Tesco plans to open over 70 new Express stores in the UK by rebranding former Amazon Fresh locations. The transformation of these sites into Tesco Express stores is scheduled to be completed by March next year. Among the Amazon Fresh sites set to reopen as Tesco Express locations are Kensington High Street, Hounslow, Moorgate, Aldgate East, and Wembley, all situated in London and expected to resume operations before summer. Last September, Amazon closed its remaining 19 Fresh stores.
Nick Johnson, Tesco Group Property Director, expressed enthusiasm about the expansion, stating, “As one of the UK’s leading retailers, we support jobs and local economies up and down the UK, and as we grow our store network we’re delighted to have the opportunity to serve even more people, in even more communities. We are hugely excited about the year ahead and looking forward to meeting our customers where they are with great quality, exceptional value, and brilliant customer service.”
In other news, Worcestershire County Council is offering up to £500 in energy bill support to struggling households residing in specific districts. Eligibility requires a gross household income of £24,570 or less per year for single individuals without children, with the income threshold set at £31,000 for other households, excluding benefits. Additionally, households must have no savings, meet specified vulnerability criteria, and reside in select districts like Malvern, Worcester, Wychavon, Bromsgrove, Redditch, or Wyre Forest District.
Moreover, nurseries are cautioned against charging parents additional fees for utilizing their free childcare hours. Children aged nine months to four years qualify for 15 to 30 free childcare hours weekly during term-time. Updated guidance from the Department of Education emphasizes that free hours should not come with hidden or compulsory charges, though optional extras like meals, snacks, nappies, or trips may be charged if clearly priced and truly optional.
InPost, a parcel locker group, is set to be acquired by a consortium led by FedEx and Advent for £6.8 billion. The deal will maintain InPost’s operations under its own brand as a standalone entity, headquartered in Poland with founder Rafat Brzoska retaining leadership. Expansion plans include increasing locker points in the UK from 14,000 to 30,000 and growing pick-up and drop-off points to 5,500.
Furthermore, Superdrug has announced intentions to open 30 new stores in the UK this year, generating around 600 jobs. New locations include various sites in England, Scotland, and Wales, with services like Superdrug Beauty Studios offering treatments such as ear piercing, manicures, and eyebrow threading.
