Tesco is planning to launch online shopping in China, Poland and the Czech Republic as part of its global expansion plans under incoming chief executive Phil Clarke.

Clarke told the Financial Times that he wants to expand the online offer around the world.

Tesco already sells online in Korea and Ireland, and will begin selling in Poland next year, followed by Prague and Shanghai.

Clarke said: “I want Andy [Higginson, head of retailing services] to help put internet retail into more markets. I don’t think you can afford to say it’s all sequential, build out a store network and then do the internet.

“I think what you’ve got to say is, ‘We’ve got a good store network, we’ve got to do grocery home shopping, what about non-food? What next?’”

Shore Capital analyst Clive Black said: “It is a vast opportunity to take online global.”

Tesco was an early adopter of the online model in the UK, and has recently been adding non-food lines to it offer. Last year it began selling its full clothing range over the internet.

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