- Brand origin
- United Kingdom
- Main production
- Several countries, incl. United Kingdom
Tesco is a British grocery and general merchandise retail brand founded by Jack Cohen in London in 1919. Tesco is ultimately owned by Tesco PLC, a publicly listed company headquartered in the United Kingdom.
tesco.comOwnership chain
- BrandTescoUnited Kingdom
- Tesco Stores Limited
- Ultimate ownerTesco PLCUnited Kingdom
About Tesco
What is Tesco?
Tesco is a British grocery and general merchandise retail brand. Tesco operates supermarkets, convenience shops and online retail services. Tesco PLC is headquartered in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom. Tesco’s official website is tesco.com. The business is publicly listed and trades on the London Stock Exchange under the ticker TSCO. Tesco is primarily a UK retailer with operations and activities in selected European markets. Tesco also operates or participates in businesses connected with wholesale, mobile telecommunications, data analytics and financial services. Tesco’s retail business sells food, household goods and other general merchandise through stores and online channels.
Who owns Tesco?
Tesco is ultimately owned by Tesco PLC, according to Made O’Meter’s ownership data verified on 13 September 2026. The ownership chain is Tesco, Tesco Stores Limited, then Tesco PLC. Tesco PLC is a publicly listed company headquartered in the United Kingdom. Tesco PLC is not owned by Walmart or Costco. BlackRock has held or disclosed investments in Tesco at different times, but Tesco PLC remains a separately listed company and BlackRock is not Tesco’s ultimate owner. Tesco PLC’s 2026 annual report reported group sales of £66.6 billion for the 2025/26 financial year. Tesco PLC reported adjusted operating profit of £3,152 million for the same year.
Where does Tesco come from?
Tesco began in Hackney, in London’s East End, in 1919. Jack Cohen founded the business after opening a grocery stall at Well Street Market. Cohen used money from his wartime service to buy surplus groceries for the stall. On his first trading day, Cohen made a £1 profit on £4 of sales. The Tesco brand first appeared in 1924 on tea supplied by T. E. Stockwell. The name combined “TES”, taken from Stockwell’s name, with the first two letters of Cohen’s surname. Tesco Tea was the first product sold under the Tesco name. The Tesco business began in Hackney, but the first Tesco shop was in Burnt Oak, Edgware, north London. Sources identify the first Tesco store as opening in 1929. Other historical accounts record Tesco stores at Becontree and Burnt Oak in 1931. Tesco Stores Limited was officially founded in 1932. By 1939, Jack Cohen owned 100 Tesco stores. Jack Cohen died on 24 March 1979.
What products does Tesco make?
Tesco sells groceries, household products and general merchandise under the Tesco name and through other brands and services. Tesco’s first own-label product was tea. The Tesco name was initially used on products before becoming the name of the retail business. Tesco stores sell fresh food, packaged food, drinks, household goods and general merchandise. Tesco also sells products through online grocery services. Tesco’s wider retail activities include wholesale through Booker and mobile services through Tesco Mobile. Product ranges and availability differ between stores and markets. Tesco is a retailer, so many products sold under the Tesco name are made by third-party suppliers rather than in Tesco-owned factories.
Is Tesco still British owned?
Tesco is still British owned in the corporate sense because Tesco PLC is a UK-headquartered publicly listed company. Tesco PLC is headquartered in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, and its shares trade on the London Stock Exchange. Public listing means Tesco PLC has shareholders rather than one private owner. Tesco is not owned by Walmart, Costco or a single founder’s family. Institutional investors, including BlackRock at certain times, may hold shares, but those investments do not make BlackRock Tesco’s ultimate owner.
Who is the CEO for Tesco?
Ken Murphy is the chief executive officer of Tesco PLC. Tesco appointed Murphy as chief executive in 2020. Murphy succeeded Dave Lewis, who had served as Tesco’s chief executive from 2014. Tesco’s earlier chief executives included Terry Leahy, who became chief executive in February 1997. The chief executive manages Tesco PLC’s business, while ownership rests with the shareholders of the publicly listed company.
Why did Tesco leave the USA?
Tesco left the United States after its Fresh & Easy business failed to achieve the expected scale and returns. Tesco entered the US grocery market through Fresh & Easy, which opened its first stores in California in 2007. Tesco announced the sale of Fresh & Easy in 2013. The US exit formed part of Tesco’s withdrawal from several international markets as Tesco focused more closely on its core UK and European businesses. Tesco therefore does not operate a Tesco supermarket chain in the United States today.
Is Tesco in America, the US or the USA?
Tesco does not operate Tesco supermarkets in America, the United States or the USA today. Tesco previously operated Fresh & Easy stores in the United States, mainly in California, Nevada and Arizona. Tesco sold the Fresh & Easy business in 2013. Tesco’s current retail focus is the United Kingdom and selected European markets. A US shopper may encounter products or services connected with Tesco’s international business, but Tesco is not a US supermarket chain.
Is Tesco in Ireland and Scotland?
Tesco operates in both the Republic of Ireland and Scotland. Tesco Ireland is one of Tesco PLC’s retail businesses, while Scotland is part of Tesco’s United Kingdom operations. Tesco stores in Ireland and Scotland sell groceries and household goods through local store networks and online services where available. Tesco’s presence in Ireland does not mean that Tesco is an Irish-owned company. Tesco PLC remains the ultimate owner of the Tesco brand.
