Discuss Innovation at Tesco Plc. Case Study
Key Learning Outcomes
By the end of the case, students should be able to:
- Understand the concept and types of innovation and how they apply to Tesco Plc., a leading retailer in the UK and globally.
- Understand the drivers and barriers of innovation at Tesco Plc., and how the company manages to control them in order to achieve competitive advantage and customer satisfaction.
- Understand the impact and outcomes of innovation at Tesco Plc., both internally and externally, and apply them to other businesses.
1.0 INTRODUCTION
Tesco is the largest multinational retail company in the UK. Founded by Jack Cohen in 1919, the company started operating in the food industry but as it grew and expanded throughout the UK, it started operating in non-food stuff such as electronics, insurance services, and bank services among others. It expanded internationally since the 1990s and became the market leader of groceries in the UK. Currently,
Tesco is producing and manufacturing its own brand. Tesco is now rated as the third-largest retailer in the world measured by gross revenues and the ninth-largest retailer in the world measured by revenues. As of 2022, the company has a total of 4,169 stores in the UK and the Republic of Ireland and 5,000 stores around the world, and a total of 354,744 employees. As of 2023, the company raised revenue of £60 billion up from £ 52 billion in 2022.
Tesco operates a number of stores namely; Tesco Metro, Tesco Express, Tesco Extra, etc. They offer a comprehensive range of products, including clothing, electronics, homeware, and entertainment. They also have services such as cafes, pharmacies, opticians, and banks. Since its inception, the company has always aimed at developing its business, responding to customer demands, and inventing a number of innovations.
This report will examine the concept of innovation at Tesco. The report will explore the different types of innovation that Tesco implements, such as product, process, and business model innovation, and how they contribute to its competitive advantage. The report will also discuss the challenges and opportunities that Tesco faces in the dynamic and competitive retail industry, and how it can control its innovation capabilities to overcome the challenges it’s facing.
Innovation in Tesco is a key aspect of its business strategy and culture. The company is working with WWF to support sustainable solutions for food production and consumption. Tesco's innovations are based on data, technology, and customer insight, and aim to create competitive advantage and improve customer experience.