Tesco prepares for in-store Wi-Fi rollout

UK supermarket retailer Tesco is considering deploying Wi-Fi in a majority of its stores nationwide if a trial scheme is deemed successful.

The trial — announced in January — is currently taking place in four stores but could go to all stores, Mike McNamara, Tesco's chief information officer, told the The Financial Times on Saturday.

The retail giant is considering the option as it would allow customers to compare product prices on internet-connected mobile devices such as smartphones, tablet or laptops.

"You can stand Canute-like and pretend nothing is happening... or you can say it's happening, and I am going to help it happen," McNamara said.

Tesco has 2,715 stores in the UK, which would make it one of the largest, and first, UK supermarkets to deploy in-store Wi-Fi for its customers.

McNamara said the service would be provided for free to Tesco customers as it already has the infrastructure to deliver Wi-Fi in most of its stores. However, he added that it may be switched off "if you sit there streaming video forever".