CHICAGO -- British supermarket retailer Tesco is scouting sites for Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Markets in the Chicago area, according to a report by The Chicago Sun-Times. One potential site is northwest suburban Arlington Heights, "knowledgeable sources" told the newspaper.
A Tesco spokesperson said that the retailer is focusing its property searches in California, Arizona and Nevada. He declined to comment about expansion plans.
Jon Hauptman, a partner with retail consultant Willard Bishop, Barrington, Ill., told the paper that he has heard no reports of Tesco scouting sites [image-nocss] in Chicago, but it would be reasonable to assume the retailer would look to expand.
Though the Chicago area grocery market has become increasingly competitive with entries and expansions by Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, Aldi, Costco, Food 4 Less, Roundy's, Target and Wal-Mart, a Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market would be unique because of its strong offerings of prepared foods, packaged perishables and selections of produce, meat and bakery, said the report.
Tesco has invested $2 billion over five years in Fresh & Easy.
Meanwhile, His Royal Highness Prince Andrew, Duke of York and U.K.'s Special Representative for Trade & Investment, joined L.A. County Supervisor Yvonne Burke, Compton Mayor Eric Perrodin and Fresh & Easy CEO Tim Mason at the opening of Tesco's latest store in Compton, Calif.
The company—with U.S. headquarters in El Segundo, Calif.—currently has 43 grocery/convenience markets open throughout Southern California and in Nevada and Arizona.
HRH Prince Andrew (pictures, second from right) said, "I'm delighted to be able to support Tesco as they expand here in the U.S. By locating stores in areas like Compton, Tesco's Fresh & Easy will help contribute to local job creation in neighborhoods that badly need it."
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