Tesco is proof of the good a little dressing-up can do. The company runs more than 750 supermarkets and convenience stores in the UK (where it is the #1 food retailer), Central Europe, the Republic of Ireland, and Thailand. Built on the "pile it high and sell it cheap" philosophy of founder Sir Jack Cohen, Tesco abandoned its discount format, and the downmarket image that accompanied it, for a variety of dressier mid-market formats. In a joint venture with the Royal Bank of Scotland, the company offers financial services like credit cards, banking, and insurance in its stores. Tesco continues to expand its nonfood offerings, such as gasoline retailing (Tesco Express), as well as its presence internationally.

Information taken from Hoover's site at:
http://www.hoovers.com/capsules/90426.html

Return