Tesco has more than 540 stores in 12 countries outside the UK and will open its first US store next year. After a troubled foray into France in the early 1990s, Tesco has been largely successful.

Tesco opened its first store in Hungary in 1994 and its Budapest store is its largest in the world, with a massive 150,000 square feet of retail space. Staff once wore rollerskates to get round the store.

Tesco's South Korean business Homeplus is jointly owned by electronics giant Samsung. It wants to expand by buying rival stores there and has invested heavily in a home delivery service.

Tesco Lotus is Thailand's largest grocery chain with more than 100 supermarkets and convenience stores. It has 25 'supercenters' in Bangkok and stores in tourist resorts like Phuket and Pattaya.

Due to planning restrictions in Japan, Tesco has had to focus on smaller, city centre discount stores. It now has more than 100 of these outlets - none of which carry Tesco branding.

The retailer's five stores in Turkey trade under the Kipa brand name, which Tesco chose to retain after buying into the company. They are in Bornova, Cigli, Gaziemir, Denizli and Balcova

All major foreign retailers are targeting China and Tesco is no exception. It bought a 50% stake in local firm Hymall in 2004 but faces fierce competition from firms such as Wal-Mart and Carrefour.

Overseas stores already account for 20% of Tesco's total sales and this is expected to grow significantly in the future. Tesco is looking at India and other markets for future expansion.