Trading Statement

Tesco PLC
13 January 2004


13 January 2004

                                   TESCO PLC
                     CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR TRADING STATEMENT
                           GROUP SALES GROW BY 16.7%

GROUP SALES

Group sales for the seven weeks ending 3rd January 2004 increased by 16.7% as
our long term strategy for growth delivers in all areas:-

     -  Winning in the Core UK;
     -  Growing Non Food market share;
     -  Developing Retailing Services; and
     -  International expansion

UK BUSINESS OUTPERFORMS

Total UK sales for the seven weeks ending 3rd January were up 15.4%. Like for
like sales were up 7.5% driven by strong volumes of 7.7% and we have seen a
small level of deflation of 0.2%.

Non food goes from strength to strength. Our home entertainment business grew by
29.4%. Within this DVD sales were up 46% and CD sales grew 10 times faster than
the market rate.

STRONG INTERNATIONAL PERFORMANCE

International sales were up 22% over the Christmas and New Year period, in line
with our plans despite some tough trading conditions. We now have 189
hypermarkets operating overseas.

                                    - ends -

Enquiries:-

Steve N Butler - Tesco Investor Relations             Tel:- 01992 644 800

Tesco Press Office                                    Tel:- 01992 644 645

Angus Maitland - Maitland Consultancy                 Tel:- 0207 379 5151




                      This information is provided by RNS
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