Tesco to sell Czech Republic & Slovakia businesses
Summary by AI BETAClose X
Tesco PLC (“Tesco”)
30 October 2026
Tesco to sell Czech Republic & Slovakia businesses
Highlights
- Proposed sale of Tesco businesses in the Czech Republic and Slovakia to Ahold Delhaize
- Consideration for the sale represents a total enterprise value of €1.7bn (equivalent to £1.5bn), on a cash and debt free basis
- Expected net cash proceeds of €1.2bn (equivalent to £1.0bn) before tax and other transaction costs
- Completion of the sale, which is subject to antitrust and other applicable regulatory approvals, is expected to occur in the second half of 2027
- Following completion, we expect to return the majority of net cash proceeds to shareholders in the form of an incremental share buyback
- The transaction is expected to be broadly neutral to EPS and the Group Net Debt/EBITDA ratio following completion of the buyback
Ken Murphy, Chief Executive of Tesco, said:
“I want to thank every colleague in the Czech Republic and Slovakia for the contribution they have made to Tesco over many years. Together, they have built strong national businesses with deep connections to the customers and communities they serve.
It has been a privilege to serve customers and invest in colleagues, stores and supply chain in the Czech Republic and Slovakia and we are proud of what has been achieved over the past 30 years. I am delighted that Ahold Delhaize intends to invest in both markets.
For Tesco, the transaction will further simplify the Group, increasing our focus on our core UK and Irish businesses and supporting our continued investment in our food-first retail ecosystem and the capabilities that will drive future growth, while enabling a further return of capital to shareholders.
Until the transaction completes, our businesses in the Czech Republic and Slovakia remain part of Tesco and our priority remains to continue serving customers and supporting colleagues.”
Additional information:
Total enterprise value of €1.7bn (equivalent to £1.5bn) on a cash and debt free basis corresponds to €1.2bn (equivalent to £1.0bn) on a pre-IFRS 16 basis
The Czech Republic and Slovakia generated combined sales of £2.9bn and the majority of the £115m adjusted operating profit reported for the Central European region for the prior year 52-week period
The transaction includes all stores and offices in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, and distribution centres in Kralupy, Presov and Beckov
Since 2021, and prior to this disposal, Tesco has released c.£0.5bn from the sale of non-core property assets in Central Europe, including a number of large shopping malls
Hungary is not part of today’s agreement and continues to be owned and operated by Tesco. We will continue to review all options for the future of our business in Hungary
Notes:
Ahold Delhaize is an international food retail group with a portfolio of 17 local brands serving 77 million customers every week in the United States, Europe and Indonesia.
Contacts
Investor Relations: Chris Griffith 01707 940 900
Andrew Gwynn 01707 942 409
Media: Christine Heffernan 0330 6780 639
Tesco PLC's LEI number is: 2138002P5RNKC5W2JZ46
Advisors
Goldman Sachs and Citi are acting as joint financial advisors to Tesco. A&O Shearman are acting as legal advisor to Tesco.
Goldman Sachs International, which is authorised by the PRA and regulated by the FCA and the PRA in the United Kingdom, is acting exclusively for Tesco PLC and Tesco Holdings B.V. in connection with the matters set out in this Announcement and for no one else and will not be responsible to anyone other than Tesco Group PLC and Tesco Holdings B.V. for providing the protections afforded to its clients or for providing advice in relation to the matters referred to in this Announcement.
Citigroup Global Markets Limited ("Citi"), which is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority ("PRA") and regulated in the UK by the Financial Conduct Authority ("FCA") and the PRA, is acting as joint financial advisor for Tesco PLC and Tesco Holdings B.V. and for no one else in connection with the matters described in this Announcement and will not be responsible to anyone other than Tesco for providing the protections afforded to clients of Citi nor for providing advice in connection with any other matters referred to in this Announcement. Neither Citi nor any of its affiliates, directors or employees owes or accepts any duty, liability or responsibility whatsoever (whether direct or indirect, consequential, whether in contract, in tort, in delict, under statute or otherwise) to any person who is not a client of Citi in connection with this Announcement, any statement contained herein or otherwise.
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