Activists to picket Tesco's first US store

Tesco expands its empire into the United States this week. But the British supermarket chain will not be welcomed with open arms.

The opening of the first of its medium-sized markets, to be called Fresh & Easy, is to be picketed by a fearsome coalition of community activists, church leaders and union organisers in LA whose exploits include preventing Wal-Mart from gaining a toe-hold in a black-majority inner-city area.

The Alliance for Healthy and Responsible Grocery Stores has no objection to Tesco's stated goals – to serve impoverished areas, provide well-paying jobs with health benefits and advocate corporate environmental protection.

But the activists are not sure yet whether to take Tesco at its word.