LIDL is speeding up supermarket check-outs by testing a new service where you “scan as you shop”.
The supermarket is launching the pilot in one store in south west London for now but it could roll out to other stores too if it’s successful.
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You’ll be able to use your phone to scan products while you shop instead of scanning everything in one go at the tills.
So when it comes to checking out, you just have to scan a barcode generated at the end of your shop, which will allow you to pay for everything you’ve picked up.
You’ll need to download the free Lidl Go app to use the service which was made available to download from the Google Play app store yesterday as reported by The Grocer.
Shoppers will be able to set up an account on the app or sync their existing Lidl Plus account which is the supermarket’s other loyalty based app.
Once it’s all set up you’ll be ready to scan items whilst shopping in the store which will help reduce long queues at the checkout.
The new app will be used to scan any products available in the supermarket that you would usually add to your trolley, including fruit and veg sold by weight, as you’ll be able to scan the barcode printed at a weighing station.
Staff will be checking at regular intervals to make sure shoppers are scanning things correctly as a precaution against theft too.
Fulwell Lidl in south west London is the only branch where the app will be able to be used so far but branching out to other stores in the future hasn’t been ruled out.
Other supermarkets have similar schemes set up as well like Tesco’s “Scan as you Shop” and M&S’ “Mobile Pay Go”.
The Grocer reports that Aldi might be working on a similar mobile scheme itself, having recently registered the trademark “Shop & Go”.
It also reported that a Lidl spokesperson said it was too early to provide any further details on the new “scan as you go” scheme.
We’ve reached out to Lidl for more details about when the service will be in full operation, and will update this story once we know more.
We’ve explained how Lidl shoppers can get the best out of their Plus card apps before, like when the supermarket slashed the prices on baby products by 20% for users.
In other news, Lidl has been banned from selling a copycat gin after a legal battle with Hendrick’s.
Plus the supermarket dubbed “Russia’s Lidl” has revealed an opening date for its first UK store.
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