Tesco is launching a new e-commerce initiative to help international supermarket chains develop their online operations, called Transcend Retail Solutions, the venture offers both software and hardware to enable global grocers to fulfil online orders directly from their stores, as well as consultancy services.

Transcend has secured its first partnership with New Zealand’s largest grocery retailer, Foodstuffs North Island, and is in discussions with other retailers to strike similar agreements. Foodstuffs is using Tesco’s cloud-based picking software, which receives online orders and then maps the most efficient route for staff to pick the items from supermarket shelves on handheld devices. Tesco’s technology is currently operational in two Foodstuffs stores, operating under the Pak’nSave and New World brands, with plans to extend it to 150 locations.