During this period, the average total reward package for colleagues across the Group, 
inclusive of variable pay outcomes, has risen by about 15%, as set out in the chart below.

 – Share-based incentive awards to our Executive Committee are linked to performance, and the Committee remains sensitive to the views 

of investors and other stakeholders, particularly regarding restraint when determining the potential size of awards.

Executive remuneration and all-colleague costs

120

110

100

90

80

70

60

99.0%

98.7%

98.7%

101.8%

106.9%

72.7%

75.3%

68.5%

69.7%

66.6%

114.6%

73.1%

2013/14

2014/15

2015/16

2016/17

2017/18

2018/19

2019/20

Change in Executive Committee salaries as % of remuneration costs for all colleagues since July 2014
Change in remuneration costs for all colleagues since July 2014

Single total figure of remuneration – Executive Directors (audited).
The following table provides a summary single total figure of remuneration for 2019/20 and 2018/19 for Executive Directors.

Fixed pay
Base salary (£’000)
Taxable benefits (£’000)
Pension (£’000)
Total fixed pay (£’000)
Variable pay
Annual bonus (short-term pay)
PSP (long-term pay)(a)

Value delivered through corporate performance (£’000)
Value delivered through share price growth performance (£’000)(b)

Total variable pay (£’000)
Single total figure of remuneration (£’000)

Dave Lewis

Alan Stewart

2019/20

2018/19

2019/20

2018/19

1,250
62 
313
1,625 

2,372
2,428 
1,762
666
4,800
6,425

1,250
61
313
1,624

1,641
1,513  
1,011 
502 
3,154 
4,778 

750 
62 
188
1,000 

1,289
1,324 
961
363
2,613
3,613

750
59
188
997

834
825  
551 
274 
1,659 
2,656 

(a)  The PSP figures for 2018/19 have been adjusted, in line with statutory reporting requirements, following last year’s report to show the actual value upon vesting of the award in June 2019 
based on the then share price of 238p. The estimated value shown in the table for 2019/20 is based on the three-month average share price at 29 February 2020 of 248p. Values include 
dividend equivalents added in shares since the date of grant.

(b)  The difference between the share price at grant of the 2017 PSP award, which will vest in 2020, of 180p and the three-month average share price at 29 February 2020 of 248p has been 

used to calculate the value delivered through share price growth. 

2019/20 fixed remuneration.
Salary
The salaries shown in the table above reflect a 2019/20 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 2019 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 2019/20. 

Benefits
Benefits are provided at an appropriate level, taking into account market practice and the level of benefits provided to other colleagues in the 
Company. Core benefits include a car or cash allowance and the benefit of a driver, private health insurance and life assurance. Executive 
Directors participate in the Company’s all-employee share schemes on the same terms as other colleagues.

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

57

Corporate governance 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Directors’ remuneration report continued

Annual report on remuneration continued

Pension
Dave Lewis and Alan Stewart received a cash allowance in lieu of pension of 25% of base salary paid in four weekly instalments. As set out on 
page 53, the pension contribution rate of Alan Stewart will be reduced to align it with that available to the wider workforce, currently 7.5% of 
base salary, by the end of 2022.
2019/20 variable pay.
2019/20 annual bonus outcomes (audited)
Annual bonuses for 2019/20 will be paid in May 2020. Annual bonus is determined by financial metrics and strategic objectives designed to 
support the achievement of certain strategic outcomes. The breakdown of annual bonus metrics and the payout for each Executive Director 
is set out below. Half of the annual bonus payment is subject to compulsory deferral into Tesco PLC shares for a three-year period.

Financial performance metric
Group sales(a) 

Group operating profit before 
exceptional items and amortisation 
of acquired intangibles(a)

Other metric
Strategic objectives
Total (% of total annual bonus 
opportunity)

Weighting  
(% of total  
annual bonus 
opportunity)
30% 

50%

Performance targets (and % payout) 

Threshold
£55,988m 
(30% payout) 
£2,579m 
(0% payout) 

Target
£57,137m 
(50% payout) 
£2,766m 
(50% payout) 

Stretch
£58,285m 
(100% payout) 
£2,953m 
(100% payout) 

Actual 
achievement 
£56,353m 

CEO payout  
(as a % of total 
annual bonus 
opportunity) 
10.9% 

CFO payout  
(as a % of total 
annual bonus 
opportunity)
10.9% 

£2,937m 

47.9% 

47.9% 

20% See 2019/20 achievement of individual objectives below

17.1%

17.6%

100%

75.9%

76.4%

(a)  Actual achievement is based on performance over 52 weeks at constant foreign exchange rates to align with targets. Outcomes at actual foreign exchange rates were £56,527m (Group 

sales) and £2,959m (Group operating profit). A reconciliation to statutory financial results is provided in the Glossary commencing on page 167.

2019/20 achievement of individual objectives

Executive Director
Dave Lewis

Alan Stewart

Portfolio review (6.66%)
In February 2020, the Group completed the sale 
of its stake in its joint venture in China, and in 
March 2020 announced the proposed sale of its 
Asia business for $10.3bn. This resulted in a 
payout slightly below stretch of 6.0%. 

Finance transformation (6.66%) 
During the year, significant progress was made 
on the rollout of the finance transformation 
programme, with projects being delivered on 
time and within budget. This resulted in a payout 
between target and stretch at 5.0%.  

Group-wide talent and  
succession planning review (6.66%) 
Succession and talent management plans were put 
in place for senior management during the year. 
High potential WL3 colleagues were also identified 
and development plans put in place. This resulted in 
a payout between target and stretch of 4.5%.  

Payment strategy (6.66%) 
During the year, a customer trial was conducted of 
a concept loyalty and payment tool to further 
enhance the customer offer. This resulted in a 
payout slightly below stretch of 6.0%. 

The performance outcome resulted in the following bonus payouts:

Capital allocation framework (6.66%)
During the year, the Group’s priorities for 
allocating capital were communicated to 
the market. These were well understood 
and accepted. This resulted in a payout 
at stretch of 6.6%.

Capital allocation review (6.66%)
As above, payout at stretch of 6.6%.

Executive Director 
Dave Lewis
Alan Stewart

Stretch bonus 
opportunity  
(% of base salary)
250%
225%

Actual bonus  
(% of base salary)
189.8%
171.9%

Actual bonus 
(£’000)
2,372
1,289

Deferred into 
shares  
(50% of bonus)
1,186
645

2019 PSP award grant (audited)
The following summarises the PSP awards made to Dave Lewis and Alan Stewart in 2019/20:

Executive Director 
Dave Lewis 
Alan Stewart 

Type of award

Date of award

Shares granted

Face value  
(% of base salary)

Conditional award  20/06/2019 
Conditional award  20/06/2019

1,492,747 
895,648 

275% 
275% 

 Face value (£)(a)

3,437,498 
2,062,500

Threshold vesting 
(% of face value)

Stretch vesting  
(% of face value)

25% 
 25% 

100% 
100% 

Vesting date

20/06/2022
20/06/2022

(a)  The face value has been calculated using the market price on grant of 230p (20 June 2019). 
(b)  The awards have a three-year performance period which will end on 26 February 2022 and are subject to malus and clawback. Details of the performance measures and targets applying 

to the awards were set out in last year’s Annual Report.

(c)  The vested shares, net of any tax liabilities, will be subject to a post-vesting holding period of two years.
(d)  The table shows the maximum number of shares that could be released if awards were to vest in full.

Details of the PSP award made to Alan Stewart in 2020 will be reported in next year’s Annual Report.

Dividend equivalents
Awards will incorporate the right to receive the value of dividends between grant and vest in respect of the number of shares that vest. 
The calculation of dividend equivalents will assume reinvestment of those dividends in Tesco PLC shares on a cumulative basis. Since the 
reinstatement of dividends in 2017, dividend equivalents on awards have been paid in shares.

58

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2017 PSP vesting (audited)
The PSP award granted in 2017 will vest in May 2020 based on performance over three years up to and including the 2019/20 financial year. 
In determining a fair and proportionate outcome, the Committee discussed the TSR comparator group in view of significant changes in the 
retail landscape over the performance period. Since the awards were granted in 2017, Ocado has experienced significant share price growth 
which analysis shows is directly correlated to the sales of its technology platform as opposed to its food business. As a result of Ocado’s 
divergence from the retail market (and hence as a direct comparator for Tesco), the Committee decided to remove Ocado from the TSR 
comparator group for the 2017 PSP after 16 May 2018. This was when Ocado signed its third major technology deal, establishing a clear 
pattern of pursuing a technology strategy. 

The Committee also noted that during the performance period management had taken decisions in the best interests of the Company that 
resulted in lower cash flow. It therefore adjusted the cash generation outcome for the rightsizing of the Poland business. In this way, the 
improvement in cash profitability, which has been a key strength of Tesco’s successful turnaround, is reflected appropriately in the PSP 
outcome. Taking all factors into account, the 2017 PSP performance outcome was as follows:

Metrics (% maximum)
Relative TSR(b) (50%)

Cumulative cash generation(c)(d) (30%)

Stakeholder:
Customer (6.66%) 
Supplier (6.66%) 
Colleague:

Performance targets (and % payout)

Threshold 
Performance 
equal to the 
index
(25% payout)
£10,676m 
(25% payout)
(0% payout)
7pts 
77% 

Target 
–

–
£11,176m 
(50% payout)
–
– 
– 

Stretch 
6% p.a. 
outperformance 
of the index
(100% payout)
£11,676m 
(100% payout)
(100% payout)
20pts 
81% 

Actual  
performance

Payout  
(vesting 
level)

Payout  
(% of 
maximum)

Number of  
shares to vest(a)

Dave  
Lewis

Alan 
Stewart

3.3% p.a. 
outperformance 
of the index

66.8%

33.4%

£10,738m 

28.0%

8.4%

14pts 
78% 

54.1% 
25.5% 

3.6% 
1.6% 

Great place to work (3.33%)
Great place to shop (3.33%)

81% 
45pts 

– 
– 

84% 
50pts 

82% 
46pts 

33.0% 
21.0% 

Total

1.1% 
0.7% 
48.8%

979,113 534,061

(a)  For the equivalent value in cash see the Single total figure of remuneration table on page 57.
(b)  TSR was assessed against a benchmark index made up of FTSE 350 Food and Drug Retailers (excluding Tesco) and FTSE 350 General Retailers weighted 85% and 15%, respectively. Ocado 
was removed from the benchmark index for the 2017 PSP awards for the reasons set out above. The impact of the removal of Ocado from the TSR comparator group was to change the 
actual performance from (4.2)% to 3.3% of the index. 

(c)  The cash generation outcome was adjusted upwards by £240m to reflect the rightsizing of the Poland business. It may also be appropriate for adjustments to be applied in respect of cash 

flow measures in the 2018 and 2019 PSP awards when they vest in future years.

(d)  As disclosed in last year’s Directors’ remuneration report, the cash generation targets were adjusted in relation to Booker and the SFO fine and shareholder compensation scheme 

payments, as well as to take into account IFRS 16.

Implementation of policy in 2020/21.
We have set out below how the Committee intends to implement the remuneration policy for 2020/21. We note that when determining the 
final outcomes under the annual bonus and PSP awards, the Committee will take into account any share price movements and underlying 
Company performance and make any necessary adjustments to ensure that the level of payout is fair and appropriate and avoid any windfall 
gains, in particular those arising as a result of COVID-19. The full remuneration policy, as approved at the 2018 AGM, can be found on the Tesco 
website at www.tescoplc.com/investors/corporate-governance.
Fixed pay.

Element of remuneration
Annual base salary 
Pension 

Dave Lewis(a)
£1,250,000 
Cash allowance in lieu of pension 
of 25% of base salary

Alan Stewart
£750,000
Cash allowance in lieu of pension 
of 25% of base salary

Ken Murphy(b)
£1,350,000
Cash allowance in lieu of pension 
of 7.5% of base salary

(a)  Dave Lewis will receive his base salary and cash allowance in lieu of pension until he departs on 30 September 2020. More detail on his leaving arrangements can be found on page 60.
(b)  As disclosed elsewhere in the report, Ken Murphy will be joining as Group Chief Executive on 1 October 2020. He will receive his base salary and cash allowance in lieu of pension from this 

date. More detail on his joining arrangements can be found on page 60.

Annual bonus.

Element of remuneration
Quantum(a)
Annual bonus deferral 
Annual bonus performance metrics  Group sales (30%)

Dave Lewis(a)
Alan Stewart
Maximum of 225% of base salary
Maximum of 250% of base salary
50% of bonus awarded deferred into Tesco PLC shares for three years

Ken Murphy(a)
Maximum of 250% of base salary

Group operating profit before exceptional items and amortisation of acquired intangibles (50%)
Individual objectives (20%) 
Group operating profit before exceptional items and amortisation of acquired intangibles underpin, below which no 
portion of the bonus will be paid.

(a)  Annual bonus awards made in 2020/21 to both Dave Lewis and Ken Murphy will be pro rata to reflect the time of their service as Group Chief Executive in the year.
(b)  Annual 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.

(c)  To simplify the annual bonus and better align it with market practice, the threshold vesting level for both Group sales and Group operating profit before exceptional items and 

amortisation of acquired intangibles have been aligned at 25% (previously 30% and 0%, respectively). 

(d)  The 2020/21 targets were set based on 2019/20 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.

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

59

Corporate governance 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Directors’ remuneration report continued

Annual report on remuneration continued

2020 PSP award grant

Quantum

PSP term

Dave Lewis
No grant in 2020(a)

Alan Stewart
Maximum of 275%  
of base salary

Ken Murphy
No grant in 2020(b)

Three-year performance period and two-year post-vest holding period
Weighting

Performance targets (and % payout) 

PSP performance metrics and targets(c)(d) EPS

Free cash flow (three years)

50%
50% 

Threshold (25% payout)
16.5p
£4,435m

Stretch (100% payout)
24.7p
£6,653m 

(a)  As Dave Lewis will leave the Company on 30 September 2020, he will not be awarded a 2020 PSP grant.
(b)  As Ken Murphy will commence employment on 1 October 2020, he will not be awarded a 2020 PSP grant. From 2021/22, he will receive a maximum PSP award of 275% of base salary.
(c)  Both performance metrics are defined in the same manner as the reported alternative performance measures as set out on pages 164 to 166.
(d)  Both PSP performance metrics have straight-line vesting between threshold and stretch.

Malus and clawback
The Committee has the discretion to scale back deferred share awards and PSP awards prior to the satisfaction of such 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
 – the participant’s conduct has amounted to serious misconduct, fraud, dishonesty, a breach of the Code of Business Conduct or material 

wrongdoing; or

 – the determination of the vesting or value of an award has been affected by an underlying incorrect figure in the accounts; or
 – an error or miscalculation in determining the vesting or value of an award is identified.

Where PSP awards are settled prior to the fifth anniversary of the grant of the award, the Committee shall have the discretion to claw back 
awards up to the fifth anniversary of the grant of awards in the circumstances described above.

Cash bonus payments can also be clawed back in the circumstances described above up to the third anniversary of payment.
Leaving arrangements for Dave Lewis.
As announced on 2 October 2019, Dave Lewis will be stepping down as Group Chief Executive and as an Executive Director of Tesco PLC. His 
last day as a Director and Group Chief Executive will be 30 September 2020.

Severance
As Dave Lewis is a voluntary leaver, he will not receive any severance payment or pay in lieu of notice when he leaves the Company.

Annual bonus
Dave Lewis will be eligible for an annual bonus (cash and deferred shares) under the 2020/21 annual bonus plan. Any bonus paid would be 
pro rata to reflect his period of service as Group Chief Executive up to 30 September 2020 and will be disclosed in full in next year’s 
Directors’ remuneration report.

Unvested share awards
The Committee has determined that Dave Lewis will be treated as a good leaver in respect of his outstanding awards under Tesco’s 
discretionary share plans. Accordingly, his unvested deferred bonus awards will vest in full in accordance with their original time frames. 
Any shares released from the 2019 deferred bonus award may be subject to a post-employment shareholding requirement, with post-tax 
vested shares being held until 30 September 2022. Additionally, the 2018 and 2019 PSP awards will vest on their original vesting dates to the 
extent that the performance conditions are met and, on vesting, would be pro rata to reflect his period of service as Group Chief Executive 
until 30 September 2020. The vested pro rata shares will be subject to a post-vesting holding period of two years.
Joining arrangements for Ken Murphy.
Ken Murphy will join Tesco on 1 October 2020. All pay and benefits for Ken Murphy have been set in line with the current remuneration policy. 
The salary has been set at a level that the Committee regards as appropriate for the size and scope of the role, noting that the incumbent’s 
salary had not been increased since 2014. 

In line with the remuneration policy, Ken Murphy will also receive benefits, including relocation assistance for a period of 24 months and 
relocation support in the event of him deciding to move his main residence from Ireland to the UK. He will be required to build up a 
shareholding of 400% of base salary and to retain all shares that are vested to him, net of any tax liabilities, until the requirement is satisfied. 
He will also be subject to Tesco’s post-employment shareholding requirement. There are no buyout arrangements. A summary of the 
remuneration arrangements for Ken Murphy can be found on page 59 and above.

His service agreement is terminable on 12 months’ notice by either party.
Additional Remuneration disclosures for Executive Directors.
Executive Directors’ interests in shares and shareholding guidelines (audited)
The Committee wants to incentivise Executive Directors to take a long-term, sustainable view of the performance of the Company. For this 
reason, when the Committee looks at the remuneration paid in the year, it also looks at the total equity Executive Directors hold and its value 
based on the performance of the Company. The table opposite sets out the shares held by the Executive Directors and their connected 
persons (including beneficial interests) and a summary of outstanding share awards. Both Dave Lewis and Alan Stewart exceed their relevant 
shareholding guideline.

60

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Executive Director
 Dave Lewis

 Alan Stewart

Ordinary shares 
beneficially owned 
at 24/02/2019
(value of shares)(a)

Ordinary shares 
beneficially owned 
at 29/02/2020
(value of shares)(a)(b)

167,691
(£415,874)
116,576
 (£289,108)

173,160
 (£429,437)
120,555
(£298,976)

Unvested deferred 
annual bonus 
options/awards 
subject to 
continued
employment(c)
1,533,613

Unvested PSP 
awards subject to 
performance

Vested but 
unexercised nil 
cost options, not 
subject to 
performance

conditions(c)

conditions(c)

4,904,848

4,383,629

Current 
shareholding  
(% of base salary)
657%

Shareholding 
requirement
(% of base salary)(d)(e)

400%

814,723 

2,757,694 

2,094,947 

550% 

300%

(a)  Value of Executive Directors’ shareholdings based on the three-month average share price to 29 February 2020 of 248p.
(b)  Between 29 February 2020 and 7 April 2020, Dave Lewis and Alan Stewart acquired 61 and 62 partnership shares, respectively, under the all-employee Share Incentive Plan. No other 

changes in Executive Director share interests occurred in the period.

(c)  Vested and unvested options and awards include dividend equivalents added as shares since the date of grant.
(d)  The Group Chief Executive and the Chief Financial Officer are required to establish and maintain a minimum personal shareholding of 400% and 300% of base salary, respectively.
(e)  Shares used to determine the shareholding guideline are shares beneficially owned and shares held in plans which are not subject to performance conditions on a net of tax basis.

Executive Committee members are required to build up and maintain a shareholding of at least 200% of base salary in Tesco PLC shares, this 
is monitored regularly by the Committee.

Executive Directors’ interests in share awards

Awards vesting in financial year
Dave Lewis(a)(b)
Vested options(c)(d) 
Options/awards subject to service 
Options/awards subject to performance and 
service (PSP) 
SAYE options (exercise price 188p) 
Alan Stewart(a)(b)
Vested options(c)(d) 
Options/awards subject to service 
Options/awards subject to performance and 
service (PSP) 
SAYE options (exercise price 188p) 

2014/15 

2015/16 

2016/17 

2017/18 

2018/19 

2019/20 

2020/21 

2021/22 

2022/23

475,154 
– 

638,709 
– 

640,967 
– 

493,639 
– 

493,887 
– 

1,641,273 
– 

– 
655,815

–
477,485

–
336,028 

– 
– 

– 
– 

– 
– 

– 
– 

– 
– 

– 
– 

– 
– 

– 
– 

1,909,722 
– 

1,340,103
– 

1,492,747 
9,574

265,670 
– 

343,638 
– 

266,564 
– 

329,222 
– 

889,853 
– 

– 
347,906

–
261,808

– 
170,740 

– 
– 

– 
– 

– 
– 

– 
– 

–
– 

1,041,666 
– 

730,965
– 

895,648 
9,574

(a)  No options were exercised by Dave Lewis and Alan Stewart in 2019/20. In 2018/19 both Dave Lewis and Alan Stewart made a gain of £8,463 on the exercise of 11,920 shares under the 

Company’s SAYE plan.

(b)  1,538,921 and 839,411 nil cost options granted under the PSP in 2016 to Dave Lewis and Alan Stewart, respectively, lapsed in 2019/20.
(c)  All vested options expire 10 years after grant, except SAYE options which expire six months after maturity.
(d)  Vested options include dividend equivalents added as shares since the date of grant. 
(e)  The range of the Company’s share price for the year was 213p to 259p. The year-end price was 229p.

Change in remuneration of colleagues and Directors
The table below shows the percentage change in the remuneration of Directors and the average UK colleague from 2018/19 to 2019/20.

As the only employees of the Company are its Directors, the Committee decided to use the average UK colleague as the appropriate 
comparator group as they represent the majority of Tesco colleagues and the Group Chief Executive is predominantly based in the UK.

Average UK colleague
Dave Lewis
Alan Stewart
John Allan
Mark Armour
Melissa Bethell
Stewart Gilliland
Steve Golsby
Byron Grote
Mikael Olsson
Deanna Oppenheimer
Simon Patterson
Alison Platt
Lindsey Pownall

Salary or fees  
(% change from 
2018/19 to 
2019/20)
3.0%
0%
0%
2.5%
2.8%
2.8%
2.9%
2.1%
2.3%
2.9%
2.5%
2.8%
2.9%
1.9%

Benefits  
(% change from 
2018/19 to 
2019/20)
0%
 1.6%
5.1%
63 %
100%
100%
300%
31%
100 %
(60)%
(50)%
100 %
0% 
(20)% 

Bonus  
(% change from 
2018/19 to 
2019/20)
(100)% (a)
44.5% 
54.6% 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

(a) 

It was agreed jointly with our unions in 2019 that hourly-paid colleagues in stores would no longer receive an annual bonus, replacing it with a higher rate of base pay.

Further details of fees and taxable expenses paid to Non-executive Directors are set out on page 64.

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

61

Corporate governance 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Directors’ remuneration report continued

Annual report on remuneration continued

The chart below shows that between 2015/16 and 2019/20 the hourly-rate paid to UK store colleagues increased by 14%. The base salaries of 
Dave Lewis and Alan Stewart were unchanged.

120

115

110

105

100

95

2015/16

2016/17

2017/18

2018/19

2019/20

Average UK store colleague hourly-rate changes

Executive Director base salary changes

Total Shareholder Return (TSR)
The graph below illustrates the Company’s TSR performance (share price growth plus dividends paid) against the performance of the FTSE 100 
over a ten-year period to 29 February 2020. The FTSE 100 index has been chosen because it is a broad-based index of which the Company has 
been a constituent member throughout the period.

300

250

200

150

100

50

0

116

100

119

81

131

99

147

93

155

71

175

182

188

180

141

53

55

60

66

69

02/2010

02/2011

02/2012

02/2013

02/2014

02/2015

02/2016

02/2017

02/2018

02/2019

02/2020

Tesco

FTSE 100

Source: Datastream

While total shareholder returns have been increasing for Tesco in recent years, the period covered by the chart reflects a period of corporate 
change, including the decision to make a significant reinvestment in our customer offer and withdraw the dividend in 2015, in order to focus 
on improving the competitiveness of the core UK business and protecting and strengthening the balance sheet. The sector more broadly has 
faced a number of challenges in recent years, including consumer uncertainty, price competition and cost inflation. Tesco is in a strong 
position to deal with these challenges and, reflecting improving performance and confidence in the future prospects for the Company, the 
Board reinstated the dividend in 2017. The turnaround goals shared in October 2016 were completed this year and the full-year dividend 
payout ratio reached 50%. The many opportunities available to Tesco for further profitable growth were set out at the Capital Markets day in 
June 2019 and the business continues at pace to implement these opportunities.

Group Chief Executive remuneration history

2010/11

2011/12

2012/13

2013/14

2014/15

2015/16

2016/17

2017/18

2018/19

2019/20

Sir Terry 
Leahy

Philip
Clarke(a)

Philip  
Clarke

Philip  
Clarke

Philip  
Clarke 

Dave
Lewis(b)

Dave  
Lewis

Dave  
Lewis

Dave  
Lewis

Dave  
Lewis

Dave  
Lewis

Group Chief Executive single figure of 
remuneration (£’000) 
Annual bonus outturn (% of maximum award) 
PSP vest (% of maximum award) 
Share option vesting (% of maximum award) 

7,150 
75% 
75% 
100% 

4,595 
0%(a)
46.5% 
100% 

1,280 
0% 
0% 
0% 

1,634 
0% 
0% 
– 

764
0% 
0% 
–

4,133 
–
–
–

4,632 
96% 
–
–

4,147 
76% 
–
–

5,113 
73% 
30% 
–

4,600
52.5% 
28.8% 
–

6,425 
75.9%
48.8%
–

(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 nil cost options which vest subject to continued employment by 
Tesco. Since these were awards related to previous employment, and were 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.

62

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

 
 
Relative importance of spend on pay
The table below indicates how the earnings of Executive Directors compare with other financial dispersals.

Executive Directors’ remuneration(a)
Dividends to shareholders(b)
Total taxes paid(c)
Colleague costs(d)

2018/19
£m

7.4
357
347
7,646

2019/20
£m

10.0 
656 
380 
7,396 

%  
change

35.1%
83.8%
9.5%
(3.3)% 

(a)  Calculated on the same basis as the Single total figure of remuneration on page 57.
(b)  Dividends to shareholders include interim and final dividends paid in each financial year (see Note 8 of the financial statements for further information).
(c)  As set out in the Income Statement (see Note 6 of the financial statements for further information).
(d)  Employee costs includes wages and salaries, social security, pension and share-based costs at actual exchange rates (see Note 3 of the financial statements for further information).

For every £1 spent on Executive Directors’ remuneration by the Company in 2019/20, £66 was made in dividend payments, £38 was paid in tax 
and £740 was spent on colleague costs.

Payments to former Directors and for loss of office (audited)
The former Group CEO, Philip Clarke, who stepped down from the Board in September 2014 and ceased employment with the Company in 
January 2015, opted on 15 March 2020 to receive a one-off cash lump sum in exchange for his contractual SURBS pension entitlement (the 
Company’s contractual unfunded retirement benefit scheme, which was closed to new entrants in April 2011). Philip Clarke’s pension from his 
SURBS was previously disclosed alongside his pension from the Tesco pension scheme in his single total figure of remuneration in the relevant 
annual report on remuneration until he stepped down from the Board in 2014. The value of the lump sum payment was £10.7m, recognising his 
40 years with the business, and is valued based on the SURBS scheme transfer value minus employer National Insurance costs. This payment 
brings to a close the Company’s pension liabilities toward Philip Clarke in respect of both his Tesco pension scheme pension and SURBS 
pension. No additional pension value above his contractual entitlement has been provided by the Company. The option of providing SURBS 
members with an exchange for their annual pension of a one-off cash lump sum helps to de-risk the potential liabilities under the scheme 
when it is chosen. There were no other 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.

Outside appointments
In 2019/20, Alan Stewart received £123,000 (2018/19: £122,000) in fees and a product allowance as a non-executive director of Diageo plc. 
He does not receive any fees as a director of Tesco Personal Finance Group PLC (Tesco Bank).

Executive Directors’ service agreements
The Executive Directors’ service agreements, including arrangements for early termination, are carefully considered by the Committee and 
are designed to recruit, retain and motivate Executive Directors of the calibre required to manage the Company. The Committee’s policy is for 
Executive Directors’ service contracts to be terminable on no more than one year’s notice from the Company. The details of existing Executive 
Directors’ service contracts are summarised in the table below.

Executive Director
Dave Lewis
Alan Stewart

Date of service 
agreement

Notice period 
from Company

19 July 2014 
9 July 2014 

12 months 
12 months 

Notice period 
from Executive 
Director

6 months
6 months

Funding of equity awards
Where shares are newly issued, the Company complies with Investment Association dilution guidelines on their issue. These guidelines provide 
that overall dilution under all plans should not exceed 10% over a 10-year period in relation to the Company’s issued share capital, with a 
further limitation of 5% in any 10-year period for executive plans. The current dilution usage of discretionary plans is 1.23% 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 (together, the Trusts) in which case the voting rights relating to the shares are exercisable by the Trustees in 
accordance with their fiduciary duties. At 29 February 2020, the Trusts held 89,072,821 shares.
Remuneration disclosures for Non-executive Directors.
Non-executive Director fees
The fees for the Chairman and the Non-executive Directors are reviewed each year and may be increased if considered appropriate. The 
Chairman’s fee is reviewed by the Committee (without the Chairman present) and the Non-executive Director fees by a committee comprising 
the Chairman, Group Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officer. In 2019, following a review of independently sourced data, it was deemed 
appropriate to increase the Chairman’s fee by 2.5% and the average Non-executive Director fees by 2.6%, from 1 September 2019. This is 
below the average increase for broader UK colleagues and is set out below.

Chairman 
Non-executive Director fee 
Additional fees:
Senior Independent Director 
Chairs of the Audit, Corporate Responsibility and Remuneration Committees 
Membership of Audit, Corporate Responsibility, Nominations and Governance and Remuneration Committees 

1 November 2018 
to 31 August 2019
(per annum) 
£670,000 
£75,000 

From  
1 September 2019
(per annum) 
£687,000
£77,000

£27,000 
£31,000 
£13,500 

£27,000
£31,000
£14,000

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

63

Corporate governance 
 
 
 
Directors’ remuneration report continued

Annual report on remuneration continued

Fees paid to Non-executive Directors during 2019/20 (audited)
The following table sets out the fees paid to the Non-executive Directors for the year ended 29 February 2020. Non-executive Directors are 
not paid a pension and do not participate in any of the Company’s variable incentive schemes.

Non-executive Director
John Allan
Mark Armour
Melissa Bethell(b)
Stewart Gilliland(b)(c)
Steve Golsby(c)
Byron Grote
Mikael Olsson
Deanna Oppenheimer
Simon Patterson
Alison Platt(c)
Lindsey Pownall

2019/20

2018/19

Taxable
expenses(a)
(£’000)
13 
2 
1 
2 
17 
1 
2 
9 
0.5 
0.5 
8 

Total (£’000)
690 
92 
91 
103 
138 
135 
105 
153
90.5 
101.5 
115 

Fees (£’000)
655
86
33
71
99
129
98
156
86
86
104

Taxable
 expenses(a)
(£’000)
8
–
0.5
0.5
13
–
5
18
–
0.5
10

Total (£’000)
663
86
33.5
71.5
112
129
103
174
86
86.5
114

Fees (£’000)
677 
90 
90 
101 
121 
134 
103 
144 
90 
101 
107 

(a)  Taxable expenses include expense reimbursements relating to travel, accommodation and subsistence in connection with the attendance at Board and Committee meetings during the year, which 
are deemed by HMRC to be taxable in the UK. John Allan also has the benefit of home security and healthcare for himself and his partner. The amounts in the table above include the grossed-up 
cost of UK tax paid by the Company on behalf of the Non-executive Directors. Non-taxable expense reimbursements have not been included in the table above.

(b)  Stewart Gilliland and Melissa Bethell joined the Board on 5 March 2018 and 24 September 2018, respectively.
(c)  Steve Golsby became Chair of the Remuneration Committee on 1 February 2019, and Stewart Gilliland and Alison Platt became members of the Nominations and Governance Committee 

on 18 April 2019.

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 there were no changes to their share 
interests between 29 February and 7 April 2020. Non-executive Directors are expected to build up and maintain a personal shareholding in 
the Company equal to the value of their base fee over a period of five years following appointment.

Non-executive Director
John Allan(a)
Mark Armour 
Melissa Bethell(b)
Stewart Gilliland 
Steve Golsby 
Byron Grote(c) 
Mikael Olsson 
Deanna Oppenheimer(c) 
Simon Patterson 
Alison Platt 
Lindsey Pownall 

Ordinary shares held at  
24 February 2019
306,082
50,000
25,335
43,398
42,296
280,500 
30,418
110,820 
100,000 
34,255 
70,000

Ordinary shares held at  
29 February 2020
 306,082
50,000 
25,335 
44,630 
42,296 
280,500 
46,278 
114,048 
100,000 
35,246 
70,000 

Current shareholding  
(% of base fee)
113 
165 
84 
148 
140 
928 
153 
377 
331 
117 
231 

Compliance with  
shareholding guideline

✓
✓
✗
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓

(a)  John Allan also held 398,000 bonds in the Company at 29 February 2020 and 24 February 2019.
(b)  Melissa Bethell has until September 2023 to meet the shareholding guideline. 
(c)  Byron Grote and Deanna Oppenheimer held their shares in the form of American Depositary Receipts (ADRs). Each ADR is equivalent to three Ordinary shares of 5p each in the Company.
(d)  Value of Non-executive Directors’ shareholdings is based on the three-month average share price to 29 February 2020 of 248p.

Non-executive Directors’ dates of appointment

Non-executive Director
John Allan 
Mark Armour 
Melissa Bethell 
Stewart Gilliland 
Steve Golsby 
Byron Grote 
Mikael Olsson 
Deanna Oppenheimer 
Simon Patterson 
Alison Platt 
Lindsey Pownall 

Approved by the Board on 7 April 2020.

Date of appointment 
1 March 2015 
2 September 2013 
24 September 2018 
5 March 2018 
1 October 2016 
1 May 2015 
1 November 2014 
1 March 2012 
1 April 2016 
1 April 2016 
1 April 2016 

Notice period
None 
None 
None 
None 
None 
None 
None 
None 
None 
None 
None 

Appointment end  
date in accordance with 
letter of appointment
AGM 2020
AGM 2020
AGM 2020
AGM 2020
AGM 2020
AGM 2020
AGM 2020
AGM 2020
AGM 2020
AGM 2020
AGM 2020

Total length of service 
 as at 29 February 2020
(years)
5.0 
6.5 
1.4 
2.0 
3.4 
4.8 
5.3 
8.0 
3.9 
3.9 
3.9 

Steve Golsby
Remuneration Committee Chair

64

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

 
Directors’ report

The Directors present their report, together with the audited 
accounts for the 53 weeks ended 29 February 2020.
Dividends.
The profit for the financial year, after taxation, amounts to £935m 
(2018/19: £1,270m) from continuing operations. The Directors have 
declared dividends as follows: 

Ordinary shares
Paid interim dividend of 2.65 pence per share(a) 
(2018/19: 1.67 pence per share) 
Proposed final dividend of 6.5 pence per share(b)  
(2018/19: 4.10 pence per share)  
Total dividend of 9.15 pence per share for 2019/20(b)  
(2018/19: 5.77 pence per share)

 £m
257 

637

894

(a)  Excludes £3m dividends waived (2018/19: £2m).
(b)  Subject to shareholder approval at this year’s AGM, the final ordinary dividend will be 
paid on 3 July 2020 to all shareholders on the Register of Members at the close of 
business on 22 May 2020.

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 30 on page 137.

No shareholder holds securities carrying special rights with regards 
to control of the Company and 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 2019 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, Tesco Ireland Share Bonus Scheme Trust and Booker Group 
2010 Employee Benefit 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. As at 29 February 2020 and 
the date of this report, the Company had received notification 
of the following interests in voting rights pursuant to Chapter 5 
of the DTR:

BlackRock, Inc.
Schroders plc 
Norges Bank

% of voting rights(a)

6.64
4.99 
3.99

(a)  Percentages are shown as a percentage of the Company’s total voting rights as at the 

date the Company was notified of the change in holding.

Articles of Association.
The Company’s Articles of Association may only be amended by 
special resolution at a general meeting of the shareholders.
Directors and their interests.
The biographical details of the current serving Directors are set 
out on pages 27 to 30. The Directors who served during the year 
were: John Allan; Mark Armour; Melissa Bethell; Stewart Gilliland; 
Steve Golsby; Byron Grote; Mikael Olsson; Deanna Oppenheimer; 
Simon Patterson; Alison Platt; Lindsey Pownall; Alan Stewart; and 
Dave Lewis who will stand down from the Board on 30 September 
2020. Ken Murphy will take up the role of Group Chief Executive on 
1 October 2020, subject to shareholder approval at the 
forthcoming AGM, and will join the Board on the same date. 
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 52 to 64.

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 Group Company Secretary 
(who is also a Director of certain subsidiaries of the Company) in 
respect of liabilities incurred as a result of their office, to the 
extent permitted by law. In respect of those liabilities for which 
Directors may not be indemnified, the Company maintained a 
Directors’ and Officers’ liability insurance policy throughout the 
financial year. 
Employment policies.
We have continued to focus on ensuring that our policies are 
simple, helpful and trusted, so that our colleagues are able to 
source the information they need quickly and easily. We are 
transitioning to online colleague self-service which is now 
available to all UK colleagues, as this supports and enables an 
honest and transparent culture. The development of our 
colleague help service puts information into the hands of 
colleagues themselves, ensuring policies are better utilised, and 
available to all. These new platforms provide helpful feedback and 
analytics which facilitate our understanding of how and where we 
can continue to improve our offer.

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

65

Corporate governance 
Directors’ report continued

Over the last year we have continued to work with our recognised 
trade union in the UK, Usdaw, to improve our policies so that they 
address the needs of all our colleagues. In particular, we have 
doubled our provision for paid paternity leave from two weeks to 
four and also increased the amount of paid maternity leave we 
offer. Our local and national forums are invaluable for giving 
colleagues a voice and ensuring they are engaged with business 
decisions that are made. Such feedback helps us drive our 
business forward as our colleagues are closest to our customers. 
To supplement these forums we have also set up Colleague 
Contribution Panels which give our colleagues the opportunity to 
share their views directly with our Non-executive Directors who 
then relay these onto the Board for discussion and action.

Our equal opportunities, diversity and inclusion policies support 
managers and colleagues in creating a diverse and inclusive culture 
where everyone is welcome. Our policies demonstrate our 
commitment to providing equal opportunities to all colleagues, 
irrespective of age, disability (including colleagues who may have 
become disabled during service), gender, marriage and civil 
partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, 
or sexual orientation. To further strengthen our commitment in 
this area, we have recently commenced a review of all of our 
family-friendly, flexible working and reasonable adjustments 
policies across the Group to establish common minimum standards 
that we can adopt in excess of legislative requirements. This is with 
a view to improving diversity and inclusion outcomes across all our 
companies and the geographies that we operate in. 

We offer a range of colleague networks which we have relaunched 
this year, to maintain a culture of inclusivity, including: Out at 
Tesco; Women at Tesco; Black Asian Minority Ethnic Network; 
Armed Forces Network; and Disability Network. We are proud to 
be a Disability Confident Employer as part of the UK Government’s 
Disability Confident scheme, a Global Diversity champion with 
Stonewall and a gold member of the UK Government’s Armed 
Forces Covenant. This demonstrates Tesco’s commitment to 
ensuring we create an environment where all colleagues have 
the opportunity to get on.

We actively encourage colleagues to become involved in the 
financial performance of our business through a variety of share 
and bonus schemes. While we have recently agreed with our unions 
to consolidate the colleague bonus scheme into basic pay for 
colleagues in stores, we continue to operate such schemes 
for other colleagues in the business.
Political donations.
The Group did not make any political donations (2018/19: £nil) or 
incur any political expenditure during the year (2018/19: £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 13 designated grocery retailers in the UK and their 
suppliers of grocery products. The aim of the Code is to establish 
and embed the overarching principles of fairness and lawfulness 
within retailer and supplier relationships. Specific supplier 
protections under the Code include: the obligation for agreements 
to be in writing and copies retained; reasonable notice to be given 
of changes to the supply chain or reduction in the volume of 
purchases; and a number of provisions relating to payments by 
suppliers, including obligations for retailers to pay suppliers in full 
and without delay. 

Retailer compliance with the Code is overseen by the Groceries 
Code Adjudicator (GCA). In 2019/20 we continued to engage 
constructively and positively with the GCA and her office around 

new areas of interest: crates and trays; buying alliances; and our 
approach to the Code compliance risk management, in addition to 
longstanding topics such as delays in payment.

We have an established Code compliance programme at Tesco, 
One Stop and Booker which is embedded throughout our business. 
We train relevant colleagues across our Product and other 
functions in the UK and in Bengaluru on their obligations under the 
Code. In this financial year, we trained 114 new starters and 953 
colleagues completed our annual refresher training. Where 
required, face-to-face training sessions were also completed. 
At the date of reporting, 7,248 UK-based office colleagues have 
completed their annual Code of Business Conduct declaration, 
and those colleagues who work with grocery suppliers have also 
completed a declaration to confirm they have complied with the 
Code during 2019/20. 

We continued to strengthen and transform the way we work with 
suppliers through our product change programme, simplifying how 
we do business and improving our supplier relationships. We have 
implemented various new and/or improved supplier-facing 
systems to improve transparency with our suppliers. These 
developments are having a positive impact on our supplier 
relationships. In the GCA’s annual supplier survey for 2019, 94% 
of our suppliers recognised that we comply ‘consistently well’ or 
‘mostly well’ with the Code. In our own Supplier Viewpoint survey 
for the second half of 2019/20, we are pleased that the results 
continue to reflect the progress we have made with suppliers. 
Both our total Group and UK & ROI score for suppliers rating their 
satisfaction with Tesco as either ‘extremely satisfied’ or ‘very 
satisfied’ were our highest score to date of 77.8% and 80.2% 
respectively. In relation to the areas discussed to this response, 
our strongest score in Viewpoint continues to be ‘Tesco pays 
promptly (within policy terms)’ at 89.7%. In addition, ‘Main Tesco 
contact communicates well and is available when needed’ and 
‘Tesco values our cooperation and treats us with respect’ saw 
82.3% and 80.4% of our suppliers as either ‘extremely satisfied’ 
or ‘very satisfied’ respectively.

This year, 45 Code-related issues (44 Tesco and one Booker) were 
raised by suppliers, of which 39 related to de-listing and six to no 
delay in payment, in addition to five issues carried over from 
2018/19. There were no issues raised by One Stop suppliers in 
2019/20. We received two formal Disputes (as defined by Part 5, 
Article 11 of the Order); both matters were resolved between 
Tesco and the supplier without the need for arbitration.

In line with feedback sent by the GCA to all designated retailers, 
we have updated our internal reporting framework to capture all 
Code-related issues raised by suppliers with any member of staff. 
Therefore, the scope of issues captured has widened for reporting 
purposes. As at the end of the reporting period, we had resolved 
45 of the concerns following further discussion between the buying 
team and the relevant supplier, or between our Code Compliance 
Officer and the supplier. Of the five remaining complaints to be 
resolved, we continue our discussions with these suppliers, with 
a view to resolving these matters in the near future.

Going concern, longer-term prospects and 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 2018 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 19.

66

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

Events after the balance sheet date.
On 7 March 2020, the Group acquired the trade and assets of Best 
Food Logistics (trading name of BFS Group Ltd), which will be 
accounted for as a business combination. More information can be 
found on page 8 in the Strategic report and in Note 36 on page 142.

On 9 March 2020, the Group announced the proposed sale of the 
Group’s businesses in Thailand and Malaysia to a combination of CP 
Group entities for net cash proceeds of $10.3bn (equivalent to 
£8.0bn) before tax and other transaction costs. The transaction is 
subject to shareholder and customary regulatory approvals and is 
expected to complete during the second half of calendar year 
2020. More information can be found in the Strategic report on 
pages 1 to 23 and in Note 36 on page 142.

On 11 March 2020, the World Health Organization declared 
COVID-19 a pandemic, the UK Government moved to a ‘delay’ 
phase on 12 March, announced social distancing measures on 16 
March, and unprecedented ‘stay at home’ restrictions on 23 March. 
More information can be found in the Strategic report on pages 1 to 
23 and in Note 36 on page 142. 

Directors’ statement of disclosure of information to 
the auditor.
Each of the persons who is a Director at the date of approval of 
this Annual Report confirms that: 

 – so far as the Director is aware, there is no relevant audit 

information of which the Company’s auditor is unaware; and
 – the Director has taken all the steps that he/she ought to have 
taken as a Director in order to make himself/herself aware of 
any relevant audit information and to establish that the 
Company’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 Annual Report contains forward-looking statements, 
these are based on current expectations and assumptions and 
speak only as of the date they are made. These statements should 
be treated with caution due to the inherent risks, uncertainties and 
assumptions 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 expressed or implied in any forward-looking 
statement. Such factors include, but are not limited to, those 
discussed under principal risks and uncertainties on pages 13 to 18.

Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of 
relevant terminology including the words: ‘may’, ‘will’, ‘seek’, ‘aim’, 
‘anticipate’, ‘target’, ‘projected’, ‘expect’, ‘estimate’, ‘intend’, 
‘plan’, ‘goal’, ‘believe’ or other words of similar meaning and include 
all matters that are not historical facts. They appear in a number of 
places throughout this Annual Report and include statements 
regarding the intentions, beliefs or current expectations of our 
officers, Directors and employees concerning, among other things, 
the Group’s results of operations, financial condition, liquidity, 
prospects, growth, strategies and the business.

Neither the Group, nor any of the officers, Directors or employees, 
provides any representation, assurance or guarantee that the 
occurrence of the events expressed or implied in any forward-
looking statements in this Annual Report will actually occur. Undue 
reliance should not be placed on these forward-looking statements. 
Other than in accordance with our legal and regulatory obligations, 
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.

Climate change.
We have a longstanding commitment to reducing carbon emissions 
from our operations and in 2017 we became the first company 
worldwide to commit to science-based targets that are aligned 
with the Paris Climate Agreement recommendation of limiting 
global warming to a 1.5°C trajectory. To achieve this, we need to 
reduce absolute carbon emissions from our operations by 100% 
from 2015/16 levels, reaching ambitious milestones on the way: 
35% by 2020, 60% by 2025, 85% by 2030 and 100% by 2050. In our 
UK operations, the ambition is to reach net zero by 2035. Further 
information on our climate strategy can be found in our Little Helps 
Plan available on our website www.tescoplc.com/littlehelpsplan.
Greenhouse gas emissions.

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

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)

Global tonnes of CO2e

2019/20 
1,252,038* 

2018/19 
1,328,543*

Base year 
2015/16

1,388,168

916,616* 
1,597,144* 
19.15* 

1,045,760*
1,831,835*
20.83*

2,053,703

2,609,983

29.57

819,984* 
2,988,638* 
516* 

913,802*
3,288,104*
593*

1,129,342

4,572,832

1,513

2,988,122* 
26.39* 

3,287,512*
28.84*

4,571,319

39.27

*  KPMG LLP was engaged to provide independent limited assurance over the selected 
greenhouse gas emissions data highlighted in this report with a * using the assurance 
standards ISAE 3000 and 3410. KPMG has issued an unqualified opinion over the 
selected data. KPMG’s full assurance statement is available at: www.tescoplc.com/
carbonfigures.

(a)  Our method statement is available at www.tescoplc.com/carbonmethod. 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-
based method is provided for disclosure only and all intensity, net and gross emissions 
shown are calculated using scope 2 market-based method.

Modern Slavery Act.
As per section 54(1) of the Modern Slavery Act 2015, our Modern 
Slavery Statement is reviewed and approved by the Board on an 
annual basis and published on our Group website. The statement 
covers the activities of Tesco PLC and its subsidiaries and details 
policies, processes and actions we have taken to ensure that 
slavery and human trafficking are not taking place in our supply 
chains or any part of our business. More information on our 
statement can be found on our website.
Anti-bribery matters.
We have a zero-tolerance approach to bribery and our anti-bribery 
programme operates around the Group. The programme is built 
around a clear understanding of how and where bribery risks affect 
our business and comprises key controls such as: policies 
(anti-bribery, gifts and entertainment, conflicts of interest, 
charitable donations); procedures such as conducting due diligence 
on suppliers (in particular those who will engage public officials on 
our behalf); training colleagues on bribery risks every year; and 
ongoing assurance programmes to test that the controls are 
functioning effectively. Bribery risk management is discussed at 
senior leadership groups in each business unit, including at the 
Group level, and also twice a year with the Audit Committee.

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

67

Corporate governance 
 
 
 
 
Directors’ report continued

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:

Events after the reporting period
Future developments 
Research and development 
Financial instruments and financial risk management
Corporate governance report 
Colleague engagement
Stakeholder engagement  
Section 172 statement

Pages
142
1 to 23 
4 to 5
116 to 130
24 to 51
41
40 to 43 
23

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
137
65

The Company has chosen, in accordance with Section 414C(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 23.
Statement of Directors’ responsibilities.
The Directors are responsible for preparing the Annual Report 
and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law 
and regulations.

Company law requires the Directors to prepare financial 
statements for each 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 and Article 4 of the 
International Accounting Standard (IAS) Regulation and have also 
chosen to prepare the Parent Company financial statements in 
accordance with Financial Reporting Standard (FRS) 101 Reduced 
Disclosure Framework. Under company law the Directors must not 
approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they 
give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Company and 
of the profit or loss of the Company for that period.

In preparing the Parent Company 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 FRS 101 Reduced Disclosure Framework has 

been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed 
and explained in the financial statements; and

 – prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis 
unless it is inappropriate to presume that the company will 
continue in business.

68

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

In preparing the Parent Company financial statements, the 
Directors are required to:

 – properly select and apply accounting policies;
 – 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 IFRSs 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

 – make an assessment of the Company’s ability to continue as a 

going concern.

The Directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting 
records that are sufficient to show and explain the Company’s 
transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the 
financial position of the Company and enable them to ensure that 
the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. 
They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the 
Company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention 
and detection of fraud and other irregularities. The Directors are 
responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate 
and financial information included on the Company’s website. 
Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and 
dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation 
in other jurisdictions. Each of the Directors, whose names and 
functions are set out on pages 27 to 30, confirm that, to the best 
of their knowledge:

 – the financial statements, 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 
Company and the undertakings included in the consolidation 
taken as a whole;

 – the strategic report includes a fair review of the development 

and performance of the business and the position of the 
Company and the undertakings included in the consolidation 
taken as a whole, together with a description of the principal 
risks and uncertainties that they face; and

 – the Annual Report and Financial Statements, taken as a whole, 

are fair, balanced and understandable and provide the 
information necessary for shareholders to assess the Company’s 
position and performance, business model and strategy.

By order of the Board

Robert Welch
Group Company Secretary 
7 April 2020

 
 
Independent auditor’s report to the members of Tesco PLC

Report on the audit of the financial statements
Opinion
In our opinion:

 – the financial statements of Tesco PLC (the ‘Parent Company’) and 
its subsidiaries (the ‘Group’) give a true and fair view of the state of 
the Group’s and of the Parent Company’s affairs as at 29 February 
2020 and of the Group’s profit for the year then ended;

 – the Group financial statements have been properly prepared in 
accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards 
(IFRSs) as adopted by the European Union;

 – the Parent Company financial statements have been properly 

prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally 
Accepted Accounting Practice, including Financial Reporting 
Standard 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 audited the financial statements which comprise:

 – the Group income statement;
 – the Group statement of comprehensive income;
 – the Group and Parent Company balance sheets;
 – the Group and Parent Company statements of changes in equity;
 – the Group cash flow statement; and
 – the related Notes 1 to 37 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, including FRS 101 
“Reduced Disclosure Framework” (United Kingdom Generally 
Accepted Accounting Practice).

Basis for opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with International 
Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. 
Our responsibilities under those standards are further described 
in the auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial 
statements section of our report.

We are independent of the Group and the Parent Company in 
accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our 
audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the Financial 
Reporting Council’s (the ‘FRC’s’) Ethical Standard as applied to 
listed public interest entities, and we have fulfilled our other ethical 
responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We 
confirm that the non-audit services prohibited by the FRC’s Ethical 
Standard were not provided to the Group or the Parent Company.

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient 
and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Summary of our audit approach
Key audit matters
The key audit matters that we identified in the current year were:

proposed disposal of the Asia business; 
store impairment review;
recognition of commercial income;
pension obligation valuation; 
contingent liabilities;
presentation of the Group’s income statement; 
Tesco Bank loan impairment; and
retail technology environment, including IT security.

Within this report, key audit matters are identified as follows:

Newly identified
Similar level of risk

Materiality
We have considered a number of benchmarks and determined that 
it is appropriate to base materiality on profit before tax before 
exceptional items and amortisation of acquired intangibles. The 
materiality that we used for the Group financial statements was 
£85m (2018/19: £80m) which equates to 4.3% (2018/19: 5.1% 
restated) of profit before tax before exceptional items and 
amortisation of acquired intangibles. Refer to page 94 for further 
details of exceptional items and amortisation of acquired intangibles.

