Asda shoppers can now scan groceries using their mobile phones
ASDA customers can now scan their shopping as they go in a bid to dodge the long queues at the checkouts.
The retailer’s "scan and go mobile" service has been rolled out to all 581 Asda stores in the UK - previously it was only available in half of its branches.
Customers will need to download an app to their mobile, and then can use their phones to scan each item as they shop.
They can then pack the items themselves and pay using card details uploaded to their mobiles via an unmanned dedicated payment points.
There will be no need to unpack your shopping again at the checkout.
Asda said the initiative also helps people keep tabs on their spending as they go around the store, helping them to save money and keep an eye on their budget.
How does it work?
Asda has rolled out its mobile app to all of its UK stores. Here's how to use it.
- Download the app to your mobile via either the Apple app store or Google Play
- Scan your shopping as you go around the store. You can change quantities or remove items, as well as keeping an eye on your total spend.
- Head to an unmanned "scan and go" payment point, scan the code on screen using your mobile and pay by card.
Louise Bagshaw, senior director of retail and front end innovation at , said: “The accelerated roll out of “scan and go mobile” provides another option when shopping in all of our stores that is contact free, to bring added peace of mind during these uncertain times.
“We understand that this option may not be suitable for all of our customers and continue to follow strict social distancing in our stores, to help keep our customers and colleagues safe - no matter how they shop with us.”
Checkout-free shopping
What do the other major supermarkets offer?
- Tesco: the Pay+ app lets you make payments, collect Clubcard points and track your spending in any UK Tesco store or petrol station. However, you can't use it to scan your shopping on the way round - you still have to use one of Tesco's barcode scanners for this and then pay using your phone at a till as normal.
- Sainsbury's: the SmartsShop app enables you to shop, scan and bag your products via your mobile, then skip the queues and pay by heading towards a SmartShop checkout - similar to Asda's model. You can also use a SmartShop handset in store, allowing you to scan as you go.
- Morrisons: the supermarket does have a barcode scanner feature on its app, but you can only use it to search for things during an online shop, and not in stores.
- Neither Aldi or Lidl currently offer a similar feature.
This week Asda also announced it is extending opening hours in all stores to give customers more time to shop.
Stores are now open between 8am and 10pm, Monday to Saturday.
Customers can check their local store’s opening hours on the .
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