Tesco Launches Hi-Tech Checkout-Free Store
Tesco opened its first checkout-free outlet for the public in central London today, just months after Amazon entered the physical grocery store market with its ‘just walk out’ Fresh format.
Known as GetGo, the Tesco Express store in High Holborn, London, uses a combination of cameras and weight sensors alongside an AI system to establish what products customers have chosen.
Shoppers must download the Tesco.com app to use the store, checking in by scanning a QR code. Once inside, customers just pick up the items they want and are then automatically charged to their account when they leave.
The shop looks similar to a standard Tesco Express store with the usual range of food and other grocery items. Tobacco and alcohol are sold in a separate zone where a member of staff checks that shoppers meet age restrictions.
The technology is provided by Israeli firm Trigo, which has similar partnerships with supermarkets in Germany and the Netherlands. Tesco has been trialling the system in a staff store at its headquarters in Welwyn Garden City since 2019.
Kevin Tindall, Managing Director of Tesco Convenience, said: “Our latest innovation offers a seamless checkout for customers on the go, helping them to save a bit more time.
“This is currently just a one-store trial, but we’re looking forward to seeing how our customers respond.”
Amazon debuted its ‘just walk out’ store in March, based are similar sensor and camera technology that negates the need for checkouts. The online giant recently opened its sixth Amazon Fresh store in London with plans to roll out the hi-tech format in heavy footfall areas across the capital and potentially other city centre locations.
Aldi and Morrisons have also recently confirmed that they are testing similar checkout-free concepts.
Richard Lim, Chief Executive of consultancy Retail Economics, said Tesco’s move was “reflective of the way the wider industry is heading”.
He added: “One critical element of this for Tesco is also about gaining data and trying to elevate their proposition as much as they can for their customers.”
Lim highlighted that Tesco’s Clubcard programme already has 6.6 million users on its app, so the retailer is “well ahead of the curve” when it comes to using information on what a customer buys, or how they shop, to personalise their experience.
NAM Implications:
- Bound to be…
- …and a pointer for other mults.
- Meanwhile, anticipate a fast roll-out to optimise fine-tuned offering…
- …based on user-data.
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