Scoping
Our audit scoping provides full scope audit coverage of 96% 
(2018/19: 95%) of revenue and 92% (2018/19: 94% restated) 
of net assets.

Significant changes in our approach
Our 2019/20 report includes a new key audit matter relating to 
the proposed disposal of the Asia business.

We no longer report the following as key audit matters:

 – Booker IFRS 3 acquisition accounting judgements and 

presentation of results – as the related judgements were 
concluded upon in 2018/19; and

 – IFRS 16 presentation and disclosure key audit matter – as the 
key estimates and judgements underpinning management’s 
IFRS 16 impact assessment and related transition disclosures 
were concluded upon in 2018/19.

There are no other significant changes in our approach except for 
changes in key audit matters as described above.

Conclusions relating to going concern, principal risks 
and viability statement
Going concern
We have reviewed the directors’ statement on page 68 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 
and company’s ability to continue to do so over a period of at least 
twelve months from the date of approval of the financial statements.

We considered as part of our risk assessment the nature of the 
group, its business model and related risks including where relevant 
the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and Brexit, the requirements 
of the applicable financial reporting framework and the system of 
internal control. We evaluated the directors’ assessment of the 
Group’s ability to continue as a going concern, including challenging 
the underlying data and key assumptions used to make the 
assessment, and evaluated the directors’ plans for future actions 
in relation to their going concern assessment.

We are required to state whether we have anything material to 
add or draw attention to in relation to that statement required by 
Listing Rule 9.8.6R(3) and report if the statement is materially 
inconsistent with our knowledge obtained in the audit.

Going concern is the basis of preparation of the financial 
statements that assumes an entity will remain in operation for a 
period of at least 12 months from the date of approval of the 
financial statements.

We confirm that we have nothing material to report, add or draw 
attention to in respect of these matters.

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

69

Financial statementsIndependent auditor’s report to the members of Tesco PLC continued

We are also required to report whether the directors’ statement 
relating to the prospects of the Group required by Listing Rule 
9.8.6R(3) is materially inconsistent with our knowledge obtained 
in the audit.

Viability means the ability of the Group to continue over the time 
horizon considered appropriate by the directors. 

We confirm that we have nothing material to report, add or draw 
attention to in respect of these matters.

Key audit matters
Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional 
judgement, were of most significance in our audit of the 
financial statements of the current period and include the most 
significant assessed risks of material misstatement (whether or 
not due to fraud) that we identified. These matters included those 
which had the greatest effect on: the overall audit strategy, the 
allocation of resources in the audit; and directing the efforts of 
the engagement team. 

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.

How the scope of our audit  
responded to the key audit matter

Key observations

  Our audit procedures included challenging 
whether the presentation of assets and 
liabilities in the balance sheet and 
financial results in the income statement 
of the Asia business was in line with the 
requirements of IFRS 5, which would have 
required the sale to be approved by the 
Board before year-end. In order to assess 
this, we discussed the matter with 
members of the Board and reviewed 
minutes of the relevant Board meetings.

  We are satisfied that the 

Group was not committed to 
a disposal of the businesses 
as at 29 February 2020 and 
therefore the results of the 
Asia business are 
appropriately presented 
within continuing operations. 

Principal risks and viability statement
Based solely on reading the directors’ statements and considering 
whether they were consistent with the knowledge we obtained in 
the course of the audit, including the knowledge obtained in the 
evaluation of the directors’ assessment of the Group’s and the 
company’s ability to continue as a going concern, we are required 
to state whether we have anything material to add or draw 
attention to in relation to:

 – the disclosures on pages 13 to 18 that describe the principal risks, 
procedures to identify emerging risks, and an explanation of how 
these are being managed or mitigated;

 – the directors’ confirmation on page 13 that they have carried out 
a robust assessment of the principal and emerging risks facing 
the Group, including those that would threaten its business 
model, future performance, solvency or liquidity; or

 – the directors’ explanation on page 19 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.

Key audit matter description

Proposed disposal of the Asia business 

As described in Note 1 (Accounting policies, judgements and estimates) 
and Note 36 (Events after the reporting period) of the financial 
statements, on 9 March 2020, the Group announced the proposed sale of 
its Asia business for net cash proceeds of $10.3 billion (equivalent to £8.0 
billion) before tax and other transaction costs. The transaction is subject 
to shareholder and regulatory approval and is expected to complete 
during the second half of calendar year 2020. 

Under IFRS 5— Non-current Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued 
Operations, the Group is required to assess whether the Asia business 
should be presented as ‘Held for sale’ and the financial results of the 
business be included within ‘Discontinued operations’.

We identified a key audit matter relating to management’s judgement 
that the Group was not committed to the disposal as at 29 February 2020 
and therefore the results continue to be presented within continuing 
operations.

As disclosed in Note 1 of the financial statements, the Group has 
concluded that at the balance sheet date the criteria for held for sale 
were not met and consequently the financial results of the Asia business 
have not been classified as discontinued operations. 

The Audit Committee’s discussion of this key audit matter is set 
out on page 49.

Store impairment review

As described in Note 1 (Accounting policies, judgements and estimates) 
and Note 11 (Property, plant and equipment) of the financial statements, 
the Group held £19,234m (2018/19: £19,186m) of property, plant and 
equipment and £6,874m of right of use assets (2018/19: £7,713m) at 
29 February 2020. 

Under IAS 36, the Group is required to complete an impairment review 
of its store portfolio where there are indicators of impairment or 
impairment reversal. 

Judgement is required in identifying indicators of impairment and 
estimation is required in determining the recoverable amount of the 
Group’s store portfolio. Additionally, there is judgement in relation to 
triggering the reversals of impairments recognised in previous periods.

  Our audit procedures included obtaining 
an understanding of relevant controls 
around the impairment review processes.

In relation to the Group’s value-in-use 
assessment our procedures have 
included:

 – challenging the key assumptions 

utilised in the cash flow forecasts with 
reference to historical trading 
performance, market expectations and 
the reasonableness of management’s 
forecasts;

  We concluded that the 

assumptions in the 
impairment models, 
specifically in the value-in-
use calculations, were within 
an acceptable range, and 
that the overall level of net 
impairment charge was 
reasonable.

70

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

Key audit matter description
Store impairment review continued
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’ or ‘fair 
value less costs of disposal’. 

The two areas which are key to management’s impairment review are 
as follows: 

 – value-in-use derived from cash flow projections, which rely upon 

Directors’ assumptions and estimates of future trading 
performance, including the Group’s ability to realise forecast 
cost savings; and

 – fair value of properties or sublet rental potential supporting the 
carrying value of store assets in each of the Group’s territories.

As disclosed within Note 15 of the financial statements, the Group has 
incorporated a Brexit risk adjustment in the UK & ROI segment and a 
Covid-19 risk adjustment for all segments to reflect the associated 
risks in the Group’s modelling based on reasonable and supportable 
information available to management at year end. 

As a result of the Group’s store impairment review completed during 
the year, a net impairment charge of £312m (2018/19: net impairment 
reversal of £129m) was recognised.

The Audit Committee’s discussion of this key audit matter is set 
out on page 49.

Recognition of commercial income

As described in Note 1 (Accounting policies, judgements and estimates) 
and Note 22 (Commercial income) of the financial statements, the 
Group has agreements with suppliers whereby volume-related 
allowances, promotional and marketing allowances and various other 
fees and discounts are received in connection with the purchase of 
goods for resale from those suppliers. As such, the Group recognises 
a reduction in cost of sales as a result of amounts receivable from 
those suppliers.

In accordance with IFRS 15, 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. As such we have identified this as a key 
audit matter and considered that there was a potential for fraud 
through possible manipulation of this income.

The Audit Committee’s discussion of this key audit matter is set 
out on page 49.

How the scope of our audit  
responded to the key audit matter

Key observations

 – reviewing and challenging the adequacy of 

management’s 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 forecast cash flows and 
property fair values and sublet rental 
potential; and 

 – assessing the extent to which the need for 
large scale government intervention in 
response to Covid-19 was evident as at 
29 February 2020.

With the involvement of our property 
valuation specialists we challenged the 
assumptions used by the Group in 
determining the fair market value including 
those completed by external valuers and 
assessed whether appropriate valuation 
methodologies have been applied.

  Our audit procedures included obtaining an 
understanding of relevant controls the Group 
has established in relation to commercial 
income recognition.

In addition, we performed the following:

 – testing whether amounts recognised were 
accurate and recorded in the correct 
period, by agreeing to the contractual 
performance obligations in a sample of 
individual supplier agreements;

 – testing commercial income balances 

included within inventories and trade and 
other receivables, or netted against trade 
and other payables (as set out in Note 22) 
via balance sheet reconciliation 
procedures;

 – circularising a sample of suppliers to test 

whether the arrangements recorded were 
complete. Where responses from 
suppliers were not received, we 
completed alternative procedures such as 
agreement to underlying contractual 
arrangements;

 – holding discussions with a sample of the 
Group’s buying personnel to further 
understand the buying processes; 

 – using data analytics to profile commercial 
income, identify deals which exhibited 
characteristics of audit interest upon 
which we completed detailed audit testing;
 – reviewing the Group’s ongoing compliance 

with the Groceries Supplier Code of 
Practice (GSCOP). Additionally, reviewing 
the reporting and correspondence to the 
Group’s supplier hotline in order to identify 
any areas of non-compliance which may 
require further investigation; and
 – considering the adequacy of related 

disclosure within the Group’s financial 
statements.

The results of our testing are 
satisfactory. We consider the 
disclosure given around 
supplier rebates to provide 
an appropriate 
understanding of the types 
of rebate income received 
and the impact on the 
Group’s balance sheet. 

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

71

Financial statements 
   
Independent auditor’s report to the members of Tesco PLC continued

Key audit matter description

How the scope of our audit responded to the key audit matter

Key observations

Pension obligation valuation
As described in Note 1 (Accounting policies, 
judgements and estimates) and Note 29 (Post-
employment benefits) of the financial statements, 
the Group has a defined benefit pension plan in the 
UK retail business. At 29 February 2020, the Group 
recorded a net retirement obligation before 
deferred tax of £2,998m (2018/19: £2,808m), 
comprising scheme assets of £17,513m (2018/19: 
£15,054m) and scheme liabilities of £20,511m 
(2018/19: £17,862m).

The pension obligation valuation is material, 
dependent on market conditions, and sensitive to 
changes in key assumptions. The key audit matter 
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.

The Audit Committee’s discussion of this key audit 
matter is set out on page 49. 

Contingent liabilities

As described in Note 1 (Accounting policies, judgements 
and estimates) and Note 34 (Contingent liabilities) of the 
financial statements, the Group has a number of 
contingent liabilities. Judgement is required in assessing 
the likelihood of outflow, the potential quantum of any 
outflow and the associated disclosure requirements.

This key audit matter specifically relates to the following 
exposures:

 – in 2016/17 UK shareholder actions were initiated 
against the Group linked to the overstatement of 
expected profits in 2014 which may result in legal 
exposures;

 – following the sale of Homeplus in 2015 the Group has 
received claims from the purchaser relating to the 
sale of the business; and

 – Tesco Stores Limited has received claims from 

current and former store colleagues alleging that 
their work is of equal value to that of colleagues 
working in the Group’s distribution centres and that 
differences in terms and conditions relating to pay 
are not objectively justifiable.

The Audit Committee’s discussion of this key audit 
matter is set out on page 49.

  Our audit procedures included obtaining an 

understanding of relevant controls in relation to the 
pension obligation valuation process.

In addition, we performed the following:

 – worked without internal pension actuarial specialists 
to review the key actuarial assumptions used, both 
financial and demographic, and considered the 
methodology utilised to derive these assumptions; 
and

 – benchmarked and performed a sensitivity analysis on 
the key assumption determined by the Directors.

  Our audit procedures included assessing the design and 
implementation of relevant controls in relation to the 
monitoring of known exposures.

In assessing the potential exposures to the Group, we have 
completed a range of procedures including:

 – assessing the risks the business faces;
 – reading Board and other meeting minutes to identify 

areas subject to Group consideration;

 – meeting with the Group’s internal legal advisors to 

understand ongoing and potential legal matters and 
reviewing third party correspondence and reports;

 – assessing the reasonableness of management’s 

likelihood and quantification of outflow assessment; and

 – reviewing the proposed accounting and disclosure of 
actual and potential legal liabilities, drawing on third 
party assessment of open matters.

We are satisfied that the 
overall methodology is 
appropriate and the 
assumptions applied in 
relation to determining the 
pension valuation are 
within an acceptable range. 
The actual discount rate 
applied of 1.93% is within 
the market range. The 
methodology used by the 
Group applies a different 
approach to estimating 
yields of longer-term high 
quality corporate bonds 
compared to the majority 
of companies, which 
results in a discount rate 
which is at the optimistic 
end of the market range.

We conclude that the 
Group’s contingent liabilities 
disclosure is complete. 
Specifically, the accounting 
and disclosures in relation to 
the ongoing UK shareholder 
actions, claims from the 
purchasers of the Homeplus 
business and the Group’s 
equal pay matter are 
appropriate.

Presentation of the Group’s income statement

One of the Group’s key performance indicators is 
‘Group operating profit before exceptional items and 
amortisation of acquired intangibles’ (2019/20: 
£3,005m, 2018/19: £2,607m). 

Refer to Note 2 (Segmental reporting) of the financial 
statements for management’s reconciliation of this 
key performance indicator to the Group’s statutory 
profit measure.

Management judgement is required when applying 
this accounting policy and when determining the 
classification of items as exceptional within the Group’s 
income statement. Additionally, we have considered the 
impact of the 2019/20 financial period being a 53-week 
year on the disclosures.

  Our audit procedures included obtaining an understanding 
of key controls which address the risk of inappropriate 
presentation of the Group’s income statement.

In order to address this key audit matter we have 
completed audit procedures including:

 – considering exceptional items disclosed by the Group 
and the existence of any further potential exceptional 
items included within the Group’s underlying profit 
measures;

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 and 
amortisation of acquired 
intangibles which do not 
meet the Group’s definition 
of exceptional items and 
which largely offset. 

72

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

How the scope of our audit responded to the key audit matter

Key audit matter description
Presentation of the Group’s income statement continued
We have determined that there was a potential 
for fraud through possible manipulation of the 
Group’s income statement presentation due to 
the level of judgement involved and remuneration 
targets being linked to the key performance 
indicator.

course of business; 

 – assessing whether any bias exists in management’s 

presentation of results and assessing consistency of 
application across multiple financial years;

 – assessing transactions completed outside of the normal 

 – assessing the appropriateness of excluding amortisation of 
intangible assets acquired in business combinations from 
Group’s operating profit alternative performance measure; 
and 

 – evaluating the impact of the 2019/20 financial period being a 

53 week year.

Key observations

We concur that these have 
been appropriately included 
within profit before 
exceptional items and 
amortisation of acquired 
intangibles. 

We have reviewed the 
calculation of the Alternative 
Performance Measures 
which have been calculated 
on a 52-week basis, where 
relevant, and are satisfied 
that this has been done on 
an appropriate basis.

The Audit Committee’s discussion of this key 
audit matter is set out on page 49.

Tesco Bank loan impairment

As described in Note 19 (Loans and advances to 
customers and Banks) the Group held an 
impairment provision in respect of loans and 
advances to customers of £488m at 29 February 
2020 (2018/19: £485m). The expected credit loss 
on these loans and advances was £178m in the 
year to 29 February 2020 (2018/19: £163m). The 
impact of further deterioration in the economic 
outlook on expected credit losses (ECLs) after the 
reporting date is discussed in note 36 (Events 
after the reporting period).

Loan impairment remains one of the most 
significant judgements made by management 
particularly in light of the uncertain economic 
outlook in the UK and, at the reporting date the 
potential impact of the global Covid-19 outbreak. 
As described in Note 1 (Accounting policies, 
estimates and judgements) management’s 
provisioning methodology is based on an 
“expected loss” model as required under IFRS 9 
‘Financial Instruments’. 

The Audit Committee’s discussion of this key 
audit matter is set out on page 49.

  Our audit procedures included assessing the design and 

  Based on our audit 

procedures above, we 
concluded that 
management’s provision is 
reasonably stated, and is 
supported by a methodology 
that is consistently applied 
and compliant with IFRS 9. 

implementation of key controls which relate to the 
determination of loan impairments.

In order to address this key audit matter we have completed 
audit procedures including:

 – with support from internal economic modelling experts, 

challenging the macro-economic scenario forecasts that were 
incorporated into the ECL model; 

 – challenging how management had assessed the impact of 

Covid-19 within the ECL model to assess whether that it was 
appropriately considered in the measurement of ECLs at year 
end. In particular, we challenged Management’s assessment of 
the likelihood of a severe economic downturn caused by 
Covid-19 at the reporting date with reference to the 
reasonable and supportable information available to 
management at that date;

 – considering whether events arising after the reporting date, 
such as the declaration of the outbreak as a global pandemic 
by the World Health Organization on 11 March 2020, nationwide 
lockdowns, and the fiscal and monetary policy responses to 
combat the economic effects of Covid-19, provided evidence 
that such events were possible future events which 
management could assign an appropriate probability to at 
the reporting date, based on reasonable and supportable 
information available to management at that date; 
 – challenging whether management’s severe downside 

macro-economic scenario adequately captured the potential 
macro-economic downside risks arising as a result of the 
Covid-19 outbreak, based on reasonable and supportable 
information available to management at the reporting date;

 – assessing management’s methodology, including the 

refinements made, against the requirements of IFRS 9 with 
input from our internal credit risk-modelling specialists and we 
tested the application of that methodology within the 
impairment models; 

 – challenging the quantitative and qualitative triggers used to 
identify significant increases in credit risk to assess whether 
they were consistently applied, and whether they were based 
on reasonable information indicative of a significant increased 
risk of default since initial recognition; 

 – assessing and challenging the key assumptions used by 

management to estimate the expected life of both credit 
cards and unsecured personal loans using historical 
observed data; and

 – challenging the appropriateness and completeness of 
management overlays, assessing and independently 
recalculating those which were included.

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

73

Financial statements 
Independent auditor’s report to the members of Tesco PLC continued

Key audit matter description

How the scope of our audit responded to the key audit matter

Key observations

Retail technology environment, including IT security

The Group’s retail operations utilise a range of 
information systems. In 2015/16, 2016/17, 2017/18 
and 2018/19 we reported deficiencies in certain IT 
controls. These deficiencies could have an adverse 
impact on the Group’s controls and financial 
reporting systems.

IT remediation is a complex, multi-year project 
involving management judgement and activities 
which are at risk of being inappropriately designed, 
executed or at risk of error. These areas include:

  We have continued to challenge and assess 
changes to the IT environment through the 
testing of remediated controls and concluding on 
the sufficiency and appropriateness of 
management’s changes. 

During the year we have assessed the design and 
implementation of the Group’s relevant controls 
over the information systems that are important 
to financial reporting, including the changes made 
as part of the Group’s replacement programme. 

 – inappropriate controls in place to govern the IT 

changes such as inappropriate approval controls; 
and 

 – appropriateness of remediated access controls 
and whether the remediated controls address 
previously identified deficiencies. 

The Audit Committee’s discussion of this key audit 
matter is set out on page 49.

Consistent with 2018/19, in 2019/20 we did not 
plan to take a control reliant audit approach in 
the retail business due to the ongoing 
weaknesses in the IT environment.

Accordingly, we extended the scope of our 
substantive audit procedures in response to the 
deficiencies which affected the applications and 
databases within the scope of our audit. 

  Although management’s 

remediation plan is designed to 
address our concerns, given the 
complexity of the underlying 
systems the plan is a multi-year 
programme and not yet 
complete, and therefore 
weaknesses remain in the 
control environment.

Management’s actions have 
reduced the number of 
deficiencies in the year by closing 
the deficiencies relating to batch 
management and change 
management controls linked to 
the Group’s financial reporting. 
Further remediation work is 
ongoing. 

Our application of materiality
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.

Based on our professional judgement, we determined materiality 
for the financial statements as a whole as follows:

Profit before 
tax, exceptional 
items and 
amortisation 
of acquired 
intangibles
£1,961m

Group materiality £85m

Component materiality 
range £26m to £55m

Audit Committee reporting 
threshold £.4.25m

Materiality

Basis for 
determining 
materiality

Rationale 
for the 
benchmark 
applied

Parent Company financial 
statements
£55m (2018/19: 
£52m)

Materiality represents 
less than 1% (2018/19: 
less than 1%) of net 
assets.

As this is the Parent 
Company of the 
Group, it does not 
generate significant 
revenues but instead 
incurs costs. 

Net assets are of 
most relevance to 
users of the financial 
statements.

Group  
financial statements
£85m (2018/19: £80m)

4.3% (2018/19: 5.1% restated) 
of profit before tax before 
exceptional items and 
amortisation of acquired 
intangibles of £1,961m 
(2018/19 restated: £1,564m). 

Refer to Note 4 for additional 
details of profit before tax 
before exceptional items and 
amortisation of acquired 
intangibles and management’s 
reconciliation to the Group’s 
statutory measure.

Profit before tax before 
exceptional items and 
amortisation of acquired 
intangibles is an appropriate 
metric since it is a key 
performance indicator and is 
not impacted by any potential 
volatility which may be caused 
by exceptional items and 
amortisation as a result of 
acquired intangibles 
recognised under IFRS 3.

The materiality selected 
represents 0.6% (2018/19: 0.6% 
restated) of the Group’s net 
assets.

74

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

Performance materiality
We set performance materiality at a level lower than materiality 
to reduce the probability that, in aggregate, uncorrected and 
undetected misstatements exceed the materiality for the financial 
statements as a whole. Group performance materiality was set at 
66% of Group materiality for the 2019/20 audit (2018/19: 70%). 
As we continue to be unable to rely on internal controls in the 
retail business we have used a lower percentage of materiality to 
determine our performance materiality for 2019/20. In determining 
performance materiality, we have also considered the uncorrected 
misstatements identified in the previous period.

Error reporting threshold
We agreed with the Audit Committee that we would report to the 
Committee all audit differences in excess of £4.25m (2018/19: £4m) 
for the Group and the Parent Company, as well as differences 
below that threshold that, in our view, warranted reporting on 
qualitative grounds. We also report to the Audit Committee on 
disclosure matters that we identified when assessing the overall 
presentation of the financial statements.

An overview of the scope of our audit
Our Group audit was scoped by obtaining an understanding of the 
Group and its environment, including Group-wide controls, and 
assessing the risks of material misstatement at the Group level. 
The Group has subsidiary grocery retail operations in eight 
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 significant retail locations (UK, Booker, Republic of Ireland, 
Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia and Thailand) and Tesco 
Bank. The operations in Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and 
Slovakia are managed as one combined business. All of these were 
subject to a full audit and represent 96% (2018/19: 95%) of the 
Group’s revenue, 92% (2018/19: 93%) restated of profit before tax 
and 92% (2018/19: 94% restated) of net assets.

In addition, three other businesses (Malaysia, dunnhumby and 
Tesco Mobile) 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 size of the Group’s operations at those locations. 
The three businesses accounted for 2% (2018/19: 3%) of the 
Group’s revenue, 8% (2018/19: 3% restated) of profit before tax 
and 6% (2018/19: 6% restated) of net assets. 

Revenue

Profit before tax

Net assets

Full audit scope 96%
Specified audit procedures 2%
Review at Group level 2%

Full audit scope 92%
Specified audit procedures 8%
Review at Group level

Full audit scope 92%
Specified audit procedures 6%
Review at Group level 2%

At the Group level we also tested the consolidation process and 
carried out analytical procedures to confirm our conclusion that 
there were no significant risks of material misstatement of the 
aggregated financial information of the remaining components 
not subject to audit or audit of specified account balances. 

The most significant component of the Group is its retail 
business in the UK. As such, there is extensive interaction 
between the Group and UK audit team to an appropriate level of 
direction and supervision in this audit work. During the course of 
our audit, the UK audit team visited 52 (2018/19: 50) retail stores 
in the UK to attend either inventory counts or in order to 
complete store control visits, and 5 (2018/19: 4) distribution 
centre inventory counts. 

The Group audit team visited 7 (2018/19: 7) of the 8 (2018/19: 8) 
significant locations set out above, in addition to Tesco Bank and 
the Group’s shared service centre in Bengaluru, with the Group 
audit partner visiting 5 (2018/19: 3) of these locations. We also had a 
dedicated audit partner of the audit team 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 the execution of detailed audit procedures. During our 
visits, we attended key meetings with component management and 
auditors, and reviewed detailed component auditor work papers.

Subsequent to the travel restrictions being put in place as a result 
of the Covid-19 pandemic, we arranged for the component audit 
files to be reviewed remotely and held regular calls with the local 
teams to discuss the results and resolve any queries. 

In addition, all key component audit teams were represented 
during a centralised two-day planning meeting led by the Group 
audit team and held in the UK prior to the commencement of our 
detailed audit work. The purpose of this planning meeting was to 
provide a good level of understanding of the Group’s businesses, its 
core strategy and a discussion of the significant risks and workshops 
on our planned audit approach. Group management also attended 
part of the meeting to support these planning activities. 

Other information
The directors are responsible for the other information. The other 
information comprises the information included in the annual 
report, other than the financial statements and our auditor’s 
report thereon.

Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the 
other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly 
stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance 
conclusion thereon.

In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our 
responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, 
consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent 
with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the 
audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated.

If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material 
misstatements, we are required to determine whether there is a 
material misstatement in the financial statements or a material 
misstatement of the other information. If, based on the work we 
have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement 
of this other information, we are required to report that fact.

In this context, matters that we are specifically required to report 
to you as uncorrected material misstatements of the other 
information include where we conclude that:

 – Fair, balanced and understandable – the statement given by 

the directors that they consider 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 position and performance, 
business model and strategy, is materially inconsistent with our 
knowledge obtained in the audit; or

 – Audit committee reporting – the section describing the work of 
the Audit Committee does not appropriately address matters 
communicated by us to the Audit Committee; or

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

75

Financial statementsIndependent auditor’s report to the members of Tesco PLC continued

 – Directors’ statement of compliance with the UK Corporate 
Governance Code – the parts of the directors’ statement 
required under the Listing Rules relating to the company’s 
compliance with the UK Corporate Governance Code containing 
provisions specified for review by the auditor in accordance with 
Listing Rule 9.8.10R(2) do not properly disclose a departure from 
a relevant provision of the UK Corporate Governance Code.

Responsibilities of directors
As explained more fully in the directors’ responsibilities 
statement, the directors are responsible for the preparation of the 
financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true 
and fair view, and for such internal control as the directors 
determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial 
statements that are free from material misstatement, whether 
due to fraud or error.

In preparing the financial statements, the directors are responsible 
for assessing the Group’s and the Parent Company’s ability to 
continue as a going concern, disclosing as applicable, matters 
related to going concern and using the going concern basis of 
accounting unless the directors either intend to liquidate the 
Group or the Parent Company or to cease operations, or have 
no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial 
statements
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether 
the financial statements as a whole are free from material 
misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an 
auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance 
is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit 
conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material 
misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or 
error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, 
they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic 
decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

Details of the extent to which the audit was considered capable of 
detecting irregularities, including fraud and non-compliance with 
laws and regulations are set out below.

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the 
financial statements is located on the FRC’s website at:  
www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms 
part of our auditor’s report.

Extent to which the audit was considered capable of 
detecting irregularities, including fraud
We identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the 
financial statements, whether due to fraud or error, and then 
design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, 
including obtaining audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate 
to provide a basis for our opinion.

Identifying and assessing potential risks related to 
irregularities
In identifying and assessing risks of material misstatement in 
respect of irregularities, including fraud and non-compliance with 
laws and regulations, we have considered the following:

 – the nature of the industry and sector, control environment and 

business performance including the design of the Group’s 
remuneration policies, key drivers for directors’ remuneration, 
bonus levels and performance targets;

 – results of our enquiries of management, the Group’s Internal 
Audit function, the Group’s Security function, the Group’s 
Compliance Officer, the Group’s General Counsel and the Audit 
Committee, about their own identification and assessment of 
the risks of irregularities;

 – any matters we identified having obtained and reviewed the 
Group’s documentation of their policies and procedures 
relating to:
 – identifying, evaluating and complying with laws and regulations 

and whether they were aware of any instances of non-
compliance; 

 – detecting and responding to the risks of fraud and whether 

they have knowledge of any actual, suspected or alleged fraud; 

 – the internal controls established to mitigate risks of fraud or 
non-compliance with laws and regulations including the 
Group’s controls relating to Group’s ongoing compliance with 
the Groceries Supplier Code of Practice (GSCOP) 
requirements; 

 – the matters discussed among the audit engagement team 
including significant component audit teams and involving 
relevant internal specialists, including IT, tax, valuations and 
pensions actuarial specialists regarding how and where fraud 
might occur in the financial statements and any potential 
indicators of fraud. 

As a result of these procedures, we considered the opportunities 
and incentives that may exist within the organisation for fraud and 
identified the greatest potential for fraud in the following areas: 
timing of recognition of commercial income, posting of unusual 
journals and complex transactions and manipulating the Group’s 
alternative performance profit measures and other key 
performance indicators to meet remuneration targets and 
externally communicated targets. In common with all audits 
under ISAs (UK), we are also required to perform specific 
procedures to respond to the risk of management override.

We also obtained an understanding of the legal and regulatory 
frameworks that the Group operates in, focusing on provisions 
of those laws and regulations that had a direct effect on the 
determination of material amounts and disclosures in the financial 
statements. The key laws and regulations we considered in this 
context included Group’s ongoing compliance with the GSCOP, 
UK Companies Act, Listing Rules, employment law, health and 
safety, pensions legislation and tax legislation. 

In addition, we considered provisions of other laws and regulations 
that do not have a direct effect on the financial statements but 
compliance with which may be fundamental to the Group’s ability 
to operate or to avoid a material penalty.

76

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

Audit response to risks identified
As a result of performing the above, we identified presentation of 
the Group’s income statement, accounting for the UK customer 
loyalty scheme and recognition of commercial income as key audit 
matters related to the potential risk of fraud. The key audit matters 
section of our report explains the matters in more detail and also 
describes the specific procedures we performed in response to 
those key audit matters. In relation to accounting for the UK 
customer loyalty scheme, which is not a key audit matter, our 
procedures included:

 – obtaining an understanding of relevant controls relating to the 

UK customer loyalty scheme;

 – re-calculating the average fair value of unredeemed points and 
assessing the appropriateness of the methodology applied; 

 – agreeing the inputs to the UK loyalty scheme calculation, 

recalculating the year end accrual and assessing whether the 
redemption percentages used in the calculation were 
reasonable; and

 – assessing that the accounting entries have been recorded in 

accordance with IFRS 15: Revenue. 

In addition to the above, our procedures to respond to risks 
identified included the following:

 – reviewing the financial statement disclosures and testing to 

supporting documentation to assess compliance with provisions 
of relevant laws and regulations described as having a direct 
effect on the financial statements;

 – enquiring of management, the Audit Committee and in-house 

legal counsel concerning actual and potential litigation and claims;

 – performing analytical procedures to identify any unusual or 
unexpected relationships that may indicate risks of material 
misstatement due to fraud;

 – reading minutes of meetings of those charged with governance, 
reviewing internal audit reports and reviewing correspondence 
with HMRC; and

 – in addressing the risk of fraud through management override of 

controls, testing the appropriateness of journal entries and other 
adjustments; assessing whether the judgements made in making 
accounting estimates are indicative of a potential bias; and 
evaluating the business rationale of any significant transactions 
that are unusual or outside the normal course of business.

We also communicated relevant identified laws and regulations and 
potential fraud risks to all engagement team members including 
internal specialists and significant component audit teams, and 
remained alert to any indications of fraud or non-compliance with 
laws and regulations throughout the audit.

Report on other legal and regulatory requirements
Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies 
Act 2006
In our opinion the part of the directors’ remuneration report to 
be audited has been properly prepared in accordance with the 
Companies Act 2006.

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course 
of the audit:

 – the strategic report and the directors’ report have been 

prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the Group 
and the Parent Company and their environment obtained in the 
course of the audit, we have not identified any material 
misstatements in the strategic report or 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 in respect of these matters.

Other matters
Auditor tenure
Following the recommendation of the Audit Committee, we were 
appointed by the Group’s shareholders on 26 June 2015 to audit 
the financial statements for the year ended 27 February 2016 and 
subsequent financial periods. The period of total uninterrupted 
engagement including previous renewals and reappointments of 
the firm is five years, covering the years ending 27 February 2016 
to 29 February 2020.

Consistency of the audit report with the additional report to 
the Audit Committee
Our audit opinion is consistent with the additional report to 
the Audit Committee we are required to provide in accordance 
with ISAs (UK).

Use of our report
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.

 – 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

Simon Letts (Senior statutory auditor)
For and on behalf of Deloitte LLP 
Statutory Auditor 
London, United Kingdom

7 April 2020

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

77

Financial statementsGroup income statement

Continuing operations
Revenue
Cost of sales
Gross profit/(loss)

Administrative expenses
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

Notes

2

14
5
5

6

7

9
9

9
9

53 weeks ended 
29 February 2020

Before 
exceptional 
items and 
amortisation 
of acquired 
intangibles
£m

Exceptional 
items and 
amortisation 
of acquired 
intangibles 
(Note 4)
£m

52 weeks ended 
23 February 2019 (restated*)

Before 
exceptional 
items and 
amortisation 
of acquired 
intangibles
£m

Exceptional 
items and 
amortisation 
of acquired 
intangibles 
(Note 4)
£m

Total
£m

 64,760 
(59,871) 
4,889 

(1,884) 
3,005 

26 
 23 
(1,093) 
1,961 

(433) 
1,528 

– 
(309) 
(309) 

(178) 
(487) 

(8) 
– 
(151) 
(646) 

53 
(593) 

 64,760 
(60,180) 
4,580 

63,911
(59,325)
4,586

(2,062) 
2,518 

18 
23 
(1,244) 
1,315 

(380) 
935 

(1,979)
2,607

21
25
(1,089)
1,564

(397)
1,167

–
110
110

(68)
42

11
–
–
53

50
103

Total
£m

63,911
(59,215)
4,696

(2,047)
2,649

32
25
(1,089)
1,617

(347)
1,270

– 

38 

38 

–

–

–

1,528 

(555) 

973 

1,167

103

1,270

1,526 
2 
1,528 

(555) 
– 
(555) 

971 
2 
973 

1,169
(2)
1,167

103
– 
103

1,272
(2)
1,270

9.99p 
9.93p 

9.60p 
9.54p 

13.13p
13.04p

13.13p
13.04p

The notes on pages 84 to 147 form part of these financial statements.

 * Restated for the adoption of IFRS 16 and reclassification of profits/(losses) arising on property-related items as explained in Note 1 and Note 37.

78

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Group statement of comprehensive income/(loss)

Items that will not be reclassified to the Group income statement
Remeasurements of defined benefit pension schemes
Net fair value gains/(losses) on inventory cash flow hedges
Tax on items that will not be reclassified

Items that may subsequently be reclassified to the Group income statement
Change in fair value of debt instruments at fair value through other comprehensive income
Currency translation differences:

Retranslation of net assets of overseas subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates

Gains/(losses) on cash flow hedges:

Net fair value gains/(losses)
Reclassified and reported in the Group income statement

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 arising from:
Continuing operations
Discontinued operations

The notes on pages 84 to 147 form part of these financial statements.

*  Restated for the adoption of IFRS 16 and reclassification of profits/(losses) arising on property-related items as explained in Note 1 and Note 37.

53 weeks
2020

Notes

£m

52 weeks
2019
(restated*)
£m

29

6

6

(466) 
49 
71 
(346)

9 

(68) 

57 
(7) 
(9) 
(18) 
(364) 
973 
609 

607 
2 
609 

569 
38 
607 

364
– 
(61)
303

(10)

90

130
(57)
5
158
461
1,270
1,731

1,733
(2)
1,731

1,733
–
1,733

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

79

Financial statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Group balance sheet

Non-current assets
Goodwill and other intangible assets
Property, plant and equipment
Right of use assets
Investment property
Investments in joint ventures and associates
Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income
Trade and other receivables
Loans and advances to customers and banks
Derivative financial instruments
Deferred tax assets

Current assets
Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income
Inventories
Trade and other receivables
Loans and advances to customers and banks
Derivative financial instruments
Current tax assets
Short-term investments
Cash and cash equivalents

Assets classified as held for sale

Current liabilities
Trade and other payables
Borrowings
Lease liabilities
Derivative financial instruments
Customer deposits and deposits from banks
Current tax liabilities
Provisions

Net current liabilities
Non-current liabilities
Trade and other payables
Borrowings
Lease liabilities
Derivative financial instruments
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

29 February
2020

Notes

£m

23 February
2019
(restated*)
£m

25 February
2018
(restated*)
£m 

10
11
12
13
14
16
18
19
25
6

16
17
18
19
25

20
20

7

21
23
12
25
26

27

21
23
12
25
26
29
6
27

30

6,119 
19,234 
6,874 
26 
307 
866 
166 
4,171 
1,083 
292 
39,138 

202 
2,433 
1,396 
4,280 
63 
21 
1,076 
3,408 
12,879 
285 
13,164 

(8,922) 
(1,490) 
(598) 
(61) 
(6,377) 
(324) 
(155) 
(17,927) 
(4,763) 

(170) 
(6,005) 
(8,968) 
(887) 
(1,830) 
(3,085) 
(40) 
(137) 
(21,122) 
13,253 

490 
5,165 
3,658 
3,962 
13,275 
(22) 
13,253 

6,264
19,186
7,713
36
602
979
243
7,868
1,178
251
44,320

67
2,617
1,550
4,882
52
6
390
2,916
12,480 
98 
12,578 

(9,131)
(1,563)
(646)
(250)
(8,832)
(325)
(226)
(20,973)
(8,395)

(365)
(5,580)
(9,859)
(389)
(3,296)
(2,808)
(49)
(147)
(22,493)
13,432 

490
5,165
3,770
4,031
13,456
(24)
13,432

2,661 
18,712 
7,527 
100 
597 
860 
217 
6,885 
1,117 
401 
39,077 

68 
2,264 
1,415 
4,637 
27 
12 
1,029 
4,059 
13,511 
149 
13,660 

(8,773) 
(1,467) 
(712) 
(69) 
(7,812) 
(335) 
(416) 
(19,584) 
(5,924) 

(364) 
(7,032) 
(9,560) 
(594) 
(2,972) 
(3,282) 
(82) 
(129) 
(24,015) 
9,138 

410 
5,107 
717 
2,926 
9,160 
(22) 
9,138 

*  Restated for the adoption of IFRS 16 as explained in Note 1 and Note 37.

The notes on pages 84 to 147 form part of these financial statements.

Dave Lewis 
Alan Stewart
Directors

The financial statements on pages 78 to 147 were approved and authorised for issue by the Directors on 7 April 2020.

80

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Group statement of changes in equity

Share 
capital 
£m
490

Share 
premium 
£m
5,165

Currency 
basis 
reserve 
£m
(5)

Capital 
redemption 
reserve 
£m
16

All other reserves

Hedging 
reserve 
£m
118

Translation 
reserve 
£m
758

Own 
shares 
held 
£m
(179)

Merger 
reserve 
£m
3,090

Retained 
earnings 
£m
5,405

Total 
£m
14,858

Non-
controlling 
interests 
£m
(24)

Total 
equity 
£m
14,834

–

–

–

–

–

(28)

–

–

(1,374)

(1,402)

–

(1,402)

490

5,165

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

(5)

– 

– 

– 

– 

(12) 

2 

(10) 

(10) 

– 

– 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

16

118

730

(179)

3,090

4,031

13,456

(24)

13,432

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

111 

(11) 

100 

100 

(64) 

(64) 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

– 

(68) 

– 

– 

– 

1 

(67) 

(67) 

– 

– 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

(221) 
150 
– 
– 
(71) 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

971 

971 

– 

9 

(68) 

9 

(466) 

(466) 

– 

70 

99 

62 

(387) 

(364) 

584 

607 

– 

– 

– 
5 
(656) 
(2) 
(653) 

(64) 

(64) 

(221) 
155 
(656) 
(2) 
(724) 

2 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

2 

– 

– 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

973 

(68) 

9 

(466) 

99 

62 

(364) 

609 

(64) 

(64) 

(221) 
155 
(656) 
(2) 
(724) 

490 

5,165 

(15) 

16 

154 

663 

(250) 

3,090 

3,962 

13,275 

(22) 

13,253 

At 23 February 2019  
(as previously reported)
Cumulative adjustment to 
opening balances from 
application of IFRS 16  
(net of tax)
At 23 February 2019 
(restated*)
Profit/(loss) for the year
Other comprehensive 
income/(loss)
Currency translation 
differences
Change in fair value of debt 
instruments at fair value 
through other comprehensive 
income 
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)
Inventory cash flow hedge 
movements
Gains/(losses) transferred to 
the cost of inventory
Total inventory cash flow 
hedge movements 
Transactions with owners
Purchase of own shares
Share–based payments
Dividends
Tax on items charged to equity 
Total transactions with 
owners 
At 29 February 2020

The notes on pages 84 to 147 form part of these financial statements.

*  Restated for the adoption of IFRS 16 as explained in Note 1 and Note 37.

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

81

Financial statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Group statement of changes in equity continued

Share 
capital 
£m
410

Share 
premium 
£m
5,107

Currency 
basis 
reserve 
£m
–

Capital 
redemption 
reserve 
£m
16

All other reserves

Hedging 
reserve 
£m
40

Translation 
reserve 
£m
655

Own  
shares  
held 
£m
(16)

Merger
reserve
£m
40

Retained 
earnings 
£m
4,250

Total 
£m
10,502

Non-
controlling 
interests 
£m
(22)

Total 
equity 
£m
10,480

–

410
–

410
–

–

5,107
–

5,107
–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–
–
80
–
–
80
490

–
–
58
–
–
58
5,165

–

–
1

1
–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(6)

–

(6)

(6)

–
–
–
–
–
–
(5)

–

16
–

16
–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–
–
–
–
–
–
16

–

40
(1)

39
–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

79

–

79

79

–
–
–
–
–
–
118

(18)

637
–

637
–

–

–

100

(10)

90

–

–

–

3

93

93

–
–
–
–
–
–
730

–

(16)
–

(16)
–

–

(1,324)

(1,342)

–

(1,342)

40
–

40
–

2,926
(177)

9,160
(177)

2,749
1,322

8,983
1,322

(22)
–

(22)
(2)

9,138
(177)

8,961
1,320

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(50)

(50)

–

(50)

1,272

1,272

 (2)

1,270

–

–

–

(10)

100

(10)

90

(10)

364

364

–

73

(59)

(56)

295

461

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

100

(10)

90

(10)

364

73

(56)

461

1,567

1,733

(2)

1,731

(277)
114
–
–
–
(163)
(179)

–
–
3,050
–
–
3,050
3,090

–
67
–
(357)
5
(285)
4,031

(277)
181
3,188
(357)
5
2,740
13,456

–
–
–
–
–
–
(24)

(277)
181
3,188
(357)
5
2,740
13,432

At 24 February 2018 
(as previously reported)
Adjustment on intial application 
of IFRS 16 (net of tax)
At 25 February 2018 (restated*)
Adjustment on initial application 
of IFRS 9 (net of tax)
At 25 February 2018
Profit/(loss) for the year 
(as previously reported)
IFRS 16 adjustment to profit/
(loss) for the year 
Profit/(loss) for the year 
(restated*)
Other comprehensive 
income/(loss)
Currency translation 
differences (as previously 
reported)
IFRS 16 adjustment to currency 
translation differences
Currency translation 
differences (restated*)
Change in fair value of financial 
assets at fair value through 
other comprehensive income 
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) (restated*)
Total comprehensive  
income/(loss) (restated*)
Transactions with owners
Purchase of own shares
Share–based payments
Issue of shares
Dividends
Tax on items charged to equity
Total transactions with owners 
At 23 February 2019 (restated*)

The notes on pages 84 to 147 form part of these financial statements.

*  Restated for the adoption of IFRS 16 as explained in Note 1 and Note 37.

82

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Group cash flow statement

53 weeks
2020

Notes

£m

52 weeks
2019
(restated*)
£m

Cash flows generated from/(used in) operating activities
Operating profit/(loss)
Depreciation and amortisation
(Profit)/loss arising on sale of property, plant and equipment, investment property, intangible assets and assets 
classified as held for sale and early termination of leases
(Profit)/loss arising on sale of financial assets
(Profit)/ loss arising on sale of joint ventures and associates 
Net impairment loss/(reversal) on property, plant and equipment, right of use assets, intangible assets and 
investment property
Impairment of joint ventures
Adjustment for non-cash element of pensions charge
Other defined benefit pension scheme payments
Share-based payments
Tesco Bank fair value movements included in operating profit/(loss)

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
Retail (increase)/decrease in working capital

Tesco Bank (increase)/decrease in loans and advances to customers and banks
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
Tesco Bank (increase)/decrease in working capital
Cash generated from/(used in) operations
Interest paid
Corporation tax paid
Net cash generated from/(used in) operating activities
Cash flows generated from/(used in) investing activities
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment, investment property, intangible assets and assets classified 
as held for sale 
Purchase of property, plant and equipment and investment property
Purchase of intangible assets
Disposal of subsidiaries, net of cash disposed
Acquisition of subsidiaries, net of cash acquired
Disposal of associate 
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 financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income
Dividends received from joint ventures and associates
Interest received
Net cash generated from/(used in) investing activities
Cash flows generated from/(used in) financing activities
Proceeds from issue of ordinary share capital
Own shares purchased
Repayment of obligations under leases 
Increase in borrowings
Repayment of borrowings
Net cash flows from derivative financial instruments
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 the beginning of the year
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year

The notes on pages 84 to 147 form part of these financial statements.

*  Restated for the adoption of IFRS 16 as explained in Note 1 and Note 37.

29

33 

30

8

20

2,518 
2,157 
(170) 

(3) 
(68) 
302 

47 
9 
(267) 
87 
100 
178 
1 
175 
(391) 
(87) 
(124) 
127 
310 
(3,849) 
5 
(3,407) 
1,181 
(803) 
(340) 
38 

2,649
2,050
(131)

(8)
– 
(114)

–
45
(266)
77
127
11
(2)
108
(310)
(197)
(390) 
(1,585)
4 
1,348
(25)
(258)
3,781
(859)
(370)
2,552

3,965 

286 

(1,003) 
(201) 
4 
– 
277 
8 
(9) 
(687) 
(6) 
42 
18 
2,408 

– 
(149) 
(634) 
1,332 
(1,788) 
(17) 
(656) 
(1,912) 
534 
2,916 
(42) 
3,408 

(1,101)
(191)
8
(715)
– 
5
(11)
639
(122)
41
21
(1,140)

60
(206)
(606) 
975 
(2,471) 
35 
(357)
(2,570)
(1,158)
4,059
15
2,916

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

83

Financial statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 (UK) 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 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. 

Unless otherwise stated, the accounting policies set out below 
have been applied consistently to all periods presented in these 
consolidated financial statements.

The following standards and amendments were adopted in the 
current financial year, and further details of their impact on the 
Group financial statements are given in Note 37 and Note 25 
respectively:

 – IFRS 16 ‘Leases’, which has been applied fully retrospectively; and
 – ‘Interest rate benchmark reform’ amendments, which have been 

adopted early. 

Other standards, interpretations and amendments effective in the 
current financial year have not had a material impact on the Group 
financial statements. 

The Group has not applied any other standards, interpretations or 
amendments that have been issued but are not yet effective. The 
impact of the following is still under assessment:

 – IFRS 17 ‘Insurance contracts’.

Other standards, interpretations and amendments issued but not 
yet effective are not expected to have a material impact on the 
Group financial statements. 

Basis of consolidation
The consolidated Group financial statements consist of the 
financial statements of the ultimate Parent Company (Tesco PLC), 
all entities controlled by the Company (its subsidiaries) and the 
Group’s share of its interests in joint ventures and associates.

The financial year represents the 53 weeks ended 29 February 
2020 (prior financial year 52 weeks ended 23 February 2019). For 
the UK and the Republic of Ireland (UK & ROI), the results are for 
the 53 weeks ended 29 February 2020 (prior financial year 52 
weeks ended 23 February 2019). For all other operations, the 
results are for the calendar year ended 29 February 2020 
(prior calendar year ended 28 February 2019).

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 
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 Group 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.

Prior period reclassifications
The Group no longer presents ‘Profits/(losses) arising on property-
related items’ separately in the Group income statement. 
Amounts previously reported within ‘Profits/(losses) arising on 
property-related items’ are presented within ‘Cost of sales’ or 
‘Administrative expenses’. Items previously determined to be 
exceptional by virtue of their size and nature continue to be 
reported within ‘Exceptional items and amortisation of acquired 
intangibles’ in the Group income statement, with further details of 
such items provided in the notes to the financial statements. Prior 
period comparatives have been reclassified to align to the current 
period presentational approach. 

Following the adoption of IFRS 16, the Group now presents right of 
use assets and lease liabilities on the face of the Group balance 
sheet. Assets previously held under finance leases have been 
reclassified from ‘Property, plant and equipment’ to ‘Right of use 
assets’ and the associated lease liability has been reclassified from 
‘Borrowings’ to ‘Lease liabilities’.

Revenue
Revenue is income arising from the sale of goods and services in 
the ordinary course of the Group’s activities, net of value added 
taxes. Revenue is recognised when performance obligations are 
satisfied and control has transferred to the customer. For the 
majority of revenue streams, there is a low level of judgement 
applied in determining the transaction price or the timing of 
transfer of control.

Sale of goods
The sale of goods represents the vast majority of the Group’s 
revenue. For goods sold in store, revenue is recognised at the 
point of sale. For online or wholesale sales of goods, revenue is 
recognised on collection by, or delivery to, the customer. 
Revenue is reduced by a provision for expected returns (refund 
liability). An asset and corresponding adjustment to cost of sales is 
recognised for the Group’s right to recover goods from customers.

Clubcard (customer loyalty programme)
Clubcard points issued by Tesco when a customer purchases 
goods are a separate performance obligation providing a material 
right to a future discount. The total transaction price (sales price of 
goods) is allocated to the Clubcard points and the goods sold based 
on their relative standalone selling prices, with the Clubcard points 
standalone price based on the value of the points to the customer, 
adjusted for expected redemption rates (breakage). The amount 
allocated to Clubcard points is deferred as a contract liability within 
trade and other payables. Revenue is recognised as the points are 
redeemed by the customer.

Financial services
Revenue consists of interest, fees and income from the provision 
of retail banking and insurance. 

84

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

Interest income on financial assets that are measured at amortised 
cost 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. Interest income is calculated on the 
gross carrying amount of a financial asset unless the financial asset 
is impaired, in which case interest income is calculated on the 
amortised cost, after allowance for expected credit losses (ECLs).

The majority of the fees in respect of services (credit card 
interchange fees, late payment and ATM revenue) are recognised at 
the point in time at which the transaction with the customer takes 
place and the service is performed. For services performed over 
time, payment is generally due monthly in line with the satisfaction 
of performance obligations.

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. This commission income is recognised on a net basis as 
such policies are sold.

In the case of some commission income on insurance policies 
managed and underwritten by a third party, the Group recognises 
commission income from policy renewals as such policies are sold. 
This is when the Group has satisfied all of its performance 
obligations in relation to the policy sold and it is considered highly 
probable that a significant reversal in the amount of revenue 
recognised will not occur in future periods. This calculation takes 
into account both estimates of future renewal volumes and 
renewal commission rates. A contract asset is recognised in 
relation to this revenue. This is unwound over the remainder of 
the contract with the customer, in this case being the third-party 
insurance provider.

The end policy holders have the right to cancel an insurance policy 
at any time. Therefore, a contract liability is recognised for the 
amount of any expected refunds due and the revenue recognised 
in relation to these sales is reduced accordingly. This contract 
refund liability is estimated using prior experience of customer 
refunds. The appropriateness of the assumptions used in this 
calculation is reassessed at each reporting date.

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. While 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 the reporting date, 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 reporting date.

Finance income
Finance income, excluding income arising from financial services, 
is recognised in the period to which it relates using the effective 
interest rate method.

Finance costs
Finance costs directly attributable to the acquisition or 
construction of qualifying assets are capitalised. Qualifying assets 
are those that necessarily take a substantial period of time to 
prepare for their intended use. All other borrowing costs are 
recognised in the Group income statement in finance costs, 
excluding those arising from financial services, in the period in 
which they occur. For Tesco Bank, finance cost on financial 
liabilities is determined using the effective interest rate method 
and is recognised in cost of sales. 

Business combinations and goodwill
The Group accounts for all business combinations by applying the 
acquisition method. All acquisition-related costs are expensed.

On acquisition, the assets (including intangible assets), liabilities 
and contingent liabilities of an acquired entity are measured at 
their fair values. Non-controlling interests are stated at the 
non-controlling interests’ 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 
bargain purchase), 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 or groups of 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 Group 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, acquired customer 
relationships and pharmacy licences, are measured initially at 
acquisition cost or costs incurred to develop the asset. Intangible 
assets acquired in a business combination are recognised at fair 
value at the acquisition date.

