The Co-op Group is introducing its pay-in-aisle app to more than 30 stores following a successful trial last year.
The extension of the till-less technology trial follows a 10%-plus decline in cash usage in its stores in the past two years, with contactless, cards and other payment methods now accounting for more than one in two transactions.
The app will be available to shoppers in the stores across England, Scotland and Wales by late August. It was first trialled at the Co-op’s store within its support centre in Manchester last year.
The app enables customers to scan products on their own device as they walk around the store, with the cost of the shop deducted from their Apple or Google Pay account with the touch of a button, without the need to visit a till.
It also integrates the benefits of Co-op membership, in which members receive a 5% reward on the purchase of own brand products, and the Co-op donates a further 1% to local causes.
Mark Pettigrew, director of retail support, Co-op food, said: “Technology is bringing unprecedented levels of change to retailing, with speed and ease key drivers for time-pressed consumers. We know that people adopt technology at different speeds, and while cash is here to stay it is clear that it is increasingly playing a lesser role in society.
“Retailers need to adapt and be agile, and this app builds added choice and convenience into the retail experience for our members and customers, while appealing to new shoppers.
“People lead busy lives and, shoppers value their time. Whether it’s a train to catch or on the school run this technology cuts queues and saves time. It can give our stores increased opportunity to replenish stock and increase product availability so we are at our best even at our busiest times, and enables customers to complete their shopping quickly and get on with the rest of their day and what matters most to them.”
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