Tesco's number of stores worldwide 2008-2023

In 2023, the number of Tesco’s stores operating worldwide amounted to 4,859, including franchise stores. The multinational-operating grocery and general merchandise retailer Tesco PLC was founded in 1919 by Jack Cohen (1898-1979). The product portfolio includes food and beverages, clothing, home appliances, and even financial services. Tesco is the leading supermarket brand in the United Kingdom (UK), consistently ranking highest in terms of grocery market share. The company is headquartered in Hertfordshire, United Kingdom and employs roughly 354,000 people worldwide.

Tesco stores in the UK

A little more than 3,700 of the total stores are situated in the UK, where Tesco’s provides six different store formats to their customers which varied in size and range of products. Tesco Superstores, for example, are standard large supermarkets that sell mostly food products and a much smaller range of non-food products in comparison to Extra stores.

The UK grocery market

Most of Tesco’s annual revenue was generated from its key market: The United Kingdom. Additionally, the company sold products in stores located in other European and Asian countries. Based on market share, Tesco’s largest rivals in the grocery store business included Asda and Sainsbury’s. Business figures showed that discount stores were gaining more and more market share as customer spending moved from traditional retailers to discounters, such as Lidl or Aldi.