Like Amazon, Tesco trials cashless ‘shop and go’ store – Carrefour is interested too

Tesco staff are trialling a completely cashless store at the grocer’s headquarters in Welwyn Garden City, including ‘shop and go’ technology similar to that used in the Amazon Go store in Seattle.

Solely in test mode and restricted to the staff shop on its HQ premises, the technology allows customers to scan and pay for their products via their smartphone before walking out of the store without visiting a traditional till point.

The store is in a Tesco Express convenience store format, and the ‘Scan Pay Go’ technology has been placed on the mobiles of 100 staff who have the capacity to scan barcodes and then pay for their goods in app, according to Essential Retail.

In its first-quarter trading statement earlier this month, Tesco promised further tech and eCommerce innovation, including developments to its mobile app and Tesco.com website, and this represents an immediate follow-up to that statement.

Seems like Carrefour is also looking closely to this „shop and go” technology. The French retailer recently announced a long-term, strategic alliance with Tesco.

Alexandre Bompard, Chairman and CEO of Carrefour Group, said: “This strategic alliance between Carrefour and Tesco is a major agreement as it combines the purchasing expertise of two world leaders, complementary in their geographies, with common strategies. This agreement is a great opportunity to develop our two brands at the service of our customers. This international alliance further strengthens Carrefour allowing it to reach a key milestone in the implementation of its strategy.”