Tesco takes RFID into all Extra superstores

Tesco is planning to extend its RFID rollout in time for the Christmas rush.

The supermarket chain, which began using the tracking technology in October last year, will be introducing the technology across the supply chain from distribution centres to supermarkets.

Currently, Tesco uses the technology to track DVDs in its Sandhurst store and trialled the chips on packs of Gilette razor blades in one of its Cambridge stores at the start of the year. The latest plans are more ambitious, covering a larger number of stores and greater range of products, but will focus on case and pallet – rather than item-level – tracking.

The products, which include toiletries, batteries and mobile phones, among others, will be tracked from Tesco's central distribution centre to one of 98 Tesco superstores across the country.

The supermarket has picked OATSystems for its software infrastructure supplier but has yet to select who to buy its RFID tags and readers from.