Lidl launching self-checkout via smartphone app in Belgium as well

Following its launch in Germany, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg, the Scan&Go feature in the Lidl Plus app is now coming to Belgium: it allows shoppers to scan their groceries, pack them right away, and pay without having to go through a traditional checkout lane.

About 30 stores planned

Positive experiences in Luxembourg have convinced Lidl to accelerate the rollout of Scan&Go in Belgium. The stores in Melle and Destelbergen were the first to launch the feature on Monday morning. In the coming months, all other Lidl stores in Belgium that already have self-checkout registers will follow. About thirty stores are scheduled for this year. Evere and Roeselare, among others, are next on the list.

“By integrating Scan&Go directly into our already very popular Lidl Plus app, customers have everything in one central place: the digital loyalty card, the shopping list, all current promotions, item scanning, and the total amount,” says Kim Geirnaert, spokesperson for Lidl Belgium. “This is convenient, because research we recently conducted shows that 6 out of 10 Belgians actively hunt for promotions, and half of them choose store brands more often to save money for hobbies and leisure activities.”

Artificial intelligence

When used for the first time, the Lidl Plus app automatically guides customers through their first purchase. For those who want extra help, customer assistants will be available in-store during the first two weeks. In addition, to celebrate the launch, customers will receive a one-time 5% discount on their first Scan&Go purchase. Those who prefer to shop the traditional way can simply go to the regular checkout.

Weighing fruits and vegetables is a breeze thanks to smart scales powered by artificial intelligence, which recognize produce based on shape and color. The app highlights smart promotions: for example, if you scan three items from a “4+2 free” promotion, you’ll immediately receive a notification to pick up one more item and take advantage of the deal. Promotions such as “buy one, get one free” deals or specific discount labels are applied immediately and are clearly visible in the summary. Individual bakery items are quickly scanned using the QR codes on the price tags. For age-restricted items such as alcohol, a quick, automatic age verification is performed at checkout at the self-checkout lane. Checkout is fast at the self-checkout lane, following a quick confirmation and any random spot checks.