Sainsbury’s trials checkout-free shopping in Clapham

Sainsbury’s is testing out a scan, pay and go service at its Local store in Clapham North.

Shoppers will be able to scan their items on the SmartShop app, then pay for them through Apple Pay and leave the store without dealing with checkouts. “Technology and changing customer shopping habits have transformed the way people buy their groceries," comments Sainsbury's Group Chief Digital Officer Clodagh Moriarty.

"The latest version of SmartShop, with its new payment feature, will make it super quick for customers to get in and out of the store for those that want to scan, pay and go.”

The retailer is looking to improve the service so it can be rolled out to more locations in the coming months. Meanwhile, Tesco launched its own scan and pay trial in June. Staff at its Welwyn Garden City HQ are using its Scan Pay Go service in a purpose-built cashless Express store.