Tesco has begun providing grocery home shopping in Warsaw, with plans to roll out to other Polish cities before the end of the year.

Follows launch in Czech Republic

Following the launch of online customer ordering in the Czech Republic, Tesco has expanded its online offer into the Polish market.

The service will initially be available from selected stores in Warsaw. It will then be rolled out to Wroclaw before the end of July and then to a further six to eight Polish cities by the end of the year. Auchan, one of Tesco's main competitors in Poland, has offered an online ordering service in Warsaw since mid-2011.

Replicating the UK model

As with its operation in most parts of the UK, customers' online orders will be picked and assembled in stores. The service is initially offering 17,000 products to customers, who will receive their orders the day after they place them via the website. Customers will be able to specify a two hour delivery window of their choosing between 10am and 10pm seven days a week and will receive Clubcard points on their purchases. Prices are the same as those available in store, and the delivery charge is 98 grozny (19 pence).

The service will be run using a fleet of vans equipped with refrigerators and freezers that are chilled to -18°C. This will ensure products are kept as fresh as possible.

Part of global rollout plan

Tesco has indicated plans to launch grocery home shopping across all its markets. Plans to run a trial at a selection of Tesco's Fresh & Easy stores in California have been reported, and the retailer is also looking at conducting trials in Shanghai, Bratislava and Thailand.

For an overview of Tesco's global supply chain operations please click here.