Tesco is planning to open 150 convenience stores in the UK over the next 12 months.


The UK retail giant confirmed its plans to take its convenience store network to over 900 outlets but declined to comment further.


The convenience sector is one of the more buoyant channels in the UK and rival retailer The Co-operative Group is looking to boost its presence with the possible takeover of Somerfield, the UK’s fifth-largest grocer.


Tesco, which announces its preliminary results tomorrow, also has ambitions for its convenience business in China, where last week it opened its first Tesco Express store in Shanghai.