Tesco has unveiled ambitious plans to significantly bolster its convenience store presence across the United Kingdom, with a commitment to open 70 new Express outlets. This strategic expansion aims for completion by March of next year, building upon the momentum of 60 Express store openings successfully executed throughout 2025.
Strategic Acquisition of Former Amazon Fresh Sites
Among the most notable elements of this rollout is the conversion of five former Amazon Fresh shops into Tesco Express stores. These prime London locations include Kensington High Street, Hounslow, Moorgate, Aldgate East, and Wembley. Tesco has confirmed these sites are scheduled to reopen under its banner before the summer season commences.
This move directly follows Amazon's strategic pivot announced last September, where the US tech giant confirmed the closure of all 19 of its remaining Amazon Fresh physical stores in the UK to refocus on its core online operations. Amazon had initially indicated plans to convert some sites to its Whole Foods format but has since exited these physical retail spaces, with Tesco stepping in to acquire several key locations.
Nationwide Growth and New Store Locations
The expansion is not limited to London. Tesco has identified a diverse range of new locations for its Express format, including areas in Bickington, Devon; Pontrhydyrun, Wales; Strabane, Northern Ireland; and Wallyford in Scotland. This nationwide growth reinforces Tesco's existing network of over 2,000 Express stores already operating across the UK and Ireland.
Furthermore, the retail group is complementing this convenience store push with plans to open two larger format stores in Scotland this year, specifically in Pitlochry and Heartlands. This follows the successful launch of two superstores at the end of 2025 in Ripon and Harrogate, located in North Yorkshire.
Responding to Evolving Consumer Habits
Nick Johnson, Tesco's Group Property Director, commented on the development, stating, "As we grow our store network we’re delighted to have the opportunity to serve even more people, in even more communities." This expansion aligns with a broader sector trend where supermarkets are aggressively expanding their convenience store portfolios.
The strategy responds directly to shifting consumer behaviour, with shoppers increasingly making fewer large, weekly trips to big out-of-town supermarkets and opting instead for more frequent, smaller purchases at local, convenient stores. Tesco's investment in its Express format is a direct play to capture this growing market segment.
Competitive Pricing and Market Position
The expansion news comes on the heels of Tesco recently reclaiming a key competitive advantage. Last week, industry analysis confirmed that Tesco, when combining its standard prices with Clubcard discounts, knocked rival Asda off the top spot to become the cheapest supermarket for a major grocery shop.
In January, the average cost of a 'big shop' at Tesco was recorded at £588.96, narrowly undercutting Asda's average of £590.41. This price leadership, coupled with a rapidly expanding physical footprint, positions Tesco strongly to consolidate its market dominance in the face of evolving retail dynamics and intense sector competition.