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

85

Financial statementsNotes to the Group financial statements continued

Note 1 Accounting policies, judgements and estimates 
continued
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 of three to 10 years for 
software and up to 10 years for customer relationships. 

Research costs are expensed as incurred. Development 
expenditure incurred on an individual project is capitalised only 
if specific criteria are met.

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:

 – freehold buildings – 10 to 40 years; and
 – fixtures and fittings, office equipment and motor vehicles –  

three to 20 years.

Impairment of non-financial assets
Goodwill is reviewed for impairment at least annually by assessing 
the recoverable amount of each cash-generating unit, or group of 
cash-generating units, to which the goodwill relates. For all other 
non-financial assets (including other intangible assets, property, 
plant and equipment and right of use assets) the Group performs 
impairment testing where there are indicators of impairment. 
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 fair value less costs of 
disposal, and value in use. When the recoverable amount is less 
than the carrying amount, an impairment loss is recognised 
immediately in the Group income statement.

Goodwill impairments are not subsequently reversed. Where an 
impairment loss on other non-financial assets 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.

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, credit and debit card receivables, 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.

The net results of discontinued operations are presented 
separately in the Group income statement (and the comparatives 
restated). Refer to Note 7 for further details.

Leases
The Group assesses whether a contract is, or contains a lease at 
inception of the contract. A lease conveys the right to direct the 
use and obtain substantially all of the economic benefits of an 
identified asset for a period of time in exchange for consideration. 

The Group as a lessee
A right of use asset and corresponding lease liability are recognised 
at commencement of the lease. 

The lease liability is measured at the present value of the lease 
payments, discounted at the rate implicit in the lease, or if that 
cannot be readily determined, at the lessee’s incremental 
borrowing rate specific to the term, country, currency and start 
date of the lease. Lease payments include: fixed payments; variable 
lease payments dependent on an index or rate, initially measured 
using the index or rate at commencement; the exercise price 
under a purchase option if the Group is reasonably certain to 
exercise; penalties for early termination if the lease term reflects 
the Group exercising a break option; and payments in an optional 
renewal period if the Group is reasonably certain to exercise an 
extension option or not exercise a break option.

The lease liability is subsequently measured at amortised cost 
using the effective interest rate method. It is remeasured, with a 
corresponding adjustment to the right of use asset, when there is 
a change in future lease payments resulting from a rent review, 
change in an index or rate such as inflation, or change in the 
Group’s assessment of whether it is reasonably certain to exercise 
a purchase, extension or break option. 

The right of use asset is initially measured at cost, comprising: the 
initial lease liability; any lease payments already made less any lease 
incentives received; initial direct costs; and any dilapidation or 
restoration costs. The right of use asset is subsequently 
depreciated on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the lease 
term or the useful life of the underlying asset. The right of use asset 
is tested for impairment if there are any indicators of impairment.

Leases of low value assets and short-term leases of 12 months or 
less are expensed to the Group income statement, as are variable 
payments dependent on performance or usage, ‘out of contract’ 
payments and non-lease service components.

The Group as a lessor
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. 
Where the Group is an intermediate lessor, the sublease 
classification is assessed with reference to the head lease right 
of use asset. Amounts due from lessees under finance leases 
are recorded as receivables at the amount of the Group’s net 
investment in the lease. 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.

Sale and leaseback
A sale and leaseback transaction is where the Group sells an asset 
and immediately reacquires the use of the asset by entering into a 
lease with the buyer. A sale occurs when control of the underlying 
asset passes to the buyer. A lease liability is recognised, the 
associated property, plant and equipment asset is derecognised, 
and a right of use asset is recognised at the proportion of the 
carrying value relating to the right retained. Any gain or loss arising 
relates to the rights transferred to the buyer. 

Post-employment obligations
For defined benefit plans, obligations are measured at discounted 
present value (using the projected unit credit method) while plan 
assets are recorded at fair value.

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Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

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/(loss).

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, which are all 
equity-settled, 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 financial 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/
(loss) or directly in the Group statement of changes in equity, in 
which case it is recognised in the Group statement of 
comprehensive income/(loss) 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/(loss), 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.

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.

Foreign currencies
The consolidated financial statements are presented in Pounds 
Sterling, which is the ultimate Parent Company’s functional currency.

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 at the balance sheet 
date. Exchange differences are recognised in the Group income 
statement in the period in which they arise, apart from exchange 
differences on transactions entered into to hedge certain foreign 
currency risks, and exchange differences on monetary items 
forming part of the net investment in a foreign operation.

The assets and liabilities of the Group’s foreign operations are 
translated into Pounds Sterling at exchange rates prevailing at the 
balance sheet date. 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/(loss) 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 in the Group 
balance sheet when the Group becomes a party to the contractual 
provisions of the instrument. Financial assets are classified as 
either fair value through profit or loss, fair value through other 
comprehensive income, or amortised cost. Classification and 
subsequent remeasurement depends on the Group’s business 
model for managing the financial asset and its cash flow 
characteristics. Assets that are held for collection of contractual 
cash flows, where those cash flows represent solely payments of 
principal and interest, are measured at amortised cost.

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 allowance for ECLs.

Investments
Debt instruments are classified at fair value through other 
comprehensive income. Gains and losses arising from changes in 
fair value are recognised directly in other comprehensive income, 
except for impairment gains or losses, interest income and foreign 
exchange gains and losses, which are recognised in the Group 
income statement. When the debt instrument is derecognised, 
cumulative amounts in other comprehensive income are 
reclassified to the Group income statement.

Equity investments have been irrevocably designated at fair value 
through other comprehensive income. Gains and losses arising 
from changes in fair value are recognised directly in other 
comprehensive income, and are not subsequently reclassified 
to the Group income statement, including on derecognition. 
Impairment losses are not recognised separately from other 
changes in fair value. Dividends are recognised in the Group 
income statement when the Group’s right to receive payment 
is established.

Loans and advances to customers and banks
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 ECLs.

Impairment of financial assets
The Group assesses on a forward-looking basis the ECLs 
associated with its financial assets carried at amortised cost 
and debt instruments at fair value through other comprehensive 
income. The ECLs are updated at each reporting date to reflect 
changes in credit risk.

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

87

Financial statementsNotes to the Group financial statements continued

Note 1 Accounting policies, judgements and estimates 
continued
The three-stage model for impairment has been applied to loans 
and advances to customers and banks, debt instruments at fair 
value through other comprehensive income, and loan receivables 
from joint ventures and associates. The credit risk is determined 
through modelling a range of possible outcomes for different loss 
scenarios, using reasonable and supportable information about 
past events, current conditions and forecasts of future events and 
economic conditions and taking into account the time value of 
money. A 12-month ECL is recognised, unless the credit risk on the 
financial asset increases significantly after initial recognition, when 
the lifetime ECL is recognised.

For trade and other receivables, contract assets and lease 
receivables, the Group applies the simplified approach permitted 
by IFRS 9 ‘Financial instruments’, with lifetime ECLs recognised 
from initial recognition of the receivable. These assets are grouped, 
based on shared credit risk characteristics and days past due, with 
ECLs for each grouping determined based on the Group’s historical 
credit loss experience, adjusted for factors specific to each 
receivable, general economic conditions and expected changes 
in forecast conditions.

Interest-bearing borrowings
Interest-bearing bank loans and overdrafts are initially recorded at 
fair value, net of attributable transaction costs. Subsequent to 
initial recognition, interest-bearing borrowings are stated at 
amortised cost with any difference between proceeds and 
redemption value being recognised in the Group income statement 
over the period of the borrowings on an effective interest basis.

Trade payables
Trade payables are non interest-bearing and are recognised initially 
at fair value and subsequently measured at amortised cost using 
the effective interest method.

Equity instruments
Equity instruments issued by the Group are recorded at the 
proceeds received, net of direct issue costs.

Derivative financial instruments and hedge accounting
The Group uses derivative financial instruments to hedge its 
exposure to foreign exchange, inflation, 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.

Derivative financial instruments are recognised and stated at fair 
value. Where derivatives do not qualify for hedge accounting, any 
gains or losses on remeasurement are immediately recognised in 
the Group income statement. Where derivatives qualify for hedge 
accounting, recognition of any resultant gain or loss depends on 
the nature of the hedge relationship and the item being hedged.

At inception of designated hedging relationships, the Group 
documents the risk management objective and strategy for 
undertaking the hedge, the nature of the risks being hedged and 
the economic relationship between the item being hedged and the 
hedging instrument, including whether the change in cash flows of 
the hedged item and hedging instrument are expected to offset 
each other.

As permitted under IFRS 9, the Group has elected to continue to 
apply the existing hedge accounting requirements of IAS 39 
‘Financial instruments: Recognition and measurement’ for its 
portfolio hedge accounting until a new macro hedge accounting 
standard is implemented.

Derivative financial instruments with maturity dates of more than 
one year from the reporting 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 as fair value hedges are recognised 
in the Group income statement within finance income or costs, 

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 designated as the hedging instrument is 
recognised directly in the Group statement of comprehensive 
income/(loss) and accumulated in the hedging reserve. Any cost of 
hedging, such as the change in fair value related to forward points 
and currency basis adjustment is separately accumulated in the 
currency basis reserve. The ineffective element is recognised 
immediately in the Group income statement within finance income 
or costs.

Where the hedged item subsequently results in the recognition of a 
non-financial asset such as inventory, the amounts accumulated in 
the hedging reserve and currency basis reserve are included in the 
initial cost of the asset. For all other cash flow hedges, the amounts 
accumulated in the hedging reserve and currency basis reserve are 
recognised in the Group income statement when the hedged item 
or transaction affects the Group income statement. 

Hedge accounting is discontinued when the hedging instrument 
expires or is sold, terminated or exercised or no longer meets the 
Group’s risk management objective. The cumulative gain or loss in 
the hedging reserve and currency basis reserve remains 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 cumulative gain or loss in the hedging 
reserve and currency basis reserve is reclassified to the Group 
income statement.

Net investment hedging
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 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.

Offsetting financial instruments
Financial assets and liabilities are offset and the net amount 
reported in the Group 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 contracts are recognised when 
the Group believes that the unavoidable costs of meeting or exiting 
the contract exceed the economic benefits expected to be 
received under the contract. 

Supplier financing arrangements
Suppliers can choose to access supplier financing arrangements 
provided by different third-party banks in different countries. 
Commercial requirements, including payment terms or the price 
paid for goods, do not depend on whether a supplier chooses to 
access such arrangements. The arrangements support our 
suppliers by giving them the option to access funding early, often 
at a lower cost than they could obtain themselves.

Under the arrangements, suppliers may choose to access payment 
early rather than on our normal payment terms, at a funding cost 
to the supplier that is set by the provider banks but based on 
Tesco’s credit risk and the appropriate country risk premium. If 

88

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

suppliers choose not to access early payment, the provider banks 
pay the suppliers on our normal payment terms. The Group pays 
the provider banks on our normal payment terms, regardless of 
whether the supplier has chosen to access funding early.

different to expectations, and hence at commencement of the 
lease, break or extension options are not typically considered 
reasonably certain to be exercised, unless there is a valid business 
reason otherwise. 

Management reviews supplier financing arrangements to determine 
the appropriate presentation of balances outstanding as trade 
payables or borrowings, dependent on the nature of each 
arrangement. Factors considered in determining the appropriate 
presentation include the commercial rationale for the 
arrangement, impact on the Group’s working capital positions, 
credit enhancements or other benefits provided to the bank and 
recourse exposures.

Balances outstanding under current supplier financing 
arrangements are classified as trade payables, and cash flows are 
included in operating cash flows, since the financing arrangements 
are agreed between the supplier and the banks, and the Group 
does not provide additional credit enhancement nor obtain any 
working capital benefit from the arrangements. Refer to Note 21.

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, with revisions to accounting 
estimates applied prospectively.

Critical accounting judgements
Critical judgements, apart from those involving estimations, that 
are applied in the preparation of the consolidated financial 
statements are discussed below:

Assets held for sale and discontinued operations
On 27 September 2019, the Group completed the sale of the 
majority of Tesco Bank’s mortgage portfolio to Bank of Scotland, 
which is part of Lloyds Banking Group. As is customary in such a 
transaction, the Group continued to recognise a small element 
of the mortgage business, representing new advances to existing 
mortgage customers, until migration of all mortgage accounts to 
the purchaser, which took place on 30 March 2020. The remaining 
assets and liabilities of the mortgage operations were classified as 
a disposal group held for sale in the Group balance sheet. Based 
on the relative size of the mortgage business to the Group, 
management concluded that it does not represent a separate 
major line of business or geographical area and hence has not been 
classified as a discontinued operation.

On 9 March 2020, the Group reached agreement on the terms 
of a proposed sale of its operations in Thailand and Malaysia. The 
transaction is subject to shareholder and regulatory approval and 
is expected to complete during the second half of 2020. As at the 
balance sheet date, the Board had not formally received final offers, 
including, for example, pricing and commercial terms, details of 
bidders’ secured financing, or indications of the level of activities to 
be undertaken regarding competition clearance. Discussions were 
also ongoing regarding the level of a possible one-off contribution 
to the Group’s pension scheme from any sale proceeds. The 
Board had therefore not given approval for any sale to proceed. 
Management therefore concluded that these operations did not 
meet the criteria to be classified as held for sale as at the balance 
sheet date, and consequently they have not been classified as 
discontinued operations. It is expected that these operations will 
meet the criteria to be classified as held for sale and presented as 
discontinued operations in the 2020/2021 interim financial statements.

Leases
Management exercises judgement in determining the likelihood of 
exercising break or extension options in determining the lease 
term. Break and extension options are included to provide 
operational flexibility should the economic outlook for an asset be 

The discount rate used to calculate the lease liability is the rate 
implicit in the lease, if it can be readily determined, or the lessee’s 
incremental borrowing rate if not. Management uses the rate 
implicit in the lease where the lessor is a related party (such as 
leases from joint ventures) and the lessee’s incremental borrowing 
rate for all other leases. Incremental borrowing rates are 
determined monthly and depend on the term, country, currency 
and start date of the lease. The incremental borrowing rate is 
determined based on a series of inputs including: the risk-free 
rate based on government bond rates; a country-specific risk 
adjustment; a credit risk adjustment based on Tesco bond yields; 
and an entity-specific adjustment where the entity risk profile is 
different to that of the Group.

Refer to Note 12 for additional disclosures relating to leases.

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. These assessments required the exercise of judgement 
as set out in Note 14.

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. 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.

An analysis of the exceptional items included in the Group income 
statement, together with the impact of these items on the Group 
cash flow statement, is disclosed in Note 4.

Refer to pages 164 to 169 for further details on the Group’s APMs.

Impact of COVID-19
In light of the rapidly escalating COVID-19 pandemic, the Group has 
considered whether any adjustments are required to reported 
amounts in the financial statements.

As at the 29 February 2020 balance sheet date, no global pandemic 
had been declared, the UK was still in the ‘containment’ phase, large 
global share price falls had not yet occurred, and larger-scale 
outbreaks were only apparent in China, Republic of Korea, Iran and 
northern Italy where the Group does not have operations. The full 
ramifications of COVID-19, and the extent of Government 
interventions in response, were not apparent. To the extent that 
there were indicators of some level of disruption observable at the 
balance sheet date, these have been factored in to the Group’s 
financial statements as at 29 February 2020, in particular assessing 
the impact of incorporating an additional COVID-19 risk factor in to 
discount rates used in impairment testing of goodwill and non-
current assets and incorporating an additional downside scenario in 
to ECL calculations in Tesco Bank.

Subsequent to the balance sheet date, the World Health 
Organization declared a pandemic on 11 March, the UK Government 
moved to a ‘delay’ phase on 12 March, announced social distancing 
measures on 16 March, and unprecedented ‘stay at home’ 
restrictions on 23 March. The first large falls in stock markets 
occurred in early March, and Tesco introduced a ‘3 items only’ limit 
on purchases on 19 March in response to customer demand. The 
Group has therefore concluded that the necessity for large-scale 
government interventions (both in the UK and the other countries in 
which the Group operates) in response to COVID-19 only became 
apparent after the balance sheet date and therefore that the 
consequences of such interventions represent non-adjusting post 
balance sheet events. However, given these events are of such 
significance, further disclosures, including additional sensitivities, are 
given in Note 36.

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

89

Financial statementsNotes to the Group financial statements continued

Note 1 Accounting policies, judgements and estimates 
continued
Key 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:

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, inflation rate and mortality assumptions. 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 29.

Impairment
The Group treats each store as a separate cash-generating unit for 
impairment testing of property, plant and equipment and right of 
use 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 cost 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. 
Fair value is determined with the assistance of independent, 
professional valuers where appropriate. Key estimates and 
sensitivities are disclosed in Note 15.

Commercial income
Management is required to make estimates in determining the 
amount and timing of recognition of commercial income for some 
transactions with suppliers. In determining the amount of 
volume-related allowances recognised in any period, management 
estimates 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 Group 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 Group balance sheet. 
Refer to Note 22 for commercial income disclosures. 

Tesco Bank ECL measurement
The measurement of ECLs for Tesco Bank financial assets requires 
the use of complex models and significant assumptions about future 
macroeconomic conditions and credit behaviour, such as the 
likelihood of customers defaulting and the resulting losses. 
Key assumptions and sensitivities for Tesco Bank ECLs are 
disclosed in Note 25.

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 34 for the disclosures.

APMs
In the reporting of financial information, the Directors have adopted 
various APMs. 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 users in understanding 
the Group’s performance.

Consequently, APMs are used by the Directors and management 
for performance analysis, planning, reporting and incentive-
setting purposes. 

Changes to APMs
As with many retail businesses, the Group has a 53-week 
financial year every five to six years. As the financial year to 
29 February 2020 is a 53-week period, APMs are presented on a 
52-week basis excluding week 53, in order to provide comparability 
with the prior year.

Retail operating profit is introduced as a measure of the Group’s 
operating profit from the Retail business excluding Tesco Bank. It is 
based on Retail operating profit from continuing operations before 
exceptional items and amortisation of acquired intangibles.

As a result of adopting IFRS 16 in the current financial year, the 
Directors and management have applied the following changes to 
the Group’s APMs:

 – Free cash flow and Retail free cash flow have been redefined to 
include ‘Repayments of obligations under leases’. The impact of 
adopting IFRS 16 has been to replace rental payments presented 
within operating profit with a combination of interest payments 
and capital repayments of the lease obligation, with no overall 
change in total cash flow for the Group. Redefining Free cash flow 
and Retail free cash flow to include the capital repayments of 
obligations under leases ensures that the Group’s reported free 
cash flow measures are consistent with those previously reported. 
 – Retail EBITDA is introduced as a measure of the Group’s operating 
performance and cash profitability. It is based on Retail operating 
profit from continuing operations before exceptional items, 
excluding Retail depreciation and amortisation. It is also now used 
to derive the Total indebtedness ratio and Fixed charge cover 
APMs. Rent expense is now de minimis following the adoption of 
IFRS 16, and so the Total indebtedness ratio denominator has 
changed from EBITDAR (Retail EBITDA before Retail rent expense) 
to Retail EBITDA, consistent with the Group’s use of Retail EBITDA 
as a measure of operating performance and profitability. Similarly, 
the Fixed charge cover numerator has changed from EBITDAR to 
Retail EBITDA. 

 – Total indebtedness has also been redefined to no longer include 
the present value of future minimum lease payments under 
non-cancellable operating leases. Following the adoption of IFRS 16, 
the Group’s measure of Total indebtedness includes lease liabilities 
(with the exception of short-term and low value asset leases). 
 – The Fixed charge cover denominator has also been redefined to 
exclude interest on lease liabilities from net finance costs and 
include all lease liability payments made in the period. Amending 
the calculation ensures that all cash payments made in the 
period with respect to the Group’s lease liabilities continue to be 
included in the calculation of Fixed charge cover. 

Refer to the Glossary on pages 164 to 169 for a full list, 
comprehensive descriptions and purpose of the Group’s APMs.

90

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

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;
 – Central Europe – Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia; and
 – Asia – Malaysia and Thailand.

 – 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.

The CODM uses operating profit before exceptional items and amortisation of acquired intangibles, 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 year 
under evaluation. Operating profit before exceptional items and amortisation of acquired intangibles is a consistent measure within the Group 
as defined within the Glossary. Refer to Note 4 for exceptional items and amortisation of acquired intangibles. 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:

53 weeks ended 29 February 2020  
At constant exchange rates
Continuing operations
Group sales
Revenue
Operating profit/(loss) before exceptional items  
and amortisation of acquired intangibles
Exceptional items and amortisation of acquired intangibles
Operating profit/(loss)
Operating margin

UK & ROI
£m

45,784 
52,931 
2,231 

(286) 
1,945 
4.2% 

Central  
Europe
£m

5,447 
5,695 
160 

(73) 
87 
2.8% 

53 weeks ended 29 February 2020  
At actual exchange rates
Continuing operations
Group sales*
Revenue
Operating profit/(loss) before exceptional items  
and amortisation of acquired intangibles*
Exceptional items and amortisation of acquired intangibles
Operating profit/(loss)
Operating margin*
Share of post-tax profits/(losses) of joint ventures and associates
Finance income
Finance costs
Profit/(loss) before tax

Asia 
£m

4,896 
4,896 
398 

(11) 
387 
8.1% 

UK & ROI
£m

45,752 
52,898 
2,230 

(286) 
1,944 
4.2% 

Tesco
Bank
£m

1,068 
1,068 
193 

(119) 
74 
18.1% 

Central  
Europe
£m

5,332 
5,576 
156 

(71) 
85 
2.8% 

Total at
constant
exchange
£m

Foreign
exchange
£m

57,195 
64,590 
2,982 

(489) 
2,493 
4.6% 

Asia 
£m

5,218 
5,218 
426 

(11) 
415 
8.2% 

175 
170 
23 

2 
25 

Tesco
Bank
 £m

1,068 
1,068 
193 

(119 )
74 
18.1% 

Total
at actual
exchange
£m

57,370 
64,760 
3,005 

(487) 
2,518 
4.6% 

Total
at actual
exchange
£m

57,370 
64,760 
3,005 

(487) 
2,518 
4.6% 
18 
23 
(1,244) 
1,315 

*  Refer to page 167 for a reconciliation from Group sales, Operating profit before exceptional items and amortisation of acquired intangibles and Operating margin shown above to the 

Group’s 52-week alternative performance measures.

52 weeks ended 23 February 2019 (restated)
At actual exchange rates
Continuing operations
Group sales
Revenue
Operating profit/(loss) before exceptional items  
and amortisation of acquired intangibles
Exceptional items and amortisation of acquired intangibles
Operating profit/(loss)
Operating margin
Share of post-tax profits/(losses) of joint ventures and associates
Finance income
Finance costs
Profit/(loss) before tax

UK & ROI
£m

44,883
51,643
1,868

81
1,949
3.6%

Central  
Europe
£m

6,030
6,298
221

58
279
3.5%

Asia 
£m

4,873
4,873
319

(67)
252
6.5%

Tesco
Bank
 £m

1,097
1,097
199

(30)
169
18.1%

Total
at actual
exchange
£m

56,883
63,911
2,607

42
2,649
4.1%
32
25
(1,089)
1,617

Tesco Bank revenue of £1,068m (2019: £1,097m) comprises interest and similar revenues of £733m (2019: £729m) and fees and commissions 
revenue of £335m (2019: £368m).

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

91

Financial statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Group financial statements continued

Note 2 Segmental reporting continued
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, lease liabilities, derivative financial instruments 
and net debt of the disposal group). With the exception of lease liabilities which have been allocated to each segment, all other components 
of net debt 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 29 February 2020
Goodwill and other intangible assets
Property, plant and equipment and investment property
Right of use assets
Investments in joint ventures and associates
Non-current financial assets at fair value through other 
comprehensive income
Non-current trade and other receivables(a) 
Non-current loans and advances to customers and banks
Deferred tax assets
Non-current assets(b)

Inventories and current trade and other receivables(c)(d)
Current loans and advances to customers and banks
Current financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income
Total trade and other payables
Total customer deposits and deposits from banks
Total provisions
Deferred tax liabilities
Net current tax
Post-employment benefits
Assets classified as held for sale
Net debt (including Tesco Bank)(e)
Net assets

UK & ROI
£m
4,892 
14,635 
5,719 
11 
7 

65 
– 
129 
25,458 

2,678 
– 
– 
(7,215) 
– 
(161) 
(4) 
(270) 
(3,056) 
75 
(8,203) 
9,302 

Central 
Europe
£m
28 
2,199 
491 
1 
– 

– 
– 
33 
2,752 

410 
– 
– 
(639) 
– 
(25) 
(36) 
9 
– 
165 
(663) 
1,973 

Asia
 £m
285 
2,365 
650 
208 
– 

13 
– 
61 
3,582 

384 
– 
– 
(989) 
– 
(49) 
– 
(16) 
(29) 
– 
(667) 
2,216 

Tesco
Bank
 £m
914 
61 
14 
87 
859 

65 
4,171 
69 
6,240 

252 
4,280 
202 
(249) 
(8,207) 
(57) 
– 
(26) 
– 
45 
47 
2,527 

Unallocated 
£m
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

– 
– 
– 
– 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
(2,765) 
(2,765) 

Total
£m
6,119 
19,260 
6,874 
307 
866 

143 
4,171 
292 
38,032 

3,724 
4,280 
202 
(9,092) 
(8,207) 
(292) 
(40) 
(303) 
(3,085) 
285 
(12,251)
13,253 

(a)  Excludes loans to joint ventures of £23m (2019: £105m) which form part of net debt.
(b)  Excludes derivative financial instrument non-current assets of £1,083m (2019: £1,178m).
(c)  Excludes net interest and other receivables of £1m (2019: £1m) which form part of net debt. 
(d)  Excludes loans to joint ventures of £104m (2019: £28m) which form part of net debt. 
(e)  On adoption of IFRS 16, lease liabilities included within net debt have been presented within their respective segments. Previously the Group’s finance lease liabilities were presented 

within the Unallocated segment. The prior financial year has been restated. Refer to Note 37.

At 23 February 2019 (restated)
Goodwill and other intangible assets
Property, plant and equipment and investment property
Right of use assets
Investments in joint ventures and associates
Non-current financial assets at fair value through other 
comprehensive income
Non-current trade and other receivables(a) 
Non-current loans and advances to customers and banks
Deferred tax assets
Non-current assets(b)

Inventories and current trade and other receivables(c)(d)
Current loans and advances to customers and banks
Current financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income
Total trade and other payables
Total customer deposits and deposits from banks
Total provisions
Deferred tax liabilities
Net current tax
Post-employment benefits
Assets classified as held for sale
Net debt (including Tesco Bank)(e)
Net assets

(a)-(e) Refer to previous table for footnotes.

UK & ROI
£m
4,927
14,017
6,537
12
3

100
–
86
25,682

2,999
–
–
(7,452)
–
(245)
(15)
(265)
(2,788)
68
(9,060)
8,924

Central 
Europe
£m
27
2,694
479
1
–

5
–
34
3,240

482
–
–
(800)
–
(27)
(24)
(12)
–
30
(728)
2,161

Asia
 £m
284
2,449
682
503
–

14
–
71
4,003

372
–
–
(1,016)
–
(49)
(10)
(11)
(20)
–
(682)
2,587

Tesco
Bank
 £m
1,026
62
15
86
976

19
7,868
60
10,112

285
4,882
67
(228)
(12,128)
(52)
–
(31)
–
–
(413)
2,494

Unallocated 
£m
–
–
– 
–
–

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
(2,734)
(2,734)

Total
£m
6,264
19,222
7,713
602
979

138
7,868
251
43,037

4,138
4,882
67
(9,496)
(12,128)
(373)
(49)
(319)
(2,808)
98
(13,617)
13,432

92

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other segment information

53 weeks ended 29 February 2020
Capital expenditure (including acquisitions through business combinations):

Property, plant and equipment(a)(b)
Goodwill and other intangible assets(c)

Depreciation and amortisation:

Property, plant and equipment
Right of use assets 
Investment property
Other intangible assets
Impairment of financial assets 

Financial asset net (loss)/reversal 

52 weeks ended 23 February 2019 (restated)
Capital expenditure (including acquisitions through business combinations):

Property, plant and equipment(b)
Goodwill and other intangible assets(c)

Depreciation and amortisation:

Property, plant and equipment
Right of use assets
Investment property
Other intangible assets
Impairment of financial assets 

Financial asset net (loss)/reversal 

UK & ROI
£m

Central  
Europe
£m

1,674 
145 

(771) 
(537) 
(1) 
(218) 

97 
12 

(137) 
(45) 
– 
(13) 

Asia 
£m

128 
6 

(221) 
(67) 
– 
(6) 

Tesco
Bank
£m

7 
44 

(9) 
(2) 
– 
(130) 

Total
£m

1,906 
207 

(1,138) 
(651) 
(1) 
(367) 

(4) 

– 

3 

(179) 

(180) 

UK & ROI
£m

1,028
4,005

(756)
(519)
(1)
(201)

(20) 

Central  
Europe
£m

113
17

(151)
(40)
–
(14)

– 

Asia 
£m

228
3

(222)
(54)
–
(7)

Tesco
Bank
£m

4
27

(10)
(2)
–
(73)

Total
£m

1,373
4,052

(1,139)
(615)
(1)
(295)

(1) 

(164) 

(185) 

(a) 

(b) 

(c) 

Includes £914m related to obtaining control of The Tesco Atrato Limited Partnership. Refer to Note 33 for further details.
Includes £nil (2019: £326m) acquired through business combinations.
Includes £nil (2019: £3,861m) acquired through business combinations.

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

93

Financial statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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.

53 weeks ended 29 February 2020
Operating profit/(loss) of continuing operations 
Depreciation and amortisation
ATM net income
(Profit)/loss arising on sale of property, plant and equipment, 
investment property, intangible assets and assets held for sale and early 
termination of leases
(Profit)/loss arising on sale of financial assets
(Profit)/loss arising on sale of joint ventures and associates 
Net impairment loss/(reversal) on property, plant and equipment, right 
of use assets, intangible assets and investment property 
Impairment of joint ventures
Adjustment for non-cash element of pensions charge
Other defined benefit pension scheme payments
Share-based payments
Tesco Bank fair value movements included in operating profit/(loss)
Cash flows generated from operations excluding working capital
(Increase)/decrease in working capital
Cash generated from/(used in) operations(a)(b)
Interest paid
Corporation tax paid
Net cash generated from/(used in) operating activities
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment, investment property, 
intangible assets and assets classified as held for sale
Purchase of property, plant and equipment and investment property  
– store buybacks
Purchase of property, plant and equipment and investment property 
– other capital expenditure
Purchase of intangible assets
Disposal of subsidiaries, net of cash disposed
Acquisition of subsidiaries, net of cash acquired 
Disposal of associate (Note 33) 
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 financial assets at fair value 
through other comprehensive income
Dividends received from joint ventures and associates
Dividends received from Tesco Bank
Interest received
Net cash generated from/(used in) investing activities
Proceeds from issue of ordinary share capital
Own shares purchased
Repayments of obligations under leases

Add: Cash outflow from major acquisition 
Less: Net increase/(decrease) in loans to joint ventures and associates
Less: Net investments in/(proceeds from sale of) short-term investments
Free cash flow(a)
Increase in borrowings
Repayment of borrowings
Net cash flows from derivative financial instruments
Dividends paid to equity holders
Net cash generated from/(used in) financing activities

– 
– 
– 

– 
9 
(267)
86 
–
4,548 
(77)
4,471 
(795)
(271)
3,405 
3 

(136)

(826)

(162)
4 
– 
– 
–
(9) 
(687)
(3) 

26 
50 
18 
(1,722)
– 
(149)
(632) 
–
– 
687 
1,589 
1,082 
(1,378) 
(17)
(656)
(1,750)

Before 
exceptional 
items and 
amortisation 
of acquired 
intangibles
£m
2,812 
1,937 
(34)
5 

Retail

Exceptional 
items and 
amortisation 
of acquired 
intangibles
£m
(368) 
79 
–
(175)

Before 
exceptional 
items and 
amortisation 
of acquired 
intangibles
£m
193 
77 
34 
– 

Bank

Exceptional 
items and 
amortisation 
of acquired 
intangibles
£m
(119) 
64 
–
– 

Tesco  
Bank
Total
£m
74 
141 
34 
– 

Tesco 
Group

Total
£m
2,518 
2,157 
–
(170)

–
– 
– 

– 
–
–
1 
100 
405 
(3,422)
(3,017) 
(8)
(69)
(3,094) 
– 

–

(5)

(39)
–
–
– 
8 
– 
–
(3) 

16 
(50) 
– 
(73) 
–
–
(2) 
– 
(8 )
– 
(3,177) 
250
(410) 
–
–
(162)

(3) 
– 
– 

(3) 
– 
– 

(3) 
(68) 
302 

– 
–
–
–
–
(58)
15 
(43)
–
–
(43)
3,696 

– 
–
–
1 
100 
347 
(3,407)
(3,060) 
(8)
(69)
(3,137) 
3,696 

–

–

–
–
–
– 
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
3,696 
–
–
–
–
–
– 
3,653 
–
–
–
–
–

–

(5)

(39)
–
–
– 
8 
– 
–
(3) 

16 
(50) 
- 
3,623 
–
–
(2) 
– 
(8) 
– 
476 
250
(410) 
–
–
(162)

47 
9 
(267)
87 
100 
4,712 
(3,531)
1,181 
(803)
(340)
38 
3,965 

(172)

(831)

(201)
4 
– 
277 
8 
(9) 
(687) 
(6) 

42 
– 
18 
2,408 
– 
(149) 
(634) 
– 
(8)
687 
2,342 
1,332 
(1,788) 
(17)
(656)
(1,912)

Retail  
Total
£m
2,444 
2,016 
(34)
(170)

– 
(68) 
302 

47 
9 
(267)
86 
–
4,365
(124)
4,241
(795)
(271)
3,175
269 

– 
(68) 
302 

47 
–
–
–
–
(183)
(47)
(230)
–
–
(230)
266 

(36)

(172)

–

(826)

–
–
–
277 
–
–
–
–

– 
–
–
507 
–
–
–
–
–
– 
277 
–
–
–
–
–

(162)
4 
– 
277 
–
(9) 
(687)
(3) 

26 
50 
18 
(1,215)
– 
(149)
(632) 
–
– 
687 
1,866
1,082
(1,378) 
(17)
(656)
(1,750)

Intra-Group funding and intercompany transactions

3 

–

3 

(3) 

–

(3) 

–

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 at the end of the year

(64)

277 

213 
1,873 
(42) 
2,044 

(3,332) 

3,653 

321 
1,043 
–
1,364 

534 
2,916 
(42) 
3,408 

(a)  Refer to page 169 for a reconciliation from Retail operating cash flow, Retail free cash flow and Free cash flow shown above to the Group’s 52-week alternative performance measures.
(b) 

‘Retail operating cash flow’ of £4,241m (2019: £3,637m (restated)) is the cash generated from operations of the continuing Retail business.

94

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
52 weeks ended 23 February 2019 (restated)
Operating profit/(loss) of continuing operations 
Depreciation and amortisation
ATM net income
(Profit)/loss arising on sale of property, plant and equipment, 
investment property, intangible assets and assets held for sale and early 
termination of leases
(Profit)/loss arising on sale of financial assets
Net impairment loss/(reversal) on property, plant and equipment, right 
of use assets, intangible assets and investment property 
Impairment of joint ventures
Adjustment for non-cash element of pensions charge
Other defined benefit pension scheme payments
Share-based payments 
Tesco Bank fair value movements included in operating profit/(loss)
Cash flows generated from operations excluding working capital
(Increase)/decrease in working capital
Cash generated from/(used in) operations
Interest paid
Corporation tax paid 
Net cash generated from/(used in) operating activities 
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment, investment 
property, intangible assets and assets classified as held for sale
Purchase of property, plant and equipment and investment property  
– store buybacks
Purchase of property, plant and equipment and investment property 
– other capital expenditure
Purchase of intangible assets
Disposal of subsidiaries, net of cash disposed
Acquisition of subsidiaries, net of cash acquired
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 financial assets at fair value 
through other comprehensive income
Dividends received from joint ventures and associates
Dividends received from Tesco Bank
Interest received
Net cash generated from/(used in) investing activities
Proceeds from issue of ordinary share capital
Own shares purchased
Repayments of obligations under leases

Add: Cash outflow from major acquisition
Less: Net increase/(decrease) in loans to joint ventures 
and associates
Less: Net investments in/(proceeds from sale of)  
short-term investments
APM: Free cash flow*

Increase in borrowings
Repayment of borrowings
Net cash flows from derivative financial instruments
Dividends paid to equity holders
Net cash generated from/(used in) financing activities

Intra-Group funding and intercompany transactions

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 equivalent at the end of the year

Before 
exceptional  
items and 
amortisation 
of acquired 
intangibles 
£m
199 
85
34
(8)

Tesco Bank

Exceptional  
items and 
amortisation 
of acquired 
intangibles 
£m
(30) 
–
–
–

–
–

–
–
– 
(5) 
127 
432
(223)
209
(8)
(68)
133
1

–

(3)

(27)
–
–
5
–
–
(124)

10
(50)
–
(188)
–
–
(1)
–
(5)

–

(61)
271
(425)
–
–
(155)

–
–

–
–
–
–
–
(30)
(35)
(65)
–
–
(65)
–

–

–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–

(65)
–
–
–
–
–

Tesco 
Group

Total
£m
2,649 
2,050
–
(131)

(8)
(114)

–
45
(266)
77
127
4,429
(648)
3,781
(859)
(370)
2,552
286

(136)

(965)

(191)
8
(715)
5
(11)
639
(122)

41
–
21
(1,140)
60
(206)
(606)
747
(5)

Tesco  
Bank 
Total
£m
169 
85
34
(8)

–
–

–
–
–
(5)
127
402
(258)
144
(8)
(68)
68
1

–

(3)

(27)
–
–
5
–
–
(124)

10
(50)
–
(188)
–
–
(1)
–
(5)

–

(639)

(126)
271
(425)
–
–
(155)

763
975
(2,471)
35
(357)
(2,570)

Before 
exceptional 
items and 
amortisation 
of acquired 
intangibles 
£m
2,408 
1,887
(34)
(19)

Retail

Exceptional 
items and 
amortisation 
of acquired 
intangibles 
£m
72 
78
–
(104)

(1)
(3)

–
45
(266)
82
–
4,099
(306)
3,793
(851)
(302)
2,640
22

(136)

(962)

(164)
8
(715)
–
(11)
639
(5)

31
50
21
(1,222)
60
(206)
(605)
747
–

(7)
(111)

–
–
–
–
–
(72)
(84)
(156)
–
–
(156)
263

–

–

–
–
–
–
–
–
7

–
–
–
270
–
–
– 
–
–

Retail 
 Total 
£m
2,480 
1,965
(34)
(123)

(8)
(114)

–
45
(266)
82
–
 4,027
(390)
3,637
(851)
(302)
2,484
285

(136)

(962)

(164)
8
(715)
–
(11)
639
2

31
50
21
(952)
60
(206)
(605)
747
–

(639)

–

(639)

889
704
(2,046)
35
(357)
(2,415)

775
704
(2,046)
35
(357)
(2,415)

(14)

(1,011)

114
–
–
–
–
–

–

114

(14)

14

–

14

–

(897)
2,755
15
1,873

(196)

(65)

(261)
1,304
–
1,043

(1,158)
4,059
15
2,916

*  Free cash flow has been redefined to include ‘Repayments of obligations under leases’ due to IFRS 16. This results in a minor adjustment of £17m, restating previously reported Retail free 

cash flow of £906m to £889m. There is no overall impact to cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year. 

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

95

Financial statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Group financial statements continued

Note 3 Income and expenses
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 accounts of the Company’s subsidiaries
Total audit services
Audit-related assurance services
Total audit and audit-related assurance services
Fees payable to the Company’s auditor and its associates for other services:

Transaction services
All other non-audit services

Total non-audit services
Total auditor’s remuneration

53 weeks
2020 
£m
1.6 
5.8 
7.4 
0.5 
7.9 

0.2
1.6 
1.8 
9.7 

52 weeks 
2019 
£m
1.6
6.4
8.0
0.5
8.5

–
3.5
3.5
12.0

Other non-audit services of £1.6m (2019: £3.5m) represents: retail consultancy services £nil (2019: £1.3m), provision of data repository services 
for information needed by the Group and Serious Fraud Office (SFO) £0.6m (2019: £1.7m), SFO Monitor role £0.6m (2019: £0.1m), and other 
services £0.4m (2019: £0.4m). In addition to the amounts shown above, the auditor received fees of £0.1m (2019: £0.2m) for the audit of the 
main Group pension scheme. Additional information on the non-audit services provided by the auditor is provided in the Audit committee 
report on page 50, including how objectivity and independence is safeguarded.

Employment costs, including Directors’ remuneration

Continuing operations
Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Post-employment defined benefits(a)
Post-employment defined contributions
Share-based payments expense
Termination benefits(b)
Total

Notes

29
29
28

53 weeks
2020 
£m
6,266 
497 
45 
343 
129 
116 
7,396 

52 weeks 
2019 
£m
6,447
520
78
332
118
151
7,646

(a) 

(b) 

Includes £nil (2019: £43m) past service cost related to guaranteed minimum pensions (GMPs). This is treated as an exceptional item. Refer to Note 4 and Note 29.
Includes £110m (2019: £145m) of redundancy costs included within exceptional items. Refer to Note 4.

Post-employment defined contribution charges include £116m (2019: £110m) of salaries paid as pension contributions. 

The table below shows the average number of employees by operating segment during the financial year.

Continuing operations
UK & ROI
Central Europe 
Asia
Tesco Bank
Total

Average number of employees

Average number of  
full-time equivalents

2020
319,303 
44,199 
56,003 
3,587 
423,092 

2019
344,117
54,301 
62,403
3,684
464,505

2020
210,768 
40,864 
39,026 
3,305 
293,963 

2019
223,542
50,068 
44,473
3,407
321,490

96

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Note 4 Exceptional items and amortisation of acquired intangibles
Group income statement
53 weeks ended 29 February 2020
Profit/(loss) for the year included the following exceptional items and amortisation of acquired intangibles:

Exceptional items and amortisation  
of acquired intangibles included in:
Exceptional items:
Net restructuring and redundancy costs(a)
Property transactions(b)
Booker integration costs(c)
Derivative restructuring(d) 
Acquisition of property joint venture(e) 
Net impairment loss of non-current assets(f)
Impairment of investment in India joint venture(g)
Disposal of China associate(h) 
China land penalties(i) 
China tax liability release(j) 
Other corporate activity costs(k) 
Tesco Bank mortgage book disposal(l) 
Tesco Bank current accounts(m) 
Provision for customer redress(n) 
Ogden rate change(o) 
Total exceptional items
Amortisation of acquired intangibles:
Amortisation of acquired intangible assets (Note 10)
Total exceptional items and amortisation of 
acquired intangibles 

Total exceptional 
items and 
amortisation of 
acquired 
intangibles 
included within 
operating profit 
 £m

Share of joint 
venture and 
associates 
profits/
(losses)
£m

Finance costs
£m

Taxation
£m

Exceptional 
items within 
discontinued 
operations
£m

Cost of sales
£m

Administrative 
expenses
£m

(138) 
55 
(18) 
– 
(136) 
(19) 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
(8) 
– 
(45) 
– 
(309) 

– 
(309) 

(13) 
– 
(5) 
– 
– 
4 
(47) 
37 
– 
– 
(22) 
3 
(56) 
– 
– 
(99) 

(79) 
(178) 

(151) 
55 
(23) 
– 
(136) 
(15) 
(47) 
37 
– 
– 
(22) 
(5) 
(56) 
(45) 
– 
(408) 

(79) 
(487) 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
(12) 
–
–
– 
– 
– 
4 
(8) 

– 
(8) 

– 
– 
– 
(180) 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
29 
– 
– 
– 
(151) 

– 
(151) 

21 
15 
4 
34 
(23) 
17 
– 
(30) 
 –
– 
– 
(14) 
14 
– 
– 
38 

15 
53 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
38 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
38 

– 
38 

(a)  This charge relates to simplification of our operating model in Tesco Bank £(13)m, Central Europe £(43)m, and the UK & ROI £(95)m.
(b)  As part of the Group’s strategy to maximise value from property, the Group disposed of surplus properties which generated a profit in Central Europe £26m and the UK & ROI £29m.
(c)  Costs incurred in integrating Booker within the Tesco Group, mainly focused on aligning distribution networks and operating platforms.
(d)  The Group is subject to inflation risk on certain lease liabilities with its joint ventures, which increase annually with LPI (RPI restricted to a range of 0-5%). In order to mitigate this inflation 
risk to the Group, a restructure of derivatives held with external counterparties was undertaken during the year. This resulted in the remeasurement of the fair value of these derivatives, 
giving rise to a non-cash exceptional charge of £(180)m.

(e)  The Group obtained control of The Tesco Atrato Limited Partnership, previously accounted for as a joint venture, through the acquisition of the other partner’s 50% interest in the 
partnership for a net consideration of £36m. The acquisition, which is treated as an asset acquisition, increases the Group’s owned property portfolio and borrowings, replacing the 
Group’s associated right of use assets and lease liabilities. Refer to Note 33 for further details.
(f)  Net impairment loss relating to the Group’s non-current assets. Refer to Note 15 for further details.
(g) 

Investments in our offer to remain competitive in the market, combined with a strategic decision to reduce store expansion, have impacted our profit expectations of the joint venture 
resulting in an impairment charge in the year.

(h)  Gain from completing the sale of the Group’s 20% share of Gain Land to China Resources Holdings. Refer to Note 33 for further details.
(i)  The Group’s China associate recognised certain penalties in the year relating to delays in property development. This charge represents the Group’s 20% share of these penalties.
(j)  During the current financial year, the Group reached a settlement with the Chinese tax authority relating to a withholding tax liability arising on the formation of the Gain Land associate 
with China Resources Holdings in 2014. As a result of the settlement, the Group has released the remaining withholding tax liability of £38m - this has been classified within discontinued 
operations, consistent with the classification of the original liability in 2014.
Includes costs incurred relating to the announced sale of the Group’s operations in Asia and other corporate activity during the current financial year.

(k) 

(l)  The Group completed the majority of the transfer of the beneficial ownership of Tesco Bank’s mortgage book to Lloyds Banking Group, of which £30m is related to the gain on the 

disposal, which is offset by the Group disposing of a proportion of Tesco Bank’s goodwill amounting to £(27)m. The Group also incurred £(8)m related to accelerated amortisation and 
generated a £29m fair value remeasurement gain.

(m)  Following the decision to close the Bank’s current accounts to new customers, accelerated depreciation was charged on related intangible and fixed assets, resulting in an additional 

charge of £(56)m.

(n)  The charge of £(45)m relates to additional costs in respect of Payment Protection Insurance (PPI) as a result of higher claim rates ahead of the deadline of 29 August 2019.
(o)  The Group’s share of the results for the period of its joint venture, Tesco Underwriting, reflects a credit 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.

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

97

Financial statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Group financial statements continued

Note 4 Exceptional items and amortisation of acquired intangibles continued
52 weeks ended 23 February 2019
Profit/(loss) for the year included the following exceptional items and amortisation of acquired intangibles: 

Total exceptional items 
and amortisation of 
acquired intangibles 
included within 
operating profit 
 £m

Share of joint 
venture and 
associates 
profits/ 
(losses) 
£m

Exceptional 
items within 
discontinued 
operations 
£m

Taxation
£m

Administrative 
expenses
£m

Cost of sales
£m

Exceptional items and amortisation  
of acquired intangibles included in:
Exceptional items (restated):
Tesco Direct closure costs
Net restructuring and redundancy costs
Provision for customer redress
Release of amounts provided in relation to FCA obligations
Insurance recovery of amounts in relation to FCA obligations
Property transactions*
Tesco Bank FCA charge
Booker integration costs
Freetime VAT provision release
Lazada contingent proceeds
GMP equalisation
Net impairment reversal of non-current assets and onerous 
property provisions*
Total exceptional items
Amortisation of acquired intangibles:
Amortisation of acquired intangible assets (Note 10)
Total exceptional items and amortisation of acquired intangibles
*  Reclassified for the change in presentation of profits/(losses) arising on property-related items as explained in Note 1. 

(38)
(159)
(16)
–
–
87 
–
(8)
176
–
(37)
105

–
(23)
–
17
20
17 
(16)
(7)
–
7
(6)
1 

(78)
(68)

–
110 

110 

10 

(38)
(182)
(16)
17
20
104
(16)
(15)
176
7
(43)
106

120

(78)
42

–
–
–
–
–
11
–
–
–
–
–
–

11

–
11

7
30
–
–
–
7
–
3
(33)
–
7
14

35

15
50

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–

–
–

Group cash flow statement
The table below shows the impact of exceptional items on the Group cash flow statement:

Amortisation of acquired intangibles does not affect the Group’s cash flow.

Payments relating to Tesco Direct closure
Prior year restructuring and redundancy costs
Current year restructuring and redundancy costs
Onerous contract provisions
Property transactions(a)
Settlement of claims for customer redress in Tesco Bank
DPA/shareholder compensation scheme payments
Freetime VAT refund(b)
Tesco Bank FCA settlement payment
Insurance recovery of amounts in relation to FCA obligations 
Booker integration cash payments
Proceeds from sale of Tesco Bank’s mortgage book
Proceeds from sale of Lazada 
Acquisition of property joint venture (Note 33) 
Proceeds from disposal of China associate (Note 33) 
Corporate activity costs 

Total

(a)  These relate to proceeds from disposal of properties primarily in UK & ROI and Central Europe.
(b)  VAT recovered in relation to the appeal against HMRC regarding the treatment of VAT on Clubcard rewards.

Cash flows from 
operating activities

53 weeks
2020

£m
– 
(133) 
(69) 
– 
– 
(38) 
– 
– 
– 
– 
(23) 
– 
– 
– 
– 
(10) 

(273) 

52 weeks 
2019
(restated)

£m  
(38)  
(60)  
(30)  
(1)  
–  
(49)  
(43)  
12  
(16)  
16  
(12)  
–  
–   
–   
–   
–   
(221)  

Cash flows from 
investing activities

53 weeks
2020

52 weeks
2019

£m
– 
– 
– 
– 
266 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
3,696 
– 
(36) 
277 
– 

4,203 

£m
–
–
–
–
263
–
–
–
–
–
–
– 
7 
– 
– 
– 

270

98

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Note 5 Finance income and costs

Continuing operations
Finance income
Interest receivable and similar income
Finance income receivable on net investment in leases
Total finance income
Finance costs
GBP MTNs and loans
EUR MTNs
USD bonds
Finance charges payable on lease liabilities
Other interest payable
Capitalised interest
Fair value remeasurements of financial instruments*
Total finance costs before exceptional items and net pension finance costs
Net pension finance costs
Total finance costs before exceptional items 
Fair value remeasurement loss on derivative restructuring
Fair value remeasurement gain on Tesco Bank mortgage book disposal 
Total finance costs
Net finance costs

Notes

11

29

4 
4 

*  Fair value remeasurements of financial instruments included £(65)m (2019: £(121)m) relating to the premium paid on the repurchase of long-dated bonds.

Note 6 Taxation
Recognised in the Group income statement

Continuing operations
Current tax (credit)/charge
UK corporation tax
Overseas tax
Adjustments in respect of prior years

Deferred tax (credit)/charge
Origination and reversal of temporary differences
Adjustments in respect of prior years

Total income tax (credit)/charge

53 weeks
2020

£m

19 
4 
23 

(142) 
(59) 
(11) 
(541) 
(25) 
– 
(244) 
(1,022) 
(71) 
(1,093) 
(180)
29 
(1,244) 
(1,221) 

53 weeks
2020

£m

254 
154 
(41) 
367 

30 
(17) 
13 
380 

52 weeks
2019 
(restated) 
£m

22
3
25

(144)
(77)
(17)
(561)
(49)
1
(153)
(1,000)
(89)
(1,089)
–
– 
(1,089)
(1,064)

52 weeks
2019 
(restated) 
£m

221
131
(8)
344

3 
– 
3
347

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 financial 
statements. Temporary differences have been measured using these enacted tax rates. Legislation has been substantively enacted after 
the current financial year balance sheet date to repeal the reduction of the main corporation tax rate thereby maintaining the current rate 
of corporation tax at 19%. The Group expects to recognise a charge of £30m in the Group income statement for the rate change impact 
from remeasuring opening temporary differences to be reported in the financial year ending 27 February 2021.

