Who we are
History of Tesco.
Made in London
1919
Jack Cohen returns from war and starts a market stall
Jack Cohen began selling surplus groceries from a stall in the East End of London in 1919. He left the Royal Flying Corp at the end of the Great War and used his demob money to buy the first day’s stock. From day one, Jack believed in putting affordable food in the reach of everybody.
At the end of the first day Jack Cohen made a profit of £1 on sales of £4.
1924
The name ‘Tesco’
is born
The first own-brand product sold, which Jack promised would bring unequalled value, was Tesco Tea – before the company was called Tesco. The name comes from the initials of TE Stockwell, who was a partner in the firm of tea suppliers, and CO from Jack’s surname.
1929
The first Tesco store
Jack Cohen opened the first Tesco store in Burnt Oak, Edgware, north London. The store sold great value dry goods and the first ever branded product, which, unsurprisingly, was Tesco Tea!
Jack buys land and expands
1937
Growing our business
The 1930s saw Jack Cohen buying stores and growing the business. Tesco expanded across London, into the suburbs and neighbouring counties.
1934
Jack builds a new headquarters
Jack Cohen bought a plot of land at Angel Road, Edmonton, north London to build a new headquarters and warehouse. lt was the first modern food warehouse in the country. New ideas for stock control brought greater savings for customers.
“lt was the first modern food warehouse in the country”
1937
Growing our business
The 1930s saw Jack Cohen buying stores and growing the business. Tesco expanded across London, into the suburbs and neighbouring counties.
1939
Rationing
At the outbreak of World War II, Jack even introduced rationing ahead of the government, so that everyone was treated equally, rich or poor.
First self-service
1946
Self-Service
Bringing self-service to Britain in 1946, Jack Cohen travelled to America and brought back an idea that would change the face of British shopping.
1947
Entering the stock exchange
Tesco Stores (Holdings) was floated on the stock exchange with a share price of 25 pence.
1948
A move into self-service
Jack Cohen decided to venture into self-service following a research visit to North America. The first of these new stores opened in St Albans, Hertfordshire in 1948 with a mixed reaction from customers at first.
A rapid expansion
1955
A rapid expansion
We bought 19 Burnards stores. Over the next five years, 500 new stores were purchased.
500 new stores in five years
1958
Our first supermarket
The first supermarket opened in Maldon, Essex. The new format store included a counter service selling cheese, butter and meats weighed by sales assistants.
Putting our stamp on things
1963
Green Shield stamps
Green Shield stamps were introduced. Stamps collected at the checkout could be exchanged for a range of great value goods from a Green Shield catalogue.
1968
The arrival of the Superstore
The term ‘Superstore’ was first used when we opened our store in Crawley, West Sussex. It was 40,000 sq. ft. in size and sold food and non-food goods. In the same year, we bought the Victor Value chain.
End of an era
1973
A move into fuel
Bringing competitive prices to the UK’s motorists by introducing petrol stations at major sites.
1977
Checkout at Tesco
A major price-cutting initiative called ‘Checkout at Tesco’ was introduced. It improved on the value offer to customers as we concentrated on lower prices. Green Shield stamps were phased out.
1979
Our founder, Jack Cohen, passed away.
1992
A new, smaller format
The first Tesco Metro opened in Covent Garden. The new, smaller format brought value into the heart of towns and cities. Tesco would launch other formats including ‘Tesco Express’ and ‘Tesco Extra’ later in the decade. Our Extras brought new homeware and electrical goods to customers.
“The new smaller format brought value into the heart of towns and cities”
1993
The introduction of Tesco Value
Tesco Value launched offering our customers a wider choice of products at great prices.
1992
A new, smaller format
The first Tesco Metro opened in Covent Garden. The new, smaller format brought value into the heart of towns and cities. Tesco would launch other formats including ‘Tesco Express’ and ‘Tesco Extra’ later in the decade. Our Extras brought new homeware and electrical goods to customers.
“The new smaller format brought value into the heart of towns and cities”
1995
Expanding our business
Expansion into Central Europe with stores opening in Hungary. Within a decade we would open stores in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Ireland, Thailand and Malaysia, and enter India.
Growth helps us bring better value to customers
2000
Tesco goes online
Tesco.com was launched. The website has grown to serve over 20,000,000 customers visiting the site every month.
2001
The arrival of Florence and Fred
Florence & Fred (F&F) brings a stylish new and affordable range of clothing to Tesco customers in the UK