FRESH & EASY A TOP TEN CONTENDER

Tesco could be a top U.S. contender in the next several years, according to TNS Retail Forward. They project that Tesco’s new Fresh & Easy concept will be among the top 10 supermarket retailers in the country by 2015 and worth about $10 billion. By 2011, TNS Retail estimates that Tesco could be a $4 billion retailer in the U.S. with 500 stores. Fresh & Easy’s small size gives it the advantage to rapidly expand across the U.S. – a key sales driver for the retailer, says TNS.

“The combination of Fresh & Easy’s smaller stores, self service tills and ready-to-cook meals has direct appeal among U.S. shoppers whose primary concern is convenience,” said Jennifer Halterman, senior consultant at TNS. “There is demand for this type of concept, and we expect other U.S. retailers to be watching Tesco closely for ideas on how to tap into this buoyant market.”