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

99

Financial statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Group financial statements continued

Note 6 Taxation continued
Reconciliation of effective tax charge

Profit/(loss) before tax
Tax credit/(charge) at 19.0% (2019: 19.0%)
Effect of:

Non-qualifying depreciation
Expenses not deductible(a)
Unrecognised tax losses
Property items taxed on a different basis to accounting entries(b)
Impairment of non-current assets
Banking surcharge tax
Differences in overseas taxation rates
Adjustments in respect of prior years(c)
Share of losses of joint ventures and associates
Irrecoverable withholding taxes
Total income tax credit/(charge)
Effective tax rate

53 weeks
2020

£m
1,315 
(250) 

(34) 
(58) 
(35) 
(3) 
(36) 
(11) 
4 
58 
3 
(18) 
(380) 
28.9% 

52 weeks
2019 
(restated) 
£m
1,617
(307)

(35)
(26)
(10)
21
20 
(18)
13
1
7
(13)
(347)
21.5%

(a)  This includes current year movements on uncertain tax positions. Prior year includes the release of amounts provided for in relation to DPA and FCA obligations.
(b)  This includes property items where the carrying values differ from their valuation for tax purposes and recognition of capital losses on property asset disposals.
(c)  This includes adjustments to prior years’ uncertain tax positions.

Reconciliation of effective tax charge on profit before exceptional items and amortisation of acquired intangibles, net pension 
finance costs and fair value remeasurements of financial instruments

Profit/(loss) before tax before exceptional items and amortisation of acquired intangibles
Tax credit/(charge) at 19.0% (2019: 19.0%)
Effect of:

Non-qualifying depreciation
Expenses not deductible(a)
Unrecognised tax losses
Banking surcharge tax
Differences in overseas taxation rates
Adjustments in respect of prior years(b)
Share of losses of joint ventures and associates
Irrecoverable withholding taxes

Total income tax credit/(charge) before exceptional items and amortisation of acquired intangibles
Effective tax rate before exceptional items and amortisation of acquired intangibles
Tax charge on net pension finance costs and fair value remeasurements of financial instruments at 19.0% on £315m (2019: 
19.0% on £242m)
Change in tax rate
Total income tax credit/(charge) before exceptional items, net pension finance costs and fair value remeasurements 
of financial instruments
Effective tax rate before exceptional items, net pension finance costs and fair value remeasurements of 
financial instruments(c)

53 weeks
2020

£m
1,961 
(373) 

(34) 
(40) 
(13) 
(17) 
4 
53 
5 
(18) 
(433) 
22.1% 
(60) 

2 
(491) 

52 weeks
2019 
(restated) 
£m
1,564
(297)

(35)
(24)
(9)
(19)
3
(8)
5
(13)
(397)
25.4%
(46)

2
(441)

21.6% 

24.4%

(a)  This includes current year movements on uncertain tax positions and expenses not qualifying for tax relief.
(b)  This includes adjustments to prior years’ uncertain tax positions.
(c)  Refer to page 168 for a reconciliation from Effective tax rate before exceptional items, net pension finance costs and fair value remeasurements of financial instruments shown above to 

the Group’s 52-week alternative performance measure.

100

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

 
 
 
 
 
 
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/(loss)

Current tax credit/(charge) on:

Foreign exchange movements
Deferred tax credit/(charge) on:

Pensions
Fair value of movement on financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income
Fair value movements on cash flow hedges

Total tax on items credited/(charged) to Group statement of comprehensive income/(loss)

53 weeks
2020
£m

52 weeks
2019 
£m

1 

(3) 
(2) 

2

3
5

53 weeks
2020
£m

52 weeks
2019
£m

1 

71 
(1) 
(9) 
62 

3

(61)
2
–
(56)

Deferred tax
The following are the major deferred tax (liabilities)/assets recognised by the Group and movements thereon during the current and prior 
financial years.

At 25 February 2018 (restated)
Adjustment on initial application of IFRS 9
(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/(loss)
Disposals
Business combinations
Foreign exchange and other movements(c)
At 23 February 2019 (restated)
(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/(loss)
Disposals
Foreign exchange and other movements(c)
At 29 February 2020(d)

Property-
related

items(a)
£m
(414)
–
53
–
–

4
(7)
–
(364)
37 
– 
– 

1 
1 
(325) 

Acquired 
intangibles
£m
–
–
15
–
–

–
(129)
–
(114)
14 
– 
– 

– 
– 
(100) 

Post-
employment

benefits(b)

£m
554
–
(23)
–
(61)

–
–
–
470

(31) 
– 
71 

– 
2 
512 

Share-
based 
payments 
£m
43
–
–
3
–

Short-term 
timing  
differences 
£m
143
–
(28)
–
–

Tax losses 
£m
1
–
2
–
–

Financial 
instruments 
£m
(8)
59
(22)
–
2

–
4
1
51
2 
(3) 
– 

– 
1 
51 

–
3
3
121
(28) 
– 
– 

– 
– 
93 

–
3
–
6
(2) 
– 
– 

– 
– 
4 

–
–
1
32
(5) 
– 
(10) 

– 
– 
17 

Total 
£m
319
59
(3)
3
(59)

4
(126)
5
202

(13) 
(3) 
61 

1 
4 
252 

(a)  Property-related items include a deferred tax liability on rolled-over gains of £291m (2019: £287m), deferred tax assets on capital losses of £166m (2019: £140m) and deferred tax assets on IFRS 
16 transitional adjustments of £276m (2019: £306m). The remaining balance relates to accelerated tax depreciation. The Group does not expect a material reversal in the next financial year.

(b)  The deferred tax asset on post-employment benefits is expected to reverse as additional funding contributions are made to the closed defined benefit scheme. Refer to Note 29.
(c)  The deferred tax charge for foreign exchange and other movements is a £4m credit (2019: £5m credit) relating to the retranslation of deferred tax balances at the balance sheet date and 

is included within the Group statement of comprehensive income/(loss) under the heading ‘Currency translation differences’.

(d)  Remeasurement of temporary differences for the UK corporation tax rate change substantively enacted post the balance sheet date will increase the opening deferred tax asset in the 

financial year ended 27 February 2021 by £23m.

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

101

Financial statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Group financial statements continued

Note 6 Taxation continued
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset when the Group has a legally enforceable right to do so. The following is the analysis of the 
deferred tax balances after offset:

Deferred tax assets
Deferred tax liabilities

2020

£m
292 
(40) 
252 

2019
(restated)
£m
251
(49)
202

No deferred tax liability is recognised on temporary differences of £6.8bn (2019 revised: £6.0bn) relating to the unremitted earnings of 
overseas subsidiaries and joint ventures as the Group is able to control the timing of the reversal of these temporary differences and it is 
probable that they will not reverse in the foreseeable future. The deferred tax on unremitted earnings at 29 February 2020 is estimated to be 
£237m (2019: £237m) 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 in the relevant locations:

Deductible temporary differences
Tax losses

2020
£m
78 
226 
304 

2019 
£m
90
199
289

As at 29 February 2020, the Group has unused trading tax losses from continuing operations of £1,016m (2019: £894m) available for offset 
against future profits. A deferred tax asset has been recognised in respect of £25m (2019: £35m) of such losses. No deferred tax asset has 
been recognised in respect of the remaining £991m (2019: £859m) due to the unpredictability of future profit streams. Included in 
unrecognised tax losses are losses of £219m that will expire by 2024 (2019: £69m in 2023) and £142m that will expire between 2025 and 2040 
(2019: £139m between 2024 and 2039). Other losses will be carried forward indefinitely.

Changes in tax law or its interpretation 
The Group operates in a number of territories which leads to the Group’s profits being subject to tax in many jurisdictions. The Group 
monitors 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.

Note 7 Discontinued operations and assets classified as held for sale
Assets classified as held for sale

Assets classified as held for sale

2020
£m
285 

2019
£m
98

The assets classified as held for sale consist mainly of properties in the UK and Central Europe due to be sold within one year and the 
remaining assets of Tesco Bank’s mortgage operations of £45m (2019: £nil). Refer to Note 1 Critical accounting judgements for further details 
on the mortgage book disposal.

Discontinued operations 
During the current financial year, the Group reached a settlement with the Chinese tax authority relating to a withholding tax liability arising 
on the formation of the Gain Land Limited associate with China Resources Holdings in 2014. As a result of the settlement, the Group has 
released the remaining withholding tax liability of £38m - this has been classified within discontinued operations, consistent with the 
classification of the original withholding tax liability in 2014. Refer to Note 4 for further details.

Note 8 Dividends

Amounts recognised as distributions to owners in the financial year:
Prior financial year final dividend(a)
Paid interim dividend(b)
Dividends paid to equity owners in the financial year

Proposed final dividend at financial year end

(a)  Excludes £3m prior financial year final dividend waived (2019: £nil).
(b)  Excludes £3m interim dividend waived (2019: £2m).

2020

2019

Pence/share

£m

Pence/share

4.10 
2.65 
6.75 

6.50 

399 
257 
656 

637 

2.00
1.67
3.67

4.10

£m

195
162
357

402

The proposed final dividend was approved by the Board of Directors on 7 April 2020 and is subject to the approval of shareholders at the  
AGM. The proposed dividend has not been included as a liability as at 29 February 2020, in accordance with IAS 10 ‘Events after the reporting 
period’. It will be paid on 3 July 2020 to shareholders who are on the Register of members at close of business on 22 May 2020.

A dividend reinvestment plan (DRIP) is available to shareholders who would prefer to invest their dividends in the shares of the Company. For 
those shareholders electing to receive the DRIP, the last date for receipt of a new election is 12 June 2020. 

The Group has a share forfeiture programme following the completion of a tracing and notification exercise to any shareholders who have not 
had contact with Tesco PLC (the Company) over the past 12 years, in accordance with the provisions set out in the Company’s Articles of 
Association. £nil (2019: £nil) of unclaimed dividends in relation to these shares have been adjusted for in retained earnings. Refer to Note 30 
for further details.

102

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 53 weeks ended 29 February 2020 there were 67 million (2019: 72 million) potentially dilutive share options. As the Group has 
recognised a profit for the year from its continuing operations, dilutive effects have been considered in calculating diluted earnings per share.

Profit/(loss) (£m)
Continuing operations*
Discontinued operations
Total
Weighted average number of shares (millions)
Earnings/(losses) per share (pence)
Continuing operations
Discontinued operations
Total

2020

Potentially 
dilutive share 
options

Diluted

Basic

2019 (restated)

Potentially 
dilutive share 
options

– 
– 
– 
67 

(0.06) 
– 
(0.06) 

933 
38 
971 
9,783 

9.54 
0.39 
9.93 

1,272
–
1,272
9,686

13.13
–
13.13

–
–
–
72

(0.09)
–
(0.09)

Basic

933 
38 
971 
9,716 

9.60 
0.39 
9.99

Diluted

1,272
–
1,272
9,758

13.04
–
13.04

*  Excludes profits/(losses) from non-controlling interests of £2m (2019: £(2)m). 

Diluted earnings/(losses) per share from continuing operations before exceptional items and amortisation of acquired intangibles, 
net pension finance costs and fair value remeasurements of financial instruments

Notes

5
5

Profit before tax from continuing operations before exceptional items and amortisation of acquired intangibles (£m)
Add: Net pension finance costs (£m) 
Add/(less): Fair value remeasurements of financial instruments (£m)
Profit before tax from continuing operations before exceptional items and amortisation of acquired intangibles, 
net pension finance costs and fair value remeasurements of financial instruments (£m)(a)
Profit before tax from continuing operations before exceptional items and amortisation of acquired intangibles, net 
pension finance costs and fair value remeasurements of financial instruments attributable to the owners of the 
parent (£m)(b)
Taxation on profit from continuing operations before exceptional items and amortisation of acquired intangibles, net 
pension finance costs and fair value remeasurements of financial instruments attributable to the owners of the 
parent (£m)(c)
Profit after tax from continuing operations before exceptional items and amortisation of acquired intangibles, 
net pension finance costs and fair value remeasurements of financial instruments attributable to the owners of 
the parent (£m)

Basic weighted average number of shares (millions)
Basic earnings per share from continuing operations before exceptional items and amortisation of acquired 
intangibles, net pension finance costs and fair value remeasurements of financial instruments (pence)

Diluted weighted average number of shares (millions)
Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations before exceptional items and amortisation of acquired 
intangibles, net pension finance costs and fair value remeasurements of financial instruments (pence)(a)

53 weeks

2020
1,961 
71 
244 
2,276 

2,273 

52 weeks 
(restated)
2019
1,564
89
153
1,806

1,806

(490) 

(439) 

1,783 

1,367

9,716 
18.35 

9,783 
18.23 

9,686
14.11

9,758
14.01

(a)  Refer to page 168 for a reconciliation from Profit before tax from continuing operations before exceptional items and amortisation of acquired intangibles, net pension finance costs and 
fair value remeasurements of financial instruments and Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations before exceptional items and amortisation of acquired intangibles, net 
pension finance costs and fair value remeasurements of financial instruments shown above to the Group’s 52-week alternative performance measures.

(b)  Excludes profit before tax attributable to non-controlling interests of £3m (2019: £nil). 
(c)  Excludes tax charges on profits attributable to non-controlling interests of £(1)m (2019: £(2)m).

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

103

Financial statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Group financial statements continued

Note 10 Goodwill and other intangible assets

Cost
At 23 February 2019
Foreign currency translation
Additions
Reclassification
Disposals(b)
At 29 February 2020
Accumulated amortisation and impairment losses
At 23 February 2019
Foreign currency translation
Charge for the year(c)
Impairment losses(d)
Reversal of impairment losses(d)
Reclassification 
Disposals
At 29 February 2020

Net carrying value
At 29 February 2020
At 23 February 2019

Goodwill 
£m

Software(a)

£m

Customer 
relationships
£m

Intangible
assets
£m

5,550

(5) 
 –
– 
(27) 
5,518 

641

(4) 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
637 

1,840

(2) 

 188
40 
 (198)
1,868 

1,254

(1) 
281 
15 
(31) 
2 
(196) 
1,324 

4,881 
4,909

544 
586

715
– 
 –
– 
– 
715 

72
– 
76 
– 
– 
– 
– 
148 

567 
643

447
(1) 
 19
(5) 
(2) 
458 

321
– 
10 
12 
(7) 
(3) 
(2) 
331 

127 
126

Total
£m

8,552

(8) 

 207
35 
(227) 
8,559 

2,288

(5) 
367 
27 
(38) 
(1) 
(198) 

2,440

6,119 
6,264

(a)  Software includes £341m (2019: £297m) of internally generated development costs.
(b)  The disposal of goodwill relates to the sale of Tesco Bank’s mortgage book.
(c)  Of the £86m (2019: £85m) amortisation of customer relationships and other intangible assets, £79m (2019: £78m) has been included within exceptional items and amortisation of intangible 

assets. £76m (2019: £74m) of this balance arises from amortisation of intangible assets recognised upon the Booker acquisition. Refer to Note 4 for further details.

(d)  Refer to Note 15.

Cost
At 24 February 2018
Foreign currency translation
Additions
Acquired through business combinations
Reclassification
Disposals
Fully-amortised assets
At 23 February 2019
Accumulated amortisation and impairment losses
At 24 February 2018
Foreign currency translation
Charge for the year(c)
Impairment losses(d)
Reversal of impairment losses(d)
Disposals
Fully-amortised assets
At 23 February 2019

(a)-(d) Refer to previous table for footnotes.

Goodwill 
£m

Software(a)

£m

Customer 
relationships
£m

Intangible
assets
£m

2,458
(6)
–
3,098
–
–
–
5,550

662
(21)
–
–
–
–
–
641

3,166
1
167
–
(140)
(308)
(1,046)
1,840

 2,378
–
210
15
(2)
(301)
(1,046)
1,254

–
–
–
715
–
–
–
715

–
–
72
–
–
–
–
72

392
(1)
24
48
2
(15)
(3)
447 

315
(2)
13
27 
(24)
(5)
(3)
321

Total
£m

6,016
(6)
191
3,861
(138)
(323)
(1,049)
8,552

3,355
(23)
295
42 
(26)
(306)
(1,049)
2,288

104

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Note 11 Property, plant and equipment 

Cost
At 23 February 2019 (restated)
Foreign currency translation
Additions(b)(c)
Reclassification
Classified as held for sale
Disposals
At 29 February 2020
Accumulated depreciation and impairment losses
At 23 February 2019 (restated)
Foreign currency translation
Charge for the year
Impairment losses(d)
Reversal of impairment losses(d)
Reclassification
Classified as held for sale
Disposals
At 29 February 2020

Net carrying value(e)
At 29 February 2020
At 23 February 2019 (restated)

Construction in progress included above(f)
At 29 February 2020
At 23 February 2019 

Land and 
buildings 
£m

24,484

(69) 
1,285 
(24) 
(589) 
(219) 
24,868 

7,523

(23) 
525 
611 
(391) 
41 
(298) 
(147) 
7,841 

Other(a)
£m

6,993

(15) 
621 
(28) 
(36) 
(610) 
6,925 

4,768

(11) 
613 
111 
(104) 
(23) 
(34) 
(602) 
4,718 

Total 
£m

31,477

(84) 
1,906 
(52) 
(625) 
(829) 
31,793 

12,291

(34) 
1,138 
722 
(495) 
18 
(332) 
(749) 
12,559 

17,027 
16,961

2,207 
2,225

19,234 
19,186

88 
37

114 
109

202 
146

(a)  Other assets consist of fixtures and fittings with a net carrying value of £1,712m (2019: £1,720m), office equipment with a net carrying value of £245m (2019: £304m) and motor vehicles with 

(b) 

(c) 

a net carrying value of £250m (2019: £201m).
Includes £nil (2019: £1m) 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 4.3% (2019: 4.5%). Interest capitalised is deducted in determining taxable profit in the financial year in which it is incurred. 
Includes £914m of land and buildings related to obtaining control of The Tesco Atrato Limited Partnership, which was impaired by £287m on acquisition. Refer to the breakdown of assets 
and liabilities acquired within Note 33.

(d)  Refer to Note 15.
(e) 

Includes £1,406m (2019: £803m) of assets pledged as security for secured bonds (refer to Note 23) and £478m (2019: £489m) of property held as security in favour of the Tesco PLC 
Pension Scheme (refer to Note 29).

(f)  Construction in progress does not include land.

Cost (restated)
At 25 February 2018
Foreign currency translation
Additions(b)
Acquired through business combinations
Reclassification
Classified as held for sale
Disposals
Fully-depreciated assets*
At 23 February 2019
Accumulated depreciation and impairment losses (restated)
At 25 February 2018
Foreign currency translation
Charge for the year
Impairment losses(d)
Reversal of impairment losses(d)
Reclassification
Classified as held for sale
Disposals
Fully-depreciated assets*
At 23 February 2019
Net carrying value

Land and 
buildings 
£m

23,018
24
514
258
926
(48)
(73)
(135)
24,484

6,559
(6)
542
421 
(568)
790
(20)
(60)
(135)
7,523
16,961

Other(a)
£m

Total 
£m

10,852
36
533
68
(796)
5
(450)
(3,255)
6,993

8,599
18
597
167
(141)
(796)
5
(426)
(3,255)
4,768
2,225

33,870
60
1,047
326
130
(43)
(523)
(3,390)
31,477

15,158
12
1,139
588 
(709)
(6)
(15)
(486)
(3,390)
12,291
19,186

(a)-(d) Refer to previous table for footnotes.
*  During the prior financial year, the Group performed a comprehensive review of all fully-depreciated assets held in the Group’s fixed asset registers, and removed £3,390m of cost, 

accumulated depreciation and impairment losses relating to those fully-depreciated assets which are no longer in use by the Group.

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

105

Financial statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Group financial statements continued

Note 12 Leases
Group as lessee
Lease liabilities represent rentals payable by the Group for certain 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.

In prior years, the Group entered into several joint ventures, and sold and leased back properties to and from these joint ventures over 20-  
to 30-year terms. On certain transactions, the Group has an option to buy back either the leased asset or the equity of the other party, at 
market value and at a specified date, typically at year 10. On some of these transactions the Group also has a lease-break option, which is 
exercisable if the buyback option is exercised and the associated debt in the joint venture is repaid. The lease liability in respect of these 
leases assumes that the lease-break option is not exercised. 

On 13 September 2018, the Group exercised its option to buy back the 50% equity holding in The Tesco Atrato Limited Partnership held by the 
other joint venture partner. The acquisition completed on 23 September 2019, at which point the associated property leases from the joint 
venture became intercompany leases and are eliminated on consolidation. Refer to Note 33 for further details. 

Right of use assets

Net carrying value at 23 February 2019 
Additions (including through business combinations)
Depreciation charge for the year
Impairment losses(a)
Reversal of impairment losses(a) 
Derecognition on acquisition of property joint venture (Note 33) 
Other movements(b) 
Net carrying value at 29 February 2020 

Land and
buildings
£m
7,561 
146 
(584) 
(267) 
182 
(335) 
31
6,734 

Other
£m
152 
58 
(67) 
– 
– 
– 
(3) 

140

(a)  Refer to Note 15.
(b)  Other movements include lease terminations, modifications and reassessments, foreign exchange, reclassifications to assets held for sale and entering into finance subleases. 

Net carrying value at 25 February 2018 
Additions (including acquisitions through business combinations)
Depreciation charge for the year
Impairment losses(a) 
Reversal of impairment losses(a) 
Other movements(b) 
Net carrying value at 23 February 2019 

(a)-(b) Refer to footnotes in table above.

Land and
buildings
£m
7,362
619
(556)
(195) 
203 
128 
7,561 

Other
£m
165
44
(59)
– 
– 
2 
152 

Total
£m
7,713 
204 
(651) 
(267) 
182 
(335) 
28 
6,874 

Total
£m
7,527
663
(615)
(195) 
203 
130 
7,713 

 Lease liabilities
The following tables show the discounted lease liabilities included in the Group balance sheet and a maturity analysis of the contractual 
undiscounted lease payments:

Current
Non-current 
Total lease liabilities

Maturity analysis – contractual undiscounted lease payments
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 lease payments

A reconciliation of the Group’s opening to closing lease liabilities balance is presented in Note 32.

Amounts recognised in the Group income statement

Interest on lease liabilities
Variable payment expenses not included in lease liabilities
Expenses relating to short-term leases
Expenses relating to leases of low value assets (excluding amounts already included in short-term leases above)

106

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

2020

£m
598 
8,968 
9,566 

2020

£m
1,081 
3,958 
4,178 
2,810 
2,596 
14,623 

53 weeks
2020

£m
541 
6 
19 
1

2019
(restated)
£m
646
9,859 
10,505 

2019
(restated)
£m
1,202
4,218
4,539
3,267
3,209
16,435

52 weeks
2019
(restated)
£m
561 
9 
16 
2 

 
 
 
 
 
Amounts recognised in the Group cash flow statement

Total cash outflow for leases*

* 

Includes £5m (2019: £4m) related to Tesco Bank.

53 weeks
2020

£m
1,175 

52 weeks
2019
(restated)
£m
1,167 

Future possible cash outflows not included in the lease liability
Some leases contain break clauses or extension options to provide operational flexibility. Potential future undiscounted lease payments not 
included in the reasonably certain lease term, and hence not included in lease liabilities, total £11.8bn (2019: £12.0bn).

Future increases or decreases in rentals linked to an index or rate are not included in the lease liability until the change in cash flows takes 
effect. Approximately 72% (2019: 73%) of the Group’s lease liabilities are subject to inflation-linked rentals and a further 12% (2019: 12%) are 
subject to rent reviews. Rental changes linked to inflation or rent reviews typically occur on an annual or five-yearly basis.

The Group is committed to payments totalling £93m (2019: £42m) in relation to leases that have been signed but have not yet commenced.

Sale and leaseback
In October 2019, the Group completed a sale and leaseback transaction in respect of a store and mall in Poland. Cash proceeds of £24m were 
received and a gain of £11m was recognised. The store and mall are being leased back over a three-year lease term at market rentals. 

Group as lessor
The Group leases out owned properties and sublets leased properties under operating and finance leases. Such properties include malls, mall 
units, stores, units within stores, distribution centres and residential properties.

Amounts recognised in the Group income statement

Finance lease – interest income(a)
Operating lease – rental income(b)

(a) 

(b) 

Includes £4m (2019: £3m) of sublease interest income.
Includes £74m (2019: £70m) of sublease rental income.

Finance lease payments receivable
The finance lease receivable (net investment in the lease) included in the Group balance sheet is £48m (2019: £54m).

Operating lease payments receivable maturity analysis

Within one year
Greater than one year but less than two years
Greater than two years but less than three years 
Greater than three years but less than four years 
Greater than four years 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 operating lease payments receivable

Note 13 Investment property

Cost
At the beginning of the year
Foreign currency translation
Reclassification
Disposals
At the end of the year
Accumulated depreciation and impairment losses
At the beginning of the year
Foreign currency translation
Charge for the year
Impairment losses for the year*
Reversal of impairment losses for the year*
Reclassification
Disposals
At the end of the year
Net carrying value at the end of the year 

Rental income earned from investment properties under operating leases  
Direct operating expenses incurred on rental-earning investment properties 

*  Refer to Note 15.

53 weeks
2020

£m
4 
341 

52 weeks
2019
(restated)
£m
3 
328 

2020

£m
220 
128 
71 
38 
27 
83 
44 
82 
693 

2020 
£m

118 
(1) 
(11) 
(6) 
100 

82 
(1) 
1 
5 
(4) 
(4) 
(5) 
74 
26 

11 
(3) 

2019
(restated)
£m
223 
138 
75 
40 
28 
77 
40 
84 
705 

2019 
£m

208
(3)
(1)
(86)
118

108
(2)
1
1
(2)
(2)
(22)
82
36 

18
(19)

The estimated fair value of the Group’s investment property is £0.2bn (2019: £0.2bn). 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.

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

107

Financial statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Group financial statements continued

Note 14 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 155 to 160 for a complete list of Group entities.

Subsidiaries
The accounting year ends of the subsidiaries consolidated in these financial statements are on or around 29 February 2020. 

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 
29 February 2020 within these financial statements.

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 due to these structured entities. The Group’s exposure to the structured entities 
is limited to the extent of the Group’s interests in the joint ventures. The liabilities of the structured entities are non-recourse to the Group.

The Group concluded that it does not control, and therefore should not consolidate, these structured entities since it does not have power 
over the relevant activities of the structured entities, or exposure to variable returns from these entities.

Interests in joint ventures and associates
Principal joint ventures and associates
The Group’s principal joint ventures and associates are:

Included in ‘UK property joint ventures’:
The Tesco Coral Limited Partnership
The Tesco Blue 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
The Tesco Arena Unit Trust

Included in ‘Other joint ventures and associates’:
Tesco Mobile Limited
Tesco Underwriting Limited
Trent Hypermarket Private Limited
Tesco Lotus Retail Growth Freehold  
and Leasehold Property Fund

Nature of 
relationship

Business activity

Joint venture
Joint venture
Joint venture
Joint venture
Joint venture
Joint venture
Joint venture
Joint venture

Property investment
Property investment
Property investment
Property investment
Property investment
Property investment
Property investment
Property investment

Joint venture
Joint venture
Joint venture
Associate

Telecommunications
Insurance
Retail
Property investment

Share of issued 
share capital, loan 
capital and debt 
securities

Country of 
incorporation

Principal area  
of operation

50%
50%
50%
50%
50%
50%
50%
50%

50%
49.9%
50%
25%

England
England
England
England
England
England
Jersey
Jersey

England
England
India
Thailand

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 2019 
to 29 February 2020. The accounting period end dates of 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 parents, other than those imposed 
by the Companies Act 2006 or equivalent local regulations, and for Tesco Underwriting Limited, regulatory capital requirements.

Prior to the Group’s sale of its 20% share in Gain Land Limited (Gain Land), management applied judgement in determining that Gain Land was 
an associate of the Group. The Group had significant influence by virtue of holding 20% equity interest which presumed significant influence 
per IAS 28, together with having a contractual right to appoint two out of 10 directors, while taking into account that the remaining 80% 
interest was held by one other party. 

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, while reducing risks associated with sole ownership. These property investments generally cover 
shopping centres and standalone stores. The Group enters into 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 any impact on 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.

108

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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;

 – 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 nor do they 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.

UK property joint ventures

Gain Land Limited

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 assets/(liabilities)

Summarised income statement
Revenue

Profit/(loss) after tax

Reconciliation to carrying amounts:
Opening balance
Foreign currency translation
Share of profits/(losses)(c)
Dividends received from joint ventures and associates
Disposals(d)
Closing balance

Group’s share in ownership
Group’s share of net assets/(liabilities)
Goodwill
Deferred property profits offset against carrying amounts
Cumulative unrecognised losses(c)
Cumulative unrecognised hedge reserves(c)
Carrying amount

2020

£m

3,242
101
28
(487)
(3,621)

(737)

258

–

–
–
12 
(12)
–

–

50%
(369)
–
(61)
205
225

–

2019

£m

3,786
98
40
(359)
(4,529)

(964)

289

–

–
–
15
(15)
–

–

50%
(482)
–
(61)
 183
360

–

2020

£m

2019
(restated) 
£m

–
–
–
–
–

–

8,551

(95)

263
(4)
(19)
–
(240) 

–

–
–
–
–
–
–

–

6,360
2,238
649
(6,102)
(3,313)

(168)

9,038

(64)

274
2
(13)
–
–

263

20%
(34)
297
–
–
–

263

(a)  The non-current asset balances of UK property joint ventures are reflected at historical depreciated cost to conform to the Group’s accounting policies. The aggregate fair values in the 

financial statements of the UK property joint ventures are £4,338m (2019: £5,053m).

(b)  The current and non-current liabilities of UK property joint ventures largely comprise loan balances of £3,616m (2019: £3,809m) and derivative swap balances of £452m (2019: £720m) 

entered into to hedge the cash flow variability exposures of the joint ventures. 

(c)  The share of profit for the year for UK property joint ventures related to £12m dividends received from joint ventures with £nil carrying amounts. £3m of losses and £37m of increases in 

the fair values of derivatives arising from these entities have been included in cumulative unrecognised losses and cumulative unrecognised hedge reserves respectively.

(d)  The Group completed the sale of its 20% investment in Gain Land Limited on 28 February 2020 for a consideration of £277m. Refer to Note 33 for further details.

As at 29 February 2020, the Group has £106m (2019: £105m) loans to UK property joint ventures.

Other joint ventures and associates
The Group also has interests in a number of individually immaterial joint ventures and associates excluding UK property joint ventures.

Aggregate carrying amount of individually immaterial joint ventures and associates
Group’s share of profits/(losses) for the year

Joint ventures

Associates

2020 
£m
230 
14 

2019 
£m
275
15

2020 
£m
77 
11 

2019 
£m
64
15

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

109

Financial statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Group financial statements continued

Note 15 Impairment of non-current assets

Impairment losses and reversals
No goodwill impairment losses were recognised by the Group in 2020 (2019: £nil).

The table below summarises the Group’s pre-tax impairment losses and reversals on other non-current assets and investments in joint ventures 
and associates, with the former aggregated by segment due to the large number of individually immaterial store cash-generating units. This 
excludes any losses recognised on classifying an asset or disposal group as held for sale. Impairment losses and reversals are presented gross, 
and prior financial year comparatives have been re-presented on the same basis and restated following adoption of IFRS 16, ‘Leases’.

53 weeks ended
29 February 2020
Group balance sheet
Other intangible assets
Property, plant and 
equipment
Right of use assets
Investment property
Other non-current assets
Investments in joint 
ventures and associates
Total impairment (loss)/
reversal 
Group income statement
Cost of sales – underlying
Cost of sales – 
exceptional
Administrative expenses 
– underlying
Administrative expenses 
– exceptional
Total impairment (loss)/
reversal 

UK & ROI

Central Europe

Asia

Tesco Bank

Total*

Impairment
loss
£m

Impairment 
reversal
£m

Impairment 
loss
£m

Impairment 
reversal
£m

Impairment 
loss
£m

Impairment 
reversal
£m

Impairment 
loss
£m

Impairment 
reversal
£m

Impairment 
loss
£m

Impairment 
reversal
£m

(27) 
(428) 

(242) 
(5) 
(702) 
– 

36 
272 

142 
– 
450 
– 

– 
(266) 

(10) 
– 
(276) 
– 

(702) 

450 

(276) 

– 
(658) 

(44) 

– 

– 
407 

43 

– 

(5) 
(271) 

– 

– 

2 
195 

28 
4 
229 
– 

229 

8 
217 

– 

4 

– 
(28) 

(15) 
– 
(43) 
(47) 

(90) 

(2) 
(41)

– 

(47) 

– 
28 

12 
– 
40 
– 

40 

– 
40 

– 

– 

(702) 

450 

(276) 

229 

(90) 

40 

– 
– 

– 
– 
– 
– 

– 

– 
– 

– 

– 

– 

– 
– 

– 
– 
– 
– 

– 

– 
– 

– 

– 

– 

(27) 
(722) 

(267) 
(5) 
(1,021) 
(47) 

(1,068) 

(7) 
(970) 

(44) 

(47) 

38 
495 

182 
4 
719 
– 

719 

8 
664 

43 

4 

(1,068) 

719 

*  Of the £302m other non-current assets net impairment loss for the Group (2019: £114m reversal), a net loss of £302m (2019: £111m reversal) has been classified within exceptional items, of which a 

net loss of £251m (2019: £109m reversal) related to the UK & ROI, a net loss of £50m (2019: £44m reversal) related to Central Europe and a net loss of £1m (2019: £42m loss) related to Asia. 

52 weeks ended
23 February 2019 (restated)
Group balance sheet
Other intangible assets
Property, plant and 
equipment
Right of use assets
Investment property
Other non-current assets
Investments in joint 
ventures and associates
Total impairment (loss)/
reversal
Group income statement
Cost of sales – underlying
Cost of sales – 
exceptional
Administrative expenses 
– underlying
Administrative expenses 
– exceptional
Total impairment (loss)/
reversal

UK & ROI

Central Europe

Asia

Tesco Bank

Total*

Impairment
loss
£m

Impairment 
reversal
£m

Impairment 
loss
£m

Impairment 
reversal
£m

Impairment 
loss
£m

Impairment 
reversal
£m

Impairment 
loss
£m

Impairment 
reversal
£m

Impairment 
loss
£m

Impairment 
reversal
£m

(26)
(426)

(147)
–
(599)
–

21
534

150
2
707
–

(599)

707 

–
(597)

(2)

–

–
704

1

2

(16)
(128)

(25)
(1)
(170)
–

(170)

(1)
(162)

(7)

–

5
163

49
–
217
–

217

1
206

10

–

–
(34)

(23)
–
(57)
–

(57)

–
(56)

–

(1)

(599)

707

(170)

217

(57)

–
12

4
–
16
–

16

–
15

1

–

16

–
–

–
–
–
–

–

–
–

–

–

–

–
–

–
–
–
–

–

–
–

–

–

–

(42)
(588)

(195)
(1)
(826)
–

(826)

(1)
(815)

(9)

(1)

26
709

203
2
940
–

940

1
925

12

2

(826)

940

*  Refer to previous table for footnote.

The impairment loss in UK & ROI includes an impairment loss of £287m (2019: £nil) in the UK in respect of the Group obtaining control of 
The Tesco Atrato Limited Partnership. Refer to Note 33 for further details.

The impairment loss/reversal in Central Europe includes an impairment loss of £220m (2019: £nil) and reversal of £142m (2019: £nil) in Poland 
following the announcement in July 2019 that Tesco Poland will refocus its business on its best performing smaller store formats, converting 
its largest hypermarkets into smaller compact hypermarkets, which will be run alongside its existing smaller supermarkets. A full impairment 
review was conducted in Poland at the time of the announced changes.

The remaining Other non-current assets impairment losses and reversals for the Group largely reflect normal fluctuations expected from 
store-level performance, property fair values and changes in discount rates, as well as any specific store closures.

The Group recognised an impairment loss of £47m (2019: £nil) against its investment in its joint venture Trent Hypermarket Private Limited in 
India, reflecting investments in our offer to remain competitive in the market, combined with a strategic decision to reduce store expansion, 
which has impacted our profit expectations of the joint venture.

110

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net carrying value of non-current assets
The net carrying values of Other non-current assets and recoverable amounts of impaired Other non-current assets for which an impairment 
loss has been recognised or reversed have been aggregated by segment due to the large number of individually immaterial store cash-
generating units. The amounts below exclude assets or disposal groups classified as held for sale. 

At 29 February 2020
Net carrying value 
Other intangible assets 
Property, plant and equipment
Right of use assets
Investment property
Other non-current assets 
Goodwill(a)
Investments in joint ventures and associates(b)
Net carrying value of non-current assets 
Recoverable amount of impaired Other non-current assets for 
which an impairment loss has been recognised or reversed, 
supported by: 
Value in use 
Fair value less costs of disposal(c) 

UK & ROI 
£m

Central Europe
£m

Asia
£m

Tesco Bank
£m

1,055 
14,612 
5,719 
23 
21,409 
3,837 
11 
25,257 

3,448 
2,105 
5,553 

28 
2,196 
491 
3 
2,718 
– 
1 
2,719 

254 
269 
523 

16 
2,365 
650 
– 
3,031 
269 
208 
3,508 

163 
209 
372 

139 
61 
14 
– 
214 
775 
87 
1,076 

– 
– 
– 

Total 
£m

1,238 
19,234 
6,874 
26 
27,372 
4,881 
307 
32,560 

3,865 
2,583 
6,448 

(a)  Goodwill of £4,881m (2019: £4,909m) consists of UK £3,834m (2019: £3,834m), ROI £3m (2019: £3m), Thailand £193m (2019: £193m), Malaysia £76m (2019: £77m) and Tesco Bank £775m 

(2019: £802m).

(b)  The carrying value of the Group’s investments include: Gain Land Limited £nil (2019: £263m), Trent Hypermarket Private Limited £59m (2019: £102m) and Tesco Underwriting Limited £87m 

(2019: £86m).

(c)  Due to the individual nature of each property, fair values are classified as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy.

At 23 February 2019 (restated)
Net carrying value 
Other intangible assets
Property, plant and equipment
Right of use assets
Investment property
Other non-current assets 
Goodwill(a)
Investments in joint ventures and associates(b)
Net carrying value of non-current assets 
Recoverable amount of impaired Other non-current assets for 
which an impairment loss has been recognised or reversed, 
supported by: 
Value in use  
Fair value less costs of disposal(c) 

(a)-(c) Refer to previous table for footnotes.

UK & ROI
£m

Central Europe 
£m

Asia
£m

Tesco Bank
£m

1,090
13,988
6,537
29
21,644
3,837
12
25,493 

3,311 
1,976 
5,287 

27
2,687
479
7
3,200
–
1
3,201 

426 
498 
924 

14
2,449
682
–
3,145
270
503
3,918 

184 
213 
397 

224
62
15
–
301
802
86
1,189 

– 
– 
– 

Total
£m

1,355
19,186
7,713
36
28,290
4,909
602
33,801 

3,921 
2,687 
6,608 

Impairment methodology
Cash-generating units
The Group treats each store as a separate cash-generating unit for impairment testing of other intangible assets, property, plant and 
equipment, right of use assets and investment property. Refer to Note 1 for further details. The Group allocates goodwill to groups of 
cash-generating units, where each country represents a group of cash-generating units for the Group’s retail operations, as this represents 
the lowest level at which goodwill is monitored by management. Tesco Bank represents a separate cash-generating unit.

The recoverable amount of each store cash-generating unit is the higher of its value in use and its fair value less costs of disposal. The 
recoverable amount of a group of cash-generating units to which goodwill has been allocated is determined based on value in use calculations.

Head office and central assets such as distribution centres and associated costs are allocated to store cash-generating units based on level 
of use, estimated with reference to sales. Customer fulfilment centres and associated costs that are part of a store are included in the store 
cash–generating unit. Standalone customer fulfilment centres and associated costs are allocated to the store cash-generating units in the 
area that they serve to match the customer base, based on level of use, estimated with reference to sales.

Value in use
Estimates for value in use calculations include discount rates, long-term growth rates and expected changes to future cash flows, including 
volumes and prices. Estimates are based on past experience and expectations of future changes in the market, including the prevailing 
economic climate and global economy, competitor activity, market dynamics, changing customer behaviours, structural challenges facing 
retail and the resilience afforded by the Group’s operational scale. 

Cash flow projections are based on the Group’s three-year internal forecasts, the results of which are reviewed by the Board. The forecasts 
are extrapolated to five years based on management’s expectations, and beyond five years based on estimated long-term average growth 
rates. 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. 

Management estimates discount rates using pre-tax rates that reflect the market assessment as at the balance sheet date of the time value 
of money and the risks specific to the cash-generating units, including a Brexit risk adjustment in the UK & ROI segment, and a COVID-19 risk 
adjustment to the discount rates for all cash-generating units to reflect the impact of increased volatility in forecast cash flows observable at 
that time. The pre-tax 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. Risk-free rates are based on government bond rates in each geographical region and equity risk premia are 
based on forecasts by recognised bodies. 

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

111

Financial statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Group financial statements continued

Note 15 Impairment of non-current assets continued
Fair value less costs of disposal
Fair values of owned properties 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. Fair values of leased properties are 
determined with regard to the discounted market rent for the property over the remaining period of the lease, reflecting the condition and 
location of the property and the local rental market. Fair values of the Group’s properties were determined with the assistance of 
independent professional valuers where appropriate. Costs of disposal are estimated based on past experience in each geographical region.

Investments in joint ventures and associates
The recoverable values of investments in joint ventures and associates are estimated taking into account forecast cash flows, equity 
valuations of comparable entities and/or recent transactions for comparable businesses.

Key assumptions and sensitivity
Key assumptions
For value in use calculations, the key assumptions to which the recoverable amounts are most sensitive are discount rates, long-term growth 
rates and the impact on cash generated from operations from year one sales growth (incorporating sales and costs, as well as volumes and 
prices). For fair value less costs of disposal calculations, the key assumption is property fair values. 

The discount rates and long-term growth rates for each group of cash-generating units to which goodwill has been allocated are:

Pre-tax discount rates
Post-tax discount rates 
Long-term growth rates

UK

2020
%
8.0
6.6 
2.0

2019
%
8.8
7.1 
2.0

ROI

2020
%
8.1
7.1 
1.9

Thailand

Malaysia

Tesco Bank

2019
%
8.5
7.4 
1.9

2020
%
9.0
7.2 
1.6

2019
%
9.6
7.7 
1.9

2020
%
11.5
8.7 
2.4

2019
%
11.8
 9.0
2.4

2020
%
9.7 
7.2 
1.8 

2019
%
10.4 
7.8 
2.0

The discount rates and long-term growth rates for the Group’s portfolio of store cash-generating units, aggregated by segment due to the 
large number of individually immaterial store cash-generating units, are:

Pre-tax discount rates
Post-tax discount rates 
Long-term growth rates

UK & ROI

Central Europe

Asia

Tesco Bank

2020 
%
8.0 – 8.1
 6.6 – 7.1  
1.9 – 2.0

2019 
%
8.5 – 8.8
7.1 – 7.4 
1.9 – 2.0

2020 
%
7.0 – 9.3
5.5 – 8.3 
2.0 – 3.0

2019 
%
7.4 – 9.8
5.9 – 8.4 
2.0 – 2.7

2020 
%
9.0 – 11.5
7.2 – 8.7 
1.6 – 2.4

2019 
%
9.6 – 11.8
7.7 – 9.0 
1.9 – 2.4

2020 
%
9.7 
7.2 
1.8 

2019 
%
10.4 
7.8 
2.0

Sensitivity 
The Group has carried out sensitivity analyses on the reasonably possible changes in key assumptions in the impairment tests for (a) each 
group of cash-generating units to which goodwill has been allocated and (b) for its portfolio of store cash-generating units. 

a.  Neither a reasonably possible one percentage point increase in discount rates, a one percentage point decrease in year one sales growth 
nor a one percentage point decrease in long-term growth rates would indicate impairment in any group of cash-generating units to which 
goodwill has been allocated.

b.  While there is not a significant risk of an adjustment to the carrying amount of any one store cash-generating unit that would be material 

to the Group as a whole in the next financial year, the table below summarises the reasonably possible changes in each key assumption 
and its impact on the impairment of the Group’s entire portfolio of store cash-generating units, presented in aggregate due to the large 
number of individually immaterial store cash-generating units:

Key assumption
Post-tax discount rates

Year one sales growth

Long-term growth rates

Property fair values

Reasonably possible change
Increase of 1.0%pt for each geographic region
Decrease of 1.0%pt for each geographic region
Increase of 1.0%pt for each geographic region
Decrease of 1.0%pt for each geographic region
Increase of 1.0%pt for each geographic region
Decrease of 1.0%pt for each geographic region
Increase of 5.0%pt for each geographic region
Decrease of 5.0%pt for each geographic region

Impact on 
impairment
Increase
Decrease
Decrease
Increase
Decrease
Increase
Decrease
Increase

2020*

£m
(482)
485 
61 
(61) 
445 
(410) 
105 
(105) 

2019
(restated)
£m
(477) 
406 
51 
(52) 
379 
(404) 
129 
(130) 

*  These sensitivities are presented on a consistent basis with the prior financial year to aid comparability. Commentary on additional sensitivities adjusted for the impact of increased 

volatility as a result of COVID-19 is given in Note 36.

Note 16 Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income
Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income comprise investments in debt and equity instruments of other entities.

Investments in debt instruments
Investments in equity instruments
Total financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income
Of which:
Current
Non-current

112

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

2020  
£m
1,058
10 
1,068

202 
866
1,068

2019  
£m
1,040
6
1,046

67
979
1,046

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Note 17 Inventories

Goods held for resale
Development properties

2020  
£m
2,429 
4 
2,433 

2019 
£m 
2,611
6
2,617

Goods held for resale are net of commercial income. Refer to Note 22.

Cost of inventories recognised as an expense for the 53 weeks ended 29 February 2020 was £48,260m (52 weeks ended 23 February 2019: 
£48,124m). Inventory losses and provisions recognised as an expense for the 53 weeks ended 29 February 2020 were £1,320m (52 weeks ended 
23 February 2019: £1,399m).

Note 18 Trade and other receivables

Trade receivables
Prepayments
Accrued income(a)
Other receivables
Amounts owed by joint ventures and associates (Note 31)(b)
Total trade and other receivables
Of which:
Current
Non-current

2020

£m
495 
192 
262 
439 
174 
1,562 

1,396 
166 
1,562 

2019 
(restated)
£m 
598
279
297
449
170
1,793

1,550
243
1,793

(a)  Accrued income includes contract assets of £60m (2019: £54m) primarily related to insurance renewal income. The expected credit loss was immaterial as at 29 February 2020 (2019: 

immaterial).

(b)  Expected credit losses on amounts owed by joint ventures and associates is not material.

Trade and other receivables include commercial income. Refer to Note 22. Trade and other receivables are generally non-interest-bearing. 
Credit terms vary by country and the nature of the debt, ranging from seven to 60 days.

The tables below present the ageing of receivables and related allowances for expected credit losses:

At 29 February 2020
Trade receivables
Other receivables
Trade and other receivables

Allowance for expected credit losses:
At the beginning of the year
Foreign currency translation 
Increase in allowance, net of recoveries, charged to the Group income 
statement
Amounts written off
At the end of the year

At 23 February 2019
Trade receivables
Other receivables
Trade and other receivables

Not past due
£m
438 
431 
869 

Up to  
six months 
past due
£m
70 
7 
77 

Six to 12 months 
past due
£m
6 
4 
10 

Greater than  
12 months 
past due
£m
15 
17 
32 

(5)
– 
(2)

–
(7) 

(11)
1 
– 

1
(9) 

(14)
– 
4

2
(8) 

(29)
– 
(3) 

2
(30) 

Not past due
£m
499 
435 
934 

Up to  
six months 
past due
£m
106 
16 
122 

Six to 12 months 
past due
£m
18 
2 
20 

Greater than  
12 months 
past due
£m
17 
13 
30 

Allowance for expected credit losses:
At the beginning of the year
Increase in allowance, net of recoveries, charged to the Group income 
statement
Amounts written off
At the end of the year

Note 19 Loans and advances to customers and banks
Tesco Bank has loans and advances to customers and banks, as follows:

(3) 
(2) 

– 
(5) 

(10) 
(2) 

1 
(11) 

(16) 
– 

2 
(14) 

Current
Non-current

(17) 
(17) 

5 
(29)

2020  
£m
4,280 
4,171 
8,451 

Total
£m
529 
459 
988 

(59)
1 
(1) 

5
(54) 

Total
£m
640
466 
1,106 

(46) 
(21) 

8 
(59)

2019 
£m 
4,882
7,868
12,750

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

113

Financial statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Group financial statements continued

Note 19 Loans and advances to customers and banks continued
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

Expected credit loss allowance for loans and advances to customers and banks

2020  
£m
4 
4,543 
86 
3,322 
984 
8,939 
(488) 
8,451 

2019 
£m 
4
4,858
323
3,057
4,993
13,235
(485)
12,750

At 29 February 2020, £3.5bn (2019: £3.2bn) 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 £0.8bn (2019: £2.3bn).

At 29 February 2020, Delamare Cards MTN Issuer plc had £2.0bn (2019: £2.4bn) notes in issue in relation to securitisation transactions, of 
which £0.6bn (2019: £0.9bn) was externally issued. The Group owned £1.2bn (2019: £1.1bn) class A credit card-backed notes and £0.2bn (2019: 
£0.3bn) class D credit card-backed notes.

Of the total £1.2bn (2019: £1.1bn) class A notes, £nil (2019: £0.5bn) 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.

Refer to Note 25 for allowance for expected credit losses disclosures. 
Note 20 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

2020 
£m
3,251 
157 
3,408 

2020 
£m
1,076 

2019 
£m 
2,683
233
2,916

2019 
£m 
390

Cash and cash equivalents includes £35m (2019: £62m) of restricted amounts mainly relating to the Group’s pension schemes and employee 
benefit trusts.

Note 21 Trade and other payables

Trade payables 
Other taxation and social security
Other payables
Amounts payable to joint ventures and associates (Note 31) 
Accruals 
Contract liabilities
Total trade and other payables
Of which: 
Current
Non-current

2020

£m
5,579 
477 
1,793 
26 
841 
376 
9,092 

8,922 
170 
9,092 

2019
(restated)
£m
5,750
521
1,552
20
1,230
423
9,496

9,131
365
9,496

Trade and other payables are net of commercial income. Refer to Note 22. 

Contract liabilities represent consideration received for performance obligations not yet satisfied, predominantly in relation to Clubcard 
points. Substantially all of the revenue deferred at the current financial year end will be recognised in the following financial year. 

Trade payables include £393m (2019: £348m) that suppliers have chosen to early-fund under supplier financing arrangements. Refer to Note 1. 
Amounts in trade payables that are overdue for payment to the provider banks are immaterial. 
Note 22 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.

Current assets
Inventories
Trade and other receivables
Trade/other receivables
Accrued income
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables

Trade payables
Accruals

114

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

2020 
£m

(55) 

138 
157 

292 
(3) 

2019 
£m 

(69)

183
155

327
(4)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Note 23 Borrowings
Borrowings are classified as current and non-current based on their scheduled redemption date, and not their maturity date. Repayments of 
principal amounts are classified as current if the repayment is scheduled to be made within one year of the balance sheet date.

Current

Bank loans and overdrafts
1.375% MTN
5.5% MTN
1% RPI Tesco Bank Retail Bond(a)
2.125% MTN(b) 
1m USD LIBOR + 0.70% Tesco Bank Bond 
5% Tesco Bank Retail Bond 
LIBOR + 0.65% Tesco Bank Bond(c)
LIBOR + 0.53% Tesco Bank Bond(d) 
5.5457% Secured Bond(e)(f)
6.0517% Secured Bond(g)(h) 

Non-current

2.125% MTN(b)
1m USD LIBOR + 0.70% Tesco Bank Bond 
5% Tesco Bank Retail Bond  
6.125% MTN(b) 
LIBOR + 0.53% Tesco Bank Bond(d)
5% MTN(b)
1.375% MTN
2.5% MTN
2.5% MTN
3.5% Tesco Bank Senior MREL Notes(i)
3.322% LPI MTN(j)
0.875% MTN 
5.5457% Secured Bond(e)(f)
6.067% Secured Bond(e)
LIBOR + 1.2% Secured Bond(e)
6% MTN(b)
5.5% MTN(b)
1.982% RPI MTN(k)
6.15% USD Bond
6.0517% Secured Bond(g)(h) 
4.875% MTN(b)
5.125% MTN
5.2% MTN(b)

Par value
–
€726m
£97m
£73m
€296m 
$350m 
£200m 
£350m
£300m 
£312m
£471m 

Par value
€296m 
$350m 
£200m 
£417m 
£300m
£93m
€750m
€750m
£400m
£250m
£354m
€750m 
£312m
£200m
£50m
£48m
£109m
£294m
$525m
£471m 
£20m
€356m
£30m

Maturity
–
Jul 2019
Dec 2019
Dec 2019
Nov 2020 
Nov 2020 
Nov 2020 
May 2021
Oct 2022 
Feb 2029
Oct 2039 

Maturity
Nov 2020 
Nov 2020 
Nov 2020 
Feb 2022 
Oct 2022
Mar 2023
Oct 2023
Jul 2024
May 2025
Jul 2025
Nov 2025
May 2026 
Feb 2029
Feb 2029
Feb 2029
Dec 2029
Jan 2033
Mar 2036
Nov 2037
Oct 2039 
Mar 2042
Apr 2047
Mar 2057

2020

£m
413 
– 
– 
– 
255 
273 
202 
– 
299 
22 
26 
1,490 

2020

£m
– 
– 
– 
416 
– 
103 
660 
653 
418 
250 
358 
640 
281 
 192
36 
58 
133 
297 
555 
590 
20 
316 
29 
6,005 

2019 
(restated) 
£m
387
636
98
72
– 
– 
– 
350
– 
20
– 
1,563

2019 
(restated) 
£m
436 
262 
203 
561 
299
183
658
658
–
–
349
– 
303
191
34
119
186
288
428
– 
32
319
71
5,580 

(a)  The 1% RPI Tesco Bank Retail Bond is redeemable at par, indexed for increases in the RPI over the life of the bond.
(b)  During the year, the Group undertook a tender for outstanding bonds and as a result the following notional amounts were repaid early, 2.125% MTN Nov 2020 €204m, 6.125% MTN Feb 

2022 £114m, 5% MTN Mar 2023 £78m, 6% MTN Dec 2029 £50m, 5.5% MTN Jan 2033 £41m, 4.875% MTN Mar 2042 £12m and 5.2% MTN Mar 2057 £43m.

