Tesco Plc (Cheshunt, U.K.) has announced an additional 10 Fresh & Easy grocery markets to be built in the Las Vegas area, where the company currently operates 11 stores.
“With every week, we continue to secure additional sites and build more stores,” said Fresh & Easy ceo Tim Mason. “We have been extremely encouraged by the response from our customers. Fresh & Easy sales are ahead of budget and we continue to trend upwards in every market.”
In the last couple of months, Fresh & Easy has gone from announcing rapid expansion of its concept in the U.S. to putting that expansion on hold. Last week, Tesco reported Fresh & Easy sales are ahead of budget with sales densities already higher than the U.S. supermarket industry average. The company stated it was very encouraged by the start Fresh & Easy has made and was notably pleased with the sales of fresh foods and own brand products, which have sold particularly well.
Fresh & Easy currently operates over 60 markets throughout Southern California and in Arizona and Nevada. The company plans to begin opening stores in Northern California next year. Tesco is investing $2 billion in Fresh & Easy over five years.