Tesco and Carrefour have formally agreed their strategic alliance.

The partnership will become operational in October, Tesco said.

Tesco and Carrefour revealed last month they were linking up through an arrangement covering “the strategic relationship with global suppliers, the joint purchasing of own brand products and goods not for resale”.

The deal is designed to enable both giants to “improve the quality and choice of products available to customers, at even lower prices thereby enhancing their competitiveness”.

They said in July the agreement would “allow both companies to strengthen their relationships with their suppliers and create significant opportunities for those suppliers. Each company will continue to work with supplier partners at a local and national level.”