EasyJet founder Stelios Haji-Ioannou launches no frills supermarket in London

August 06, 2013
AP

STELIOS Haji-Ioannou, founder of European discount airline easyJet, is planning to open a supermarket, launching an easyFoodstore in south London.

But the store, to be opened in Croydon at the end of the year, will be markedly different from Britain’s many upscale retailers: Nothing fresh or frozen will be sold. The tinned meats, packaged pasta and plastic bottled sauces on sale are meant to serve basic needs of a country suffering from the impact of government austerity measures following the 2008 economic crisis.

Richard Shackleton, the easyGroup spokesman, said on Monday that the company identified a demand resulting from Britain’s fragile economy.

Last month, a leading British food bank reported a threefold increase in people seeking help since government welfare reforms were introduced in April.