Jumbo expands chat checkout concept in bid to combat loneliness
Dutch supermarket chain Jumbo has opened a chat checkout in Udenhout.
This is a checkout line where slower is better and people are encouraged to have a chinwag with an assistant as they’re paying for their groceries.
The first of these was opened in the summer of 2019. According to Jumbo, that was a huge success and now the time is right to expand the concept.
In a press release, Jumbo states: “Chat desks are especially for people who are not in a hurry and who like to have a chat during the checkout process. With this concept, Jumbo wants to contribute to reducing and preventing loneliness in the Netherlands.”
Checkout free stores
It’s an interesting move given the growing trend amongst grocery retailers to push customers towards self-service and less interaction with staff.
Yesterday, for instance, Aldi UK announced Greenwich, London as the location for its first ever checkout free store.
This will use a system of cameras, sensors and artificial intelligence to identify the items customers take from shelves, alleviating the need to pay at a till.
The trial was first announced last week, although a press release did not mention an exact location, or which tech firm Aldi is working with on the project.
The latter point remains unclear. But the discount retailer did reveal that staff are currently involved in the test, and further testing will be carried out with the public.
Giles Hurley, CEO at Aldi UK and Ireland, says: “We are always looking to redefine what it means to be a discount retailer, and the technology involved in this trial will give us a wealth of learnings”
“We are really excited to be testing this concept that will enable customers to pick from our range of quality products, all available at unbeatable prices, then leave the store without having to pay at a till.”
