Coming just two decades after the last great global conflict, the Second World War was the most widespread and deadliest war in history, involving more than 30 countries and resulting in more than 50 million military and civilian deaths (with some estimates as high as 85 million dead).
Myths were melting away, and doubt was turning into demand. By 1975, sales of microwave ovens would, for the first time, exceed that of gas ranges. The following year, a reported 17% of all homes in Japan were doing their cooking by microwaves, compared with 4% of the homes in the United States the same year.
The first store to be opened â based on the âpile it high, sell it cheapâ format â was in Edgware in 1929. Tesco floated on the Stock Exchange in 1947. Annual sales hit Â£1bn in 1979 and doubled three years later. In 1995, Tesco began expanding globally.and directorsâ dealings. Tesco directors have been busy bees over recent years. The 12 months prior to our last review of the stock at end-April 2011 saw some chunky sales, though these were more than offset by buying under the firmâs share plan and stock option scheme. Since then the two-way trading has continued.