It’s been a tough few years for Tesco. The UK’s biggest retailer has been embroiled in a series of scandals, from mis-selling insurance to accounting irregularities. Its share price has tanked, and it has sold off a host of non-core businesses, from its Asian operations to its data division.
But one business that Tesco has stuck with is flowers. It’s a small part of the company’s overall operation, but it’s one that Tesco knows well. The retailer has been selling flowers for more than 30 years, and it knows how to undercut its rivals on price.
Tesco is still the go-to destination for many Britons looking to buy cheap flowers. The company sells around 2 million bouquets a week, and has a market share of around 20%.
That said, Tesco is not immune to the wider problems facing the UK retail sector. Flower sales have come under pressure in recent years as shoppers have cut back on spending. And Tesco’s own problems have hit its bottom line hard, with the company reporting a £6.4 billion loss in 2017/18.
So while Tesco may be hanging on to its flower business for now, it remains to be seen how long it can continue to do so in the face of such challenges.
Are Tesco still selling flowers?
Yes, Tesco is still selling flowers but due to the wider problems facing the UK retail sector, flower sales have come under pressure in recent years as shoppers have cut back on spending.