Wal-Mart is planning to prepare and serve fresh food at delicatessen counters in its new Marketside convenience stores, designed to compete with Tesco’s Fresh & Easy offering.
This new approach mirrors that of more up-market retailers, such as Whole Foods Market, according to the Financial Times.
The newspaper said planning documents indicated the Marketside stores will include food counters and seating for up to nine people.
Wal-Mart has pledged to pursue a “passion for fresh and delicious food” and “the highest level of customer service” in the small grocery stores.
Wal-Mart will be opening four of the Marketside format stores, each with around 15,000sq ft of selling space, near Phoenix, Arizona.
Tesco’s Fresh & Easy already has 15 stores in the state, including three in Phoenxi, with a further 10 openings planned for the area.
