TESCO is making a major change to the way customers pay, as they open new “hybrid” stores.
The supermarket giant is opening checkout-free stores – but shoppers will also have the option to use the tills as well.
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Tesco’s first GetGo store has opened in Chiswell Street in Islington, North London.
The supermarket already has plans to open two more in the coming months – one on Parr’s Way in London and another at Aston University, Birmingham.
GetGo stores are “checkout-free,” meaning customers can simply pick up any item they want to purchase and simply walk out.
The system works by monitoring shoppers’ movements and choices via ceiling cameras and on-shelf weight sensors.
Shoppers can simply scan their Tesco app on entry, go around the store shopping and then let the app settle your payment and receipt.
The new GetGo stores will offer, as well, a hybrid format which allows customers to pay at a self-service till or a staffed checkout if they prefer.
However, customers will need to scan their receipt so they can exit the barriers.
Shop staff will be available for anyone needing help.
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Kevin Tindall, managing director for Tesco Convenience, said: “We are excited to expand our trial of GetGo and to see what customers think about our new hybrid model, which offers them different options for seamless shopping.
“Whether customers choose the checkout-free option or prefer to use a checkout, we want to make the shopping trip as quick and convenient as possible.”
The stores will carry the same product range as a normal Express store an have the same value deals through Clubcard Prices.
They will be open from 7am to 11pm.
All age-restricted products in the new stores will be specific section with a separate exit where employees will manually check age verification.
Tesco says its new trial will give customers the option of using more familiar payment methods as well as the checkout-free app.
It added the expansion will also allow the company to test the new format in a number of locations.
The first Tesco GetGo store opened in High Holborn in October 2021 and will continue to offer a purely checkout-free model.
Tesco claims the average shopper takes three minutes to complete their shop using the app in its High Holborn store.
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