James Davey

LONDON (Reuters – Tesco, Britain’s most popular retailer, has teamed-up with IWG office rentals firm so people can rent an office in their supermarket.

IWG plans to expand its global network by adding 1,000 locations in Tesco’s deal. This is as a result of the increased demand for hybrid work after COVID-19.

The excess space in Tesco stores will be converted to office spaces, which allow people to do their shopping while also working.

On Thursday, the firms announced that a trial would begin in May at Tesco Extra’s New Malden store, in south London.

This space is situated on the top mezzanine of the store and covers 3,800 square feet. Individuals and businesses will both have Wi-Fi access and an in-store café.

IWG (also known as Spaces and Regus) stated that prices ranged from 93 pounds ($115), for a five-day-a-month membership, to 216 pounds, for a full monthly.

Prior to a potential wider roll-out throughout the UK, customers will have an opportunity to provide feedback.

Louise Goodland from Tesco, head of strategic partnership said that they are constantly looking for ways to better serve their customers and community. She also stated that she was interested in seeing how people respond to the new opportunity.

IWG’s founder and CEO Mark Dixon said creating new locations in suburban areas was “a response to the growing demand we are seeing from customers who want to live and work locally.”

Tesco has other partnership deals with firms including fast food group Greggs, sportswear retailer Decathlon, Pets at Home, health food retailer Holland & Barrett and opticians Vision Express.

This group also plans to build Urban Fulfillment Centres (UFCs), which will fulfill online orders with automated technology, in locations that are large enough.

Tesco partners with Gorillas Rapid Delivery to fulfill orders.

($1 = 0.8095 pounds)