YORK-based "Internet supermarket" expatshopping.com has announced the launch of a major corporate, services and diplomatic division to corner a new multi-billion pound market.

The 'business' wing of the UK's only major expatriate shopping web-site was launched as the company shipped its first container for the Foreign Office.

A shipment of UK products (including shampoo, crisps, baked beans and jam) destined for the British High Commission, Bangladesh was packed and sealed at the company's York depot in Osbaldwick Link Road.

Already thousands of home-sick Brits have surfed the site to order Walkers Crisps, Yorkshire Tea, Marmite, Chivers Marmalade and other "typically British" food products from a range of 6,000 products.

Explaining the company's decision to move into the "business to business" market, Simon Aldrich, sales and marketing director, said: "For an employer, there are enormous benefits in keeping workers and their families happy while abroad, and having the UK brands you know and trust in your larder can be a real comfort in a strange land."

From this week visitors to the newly upgraded website - £1 million worth - will be able to order the products from their PCs in Europe, pay by credit card for the produce and have their parcel of British goodies delivered to their door by Parcel Force Worldwide.