British grocery store giant Tesco opens stores locally

'Fresh & Easy'



‘Fresh & Easy’

Residents of east Ventura County will get a taste of British shopping in their own backyards when the UK’s largest retailer opens up four convenienceformat stores in the area.

British grocery giant Tesco will open one store in Simi Valley, one in Moorpark and two in Thousand Oaks, using a format that’s been newly branded Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market.

“I think the public is always looking for new and different shopping opportunities,” said Brian Gabler, Simi Valley assistant city manager.

Tesco first announced its plans to expand into the American market in September 2006. According to the retailer’s official statement, the Fresh & Easy model was developed specifically for the U.S., and will include food and nonfood products.

Tim Mason, Tesco’s current marketing and property director, will move to the U.S. to manage the American stores.

The Simi Valley location will be in the Belwood Center on the northeast corner of Tapo and Alamo streets. The city is looking to open the 14,000squarefoot store by late January or early February 2008, Gabler said.

According to Dave Bobardt, Moorpark planning director, the Tesco in that city is still in the “very early stages” of development. The store, projected to open by mid-2008, will be in the Tuscany Square shopping center on the southwest corner of Moorpark and Los Angeles avenues.

Two stores will open in the city of Thousand Oaks- one in the vicinity of Lynn and Ventu Park roads, the other off Wendy Drive in Newbury Park.

Andrew Powers, public information officer of Thousand Oaks, said that both locations will be in areas currently underserved by supermarkets.

“These markets are a little different,” Powers said.
“They cater to people who want to pick up food for just a couple days at a
time.”




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