(c)  This bond was issued on 6 June 2014 and was redeemed on its scheduled redemption date in May 2019. 
(d)  This bond was issued on 7 November 2017. The scheduled redemption date of this bond is October 2020.
(e)  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 

amount of assets pledged as security for secured bonds is £794m (23 February 2019: £803m). 

(f)  This is an amortising bond which matures in Feb 2029. £22m (23 February 2019: £20m) is the principal repayment due within the next 12 months. The remainder is payable in quarterly 

instalments until maturity in Feb 2029. 

(g)  This bond is secured by a charge over the property, plant and equipment held within The Tesco Atrato Limited Partnership, a 100% owned subsidiary of Tesco PLC. The carrying amount of 

assets pledged as security for secured bonds is £612m.

(h)  This is an amortising bond which matures in Oct 2039. £26m is the principal repayment due within the next 12 months. The remainder is payable in quarterly instalments until maturity in 

Oct 2039.

(i)  These Notes are Tesco Bank MREL compliant senior debt and were issued on 25 July 2019. The scheduled redemption date is July 2024.
(j)  The 3.322% 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%.
(k)  The 1.982% RPI MTN is redeemable at par, indexed for increases in the RPI over the life of the MTN. 

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

115

Financial statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Group financial statements continued

Note 24 Financial instruments
The carrying value and fair value of the following financial assets and liabilities are set out below:

Assets
Loans and advances to customers and banks – Tesco Bank
Joint ventures and associates loan receivables*
Liabilities
Short-term borrowings:

Amortised cost
Bonds in fair value hedge relationships

Long-term borrowings:

Amortised cost
Bonds in fair value hedge relationships

Customer deposits – Tesco Bank
Deposits from banks – Tesco Bank

2020

Carrying 
value
£m

8,451 
127 

(1,015) 
(475) 

(4,049) 
(1,956) 
(7,707) 
(500) 

Fair  
value
£m

8,672 
193 

(928) 
(478) 

(4,714) 
(1,954) 
(7,711) 
(500) 

2019

Carrying  
value
£m

12,750
133

(1,491)
(72)

(3,954)
(1,626)
(10,465)
(1,663)

Fair  
value
£m

12,931
205 

(1,499)
(70)

(4,369)
(1,622)
(10,427)
(1,663)

 * Joint ventures and associates loan receivables carrying amounts of £127m (2019: £133m) are presented in the Group balance sheet net of deferred profits of £54m (2019: £54m) historically 

arising from the sale of property assets to joint ventures.

The above table excludes cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, trade and other receivables/payables, derivative financial 
instruments and financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income where the carrying values are either fair value or 
approximate fair value. 

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 expected maturity of 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 29 February 2020 and 23 February 2019 are as follows:

At 29 February 2020
Cash and cash equivalents
Loans and advances to customers and banks – Tesco Bank
Short-term investments
Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income
Joint ventures and associates loan receivables
Customer deposits – Tesco Bank
Deposits from banks – Tesco Bank
Short-term borrowings
Long-term borrowings
Lease liabilities
Derivative financial instruments:

Interest rate swaps and similar instruments
Cross-currency swaps
Index-linked swaps
Forward contracts

Financial assets 
at fair value 
through other 
comprehensive 
income
£m
– 
– 
– 
1,068 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

Financial assets/ 
(liabilities) at 
amortised cost
£m
3,382 
8,451 
1,076 
– 
127 
(7,707) 
(500) 
(1,490) 
(6,005) 
(9,566) 

Fair value 
through profit 
or loss
£m
26 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

– 
– 
– 
– 
1,068 

– 
– 
– 
– 
(12,232) 

(23) 
497
(275) 
(1) 
224 

Total
£m
3,408 
8,451 
1,076 
1,068 
127 
(7,707 )
(500) 
(1,490) 
(6,005) 
(9,566) 

(23) 
497 
(275) 
(1) 
(10,940) 

116

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
At 23 February 2019 (restated)
Cash and cash equivalents
Loans and advances to customers and banks – Tesco Bank
Short-term investments
Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income
Joint ventures and associates loan receivables
Customer deposits – Tesco Bank
Deposits from banks – Tesco Bank
Short-term borrowings
Long-term borrowings
Lease liabilities
Derivative financial instruments:

Interest rate swaps and similar instruments
Cross-currency swaps
Index-linked swaps
Forward contracts

Financial assets 
at fair value 
through other 
comprehensive 
income
£m
–
–
–
1,046
–
–
–
–
–
–

Financial assets/ 
(liabilities) at 
amortised cost
£m
2,885
12,750
390
–
133
(10,465)
(1,663)
(1,563)
(5,580)
(10,505)

Fair value 
through profit
or loss
£m
31
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
1,046

–
–
–
–
(13,618)

(29)
325
292
3
622

Total
£m
2,916
12,750
390
1,046
133
(10,465)
(1,663)
(1,563)
(5,580)
(10,505)

(29)
325
292
3
(11,950)

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 29 February 2020 and 23 February 
2019, by level of fair value hierarchy:

 – quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1);
 – inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly (that is, as prices) or 

indirectly (that is, derived from prices) (Level 2); and

 – inputs for the asset or liability that are not based on observable market data (that is, unobservable inputs) (Level 3).

At 29 February 2020
Assets
Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income
Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss 
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
Index-linked swaps
Forward contracts

Total liabilities
Net assets/(liabilities)

At 23 February 2019
Assets
Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income
Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss 
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
Net assets/(liabilities)

Level 1  
£m

1,058 
– 

– 
– 
– 
– 
1,058 

– 
– 
– 
– 
1,058 

Level 1  
£m

1,040 
– 

–
–
–
–
1,040 

–
–
–
–
–
1,040

Level 2  
£m

Level 3  
£m

– 
26 

47 
497 
541 
61 
1,172 

(70) 
(816) 
(62) 
(948) 
224 

Level 2  
£m

–
31 

38
342
811
39
1,261

(67)
(17)
(519)
(29)
(632)
629 

10 
– 

– 
– 
– 
– 
10 

– 
– 
– 
– 
10 

Level 3  
£m

6
– 

–
–
–
–
6

–
–
–
(7)
(7)
(1)

Total  
£m

1,068 
26 

47 
497 
541 
61 
2,240 

(70) 
(816) 
(62) 
(948) 
1,292 

Total  
£m

1,046
31 

38
342
811
39
2,307 

(67)
(17)
(519)
(36)
(639)
1,668

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

117

Financial statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Group financial statements continued

Note 24 Financial instruments continued
The following table presents the changes in Level 3 instruments for the 53 weeks ended 29 February 2020 and 52 weeks ended 
23 February 2019:

At the beginning of the year
Gains/(losses) recognised in the Group statement of comprehensive income/(loss)
Addition of financial instrument at fair value through profit or loss
Disposal of financial instrument at fair value through profit or loss 
Addition of financial asset at fair value through other comprehensive income
At the end of the year

2020  
£m
(1) 
1 
– 
6 
4 
10 

2019 
£m 
5
1
(7)
– 
–
(1)

During the financial year, there were no transfers (2019: no transfers) between Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements, and no transfers 
into and out of Level 3 fair value measurements (2019: no transfers).

Offsetting of financial assets and liabilities
The following tables show those financial assets and liabilities subject to offsetting, enforceable master netting arrangements and similar 
agreements.

At 29 February 2020
Financial assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Derivative financial instruments
Total trade and other receivables(a)
Total assets
Financial liabilities
Bank loans and overdrafts
Derivative financial instruments
Total trade and other payables(b)
Total liabilities

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

4,137 
1,146 
1,802 
7,085 

(1,142) 
(948) 
(9,332) 
(11,422) 

(729) 
– 
(240) 
(969) 

729 
– 
240 
969 

3,408 
1,146 
1,562 
6,116 

(413) 
(948) 
(9,092) 
(10,453) 

– 
(168) 
– 
(168) 

– 
168 
– 
168 

– 
– 
– 
– 

– 
45 
– 
45 

3,408 
978 
1,562 
5,948 

(413) 
(735) 
(9,092) 
(10,240) 

(a)  Total trade and other receivables includes £192m (2019: £279m) of prepayments.
(b)  Total trade and other payables includes £376m (2019: £423m) of contract liabilities.

At 23 February 2019 (restated)
Financial assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Derivative financial instruments
Total trade and other receivables(a)
Total assets
Financial liabilities
Bank loans and overdrafts
Deposits from banks - repurchases, securities lending 
and similar agreements (Note 26)
Derivative financial instruments
Total trade and other payables(b)
Total liabilities

(a)-(b) Refer to previous table for footnotes.

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

4,227
1,230
2,063
7,520

(1,698)
(324)

(639)
(9,766)
(12,427)

(1,311)
–
(270)
(1,581)

1,311
–

–
270
1,581

2,916
1,230
1,793
5,939

(387)
(324)

(639)
(9,496)
(10,846)  

–
(223)
–
(223)

–
–

223
–
223

–
(12)
–
(12)

–
3,006

33
–

3,039  

2,916
995
1,793
5,704

(387)
2,682

(383)
(9,496)
(7,584)

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.

118

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Note 25 Financial risk management
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.

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 IFRS 9. 

The fair values of derivative financial instruments have been disclosed in the Group balance sheet as follows:

Current
Non-current

2020

Asset 
£m
63 
1,083 
1,146 

Liability 
£m
(61) 
(887) 
(948) 

2019

Asset 
£m
52
1,178
1,230

Liability 
£m
(250)
(389)
(639)

The Group’s hedging policies are further described below. The main sources of hedge ineffectiveness are the effect of the counterparties’ 
and the Group’s own credit risk on the fair value of derivatives.

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. 

These derivative contracts receive a fixed rate of interest and pay a variable interest rate. These are formally designated in fair value hedging 
relationships and are used to hedge the exposure to changes in the fair value of debt which has been issued by the Group at fixed rates. 

There is an economic relationship between the hedged item and the hedging instrument as the terms of the swap contracts match the terms 
of the fixed-rate borrowings, including notional amount, maturity, payment and rate set dates. The Group has established a hedge ratio of 1:1 
for the hedging relationship as the underlying risk of the swap contract is identical to the hedged item. 

Cash flow hedges
Foreign currency risk
The Group is exposed to transactional foreign currency risk to the extent that there is a mismatch between the currencies in which sales, 
purchases, receivables and borrowings are denominated and the respective functional currencies of Group entities. 

The Group uses forward contracts to mainly hedge the foreign currency cost of future purchases of goods for resale and designates the spot 
element of these contracts to hedge the foreign currency risk, and designates the spot component of foreign currency forwards in hedge 
relationships. 

Under the Group’s hedging policy, the critical terms of the forward contracts must align with the hedged items. The foreign currency forwards 
are denominated in the same currency as the highly probable future sales and purchases, which are expected to occur within a maximum 
24-month period, therefore determines the hedge relationship to be 1:1.

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. During the current financial year,  
a bond tender took place relating to the Euro 2.125% €500m 2020 MTN which was in a cash flow hedge relationship. Of the outstanding 
€500m, €204m of the bond was bought back and the associated hedging instrument was monetised. As the interest payment cash flows  
on the bought back element will now not take place, cash flow hedging was discontinued on this portion. 

Commodity price risk
The Group is affected by the price of certain commodities, and uses forward contracts to hedge future purchases of diesel for own use, 
which are forecast to occur within a 12-month period. 

Net investment hedges 
The Group uses Euro-denominated borrowings to hedge the exposure of a portion of its net investments in overseas operations which have a 
Euro functional currency, against changes in value due to changes in foreign exchange rates. The hedged risk in the net investment hedge is 
the risk of a weakening Euro against Pound Sterling that will result in a reduction in the carrying amount of the Group’s Euro net investments. 

To assess hedge effectiveness, the Group determines the economic relationship between the hedging instrument and the hedged item by 
comparing changes in the carrying amount of the debt that is attributable to a change in the spot rate with changes in the investment in 
foreign operations due to movements in the spot rate. 

The Group has established a hedge ratio of 1:1 as the underlying risk of the hedging instrument is identical to the hedged risk component. 

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

119

Financial statements 
 
 
Notes to the Group financial statements continued

Note 25 Financial risk management continued
The details of the hedging instruments and movements in cumulative losses on net investment hedges in other comprehensive income are set 
out below:

Gains/(losses) on net investment hedges 
At 24 February 2018 
Borrowings – movement 
At 23 February 2019 
Borrowings – movement 
At 29 February 2020 

Movement on 
continued 
hedges 
£m
(58) 
16 
(42) 
48 
6 

Movement on 
discontinued 
hedges 
£m
(978) 
2 
(976) 
(89) 
(1,065)

Notional 
£m
1,368 

1,281 

1,281 

During the current financial year, the €726m 1.375% MTN matured in July 2019 which reduced the amount of net investment hedging. In 
November 2019, the Group issued the €750m 0.875% MTN, maturing in May 2026, which was designated as a net investment hedge at 
inception, thereby increasing net investment hedging. There were no reclassifications from foreign currency translation reserve and net 
investment hedge ineffectiveness was £nil (2019: £nil) during the year.

IBOR reform
The Group has early adopted the ‘Interest rate benchmark reform’ amendments in the current financial year. These allow the Group to 
continue hedge accounting for its benchmark interest rate exposures during the period of uncertainty arising from interest rate benchmark 
reforms. The Group will continue to apply these amendments until the uncertainty arising from interest rate benchmark reform is no longer 
present with respect to the timing and amount of the interest rate benchmark cash flows. 

None of the Group’s current GBP LIBOR- or EURIBOR-linked contracts include adequate and robust fallback provisions for a cessation of the 
referenced benchmark interest rate. The Group is monitoring the market and the output from various industry working groups managing the 
transition to new benchmark interest rates, and will look to implement fallback language for different instruments and IBORs when 
appropriate. For the Group’s derivatives, the International Swaps and Derivatives Association’s (ISDA) fallback clauses were made available at 
the end of 2019 and the Group will begin discussion with its banks with the aim to implement this language into its ISDA agreements in 2020.

Details of the hedging relationships for which the Group has applied the ‘Interest rate benchmark reform’ amendments are given below. These 
relate to the utilisation of derivatives to achieve the desired mix of fixed and floating debt.

The following table sets out the extent of the risk exposure associated with managing the fixed and floating debt mix as at 29 February 2020.

Hedging instrument
Interest rate swaps
Interest rate swaps 
Cross-currency interest rate swaps

Notional
645 
3,469 
409 

Carrying value

Asset
17 
30 
232 

Liability
– 
(51) 
– 

Interest rate 
benchmark
EURIBOR 
LIBOR 
LIBOR 

Hedged item
MTN
MTN 
MTN

Hedge relationship
Fair value hedge
Fair value hedge 
Fair value hedge

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. 

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

2020

2019

Asset

Liability

Asset

Liability

Fair value 
£m

Notional 
£m

Fair value 
£m

Notional 
£m

Fair value 
£m

Notional 
£m

Fair value 
£m

Notional 
£m

47 
232 

– 
265 
186 
38 

– 
– 
355 
23 
1,146 

1,710 
409 

– 
1,477 
649 
1,133 

35 
– 
3,025 
1,139 
9,577 

(51) 
– 

(19) 
– 
– 
(29) 

– 
– 
(816) 
(33) 
(948) 

2,404 
– 

50 
– 
– 
954 

13 
– 
5,130 
1,416 
9,967 

37
126

–
216
187
32

1
–
624
7
1,230

3,844
180

–
1,394
692
1,558

432
–
3,589
901
12,590

(49)
(8)

(17)
(9)
–
(18)

(1)
–
(519)
(18)
(639)

2,701
222

110
272
–
1,010

244
–
3,589
1,511
9,659

120

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The following tables set out the maturity profile and average interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates of the hedging instruments 
used in the Group’s non-dynamic hedging strategies.

Maturity profile 
Fair value hedges
Interest rate risk
Interest rate swaps – GBP
 – Notional amount (£m)
 – Average net interest rate (pay)/receive

Interest rate swaps – EUR
 – Notional amount (£m)
 – Average net interest rate (pay)/receive

Interest rate/Foreign currency risk
Cross-currency swaps (GBP:USD)
 – Notional amount (£m)
 – Average exchange rate
 – Average net interest rate (pay)/receive

Cash flow hedges
Interest rate risk
Index-linked swaps
 – Notional amount (£m)
 – Average net interest rate (pay)/receive

Interest rate swaps
 – Notional amount (£m)
 – Average net interest rate (pay)/receive

Interest rate/Foreign currency risk
Cross-currency swaps (GBP:USD) floating
 – Notional amount (£m)
 – Average exchange rate
 – Average net interest rate (pay)/receive
Cross-currency swaps (GBP:EUR) fixed
 – Notional amount (£m)
 – Average exchange rate
 – Average net interest rate (pay)/receive

2020

2019

Up to  
one year

One to five 
years

More than  
five years

Up to  
one year

One to five 
years

More than  
five years

953 
1.08% 

1,910 
0.84% 

607 
1.39% 

1,383 
(0.83%) 

4,351
(1.00%)

160
4.12%

645 
0.63% 

– 
– 

651
0.55%

–
–

– 
– 

– 
– 
– 

– 
– 

– 
– 

272 
1.29 
0.84%

254 
1.19 
(0.87%) 

–
–

–
–
–

409 
1.50 
3.15% 

649 
(4.22%) 

60
(1.99%)

50 
(4.23%) 

60
1.57%

– 
– 
– 

– 
– 

– 
– 

– 
– 
– 

– 
– 
– 

645 
1.25 
(1.46%) 

306 
1.47 
(0.32%) 

–
–
–

–
–
 –

272
1.29
1.62%

434
1.19
(0.87%)

–
–
–

–
 –

–
 –

402
1.50
3.04%

632
(4.22%)

50
(4.12%)

–
–
–

960
1.31
(1.09%)

At 29 February 2020, forward foreign currency transactions, designated as cash flow hedges, equivalent to £2.1bn were outstanding (2019: 
£2.6bn). These forward contracts are largely in relation to purchases of Euro (notional €0.8bn) (2019: notional €2.0bn) and US Dollar (notional 
$0.9bn) (2019: notional $1.1bn) with varying maturities up to August 2021. The notional and fair values of these contracts is shown on page 120.

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

121

Financial statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Group financial statements continued

Note 25 Financial risk management continued
The following table sets out the details of the hedged exposures covered by the Group’s fair value hedges.

At 29 February 2020
Fair value hedges
Interest rate risk

Fixed-rate loans(b)
Fixed-rate savings
Fixed-rate investment securities(b)
Fixed-rate bonds(c)

Carrying amount

Accumulated amounts of fair value 
adjustments on hedged item

Assets 
£m

Liabilities 
£m

Assets 
£m

Liabilities 
£m

Changes in fair 
value for 
calculating hedge 
ineffectiveness
£m

Residual hedge 
adjustments(a)
£m

4,416 
– 
650 
– 

– 
(3,003) 
– 
(2,348) 

10 
– 
2 
– 

– 
(1) 
– 
(216) 

12 
(1) 
7 
140 

6 
(1) 
– 
(34) 

(a)  Accumulated amount of fair value hedge adjustments remaining in the Group balance sheet for any hedged items that have ceased to be adjusted for hedging gains and losses.
(b)  Classified as Loans and advances to customers and banks. 
(c)  Classified as Borrowings.

At 23 February 2019
Fair value hedges
Interest rate risk

Fixed-rate loans and mortgages(b)
Fixed-rate savings
Fixed-rate investment securities(b)
Fixed-rate bonds(c)

(a)-(c) Refer to previous table for footnotes.

Carrying amount

Accumulated amounts of fair value 
adjustments on hedged item

Assets 
£m

Liabilities 
£m

Assets 
£m

Liabilities 
£m

Changes in fair 
value for 
calculating hedge 
ineffectiveness
£m

Residual hedge 
adjustments(a)
£m

7,974
–
473
–

–
(3,691)
–
(1,778)

(3)
–
(5)
–

–
–
–
95

14
(1)
(3)
(57)

–
–
–
(59)

The following tables set out information regarding the change in value of the hedged item used in calculating hedge ineffectiveness as well as 
the impacts on the cash flow hedge reserve and currency basis reserve.

At 29 February 2020
Interest rate risk

Index-linked bonds
Borrowings 

Foreign currency risk
Trade payables

Interest rate/Foreign currency risk

MTNs

*  Excludes deferred tax.

At 23 February 2019
Interest rate risk

Index-linked bonds
Borrowings 

Foreign currency risk
Trade payables

Interest rate/Foreign currency risk

MTNs

*  Excludes deferred tax.

Cumulative impact on Cash flow 
hedge reserve and Currency basis 
reserve*

Change in value 
of hedging 
instrument for 
calculating hedge 
ineffectiveness 
£m

Change in value 
of hedged item 
for calculating 
hedge 
ineffectiveness
£m

Continued 
hedges
£m

Discontinued 
hedges
£m

22 
(2) 

55 

28 

(22) 
2 

(55) 

(28) 

69 
(4) 

8 

137 

– 
– 

– 

(44) 

Hedging instrument

Index-linked swaps
Interest rate swaps 

Forward contracts

Cross-currency swaps

Change in value 
of hedging 
instrument for 
calculating hedge 
ineffectiveness 
£m

Change in value 
of hedged item 
for calculating 
hedge 
ineffectiveness
£m

(1) 
– 

– 

(9) 

1 
– 

–

9

Hedging instrument

Index-linked swaps
Interest rate swaps 

Forward contracts

Cross-currency swaps

Cumulative impact on Cash flow 
hedge reserve and Currency basis 
reserve*

Continued 
hedges
£m

Discontinued 
hedges
£m

72
– 

22

83

–
– 

–

(46)

122

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The following table sets out information regarding the effectiveness of hedging relationships designated by the Group, as well as the impacts 
on profit or loss and other comprehensive income:

Cash flow hedges
Net investment hedges
Fair value hedges – interest rate risk
 – Borrowings 
 – Derivatives 

Line item in Group  
income statement  
that includes hedge  
ineffectiveness
Finance income/costs
Finance income/costs

Finance income/costs 
Finance income/costs 

2020

2019

Hedge 
ineffectiveness  
recognised in profit 
or loss
£m
– 
– 

Hedge 
ineffectiveness  
recognised in profit 
or loss 
£m
–
–

(6) 
– 

(22)
–

The following table presents a reconciliation by risk category of the Cash flow hedge and Currency basis reserves and an analysis of other 
comprehensive income in relation to hedge accounting:

Opening balance
Adjustment on initial application of IFRS 9 (net of tax)
Opening balance (restated)
Interest rate risk
Index-linked swaps
 – Net fair value gains/(losses)
 – Amount reclassified to Group income statement
Interest rate swaps
 – Net fair value gains/(losses)
 – Amount reclassified to Group income statement
Interest rate/Foreign currency risk
Cross-currency swaps
 – Net fair value gains/(losses)
 – Amount reclassified to Group income statement
Foreign currency risk
Forward contracts
 – Net fair value gains/(losses)
 – Amount reclassified to Inventories
Tax
Closing balance

2020

Cash flow 
hedge reserve 
£m
118
–
118

Currency 
basis reserve 
£m
(5)
–
(5)

Line item

2019

Cash flow 
hedge reserve 
£m
40
(1)
39

Currency 
basis reserve 
£m
–
1
1

Line item

1 
(2) 

(2) 
(1) 

70 
(4) 

49 
(64) 
(11) 
154 

– 
–  Finance income/costs

– 
–  Finance income/costs

(12) 

–  Finance income/costs

– 
– 
2 
(15) 

Inventories

30
(20)

(1)
–

15
8

92
(45)
–
118

–
– Finance income/costs

–
– Finance income/costs

(6)
– Finance income/costs

–
–
–
(5)

Inventories

Interest rate risk
Debt issued at variable rates, as well as cash deposits and short-term investments, expose 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% of interest costs for senior unsecured debt and a range of 55% to 85% for fixed-rate leases 
of the Group excluding Tesco Bank. At 29 February 2020, the percentage of interest-bearing debt at fixed rates was 68% (2019: 78%). The weighted 
average rate of interest paid on senior unsecured debt this financial year, excluding joint ventures and associates, was 3.30% (2019: 3.76%). 

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 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 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 page 127. During 2020 and 
2019, Group net debt was managed using derivative instruments to hedge interest rate risk.

Cash and cash equivalents
Loans and advances to customers and banks – Tesco Bank
Short-term investments
Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income
Joint ventures and associates loan receivables
Lease liabilities
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

2020

2019 (restated)

Fixed 
£m
– 
4,370 
– 
659 
106 
(9,566) 
(6,260) 
(3,164) 
(500) 

(1,092) 
410 
(294) 
(15,331) 

Floating 
£m
3,408 
4,081 
1,076 
409 
21 
– 
(1,235) 
(4,543) 
– 

1,092 
(410) 
294 
4,193 

Total 
£m
3,408 
8,451 
1,076 
1,068 
127 
(9,566) 
(7,495) 
(7,707) 
(500) 

– 
– 
– 
(11,138) 

Fixed 
£m
–
8,328
–
475
76
(10,505)
(5,810)
(3,714)
(1,663)

(5,899)
402
(346)
(18,656)

Floating 
£m
2,916
4,422
390
571
57
–
(1,333)
(6,751)
–

5,899
(402)
346
6,115

Total 
£m
2,916
12,750
390
1,046
133
(10,505)
(7,143)
(10,465)
(1,663)

–
–
–
(12,541)

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

123

Financial statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Group financial statements continued

Note 25 Financial risk management continued

Credit risk
Credit risk is the risk that a counterparty will not meet its obligations leading to a financial loss for the Group. Credit risk arises from Cash and 
cash equivalents, Trade and other receivables (excluding prepayments), Derivative financial instruments, Loans and advances to customers 
and banks, Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income and Short-term investments. 

For financial assets (other than Trade and other receivables), 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. 
Counterparty credit limits are reviewed on an annual basis, and may be updated throughout the financial year. The limits are set to minimise 
the concentration of risk and are set taking into account the type and value of the specific financial asset. 

For Trade and other receivables, credit risk is managed with various mitigating controls including credit checks, credit insurance and master 
netting agreements. Due to the nature of the Retail business, there is little concentration of risk due to the large number of customers which 
are spread across wide geographical areas. 

The net counterparty exposure under derivative contracts is £1.0bn (2019: £1.0bn). The Group considers its maximum credit risk to be £15.6bn 
(2019: £19.7bn) largely based on the Group’s total financial assets.

The low credit risk exemption has been applied to Cash and cash equivalents, Short-term investments and Financial assets at fair value 
through other comprehensive income as these are held with counterparties with investment-grade ratings (BBB or above) or are short term 
in nature. 

A reconciliation of the Group’s expected credit loss (ECL) allowance on loans to related joint ventures and associates is provided below:

24 February 2018 (as previously reported)
Adjustment on initial application of IFRS 9
25 February 2018 (restated)
Increase/(decrease) in the allowance recognised in the Group income statement
23 February 2019
Increase/(decrease) in the allowance recognised in the Group income statement during the current financial year
29 February 2020

£m
–
13
13
(13)
–
2 
2 

Gross loans to related parties of £183m (2019: £200m) are presented net of loss allowances of £2m (2019: £nil) and deferred profits of £54m 
(2019: £54m) on the Group balance sheet. The ECL is determined by multiplying together the probability of default (PD), exposure at default 
(EAD) and the loss given default (LGD) for the relevant time period and for each specific loan.

For credit risk relating to Tesco Bank, refer to the separate section on Tesco Bank financial risk factors on pages 127 to 129. 

Liquidity risk
Liquidity risk is the risk that the Group will encounter difficulty in meeting the obligations associated with its financial liabilities.

The Group finances its liquidity position and 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, to maintain a smooth debt profile and maturing senior unsecured debt will not 
exceed £1.5bn in any 12-month period. 

The Group retains access to capital markets so that maturing debt may be refinanced as it falls due. The Group has a £15.0bn Euro Medium 
Term Note programme, of which £4bn was in issue at 29 February 2020 (2019: £4.2bn), plus £0.4bn equivalent of USD-denominated notes 
issued under 144A documentation (2019: £0.4bn).

Liquidity risk is continuously monitored by short-term and long-term cash flow forecasts. In addition, the Group has the following undrawn 
committed facilities which mature between 2020 and 2021.

Borrowing facilities
The Group has the following undrawn committed facilities available at 29 February 2020, 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

2020  
£m
38 
3,000 
– 
3,038 

2019 
£m 
38
–
3,000
3,038

The undrawn committed facilities include £0.4bn (2019: £0.4bn) of bilateral facilities and a £2.6bn (2019: £2.6bn) syndicated revolving credit 
facility. All facilities incur commitment fees at market rates and would provide funding at floating rates. 

For liquidity risk relating to Tesco Bank, refer to the separate section on Tesco Bank financial risk factors on page 127.

The following is an analysis of the undiscounted contractual cash flows payable under financial liabilities and derivative liabilities 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 £19.3bn is considered acceptable as it is offset by financial assets of £16.8bn (2019: £21.3bn offset by financial assets of 
£19.7bn).

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.  

124

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

 
 
 
At 29 February 2020
Non-derivative financial liabilities
Bank and other borrowings
Interest payments on borrowings
Customer deposits – Tesco Bank
Deposits from banks – Tesco Bank
Lease liabilities
Trade and other payables*
Derivative financial liabilities
Net settled derivative contracts – receipts
Net settled derivative contracts – payments
Gross settled derivative contracts – receipts
Gross settled derivative contracts – payments
Total

At 23 February 2019 (restated)
Non-derivative financial liabilities
Bank and other borrowings
Interest payments on borrowings
Customer deposits – Tesco Bank
Deposits from banks – Tesco Bank
Lease liabilities
Trade and other payables*
Derivative financial liabilities
Net settled derivative contracts – receipts
Net settled derivative contracts – payments
Gross settled derivative contracts – receipts
Gross settled derivative contracts – payments
Total

Due within
 1 year
£m

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

(1,391) 
(227) 
(6,426) 
(3) 
(1,081) 
(8,922) 

10 
(717) 
2,534 
(2,585) 
(18,808) 

(467) 
(208) 
(797) 
(1) 
(1,018) 
(22) 

11 
(42) 
– 
– 
(2,544) 

(53) 
(181) 
(233) 
(501) 
(996) 
(18) 

467 
(470) 
– 
– 
(1,985) 

(795) 
(179) 
(187) 
– 
(993) 
(2) 

116 
(148) 
– 
– 
(2,188) 

(956) 
(159) 
(115) 
– 
(951) 
(1) 

– 
(160) 
– 
– 
(2,342) 

(3,776) 
(1,237) 
– 
– 
(9,584) 
(127) 

25 
(18) 
– 
– 
(14,717) 

Due within
 1 year 
£m

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

(1,515)
(258)
(8,569)
(337)
(1,202)
(9,131)

6
(291)
2,438
(2,460)
(21,319)

(1,221)
(205)
(1,348)
(410)
(1,107)
(28)

3
(340)
(262)
260
(4,658)

(556)
(176)
(336)
(945)
(1,071)
(22)

2
(59)
14
(43)
(3,192)

(28)
(142)
(108)
–
(1,034)
(11) 

–
(79)
–
–
(1,402)

(854)
(141)
(186)
–
(1,006)
(11)

–
(6)
–
–
(2,204)

(3,118)
(1,267)
(1)
–

(11,015) 
(293)

–
(20)
–
–
(15,714)

*  Trade and other payables includes £376m (2019: £423m) of contract liabilities. Refer to Note 21.

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, 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 and the policy is to have minimum (20%) and maximum (80%) hedge level of forecast uncommitted 
exposure within the next 12 months; 

 – net investment exposure arises from changes in the value of net investments denominated in currencies other than Pounds Sterling. 

The Group’s policy is to hedge 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 current financial year, currency movements 
decreased the net value, after the effects of hedging, of the Group’s overseas assets by £70m (2019: increased by £100m). The Group also 
ensures that each subsidiary is appropriately hedged in respect of its non-functional currency assets; and

 – loans to non-UK subsidiaries in currencies other than in the Group’s functional currency. The Group’s policy is that 100% of the foreign 

exchange risk is hedged. The risk exposure is managed by the use of 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.

Sensitivity analysis
The impact on the Group financial statements from foreign currency, inflation and interest rate volatility is discussed below.

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 29 February 2020. 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. 

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

125

Financial statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Group financial statements continued

Note 25 Financial risk management 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 borrowings, 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 financial instruments designated as net investment hedges from movements in foreign exchange rates are 

recorded directly in the Group statement of comprehensive income/(loss);

 – 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 quantitative effect on the Group income statement and Group statement of 
changes in equity that would result, at the balance sheet date, from changes in interest rates, inflation rates and currency exchange rates 
that are reasonably possible for major currencies where there have recently been significant movements:

1% increase in interest rates (2019: 1%)
10% appreciation of the Euro (2019: 10%)
10% appreciation of the US Dollar (2019: 10%)
25 basis points parallel upward shift in the forward inflation curve (2019: 25 basis points) 

2020*

2019

Income gain/
(loss)
£m
39 
1 
5 
86 

Equity 
gain/(loss)
£m
(42) 
(117) 
78 
– 

Income gain/
(loss)
£m
58
1
–
– 

Equity
 gain/(loss)
£m
(32)
(96)
100
– 

*  These sensitivities are presented on a consistent basis with the prior financial year to aid comparability. Commentary on additional sensitivities adjusted for the impact of increased 

volatility as a result of COVID-19 is given in Note 36.

A decrease in interest rates, depreciation of foreign currencies and downward shift in the forward inflation curve would have the opposite 
effect to the impact in the table above.

The impact on the Group income statement resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates against GBP in relation to financial instruments (excluding 
those arising on consolidation) are minimal as Group policy dictates that all material income statement foreign exchange exposures are hedged. 

During the current financial year, the Group entered into a number of derivative index-linked contracts with external counterparties, to 
economically hedge a proportion of the Group’s exposure to index-linked lease liabilities with its joint ventures. These are specifically not 
designated as accounting hedges, but are economic hedges. However, the gains and losses on the hedging instrument and hedged item do not 
naturally offset in the Group income statement. This mismatch arises due to different accounting outcomes of IFRS 9 and IFRS 16 which 
results in a timing difference. 

The impact on the Group statement of comprehensive income/(loss) 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/(loss) will largely be offset by the 
revaluation in equity of the hedged assets in the Group statement of changes in equity.

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 Group 
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 centrally and locally from financial institutions, using a variety of capital 
market instruments and borrowing facilities to meet the requirements of each local business. 

In line with the Group’s objectives, during the current financial year, the Group issued a £400m bond maturing in 2025 and €750m bond 
maturing in 2026.

Refer to Note 32 for the value of the Group’s net debt (£12.3bn; 2019: £13.2bn), and the Group statement of changes in equity for the value of 
the Group’s equity (£13.3bn; 2019: £13.4bn).

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 company, ELH Insurance Limited in Guernsey, which covers Assets, Earnings and Combined Liability.

126

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

 
 
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 Tesco Bank’s Board of 
Directors 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 retail customer or counterparty to a wholesale transaction 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. To minimise the potential exposure to bad debts that are outside risk appetite, 
processes, systems and limits have been established that cover the end-to-end retail credit risk customer life cycle. These include credit 
scoring, affordability, credit policies and guides, and monitoring and reporting. The Bank is also exposed to wholesale credit risk primarily 
through its treasury activities. Controls and risk mitigants include daily monitoring of exposures, investing in counterparties with investment 
grade ratings, restricting the amount that can be invested with one counterparty and credit-rating mitigation techniques. Assessment of the 
expected credit loss (ECL) on loans and advances to customers has taken into account a range of macroeconomic scenarios.

The tables below present the reconciliations of ECL allowances on loans and advances to customers.

29 February 2020
Gross exposure
Loan commitments
Total exposure

Allowance for expected credit losses
At 23 February 2019
Transfers:
Transfers from stage 1 to stage 2
Transfers from stage 2 to stage 1
Transfers to stage 3
Transfers from stage 3 
Movements recognised in the Group income statement:
Net remeasurement following transfer of stage
New financial assets originated
Financial assets derecognised during the current financial year 
Changes in risk parameters and other movements
Other movements:
Write-offs and asset disposals
Reclassification of mortgage book balances to fair value through profit or loss 
At 29 February 2020

Reconciliation to Group balance sheet
Gross exposure
Allowance for expected credit losses

Fair value adjustment 
Carrying value at 29 February 2020*

*  Excludes loans and advances to banks of £nil (2019: £324m). Refer to Note 19.

Stage 1
£m
7,688 
11,755 
19,443 

(84)

11 
(64) 
3 
(2) 

38 
(27) 
9 
32 

– 
1 
(83) 

7,688 
(83) 
7,605 

2020

Stage 2
£m
953 
116 
1,069 

Stage 3
£m
289 
1 
290 

Total
£m
8,930 
11,872 
20,802 

(229)

(172)

(485)

(11) 
64 
50 
(2) 

(23) 
(21) 
12 
(63) 

3 
1 
(219) 

953 
(219) 
734 

– 
– 
(53) 
4 

(93) 
(10) 
3 
(60) 

195 
– 
(186) 

289 
(186) 
103 

– 
– 
– 
– 

(78) 
(58) 
24 
(91) 

198 
2 
(488) 

8,930 
(488) 
8,442 
9 
8,451 

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

127

Financial statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Group financial statements continued

Note 25 Financial risk management continued 

23 February 2019
Gross exposure
Loan commitments
Total exposure

Allowance for expected credit losses
At 24 February 2018
Transfers:
Transfers from stage 1 to stage 2
Transfers from stage 2 to stage 1
Transfers to stage 3
Movements recognised in the Group income statement:
Net remeasurement following transfer of stage
New financial assets originated
Changes in risk parameters and other movements
Other movements:
Write-offs and asset disposals
Transfer from provisions for liabilities and other charges
At 23 February 2019

Reconciliation to Group balance sheet
Gross exposure
Allowance for expected credit losses

Fair value adjustment 
Carrying value at 23 February 2019*

*  Refer to previous table for footnote.

Stage 1
£m
11,464
12,115
23,579

2019

Stage 2
£m
1,179
110
1,289

Stage 3
£m
271
1
272

Total
£m
12,914
12,226
25,140

(95)

11
(46)
3

26
(28)
45

2
(2)
(84)

11,464

(84) 
11,380 

(211)

(151)

(457)

(11)
46
41

(19)
(36)
(41)

1
1
(229)

1,179
(229) 
950 

–
–
(44)

(90)
(11)
(36)

160
–
(172)

271
(172) 
99 

–
–
–

(83)
(75)
(32)

163
(1)
(485)

12,914
(485)
12,429 
(3) 

12,426

The Bank defines four classifications of credit quality for all credit exposures: high, satisfactory, low and below standard. Credit exposures are 
segmented according to the probability of default (PD), with credit impaired reflecting a PD of 100%. At 29 February 2020 the quality of the 
Bank’s loans and advances to customers was high for 75% of the total exposure (2019: 83%), satisfactory for 17% (2019: 11%), low for 5% (2019: 
4%) and below standard for 3% (2019: 2%). The quality of the loan commitments was high for 97% of the total exposure (2019: 98%), 
satisfactory for 3% (2019: 2%), low for 0% (2019: 0%) and below standard for 0% (2019: 0%).

Expected credit losses (ECL)
The ECL is determined by multiplying together the PD, exposure at default (EAD) and loss given default (LGD) for the relevant time period and 
for each asset category and by discounting back to the balance sheet date. The ECL calculation and the measurement of significant 
deterioration in credit risk both incorporate forward-looking information using a range of macroeconomic scenarios, with key variables being 
the Bank of England base rate, unemployment rate, house price index and gross domestic product.

The ECL calculation and the measurement of significant deterioration in credit risk both incorporate forward-looking information using a 
range of macroeconomic scenarios. The key economic variables are based on historical patterns observed over a range of economic cycles.

The Group has engaged a third-party supplier to provide relevant economic data for this purpose which, prior to incorporation into the ECL 
calculation, is subject to internal review and challenge with reference to other publicly available market data and benchmarks. From this data, 
a base case scenario has been developed, together with four additional scenarios, each of which have been assigned a relative probability. 
The base case represents an estimate of the most-likely outcome while other scenarios represent more optimistic (upside) and more 
pessimistic (downside) outcomes. Downside scenario 1 reflects an economic downside caused by the UK being unable to secure a favourable 
trade deal with the EU, while Downside scenario 2 represents a more severe recession. As a result of COVID-19 developments at the balance 
sheet date, a fifth scenario was introduced which used Downside 2 as a proxy, to reflect the increased risk of an adverse impact on the 
economy from the COVID-19 pandemic. The scenarios have been assigned weightings of 40%, 20%, 30%, 5% and 5% respectively, which is 
considered to be appropriate for the calculation of unbiased ECLs. 

Default
An account is deemed to have defaulted when the Group considers that a customer is in significant financial difficulty and that the customer 
meets certain quantitative and qualitative criteria regarding their ability to make contractual payments when due. This includes instances 
where:

 – the customer makes a declaration of significant financial difficulty; 
 – the customer or third-party agency communicates that it is probable that the customer will enter bankruptcy or another form of financial 

restructure such as insolvency or repossession;

 – the account has been transferred to recoveries and the relationship is terminated;
 – an account’s contractual payments are more than 90 days past due; or
 – where the customer is deceased.

128

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Significant increase in credit risk
At each reporting date, the change in credit risk of the financial asset is observed using a set of quantitative and qualitative criteria, together 
with a backstop based on arrears status. For each financial asset, the Group compares the lifetime PD at the reporting date with the lifetime 
PD that was expected at the reporting date at initial recognition (PD threshold). The Group has established PD thresholds for each type of 
product which vary depending on initial term and term remaining. A number of qualitative criteria are in place such as: forbearance offered to 
customers in financial difficulty; risk-based pricing post-origination; credit indebtedness; credit limit decrease; and pre-delinquency 
information. As a backstop, the Group considers that if an account’s contractual payments are more than 30 days past due then a significant 
increase in credit risk has taken place. The Group has used the low credit risk exemption in respect of its portfolio of investment securities in 
both the current and prior year. 

The sensitivities in the ECL allowance, to reasonably possible changes in the following key assumptions, are set out below:

Key assumption 
Probability of default 

Loss given default

Macroeconomic factors 

Probability of default threshold (staging)

Reasonably  
possible change
Increase of 2.5%
Decrease of 2.5%
Increase of 2.5%
Decrease of 2.5%
Upside scenario
Base scenario
Downside scenario 1 
Downside scenario 2
COVID-19 
Increase of 20%
Decrease of 20%

2020*
£m 
11 
(11) 
12 
(12) 
(41) 
(28) 
40 
103 
103 
(17) 
21 

2019
£m
9 
(9) 
12 
(12) 
(33) 
(21 )
67 
– 
– 
(14) 
10 

*  These sensitivities are presented on a consistent basis with the prior financial year to aid comparability. Commentary on additional sensitivities adjusted for the impact of increased 

volatility as a result of COVID-19 is given in Note 36.

Tesco Bank could be exposed to unacceptable levels of bad debt and also suffer reputational damage if it did not provide adequate support to 
customers who are experiencing financial difficulties. Forbearance is relief granted by a lender to assist customers in financial difficulty, 
through arrangements which temporarily allow the customer to pay an amount other than the contractual amounts due. These temporary 
arrangements may be initiated by the customer or the Group where financial distress would prevent repayment within the original terms and 
conditions of the contract. The main aim of forbearance is to support customers in returning to a position where they are able to meet their 
contractual obligations.

Tesco Bank has adopted the definition of forbearance in the European Banking Authority’s (EBA) final draft Implementing Technical Standards 
(ITS) of July 2014. The Group reports all accounts meeting this definition, providing for them appropriately. 

Controls and risk mitigants
Tesco Bank has well defined forbearance policies and processes. A number of forbearance options are made available to customers by the 
Group. These routinely, but not exclusively, include the following:

 – arrangements to repay arrears over a period of time, by making payments above the contractual amount, that ensure the loan is repaid 

within the original repayment term;

 – short-term concessions, where the borrower is allowed to make reduced repayments (or in exceptional circumstances, no repayments) on 

a temporary basis to assist with short-term financial hardship; and

 – for secured products, it may also be acceptable to allow the customer to clear the arrears over an extended period of time, provided the 

payments remain affordable.

Credit cards – UK 
Credit cards – Europe
Credit cards – Commercial
Loans
Mortgages

Gross loans and  
advances subject to  
Forbearance programmes

Forbearance programmes as a 
proportion of total loans and 
advances by category

Proportion of Forbearance 
programmes covered by allowance 
for expected credit losses

2020 
£m
107.6 
– 
0.1 
48.9 
– 

2019 
£m
92.8
–
0.1
48.4
6.0

2020 
%
2.5 
– 
4.7 
1.0 
– 

2019 
%
2.0
–
4.8
1.1
0.2

2020 
%
49.7 
– 
94.1 
44.3 
– 

2019 
%
53.3
–
90.8
48.0
1.2

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

129

Financial statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Group financial statements continued

Note 25 Financial risk management continued
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. Tesco Bank closely monitors performance of the portfolio against specific thresholds and limits.

Note 26 Customer deposits and deposits from banks

Customer deposits
Deposits from banks

Of which:
Current
Non-current

2020  
£m
7,707 
500 
8,207 

6,377 
1,830 
8,207

2019  
£m
10,465
1,663
12,128

8,832
3,296
12,128

Deposits from banks include balances of £nil (2019: £324m) in respect of securities sold under sale and repurchase agreements and balances 
of £500m (2019: £1,339m) drawn under the Bank of England’s Term Funding Scheme. The underlying securities sold under agreements to 
repurchase had a carrying value of £nil (2019: £358m).

Note 27 Provisions 

At 23 February 2019 (restated)
Foreign currency translation  
Amount released in the year
Amount provided in the year
Amount utilised in the year
Unwinding of discount
At 29 February 2020

The balances are analysed as follows:

Current
Non-current

Property  
provisions 
£m 
161

(6) 
(2) 
9 
(7) 
1 
156 

Restructuring  
provisions 
£m 
143
– 
(20) 
171 
(230) 
– 
64 

Other  
provisions 
£m
69
2 
(4) 
53 
(48) 
– 
72 

Total 
£m
373

(4) 
(26) 
233 
(285) 
1 
292 

2020

£m
155 
137 
292 

2019 
(restated)
£m
226
147
373

Property provisions 
Property provisions comprise onerous property provisions, including non-lease contracts related to unprofitable stores and vacant 
properties, dilapidations provisions and asset retirement obligation provisions. 

Restructuring provisions
Of the £151m net charge (£171m charge, £20m release) recognised in the year, £151m (2019: £182m) has been classified within exceptional items 
as ‘Net restructuring and redundancy costs’ and related to store and head office restructuring in the UK & ROI £95m (2019: £131m), Central 
Europe £43m (2019: £27m), Asia £nil (2019: £26m) and Tesco Bank £13m (2019: £2m release).

Other provisions
Other provisions include provisions for Tesco Bank customer redress in respect of potential complaints arising from the historical sales of PPI, 
and in respect of customer redress relating to instances where certain 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. During the current financial year, an additional charge of 
£45m was recognised in the Group income statement within exceptional items, classified as ‘Provision for customer redress’ within cost of 
sales. Refer to Note 4 for further details. 

Other provisions are expected to be utilised in the next financial year.

130

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Note 28 Share-based payments
The Group income statement charge for the financial year recognised in respect of share-based payments is £129m (2019: £118m), which is 
made up of share option schemes and share bonus payments. Of this amount, £113m (2019: £103m) will be settled in equity and £16m (2019: 
£15m) in cash. National Insurance payable in connection with options granted is treated as a cash-settled transaction.

Share option schemes
The Company had 10 share option schemes in operation during the financial year, all of which are equity-settled schemes:

i. 

ii. 

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.
The Irish Savings-related Share Option Scheme (2000) permits the grant to ROI 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) 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) permits the grant of options in respect of Ordinary shares to selected senior executives as 

v. 

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.
The Performance Share Plan (2011) 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) 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 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.
viii.  The Long Term Incentive Plan (2015) 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.

ix.  The Booker Group plc Savings Related Share Option Plan 2008 (Booker SAYE) permitted the grant to Booker colleagues of options 

x. 

in respect of Ordinary shares in Booker Group plc (now Booker Group Limited) (Booker Shares) linked to a building society/bank 
save-as-you-earn contract for a term of three years with contributions from Booker colleagues of an amount between £5 and 
£500 per four-weekly period. Following completion of the acquisition of Booker Group plc (now Booker Group Limited) by Tesco 
PLC, Booker colleagues elected to roll over their existing options over Booker shares under the Booker SAYE into equivalent options 
over Ordinary shares in Tesco PLC (Tesco Shares). The options over Tesco Shares are capable of being exercised at the end of the 
three-year period at a subscription price equivalent to not less than 80% of the average of the middle-market quotations of a 
Booker Share over the three dealing days immediately preceding the offer date.
The Booker Group plc Performance Share Plan 2008 (Booker PSP) permitted the grant of options in respect of Booker Shares 
to selected Booker senior colleagues (Booker PSP Options). Under the Booker PSP, tax approved Company Share Option Plan 
options (Booker CSOP Options) were also granted to selected Booker senior colleagues. Following completion of the acquisition 
of Booker Group plc by Tesco PLC, Booker senior colleagues elected to roll over their existing Booker PSP and Booker CSOP 
Options over Booker Shares into equivalent options over Tesco Shares. Booker PSP Options are normally exercisable between 
the third anniversary of the original date of grant and 10 years from the date of grant for nil consideration. The vesting of options is 
normally conditional upon the achievement of specified performance targets over a three-year period and continuous employment. 
Conditional on the vesting of the relevant Booker PSP Options, Booker CSOP Options are normally exercisable between the third 
anniversary of the original date of grant and 10 years from the date of grant at a subscription price equivalent to the market value 
of the Booker Shares at the time of grant.

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

131

Financial statementsNotes to the Group financial statements continued

Note 28 Share-based payments continued
The following tables reconcile the number of share options outstanding and the weighted average exercise price (WAEP):

For the 53 weeks ended 29 February 2020

Savings-related 
Share Option Scheme

Irish Savings-related 
Share Option Scheme

Nil cost  
Share Option Scheme

Booker Group plc 
Savings Related 
Share Option Plan

Booker Group plc 
Performance Share 
Plan Scheme

 Options WAEP

 Options

WAEP

 Options WAEP

Other Schemes*
 Options

WAEP

 Options

WAEP

 Options

215,591,248

168.04

6,470,978

44,387,158 

219.00 

1,977,339 

(23,512,462) 

200.62 

(1,062,090) 

(20,653,850) 

167.18 

(530,614) 

WAEP

175.06

219.00 

187.69 

180.60 

25,377,129

537,271 

(5,502,793) 

(1,955,766) 

215,812,094 

175.06 

6,855,613 

185.35 

18,455,841 

150.00 to 
322.00 

2.09 

150.00 to 
219.00 

2.55 

2,948,571 

189.92 

243,886 

190.00 

9,359,089 

151.00 to 
322.00 

0.41 

190.00 

0.42 

–

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

6.39 

– 

– 

5.60 

9,827,705

145.36

11,222,347

– 

(766,057) 

(3,961,499) 

5,100,149 

– 

147.40 

137.46 

151.21 

– 

(2,870,980) 

(3,375,131) 

4,976,236 

137.13 to 
152.78 

1.32 

523,817 

137.45 

977,437 

137.45 

0.42 

–

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

0.51 

– 

– 

– 

12,379,637

– 

(12,379,637) 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

*  Other Schemes includes Approved Share Option Scheme (Approved), Unapproved Share Option Scheme (Unapproved), and International Executive Share Option Scheme (International). 
Respectively: WAEP for Outstanding at 23 February 2019 were 338.40p (2018: 391.25p), 338.40 (2018: 375.18p) and 338.40p (2018: 375.69p); WAEP for Forfeited during the current financial 
year were 338.40p (2019: 416.94p), 338.40p (2019: 400.96p) and 338.40p (2019: 396.04p); WAEP for Outstanding at 29 February 2020 were nil (2019: 338.40p), nil (2019: 338.40p) and nil 
(2019: 338.40p). 

