Tesco delays PIN reader roll-out

Tesco is testing 'swipe and park' chip card readers and will roll out the Dione units with the help of Wincor-Nixdorf to 18,000 checkout lanes next year, but it is unlikely to add PINpad readers until late 2004.

The company may even delay switching to PIN after the January 1, 2005 deadline if it believes customers are not ready.

Tesco divisional director of treasury Nick Mourant said: 'We have no intention of putting PINpads at the checkouts, where they could sit unused for the next 24 months.'

All stores will be chip and PIN ready by the end of next year, although it will be September 2004 at the earliest before Tesco introduces PINpads at point-of-sale.