Supermarket chain Sainsbury's is trialling its first "till-free" store, in which shoppers do not need to queue for a staffed or self-service checkout. Instead, customers can scan goods with a smartphone and put them straight into a bag. When they have finished shopping, their payment is processed by the phone. The Sainsbury's SmartShop app lets customers scan the contents of their trolley as they browse the aisles to reduce waiting time at the checkout. The app is already available in 68 stores, but customers in one location will now be able to pay with the app too. The trial is currently only available in the Clapham North Sainsbury's Local, to iPhone users who have Apple Pay set up on their device. After finishing their shopping, customers scan a QR code by the store's exit to confirm their purchases. They are then free to leave. The company said the technology would not replace staff in the trial store and that the staffed check-outs would remain open to give customers a choice of how to shop.
