**Sainsbury’s Launches Pilot for Checkout-Free Shopping with SmartShop Devices**
Sainsbury’s has begun a bold experiment aiming to reshape the high street shopping experience by introducing a brand-new, checkout-free system at selected stores. The pilot, currently limited to two branches—in Richmond and Kempton—ushers in a future where queues at tills and time spent at self-service machines might become distant memories.
With this trial, customers arriving at the store are encouraged to pick up a SmartShop scanner at the entrance. This device, which builds on Sainsbury’s existing scan-as-you-shop technology, empowers shoppers to individually scan each item as they are placed in the basket. The aim is to create a more streamlined, efficient, and ultimately frictionless shopping journey for all.
One of the initiative’s most striking features is its radically simplified payment process. Rather than queuing at checkout or negotiating self-service terminals, shoppers simply tap their payment card against the SmartShop scanner they’ve used throughout their trip. Upon completion, they can choose either a printed receipt or an emailed version before docking the scanner and leaving the store, effectively sidestepping all conventional points of sale.
However, as with most emerging technologies, there are still some hurdles to overcome. Presently, the system does not recognise staff discounts nor accept physical Nectar cards, two features frequently relied upon by regular Sainsbury’s patrons. This limitation has been acknowledged by the supermarket giant, which says the technology is still being fine-tuned.
Darren Sinclair, the supermarket’s director of future stores, outlined the ethos behind the new scheme. “It’s a bit more ergonomic,” he told industry publication The Grocer, noting the system is intended to minimise shopper frustration and delay. “I think about this as trying to reduce friction, improve payment, and simplify the shopping journey as well as the future potential space.”
Security, particularly the potential for shoplifting, remains a central concern as Sainsbury’s rolls out its next-generation innovations. Staff will retain the ability to conduct random checks on shoppers’ baskets to deter in-store theft. In parallel, the retailer has begun testing AI-powered video technology in some locations. Discreet ceiling-mounted cameras have been introduced to monitor checkout and packing areas, though Sainsbury’s has yet to divulge which branches are participating or whether the programme will ultimately expand chain-wide.
The AI assistance is designed with shopper integrity in mind, automatically identifying instances where items may have been missed during the scanning process. Should a customer inadvertently place an unscanned product into their shopping bag, an alert pops up on the screen reminding them to double-check their scanning before proceeding. This measure is intended to support honest mistakes as much as catch deliberate oversight.
The broader SmartShop update forms part of a sweeping effort initiated last year, as Britain’s longstanding supermarkets strive to modernise and maintain relevance in an increasingly digital marketplace. The goal, Sainsbury’s states, is not only to expedite the in-store experience but also to bolster security and safeguard against losses.
While some may approach this automation with scepticism, contending with teething issues or expressing concern over jobs, others see it as a necessary step in the evolution of retail. Shoppers are being encouraged to provide feedback during the pilot as Sainsbury’s decides on potential expansion.
For now, Richmond and Kempton’s branches serve as the bellwethers of Sainsbury’s vision—a future where shopping could be both swifter and secure, guided by hands-on innovation rather than till-point tradition.