More Tesco

Tesco is not waiting long to exceed expectations. Here is a report on BizJouranls.com that speaks to the U.K. chain's latest upsize in plans. From the story:

Four dozen new Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market stores have been added to the list of locations in Southern California by Tesco plc, the British supermarket giant making its American debut this fall.
These locations in Riverside and San Bernardino counties will be added to about 50 previously announced stores in other parts of Southern California, as well as the Las Vegas and Phoenix metropolitan areas. The stores should begin opening by November.
Tesco officials, whose American headquarters are in El Segundo, have said they also plan to expand their Fresh & Easy chain into the Bay Area and Northern California, possibly as early as next year.

Other Tesco coverage in the news:

U.K. retailer Tesco plans Inland invasion

British retailer Tesco rolled out plans Tuesday to open 48 Inland locations of its Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market stores by the end of 2009.
Its first two Inland stores are slated to open by year's end in Hemet and Upland, said Tim Mason, CEO of Tesco's U.S. operations. Another 17 Inland locations will open in 2008, followed by 29 in 2009.

Later....

Mason said Tesco's key goal has been reaching "underserved" areas in all types of neighborhoods, regardless of demographics. "Tesco hasn't grown big in this business by being a niche (retailer)," Mason said. "Our success is in serving everybody."

TK: A produce supplier I talked to today said Tesco will have a U.S. version of Nature's Choice in place, though it may not necessarily be called "Nature's Choice." It will be interesting to see more details on Tesco's relationship with suppliers.