Woolies trial bold new "scan as you go" trolleys
Woolworths shoppers will be able to scan their groceries when they go into their trolleys in an Australian-first trial of the tech carts.
The Scan and Go carts are being trialled at a Woolworths in Windsor in western Sydney, with customers now able to scan items as they add them to their cart, eliminating time at busy checkouts.
The technology, which has long been used in supermarkets overseas, utilises the already existing EverydayRewards cards, which allows access to a touchscreen that clips onto the trolley.
As you peruse the aisles, shoppers then scan their items on the touchscreen as they go into the trolley, with the screen adding up the total of your groceries.
Customers still have to pay at the checkout, but the supermarket says as the smart carts roll out, customers could eventually swipe their cards and pay directly at their trolley, cutting out the need for any time in line for tills.
"The technology is co-created with one of our international partners [and is] home-grown in Australia, [we've] really been able to make sure it meets the Australian consumers needs," Woolies Managing Director Faye Ihan said.
The high-tech system is meant to save shoppers time and money while doing their weekly grocery shop.
"I actually have only been in here for half an hour I'd normally be here for over an hour," one customer who tried the smart cart told 9News.
The company says the rollout won't impact employment, as Woolworths employees will conduct random checks of people shopping to make sure people don't exploit the system to steal.
If the trial is successful, Woolworths says it will one day expand the smart carts to all Australian stories.
Image credits: 9News