Tesco to debut F&F apparel format in U.S., with seven stores by year-end

New York -- Tesco Plc plans to bring its value-priced F&F clothing format to the United States, opening seven stores on the East Coast this year with its U.S. franchise partner, Retail Group of America. The move comes some six months after Tesco sold off its struggling American supermarket operation, Fresh & Easy, to Ron Burkle's Yucaipa investment company.



The new stores will feature women’s, men’s and kid’s clothing, with the first location expected to open in May, in the Boston area. It will be followed by four stores in shopping malls in New York, along with stores in Philadelphia and Newport, Va. (See end of story for a list of announced locations to date.)



Tesco launched F&F in 2001. It now operates in 21 countries.



“We’re delighted to be bringing F&F’s range of affordable fashion to customers in the USA this year, including four stores in one of the world’s fashion and shopping capitals, New York,” said Jason Tarry, CEO of F&F. “We’ve had a really positive response from customers in all of our overseas markets so we’re hoping our American stores prove to be just as popular. F&F is fast becoming a true global brand.”



F&F will be opening franchise stores in the following locations in the United States:



• Springfield Holyoke Mall, Maryland

• New York Palisades Centre, New York

• Newport News Patrick Henry Mall, Virginia

• New York Trumbull Mall, New York

• Exton Mall, Pennsylvania

• New York Sunrise Mall, New York

• New York South Shore Mall, New York