Share options were exercised on a regular basis throughout the financial year. The average share price during the 53 weeks ended 29 February 
2020 was 237.69p (2019: 228.55p).

For the 52 weeks ended 23 February 2019

Savings-related 
Share Option Scheme

Irish Savings-related 
Share Option Scheme

Nil cost  
Share Option Scheme

Booker Group plc 
Savings Related 
Share Option Plan

Booker Group plc 
Performance Share 
Plan Scheme

 Options

WAEP

 Options

WAEP

 Options WAEP

 Options

244,886,709

WAEP

162.21

 Options

6,926,980

50,220,486

(25,820,506)

(53,695,441)

188.00

188.17

150.43

1,925,295

(1,215,831)

(1,165,466)

215,591,248

168.04

6,470,978

150.00 to 
322.00

2.46

WAEP

167.88

168.00

178.35

150.34

175.06

150.00 to 
322.00

2.71

36,015,512

411,499

(6,321,392)

(4,728,490)

25,377,129

10,629,678

210.24

406,100

192.01

6,491,384

150.00 to 
322.00

0.43

150.00 to 
322.00

0.43

–

–

–

–

–

–

7.31

–

–

6.16

–

–

–

15,684,396

(1,566,612)

(4,290,079)

141.47

145.59

131.06

17,446,916

(662,887)

(5,561,682)

9,827,705

145.36

11,222,347

88.26 to 
163.76

1.89

573,798

137.13

1,740,392

137.40

0.35

–

–

–

–

–

–

0.96

–

–

–

Other Schemes*
 Options

WAEP

32,377,140

–

(19,997,503)

–

12,379,637

–

–

–

–

– 

338.40 to 
427.00

0.20

12,379,637

–

338.40 to 
427.00 

0.20

Outstanding at 23 
February 2019
Granted

Forfeited

Exercised

Outstanding at  
29 February 2020
Exercise price range 
(pence)

Weighted average 
remaining 
contractual life 
(years)

Exercisable at 
29 February 2020
Exercise price range 
(pence)

Weighted average 
remaining 
contractual life 
(years)

Outstanding at  
24 February 2018
Granted

Forfeited

Exercised

Outstanding at  
23 February 2019
Exercise price range 
(pence)

Weighted average 
remaining 
contractual life 
(years)

Exercisable at 
23 February 2019
Exercise price range 
(pence)

Weighted average 
remaining 
contractual life 
(years)

*  Refer to previous table for footnotes.

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)

2020

2019

SAYE
3.7-4.3% 
23-28% 
0.8% 
3 or 5 
38.56 
7-10% 
243.00 
219.00 

Nil cost
– 
– 
– 
–
– 
–
– 
– 

SAYE
1.5-4.2%
29%
0.8-1.1%
3 or 5
41.01
7-11%
212.40
0.88-188.00

Nil cost
1.5%
25-30%
0.8-0.9%
3-6
68.04-180.35
–
204.00
–

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.

132

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Share bonus and incentive schemes
Selected executives participate in the Group Bonus Plan, a performance-related bonus scheme. The amount paid to colleagues is based on a 
percentage of salary and is paid partly in cash and partly in shares. Bonuses are awarded to selected executives who have completed a 
required service period and depend on the achievement of corporate and individual performance targets.

Selected executives participate in the Performance Share Plan (2011) and the Long Term Incentive Plan (2015). Awards made under these plans 
will normally vest on the vesting date(s) set on the date of the award for nil consideration. Vesting will normally be conditional on the 
achievement of specified performance targets over a three-year performance period and/or continuous employment.

The Executive Directors participate in short-term bonus and long-term incentive schemes designed to align their interests with those of 
shareholders. Full details of these schemes can be found in the Directors’ remuneration report.

The fair value of shares awarded under these schemes is their market value on the date of award. Expected dividends are not incorporated 
into the fair value. 

The number and weighted average fair value (WAFV) of share bonuses and share incentives awarded were:

Group Bonus Plan
Performance Share Plan

2020

2019

Number of shares
11,496,310 
39,136,637 

WAFV pence
237.80 
233.77 

Number of shares
16,489,286
25,570,973

WAFV pence
242.07
254.79

Note 29 Post-employment benefits
Pensions
The Group operates a variety of post-employment benefit arrangements, covering both funded and unfunded defined benefit schemes and 
defined contribution schemes.

Defined contribution
Defined contribution schemes are open to all Tesco employees in the UK.

Under the Group’s defined contribution pension schemes, employees of the Group pay contributions to an independently administered fund, 
into which the Group also pays contributions based upon a fixed percentage of the employee’s contributions. The Group has no further 
payment obligations once its contributions have been paid. Contributions paid for defined contribution schemes of £343m (2019: £332m) have 
been recognised in the Group income statement. This includes £116m (2019: £110m) of salaries paid as pension contributions.

Defined benefit schemes
The Group has a defined benefit pension deficit of £3,085m (2019: £2,808m), comprising a number of schemes. The most significant of these 
are for the Group’s employees in the UK, which are closed to future accrual, and ROI. The defined benefit pension deficit in the UK represents 
92% of the Group deficit (2019: 96%).

Business combinations
In the prior financial year, the Group acquired Booker, which has three UK defined benefit pension schemes. The Booker Pension Scheme, 
closed to future accrual, is the primary scheme, with two smaller closed schemes relating to retail partners Budgens and Londis. The 
combined defined benefit pension deficit acquired on business combination in the prior year was £22m.

Guaranteed minimum pension
In the prior financial year a high court judgement was handed down regarding the Lloyds Banking Group’s defined benefit pension scheme 
which affects many pension schemes in the UK, including the Group’s UK schemes. The judgement concluded that schemes should be 
amended to ensure that members who have guaranteed minimum pensions (GMPs) receive the same benefits regardless of their gender. This 
change impacts GMP benefits accrued between 1990 and 1997. In consultation with independent actuaries, the Group recognised the financial 
effect of equalising benefits as a one-off £43m exceptional past service cost in the prior financial year. This was presented as an exceptional 
item in the Group income statement (Note 4). 

United Kingdom
The principal plan within the Group is the Tesco PLC Pension Scheme (the Scheme), 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 (the Trustee) that is required to run the Scheme in accordance with 
the Scheme’s Trust Deed and Rules and to comply with all relevant legislation. Responsibility for governance of the Scheme lies with the 
Trustee. The Trustee is a company whose directors comprise:

1.  representatives of the Group; and
2. representatives of the Scheme participants, in accordance with its articles of association and UK pension law.

Scheme funding
The Group considers two measures of the pension deficit. The accounting position is shown on the Group balance sheet. The funding position, 
calculated at the triennial actuarial assessment, is used to agree contributions made to the schemes. The two measures will vary because 
they are for different purposes, and are calculated at different dates and in different ways. The key calculation difference is that the funding 
position considers the expected returns of scheme assets when calculating the liability, whereas the accounting position calculated under 
IAS 19 discounts liabilities based on corporate bond yields.

The most recent completed triennial actuarial assessment of the Scheme was performed on 31 March 2017 using the projected unit credit 
method. The funding position was a deficit of £3,016m. The market value of the Scheme’s assets was £13,141m and these assets represented 
81% of the benefits that had accrued to members, after allowing for expected increases in pensions in payment. Work is underway on the next 
triennial valuation, with an effective date of 31 December 2019, with the Trustee concluding as soon as reasonably possible.

The Group has a plan to fund the Scheme pension deficit and to meet the expenses of the Scheme. Annual contributions of £285m for nine 
years from April 2018 were agreed, with contributions being assessed at the next triennial review. The expenses for the current financial year, 
which include the Pension Protection Fund levy, were £28m (2019: £23m). In the event that the Pension Protection Fund levy for the Scheme 
exceeds £75m over three years, the Group agreed to pay this excess amount to the Scheme over the following three years. The market value 
of assets held as security in favour of the Scheme is at least £575m.

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

133

Financial statements 
 
 
Notes to the Group financial statements continued

Note 29 Post-employment benefits continued
Subject to the proposed sale of the Group’s businesses in Thailand and Malaysia (refer to Note 36), the Group has agreed with the Trustee to 
contribute £2.5bn to the Tesco PLC Pension Scheme, to eliminate the current funding deficit and significantly reduce the prospect of having 
to make further pension deficit contributions in the future.

The most recent Booker Pension Scheme triennial valuation showed a funding deficit of £103m at 31 March 2019, with agreed contributions of 
£15m per annum until the end of 2028. No contributions were required for the Budgens or Londis schemes.

IFRIC 14
The Group is not required to recognise any additional liabilities in relation to funding plans, or limit the recognition of any surpluses, as any 
future economic benefits will be available to the Group by way of future refunds or reductions to future contributions.

Maturity profile of obligations
The estimated duration of the Scheme obligations is an indicator of the weighted average term of benefit payments after discounting. For the 
Scheme this is 25 years.

Around half of the undiscounted benefits are due to be paid beyond 30 years’ time, with the last payments expected to be over 80 years from now. 

The estimated undiscounted benefit payments expected to be paid out over the life of the Scheme is shown below:

£bn

5

4

3

2

1

0

1-5

6-10

11-15

16-20

21-25

26-30

31-35
Years

Deferred members

Current pensioners

36-40

41-45

46-50

51-55

56-60

61-65

66-70

70+

The liabilities held by the Scheme as at 31 March 2017, the date of the last triennial valuation, are broken down as follows:

Deferred members
Current pensioners

Risks
The Group bears a number of risks in relation to the Scheme, which are described below:

%
81
19

Description of risk

Mitigation

Risk

Investment

Inflation

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.
If the Scheme’s assets underperform the 
expected return for the funding valuation, this 
may require additional contributions to be 
made by the Group.

The Scheme’s benefit obligations are linked to 
inflation. A higher rate of expected long-term 
inflation will therefore lead to higher liabilities, 
both for the IAS 19 and funding liability.
If the Scheme’s funding liability increases, this 
may require additional contributions to be 
made by the Group.

Interest rate

A decrease in corporate bond yields will 
increase the accounting deficit under IAS 19. 
Similarly, a decrease in gilt yields will have an 
adverse impact on the funding position of the 
Scheme. This may lead to additional 
contributions to be made by the Group.

The Trustee and the Group regularly monitor the funding position and operate 
a diversified investment strategy.
The Trustee and Group take a balanced approach to investment risk, and use a 
long-term plan to manage investment risk.

As part of the investment strategy, the Trustee aims to mitigate this risk 
through investment in a liability-driven investment (LDI) portfolio.
The portfolio invests in assets which increase in value as inflation expectations 
increase. This mitigates the impact of any adverse movement in long-term 
inflation expectations.
The Scheme’s holdings are designed to hedge against inflation risk up to the 
value of the funded liabilities.
Additionally, 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).

As part of the investment strategy, the Trustee aims to mitigate this risk 
through investment in a LDI portfolio. 
The portfolio invests in assets which increase in value as interest rates 
decrease. The Scheme’s holdings are designed to hedge against interest rate 
risk up to the value of the funded liabilities. 
Because the aim of the portfolio is to mitigate risk for the funding position, 
ineffectiveness in hedging for the accounting deficit under IAS 19 can arise 
where corporate bond and gilt yields diverge. This is partially offset by Scheme 
holdings in corporate bonds.

Life expectancy

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 Trustee and Group regularly monitor the impact of changes in longevity on 
Scheme obligations.

134

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

 
The operations and audit 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. The Group pensions committee was also set up to provide an additional layer 
of governance and risk management. 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.

Scheme principal assumptions
Financial assumptions
The major assumptions, on a weighted average basis, used by the actuaries to value the defined benefit obligation of the Scheme were 
as follows:

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.

2020
%
1.9 
2.8 
2.0 

2.7 
2.1 

2019
%
2.8
3.1
2.1

2.9
2.2

Mortality assumptions
The Group, in consultation with an independent actuary, conducted a mortality analysis of the Scheme as part of the triennial actuarial 
valuation process. Subsequent to this analysis, the Group adopted the best estimate assumptions for the calculation of the IAS 19 pension 
liability for the main UK scheme. 

The mortality assumptions used are based on tables that have been projected to 2017 with CMI 2019 improvements. In addition, the 
allowance for future mortality improvements from 2017 have been updated to be in line with CMI 2019, with a long-term improvement 
rate of 1.25% per annum.

The base tables used in calculating the mortality assumptions are different for various categories of members, as shown below:

Male

Female

Staff
Senior Manager
Staff
Senior Manager

Pensioner
100% of SAPS S2 Normal
85% of SAPS S2 Normal Light
100% of SAPS S2 All
85% of SAPS S2 All

Non-Pensioner
105% of SAPS S2 Normal
87% of SAPS S2 Normal Light
98% of SAPS S2 All
86% of SAPS S2 All

The following table illustrates the expectation of life of an average member retiring at age 65 at the balance sheet date and a member 
reaching age 65 at the balance sheet date +25 years. A comparison between the two retiree dates illustrates the expected improvements in 
mortality over the next 25 years.

Retiring at the balance sheet date at age 65:

Male
Female

Retiring at the balance sheet date +25 years at age 65: Male

Female

Sensitivity analysis of significant actuarial assumptions
The sensitivity of significant assumptions upon the Scheme defined benefit obligation are detailed below:

2020 
Years
22.0 
23.8 
23.4 
25.8 

2019 
Years
22.3
24.0
23.7
26.0

Financial assumptions
Impact of 0.1% increase of the assumption
Impact of 0.1% decrease of the assumption
Impact of 1.0% increase of the assumption
Impact of 1.0% decrease of the assumption

Mortality assumptions 
Impact of 1 year increase in longevity
Impact of 1 year decrease in longevity

2020*

2019

Discount rate 
£m
(460) 
479 
(4,002) 
5,572 

Inflation rate 
£m
383 
(383) 
4,289 
(3,313) 

Discount rate 
£m
(401)
401
(3,406)
4,709

Inflation rate 
£m
334
(301)
3,607
(2,839)

2020*
£m
881 
(881) 

2019
£m
685
(685)

*  These sensitivities are presented on a consistent basis with the prior financial year to aid comparability. Commentary on additional sensitivities adjusted for the impact of increased 

volatility as a result of COVID-19 is given in Note 36.

Sensitivities are calculated by changing the relevant assumption while holding all other assumptions constant. The sensitivities reflect the 
range of recent assumption movements, and illustrate that the financial assumption sensitivities do not move in a linear fashion. Movements 
in the defined benefit obligation from discount rate and inflation rate changes may be partially offset by movements in assets.

Overseas
The most significant overseas scheme is the funded defined benefit scheme which operates in ROI. An independent actuary, using the 
projected unit credit method, carried out the latest actuarial assessment of the ROI scheme as at 29 February 2020. At the financial year end, 
the IAS 19 deficit relating to ROI was £206m (2019: £106m).

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 29 February 2020 of £8m (2019: £9m) was determined in accordance with the advice of independent actuaries. During the 
current financial year, £nil (2019: £nil) has been charged to the Group income statement and £nil (2019: £nil) of benefits were paid.

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

135

Financial statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Group financial statements continued

Note 29 Post-employment benefits continued
Plan assets
The Group’s pension schemes hold assets that both provide returns and mitigate risk, including the volatility of future pension payments.

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

LDI portfolio
Cash
Total fair value of plan assets

2020

Quoted
£m

Unquoted
£m

255 
746 
4,347 
5,348 

750 
1,362 
2 
2,114 

44 
7 
51 

2 
– 
225 
227 
4,580 
922 
13,242 

– 
– 
– 
– 

– 
– 
– 
– 

1,036 
475 
1,511 

304 
881 
1,043 
2,228 
444 
– 
4,183 

Total
£m

255 
746 
4,347 
5,348 

750 
1,362 
2 
2,114 

1,080 
482 
1,562 

306 
881 
1,268 
2,455 
5,024 
922 
17,425 

2019

Quoted
£m

Unquoted
£m

203
684
4,224
5,111

1,174
648
2
1,824

83
6
89

2
–
230
232
3,695
300
11,251

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–

1,032
423
1,455

383
851
827
2,061
287
–
3,803

Total
£m

203
684
4,224
5,111

1,174
648
2
1,824

1,115
429
1,544

385
851
1,057
2,293
3,982
300
15,054

%

2 
4 
25 
31 

4 
8 
0 
12 

6 
3 
9 

2 
5 
7 
14 
29 
5 
100 

%

1
5
28
34

8
4
0
12

7
3
10

3
6
7
16
26
2
100

Quoted assets are those with a quoted price in an active market.

The LDI portfolio consists of assets, including gilts and index-linked gilts, of the value of £8,115m (2019: £6,683m) and associated repurchase 
agreements and swaps of £(3,091)m (2019: £(2,701)m). Other derivatives are included in the asset category to which they relate, reflecting the 
underlying nature and exposure of the derivative.

The plan assets include £209m (2019: £198m) relating to property used by the Group. Group property with net carrying value of £478m (2019: 
£489m) (Note 11) and a value to the Scheme of at least £575m (2019: £575m) is held as security in favour of the Scheme.

Movement in the Group pension deficit during the current financial year 

Fair value of plan assets

Defined benefit obligation

Net defined benefit surplus/(deficit)

Opening balance
Current service cost
Past service cost
Finance income/(cost)
Included in the Group income statement

Remeasurement gain/(loss):

Financial assumptions gain/(loss)
Demographic assumptions gain/(loss)
Experience gain/(loss)
Return on plan assets excluding finance income

Foreign currency translation
Included in the Group statement of comprehensive 
income/(loss)

Member contributions
Employer contributions
Additional employer contributions
Benefits paid
Acquired through business combinations
Other movements

Closing balance
Deferred tax asset
Deficit in schemes at the end of the year, net of 
deferred tax

2020
£m
15,054 
– 
– 
409 
409 

– 
– 
– 
2,158 
(3) 
2,155 

2 
36 
262 
(493) 
– 
(193) 

2019
£m
13,235
–
–
396
396

–
–
–
932
(3)
929

2
33
266
(547)
740
494

2020
£m

(17,862) 
(40) 
(5) 
(480) 
(525) 

(2,867) 
182 
61 
– 
5 
(2,619) 

(2) 
– 
– 
498 
– 
496 

2019
£m
(16,517)
(35)
(43)
(485)
(563)

(478)
(51)
(39)
–
3
(565)

(2)
–
–
547
(762)
(217)

2020
£m

(2,808) 
(40) 
(5) 
(71) 
(116) 

(2,867) 
182 
61 
2,158 
2 
(464) 

– 
36 
262 
5 
– 
303 

2019
£m
(3,282)
(35)
(43)
(89)
(167)

(478)
(51)
(39)
932
–
364

–
33
266
–
(22)
277

17,425 

15,054

(20,510) 

(17,862)

(3,085) 
512 
(2,573) 

(2,808)
470
(2,338)

136

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Note 30 Called-up share capital

Allotted, called-up and fully paid:
At the beginning of the year
Share options exercised
Share bonus awards issued
Shares issued for the acquisition of Booker
At the end of the year

2020

Number of 5p 
Ordinary shares

9,793,496,561 
– 
– 
– 
9,793,496,561 

2019

Number of 5p 
Ordinary shares

8,192,116,619
41,525,096
12,000,000
1,547,854,846
9,793,496,561

£m

490 
– 
– 
– 
490 

£m

410
2
1
77
490

No shares were issued during the current financial year in relation to share options. During the previous financial year, 41.5 million Ordinary 
shares of 5p each were issued in relation to share options for an aggregate consideration of £60m. No (2019: 12 million) Ordinary shares of 5p 
each were issued in relation to the share bonus awards. 

During the prior financial year, 1,548 million shares were issued in relation to the Booker acquisition. The shares issued as consideration for the 
acquisition of Booker were valued at £3,127m based on the published share price on 2 March 2018 of 202.0 pence with £77m recognised as share 
capital and the remaining £3,050m recognised as merger reserve, included within Other reserves on the Group statement of changes in equity.

The Group has a share forfeiture programme following the completion of a tracing and notification exercise to any shareholders who have not 
had contact with the Company over the past 12 years, in accordance with the provisions set out in the Company’s Articles of Association. 
Under the share forfeiture programme the shares and dividends associated with shares of untraced members are forfeited, with the resulting 
proceeds transferred to the Group to use for good causes in line with the Group’s corporate responsibility strategy. For more information on 
how these proceeds have been spent, please see our Little Helps Plan Report (available at www.tescoplc.com/littlehelpsplan). During the 
current financial year, the Group received £nil (2019: £nil) proceeds from sale of untraced shares and £nil (2019: £nil) write-back of unclaimed 
dividends, which are reflected in share premium and retained earnings respectively.

As at 29 February 2020, the Directors were authorised to purchase up to a maximum in aggregate of 979.3 million (2019: 977.2 million) Ordinary 
shares before the AGM 2020 on 26 June 2020.

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.

Own shares purchased
Own shares represent the shares of Tesco PLC that are held in Treasury or by the Employee Benefit Trust. Own shares are recorded at cost 
and are deducted from equity.

The own shares held represents the cost of shares in Tesco PLC purchased from the market and held by the Tesco International Employee 
Benefit Trust to satisfy share awards under the Group’s share scheme plans (refer to Note 28). The number of Ordinary shares held by the 
Tesco International Employee Benefit Trust at 29 February 2020 was 87.6 million (2019: 68.1 million). This represents 0.89% of called-up share 
capital at the end of the year (2019: 0.70%).

No own shares held of Tesco PLC were cancelled during the financial years presented.

Note 31 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
Injection of equity funding

Sales to related parties consist of services/management fees and loan interest.

Transactions between the Group and the Group’s pension plans are disclosed in Note 29.

Balances

Amounts owed to related parties
Amounts owed by related parties
Lease liabilities payable to related parties
Loans to related parties (net of deferred profits)*

Joint ventures

2020

£m
491 
100 
29 
– 

2019
(restated)
£m
486
96 
29
11

Associates

2020

£m
– 
12 
13 
12 

2019
(restated)
£m
–
11 
12
–

Joint ventures

Associates

2020
£m
26 
47 
3,206 
127 

2019
£m
20
37 
3,718 
133

2020
£m
– 
– 
146 
– 

2019
£m
– 
– 
141 
– 

*  Loans to related parties of £127m (2019: £133m) are presented net of deferred profits of £54m (2019: £54m), historically arising from the sale of property assets to joint ventures. Refer to 
Note 14 for further details. For loans to related parties, a 12-month expected credit loss (ECL) allowance is recorded on initial recognition. The ECL allowance was immaterial as at the 
current and prior financial years.

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.

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

137

Financial statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Group financial statements continued

Note 31 Related party transactions continued
Transactions with key management personnel
Members of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of Tesco PLC are deemed to be key management personnel. 

Cost of 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)

2020 
£m
20 
2 
16 
1 
39 

10 
29 
39 

Of the key management personnel who had transactions with Tesco Bank during the financial year, the following are the balances at the 
financial year end:

At 29 February 2020
At 23 February 2019

Note 32 Analysis of changes in net debt

Credit card, mortgage and 
 personal loan balances 

Current and saving  
deposit accounts

Number of key 
management 
personnel
6 
3

Number of key 
management 
personnel
13 
10

£m
– 
– 

2019 
£m
17
2
13
1
33

10
23
33

£m
1 
2

Total Group
Bank and other borrowings
Lease liabilities
Net derivative financial instruments 
Arising from financing activities
Cash and cash equivalents
Short-term investments
Joint venture loans
Interest and other receivables
Total Group
Tesco Bank
Bank and other borrowings
Lease liabilities
Net derivative financial instruments
Arising from financing activities
Cash and cash equivalents
Joint ventures loans
Tesco Bank
Retail
Bank and other borrowings
Lease liabilities
Net derivative financial instruments
Arising from financing activities
Cash and cash equivalents
Short-term investments
Joint ventures loans
Interest and other receivables
Net debt(b)

At
23 February 
2019  
(restated) 
£m

Cash flows 
arising from 
financing 
activities
£m

Operating 
and investing 
cash flows
£m

Fair  
value gains/ 
(losses)
£m

Foreign 
exchange
£m

Interest 
income/
(charge) 
£m

Acquisition 
of property 
joint
venture(a)

£m

At
29 February 
2020
£m

Other
£m

Non-cash movements

(7,143)
(10,505)
591
(17,057)
2,916
390
133
1
(13,617)

(1,421)
(35)
(29)
(1,485)
1,043
29
(413)

(5,722)
(10,470)
620
(15,572)
1,873
390
104
1
(13,204)

456 
634 
17 
1,107 
– 
– 
– 
– 
1,107 

160 
2 
– 
162 
– 
– 
162 

296 
632 
17 
945 
– 
– 
– 
– 
945 

255 
541 
7 
803 
534
687 
(8) 
(18) 
1,998 

5 
3 
– 
8 
321 
(8) 
321 

250 
538 
7 
795 
213
687 
– 
(18) 
1,677 

(192) 
– 
(208) 
(400) 
– 
– 
– 
– 
(400) 

1 
– 
(16) 
(15) 
– 
– 
(15) 

(193) 
– 
(192) 
(385) 
– 
– 
– 
– 
(385) 

2 
1 
– 
3 
(42) 
(1) 
– 
(1) 
(41) 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

2 
1 
– 
3 
(42) 
(1) 
– 
(1) 
(41) 

(251) 
(541) 
14 
(778) 
– 
– 
2 
19 
(757) 

(5) 
(3) 
– 
(8) 
– 
– 
(8) 

(246) 
(538) 
14 
(770) 
– 
– 
2 
19 
(749) 

(622) 
455 
(223) 
(390) 
– 
– 
– 
– 
(390) 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

(622) 
455 
(223) 
(390) 
– 
– 
– 
– 
(390) 

– 
(151) 
– 
(151) 
– 
– 
– 
– 
(151) 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

– 
(151) 
– 
(151) 
– 
– 
– 
– 
(151) 

(7,495) 
(9,566) 
198 
(16,863) 
3,408 
1,076 
127 
1 
(12,251) 

(1,260) 
(33) 
(45) 
(1,338) 
1,364 
21 
47 

(6,235) 
(9,533) 
243 
(15,525) 
2,044 
1,076 
106 
1 
(12,298) 

(a)  Movements in Group net debt arising from the acquisition of The Tesco Atrato Limited Partnership. Refer to Note 33 for further details.
(b)  Refer to page 168 for a reconciliation from Net debt (Retail net debt) shown above to the Group’s 52-week alternative performance measure.

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.

138

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
At
25 February
2018 
(restated)
£m

Cash flows
arising from 
financing 
activities
£m

Operating 
and 
investing 
cash flows
£m

IFRS 9 
adjustment
£m

Fair value 
gains/
(losses)
£m

Foreign 
exchange
£m

Interest 
income/
(charge) 
£m

Acquisition
of
 subsidiary
£m

Non-cash movements

(8,499)
(10,272)
481
(18,290)
4,059
1,029
138
1
(13,063)

(1,584)
(36)
(42)
(1,662)
1,304
34
(324)

(6,915)
(10,236)
523
(16,628)
2,755
1,029
104
1
(12,739)

–
–
–
–
–
–
(13)
–
(13)

–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
(13)
–
(13)

1,496
606
(35)
2,067
–
–
–
–
2,067

154
1
–
155
–
–
155

1,342
605
(35)
1,912
–
–
–
–
1,912

298
561
–
859
(1,158)
(639)
(5)
(21)
(964)

5
3
–
8
(261)
(5)
(258)

293
558
–
851
(897)
(639)
–
(21)
(706) 

(136)
–
128
(8)
–
–
–
–
(8)

9
–
13
22
–
–
22

(145)
–
115
(30)
–
–
–
–
(30)

(8)
(16)
–
(24)
15
–
–
–
(9)

–
–
–
–
–
–
–

(8)
(16)
–
(24)
15
–
–
–
(9)

(294)
(561)
17
(838)
–
–
–
21
(817)

(5)
(3)
–
(8)
–
–
(8)

(289)
(558)
17
(830)
–
–
–
21
(809)

–
(504)
–
(504)
–
–
–
–
(504)

–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
(504)
–
(504)
–
–
–
–
(504)

Total Group
Bank and other borrowings
Lease liabilities
Net derivative financial instruments
Arising from financing activities
Cash and cash equivalents
Short-term investments
Joint venture loans
Interest and other receivables
Total Group
Tesco Bank
Bank and other borrowings
Lease liabilities
Net derivative financial instruments
Arising from financing activities
Cash and cash equivalents
Joint ventures loans
Tesco Bank
Retail
Bank and other borrowings
Lease liabilities
Net derivative financial instruments
Arising from financing activities
Cash and cash equivalents
Short-term investments
Joint venture loans 
Interest and other receivables 
Net debt

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 liabilities 
Net cash flows from derivative financial instruments
Net interest paid on components of Net debt

Change in Net debt resulting from cash flow
Retail IFRS 9 adjustment
Retail net interest charge on components of Net debt
Retail fair value and foreign exchange movements
Retail other non-cash movements
Acquisition of property joint venture (Note 33) 
Acquisition of subsidiary
(Increase)/ decrease in Net debt
Opening Net debt
Closing Net debt*

At
23 February
2019 
(restated)
£m

(7,143)
(10,505)
591
(17,057)
2,916
390
133
1
(13,617)

(1,421)
(35)
(29)
(1,485)
1,043
29
(413)

(5,722)
(10,470)
620
(15,572)
1,873
390
104
1
(13,204)

Other
£m

–
(319)
–
(319)
–
–
13
–
(306)

–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
(319)
–
(319)
–
–
13
–
(306)

2020

£m
534 
(321) 

2019 
(restated)
£m
(1,158)
261

687 
– 
928 
17 
777 
2,622 
 –
(749) 
(426) 
(151) 
(390) 
– 
906 
(13,204) 
(12,298) 

(639)
–
1,947
(35)
830
1,206
(13)
(809)
(39)
(306)
– 
(504)
(465)
(12,739)
(13,204)

*  Refer to page 168 for a reconciliation from Net debt (Retail net debt) shown above to the Group’s 52-week alternative performance measure.

Note 33 Acquisitions and disposals 

Acquisition of property joint venture - The Tesco Atrato Limited Partnership
On 23 September 2019, the Group obtained control of The Tesco Atrato Limited Partnership (the partnership or Atrato), previously accounted 
for as a joint venture. The Group obtained control through the acquisition of the other partner’s 50% interest in the partnership for £32m (net 
of derecognition of a £5m purchase commitment derivative). The partnership had bond and derivative liabilities, and owns 15 stores and two 
distribution centres, which the partnership previously leased to the Group. The acquisition, which has been treated as an asset acquisition, 
increased the Group’s owned property portfolio and borrowings, replacing the Group’s associated right of use assets and lease liabilities, 
which are eliminated on consolidation.

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

139

Financial statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Group financial statements continued

Note 33 Acquisitions and disposals continued
The table below sets out the values to the Group in respect of obtaining control of the partnership:

Property, plant and equipment 
Cash and cash equivalents 
Borrowings 
Derivative liabilities  
Other payables 
Total assets and liabilities acquired 
Revaluation of the Group’s original 50% investment 
Consideration paid (net of derecognition of a £5m purchase commitment derivative)  
Total cost 

Notes 
11 

32 
32 

4 

The Group recognised a net loss of £136m (before tax) from gaining control of the partnership as an exceptional item within cost of sales 
on the Group income statement. The related tax charge of £(23)m has also been classified as an exceptional item. Refer to Note 4 for 
further details. 

Revaluation of the Group’s original 50% investment 
Impairment of property, plant and equipment acquired 
Derecognition of the Group’s lease liabilities with the partnership 
Derecognition of the Group’s right of use assets with the partnership 
Total exceptional loss within cost of sales 
Taxation - exceptional  
Total exceptional loss after taxation 

Notes 

15 
32 
12 

4 

£m
914 
1 
(622) 
(223) 
(7) 
63 
31 
32 
63 

£m 

31 
(287) 
455 
(335) 
(136) 
(23) 
(159) 

Disposal of China associate – Gain Land
On 28 February 2020, the Group completed the sale of its 20% share in its associate Gain Land Limited (Gain Land) in China. The Group 
recognised a gain on disposal of £37m which has been recognised as an exceptional item within administrative expenses classified as 
‘Disposal of China associate’. The carrying value of Gain Land on the disposal date was £240m. The Group received cash proceeds of £277m, 
recognised as an exceptional item within cash flows from investing activities. Refer to Note 4 for exceptional items.

Note 34 Commitments and contingencies
Capital commitments
At 29 February 2020, there were commitments for capital expenditure contracted for, but not incurred, of £140m (2019: £70m), 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.

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 (now reduced to 56 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 
Partners and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board as the purchasers of Homeplus, undertook to procure Tesco PLC’s release from these 
guarantees following the disposal of Homeplus. At 29 February 2020, five guarantees remained outstanding. This liability decreases over time 
with all relevant leases expiring in the period between 2027 and 2031. The maximum potential liability under these outstanding guarantees is 
between KRW 205bn (£132m) and KRW 333bn (£214m). In the event that the guarantees are called, the potential economic outflow is estimated 
at KRW 161bn (£103m), with funds of KRW 65bn (£42m) placed in escrow to provide the payment mechanism for these guarantees. The net 
potential outflow to Tesco is therefore estimated at KRW 96bn (£62m). Additionally, Tesco PLC has the benefit of an indemnity from the 
purchasers of Homeplus for any claims made over and above the amounts in escrow.

On 23 March 2020, Tesco PLC was released from one of the guarantees, reducing the maximum potential liability under the remaining four 
outstanding guarantees to between KRW 116bn (£74m) and KRW 198bn (£127m). In the event that the remaining four guarantees are called, the 
potential economic outflow is estimated at KRW 112bn (£72m), with funds of KRW 37bn (£24m) placed in escrow to provide the payment 
mechanism for these guarantees. The net potential outflow to Tesco PLC is therefore reduced to an estimated KRW 75bn (£48m).

Following the sale of Homeplus in 2015, Tesco PLC has received claims from the purchasers relating to the sale of the business. The claims are 
being vigorously defended. While the claims have evolved since originally issued, Tesco PLC does not believe the claims are likely to lead to a 
material outflow of funds.

As previously reported, Tesco Stores Limited has received claims from current and former Tesco store colleagues alleging that their work is of 
equal value to that of colleagues working in Tesco’s distribution centres and that differences in terms and conditions relating to pay are not 
objectively justifiable. The claimants are seeking the differential between the pay terms looking back, and equivalence of pay terms moving 
forward. At present, the likely number of claims that may be received and the merit, likely outcome and potential impact on the Group of any 
such litigation 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. There are substantial factual and legal defences to these claims and the 
Group intends to vigorously defend them.

140

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Subsidiary audit exemptions
The following UK subsidiary undertakings are exempt from the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (the Act) relating to the audit of 
individual accounts by virtue of section 479A of the Act.

Name 

Adminstore Limited 

Armitage Finance Limited 

Buttoncable Limited 

Buttoncase Limited 

Day and Nite Stores Limited 

Dillons Newsagents Limited 

Launchgrain Limited 

Oakwood Distribution Limited 

One Stop Community Stores Limited 

One Stop Convenience Stores Limited 

Paper Chain (East Anglia) Limited 

Company 
number

01882853 

05966324

Name

Company 
Number

Name

Spen Hill Development Limited

04827219

Tesco Mobile Communications Limited 

Spen Hill Management Limited 

02460426

Tesco Mobile Services Limited 

05294246 

Spen Hill Properties (Holdings) PLC 

02412674 

Tesco PEG Limited 

Spen Hill Regeneration Limited 

06418300 

Tesco PENL Limited 

05298861 

01746058 

T & S Stores Limited 

00140624 

Tapesilver Limited 

01228935 

Tesco Red (3LP) Limited 

05205362

Tesco Red (GP) Limited 

05260856

Tesco Aqua (3LP) Limited 

09947521 

Tesco TLB Finance Limited 

05721635

00198980

02467178

0256555

Tesco Aqua (GP) Limited 

05721654 

Tesco TLB Properties Limited 

Tesco Family Dining Limited 

08514605 

The Tesco Aqua Limited Partnership 

Tesco Freetime Limited 

04345023 

The Tesco Red Limited Partnership 

Tesco Gateshead Property Limited 

08312532 

Company 
Number

04780729 

04780734 

06480309 

06479938 

010127765 

05721630 

04967622 

03159425 

LP011520 

LP011522 

Tesco PLC will guarantee all outstanding liabilities that these subsidiaries are subject to as at the financial year ended 29 February 2020 in 
accordance with section 479C of the Act, as amended by the Companies and Limited Liability Partnerships (Accounts and Audit Exemptions 
and Change of Accounting Framework) Regulations 2012. In addition, Tesco PLC will guarantee any contingent and prospective liabilities that 
these subsidiaries are subject to. 

Tesco PLC has irrevocably guaranteed the liabilities and commitments of the following Irish subsidiary undertakings, which have been 
exempted pursuant to section 357 of the Companies Act 2014 of Ireland from the provisions of sections 347 and 348 of that Act: Chirac 
Limited; Cirrus Finance (2009) Limited; Clondalkin Properties Limited; Commercial Investments Limited; Edson Investments Limited; Edson 
Properties Limited; Monread Developments Limited; Nabola Development Limited; Orpingford; Pharaway Properties Limited; R.J.D. Holdings; 
Tesco Ireland Holdings Limited; Tesco Ireland Limited; Tesco Ireland Pension Trustees Limited; Tesco Mobile Ireland Limited; Tesco Trustee 
Company of Ireland Limited; Thundridge; Wanze Properties (Dundalk) Limited; WSC Properties Limited. The irrevocable guarantee may be 
relied upon for the purposes of the aforementioned exemption, while the UK remains part of the European Economic Area for the duration of 
the transition period, to 31 December 2020.

Tesco Bank
At 29 February 2020, Tesco Bank had contractual lending commitments totalling £11.9bn (2019: £12.2bn). 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 35 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:

Common equity 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

2020

£m

2019
(restated) 
£m

1,567 

1,434

235 
– 
(21) 
1,781 

235
–
(29)
1,640

On 27 June 2013, the final Capital Requirements Directive IV (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 financial year end.

The movement in common equity tier 1 capital during the financial year is analysed as follows:

At the beginning of the year 
Initial application of IFRS 9
Share capital and share premium
Profit attributable to shareholders
Other reserves
Ordinary dividends
Movement in material holdings
Increase in intangible assets
Other – tier 1
At the end of the year, excluding CRD IV adjustments
CRD IV adjustments – deferred tax (assets)/liabilities related to intangible assets

2020

£m
1,434 
– 
– 
93 
4 
(50) 
– 
86 
– 
1,567 
– 
1,567 

2019
(restated)
£m
1,497
(166)
– 
136
(15)
(60)
– 
47
–
1,439
(5)
1,434

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.

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

141

Financial statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Group financial statements continued

Note 36 Events after the reporting period
On 7 March 2020, the Group acquired the trade and assets of Best Food Logistics (trading name of BFS Group Ltd), which will be accounted 
for as a business combination. The cash consideration value will be finalised when the completion accounts are agreed, but is likely to be 
negative. Best Food Logistics provides a food supply chain and logistics services to a number of national fast food and casual dining clients, 
including Pret-a-Manger, KFC, Burger King and others. Best Food Logistics employs c.1,500 staff and operates out of three main distribution 
centres. The initial accounting for the transaction is not yet complete and so it is not possible to include any further disclosures. 

On 9 March 2020, the Group announced the proposed sale of its businesses in Thailand and Malaysia to a combination of CP Group entities for 
net cash proceeds of $10.3bn (equivalent to £8.0bn) before tax and other transaction costs. The transaction is subject to shareholder and 
customary regulatory approvals and is expected to complete during the second half of the calendar year 2020. Following completion of the 
disposal, the Board intends to return c.£5.0bn to shareholders via a special dividend with associated share consolidation, and reduce 
indebtedness through a £2.5bn pension contribution that is expected to significantly reduce the prospect of having to make further pension 
deficit contributions in the future. Refer to Note 1.

Impact of COVID-19
The Group’s operational response to COVID-19 is set out on page 3.

Refer to Note 1 for details of the Group’s judgement that the extent of Government interventions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic 
only became apparent after the balance sheet date and represent a non-adjusting post balance sheet event. Given these events are of 
such significance, further explanation of the impact of increased volatility of assumptions on sensitivities presented in the financial 
statements are given below. 

Impairment of non-current assets
Refer to Notes 1 and 15 for details of the Group’s impairment methodology, impairment losses and reversals, net carrying value of non-current 
assets, and key assumptions and sensitivity analysis. As at 29 February 2020, indicators observable at the balance sheet date have been 
factored in to the Group’s impairment testing of goodwill and fixed assets, including a COVID-19 risk adjustment to discount rates to reflect 
the impact of increased volatility in forecast cash flows. 

Subsequent to the balance sheet date, the Group has incurred significant additional costs in meeting customer demand and protecting the 
health and safety of customers and colleagues. In particular, payroll costs will be higher than normal as additional colleagues have been 
recruited both to meet demand and cover the work of those colleagues who are absent and being paid. The Group has also simplified ranges, 
and Booker’s wholesale business has seen a significant shift in balance from catering to retail sales. The Group’s businesses in Central Europe 
and Asia have incurred similar cost increases and also expect to generate a lower level of mall income as the vast majority of tenants in malls 
have not been able to remain open. The UK Government’s emergency policy changes (most notably the 12-month business rates holiday) will 
be an important offsetting benefit. 

The Group has carried out further sensitivity analysis for its portfolio of store cash-generating units, in addition to the sensitivity analysis 
detailed in Note 15. While the full financial impact of the pandemic for 2020/21 is impossible to predict with a high degree of certainty, if 
customer behaviour were to return to normal by August it is likely that the additional cost headwinds incurred in our retail operations would 
be largely offset by the benefits of food volume increases, 12 months’ business rates relief in the UK and prudent operations management. The 
overall impact of the above changes to cash flows would not cause a material impact on the Group’s non-current asset impairment provision. 
An increase of 2.0% pts in post-tax discount rates for each geographic region, and a decrease in property fair values of 10% pts would 
increase the Group’s non-current asset impairment provision by £971m and £209m respectively. These additional sensitivities would not 
indicate impairment in any group of cash-generating units to which goodwill has been allocated.

Tesco Bank expected credit loss (ECL) calculations
Refer to Note 25 for details of the Group’s ECL calculations and sensitivity analysis. As at the balance sheet date, a five-scenario economic 
model is used, including a downside scenario representing a more severe recession incorporating the increased risk of an adverse impact on 
the economy given COVID-19 developments as at the balance sheet date. This scenario has been assigned a weighting of 5% and incorporates 
a higher unemployment rate and lower GDP than the base case.

Subsequent to the balance sheet date, the Group has sourced four updated economic forecasts reflecting current economic developments. 
The base scenario on which the Group has placed most reliance assumes a delayed ‘V’ shaped recovery in the third quarter of 2020 and is 
in line with Bank of England guidance that there will be significant economic disruption while social distancing measures are in place, followed 
by an expected sharp recovery when these are lifted. The ECL sensitivity to this base scenario is shown below, and excludes the estimated 
mitigating impact of any support the Group offers to customers who are experiencing financial difficulty as a result of the pandemic, and the 
effectiveness of this at reducing customer defaults.

GDP (five-year average)  
GDP (Q2 2020) 
Unemployment (five-year average)  
Unemployment peak (Q3 2020) 
Base rate (five-year average)  
Increase in ECL – 100% weighted  

COVID-19 base 
scenario impact 
on ECL allowance 
+1.2% 
–12.0% 
4.8% 
6.2% 
0.1% 
£116m 

The sensitivity of ECLs to increases in unemployment between the balance sheet date and 31 December 2020 is approximately £60m for each 
1% increase in unemployment.

142

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pension deficit
Review of the key financial assumptions relating to the Group’s pension schemes subsequent to the year end indicate movements that fall 
within the range of sensitivities described in Note 29. It is too early to assess the impact of COVID-19 upon the Group’s long-term life 
expectancy assumptions. The fair value of plan assets is expected to be volatile in the short term due to uncertain market conditions.

Financial risks
The interest rate, foreign exchange rate and inflation rate sensitivity assumptions in Note 25 have been reviewed in light of the latest market 
data. For all three assumptions, the sensitivities shown (1%, 10% and 25 basis points respectively) remain valid in the current economic 
environment. In reaching this conclusion, the Group has analysed both past- and forward-looking market data as well as movements in the 
relevant forward curves since the balance sheet date. Furthermore, interest rates are at an all-time low, the Group’s fixed/floating mix policy 
is unchanged, inflation rates are also already low, and material foreign exchange risk exposure is largely hedged. 

Deferred tax asset recognition
Deferred tax assets can only be recognised to the extent it is probable there will be future taxable profits. Subsequent to the balance sheet 
date, the Group has reviewed the current impact of COVID-19 on those future taxable profits and concluded that deferred tax assets can 
continue to be recognised in full.

Note 37 Changes in accounting policies – IFRS 16 ‘Leases’
This note explains the impact of the adoption of IFRS 16 ‘Leases’ on the Group’s financial position and financial performance.

IFRS 16 is effective for the accounting period commencing 24 February 2019. The Group adopted the standard retrospectively, with 
comparatives restated from a transition date of 25 February 2018.

IFRS 16 requires lessees to recognise right of use assets and lease liabilities on balance sheet for all leases, except short-term and low value 
asset leases. At commencement of the lease, the lease liability equals the present value of future lease payments, and the right of use asset 
equals the lease liability, adjusted for payments already made, lease incentives, initial direct costs and any provision for dilapidation costs.

For pre-IFRS 16 operating leases, the rental charge is replaced by depreciation of the right of use asset and interest on the lease liability. 

IFRS 16 therefore results in an increase to operating profit, which is reported prior to interest being deducted. Depreciation is charged on a 
straight-line basis, however, interest is charged on outstanding lease liabilities and therefore reduces over the life of the lease. As a result, 
the impact on the Group income statement below operating profit is highly dependent on average lease maturity. For an immature portfolio, 
depreciation and interest are higher than the rental charge they replace and therefore IFRS 16 is dilutive to EPS. For a mature portfolio, they 
are lower and therefore IFRS 16 is accretive. The Group’s lease portfolio on transition is relatively immature, being approximately one-third 
through an average total lease term of 26 years.

Under IFRS 16, the lease liability is remeasured upon the occurrence of certain events, such as a change in lease term or a change in future 
lease payments resulting from a change in an index or rate (for example, inflation-linked payments or market rate rent reviews). A 
corresponding adjustment is made to the right of use asset. Over three-quarters of the Group’s lease liability on transition is subject to 
inflation-linked rental uplifts. The Group no longer recognises property provisions for onerous lease contracts as the lease payments are 
included within the lease liability.

The Group applied the practical expedient not to reassess whether a contract is, or contains, a lease on transition. The Group has elected to 
recognise payments for short-term leases and leases of low value assets on a straight-line basis as an expense in the Group income 
statement.

IFRS 16 has not had a significant impact on the Group’s existing finance leases or on leases in which the Group is a lessor.

The most significant IFRS 16 judgements and estimates include the determination of lease term when there are extension or termination 
options, the selection of an appropriate discount rate to calculate the lease liability and the impairment of right of use assets. See Note 1 for 
further information.

The Group’s lease portfolio consists of retail, distribution and office properties and other assets such as motor vehicles.

IFRS 16 has a significant impact on reported assets, liabilities and the income statement of the Group, as well as the classification of cash flows 
relating to lease contracts. The standard impacts a number of key measures such as operating profit and cash generated from operations, as 
well as a number of alternative performance measures used by the Group. Further details on the impact of IFRS 16 can be found in the 
Group’s ‘Introducing IFRS 16’ analyst and investor briefing held on 15 February 2019 and available on www.tescoplc.com/investors/reports-
results-and-presentations.

Group balance sheet restatement
The table on the following page sets out the impact of IFRS 16 on the transition balance sheet at 25 February 2018 and on the comparative 
period Group balance sheet as at 23 February 2019 and related debt measures. Right of use assets (net of any impairments) and lease 
liabilities are presented separately on the face of the Group balance sheet. Net debt, which includes lease liabilities, increases. Total 
indebtedness also increases as the IFRS 16 lease liability exceeds the discounted operating lease commitments previously included. Provisions 
decrease as onerous lease provisions are replaced by impairments of the right of use assets. Trade and other payables reduce as accruals for 
straight-line rental expense on leases with fixed rent increases are eliminated. Trade and other receivables also reduce as lease prepayments 
are eliminated. A deferred tax asset is recognised on the transition adjustment.

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

143

Financial statementsNotes to the Group financial statements continued

Note 37 Changes in accounting policies – IFRS 16 ‘Leases’ continued
Group balance sheet restatement continued

23 February 2019

25 February 2018

Restated
£m

Reported 
£m

Non-current assets
Goodwill and other intangible assets
Property, plant and equipment
Right of use assets
Investment property
Investments in joint ventures and associates(a)
Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income
Trade and other receivables
Loans and advances to customers and banks
Derivative financial instruments
Deferred tax assets

Current assets
Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income
Inventories
Trade and other receivables
Loans and advances to customers and banks
Derivative financial instruments
Current tax assets
Short-term investments
Cash and cash equivalents

Assets classified as held for sale

Current liabilities
Trade and other payables
Borrowings
Lease liabilities
Derivative financial instruments
Customer deposits and deposits from banks
Current tax liabilities
Provisions

Net current liabilities
Non-current liabilities
Trade and other payables
Borrowings
Lease liabilities
Derivative financial instruments
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 the owners of the parent
Non-controlling interests
Total equity
APMs
Net debt(b)
Total indebtedness(c)

Reported 
£m

6,264
19,023
–
36
704
979
195
7,868
1,178
132
36,379

67
2,617
1,640
4,882
52
6
390
2,916
12,570
98
12,668

(9,354)
(1,599)
–
(250)
(8,832)
(325)
(320)
(20,680)
(8,012)

(384)
(5,673)
–
(389)
(3,296)
(2,808)
(236)
(747)
(13,533)
14,834

490
5,165
3,798
5,405
14,858
(24)
14,834

(2,863)
(12,200)

IFRS 16  
impact
£m

–
163
7,713
–
(102)
–
48
–
–
119
7,941

–
–
(90)
–
–
–
–
–
(90)
–
(90)

223
36
(646)
–
–
–
94
(293)
(383)

19
93
(9,859)
–
–
–
187
600
(8,960)
(1,402)

–
–
(28)
(1,374)
(1,402)
–
(1,402)

6,264
19,186
7,713
36
602
979
243
7,868
1,178
251
44,320

67
2,617
1,550
4,882
52
6
390
2,916
12,480
98
12,578

(9,131)
(1,563)
(646)
(250)
(8,832)
(325)
(226)
(20,973)
(8,395)

(365)
(5,580)
(9,859)
(389)
(3,296)
(2,808)
(49)
(147)
(22,493)
13,432

490
5,165
3,770
4,031
13,456
(24)
13,432

(10,341)
(3,342)

(13,204)
(15,542)

IFRS 16
 impact 
£m

–
191
7,527
–
(92)
–
31
–
–
285
7,942

–
–
(89)
–
–
–
–
–
(89)
–
(89)

221
12
(712)
–
–
–
128
(351)
(440)

–
110
(9,560)
–
–
–
14
592
(8,844)
(1,342)

–
–
(18)
(1,324)
(1,342)
–
(1,342)

(10,114)
(3,183)

Restated 
£m

2,661
18,712
7,527
100
597 
860 
217
6,885
1,117
401
39,077

68
2,264
1,415
4,637
27
12
1,029
4,059
13,511
149
13,660

(8,773)
(1,467)
(712)
(69)
(7,812)
(335)
(416)
(19,584)
(5,924)

(364)
(7,032)
(9,560)
(594)
(2,972)
(3,282)
(82)
(129)
(24,015)
9,138

410
5,107
717
2,926
9,160
(22)
9,138

(12,739)
(15,467)

2,661
18,521
–
100
689
860
186
6,885
1,117
116
31,135

68
2,264
1,504
4,637
27
12
1,029
4,059
13,600
149
13,749

(8,994)
(1,479)
–
(69)
(7,812)
(335)
(544)
(19,233)
(5,484)

(364)
(7,142)
–
(594)
(2,972)
(3,282)
(96)
(721)
(15,171)
10,480

410
5,107
735
4,250
10,502
(22)
10,480

(2,625)
(12,284)

(a)  The estimated impact of adopting IFRS 16 on the Group’s Gain Land Limited associate has been updated to reflect new, more detailed, information received. The Group completed the 

sale of its 20% shareholding in Gain Land Limited on 28 February 2020. Refer to Note 33 for further details.

