Waitrose has begun trialling a 'scan as you shop' mobile app in three of its stores, enabling members of its myWaitrose scheme to scan product barcodes on their phones as they place goods in their basket.

The trial, which complements the chain’s existing handset-based Quick Check service, is taking place in Waitrose shops in Clapham Common, Meanwood and Milngavie, with a view to rolling out the service to all Waitrose branches this year if successful. 

The retailer said that all myWaitrose customers’ are now automatically registered for Quick Check and can try the mobile self-scan service in the trial branches by downloading the android or iOS app and registering their myWaitrose card. 

Matt Clifton, Waitrose Head of Retail Change, said: “We are always looking at ways for technology to make our customers' lives easier. The ease and choice of checkout options is becoming increasingly important to customers as the trend for shopping little and often continues to grow. Making Quick Check available to myWaitrose customers and exploring the opportunity for them to shop with us on their mobiles in-store means we continue to deliver that convenience.”