Sainbury’s in U.K. first with cashier-free convenience store

Source: CSA

BY DEENA M. AMATO-MCCOY

August 14, 2018

Sainsbury’s is piloting a cashier-less, grab-and-go experience at one of its convenience stores in London.

The U.K.-based supermarket chain is testing new scan, pay and go technology that enables customers to skip the checkout completely. Using the latest version of the retailer’s SmartShop app, customers can use their smartphone to scan items as they shop, and then pay for it through the app from anywhere in the store using Apple Pay.

Customers can already use the SmartShop in 68 Sainsbury’s supermarkets. But the new pilot, which is ongoing at the retailer’s Clapham location, takes the technology to the next level.

“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 U.K. to offer customers the ability to shop checkout-free,” said Clodagh Moriarty, chief digital officer, Sainsbury’s. “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.”

Customers simply scan a QR code by the store’s exit to confirm their purchases, then they are free to leave. The only time customers need to speak to an associate is to remove security tags from any protected items.

In addition to paying via the SmartShop app, the Clapham store will also have both self-serve checkouts and manned checkouts. Sainsbury’s said it plans to will use customer feedback from the store to develop and improve the experience before testing the technology in different store types and locations.