Tesco to launch its first checkout-free store after successful trials

TESCO is to launch its first checkout-free store after successful trials at its HQ.

Plans are in the early stages but the supermarket is hopeful it can match the appeal of scan-and-go outlets introduced by Amazon.

Tesco will launch its first checkout-free store after successful trials at its HQCredit: Alamy

Chief exec Ken Murphy said: “We have a system in our store in the Welwyn Garden City head office. It has been opened a year and is working really well.

“We will extend that to another store in the coming weeks and months to test it in a more urban environment.

“Machine learning is continuously improving so we feel confident we can put it into another store with a higher traffic.”

Tesco sales stayed in positive territory in the 13 weeks to May 29 compared with 12 months ago.

That same period in 2020 was during the height of the first lockdown when shelves were stripped by panic buying

Sales grew this year 0.5 per cent to £10billion, up 9.3 per cent on that quarter in 2019.

Mr Murphy said the pandemic boom in online shopping is continuing with home cooking and baking products up 20 per cent.

Plans are in the early stages but Tesco is hopeful it can match the appeal of scan-and-go outlets introduced by Amazon

An Amazon Fresh store in west London - the first contactless store in the UK — An Amazon Fresh store in west London – the first contactless store in the UKCredit: The Sun

He added: “Key changes since the restrictions have been eased is a return to more normalised shopping, higher frequency shopping and smaller basket sizes.

“But there continues to be a strong demand for eating at home with beer, wine and spirits staying remarkably strong.”

Mr Murphy called on the Government to reach agreement with the EU on the Northern Ireland Protocol to avoid potential issues facing supply chains.

Tesco secrets revealed as store uses electronic potatoes and hire staff just four hours after they apply

This post first appeared on thesun.co.uk