Sainsbury’s has begun trialling what it claims to be the UK’s first till-free grocery store. Customers visiting its Holborn Circus convenience outlet will scan and pay for their groceries using the company’s SmartShop Scan app, which launched last year and is currently being tested in eight other London stores alongside checkouts.
Shoppers in the Holborn Circus outlet will scan their groceries as they go round the store, pay in the app and scan a QR code before leaving which reassures them that they have paid, with no need to queue or pay at a till.
The store has been refurbished to remove the checkout area and tills. Sainsbury’s stated that this frees up store staff so they can focus on helping customers in the aisles and keeping shelves fully stocked.
The range of products available at the store is aimed at busy shoppers buying breakfast or lunch, and other food to eat on-the-go items.
The experiment will last for three months with Sainsbury’s then deciding whether to roll out the SmartShop Scan, Pay & Go facility to more of its stores.
Sainsbury’s Group Chief Digital Officer, Clodagh Moriarty, said: “We know our customers value their time and many want to shop as quickly as possible – technology is key to that. This is an experiment rather than a new format for us – it hasn’t been done in the UK before and we’re really excited to understand how our customers respond to the app experience.
“We’ll be with our customers and colleagues all the way over the coming months, iterating continuously based on their feedback before we decide if, how and where we make this experience more widely available.”
The move comes amid recent rumours that Amazon is close to launching its hi-tech ‘Go’ grocery convenience stores in the UK having secured sites of around 5,000 sq. ft. in key locations across central London. The Amazon Go stores, of which there are now 11 in the US, use sensors and cameras to track what items shoppers pick up. They are then automatically billed on an app when leaving the store.
