Shop and work, British company Tesco has given up its own supermarket for office space

The deal with Tesco is part of the IWG’s plan to add 1,000 new locations to its global network this year as demand for hybrid work accelerates following the COVID-19 issue.

Excess space at Tesco locations will be converted into office areas, allowing people to work while shopping.

The companies announced Thursday that the trial will begin in mid-May at the Tesco Extra store in the New Malden supermarket group in south London.

Located on the store’s upper mezzanine level, the approximately 3,800 square feet of space will contain 12 offices with privacy options, 30 co-working spaces, and a meeting room. Business and individuals will have access to Wi-Fi and an in-store café.

IWG, which deals with Spaces and Regus, said prices will range from 93 pounds ($115) for a five-day monthly subscription to 216 pounds for a full month.

Customer feedback will be evaluated before it is rolled out more widely across the UK.

“We are always looking to better serve our customers and communities and will be interested to see how they react to this new opportunity,” said Louise Goodland, Head of Strategic Partnerships at Tesco.

Mark Dixon, founder and CEO of the IWG, said the development of new locations in the suburbs was “in response to the increased demand we’re seeing from customers who want to live and work locally.”

Tesco has other partnership agreements with companies such as fast food group Greggs, sports apparel retailer Decathlon, Pets at Home, healthcare retailer Holland & Barrett and opticians Vision Express.

The group is also building Urban Fulfillment Centers (UFC) to fulfill online orders using automated technology in stores with redundant space.

Tesco’s partnership with express delivery company Gorillas is also using excess warehouse space to fulfill orders.

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