April 29, 2019
Sainsbury's has launched what is says is the first till-free grocery store in the U.K. at its Holborn Circus location in London, where customers can check out without a cashier, according to a company release.
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The retailer will test its SmartShop Scan, Pay & Go technology at the location for three months before making adjustments and rolling out the service to a wider number of stores.
All customers using the store will be able to scan their items with the SmartShop Scan, Pay & Go smartphone app by scanning a QR code, which confirms that they paid for a particular item. No waiting in line will be necessary.
"We know our customers value their time and many want to shop as quickly as possible — technology is key to that," Clodagh Moriartty, chief digital officer at Sainsbury Group, said in the announcement. "This is an experiment rather than a new format for us — it hasn't been done in the U.K. before and we're really excited to understand how our customers respond to the app experience."
Store workers will be free to help customers and stock shelves; a help desk will be available to assist customers who want to pay with cash or cards. The store is currently about 82 percent cashless, according to the company.
The store is configured for customers on the go, featuring drinks, snacks, breakfast pots, pastries and sandwiches that can be quickly picked up and scanned. Customers can get coffee and other hot drinks through a self-service coffee machine.
Sainsbury says it was the first U.K. grocer to bring in-app mobile payments to its stores starting last August. The technology is currently available in eight stores.
Topics: In-App Payments, Mobile Payments, Region: EMEA, Retail
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