Tesco is doubling its size in Poland by buying the privately owned HIT hypermarkets chain for less than £420m.

The multiple retailer has struck a deal which is subjected to government and competition authorities' approval, but includes 13 hypermarkets, two stores under construction and some sites prime for development.

Tesco already runs 15 hypermarkets and 32 supermarkets in Poland.

Tesco said the acquisition improves their first year earnings to the year to February 2004.

And the purchase gives Tesco the leading hypermarket position in central Europe with 84 stores, way ahead of French rival Carrefour's 22 stores.

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