Tesco has agreed to sell its businesses in the Czech Republic and Slovakia to Ahold Delhaize at an enterprise value of €1.7bn (£1.5bn), the British supermarket group said on 30 October 2026.
Why Ahold Delhaize is buying Tesco's businesses in the Czech Republic and Slovakia
Tesco said the sale would further simplify the group and sharpen its focus on its core UK and Irish operations. For Ahold Delhaize, which already trades in the Czech Republic through its Albert chain, the deal adds scale in Central Europe.
“For Tesco, the transaction will further simplify the Group, increasing our focus on our core UK and Irish businesses”
Deal terms and financing
The price is on a cash and debt free basis, equivalent to €1.2bn (£1.0bn) before IFRS 16 lease adjustments. Tesco expects net cash of about €1.2bn before tax and transaction costs and plans to return the majority through an incremental buyback after completion, making the deal broadly neutral to earnings per share and to net debt/EBITDA. The perimeter includes all stores and offices in both countries and the Kralupy, Presov and Beckov distribution centres.
Regulatory approvals and timing
The sale requires antitrust and other regulatory approvals and is expected to complete in the second half of 2027.
Market context
The Czech and Slovak businesses had combined sales of £2.9bn and generated most of Central Europe's £115m adjusted operating profit in the prior 52-week period. Tesco keeps its Hungarian business, where it is reviewing options, and has already raised about £0.5bn from non-core property sales in the region since 2021.
