Cabs laid on for London shoppers
Tesco launched a free cab service for its London customers yesterday, escalating the race between food retailers.

The step also demonstrates Tesco's long-term strategy to focus on its core UK market, despite the consistent growth of its international operations.

In central areas, such as London's Victoria, Tesco is in close proximity to Sainsbury's Marks & Spencer and Waitrose. The new service will offer customers a lift from a store to any destination in zones one and two of the London Transport network, between 11 am and 7pm. All customers need to do is present a Tesco receipt from the same day of any amount.

Black cab company Radio Taxis, which picks up passengers from any location, normally charges an extra£3 for such a service, which Tesco says it will honour.

Tesco and Radio Taxis are offering the service for a four-week trial, but if successful the retailer says the incentive may be extended geographically.