Corona pandemic pushes mobile scanning forward

The Covid-19 pandemic increases the demand for contactless shopping and for self-scanning. That is why British supermarket chain Asda is rolling out its mobile self-scanning system ‘Scan & Go Mobile’ to all its 581 stores.

“Added peace of mind”

This way, Walmart’s British subsidiary wants to encourage contactless shopping during the coronavirus pandemic: the app allows customers to scan their purchases themselves and pay for them using their own smartphone. This reduces the risk of infection for employees and customers, and also offers “added peace of mind during these uncertain times,” ESM quotes an Asda statement. The app can also help customers keep an eye on their spending while shopping, now that many households are under financial pressure, the retailer adds.

The payment option was already available in 358 stores, with the other 223 now being added. Asda does realise that smartphone shopping may not be suitable for all customers: competitors Tesco and Sainsbury’s were previously criticised by elderly people’s organisations, among others, for their contactless and cashless test stores.

In the Benelux, too, the system has not really been a success so far, but it may well get a boost in the light of the corona crisis. Will international retailers follow suit?