Tesco shoppers are only just realising what the supermarket's name actually stands for
Tesco is one of the biggest supermarket brands in Ireland and the UK - but few know the meaning behind the name
While most of Ireland would instantly recognise the Tesco brand, it seems that only now are fans of the supermarket discovering the true meaning behind its well-known name.
As one of the largest supermarket brands in Ireland and the UK, millions flock to Tesco stores daily. We've all become so accustomed to seeing the prominent logo in our villages, towns and cities - those bold red letters underscored by a blue line - that few have pondered the origin of the name.
The genesis of the supermarket's moniker dates back over a century to the man who first established the store. Tesco was launched in 1919 by Jack Cohen, the son of Jewish immigrants from Poland.
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Cohen used his demobilisation money from the Royal Flying Corp, where he served during World War One, to purchase his first day's stock for the stall. The name Tesco emerged in 1923 when Cohen bought a shipment of tea from a man named Thomas Edward Stockwell.
In a tribute to his suppliers, the founder merged 'TES' with the first two letters of his surname, resulting in the familiar name we all know today - Tesco. His inaugural store opened its doors in Edgware, North London in 1929 and, within just ten years, he was the proud proprietor of a hundred stores, firmly establishing the Tesco name on the map, reports the Liverpool Echo.
The first major Tesco store opened its doors in Essex back in 1958. Initially, founder Jack Cohen had his doubts about the supermarket retail model.
But he quickly saw the light, realising the importance of buying and selling in large quantities. The Tesco website captures the transformation from a modest corner shop to a giant of the supermarket world: "The new format store included a counter service selling cheese, butter and meats weighed by sales assistants."
Even though Cohen passed away in 1979, his monumental legacy lives on. Today, Tesco is a familiar sight in countless locations, with a whopping total of over 4,000 stores.
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