Barclays PLC (LSE:BARC) has been exploring a potential acquisition of Tesco PLC (LSE:TSCO)'s banking operations, two people familiar with the matter told Reuters. The British food retailer has asked prospective buyers to submit non-binding offers for Tesco Personal Finance plc (Tesco Bank) by the end of the week, as part of efforts to shrink its financial services footprint, one of the people said. Barclays has already made an indicative bid, this person said, adding that it is particularly interested in Tesco Bank's credit card and saving account products.

Other bidders are expected, people with knowledge of the process said. There is no certainty that a transaction will materialise, the people said. Tesco's banking operations could be attractive to other lenders because of the opportunity to cross-sell banking products to the grocer's customer base, the first two people said.

But tough market conditions risk denting the appetite of potential buyers, one of them said. Barclays declined to comment. Tesco Plc and Tesco Bank declined to comment.