Sainsbury's expands 'scan and go' technology trial

Sainsbury's has launched 'scan and go' technology in one of its London stores, giving customers the opportunity to scan products and pay using their smartphones, without having to visit a till or self-service machine.

The system has been put in place in the Clapham North store, having been trialled at the Euston Station branch.

The technology evolved from Sainsbury's ‘Smartshop’ technology which allows customers to scan the items in their trolley with their smartphone, as they shop, and pay at a till point.

In order to 'scan and go', customers are required to use a smartphone app, linked to their Nectar card - used to collect loyalty points at Sainsbury's and several other retailers - to scan their items, and to tap their phone against a QR code as they leave the store.  The payment is processed using Apple Pay. 

Supermarkets are looking to replicate Amazon Go: a retail store without the checkouts, which launched in Seattle in December 2016.  The online shopping giant has already trademarked the Amazon Go logo in the UK and is reported to have been looking at London sites for its first UK Amazon Go store.    

Sainsbury's Chief Digital Officer, Clodagh Moriarty, said:

“Technology and changing customer shopping habits have transformed the way people buy their groceries," she said. "Our teams are constantly working hard to bring new convenient shopping experiences to customers and we’re delighted to be the first grocery retailer in the UK to offer customers the ability to shop checkout-free. The latest version of SmartShop, with its new payment feature, will make it super quick for customers to get in and out of the store for those that want to scan, pay and go.”

Source : Insight DIY and Sainsbury's

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