(b)  Net debt comprises bank and other borrowings, lease liabilities, net derivative financial instruments, joint venture loans and other receivables/payables, offset by cash and cash 
equivalents and short-term investments. It excludes the net debt of Tesco Bank, which has lease liabilities of £36m as at 25 February 2018, and £35m as at 23 February 2019.
(c)  Total indebtedness pre-IFRS 16 comprises 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. Post-IFRS 16, lease liabilities are included in Net debt, replacing the present value of future minimum lease payments under 
non-cancellable operating leases.

144

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Group income statement restatement
The table below sets out the impact of IFRS 16 on the comparative period Group income statement for the 52 weeks ended 23 February 2019 
and related APMs. Cost of sales and administrative expenses reduce and finance costs increase as straight-line operating lease rental expense 
is replaced by depreciation of the right of use asset and interest on the lease liability. This results in higher gross profit, operating profit and 
operating margin. As the interest expense is front-end loaded and decreases as the lease liability decreases, profit before tax is lower in the 
early stages of a lease and higher in the later stages when compared to a straight-line rental expense. 

52 weeks ended  
23 February 2019 (reported)(a)

IFRS 16 
impact

52 weeks ended  
23 February 2019 (restated)

Before 
exceptional 
items and 
amortisation 
of acquired 
intangibles 
£m

Exceptional 
items and 
amortisation 
of acquired 
intangibles 
£m

63,911
(59,719)
4,192

(1,986)
2,206

24

22
(536)
1,716

(413)
1,303

–
15
15

(68)
(53)

11

–
–
(42)

59
17

Before 
exceptional 
items and 
amortisation 
of acquired 
intangibles
£m

Exceptional 
items and 
amortisation 
of acquired 
intangibles
£m

–
394
394

7
401

(3)

3
(553)
(152)

16
(136)

–
95
95

–
95

–

–
–
95

(9)
86

Total
£m

63,911
(59,704)
4,207

(2,054)
2,153

35

22
(536)
1,674

(354)
1,320

13.65p
13.55p

13.65p
13.55p

3.5%
15.40p

Before 
exceptional 
items and 
amortisation 
of acquired 
intangibles 
£m

 Exceptional 
items and 
amortisation 
of acquired 
intangibles 
£m

63,911
(59,325)
4,586

(1,979)
2,607

21

25
(1,089)
1,564

(397)
1,167

–
110
110

(68)
42

11

–
–
53

50
103

Total
£m

–
489
489

7
496

(3)

3
(553)
(57)

7
(50)

(0.52)p
(0.51)p

(0.52)p
(0.51)p

0.6%
(1.39)p

Total
£m

63,911
(59,215)
4,696

(2,047)
2,649

32

25
(1,089)
1,617

(347)
1,270

13.13p
13.04p

13.13p
13.04p

4.1%
14.01p

Continuing operations
Revenue
Cost of sales
Gross profit/(loss)

Administrative expenses
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

Earnings/(losses) per share from 
continuing and discontinued 
operations
Basic
Diluted
Earnings/(losses) per share from 
continuing operations
Basic
Diluted

APMs
Operating margin
Diluted EPS before exceptional and 
other items (b)

(a)  Reclassified for the change in presentation of profits/(losses) arising on property-related items as explained in Note 1.
(b)  Diluted EPS before exceptional and other items refers to Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations before exceptional items and amortisation of acquired intangibles, net 

pension finance costs and fair value remeasurements of financial instruments.

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

145

Financial statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Group financial statements continued

Note 37 Changes in accounting policies – IFRS 16 ‘Leases’ continued
Group cash flow statement restatement
The table below sets out the impact of IFRS 16 on the comparative period cash flow statement for the 52 weeks ended 23 February 2019 and 
related APMs. IFRS 16 has no impact on total cash flow for the year or cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year. Cash generated from 
operations and free cash flow measures increase as operating lease rental expenses are no longer recognised as operating cash outflows. 
Cash outflows are instead split between interest paid and repayments of obligations under leases, which both increase.

Retail

IFRS 16 
impact 
£m
494

Tesco Bank

Tesco Group

Retail 
(restated) 
£m
2,480

Tesco Bank 
(reported) 
£m
167

IFRS 16 
impact 
£m
2 

Tesco Bank 
(restated) 
£m
169 

Tesco Group 
(reported) 
£m
2,153 

IFRS 16 
impact 
£m
496 

Tesco Group 
(restated) 
 £m
2,649

52 weeks ended 23 February 2019
Operating profit/(loss) of continuing 
operations
Depreciation and amortisation
ATM net income
(Profit)/loss arising on sale of property, 
plant and equipment, investment 
property, intangible assets and assets 
held for sale and early termination of 
leases
(Profit)/loss arising on sale of financial 
assets
Net impairment loss/(reversal) on 
property, plant and equipment, right of 
use assets, intangible assets and 
investment property
Adjustment for non-cash element of 
pensions charge
Other defined benefit pension scheme 
payments
Share-based payments
Tesco Bank fair value movements 
included in operating profit/(loss)
Cash flows generated from operations 
excluding working capital
(Increase)/decrease in working capital
Cash generated from/(used in) 
operations
Interest paid
Corporation tax paid
Net cash generated from/(used in) 
operating activities
Proceeds from the sale of property, 
plant and equipment, investment 
property, intangible assets and assets 
classified as held for sale
Purchase of property, plant and 
equipment and investment property 
– store buybacks
Purchase of property, plant and 
equipment and investment property – 
other capital expenditure
Purchase of intangible assets
Disposal of subsidiaries, net of 
cash disposed
Acquisition of subsidiaries, net of 
cash acquired
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 financial assets at fair value through 
other comprehensive income
Dividends received from joint ventures 
and associates
Dividends received from Tesco Bank
Interest received
Net cash generated from/(used in) 
investing activities

Retail 
(reported) 
£m
1,986

1,292
(34)
(99)

(8)

(58)

45

(266)

82
– 

673
–
(24) 

1,965
(34)
(123)

– 

(56)

– 

– 

– 
– 

(8)

(114)

45 

(266)

82
– 

2,940 

1,087 

4,027

(438)
2,502

(301)
(302)
1,899

285 

(136)

(962)

(164)
8 

(715)

– 

(11)

639 

2

31 

50 
18 
(955)

48 
1,135 

(550)
– 
585 

– 

– 

– 

– 
– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 
3 
3 

(390)
3,637

(851)
(302)
2,484

285

(136)

(962)

(164)
8 

(715)

– 

(11)

639 

2

31 

50 
21 
(952)

83
34
(8)

– 

– 

– 

– 

(5)
127

398 

(258)
140

(5)
(68)
67 

1 

– 

(3)

(27)
– 

– 

5 

– 

– 

(124)

10 

(50)
– 
(188)

2 
–
– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 
– 

4 

– 
4 

(3)
– 
1 

– 

– 

– 

– 
– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 
– 
– 

85
34
(8)

– 

– 

– 

– 

(5)
127

1,375 
– 
(107)

675 
–
(24)

2,050
–
(131)

(8)

(58)

45

(266)

77 
127

– 

(56)

– 

– 

– 
– 

(8)

(114)

45

(266)

77 
127

402

3,338

1,091 

4,429

(258)
144

(8)
(68)
68

1 

– 

(3)

(27)
– 

– 

5 

– 

– 

(124)

10 

(50)
– 
(188)

(696)
2,642

(306)
(370)
1,966

286

(136)

(965)

(191)
8 

(715)

5 

(11)

639 

(122)

41 

– 
18 
(1,143)

48
1,139

(553)
– 
586 

– 

– 

– 

– 
– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 
3 
3 

(648)
3,781

(859)
(370)
2,552

286

(136)

(965)

(191)
8 

(715)

5 

(11)

639 

(122)

41 

– 
21 
(1,140)

146

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

 
Cash flow statement restatement continued

52 weeks ended 23 February 2019
Proceeds from issue of ordinary 
share capital
Own shares purchased
Repayment of obligations under leases

Add: Cash outflow from major 
acquisition
Less: Net increase/(decrease) in loans 
to joint ventures and associates
Less: Net investments in/(proceeds 
from sale of) short-term investments
APM: Free cash flow*

Increase in borrowings
Repayment of borrowings
Net cash flows from derivative 
financial instruments
Dividends paid to equity owners
Net cash generated from/(used in) 
financing activities

Intra-Group funding and intercompany 
transactions
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 at the end 
of the year

Retail 
(reported) 
£m
60 

(206)
(17)
747 

– 

(639)

889
704
(2,046)
35

(357)
(1,827)

(14)

(897)

2,755 

15 
1,873 

Retail

IFRS 16 
impact 
£m
– 

– 
(588)
– 

– 

– 

– 
– 
– 
– 

– 
(588)

– 

– 

– 

– 
– 

Tesco Bank

Tesco Group

Retail 
(restated) 
£m
60 

Tesco Bank 
(reported) 
£m
– 

IFRS 16 
impact 
£m
– 

Tesco Bank 
(restated) 
£m
– 

Tesco Group 
(reported) 
£m
60 

IFRS 16 
impact 
£m
– 

Tesco Group 
(restated) 
 £m
60 

(206)
(605)
747 

– 

(639)

889 
704
(2,046) 

35

(357)
(2,415)

– 
– 
– 

(5)

– 

(126)
271
(425)
– 

– 
(154)

(14)

14 

(897)

(261)

2,755 

1,304 

15
1,873 

– 
1,043 

– 
(1)
– 

– 

– 

– 
– 
– 
– 

– 
(1)

– 

– 

 –

– 
– 

– 
(1)
– 

(5)

– 

(126)
271
(425)
– 

– 
(155)

(206)
(17)
747 

(5)

(639)

763
975
(2,471)
35

(357)
(1,981)

– 
(589)
– 

– 

– 

– 
– 
– 
– 

(206)
(606)
747 

(5)

(639)

763
975
(2,471)
35

–
(589)

(357)
(2,570)

14 

– 

(261)

(1,158)

1,304 

4,059 

– 
1,043 

15
2,916 

– 

–

– 

– 
–

– 

(1,158) 

4,059 

15 
2,916 

*  Free cash flow has been redefined to include ‘Repayments of obligations under leases’ due to IFRS 16. This results in a minor adjustment of £17m, restating reported Retail free cash flow 

of £906m to £889m. There is no overall impact to cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year. 

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

147

Financial statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tesco PLC – Parent Company balance sheet

Non-current assets
Investments
Receivables
Derivative financial instruments

Current assets
Receivables
Short-term investments
Cash and cash equivalents

Current liabilities
Borrowings
Payables
Derivative financial instruments

Net current assets/(liabilities)

Non-current liabilities
Borrowings
Payables
Derivative financial instruments

Net assets
Equity
Share capital
Share premium
All other reserves
Retained earnings (including profit/(loss) for the financial year of £(21)m (2019: £3,074m))
Total equity

The notes on pages 150 to 154 form part of these financial statements.

Dave Lewis 
Alan Stewart
Directors

29 February 
2020 
£m

23 February 
2019 
£m

Notes

6
7
12

7
8
9

11
10
12

11
10
12

15

17,829 
1,043 
1,167 
20,039 

547 
– 
249 
796 

(43) 
(238) 
– 
(281) 
515 

(2,285) 
(82) 
(735) 
(3,102) 
17,452 

490 
5,165 
2,950 
8,847 
17,452 

17,887
2,139 
1,043 
21,069

1,154 
11 
6 
1,171

(766)
(242)
(213) 
(1,221)
(50)

(2,536)
(88) 
(303)
(2,927)
18,092

490
5,165
2,969 
9,468 
18,092

The Parent Company financial statements on pages 148 to 154 were approved and authorised for issue by the Directors on 7 April 2020.

Tesco PLC  
Registered number 00445790

148

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tesco PLC – Parent Company statement of changes in equity

At 23 February 2019
Profit/(loss) for the year
Other comprehensive  
income/(loss) 
Gains/(losses) on cash flow hedges
Reclassified and reported in the 
Company income statement
Tax relating to components of other 
comprehensive income
Total other comprehensive 
income/(loss)
Total comprehensive  
income/(loss)
Transactions with owners
Purchase of own shares
Share-based payments
Dividends
Total transactions with owners 
At 29 February 2020

At 24 February 2018
Adjustment on initial application 
of IFRS 9 (net of tax)
At 25 February 2018
Profit/(loss) for the year
Other comprehensive  
income/(loss)
Gains/(losses) on cash flow hedges
Reclassified and reported in the 
Company income statement
Tax relating to components of  
other comprehensive income
Total other comprehensive 
income/(loss)
Total comprehensive income/
(loss)
Transactions with owners
Purchase of own shares
Share-based payments
Issue of shares
Dividends
Total transactions with owners 
At 23 February 2019

All other reserves

Share  
capital 
£m
490
– 

Share 
premium 
£m
5,165
– 

Currency  
basis
reserve
£m
(13)
– 

Capital 
redemption 
reserve 
£m
16
– 

Hedging  
reserve 
£m
95
– 

Own shares 
held 
£m
(179)
– 

Merger 
reserve
£m
3,050
– 

Retained 
earnings 
£m
9,468

(21) 

Total  
equity 
£m
18,092

(21) 

– 
– 

– 

– 

– 

– 
– 
– 
– 
490 

Share  
capital 
£m
410
–

410
–

–
–

–

–

–

–
–
80
–
80
490

– 
– 

– 

– 

– 

– 
– 
– 
– 
5,165 

Share 
premium 
£m
5,107
–

5,107
–

–
–

–

–

–

–
–
58
–
58
5,165

(7) 
– 

1 

(6) 

(6) 

– 
– 
– 
– 
(19) 

– 
– 

– 

– 

– 

– 
– 
– 
– 
16 

92 
(23) 

(11) 

58 

58 

– 
– 
– 
– 
153 

– 
– 

– 

– 

– 

(221) 
150
– 
(71) 
(250) 

All other reserves

Currency  
basis
reserve
£m
–
(13)

Capital 
redemption 
reserve 
£m
16
–

Hedging  
reserve 
£m
62
13

Own shares 
held 
£m
(16)
–

(13)
–

–
–

–

–

–

–
–
–
–
–
(13)

16
–

–
–

–

–

–

–
–
–
–
–
16

75
–

38
(13)

(5)

20

20

–
–
–
–
–
95

(16)
–

–
–

–

–

–

(277)
114
–
–
(163)
(179)

– 
– 

– 

– 

– 

– 
– 
– 
– 
3,050 

Merger 
reserve
£m
–
–

–
–

–
–

–

–

–

– 
– 

– 

– 

(21) 

– 
56 
(656) 
(600) 
8,847 

Retained 
earnings 
£m
6,693
(5)

6,688
3,074

–
–

–

–

85 
(23) 

(10) 

52 

31 

(221) 
206 
(656) 
(671) 

17,452

Total  
equity 
£m
12,272
(5)

12,267
3,074

38
(13)

(5)

20

3,074

3,094

–
–
3,050
–
3,050
3,050

–
63
–
(357)
(294)
9,468

(277)
177
3,188
(357)
2,731
18,092

The Company has considered the profits available for distribution to shareholders. At 29 February 2020, the Company had retained earnings 
of £8.8bn, of which the unrealised profit elements are £1.7bn of share-based payment reserves and £1.4bn of dividends received from 
subsidiary undertakings not yet settled by qualifying consideration. After deducting the cost of its own shares held in trust of £0.3bn, the 
Company had profits available for distribution of £5.4bn, sufficient to support the planned 50% ordinary dividend payout ratio in line with 
the Group’s dividend policy. 

The Group also has retained profits in its subsidiary companies which are expected to flow up to the Company in due course to further 
supplement its distributable reserves position. The Company would expect to receive such dividends from the proceeds of the proposed sale 
of the Group’s businesses in Thailand and Malaysia, which is subject to shareholder approval. The Company has announced its intention to 
declare a special dividend of c.£5bn, also subject to shareholder approval, following completion of the sale and publication of interim 
Company financial statements.

The notes on pages 150 to 154 form part of these financial statements.

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

149

Financial statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Parent Company financial statements

Note 1 Authorisation of financial statements and 
statement of compliance with FRS 101
The Parent Company financial statements for the 53 weeks ended 
29 February 2020 were approved by the Board of Directors on 7 
April 2020 and the Company 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 53 weeks to 29 February 2020 
(prior financial year 52 weeks to 23 February 2019).

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, impairment of 
assets, share-based payments and related party transactions. 
Where required, equivalent disclosures are given in the 
consolidated financial statements of Tesco PLC.

The Parent Company financial statements are prepared on a going 
concern basis as set out in Note 1 of the consolidated financial 
statements of Tesco PLC.

The Directors have taken advantage of the exemption available 
under section 408 of the Companies Act 2006 and not presented 
an income statement or a statement of comprehensive income for 
the Company alone.

A summary of the Company’s significant accounting policies is set 
out below.

Short-term investments
Short-term investments are recognised initially at fair value, and 
subsequently at amortised cost. All income from these investments 
is included in the Company income statement as interest 
receivable and similar income.

Investments in subsidiaries and joint ventures
Investments in subsidiaries and joint ventures are stated at cost 
less, where appropriate, provisions for impairment. The Company 
tests the investment balances for impairment annually or when 
there are indicators of 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 Company 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.

Own shares held
Own shares represent the shares of Tesco PLC that are held in 
Treasury or by the Employee Benefit Trust. The Company adopts a 
‘look-through’ approach which, in substance, accounts for the 
trust as an extension of the Company. Own shares are recorded at 
cost and are deducted from equity. 

Financial instruments
Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognised in the 
Company 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 any 
expected credit losses.

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 and net of attributable transaction costs. Subsequent 
to initial recognition, interest-bearing borrowings are stated at 
amortised cost with any differences between proceeds 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.

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 reporting date are disclosed as non-current.

150

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

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/(loss), in which case the deferred 
tax is also recognised in equity, or other comprehensive  
income/(loss), respectively.

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, with revisions to accounting 
estimates applied prospectively.

The preparation of the Company financial statements for the 
financial year did not require the exercise of any critical 
accounting judgements or significant estimates.

New standards effective for the current financial year
 – IFRS 16 ‘Leases’ which had no material impact on the Company; 

and

 – ‘Interest rate benchmark reform’ amendments, which have 
been adopted early. Refer to Note 25 to the Group financial 
statements for the impact of IBOR Reform amendments 
on the Company.

Other standards and amendments
Refer to Note 1 to the Group financial statements.

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 
to the Group financial statements.

Note 4 Dividends
For details of dividends see Note 8 to the Group 
financial statements.

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 designated as the hedging instrument is 
recognised directly in the Company statement of comprehensive 
income and accumulated in the hedging reserve. Any cost of 
hedging, such as the change in fair value related to forward points 
and currency basis adjustment is separately accumulated in the 
currency basis reserve. The ineffective element is recognised 
immediately in the Company income statement.

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 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.

Pensions
The Company participates in defined benefit pension schemes. 
There are no formal policies or contractual agreements for 
recharging within the Group and the Company 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 financial year is based upon the 
cash contributions payable.

The Company also participates in a defined contribution scheme 
open to all UK employees. Payments to this scheme are recognised 
as an expense as they fall due.

Taxation
The tax expense included in the Company income statement 
consists of current and deferred tax.

Current tax is the expected tax payable on the taxable income for 
the financial 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.

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

151

Financial statementsNotes to the Parent Company financial statements continued

Note 5 Employment costs, including Directors’ remuneration

Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Pension costs
Share-based payment expense
Total 

Notes

14
13

2020
£m
16 
2 
2 
7 
27 

2019 
£m
17
3
4
7
31

The amounts above 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 13 (2019: 13).

The Schedule 5 requirements of SI 2008/410 for Directors’ remuneration are included within the Directors’ remuneration report on pages 52 to 64.

Note 6 Investments

Cost
At 23 February 2019
Additions
Disposals
At 29 February 2020
Accumulated impairment losses
At 23 February 2019
Impairment losses
Disposals 
At 29 February 2020

Net carrying value
At 29 February 2020
At 23 February 2019

2020 
£m

21,283
87 
(684) 
20,686 

(3,396)
(144) 
683 
(2,857) 

17,829 
17,887

The impairment losses of £144m relate to the Group’s disposal of Gain Land Limited and the subsequent impairment of its intermediate 
holding company Cheshunt Holdings Guernsey Limited to a recoverable amount of £241m, based on net asset value, a fair value less costs of 
disposal measurement at Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. Refer to Note 33 in the Group financial statements for further details. 

The list of the Company’s subsidiary undertakings and joint ventures is shown on pages 155 to 160.

Note 7 Receivables

Amounts owed by Group undertakings*
Amounts owed by joint ventures and associates
Other receivables

Of which:
Current
Non-current

2020
£m
1,530 
24 
36 
1,590 

547 
1,043 
1,590 

2019 
£m
3,232
21
40
3,293

1,154
2,139
3,293

*  Amounts owed by Group undertakings are either interest-bearing or non interest-bearing depending on the type and duration of the receivable relationship, with interest rates ranging 

from 0% to 3%, with maturities up to and including March 2025.

The expected credit loss on receivables is immaterial (2019: immaterial). 

Note 8 Short-term investments

Money market funds

Note 9 Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents

2020
£m
– 

2020
£m
249 

2019 
£m
11

2019 
£m
6

152

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Note 10 Payables

Amounts owed to Group undertakings*
Other payables
Taxation and social security
Deferred tax liability
Total payables
Of which:
Current
Non-current

2020
£m
278 
11 
4 
27 
320 

238 
82 
320 

2019 
£m
299
11
3
17
330

242
88
330

*  Amounts owed to Group undertakings are either interest-bearing or non interest-bearing depending on the type and duration of the creditor relationship, with interest rates ranging from 

0% to 3%, with maturities up to and including February 2051.

The deferred tax asset/(liability) recognised by the Company, and the movements thereon, during the current financial year are as follows:

At 23 February 2019
Movement in other comprehensive income/(loss) for the year
At 29 February 2020

Note 11 Borrowings
Current

Bank loans and overdrafts
5.5% MTN

Non-current

6.125% MTN(a)
5% MTN(a)
3.322% LPI MTN(b)
6% MTN(a)
5.5% MTN(a)
1.982% RPI MTN(c)
6.15% USD Bond
4.875% MTN(a)
5.125% MTN
5.2% MTN(a)

Financial 
instruments 
£m
(17)
(10) 
(27) 

Other timing 
differences 
£m
–
– 
– 

Par value
–
£97m

Maturity
–
Dec 2019

Par value

Maturity

£417m
£93m
£354m
£48m
£109m
£294m
$525m
£20m
€356m
£30m

Feb 2022
Mar 2023
Nov 2025
Dec 2029
Jan 2033
Mar 2036
Nov 2037
Mar 2042
Apr 2047
Mar 2057

2020
£m
43 
– 
43 

2020
£m
416 
103 
358 
58 
133 
297 
555 
20 
316 
29 
2,285 

Total  
£m

(17)
(10) 
(27) 

2019
£m
668
98
766 

2019
£m
561
183
349
119
186
288
428
32
319
71
2,536

(a)  During the current financial year, the Group undertook a tender for outstanding bonds and as a result the following notional amounts were repaid early: 6.125% MTN Feb 2022 £114m, 5% 

MTN Mar 2023 £78m, 6% MTN Dec 2029 £50m, 5.5% MTN Jan 2033 £41m, 4.875% MTN Mar 2042 £12m and 5.2% MTN Mar 2057 £43m.

(b)  The 3.322% LPI MTN is redeemable at par, indexed for increases in the RPI over the life of the MTN. The maximum indexation of the principal in any one year is 5%, with a minimum of 0%.
(c)  The 1.982% RPI MTN is redeemable at par, indexed for increases in the RPI over the life of the MTN. 

Note 12 Derivative financial instruments
The fair values of derivative financial instruments have been presented in the Company balance sheet as:

Current
Non-current
Total derivative financial instruments

Fair value hedges
Interest rate swaps and similar instruments
Cross-currency swaps
Cash flow hedges
Cross-currency swaps
Index-linked swaps
Derivatives not in a formal hedge 
relationship
Index-linked swaps
Total

2020

Asset 
£m
– 
1,167 
1,167 

Liability 
£m
– 
(735) 
(735) 

2019

Asset 
£m
–
1,043
1,043

Liability 
£m
(213)
(303)
(516)

2020

2019

Asset

Liability

Asset

Liability

Fair value
£m

Notional
£m

Fair value
£m

Notional
£m

Fair value
£m

Notional
£m

Fair value
£m

Notional
£m

10 
228 

208 
185 

65 
409 

306 
649 

– 
– 

– 
– 

– 
– 

– 
– 

11
126

138
170

65
180

309
632

–
(10)

–
–

–
222

–
–

536 
1,167 

3,339 
4,768 

(735) 
(735) 

4,461 
4,461 

598
1,043

3,339
4,525

(506)
(516)

3,339
3,561

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

153

Financial statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Parent Company financial statements continued

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, refer to Note 28 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 53 weeks ended 29 February 2020

Outstanding at 23 February 2019
Granted
Forfeited
Exercised
Outstanding at 29 February 2020
Exercise price range (pence)
Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)
Exercisable at 29 February 2020
Exercise price range (pence)
Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)

For the 52 weeks ended 23 February 2019

Outstanding at 24 February 2018
Granted
Forfeited
Exercised
Outstanding at 23 February 2019
Exercise price range (pence)
Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)
Exercisable at 23 February 2019
Exercise price range (pence)
Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)

Savings-related
Share Option Scheme

Nil cost
share options

Options
19,148
– 
– 
– 
19,148 

– 

Options
12,743,733
295,554 
(2,405,420) 
– 
10,633,867 

6,454,736 

WAEP
188.00
– 
– 
– 
188.00 
188.00 
2.01 
– 
– 
– 

Savings-related
Share Option Scheme

Nil cost
share options

Options
23,840
19,148 
–

(23,840) 
19,148 

–

Options
14,271,355
200,518 
(1,704,300)
(23,840) 

12,743,733

3,837,740 

WAEP
151.00
188.00 
–
151.00 
188.00
188.00
3.03
–
–
–

WAEP
–
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
6.15 
– 
– 
5.46 

WAEP
–
–
–
–
–
–
7.18 
–
–
6.00 

Share bonus and incentive schemes
Executive Directors 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 Executive Directors who have completed a required service 
period and depend on the achievement of the corporate and individual performance targets. For further information on these schemes, 
including the valuation models and assumptions used, refer to Note 28 to the Group financial statements.

The number of share bonuses and share incentives awarded during the financial year were 506,768 (2019: 739,293) for Group Bonus Plan and 
2,388,395 (2019: 2,071,068) for Performance Share Plan. Respectively, weighted average fair value (WAFV) was 244.1p (2019: 241.8p) and 230.3p 
(2019: 254.8p). 

Note 14 Pensions
The total cost of participation in the Tesco Retirement Savings Plan (a defined contribution scheme) to the Company was £1.9m (2019: £4.4m). 
Further disclosure relating to all schemes can be found in Note 29 to the Group financial statements.

Note 15 Called up share capital
Refer to Note 30 to the Group financial statements.

Note 16 Contingent liabilities
In addition to the contingent liabilities shown in Note 34 to the Group financial statements, the Company has entered into financial guarantee 
contracts to guarantee the indebtedness of Group undertakings amounting to £2,589m (2019: £1,715m). It has also guaranteed derivative 
agreements of Group undertakings with a gross liability of £168m (2019: £162m) at the reporting date. 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.

Note 17 Events after the reporting period
On 9 March 2020, the Group announced the proposed sale of its businesses in Thailand and Malaysia for net cash proceeds of $10.3 billion 
(equivalent to £8.0 billion) before tax and other transaction costs. Subject to completion of the transaction, which is subject to shareholder 
and regulatory approval, the Board intends to return c.£5.0 billion to shareholders via a special dividend with associated share consolidation.
Refer to Note 36 to the Group financial statements for further details on the transaction.

Refer to Note 36 to the Group financial statements for further details of the Group’s assessment of the impact of COVID-19. 

154

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 29 
February 2020 are disclosed below. Changes to the list of related undertakings since the year-end date are detailed in the footnotes below. 
All undertakings are indirectly owned by Tesco PLC unless otherwise stated.

Subsidiary undertakings incorporated in the United Kingdom

Name of undertaking

Acklam Management Company 
Limited

Adminstore Limited

Alfred Preedy & Sons Limited

Armitage Finance Unlimited 

Bath Upper Bristol Road 
Management Company Limited

Berry Lane Management Company 
Limited

BF Limited 

Bishop’s Group Limited 

Booker Cash & Carry Limited 

Booker Direct Limited 

Booker Group Limited 

Booker Limited

Booker Retail Partners (GB) Limited 

Booker Retail Limited

Booker Pension Trustees Limited

Booker Wholesale Holdings Limited 

Booker Unapproved Scheme 
Trustees Ltd

Bourne End Residential 
Management Company Limited

Broughton Retail Park Nominee 1 
Limited

Broughton Retail Park Nominee 2 
Limited

Broughton Retail Park Nominee 3 
Limited

Broughton Retail Park Nominee 4 
Limited

Budgen Holdings Limited

Budgens Pension Trustees No.2 
Limited

Budgens Property Investments 
Limited

Budgens Stores Limited 

Buttoncable Limited 
Buttoncase Limited†

Canterbury Road Management 
Limited

Cardiff Cathays Terrace 
Management Company Limited
Comar Limited† 

Day And Nite Stores Limited

Dillons Newsagents Limited*

dunnhumby Holding Limited

dunnhumby International Limited

dunnhumby Limited 

dunnhumby Overseas Limited

dunnhumby Trustees Limited

Giant Bidco Limited

Giant Booker Limited

Giant Midco Limited

Highams Green Management 
Company Limited

IRTH (15) Limited

IRTH (19) Limited

Launchgrain Limited†

Linnco Limited

Registered 
address

1

1 

2

1 

1

1

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

1

1

1 

1

1

8

8

8

8

1 

1

1 

1 

1 

2

2

4

4

4

4

4

8

8

8

1

8

8

1

8

Class of share held

 Limited by Guarantee

£0.01 A Ordinary 

£0.01 B Ordinary

£0.01 C Ordinary

 £1.00 Deferred 

£1.00 Ordinary

£0.90 Ordinary

Limited by Guarantee

 Limited by Guarantee

 £1.00 Ordinary

£0.01 Ordinary

£1.00 Ordinary 

£0.01 Ordinary 

£0.00000000055625 
Ordinary 

 £1.00 Ordinary 

 £1.00 Ordinary 

£0.10 Ordinary

Limited by Guarantee

 £0.01 Ordinary A1

Limited by Guarantee

Limited by Guarantee

 £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 Cumulative 
Redeemable Preference

£1.00 Ordinary

Limited by Guarantee

Limited by Guarantee

 £1.00 Ordinary

 £1.00 Cumulative 
Convertible Participating 
Preferred Ordinary

£1.00 Cumulative 
Redeemable Preference

£1.00 Ordinary

 £0.25 Non–Voting 
Ordinary

£1.00 Ordinary

 £1.00 Ordinary 

 £3.59 Ordinary

£1.00 Ordinary

£1.00 Ordinary

£1.00 Ordinary

£0.25 Ordinary

£1.00 Ordinary

 Limited by Guarantee

£1.00 Ordinary

US$0.000000052383172 
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

100

Name of undertaking

Londis (Holdings) Limited

Londis Pension Trustees Limited

Makro Holding Limited

Makro Properties Limited

Makro Self Service Wholesalers 
Limited

Maldon Finance Limited(e) 

Motorcause Limited

Munster Road Management 
Company 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

Ritter-Courivaud Limited

Seacroft Green Nominee 1 Limited

Seacroft Green Nominee 2 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
T & S Stores Limited†
Tapesilver Limited†

Teesport (GP) 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

Tesco Atrato (1LP) Limited

Tesco Atrato (GP) Limited 

Tesco Atrato (Nominee 1) Limited 

Tesco Atrato (Nominee 2) Limited 

Tesco Atrato (Nominee Holdco) 
Limited

Tesco Atrato Depot Propco Limited

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 Corporate Treasury Services 
PLC†

Registered 
address

8

8

8

8

8

1 

1

1 

1

2

2

2

2

1

1

2

1

8

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1 

1

1

2

1

1

1

1

1 

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1 

1 

1

1

1 

1

1

1

1

1

1

Class of share held

£50.00 Ordinary

£1.00 Ordinary

£1.00 Ordinary

£1.00 Ordinary

£1.00 Ordinary A

£1.00 Ordinary B

£1.00 Ordinary

US$1.00 A Preference

US$0.50 B Preference

 £1.00 Ordinary

Limited by Guarantee 

£1.00 Ordinary

£0.00001200004
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

£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

Limited by Guarantee

£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 A Ordinary

£1.00 B 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 A Ordinary

£1.00 B 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

100

100

 100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

155

Financial statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Related undertakings of the Tesco Group continued

Subsidiary undertakings incorporated in the United Kingdom continued

Name of undertaking

Tesco Property Holdings (No.2) 
Limited

Tesco Property Holdings Limited

Tesco Property Nominees (No.5) 
Limited

Tesco Property Nominees (No.6) 
Limited

Tesco Property Partner (GP) 
Limited†

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 TLB Finance Limited

Tesco TLB Properties Limited 

The Big Food Group Limited 

The Teesport Limited Partnership 

The Tesco Aqua Limited 
Partnership

The Tesco Atrato Limited 
Partnership

The Tesco Blue Limited 
Partnership 

The Tesco Navona Limited 
Partnership

The Tesco Passaic Limited 
Partnership

The Tesco Property Limited 
Partnership

The Tesco Red Limited 
Partnership

TPI Fund Managers Limited 

TPT Holdco No.1 Limited 

Ventnor High Street Management 
Company Limited

Weymouth Avenue (Dorchester) 
Limited 

Registered 
address

1

1

1

1

1

 1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

8

1

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

 £1.00 Ordinary

 £1.00 Ordinary

£1.00 Ordinary

£1.00 Ordinary A

£1.00 Ordinary B

£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 A Ordinary

£1.00 B Ordinary

 £0.10 Ordinary

 Limited Partnership

 Limited Partnership

 Limited Partnership 

Limited Partnership

 Limited Partnership

 Limited Partnership

 Limited Partnership

Limited Partnership

£1.00 Ordinary

£1.00 Ordinary

Limited by Guarantee

 £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

Name of undertaking

Tesco Depot Propco Limited 

Tesco Distribution Holdings 
Limited

Tesco Distribution Limited

Tesco Dorney (1LP) Limited

Tesco Employees’ Share Scheme 
Trustees Limited†(c)

Tesco Family Dining Limited 

Tesco Food Sourcing Limited

Tesco Freetime Limited 

Tesco Fuchsia (3LP) Limited

Tesco Gateshead Property 
Limited
Tesco Holdings Limited†

Tesco International Services 
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 Overseas Investments 
Limited†

Tesco Overseas ULC

Tesco Passaic (1LP) Limited

Tesco Passaic (GP) Limited

Tesco Passaic (Nominee 1) 
Limited

Tesco Passaic (Nominee 2) 
Limited 

Tesco Passaic (Nominee Holdco) 
Limited

Tesco Passaic PL Propco Limited 

Tesco PEG Limited 

Tesco PENL Limited 

Tesco Pension Investment 
Limited(d) 
Tesco Pension Trustees Limited†

Tesco Personal Finance Group 
PLC†

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

Registered 
address

1

1 

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1 

5

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1 

1 

1

1

6

6

7

7

7

1

1

Class of share held

£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

£0.10 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 A

£1.00 Ordinary B

 £1.00 Ordinary

 £1.00 Ordinary

 £1.00 Ordinary

£1.00 Ordinary

£1.00 Ordinary

£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

 £1.00 Ordinary

£1.00 Ordinary

 £1.00 Ordinary

 £1.00 Ordinary

£0.01 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

£0.25 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

100

100

100

100

100 

100 

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

156

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
International subsidiary undertakings

Name of undertaking

Arena (Jersey) Management 
Limited†

Agate Jewel sp. z o.o. 

Amethyst Jewel sp. z o.o. 

Cheshunt Holdings Guernsey 
Limited† 

China Property Holdings (HK) 
Limited 

Chirac Limited 

Cirrus Finance (2009) Limited

Clondalkin Properties Limited

Commercial Investments Limited 

Coral Jewel sp. z o.o .

Crest Ostrava a.s 

Diamond Jewel sp. z o.o. 

dunnhumby (Korea) Limited 

dunnhumby (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd 

dunnhumby (Thailand) Limited 

dunnhumby Advertising (Shanghai) 
Co., Ltd

dunnhumby Australia PTY Limited 

dunnhumby Brasil Consultora Ltda 

dunnhumby Canada Limited 

dunnhumby Chile SpA

dunnhumby Colombia S.A.S.

dunnhumby Computer Information 
Technology and Consultancy 
Services LLC

dunnhumby Consulting Services 
India Private Limited

dunnhumby Czech s.r.o.

dunnhumby Denmark lvS 

dunnhumby Finland Oy 

dunnhumby France SAS 

dunnhumby Germany GmbH

dunnhumby Hungary Kft 

dunnhumby Inc. 

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 Netherlands B.V.

dunnhumby New Zealand

dunnhumby Poland Sp. z o.o. 

dunnhumby Russia LLC

dunnhumby Singapore Pte Ltd

dunnhumby SARL 

dunnhumby Serviços de Promoção 
Digital Ltda 

dunnhumby Slovakia s.r.o. 

dunnhumby Sp. z o.o. 

dunnhumby Spain S.L

dunnhumby South Africa (Pty) Ltd 

dunnhumby Ventures LLC 

Edson Investments Limited

Edson Properties Limited

Ek-Chai Distribution System Co., 
Ltd.*
ELH Insurance Limited 

Emerald Jewel sp. z o.o. 

Genesis sp. z o.o.

Jasper Sp. z o.o. 

Kabaty Investments Tesco (Polska) 
Sp. z o.o. Sp.k

Letňany Development land 1 s.r.o. 

Letňany Development land 2 s.r.o. 

Monread Developments Limited 

Registered 
address

Class of share held

% held by 
Group

 33

 £1.00 Ordinary 

75 

75 

27 

20

24

24

24

24

75 

16

75 

66

84 

73 

23

65 

77 

59 

48 

 74

PLN 50 Ordinary 

PLN 50 Ordinary 

 £1.00 Ordinary 

HKD 1.00 Ordinary 

€1.25 Ordinary 

£1,000 A Ordinary

€1.00 Ordinary

 €1.25 Ordinary

€1.25 Ordinary 

PLN 50 Ordinary 

CZK 100,000 Ordinary

PLN 50 Ordinary 

KRW 5,000 Ordinary 

 RM 1.00 Ordinary

THB 1,000,000 Ordinary 

 €130,000 Registered 
Capital

 AUD 100 Ordinary 

BRL$1.00 Ordinary

 CA$1.00 Ordinary

CLP 500,000 Ordinary 

COP 2,000 Type A

COP 41.00 Type B

COP 1.00 Type C

18 

 TL 25.00 Ordinary

60 

16

57 

30

61 

14 

32 

35

62 

67

36 

37 

38 

69

70 

64 

42 

79

 19

61 

77

58 

47 

50 

43 

44 

24

24

34

71 

75 

42

42

 INR 10.00 Ordinary 

 CZK 200,000 Ordinary 

DKK 1.00 Ordinary 

 100 Kovellinum Oy

€2.00 Ordinary 

 €1.00 Ordinary

Registered capital HUF 
3,000,000 

 No par value

Registered capital 
US$140,000

 €1.00 Ordinary

 INR 10.00 Ordinary

€1.00 Ordinary 

JPY 10,000 Ordinary

MXN 2,970 Ordinary A 

MXN 30.00 Ordinary B

 €1.00 Ordinary

 NZD 100.00 Ordinary

 PLN 50,000 Ordinary 

RUB 1.00 Ordinary

SGD 1.00 Ordinary

€100.00 Ordinary 

 R$1.00 Ordinary

 No shares in issue

PLN 50.00 Ordinary 

 €1.00 Ordinary

 No par value Ordinary

– 

 €2.00 Ordinary

€1.00 Ordinary 

 THB 10.00 Ordinary

£1.00 Ordinary 

PLN 50 Ordinary 

 PLN 500.00 Ordinary

PLN 100.00 Ordinary

42  PLN Partnership Interests

16

16

24

CZK 100,000 Ordinary

 CZK 100,000 Ordinary

 €0.001 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

100

100

 –

100

100

100

–

 100

100

100

100

100 

100

100

100

 100

 100

100

Registered 
address

Class of share held

% held by 
Group

Name of undertaking

Nabola Development Limited 

Onyx Jewel sp. z o.o. 

Opal Jewel sp. z o.o. 

Orpingford Unlimited Company

Pharaway Properties Limited

Pearl Jewel sp. z o.o. 

Quartz Jewel sp. z o.o. 

R.J.D. Holdings Unlimited Company 

Ruby Jewel sp. z o.o. 

Sapphire Jewel sp. z o.o. 

Sociomantic Labs Internet 
Hizmetleri Limited Şireketi

Tesco (Polska) Sp. z o.o. 

Tesco Akadémia Képzési és 
Fejlesztési Korátolt Felelősségű 
Társaság

Tesco Bengaluru Private Limited 
Tesco Capital No. 1 Limited†

24

75 

75 

24

24

75 

75 

24

75 

75 

51 

42 

32

41 

28

 €1.25 A Ordinary 

£1.25 B Ordinary

PLN 50 Ordinary 

PLN 50 Ordinary 

€1.00 Ordinary

€1.00 Ordinary 

PLN 50 Ordinary 

PLN 50 Ordinary 

€1.269738 Ordinary

PLN 50 Ordinary 

PLN 50 Ordinary 

100

100

100 

100 

100

100

100 

100 

100

100 

100 

 TRY 25.00 Ordinary

 100

PLN 500.00 Ordinary 

 HUF 1.00 Business Share

 INR 10.00 Ordinary

£0.50 A Ordinary

£0.50 B Ordinary

£0.01 Preference-
Guaranteed Cumulative 
Fixed Rate Preference

£0.01 Preferred Ordinary

Tesco Capital No. 2 Limited

28

£0.01 Floating Rate 
Redeemable Preference†

Tesco Chile Sourcing Limitada

Tesco Digital Ventures Pte Ltd

Tesco Dystrybucja Sp. z o.o.

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 

Tesco Ireland Limited 

Tesco Ireland Pension Trustees 
Limited

Tesco Joint Buying Service 
(Shanghai) Co., Limited 

Tesco Mobile (Thailand) Co. Limited 

Tesco Mobile Ireland Limited 

Tesco Property (No. 1) Limited 

Tesco Sourcing India Private 
Limited 
Tesco Stores (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd*

£1.00 Ordinary

CLP 1.00 Ordinary

US$1.00 Ordinary

 SGD 1.00 Ordinary

 PLN 50.00 Ordinary 

 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

€1.25 Ordinary 

€1.25 Ordinary 

 €1.25 Ordinary 

US$1.00 Ordinary

THB 100.00 Ordinary 

€1.00 Ordinary

 £1.00 Ordinary

 INR 10.00 Ordinary

RM 1.00 A Ordinary

22 

49 

42 

16

32

34

20

40

58

58

20

24

24

24

82 

34

24

28

80

86 

  RM 10.00 Non Convertible 
Non Cumulative
Irredeemable Preference 
Shares

RM 1.00 B Ordinary

Tesco Stores (Thailand) Limited*

34

THB 10.00 A 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

Tesco Stores ČR a.s.

Tesco Stores SR, a.s. 

Tesco Trustee Company of Ireland 
Limited†

TESCO Üzleti és Technológiai 
Szolgáltatások Zârtköruen Múködó 
Részvénytársaság

Thundridge Unlimited

Topaz Jewel sp. z o.o. 

Victoria BB Sp. z o.o. 

Wanze Properties (Dundalk) 
Limited 

WSC Properties Limited 

THB 10.00 B Preference

<0.001

THB 10.00 C Preference

CZK 250 Ordinary

€33,193.92 Ordinary 

 €1.25 Ordinary 

 HUF 1,000.00

€1.00 Ordinary

PLN 50 Ordinary 

PLN 800.00 Ordinary

 €1.00 Ordinary

100

100

100

100

100

 100

100 

100

100

€0.0000005 Ordinary 

100

16

81 

24

25 

24

75 

42 

24

24

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

157

Financial statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Related undertakings of the Tesco Group continued

Subsidiary undertakings in liquidation
The following subsidiary undertakings were incorporated in the 
United Kingdom

Associated undertakings
The following associated undertakings were incorporated in the 
United Kingdom

Registered 
address

Class of share held

% held by 
Group

Name of undertaking
Adsega Limited†

Booker EBT Limited 

Cullen’s Holdings Limited

Cullen’s Stores Limited 

Cheshunt Finance Unlimited 

Cheshunt Overseas LLP 

dunnhumby Advertising Limited 

Europa Foods Limited

Faraday Properties Limited

Fresh Food Trader Limited

Gibbs News Limited

NutriCentre Limited

Wm. Low Supermarkets Limited 

Halesworth SPV Limited 

Harts the Grocers (Russell 
Square) Limited 

J.E. Cohen & Company Limited 

J.Smylie & Sons (IOM) Limited

KSS Retail Limited

Linebush IV Limited 

Linebush Limited 

Linebush V Limited 

London and Home Counties 
Superstores Limited

M & W Limited 

Morgam News Limited

Stewarts Supermarkets Limited 

Snowman Retail 1 Limited
Tesco Treasury Services Limited† 

Tesco FFC Limited 

Tesco International Internet 
Retailing Limited 

Tesco Kirkby (General Partner) 
Limited

Tesco Kirkby (LP) Limited 

Tesco Kirkby (Unitholder1) Limited 

Tesco Kirkby (Unitholder2) 
Limited

Tesco TLB Barnstaple Limited 

Tesco TLB Nottingham Limited 

Tesco TLB Pontypridd Limited

Verulam Properties Limited 

Registered 
address

9 

9

9

9 

9 

Class of share held

£0.0026 Ordinary 

£1.00 Ordinary

 £0.0000000370 Ordinary 

£0.00000161 Ordinary 

£0.000000001 Ordinary 

3  Limited Liability Partnership 

9 

9

10

9 

9

9

10

9

9

9

72

9

9 

9

9

9

9 

9 

9 

9

9

9

9 

9

9

9

9

9

9

9

9

£0.001 Ordinary 

 £0.000000176 Ordinary

£0.000147 Ordinary

 £1.00 Ordinary

£1.00 Preference

£0.00001 Ordinary

£0.10 Ordinary

£0.0000000180 Ordinary

£1.00 Ordinary 

 £1.00 Ordinary

 £1.00 Ordinary

£1.00 Ordinary

£0.000000851

£0.01 A Ordinary

£1.20 B Ordinary

£0.01 C Ordinary

£0.01 A Ordinary 

£1.00 B Ordinary 

£0.01 C Ordinary 

 £1.20 A Ordinary

£1.20 B Ordinary

£1.00 A Ordinary 

£0.0000000582261 

£1.00 Ordinary 

£1.00 Ordinary 

£1.00 Ordinary 

 £0.000001 Ordinary 

 £0.01 Ordinary

£0.0000013543 

 £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

50

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

The following subsidiary undertakings were incorporated outside 
of the United Kingdom

Name of Undertaking

Avantil Services Company Limited 

Booker Cyprus Limited 

Cheshunt Hungary Servicing 
Limited Liability Company

Saneyia Limited 

Sociomantic Labs Private Limited  

Tesco Mauritius Holdings Limited 

Tesco Vin Plus S.A. 

Registered 
address

39 

21 

32

21 

78 

85 

52 

Class of share held

£1.00 Ordinary  

€1.00 Ordinary 

 HUF 100,00 Quota

€1.00 Ordinary 

INR 10.00 Ordinary  

£1.00 Ordinary 

€1.60 Ordinary

% held by 
Group

100 

100

100

100 

100 

100 

100

158

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

Name of undertaking

Broadfields Management Limited

Clarepharm Limited

Shire Park Limited

Fiora Hypermarket Limited  

Fiora Online Limited 

Tesco Coral (GP) Limited* 
Tesco Coral (Nominee) Limited 
Tesco Dorney (GP) Limited*
Tesco Dorney (Nominee 1) Limited 

Tesco Dorney (Nominee 2) 
Limited 

Tesco Dorney (Nominee Holdco) 
Limited

Tesco Jade (GP) Limited

29 

Tesco Mobile Limited*

Tesco Property (Sparta 
Nominees) Limited

Tesco Property (Nominees) (No.3) 
Limited 

Tesco Property (Nominees) (No.4) 
Limited 

Tesco Property Partner (GP No.2) 
Limited* 
Tesco Sarum (GP) Limited* 
Tesco Sarum (Nominee 1) Limited

Tesco Sarum (Nominee 2) Limited

Tesco Sarum (Nominee Holdco) 
Limited 

Tesco Underwriting Limited 

The Tesco Coral Limited 
Partnership 

The Tesco Dorney Limited 
Partnership

The Tesco Property (No.2) 
Limited Partnership 

The Tesco Sarum Limited 
Partnership 

1 

1

1 

1

1

1

1

1

1

31 

1

1

17

1

China Wisdom dunnhumby 
Limited

China Wisdom dunnhumby 
(Shanghai) Limited

dunnhumby Mitsui Bussan 
Customer Science Co., Ltd

dunnhumby Norge A.S.

Merrion Shopping Centre Limited
Retail Property Co., Limited* 
Synergistic Property 
Development Co. Limited

Tesco General Insurance Broker 
Limited 

Tesco Life Assurance Broker 
Limited 

Tesco Lotus Money Services Ltd

Tesco Lotus Retail Growth 
Freehold and Leasehold Property 
Fund

Tesco Mobile ČR s.r.o. 

Tesco Mobile Slovakia s.r.o. 

