No More Queues at Co-Op: Supermarket Trials Pay As You Shop App

• New initiative will make shopping in a hurry easier
• Self scan app means you can pay whilst shopping
• Trial in Manchester before rolling out across the country in the summer

The Co-Op has become the UK’s first supermarket to introduce a no-queue policy, where shoppers can just pick up their groceries and walk out.

The new initiative will allow customers who are short on time to scan items on a new app on their phones and pay through this, meaning they can avoid queueing at a till.

It’s currently undergoing a trial period at a store in Manchester, but Co-Op has said that it plans to roll it out across the country in the summer if it is a success.

A spokesperson from the Co-Op said, “it is a challenging marketplace for retailers, and the Co-Op is responding positively.

“It is all about consumer choices and convenience.

“We listen to our members and customers, and we are investing in our stores, people, prices, products, and technology.

“We recognise there are many communities where customers pop in their local CO-Op and enjoy a friendly chat, it’s all part of the service.

“Whereas for others, perhaps with a train to catch or on a school run, every second can count as consumers seek increased convenience.”

Earlier in the year, Co-Op announced that it was cutting prices on products by up to 40% in a bid to keep up with other supermarkets, and this announcement is another way of increasing the competition.

The scheme is known as a frictionless shopping experiences, as customers will be able to scan products on their own device as they walk around the store.

When they are done shopping, the amount they owe will be deducted from their account with a single click.

The supermarket said it’s seen the number of cash transactions in stores rapidly reduce over the past few years, as contactless and electronic payments have become more popular.

Cash transactions have dropped by more than 20% over the last five years, which is mainly due to the introduction of contactless card payments.

Elliot Goldenberg, from Mastercard UK, said, “We are bringing our online and mobile capability- Masterpass- into the physical store, and offering consumers who want a fast and frictionless buying experience, a secure and reliable way to pay.”

The technology will also link information from a customer’s Co-Op membership account, telling a shopper how much they have saved and how much the Co-Op will donate to local causes following the transaction.

Supermarkets are being pushed to be more competitive in price and shopper experience, as budget supermarkets like Aldi have grown in popularity in the past few years.

The East of England Co-Op announced last year that it would reduce food that was past its ‘Best Before Date’ to just 10p, in a bid to cut food waste and attract more customers.

Sainsbury’s recently announced that it would be increasing wages by 15% and investing £100 million in its employees to try and make its’ stores more competitive.

What do you think of Co-Op’s new scheme? Would you try it out? Let us know in the comments.