Tesco Expands into Property

I noticed these two articles below appearing in The Times on the 26 and 29 April and wondered why now?

http://property.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/property/article7107912.ece  http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/construction_and_property/article7107859.ece

It has been known for some time that Tesco was proposing to expand into property development and that they are skilled at recognising signals from the market place and exploiting whatever advantage that they possess.

When developers are hampered by both their inability to raise funds for large development and by their customers difficulties in raising mortgages; Tesco has no such problem. Tesco bank will soon be providing mortgages and lenders will be willing to provide finance for property development to such a strong brand.