Tesco has today opened its first non-Jack’s superstore in six years, which sets out the new template the UK’s largest grocer believes will help it achieve its 2035 carbon-neutral target.
The grocer’s new 25,000 sq ft store, in Penwortham, Lancashire, is the first of four such stores to be opened by Tesco in the UK this year, and will create 80 new jobs in the area.
It is set to be Tesco’s greenest superstore, fitted with more energy-efficient fridges and freezers, which are a huge part of a supermarket’s carbon footprint.
The store will also be fully lit with energy-saving LED lights, which are about 40% more efficient than regular lighting.
The Penwortham store is also set to be the first Tesco store in the North of England to have a plastics recycling facility. Created in partnership with Recycling Technologies and first trialled in 10 stores across the Swindon and Bristol regions in 2019, the system is effectively a closed loop that allows customers to recycle all plastic packaging.
Along with the energy-saving technologies inside, the superstore also has a pay-at-the-pump petrol station fitted with eight electric car charging spaces.
Tesco’s chief operating officer Tony Hoggett says the new store will form the blueprint for superstores moving forward as the retailer aims to achieve its 2035 climate pledges.
“This is a low carbon-footprint store and it has very low energy usage, particularly with refrigeration, which is one of the biggest uses of energy in a supermarket. It’s a fully electric store, so the carbon footprint of the store will be among the lowest in our estate.”
The store also has a bigger fresh food offering and sees the return of a full Tesco counter offer, including a deli, a bakery and a hot chicken counter.
For Hoggett, while the era of the 100,000 sq ft-plus hypermarket may be over in the UK, this latest store represents a clear vision of the future of the superstore.
“We’ve been more thoughtful about the space that we have put down, but this is a 25,000 sq ft supermarket, which is perfect for the town.
“As I said, it’s great fresh foods, it’s a real supermarket, complete with great groceries and a small selection of F&F clothing, as well as general merchandise.”
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