Tesco will “accelerate” efforts to turn around its UK business while also capping capital expenditure, the company said today (25 February).
In an investor seminar this afternoon, Tesco will detail plans to improve its domestic sales performance and reverse declining market share trends.
Go deeper with GlobalData
The UK’s largest retailer has seen its domestic share eroded as consumers shun the group’s big-box stores. The company has been hit by competition from both sides as the discounters, Aldi and Lidl, and more upmarket grocers, Waitrose and Sainsbury’s, accelerate growth.
Responding to these trends, Tesco launched a turnaround plan for the UK, where it generates the lion’s share of group profits, in 2012. Tesco increased its focus on fresh food, revamped its own-label lines, started investing in refreshing its store base while also investing in price.
According to the latest figures from Kantar Worldpanel, in the 12 weeks to 5 January Tesco saw its market share continue to slip year-on-year, dropping to 29.2% of UK sales compared with 30% a year ago.
Tesco said it will detail plans to accelerate its project to refresh stores. The group plans to improve its proposition by increasing investment in “sharper prices, improved quality, stronger ranges and better service”.
US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?
Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.
By GlobalDataThe retailer also intends to ramp up its efforts to expand in the growth areas of UK grocery retailing – multichannel and convenience.
Tesco added it will maintain its “disciplined” approach to capital expenditure. Tesco will implement a “significant reduction” in planned net new space growth, the company revealed. It will therefore reduce capex to “no more” than GBP2.5bn (US$4.21bn) a year for the next three financial years, the retailer revealed.
Check back later for further coverage of the presentation.
