SUPERMARKET chain Tesco is hoping for Turkish Delight in its attempts to broaden its global brand.

The group plans to extend its international reach to Turkey, adding to the ten countries it already trades in.

Yesterday, Tesco announced it was in discussions over the possible acquisition of shares in Turkish hypermarket chain Kipa. The company, which has five outlets, is valued at about £75m.

Tesco said: "The agreement is subject to a number of material conditions. If these conditions are satisfied, closing of the deal is expected to be later in the current financial year."

Tesco employs 75,000 of its 296,000 staff outside the UK, in countries including South Korea, Thailand, Ireland and Poland.

Results earlier this month showed overseas sales for the year to February 22 rose 31 per cent to £5.2bn. Group-wide profits lifted 15 per cent to £1.4bn