BWG Foods is claiming to have become the first retail and FMCG business in Ireland to launch new Scan, Pay & Go checkout technology.
The pilot scheme, developed in conjunction with MishiPay, will be trialled at two locations within the BWG Foods retail estate. On completion of the pilot scheme, the company plans to provide the solution to independent retailers across its network of more than 1,000 SPAR, EUROSPAR, MACE, Londis, and XL stores, representing one the largest rollouts of the mobile technology globally.
The technology is entirely contactless and frictionless, which BWG said will facilitate greater in-store social distancing by allowing customers to scan and pay for items using their own mobile phone. In addition, the software allows retailers to place limits on the quantity of goods purchased by each user, thereby helping to ensure better stock management.
Other benefits of the technology include less time queuing at checkouts, while also allowing customers to scan products remotely from home for Click & Collect or Home Delivery services reducing time spent in-store. It is anticipated that the technology will allow retailers to improve operational efficiencies by freeing up staff from checkouts to meet increasing demand in other areas of store operations, including foodservice.
The mobile checkout technology, which recently went live at SPAR Cherrywood in Dublin and Londis Newcastle in Galway, marks MishiPay’s first foray into grocery and convenience. It is said to integrate with retailers’ existing IT systems without requiring any additional hardware, which will facilitate a rapid rollout if required.
Commenting on the launch of the technology, Chris Donnelly, IT Director, BWG Foods said: “The current pandemic has accelerated the need for consumer-facing businesses to embrace new technologies that make shopping experiences safer, quicker and altogether more convenient.
“We’ve been exploring a number of different advanced solutions to enhance the convenience of our retailers’ offerings and we believe this innovation represents the next great evolution of grocery retailing in Ireland. We’re delighted to be partnering with a reputable and innovative business such as MishiPay, whose solution marks the ultimate consumerisation of technology and has the potential to deliver major benefits to both consumers and retailers alike.”
