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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
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| Tesco overcoming ash disruption | Tesco overcoming ash disruption |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Tesco's boss has said the supermarket has been bringing produce from Kenya into the UK via Spain as flights have been grounded because of volcanic ash. | Tesco's boss has said the supermarket has been bringing produce from Kenya into the UK via Spain as flights have been grounded because of volcanic ash. |
| Sir Terry Leahy told the BBC there had been disruption, but that it had mainly affected members of staff, as opposed to the 1% of its produce flown by air. | Sir Terry Leahy told the BBC there had been disruption, but that it had mainly affected members of staff, as opposed to the 1% of its produce flown by air. |
| "We have helped Kenyan farmers by allowing them to send flowers and fruit to Spain, and collecting there." | "We have helped Kenyan farmers by allowing them to send flowers and fruit to Spain, and collecting there." |
| It came as the firm reported annual pre-tax profits of £3.176bn for 2009. | It came as the firm reported annual pre-tax profits of £3.176bn for 2009. |
| Sir Terry said that produce was being moved from Kenya to a hub in Spain, and that the firm was then picking it up for transportation by truck to the UK. | |
| 'Weathered storm' | 'Weathered storm' |
| The figure, for the year to 27 February, was up 10% on the previous 12 months. | The figure, for the year to 27 February, was up 10% on the previous 12 months. |
| The UK's biggest grocer also said that there had been a 8.5% increase in group sales, excluding petrol. | The UK's biggest grocer also said that there had been a 8.5% increase in group sales, excluding petrol. |
| It said it planned to create 16,000 jobs this year, with 9,000 in the UK. | It said it planned to create 16,000 jobs this year, with 9,000 in the UK. |
| Sir Terry said the firm had "weathered the economic storm well" and that the business was now stronger than before the recession. | Sir Terry said the firm had "weathered the economic storm well" and that the business was now stronger than before the recession. |
| The figures came despite slowing UK sales growth in the past year. | The figures came despite slowing UK sales growth in the past year. |
| 'New opportunities' | 'New opportunities' |
| International sales accounted for £17.5bn of its £56.9bn annual revenues. | International sales accounted for £17.5bn of its £56.9bn annual revenues. |
| The retailer expects non-food and international sales to grow fastest in the recovery, although the group recorded a £165m at its US business. | The retailer expects non-food and international sales to grow fastest in the recovery, although the group recorded a £165m at its US business. |
| But Sir Terry said the firm had opened up "new opportunities around the world" with "market-leading businesses" in Asia, Europe, the US, as well as in the UK. | But Sir Terry said the firm had opened up "new opportunities around the world" with "market-leading businesses" in Asia, Europe, the US, as well as in the UK. |
| He added: "We have gone into new areas of business such as telecoms... and banking." | He added: "We have gone into new areas of business such as telecoms... and banking." |
| Sir Terry told the BBC that the new jobs would be around the UK in stores, call centres, warehouses and distribution centres. | Sir Terry told the BBC that the new jobs would be around the UK in stores, call centres, warehouses and distribution centres. |
| 'Challenging' | 'Challenging' |
| Meanwhile, the firm's non-food business generated £9bn in UK revenues. | Meanwhile, the firm's non-food business generated £9bn in UK revenues. |
| Toy sales were up 25% year on year, boosted by the demise of High Street stores such as Woolworths. | Toy sales were up 25% year on year, boosted by the demise of High Street stores such as Woolworths. |
| In addition, sales of clothes reached £1bn for the first time. | In addition, sales of clothes reached £1bn for the first time. |
| Trading profits at its banking arm, with more than six million customers, were up 13% to £250m. | Trading profits at its banking arm, with more than six million customers, were up 13% to £250m. |
| Tesco said it had performed strongly in a "challenging" retail banking market. | Tesco said it had performed strongly in a "challenging" retail banking market. |