Aldi has become the latest supermarket to open a checkout-free store in the UK following a successful trial.
The supermarket opened its first ever Aldi Shop&Go shop to the public on Tuesday in Greenwich High Street in London.
The concept sees customers complete their shop without having to use a checkout - or having scanned any items.
Shoppers must download and use the Aldi Shop&Go app to enter the shop.
As they go around the store, special cameras with technology provided by AiFi then track what items are picked up.
After they’ve finished their shopping, the customer then simply walks out and they’ll be automatically charged via the Aldi Shop&Go app.
Shoppers can choose what payment method they want to use within the app, and a receipt is sent to them digitally as well.
Customers wishing to purchase alcohol, or other Challenge 25 products, will be able to use facial age estimation technology to authorise their purchase.
Those who opt to not use the system will instead be age verified by a store colleague.
Aldi first started trialling out this checkout-free store back in September 2021, The Mirror reports.
The supermarket hasn't said if it plans on opening a new Shop&Go store in Ireland.
The move follows other grocers including Tesco and that have opened similar concepts across the UK in recent months, off the back of Amazon expanding its high street presence across the pond.
Giles Hurley, CEO of Aldi UK and Ireland, said: “Today is the culmination of months of work, not least from the team here in Greenwich and I’m looking forward to seeing how customers react to our trial.
“This store utilises the very latest in retail technology offering Aldi’s award-winning products and unbeatable prices to customers in a new and innovative way.
“The team are really excited about seeing customers come in and experience Aldi Shop&Go.”
Lewis Esparon, store manager, said: “I cannot wait to show customers our new Aldi Shop&Go store.
“We have been working towards this day for several months now so it will be great to see how our customers react to the new technology.
“For us, steps like this are always about improving the customer experience and the whole team are looking forward to being on-hand and ready to help to ensure that experience is as smooth as ever.”
Ireland is expected to see a similar concept soon, with Compass Group Ireland due to open its first checkout-free shop for employees in south Dublin this year.
Employees will be able to buy food items at the in-office shop without having to queue, stop to scan or pay.
The stores will typically stock a selection of both hot and chilled 'grab-n-go’ dishes, drinks and confectionery, a spokesperson said.
The firm says it will use computer vision cameras to anonymously track shoppers as they add the selected items to a virtual shopping cart.
The Dublin store is due to be followed by sites in the UK later this year.
"This cutting-edge technology means customers can pop into our store to pick up what they need, whenever they need it – it’s a great flexible solution for busy workers," said Deirdre O’Neill, Managing Director of Compass Group Ireland.
A workplace in south Dublin was selected as the first location for the new foodservice solution, which is due to open when working from home advice is lifted.
It could be very soon after the Government confirmed a return to the office could begin as early as Monday.
Trials have already been successfully carried out.
