Waitrose launches mobile self-scan trial

Supermarket chain Waitrose is trialling a ‘scan as you shop’ mobile app in three branches.

The trial, which complements the existing Quick Check service, is taking place in Waitrose shops in Clapham Common, Meanwood and Milngavie, with a view to rolling out the service to all branches in 2016 if successful.

The app will enable myWaitrose loyalty scheme customers to scan product barcodes on their phones as they place goods in their basket.

Waitrose introduced its ‘scan as you shop’ Quick Check service 10 years ago, which is available in two-thirds of Waitrose branches. Customers are given a handset to scan and pack their shopping as they move round the store. They immediately see offers on scanned products and keep a running total of spend.

All myWaitrose customers are now automatically registered for Quick Check and can try the mobile self-scan service in the trial branches by downloading the android or iOS app from Apple or Google Play and registering their myWaitrose card.

Matt Clifton, Waitrose head of retail change, said: “We are always looking at ways for technology to make our customers’ lives easier. The ease and choice of checkout options is becoming increasingly important to customers as the trend for shopping little and often continues to grow.

“Making Quick Check available to myWaitrose customers and exploring the opportunity for them to shop with us on their mobiles in-store means we continue to deliver that convenience.”

Waitrose has 346 shops in England, Scotland, Wales and the Channel Islands, including 60 convenience branches, and another 27 shops at Welcome Break locations.