Wal-Mart has indicated that its new Marketside grocery stores will be built around a “premium” rather than low-cost offering, suggesting its new small format stores will be less focused on price than the rival Tesco-owned Fresh & Easy chain.

The stores will be the first new banner launched by Wal-Mart in a decade and mark a radical departure for a retailer that has built its business around its giant “Supercenter” concept and an “everyday low price” strategy.