Is Tesco like Costco, Walmart or Target?
Tesco is a grocery and general merchandise retailer, while Costco is primarily a membership warehouse retailer and Walmart is a large US-based mass retailer. Tesco is more comparable to a supermarket group than to Costco because Tesco’s ordinary shopping model does not generally require a Costco-style warehouse membership. Tesco and Walmart both sell groceries and general merchandise, but Tesco is headquartered in the United Kingdom and Walmart is a separate US company. Target is also a separate US retailer with a different store format and business structure. Tesco is not owned by Walmart, is not owned by Costco and is not the same company as either retailer.
Who owns Tesco Bank, Tesco Mobile and Tesco insurance?
Tesco Bank’s retail banking operations were acquired by Barclays in 2024, while Tesco retained selected financial-services relationships and branding arrangements. Tesco Mobile is operated through a joint venture between Tesco and Telefónica UK. Tesco Mobile is therefore not owned by Walmart, Costco or BlackRock. Tesco-branded insurance and credit products may be provided through separate financial-services entities or partners, so the legal provider can differ from Tesco PLC. Tesco Credit Card products are financial products connected with Tesco’s financial-services arrangements, not evidence that a separate company owns Tesco supermarkets. Tesco car insurance is likewise a financial-services product whose underwriting or administration may involve a partner.
Frequently asked questions about Tesco
Is Tesco a grocery store or a supermarket?
- Tesco is a grocery and general merchandise retailer. Tesco operates large supermarkets, smaller convenience stores and online grocery services.
Who owns Tesco supermarkets now?
- Tesco supermarkets are ultimately owned by Tesco PLC. Tesco Stores Limited sits between the Tesco retail brand and Tesco PLC in the ownership chain recorded by Made O’Meter.
Is Tesco owned by BlackRock?
- No. Tesco PLC is the ultimate owner of Tesco. BlackRock may hold shares in Tesco PLC as an institutional investor, but that does not make BlackRock Tesco’s owner.
Is Tesco owned by Walmart?
- No. Tesco is owned by Tesco PLC, a UK-headquartered publicly listed company. Walmart and Tesco are separate retail groups.
Is Tesco the same as Costco?
- No. Tesco and Costco are separate companies with different business models. Tesco is primarily a supermarket and convenience retailer, while Costco is a membership warehouse retailer.
Why can’t I find Tesco stores in the United States?
- Tesco sold its US Fresh & Easy business in 2013 after the venture failed to achieve the expected results. Tesco no longer operates its own supermarket chain in the United States.
Who owns Tesco Bank now?
- Barclays acquired Tesco Bank’s retail banking operations in 2024. Tesco PLC remains the owner of the Tesco retail brand, while Tesco’s supermarket business is separate from the banking operations transferred to Barclays.
Sources: bbc.com, ebsco.com, en.wikipedia.org: Jack Cohen (businessman), tescoplc.com: our history, simple.wikipedia.org, companies.jrank.org, museum-collection.hackney.gov.uk, en.wikipedia.org: Tesco, thegrocer.co.uk, marketing.museum, thisismoney.co.uk: The story of Tesco.html, thisismoney.co.uk: Tescos journey from an East End stall.html, thejc.com, encyclopedia.com, gradcracker.com, tescoplc.com: results and presentations, express.co.uk, tescoplc.com: results and presentations, kids.kiddle.co
Sources: tescoplc.com
Ownership data is compiled from public sources and verified where possible. Spotted an error? Suggest a correction below.
Products from Tesco
218- Tesco Pitted Black Olives with Sea SaltFood – Canned and Jarred Vegetables
- Tesco Roasted Salted PeanutsFood – Snack (Nuts)
- Tesco Mixed HerbsFood – Seasoning and Dried Herbs
- Tesco Pine NutsFood – Snack, Cooking Ingredients, and Nuts
- Tesco Essentials cavity protection toothpastePersonal care – Hygiene (Toothpaste)
- Tesco Summer Fresh Fabric ConditionerCleaning product – Fabric Softener
- Tesco Cooked Chicken Breast PiecesFood – meat
- Tesco Mango ChunksFood – Fresh Prepared Fruit
- Tesco Flour or SugarFood – Baking Ingredients
- Tesco Drizzle with Balsamic Vinegar of ModenaFood – Condiment / Vinegar Glaze
- Tesco Reduced Sugar And Salt Baked Beans In Tomato SauceFood – Canned Beans
- Tesco Refried BeansFood – Canned Beans & Pulses
- Tesco Tropical Quadruple Strength SquashBeverage – Fruit Squash / Cordial
- Tesco Free From Penne PastaFood – Pasta (Gluten Free)
- Tesco Malted WheatsFood – Breakfast Cereal
- Tesco ToothpastePersonal care – hygiene (oral care)
- Tesco Microwave RiceFood – Ready-to-heat grain
- Tesco Rock Salt GrinderFood – Condiment / Seasoning
- Tesco Thin & Crispy Margherita PizzaFood – Frozen Ready Meal (Pizza)
- Tesco Home AAA Alkaline BatteriesElectronic Component – Alkaline Batteries
- Tesco Italian SaladFood – Fresh Produce (Pre-packed Salad)
- Tesco Sweet Chilli SauceFood – Condiment
- Tesco Frozen SweetcornFood – Frozen Vegetable
- Tesco Italian Chopped TomatoesFood – Canned Vegetables
and 194 more products