Tesco reinvents the 7-Eleven

The British retail giant is out to break the mold with gourmet mini-supermarkets in Southern California,

FORTUNE, November 26, 2007 — Convenience stores have long been a place to pick up beer and pork rinds. Earlier this month Tesco launched a $2 billion, five-year plan to change that. The British retailing giant just opened the first gourmet mini-supermarket in Hemet, Calif. Dozens more of these Fresh & Easys are scheduled to open over the next three months throughout California and the Southwest. Analysts think Tesco could grow their ranks to more than 1,000 in the next five years.

'Big-Headed' Tesco May Start A Retail Revolution

MediaPost Publications, October 31, 2007 — TESCO IS GETTING CLOSER TO introducing Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Markets. The first U.S. stores from the British retailing giant are scheduled to open on Nov. 8 in California, followed by Las Vegas stores on Nov. 14. And Tesco just announced that some San Diego locations will open on Nov. 16.

British Grocer Tesco Comes to America

NPR, August 7, 2007 — The giant British retailer Tesco plans to open several dozen grocery stores in California, Arizona, and Nevada this fall. If successful, the stores could be the beginning of a nationwide rollout.

Tesco Studies Hard for U.S. Debut†

CEO Leahy Sends Teams to Observe How Americans Shop, See What's in Their Fridges

Wall Street Journal, June 28, 2007 — The chief executive of Tesco PLC, Terry Leahy, runs a retail chain that's twice the size of Wal-Mart Stores Inc. in the United Kingdom. And this fall, even though the U.S. is considered over-crowded with stores, Mr. Leahy plans to expand into Wal-Mart's home turf.

Tesco May Change American Idea Of Convenience Stores

MediaPost Publications, March 16, 2007 — WHILE FOOD RETAILERS AREN'T ANY closer to knowing exactly what British supermarket giant Tesco has planned for the U.S. when it begins opening stores here later this year, some observers expect it to hit a sweet spot.

Trailblazing Tesco

Forbes, December 5, 2006 — Ah, to make it big in America. So far it's been nearly impossible for British supermarkets like J Sainsbury and Marks & Spencer to set up shop in the U.S., but Tesco, the U.K.'s biggest retailer, wants to buck that trend.

Forecourt Franchises: Life Beyond Petrol

Marketing Week, January 26, 2006 — Marks & Spencer looks set to roll out its Simply Food offering at about 300 BP petrol stations across the UK