Tesco has been rolling out its scan-as-you-shop technology to another 100 stores this year. The handheld scanners allow customers to track spending as they go and then pay at the self checkout without having to unload the items. Tesco first trialled the concept to customers in 2010 and rolled out to a further 60 stores in 2012 with another 140 added in 2013.
In 2013, several other grocers and retailers began implementing or expanding scan & go technology to enhance the shopping experience and streamline checkout processes. Here are some notable examples:
- Walmart: In 2013, Walmart expanded its “Scan & Go” program, which allowed customers to use their smartphones to scan items as they shopped and then pay at a self-checkout. This technology was rolled out to over 200 stores across the U.S., as Walmart aimed to reduce checkout times and improve customer convenience.
- Kroger: Kroger continued to develop its “Scan, Bag, Go” technology in 2013, which allowed shoppers to use handheld scanners or their smartphones to scan items as they placed them in their cart. This system was piloted in several stores and aimed at enhancing the efficiency of the shopping experience.
- Meijer: Meijer launched a pilot program of its own scan & go system in 2013, which enabled customers to use handheld devices provided by the store or their smartphones to scan products and complete purchases without going through traditional checkout lanes.
- Ahold (Stop & Shop and Giant): Ahold’s brands, Stop & Shop and Giant, expanded their “Scan It!” system in 2013. This technology allowed customers to use handheld scanners or mobile apps to scan items as they shopped, offering an efficient and personalized shopping experience.
- Co-op Food (UK): Co-op Food introduced a scan & go pilot in selected stores in the UK in 2013. The system allowed customers to scan items using handheld devices or their phones, aiming to reduce checkout times and improve store efficiency.
These examples reflect the broader trend among grocers in 2013 to adopt scan & go technology, driven by the desire to provide more convenient and efficient shopping experiences for customers.
