The Grocer of the Year: Tesco Tesco UK CEO Jason Tarry spoke to The Grocer about the industry’s response to the pandemic Tesco celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2019 with some eye-catching manoeuvres. But a century after founder Jack Cohen used his £30 demob money to forge the business, the year will also be remembered for the completion of a four-year turnaround under CEO Dave Lewis. Its relentless focus on customers and back to basics approach – one Cohen would have admired – has seen the UK’s biggest retailer win back the loyalty and even the affection of customers, with a focus on value for money and loyalty, and crucially there was also a return for shareholders, with Tesco meeting its target to reach a 3.5%-4% margin six months ahead of schedule.