The Sunday Times reported that Tesco, the UK's leading supermarket chain, plans to open its first non-food store.

According to the newspaper, the venture will test the water for the viability of Tesco general stores selling clothing, music and electrical goods.

Tesco said it had been encouraged by the success of its Extra stores which sell a larger range of non-food items.

No details were revealed of what the store would be called or its likely location.

Retailers such as Woolworth's, Dixons and Boots have already lost significant sales to supermarkets and this news will not be what they wanted to hear.

Tesco and other supermarket chains such as Asda have steadily boosted their share of non-food items in recent years at the expense of specialist outlets.

Tesco said it planned to open a non-food store, on a trial basis, later this year. The Sunday Times said out-of-town retail parks were being considered.

The success and popularity with customers will be assessed before any decision is made on whether to develop the concept further.

"It is early days but we will trial a non-food store at some point this year," a Tesco spokesperson said.

"Our Extra stores are very popular with customers, but shoppers expect us to try out new ideas."

Topics