Customer Launches Petition to Save Fresh & Easy

SAN JOSE, Calif. — A customer of Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market here has launched an online petition drive to convince Tesco not to close or sell its U.S. stores.

Adrian Young, a Fresh & Easy customer at a store in San Jose, Calif., posted the petition on Change.org, saying, "If these stores were to go, they would be missed."

Young also expressed concerns that as many as 5,000 jobs would be lost.

"Please show your support by signing my petition and to keep the quality of Fresh & Easy in California, Arizona and Nevada. Your help and your vote is needed and could make all the difference."

Read more: Tesco Looks for U.S. Exit

Young said the signatures would be forwarded to Tesco management in the United Kingdom and at Fresh & Easy's U.S. headquarters in El Segundo, Calif., "to get them to reconsider their decision."

The parent company said last week it was instigating a strategic review that was likely to lead to the sale or closure of its 200 stores in the U.S.