Co-op tests out ‘shop, scan and go’ initiative

The Co-op has announced a trial involving ‘pay in aisle’ technology.

This enables shoppers to avoid checkouts as they use their phone to scan and purchase goods via an app built with Mastercard. The technology also links information from a customer’s Membership account, telling them how much they have saved and how much the Co-op will donate to local good causes following the transaction. The initiative is being trialled at the retailer's store located at its support centre in Manchester. A wider roll-out beginning this summer is expected to include a further trial at its store situated in the UK HQ of Microsoft.

The Co-op says that cash transactions have dropped by more than one fifth over the last five years, with a 15% reduction in the last 18 months alone. Matthew Speight, Director of Retail Support, comments: “It is a challenging market place for retailers, and we are responding positively. Our ambition is to harness technology to deliver the shopping experience that our diverse customer-base requires – when, where and how they need it. 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 to their local Co-op and enjoy a friendly chat – it is 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.”