RFID is a new technology, which enables remote accessing and editing of information, without the need to replace the label or look up data on a central database. In retail terms, it will provide detailed information on stock and allow staff and suppliers to read that information six times faster, leading to reduced wastage, extended production time and even later despatch times.

The technology on the trays will be used from supplier to distributor to the shop floor. Marks & Spencer has developed the technology with Intellident, the British RFID asset tracking specialist, who has been working with Marks & Spencer for 10 years.

The rollout coincides with a scheduled replacement of Marks & Spencer's 3.5 million food trays: 1.5 million trays have already been tagged, with the remaining 2 million filtering into stores over the next 18 months.

The new trays will be made by melting down and recycling the old trays, as part of our continuous drive for environmental awareness and packaging minimisation. The use of recyclable plastic trays, which was pioneered by Marks & Spencer in the early 1970s, saves around 30,000 tonnes of cardboard a year.

James Stafford, Technical Executive, Intellectual Property at Marks & Spencer commented: "This is a continuation of a long-term drive for excellence within food logistics. The end result of the RFID tagging for the customer is even fresher food in their baskets and we have found that this is a key concern for our customers."

Keith Mahoney, Logistics Controller, Food Division at Marks & Spencer said: "It is a prime example of how, thanks to our being 100% own brand and the long-term relationships we have with our suppliers, we are able to continue to improve the customer experience in the areas most important to them."

Marks & Spencer and Intellident recently won the RF Innovations European Award 2002 for the Best RFID Product Application.

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Sue Sadler Corporate Press Office 020 7268 8642