Tesco has revealed that it plans introduce a new audio voice to its self-service checkouts which will be “friendlier, more helpful and less talkative”. Following customer feedback, the group said that the machines will also no longer alert customers with the infamous phrase, “unexpected item in the bagging area”.

Tesco now has over 12,000 self-service checkouts but the group admitted that the current voice has become a source of frustration for its customers, with some describing it as “shouty” and “irritating”, and putting them under pressure as they finish their shop.

The new voice uses softer phrases and is more customer-friendly. As well as changing “unexpected item in the bagging area” six unhelpful phrases including “please take your items” have been removed and “Thank you for shopping at Tesco” has been added.

The new voice has already been installed in a small number of stores will be introduced in all of Tesco’s UK stores by the end of October.