The Shoprite Group’s customers can now pay for groceries with their phones as the retailer continues to find new ways to keep its stores, customers and employees safe during the Covid-19 pandemic.

It is the first South African food retailer to offer dynamic QR payments which will be available at the tills in all Shoprite, Usave, Checkers and Checkers Hyper stores within the next two months.

Customers simply have to scan the QR code at the till point with their phones and pay with Masterpass, SnapScan, Zapper, FNB Pay or Nedbank Pay in any of the Group’s stores.

As the retailer uses a dynamic QR code, the amount payable will automatically display on the customer’s phone, leaving little room for error.

This development, in line with the Group’s strategic commitment to put its customers first and make shopping more convenient for them, allows customers to shop even if they forgot their wallet at home or would prefer not to carry cash or touch the pin pad.

Making QR payments available in stores and on its websites is also in line with the Group’s strategic focus on developing future-fit channels as it continues to roll out new innovations.

“As retailers we must meet the challenge of the new shopping environment to deliver outstanding product research and buying experiences. Rolling this payment method out enhances our customers’ shopping experience with more options and greater convenience,” comments Jean Olivier, General Manager: Financial Services for the Group.

The QR code was built on the EMVCo standard with the help of Mastercard and one of the Group’s technology partners, Electrum.

It is currently available in 29 Checkers stores and will be rolled out to all stores across South Africa within the next two months. The rest of the continent will follow as soon as possible.