Trent Hypermarket Private 
Limited

12

13 

15

88 

26 

1

1 

1

1 

1 

1

63 

55

56 

24

83 

68 

45 

45 

45

46

16

81

26 

 £0.10 Ordinary

 £0.10 Ordinary 

 £1.00 Ordinary

INR Rs. 10/–  

INR Rs. 10/– 
INR Rs. 10/–  
Redeemable Preference

£1.00 A Ordinary

£1.00 Ordinary 

 £1.00 A Ordinary

£1.00 Ordinary 

£1.00 Ordinary

 £1.00 Ordinary 

 £1.00 A Ordinary

£1.00 B Ordinary

£0.10 A Ordinary

£0.90 B Ordinary

 £1.00 Ordinary

£1.00 Ordinary 

 £1.00 Ordinary

£1.00 A Ordinary 

£1.00 A Ordinary

 £1.00 Ordinary

£1.00 Ordinary

£1.00 Ordinary

 35.3

26.5

 54.5

49 

36.7
49 

 100

100 

 100

100

100

100

30

30

100

100

100

100

100

100

10

100

100

100

£1.00 Ordinary 

49.9 

Limited Partnership

Limited Partnership 

 Limited Partnership

Limited Partnership 

50

50

50

50

% held by 
Group

 50

49 

49 

 50

50

50

50

51.9

100

 50

 RMB 264,000,000 
Registered Capital

JPY 1,000 Ordinary

NOK 1,000 Ordinary

 €0.012697 Ordinary

 THB 100.00 Ordinary A 

THB 100.00 Ordinary

THB 100.00 Common 

99.99 

THB 100.00 Ordinary 

99.99 

 THB 100.00 Ordinary A 

 THB non par value listed

 CZK 100,000 Ordinary

 €1.00 Ordinary 

 INR 10.00 Equity 

100

25

50

50

50

The following associated undertakings were incorporated outside 
of the United Kingdom

Name of Undertaking

Arena Unit Trust

Booker India Private Limited 

Booker Satnam Wholesale Private 
Limited 

Registered 
address

 33

54 

54 

Class of share held

 –

INR 1.00 Ordinary 

INR 1.00 Ordinary 

 53

 RMB 264,000 Ordinary 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 

Delamare Group Holdings Limited

Registered 
address

87

87

87

87

87

11

11

Nature of business

 Securitisation entity

Securitisation entity

Securitisation entity

Securitisation entity

Securitisation entity

Securitisation entity

Securitisation entity

*  Undertaking where other share classes are held by a third party
† 

Interest held directly by Tesco PLC

(a)  95% held by Tesco PLC
(b)  66.6% held by Tesco PLC
(c)  50% held by Tesco PLC
(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
Incorporated on 25 March 2020

(e) 

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

159

Financial statements60

61

62

63

64

65

66

67

68

69

70

71

72

73

74

75

76

77

78

79

80

81

82

83

84

85

86

87 

88 

4th Fl, Tower B, Paras Twin Towers, DLF Golf Course Road, Sector 54, Gurgaon, 
Haryana-HR, 122002, India

48 rue Cambon, 75001, Paris, France

Room 1001, Enterprise Development Tower, No. 398, Jiangsu Road Changning 
District, Shanghai 200050, People’s Republic of China

Room 501-4, No.398 Jiangsu Road, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China 

RSM New Zealand, Level 2, 60 Highbrook Drive, Auckland, 2013, New Zealand 

Level 21, 55 Collins Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia 

13F WeWork Yeoksam Station 2,14, Teheran-ro 26-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul,  
06236, Korea 

Floor 3, 2 Harbour Square, Crofton Road, Dun Laoghaire, Dublin, Ireland

999/9, 31st Floor, Rama 1 Road, Pathumwan District, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand 

Av President Masarik No. 111, Piso 1, Colina Polance V Seccion Delegacion Miguel 
Hidalgo, C.P. 11560, Mexico 

Danzigerkade 13H 2hg, 1013AP Amsterdam, The Netherlands 

Dorey Court, Admiral Park, St. Peter Port, GY1 4AT, Guernsey 

PO Box 237, Peregrine House, Peel Road, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM99 1SU 

No. 319 Chamchuri Square Building, 16th Fl, Unit 01,  
Phayathi Road Pathumwan sub District, Bangkok 10330, Thailand

Calle 32 b sur #48-100, Envigado, Antioquia, Colombia 

ul. Połczyńska 121/125, 01-377 Warsaw , Poland

Paul-Lincke-Ufer 39/40, 10999 Berlin, Germany

Av.Brigadeiro Luis Antônio, 3530, 5° Andar, 01402-001 São Paulo, Brazil

c/o Vaish Associates, 106, Peninsula Centre, Dr. S. S. Rao Road, Parel Mumbai - 
400012, Maharashtra, India 

121099, Pereulok Spasopeskovskik 7/1, Building 1, Moscow, Russian Federation 

5th Floor, Unit 401, Tower B, The Millenia, No. 1&2 Murphy Road Ulsoor,  
Bangalore, 560 008, India 

Einsteinova 24, Bratislava 851 01, Slovakia 

Unit 01, 02, 06, 07, 08, 09, Floor 17, No. 610 Xujiahui Road, Huangpu District, 
Shanghai, People’s Republic of China 

313 CP Tower, Silom Road, Khwaeng Silom, Khet Bangrak, Bangkok, Thailand 

Suite 13.03, 13th Floor, Menara Tan & Tan, 207 Jalan Tun Razak, 50400 Kuala 
Lumpur, Malaysia 

c/o SGG Corporate Services (Mauritius) Ltd, 33 Edith Cavell Street, Port Louis, 
11324, Mauritius 

Level 8, Symphony House, Pusat Dagangan Dana 1, Jalan PJU 1A/46, 47301  
Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia 

Asticus Building, 2nd Floor, 21 Palmer Street, London, SW1H 0AD, United Kingdom 

Trent House, Plot No.C 60, G-Block, Besides Citi Bank, Bandra Kurla Complex, 
Bandra (East), Mumbai, 400051, India

Registered office addresses

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

32

33

34

35

36

37

38

Tesco House, Shire Park, Kestrel Way, Welwyn Garden City,  
AL7 1GA, United Kingdom

Apex Road, Brownhills, Walsall, West Midlands, WS8 7HU, United Kingdom

KPMG LLP, 15 Canada Square, London, E14 5GL, United Kingdom

184 Shepherds Bush Road, London, W6 7NL, United Kingdom

C/O Morton Fraser LLP, 5th Floor, Quartermile Two, 2 Lister Square, Edinburgh, 
Scotland, EH3 9GL, United Kingdom

2 South Gyle Crescent, Edinburgh, EH12 9FQ, United Kingdom

35 Great St Helen’s, London, EC3A 6AP, United Kingdom

Equity House, Irthlingborough Road, Wellingborough, Northamptonshire,  
NN8 1LT, United Kingdom

Ernst & Young LLP, 1 More London Place, London, SE1 2AF, United Kingdom

Atria One, 144 Morrison Street, Edinburgh, EH3 8EX

1 Bartholomew Lane, London, England, EC2N 2AX 

2 Paris Parklands, Railton Road, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 9JX

Thompson Jenner, 28 Alexandra Terrace, Exmouth, Devon, EX8 1BD

Ritterstraße 6, 10969 Berlin, Germany 

Riverside House, 3 Place Farm, Wheathampstead, St. Albans, England, AL4 8SB

1527/68b, Vrsovicka, Praha 10, City of Prague, 100 00, Czech Republic 

PO Box 87 22 Grenville Street, St Helier, Jersey 

Yeni Havaalani Caddesi, No. 40 Cigli, Izmir, 35610 Turkey 

30 A Tanjong Pagar Road, Singapore 088453, Singapore 

31st Floor AIA Kowloon Tower Landmark East, 100 How Ming Street,  
Kowloon, Hong Kong 

5 Esperidon Street, 4th floor, 2001 Strovolos, Nicosia, Cyprus 

Avenida Santa María 5888, Piso 2 Zona A, Oficina 4, Vitacura, Santiago,  
7660268, Chile 

Room 886S, 8/F, 1111, Changshou Road, Jing’an District, Shanghai, People’s 
Republic of China 

Gresham House, Marine Road, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin, Ireland 

ll38, Budapest, Váci út, 187, Hungary 

Taj Building, 2nd Floor, 210, Dr D.N. Road, Fort, Mumbai, 400001, India

PO Box 25, Regency Court, Glategny Esplanade, St. Peter Port,  
Guernsey, GY1 3AP

Lime Grove House, Green Street, St Helier, Jersey, JE1 2ST

20 Churchill Place, Canary Wharf, London, E14 5HJ 

c/o RSM Finland Oy, Ratamestarinkatu 7 B, 00520, Helsinki, Finland 

Ageas House Hampshire Corporate Park, Templars Way, Eastleigh,  
Hampshire, SO53 3YA 

H-2040 Budaörs, Kinizsi, ÚT 1-3, Hungary 

47 Esplanade, St Helier, Jersey, JE1 0BD

629/1 Nawamintr Road, Nuanchan, Buengkoom, Bangkok, 10230, Thailand

c/o The Corporation Trust Company, 1209 Orange Street, Corporation Trust 
Center, Wilmington, DE 19801, USA 

S-22 Greater Kailash, Part 1, Lower Ground Floor, New Delhi 110048, India 

Carrera 48 no. 32B sur - 139, Envigado, Italy 

9th Floor, Shiroyama Trust Tower, 3-1, Toranomon 4-chome, Minato-ku,  
Tokyo, Japan 

39

38/39 Fitzwilliam Square, Dublin 2, Ireland 

40 Willemsparkweg 150 hs, 1071 HS, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, Netherlands

41

42

43

44

45

46

47

48

49

50

51

52

53

54

55

56

57

58

59

81 & 82, EPIP Area, Whitefield, Bangalore, 560066, India 

56 Kapelenka St, 30-347, Krakow, Poland 

3rd Floor, 54 Melrose Boulevard, Melrose Arch, Gauteng, 2196, South Africa 

One East Fourth Street, Suite 1400, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202, United States 

87/1 Floor 10 Capital Tower, All Seasons Place, Wireless Road, Lumpini, 
Pathumwan, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand 

1 Empire Tower, 32nd Floor, South Sathorn Road, Yannawa, Sathorn, Bangkok, 
10120, Thailand 

Sociomantic labs Sp z.o.o., ul. Pulawska 2,02 566 Warszawa, Poland 

Av. El Golf 40, 7th floor, Las Condes, Santiago de Chile, Chile 

163 Tras Street, #03-01, Lian Huat Building, Singapore, 079024, Singapore 

Paseo de General Martinez Campos, Campos nº 9 1º izquierda,  
28010 Madrid, Spain 

Istiklal Caddesi Beyoglu Is Merkezi No: 187/5 Galatasaray, Istanbul, Turkey 

Centre de Commerces et de, Loisirs, Cite Europe, 62231 Coquelles, France 

Suite 1106-8, 11/F., Tai Yau Building, No 181 Johnston Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong 

Unit 607, 6th floor, Trade Centre, Bandra Kurla Complex, Bandra East,  
Mumbai, 400051, Maharashtra, India 

1-2-3 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan 

Rosenkrantzgate 16, Oslo, O160, Norway 

c/o TMF Denmark A/S, Købmagergade 60, 1. tv., 1150 København K, Denmark 

Cesta na Senec 2, Bratislava, 821 04, Slovakia 

1400-340 Albert St, Ottawa ON K1R 0A5, Canada 

160

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

 
Supplementary information (unaudited)

Total sales performance at actual rates (exc. VAT, exc. fuel)

UK & ROI
UK & ROI (comparable growth)(b)

UK
ROI
Booker

Central Europe
Asia
Tesco Bank
Group
Group (comparable growth)(b)

1Q 
2019/20
1.2%
0.1%
(0.4)%
0.8%
3.1%
(10.8)%
7.3%
(1.9)%
0.4%
(0.5)%

2Q 
2019/20
(0.9)%
(0.9)%
(1.4)%
0.3%
1.6%
(3.3)%
9.5%
7.5%
(0.1)%
(0.1)%

Total sales performance at constant rates (exc. VAT, exc. fuel)

UK & ROI
UK & ROI (comparable growth)(b)

UK
ROI
Booker

Central Europe
Asia
Tesco Bank
Group
Group (comparable growth)(b)

1Q 
2019/20
1.3%
0.2%
(0.4)%
2.7%
3.1%
(7.9)%
2.6%
(1.9)%
0.4%
(0.5)%

2Q 
2019/20
(1.0)%
(1.0)%
(1.4)%
(1.4)%
1.6%
(4.7)%
(0.5)%
7.5%
(1.2)%
(1.2)%

3Q 
2019/20
0.2% 
0.2% 
(0.5)% 
(0.4)% 
4.3% 
(15.9)% 
9.7% 
(5.2)% 
(0.8)% 
(0.8)% 

3Q 
2019/20
0.2% 
0.2% 
(0.5)% 
0.7% 
4.3% 
(14.4)% 
(0.1)% 
(5.2)% 
(1.4)% 
(1.4)% 

4Q

2019/20 (a)
(0.1)% 
(0.1)% 
(0.3)% 
(3.3)% 
2.6% 
(18.4)% 
1.0% 
(10.9)% 
(2.2)% 
(2.2)% 

4Q

2019/20 (a)
0.1% 
0.1% 
(0.3)% 
1.3% 
2.6% 
(13.7)% 
(1.6)% 
(10.9)% 
(1.7)% 
(1.7)% 

1H 
2019/20
0.2%
(0.4)%
(0.9)%
0.5%
2.3%
(7.0)%
8.4%
2.8%
0.1%
(0.3)%

1H 
2019/20
0.2%
(0.4)%
(0.9)%
0.6%
2.3%
(6.3)%
1.0%
2.8%
(0.4)%
(0.8)%

2H

2019/20 (a)
0.0% 
0.0% 
(0.4)% 
(1.9)% 
3.5% 
(17.2)% 
5.0% 
(8.1)% 
(1.5)% 
(1.5)% 

2H

2019/20 (a)
0.2% 
0.2% 
(0.4)% 
1.0% 
3.5% 
(14.0)% 
(0.9)% 
(8.1)% 
(1.6)% 
(1.6)% 

FY

2019/20(a)
0.1% 
(0.2)% 
(0.6)% 
(0.7)% 
2.9% 
(12.1)% 
6.7% 
(2.6)% 
(0.7)% 
(0.9)% 

FY

2019/20 (a)
0.2% 
(0.1)% 
(0.6)% 
0.8% 
2.9% 
(10.1)% 
0.1% 
(2.6)% 
(1.0)% 
(1.2)% 

(a)  4Q on a 13 weeks basis, 2H on a 26/52-week basis and FY on a 52-week basis.
(b)  Comparable growth presents growth with Booker sales included in the prior year base using a comparable number of weeks. Booker sales growth was 12.4% for Q1 2019/20, 6.5% for 1H 

2019/20 and 5.0% for FY 2019/20, reflecting nine additional days of Booker sales in the current year.

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

UK & ROI
UK
ROI
Booker

Central Europe
Asia
Tesco Bank
Group

Country detail – Retail

UK
ROI
Booker
Czech Republic
Hungary
Poland
Slovakia
Malaysia 
Thailand 

1Q 
2019/20
0.8%
0.4%
1.3%
3.1%
(4.9)%
0.1%
n/a 
0.2%

2Q 
2019/20
(0.6)%
(1.0)%
(1.0)%
1.9%
(1.4)%
(2.7)%
n/a 
(0.9)%

3Q 
2019/20
0.4% 
(0.4)% 
2.0% 
5.0% 
(11.0)% 
(1.6)% 
n/a 
(0.9)% 

4Q 
2019/20
0.3% 
(0.3)% 
2.4% 
3.5% 
(8.7)% 
(3.1)% 
n/a 
(0.9)% 

1H 
2019/20
0.1%
(0.3)%
0.1%
2.4%
(3.1)%
(1.3)%
n/a 
(0.4)%

2H 
2019/20
0.4% 
(0.3)% 
2.2% 
4.2% 
(9.8)% 
(2.4)% 
n/a 
(0.9)% 

FY 
2019/20
0.2% 
(0.3)% 
1.2% 
3.3% 
(6.4)% 
(1.9)% 
n/a 
(0.6)% 

Revenue (exc. VAT, inc. fuel)*

Local currency
(m)
44,302 
2,746 
6,204 
42,201 
557,052 
7,144 
1,381 
4,593 
172,163 

£m
44,302 
2,392 
6,204 
1,437 
1,479 
1,451 
1,203 
867 
4,351 

Average exchange
rate
1.0 
1.1 
1.0 
29.4 
376.6 
4.9 
1.1 
5.3 
39.6 

Closing exchange
rate 
1.0 
1.2 
1.0 
29.6 
393.8 
5.0 
1.2 
5.4 
40.4 

*  Excludes franchising revenue within Central Europe of £6m, which is not allocated to individual countries.

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 Booker and franchise stores.

29 February 2020

23 February 2019

No. of stores
2,508 
284 
284 
182 
120 
45 
8 
3,431 

Million sq. ft.
5.4 
3.0 
8.2 
8.8 
8.4 
3.7 
1.0 
38.5 

% of total
sq. ft.
14.0% 
7.8% 
21.3% 
22.9% 
21.8% 
9.6% 
2.6% 
100.0% 

No. of stores
2,518
276
284
182
120
50 
8
3,438

Million sq. ft.
5.4
3.0
8.2
8.8
8.5
3.7
0.9
38.5

% of total
sq. ft.
13.9%
7.9%
21.2%
22.9%
22.1%
9.7%
2.3%
100.0%

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

161

Other information 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Supplementary information (unaudited) continued

Group space summary
Actual Group space – store numbers(a)

Large
Small(d)
Dotcom only
Total Tesco
One Stop(d)(e)
Booker
Jack’s
UK(e)
ROI
UK & ROI(e)

Czech Republic(e)
Hungary
Poland
Slovakia
Central Europe(e)
Malaysia
Thailand
Asia
Group(e)

UK (One Stop)
Czech Republic
Franchise stores

Actual Group space – ’000 sq. ft.(a)

 Large
 Convenience(d)
 Dotcom only
 Total Tesco
 One Stop(d)(e)
 Booker
 Jack’s
 UK(e)
 ROI
UK & ROI(e)

 Czech Republic(e)
 Hungary
 Poland
 Slovakia
 Central Europe(e)
 Malaysia
 Thailand
 Asia
Group(e)

 UK (One Stop)
 Czech Republic

Franchise stores

2018/19 
year end
797
1,855
6
2,658
772
197
8
3,635
152
3,787
188
204
353
150
895
73
1,965
2,038
6,720
174
99
273

2018/19 
year end
31,368
5,097
716
37,181
1,261
8,436
81
46,959
3,335
50,294
4,602
6,281
7,804
3,438
22,125
3,533
15,024
18,557
90,976
227
95
322

Openings
2 
72 
– 
74 
7 
– 
5 
86 
– 
86 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
2 
54 
56 
142 
35 
8 
43 

Openings
34 
149 
– 
183 
13 
– 
74 
270 
– 
270 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
50 
145 
195 
465 
34 
6 
40 

Closures/
disposals

(3) 
(7) 
– 
(10) 
(82) 
(1) 
(1) 
(94) 
(2) 
(96) 
(2) 
(2) 
(24) 
– 
(28) 
– 
(31) 
(31) 
(155) 
(18) 
– 
(18) 

Net gain/
 (reduction) (b)
(1) 

 65
– 
64 
(75) 
(1) 
4 
(8) 
(2) 
(10) 
(2) 
(2) 
(24) 
– 
(28) 
2 
23 
25 
(13) 
17 
8 
25 

Closures/ 
disposals

(66) 
(42) 
– 
(108) 
(135) 
(60) 
(36) 
(339) 
(61) 
(400) 
(64) 
(6) 
(977) 
– 
(1,047) 
– 
(67) 
(67) 
(1,514) 
(24) 
– 
(24) 

Repurposing/

extensions (c)
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
(249) 
(275) 
(1,154) 
(258) 
(1,936) 
(133) 
(644) 
(777) 
(2,713) 
– 
– 
– 

2019/20  
year end
796 
1,920 
6 
2,722 
697 
196 
12 
3,627 
150 
3,777 
186 
202 
329 
150 
867 
75 
1,988 
2,063 
6,707 
191 
107 
298 

Net gain/
 (reduction)(b)
(32) 
107 
– 
75 
(122) 
(60) 
38 
(69) 
(61) 
(130) 
(313) 
(281) 
(2,131) 
(258) 
(2,983) 
(83) 
(566) 
(649) 
(3,762) 
10 
6 
16 

Repurposing/

extensions(c)
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
10 
13 
59 
10 
92 
5 
158 
163 
255 
– 
– 
– 

2019/20 
year end
31,336 
5,204 
716 
37,256 
1,139 
8,376 
119 
46,890 
3,274 
50,164 
4,289 
6,000 
5,673 
3,180 
19,142 
3,450 
14,458 
17,908 
87,214 
237 
101 
338 

(a)  Continuing operations. 
(b)  The net gain/(reduction) reflects the number of store openings less the number of store closures/disposals. 
(c)  Repurposing of retail selling space.
(d) 

Included within openings and closures/disposals are 54 stores (113,065 sq. ft.) which were converted from One Stop stores into Tesco Express stores.

(e)  Excludes franchise stores.

162

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

 
 
Group space forecast to 27 February 2021 – ’000 sq. ft.(a)

2019/20 
year end
31,336
5,204
716
37,256
1,139
8,376
119
46,890
3,274
50,164
4,289
6,000 
5,673
3,180
19, 142
3,450
14,458
17,908 
87,214 
237
101 
338

Openings
12 
69 
– 
81 
– 
– 
96 
177
59 
236 
14 
– 
– 
54 
68 
94 
378 
472 
776 
– 
20 
20 

Closures/ 
disposals
– 
(29) 
– 
(29) 
– 
– 
– 
(29) 
– 
(29) 
(4) 
– 
(715) 
– 
(719) 
– 
(48) 
(48) 
(796) 
– 
– 
– 

Repurposing/ 
extensions
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
6 
6 
(99) 
(147) 
(418) 
(78) 
(742) 
– 
(464) 
(464) 
(1,200) 
– 
– 
– 

Net gain/
 (reduction)
12 
40 
– 
52 
– 
– 
96 
148 
65 
213 
(89) 
(147) 
(1,133) 
(24) 
(1,393) 
94 
(134) 
(40) 
(1,220) 
– 
20 
20 

2020/21  
year end
31,348 
5,244 
716 
37,308 
1,139 
8,376 
215 
47,038 
3,339 
50,377 
4,200 
5,853 
4,540 
3,156 
17,749 
3,544 
14,324 
17,868 
85,994 
237 
121 
358 

Large
Small
Dotcom only
Total Tesco
One Stop(b)
Booker
Jack’s
UK(b)
ROI
UK & ROI(b)

Czech Republic(b)
Hungary
Poland
Slovakia
Central Europe(b)
Malaysia
Thailand
Asia
Group(b)

UK (One Stop)
Czech Republic
Franchise stores

(a)  Continuing operations.
(b)  Excludes franchise stores.

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
Impairment loss on financial assets 
Operating profit before exceptional items

Exceptional items(c) 
Operating profit

2020(a)

£m

2019(a)

(b) 

(restated)
£m

733 
335 
1,068 

(166) 
(25) 
(191) 
877 

(164)
(72) 
(191) 
(78) 
(179) 
193 

(119) 
74 

(11) 
23 
10 
96 

729   
368   
1,097  

(175)  
(27)  
(202)  
895  

(170)  
(80)  
(197)  
(85)  
(164)  
199  

(30)  
169  

(4)  
(6)  
8  
167   

Net finance costs: movements on derivatives and hedge accounting
Net finance costs: interest
Share of profit/(loss) of joint venture
Profit for the year  

(a)  These results are for the 12 months ended 29 February 2020 and the previous period represents the 12 months ended 28 February 2019.
(b)  Restated for the adoption of IFRS 16 as explained in Note 1 and Note 37 to the Group financial statements.
(c)  Exceptional items in 2020 comprise of a PPI provision charge of £(45)m (2019: £(16)m), a restructuring charge of £(13)m (2019: credit of £2m), accelerated amortisation and costs related to 

the sale of the mortgage book and PCA £(61)m (2019: £nil), and a regulatory provision of £nil (2019: £(16)m). 

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

163

Other information 
 
 
 
  
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Glossary – Alternative performance measures

Introduction
In the reporting of financial information, the Directors have 
adopted various APMs.

These measures are not defined by International Financial 
Reporting Standards (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 users in understanding 
the Group’s performance.

Consequently, APMs are used by the Directors and management 
for performance analysis, planning, reporting and  
incentive-setting purposes.

Details of changes to APMs within the period can be found in Note 1.

Some of the Group’s 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
Income statement
Revenue measures
Group sales

Closest equivalent  
IFRS measure

Adjustments to reconcile  
to IFRS measure

Definition  
and purpose

Revenue

 – Exclude sales made 

at petrol filling stations

Growth in sales

No direct equivalent 

Like-for-like

No direct equivalent

 – Consistent with  
accounting policy

 – Consistent with  
accounting policy

Profit measures
Operating profit before 
exceptional items and 
amortisation of acquired 
intangibles

Operating profit*

 – Exceptional items
 – Amortisation of 

acquired intangibles

 – 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. 

 – Operating profit before exceptional items and 

amortisation of acquired intangibles is the headline 
measure of the Group’s performance, and is based on 
operating profit from continuing operations before the 
impact of exceptional items and amortisation of intangible 
assets acquired in business combinations. Exceptional 
items relate to certain cost or incomes that derive from 
events or transactions that fall within the normal activities 
of the Group but which, individually or, if of similar type, in 
aggregate, are excluded by virtue of their size and nature 
in order to reflect management’s view of the underlying 
performance of the Group. This is a key management 
incentive metric.

Retail operating profit 

Operating profit* 

 – Tesco Bank operating 

 – Retail operating profit is a measure of the Group’s 

Operating margin 

No direct equivalent

Retail earnings before 
exceptional items, interest, 
tax, depreciation and 
amortisation (Retail EBITDA)

Operating profit*

profit 

 – Retail exceptional items
 – Retail amortisation of 
acquired intangibles 

 – Consistent with 
accounting policy

 – Exceptional items
 – Depreciation and 
amortisation

 – Tesco Bank earnings 

before exceptional items, 
interest, tax, depreciation 
and amortisation

 – Discontinued operations

operating profit from continuing operations from the 
Retail business excluding Tesco Bank. It is based on Retail 
operating profit before exceptional items and amortisation 
of acquired intangibles.  

 – Operating margin is calculated as operating profit before 

exceptional items and amortisation of acquired intangibles 
divided by revenue. Progression in operating margin is an 
important indicator of the Group’s operating efficiency.

 – This measure is based on Retail operating profit from 

continuing operations. It excludes Retail exceptional items, 
depreciation and amortisation and is used to derive the 
Total indebtedness ratio and Fixed charge cover APMs.

*  Operating profit is presented on the Group income statement. It is not defined per IFRS, however, is a generally accepted profit measure.

164

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

 
 
 
 
 
 
APM
Profit measures continued 
Profit before 
tax before exceptional items 
and amortisation of acquired 
intangibles, net pension 
finance costs 
and fair value 
remeasurements of financial 
instruments

Closest equivalent  
IFRS measure

Adjustments to reconcile  
to IFRS measure

Definition  
and purpose

Profit before tax

 – Exceptional items
 – Amortisation of acquired 

intangibles

 – Net pension finance costs 
 – Fair value remeasurements 
of financial instruments 

Finance costs

Total finance 
costs before exceptional 
items, net pension 
finance costs and fair value 
remeasurements of financial 
instruments

 – Exceptional items
 – Net pension finance costs 
 – Fair value remeasurements 
of financial instruments 

Diluted earnings 
per share from continuing 
operations before 
exceptional items and 
amortisation of acquired 
intangibles, net pension 
finance costs and fair value 
remeasurements of financial 
instruments 

Diluted earnings per share

 – Exceptional items
 – Amortisation of acquired 

intangibles

 – Discontinued operations
 – Net pension finance costs 
 – Fair value remeasurements 
of financial instruments

 – This measure excludes exceptional items and amortisation 
of acquired intangibles, net finance costs of the defined 
benefit pension deficit and fair value remeasurements of 
financial instruments. Net pension finance costs are 
impacted by corporate bond yields, which can fluctuate 
significantly and are reset each year based on often 
volatile external market factors. Fair value 
remeasurements are impacted by changes to credit risk 
and various market indices, which can fluctuate 
significantly. Also included in these items are fair value 
remeasurements of financial instruments resulting from 
liability management exercises.

 – Total finance costs before exceptional items, net pension 
finance costs and fair value remeasurements of financial 
instruments is the net finance costs adjusted for 
non-recurring one-off items, net pension finance costs 
and fair value remeasurements of financial instruments. 
Net pension finance costs are impacted by corporate 
bond yields, which can fluctuate significantly and are reset 
each year based on often volatile external market factors. 
Fair value remeasurements are impacted by changes to 
credit risk and various market indices, which can fluctuate 
significantly. Also included in these items are fair value 
remeasurements of financial instruments resulting from 
liability management exercises.

 – This relates to profit after tax before exceptional items 

and amortisation of acquired intangibles from continuing 
operations, net pension finance costs and fair value 
remeasurements 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 share options. 

 – It excludes net pension finance costs and fair value 

remeasurements of financial instruments. Net pension 
finance costs are impacted by corporate bond yields, 
which can fluctuate significantly and are reset each year 
based on often volatile external market factors. Fair value 
remeasurements are impacted by changes to credit risk 
and various market indices, which can fluctuate 
significantly. Also included in these items are fair value 
remeasurements of financial instruments resulting from 
liability management exercises.

Tax measures 
Effective tax 
rate before 
exceptional items and 
amortisation of acquired 
intangibles

Effective tax 
rate before 
exceptional items and 
amortisation of acquired 
intangibles, net pension 
finance costs and fair value 
remeasurements of financial 
instruments

Balance sheet measures
Net debt

Effective tax rate 

 – Exceptional items and their 

 – Effective tax rate before exceptional items and 

tax impact

 – Amortisation of acquired 
intangibles and their tax 
impact 

amortisation of acquired intangibles is calculated as total 
income tax credit/(charge) excluding the tax impact of 
exceptional items and amortisation of acquired intangibles 
divided by profit before tax before exceptional items and 
amortisation of acquired intangibles. This provides an 
indication of the ongoing tax rate across the Group. 

Effective tax rate

 – Exceptional items and their 

 – Effective tax rate before exceptional items and 

tax impact

 – Amortisation of acquired 
intangibles and their tax 
impact

 – Net pension finance costs 

and their tax impact

 – Fair value remeasurements 
of financial instruments 
and their tax impact 

amortisation of acquired intangibles, net pension finance 
costs and fair value remeasurements of financial 
instruments is calculated as total income tax credit/
(charge) excluding the tax impact of exceptional items and 
amortisation of acquired intangibles items, net pension 
finance costs and fair value remeasurements divided by 
the profit before tax before exceptional items and 
amortisation of acquired intangibles, net pension finance 
costs and fair value remeasurements.

Borrowings less cash and 
related hedges

 – Net debt from Tesco Bank

 – 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, lease liabilities, 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.

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

165

Other information 
 
 
 
 – Total indebtedness is the net debt plus the IAS 19 deficit in 
the pension schemes (net of associated deferred tax) 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. 

 – Total indebtedness ratio is calculated as Total 

indebtedness divided by the rolling 12-month Retail 
EBITDA. It is a measure of the Group’s ability to meet its 
payment obligations and is widely used by analysts and 
credit rating agencies.

 – Fixed charge cover is calculated as the rolling 12-month 
Retail EBITDA divided by the sum of net finance costs 
(excluding net pension finance costs, finance charges 
payable on lease liabilities, exceptional items, capitalised 
interest and fair value remeasurements) and all lease 
liability payments. It is a measure of the Group’s ability to 
meet its payment obligations and is widely used by analysts 
and credit rating agencies.

 – Retail operating cash flow is the cash generated from 
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 includes all cash flows from operating and 
investing activities, the market purchase of shares net of 
proceeds from shares issued in relation to share schemes, 
and repayment of obligations under leases. The following 
items are excluded: investing cash flows that increase/
decrease items within Group net debt, and cash flows 
from major corporate acquisitions and disposals. This 
measure reflects the cash available to shareholders.

 – Retail free cash flow includes all cash flows from operating 
and investing activities for the Retail business, the market 
purchase of shares net of proceeds from shares issued in 
relation to share schemes, and the repayment of 
obligations under leases. The following items are excluded: 
investing cash flows that increase/decrease items within 
Net debt, and cash flows from major corporate 
acquisitions and disposals. This measure reflects the cash 
available to shareholders.

Glossary – Alternative performance measures continued

Closest equivalent  
IFRS measure

Adjustments to reconcile  
to IFRS measure

Definition  
and purpose

APM
Balance sheet measures continued
Total indebtedness  

Borrowings less
cash
and related
hedges 

Total indebtedness ratio

No direct equivalent

Fixed charge cover

No direct equivalent

 – Consistent with 

accounting policy 

 – Consistent with 
accounting policy

 – Consistent with 
accounting policy

Cash flow measures
Retail operating cash flow

Cash generated from 
operating activities

 – Tesco Bank operating 

cash flow

 – Discontinued operations

Free cash flow

Cash generated from 
operating activities

Retail free cash flow

Cash generated from 
operating activities

 – Net cash generated from/

(used in) investing 
activities, and the market 
purchase of shares issued 
in relation to share 
schemes

 – Repayment of obligations 

under leases

 – Investing cash flows that 
increase/decrease items 
within Group net debt
 – Cash flows from major 
corporate acquisitions 
and disposals

 – Tesco Bank operating cash 

flow

 – Retail net cash generated 
from/(used in) investing 
activities, and the market 
purchase of shares issued 
in relation to share 
schemes

 – Repayment of obligations 

under leases

 – Investing cash flows that 
increase/decrease items 
within Net debt

 – Cash flows from major 
corporate acquisitions 
and disposals

166

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

 
 
 
As detailed in the basis of consolidation, refer to Note 1, for the UK & ROI, the results are for the 53 weeks ended 29 February 2020 (prior 
financial year 52 weeks ended 23 February 2019). For all other operations, the results are for the calendar year ended 29 February 2020 
(prior calendar year ended 28 February 2019).

In order to provide comparability with the prior year results for the 52 weeks ended 23 February 2019, the tables below present the Group’s 
statutory results on a 53-week basis to 29 February 2020, adjusted to remove the results of week 53 for the UK & ROI to also separately 
present the APMs on a 52-week basis to 22 February 2020. In determining the week 53 adjustment for the UK & ROI, revenue, sales and cost of 
goods sold represent the actual trading performance in that week, with overhead expenses allocated proportionally to week 53 based on the 
reported results for the 53 weeks to 29 February 2020. No week 53 adjustments are required with respect to the Group’s operations in 
Central Europe, Asia or Tesco Bank, which report on a calendar year basis.

APMs: Reconciliation of income statement measures

UK & ROI
Continuing operations
Group sales
Revenue
Operating profit before exceptional items and amortisation of 
acquired intangibles
Operating margin
Growth in sales at actual rates
Growth in sales at constant rates

Total Group
Continuing operations
Group sales
Revenue
Operating profit before exceptional items and amortisation of 
acquired intangibles
Operating margin
Growth in sales at actual rates
Growth in sales at constant rates

2020
As reported on a 
53-week basis
£m

Notes

2
2
2

2

45,752
52,898
2,230

4.2%
2.0% 
2.1% 

2020
As reported on a 
53-week basis
£m

Notes

2
2
2

2

57,370
64,760
3,005

4.6%
1.1% 
0.8% 

Exclude
week 53
£m

(843)
(983)
(46)

– 
(1.9)%
(1.9)%

Exclude
week 53
£m

(843)
(983)
(46)

– 
(1.8)%
(1.8)%

APM
2020
52-week
 basis
£m

44,909
51,915
2,184

4.2%
0.1% 
0.2% 

APM
2020
52-week
 basis
£m

56,527
63,777
2,959

4.6%
(0.7)% 
(1.0)% 

APM
2019
(restated)

£m

44,883
51,643
1,868

3.6%
16.1% 
16.1% 

APM
2019
(restated)

£m

56,883
63,911
2,607

4.1%
11.5% 
11.3% 

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

167

Other information 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Glossary – Alternative performance measures continued

APMs: Reconciliation of income statement measures continued

Operating profit before exceptional items and amortisation of acquired 
intangibles (£m)
Share of post-tax profits/(losses) of joint ventures and associates before 
exceptional items and amortisation of acquired intangibles (£m)
Net finance costs before exceptional items and amortisation of acquired 
intangibles (£m)
Profit before tax from continuing operations before exceptional items and 
amortisation of acquired intangibles (£m)
Add: Net pension finance costs (£m)
Add/(less): Fair value remeasurements of financial instruments (£m)
Profit before tax from continuing operations before exceptional items and 
amortisation of acquired intangibles, net pension finance costs and fair 
value remeasurements of financial instruments (£m)
Total income tax credit/(charge) before exceptional items, net pension finance 
costs and fair value remeasurements of financial instruments (£m)
Effective tax rate before exceptional items, net pension finance costs and 
fair value remeasurements of financial instruments (%)

Profit before tax from continuing operations before exceptional items and 
amortisation of acquired intangibles, net pension finance costs and fair value 
remeasurements of financial instruments attributable to the owners of the 
parent (£m)
Taxation on profit from continuing operations before exceptional items and 
amortisation of acquired intangibles, net pension finance costs and fair value 
remeasurements of financial instruments attributable to the owners of the 
parent (£m)

Profit after tax from continuing operations before exceptional items and 
amortisation of acquired intangibles, net pension finance costs and fair value 
remeasurements of financial instruments attributable to the owners of the 
parent (£m)

Basic weighted average number of shares (millions)
Basic earnings per share from continuing operations before exceptional items 
and amortisation of acquired intangibles, net pension finance costs and fair 
value remeasurements of financial instruments (pence) 

Diluted weighted average number of shares (millions)
Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations before exceptional 
items and amortisation of acquired intangibles, net pension finance costs 
and fair value remeasurements of financial instruments (pence)

Retail EBITDA

Operating profit before exceptional items and amortisation of acquired 
intangibles
Less: Tesco Bank operating profit before exceptional items
Retail operating profit
Add: Depreciation and amortisation (excluding amortisation of acquired 
intangibles)
Less: Tesco Bank depreciation and amortisation
Retail EBITDA

APMs: Reconciliation of balance sheet measures
Total indebtedness ratio

Net debt (£m)(a)(b)
Add: Defined benefit pension deficit, net of deferred tax (£m)(a)
Total indebtedness (£m)(a)
Retail EBITDA (£m)
Total indebtedness ratio

5

5
5

9

9

9

9

9

2020
As reported on a 
53-week basis
3,005

Notes
2

Exclude
week 53
(46)

26

(1,070)

1,961

71
244
2,276

(491)

21.6%

– 

27

(19)

– 
(18)
(37)

7

– 

APM
2020
52-week
 basis
2,959

APM
2019
(restated)
2,607

26

21

(1,043)

(1,064)

1,942

71
226
2,239

1,564

89
153
1,806

(484)

(441)

21.6%

24.4%

2,273

(37)

2,236

1,806

(490)

7

(483)

(439)

1,783

(30)

1,753

1,367

9,716
18.35

9,783
18.23

2020
As reported on a 
53-week basis 
£m
3,005

Notes
2

2
2
2

2

(193)
2,812
2,078

(141)
4,749

Notes
32
29

2020
As reported on a 
53-week basis
12,298
2,573
14,871
4,749
3.1

– 
(0.31)

– 
(0.31)

Exclude
week 53
£m
(46)

–
(46)
(29)

–
(75)

Exclude
week 53
(197)
–
(197)
(75)
–

9,716
18.04

9,783
17.92

APM
2020
52-week
 basis
£m
2,959

(193)
2,766
2,049

(141)
4,674

APM
2020
52-week
 basis
12,101
2,573
14,674
4,674
3.1

9,686
14.11

9,758
14.01

APM
2019
(restated)

£m
2,607

(199)
2,408
1,972

(85)
4,295

APM
2019
(restated)

13,204
2,338
15,542
4,295
3.6

(a)  Net debt, Total indebtedness and the defined benefit pension deficit, net of deferred tax on a 52-week basis are as at 22 February 2020.
(b)  Free cash outflow in week 53 of £197m has been deducted from Net debt as at 29 February 2020 to determine the Group’s 52 week Total indebtedness ratio.

168

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed charge cover

Net finance costs (£m)
Less: Net pension finance costs (£m)
Less: Exceptional fair value remeasurement loss on derivative restructuring (£m)
Add: Exceptional fair value remeasurement gain on Tesco Bank mortgage book 
disposal (£m)
Add: Fair value remeasurements of financial instruments (£m)
Total finance costs before exceptional items, net pension finance costs and fair 
value remeasurements of financial instruments (£m)
Add: Capitalised interest (£m)
Less: Finance charges payable on lease liabilities (£m)
Net finance cost, excluding net pension finance costs, exceptional items, 
capitalised interest, fair value remeasurements of financial instruments and 
finance charges payable on lease liabilities (£m)
Add: Retail total lease liability payments (£m)

Retail EBITDA (£m)
Fixed charge cover

APMs: Reconciliation of cash flow measures

Retail cash flows generated from operations excluding working capital
Retail (increase)/decrease in working capital
Retail operating cash flow
Retail interest and corporation tax paid*
Retail cash generated from/(used in) operating activities
Retail cash generated from/(used in) investing activities
Retail proceeds from issue of ordinary share capital
Retail own shares purchased
Retail repayments of obligations under leases

Add: Retail cash outflow from major acquisition
Less: Retail net investments in/(proceeds from sale of) short-term investments

Retail free cash flow
Tesco Bank free cash flow
Free cash flow

*  Retail interest paid in week 53 amounted to £27m.

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.

EURIBOR
Euro Interbank Offered Rate.

ESG
Environmental, social and governance.

FTE
FTE refers to full-time equivalents.

LIBOR
London Inter-Bank Offered Rate.

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.

2020
As reported on a 
53-week basis
1,221
(71)
(180)
29

Notes
5
5
5
5

5

5
12

12

(244)
755

–
(541)
214

1,170
1,384
4,749
3.4

2020
As reported on a 
53-week basis 
£m
4,365
(124)
4,241
(1,066)
3,175
(1,215)
–
(149)
(632)
–
687
1,866
476
2,342

Notes
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2

Exclude
week 53
(27)
–
–
–

18
(9)

–
6
(3)

–
(3)
(75)
–

Exclude
week 53 
£m
(63)
240
177
27
204
(7)
–
–
–
–
–
197
–
197

APM
2020
52-week
 basis
1,194
(71)
(180)
29

(226)
746

–
(535)
211

1,170
1,381
4,674
3.4

APM
2020
52-week
 basis 
£m
4,302
116
4,418
(1,039)
3,379
(1,222)
–
(149)
(632)
–
687
2,063
476
2,539

APM
2019
(restated)

1,064
(89)
–
–

(153)
822

1
(561)
262

1,163
1,425
4,295
3.0

APM
2019
(restated)

£m
4,027
(390)
3,637
(1,153)
2,484
(952)
60
(206)
(605)
747
(639)
889
(126)
763

MTN
MTN refers to medium term note.

MREL
Minimum requirements for own funds and eligible liabilities 
(European Banking Authority).

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 the 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.

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

169

Other information 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Five-year record

The statistics below reflect the latest published information. For financial years prior to 2020, these figures represent the comparatives from the following 
years’ financial statements, except figures for 2019 and 2018 which have been restated for IFRS 16 ‘Leases’ and IFRS 15 ‘Revenue from contracts with 
customers’ respectively (see below). 2018 figures have not been restated for IFRS 16. Korea was first classified as a discontinued operation during the 2016 
financial year, and Turkey during 2017. In respect of the discontinued operation in Turkey, 2016 statistics have been re-presented to be consistent with 2017. 

During the 2018 financial year, the Group reassessed its reportable segments and determined that the retailing and associated activities previously disclosed 
within the International segment should be disaggregated into the Central Europe and Asia segments. Refer to Note 2. The Group redefined profit APMs during 
2019 to exclude the amortisation of acquired intangibles. Historical data for the redefined measures have not been restated as the impact is not considered 
material. The Group adopted IFRS 9 ‘Financial instruments’ and IFRS 15 during the 2019 financial year, neither of which had a material impact on the Group’s 
performance. The financial data for the 2018 financial year has been restated for IFRS 15.

The Group adopted IFRS 16 during the 2020 financial year. Refer to Notes 1 and 37 for details. Figures for 2019 have been restated but prior historical data has 
not. Refer to Note 1 and the Glossary for a full list of APMs and their definitions, as well as changes to APMs. 

Financial statistics (£m)
Sales∆
UK & ROI

Central Europe

Asia

Tesco Bank

Group sales(e)

Revenue
UK & ROI

Central Europe

Asia

Tesco Bank

Group revenue
Operating profit/(loss) before exceptional items and amortisation of acquired intangibles∆(e)
UK & ROI

Central Europe

Asia

Tesco Bank

Group operating profit/(loss) before exceptional items and amortisation of acquired intangibles∆(e)
Operating profit margin before exceptional items and amortisation of acquired intangibles∆

Operating profit/(loss)
UK & ROI

Central Europe

Asia

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, exceptional items and amortisation of acquired intangibles, net pension finance costs and fair 
value remeasurements of financial instruments∆(e)

Other financial statistics
Diluted earnings/(losses) per share – continuing operations

Diluted earnings per share – continuing operations before exceptional items and amortisation of acquired intangibles, 
net pension finance costs and fair value remeasurements of financial instruments∆(e)
Dividend per share(d)
Cash generated from retail operating activities (£m)∆
Free cash flow (£m)∆
Return on capital employed (ROCE)(e)
Total shareholder return(e)
Net debt (£m)∆(e)

Discounted operating lease commitments - continuing operations 

Pension deficit, net of deferred tax – Group (£m)

Total indebtedness (£m)∆(e)
Enterprise value (£m)(e)

Group retail statistics
Number of stores(f)
Total sales area (’000 sq. ft.)(f)

Average employees

Average full-time equivalent employees (FTE)

UK & ROI retail statistics
Number of stores(f)
Total sales area (’000 sq. ft.)(f)

Average full-time equivalent employees (FTE)

Revenue (exc. fuel) (per FTE – £)
Weekly revenue (exc. fuel) (per sq. ft. – £)

2016

2017

(restated)(a)

(restated)(b)

2020(c)

2018

2019

37,189

5,268

4,447

955

37,692

38,656

44,883

45,752 

5,977

5,186

1,012

6,343

4,947

1,047

6,030

4,873

1,097

5,332 

5,218 

1,068 

47,859

49,867

50,993

56,883

57,370 

43,080

43,524

5,451

4,447

955

6,195

5,186

1,012

44,914

6,585

4,947

1,047

51,643

6,298

4,873

1,097

52,898 

5,576 

5,218 

1,068 

53,933

55,917

57,493

63,911

64,760 

1,059

1,868

2,230 

119

299

169

1,646

2.9%

221 

319 

199

2,607

4.1%

156 

426 

193 

3,005 

4.6% 

1,205

1,949

1,944 

503

102

218

162

985

1.8%

597

111

203

161

1,072
(21)

(849)

202
54

256
(127)

129

138

(9)

509

3.22p

5.79p

–

 2,581 

1,482

6.2%

(11.8)%

 5,110 

7,814 

 2,612 

803

58

262

157

1,280

2.3%

519

190

231

77

1,017
(107)

(765)

145
(87)

58
(112)

(54)

(40)

(14)

781

0.81p

7.30p

–

 2,278 

1,288

8.1%

(7.5)%

 3,729 

7,440 

 5,504 

212

277

145

1,839
(6)

(533)

1,300
(306)

994
216

1,210

1,208

2

1,284

12.11p

11.90p

3.00p

 2,773 

1,388

11.0%

8.7%

 2,625 

6,931 

 2,728 

279

252

169

2,649
32 

(1,064)

1,617
(347)

1,270
–

1,270

1,272

(2)

1,806

13.04p

14.01p

5.77p

 3,637

889 

7.9%

10.2%

13,204 

– 

 2,338 

 15,542 
35,024 

85 

415 

74 

2,518 
18 

(1,221) 

1,315 
(380) 

935 
38 

973 

971 

2 

2,276 

9.54p 

18.23p 

9.15p 

4,241 

1,866 

9.1% 

5.2% 

12,298 

– 

2,573 

14,871 
34,676 

7,005 

87,552

423,092 

293,963 

3,968 

50,401 

210,768

217,073 
17.11 

 15,536 
 20,101 

 16,673 
 19,262 

 12,284 
 19,452 

 6,733 

 91,195 

 6,809 

 89,041 

7,033 

 92,983 

 6,993 

 91,298 

 475,399 

 464,520 

 448,988 

 464,505 

 351,289 

 342,770 

 327,916 

 321,490 

 3,743 

 45,253 

 225,378 

 165,007 
 15.68 

 3,739 

 43,610 

 218,522 

 172,486 
 16.31 

 3,952 

 42,032 

 3,961 

50,521 

 210,312 

 223,542 

 183,804 
17.36 

200,781

18.65

∆   2020 APM reconciliations in Glossary section on pages 164 to 169. (a) Restated for IFRS 15, excludes Booker. (b) Restated for IFRS 16. (c) 53 weeks. (d) Dividend per share relating to the interim 

and proposed final dividend. (e) See Glossary for definitions. (f) Including franchise stores.

170

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Shareholder information 

Managing your shares and shareholder 
communication.
The Company’s share register is maintained by our Registrar, Equiniti. 

Shareholders can manage their holdings online or elect to receive 
shareholder documentation in electronic form by setting up a 
Shareview portfolio at www.shareview.co.uk. Some benefits of 
having a Shareview portfolio include: 

 – receiving the latest shareholder communications electronically;
 – voting online for the resolutions at the AGM, and any other 

shareholder meetings;

 – view and manage all your shareholdings in one place;
 – buy and sell shares instantly online with the share dealing 

service; and

 – easily updating your contact details.

For more information and to register for this service, please visit 
www.shareview.co.uk. Registration can be completed in just four 
easy steps and 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 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 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 financial 
results, notices of shareholder meetings and other shareholder 
documents.
Tesco Share Account.
The Tesco Share Account (TSA) is a free service available to Tesco 
shareholders which allows you to hold your Tesco shares 
electronically. Your shares are held in the name of Equiniti Corporate 
Nominees Limited and held on your behalf on a private register. 
Holding your shares electronically removes the need to hold paper 
share certificates, making dealing quicker and more secure. You will 
also receive preferential dealing rates through the TSA. 

The TSA is a sponsored nominee service operated for Tesco by 
Equiniti Financial Services Limited (Equiniti Financial), authorised 
and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). When 
you join the TSA, 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.

For further information or to join the TSA, please contact Equiniti.

Financial calendar 2020/21.

29 February 2020
Financial year  
end 2019/2020

Annual General Meeting (AGM).
A copy of the Notice of Meeting can be found on our website at 
www.tescoplc.com/investors.
Dividend.
An interim dividend of 2.65 pence per Ordinary share was paid  
on 22 November 2019. Shareholders will be asked to approve 
a final dividend of 6.50 pence per Ordinary share for the year 
ended 29 February 2020 at this year’s AGM. If approved, this 
will be paid on 3 July 2020 to all shareholders on the Register 
of Members at the close of business on 22 May 2020.

You can save time and receive your dividends faster and securely 
by electing to have them paid directly into your bank or building 
society account. You may also choose to have your dividends 
reinvested in further Tesco shares through our dividend 
reinvestment plan (DRIP) (terms and conditions apply).

For more information or to change your dividend payment 
instructions contact Equiniti or register online at  
www.shareview.co.uk.
Share dealing service.
Equiniti offers telephone, postal and internet services for dealing in 
Tesco PLC shares. Dealing fees vary between brokers and you are 
recommended to check that you are being charged the most 
competitive rate. You will need your Shareholder Reference 
Number as shown on your share certificate. 

For further information please visit www.shareview.co.uk/dealing 
or by calling 0345 603 7037, lines open between 8.00am and 
4.30pm, Monday to Friday (excluding UK public holidays).
Shareholder security.
In recent years, Tesco PLC has become aware that its shareholders 
(and holders of other Tesco securities) have received unsolicited 
phone calls or correspondence concerning investment matters. 
These callers can be very persistent and extremely persuasive and 
often have professional websites and telephone numbers to 
support their activities. These callers will sometimes imply 
connection to Tesco and provide incorrect or misleading 
information. Shareholders are advised to be very wary of any 
unsolicited advice, offers to buy shares at a discount or offers of 
free company reports. 

Always check that any firm contacting you about potential 
investment opportunities is authorised by the FCA. You can find out 
more about protecting yourself from investments scams by visiting 
the FCA’s website at www.fca.org.uk/consumers, or by calling the 
FCA’s consumer helpline on 0800 111 6768. 

7 October 2020
Interim results announcement

27 February 2021 
Financial year 
end 2020/21

February
2020

June/July
2020

October
2020

January 
2021

February 
2021

26 June 2020
1Q trading update 

3 July 2020
Proposed payment date 
for final dividend

January 2021
3Q and Christmas trading 
statement 

Please note that these dates are provisional and subject to change.

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

171

Other informationShareholder information continued

American Depositary Receipts (ADRs).
The Company has a sponsored Level 1 ADR programme for 
which J.P. Morgan Chase Bank N.A. acts as depositary. The ADRs 
are traded in the US, where one ADR represents three ordinary 
shares. The ADR programme confers the right to receive 
dividends in US dollars.

ADR details
Symbol 
CUSIP 
Exchange 
Ratio 
Effective Date 

TSCDY
881575302
OTC
1:3
April 01, 1992

All enquiries relating to the ADR programme should be directed to:

Tesco PLC 
c/o J.P. Morgan Chase Bank N.A. 
P.O. Box 64504 
St. Paul, MN 55164-0504

Email jpmorgan.adr@eq-us.com 
Telephone (US) +1 800 990 1135 
Telephone (Outside US) +1 651 453 2128  
Website www.adr.com
Share register analysis. 
As at 29 February 2020, the Company had 9,793,496,561 shares in 
issue (23 February 2019: 9,793,496,561) and 239,600 registered 
holders of Ordinary shares (23 February 2019: 246,725). 
Shareholdings are analysed below.

Range of shareholding
1 – 500
501 – 1,000
1,001 – 5,000
over 5,001
Total

Range of shareholding
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.

Number  
of holdings
150,256 
22,476 
45,432 
21,436 
239,600 

Number  
of holdings
11,249 
8,239 
617 
611 
185 
311 
224 
21,436 

% of issued  
share capital
0.19% 
0.17% 
1.10% 
98.54% 
100% 

% of issued  
share capital
0.81% 
1.58% 
0.43% 
1.43% 
1.34% 
7.81% 
85.15% 
98.55% 

Private
Institutional and 
corporate

Number of  
holdings
233,551 

% of total 
registered 
Number of  
holders
Ordinary shares
97.48%  523,920,989 

% of issued  
share capital
5.35% 

6,049 

2.52%  9,269,575,572 

94.65% 

Useful contacts.
Tesco PLC registered office:

Tesco House 
Shire Park 
Kestrel Way 
Welwyn Garden City 
AL7 1GA

Investor Relations.
Investor Relations Department 
Tesco House 
Shire Park 
Kestrel Way 
Welwyn Garden City  
AL7 1GA 

Telephone +44 (0) 1707 912 922

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 are charged at national rates. 
Calls from a mobile device may incur network extras.  
Website www.equiniti.co.uk

Group Company Secretary.
Robert Welch

Corporate brokers.
Barclays Bank PLC 
Citigroup Global Markets Limited

Independent auditors.
Deloitte LLP

General queries.
Switchboard +44 (0) 1992 632 222 
Website www.tescoplc.com

172

Tesco PLC Annual Report and Financial Statements 2020

 
 
Designed and produced by Black Sun Plc. 
www.blacksunplc.com

Printed by Pureprint Group Limited.

Photographers: 
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The paper is Elemental Chlorine Free (ECF) and holds 
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Eco Management Audit Scheme.

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Tesco PLC 
Tesco House 
Shire Park 
Kestrel Way 
Welwyn Garden City 
AL7 1GA

www.tescoplc.com