Tesco has started the full scale roll-out of radio frequency identification (RFID) technology across its stores and warehouses.

The supermarket giant is implementing what it terms 'radio barcode' as part of its project to upgrade and secure supply chain delivery systems.

Tesco wants to complete the first phase of the radio barcode project by the end of the year. This covers equipment being fitted at loading and unloading bays, and at merchandise receipt points at its 1,300 stores and 35 distribution centres.

The company has placed an order for 4,000 RFID readers and 16,000 antennae with vendor ADT, following the successful completion of pilot projects.

Colin Cobain, Tesco IT director said the company has been 'extremely impressed with the trials run to date'.

Full-scale adoption of the radio barcode technology is a key element of Tesco's supply chain strategy.

'The technology will be rolled out by product category, across our stores and distribution centres by the end of the year and is very much part of a general programme to improve supply chain management,' a Tesco spokesman told Computing.

The company has started using RFID tagging on transportation pallets containing DVDs, and products that are delivered to Tesco in reusable containers are due to in the sceond quarter of the year.

The radio barcode and secure supply chain projects are intended to give Tesco product visibility from the factory to the store for increased product availability, supply chain efficiencies and reduced prices, while improving customer services.

The supermarket giant is considering the extending the radio barcode technology to parts of its international operations.