Tesco snaps up former Amazon Fresh sites as convenience push gathers pace

"Tesco is pressing ahead with a major expansion of its convenience estate after buying a number of former Amazon Fresh stores in London. Britain's largest supermarket group plans to open more than 70 new Tesco Express outlets by March 2027, building on the 60 convenience stores it opened last year. The retailer already operates just over 2,000 convenience shops across the UK and Ireland as it seeks to capture a greater share of everyday, top-up spending."

"Tesco has acquired five ex-Amazon Fresh locations in London, on Kensington High Street, in Hounslow, Moorgate, Aldgate East and Wembley, following the US technology group's decision to retreat from its short-lived bricks-and-mortar grocery experiment in the UK. The sites are expected to reopen as Tesco Express stores before the summer. The move reflects an intensifying land grab across the grocery sector, with convenience retail, estimated to be worth £48.8 billion in the UK, emerging as one of the few consistent growth areas."

"Further Express openings are planned across a wide geographic spread, from Bickington in Devon and Pontrhydyrun in Torfaen to Strabane in Co Tyrone and Wallyford in East Lothian, underlining the retailer's ambition to deepen its presence in both urban and regional communities. Alongside its convenience push, Tesco is continuing to invest in larger-format stores. After opening new superstores in Ripon and Harrogate late last year, it plans to launch two more in Scotland in 2026, in Pitlochry, Perth and Kinross, and the Heartlands development in West Lothian."

Tesco plans to open more than 70 new Tesco Express outlets by March 2027, building on 60 convenience openings from the previous year. The retailer already operates just over 2,000 convenience shops across the UK and Ireland and has acquired five former Amazon Fresh sites in London that are expected to reopen as Tesco Express stores before the summer. Further Express openings will span locations from Bickington in Devon to Strabane in Co Tyrone and Wallyford in East Lothian. Tesco is also investing in larger-format superstores, with recent openings in Ripon and Harrogate and two more planned in Scotland for 2026. The expansion targets growing convenience retail, estimated at £48.8 billion in the UK, as time-poor shoppers favor smaller, more frequent local trips.

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