EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Tesco USA here said yesterday it plans to expand Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Markets to 18 Northern California locations in the San Francisco Bay Area beginning in 2009. There were reports last week the company also plans to open "more than four" stores in the Sacramento marketplace, though company officials declined comment on those reports. The 18 Northern California locations will include two in San Francisco; two in San Jose; two in Antioch; two in Hayward; and single units in Concord, Danville, Fairfield, Mountain View, Napa, Oakland, Oakley, Sunnyvale, Vallejo and Walnut Creek. Tesco has opened 37 Fresh & Easy stores since November in Southern California, Nevada and Arizona, with expectations it will have 50 stores open by the end of February, the company said. According to Tim Mason, chief executive officer, "Everyone wants fresh, wholesome food at affordable prices, and we are confident Fresh & Easy will be a great addition to the Bay Area."

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