Tesco opened its 50th Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market in the US this week

The latest convenience store opened in Palm Desert, California. The UK grocery giant is investing more than US$2 billion (£1.02 billion) in the US over five years.

Fresh & Easy chief executive Tim Mason said: “We are very encouraged by the response from our customers and new neighbours. We are excited to continue bringing fresh, wholesome food at affordable prices to all types of neighbourhoods."

Last month, Tesco unveiled its expansion into Northern California, with 18 stores in the Bay Area slated to begin opening in 2009. It is thought that the retailer plans to open up to 1,000 stores along the West Coast of the US, as well as Arizona and Nevada.

Fresh & Easy will open an additional three stores by the end of the week – one in north Las Vegas and two in Henderson, Nevada.

Recent reports in the Chicago press have cited potential plans for Tesco to open in the Windy City – thousands of miles from the West Coast – as Retail Week first reported (November 17, 2007).

Typically sized about 10,000 sq ft, Fresh & Easy is a discount format that sells a high proportion of own-brand and fresh food.

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