Woolworths is testing a groundbreaking new checkout system that could completely transform how Australians pay for groceries. In an Australian first, customers can scan their items directly onto a smart screen attached to their trolley as they shop.
This technology shifts the checkout process to the moment you pick up an item. As you place products in your trolley, the smart screen keeps a running total, allowing you to quickly pay at the end of your shopping trip.
The trial is currently happening at Woolworths’ Windsor store in Sydney’s north-west, with plans for wider implementation if it proves successful.
Faye Ilhan, Woolworths’ Managing Director, described the new Scan&Go Trolley as “a market-leading innovation” that will save customers time and help them manage their grocery budgets more effectively.
The system integrates with Woolworths’ existing Everyday Rewards card, which gives customers access to a tablet-like device that clips onto the trolley.
“Scan&Go Trolley is the next step in the evolution of our Scan&Go technology,” Ilhan told Yahoo News Australia. “It eliminates the need for customers to use their own mobile device. Instead, they can unlock a touchscreen from the charging wall at the front of the store, attach it to their trolley, and start shopping.”
Based on customer feedback, Woolworths hopes to roll out the Scan&Go Trolley to more supermarkets across the country. Future upgrades may even include the ability to pay directly on the device.
Although the system works for most products, it won’t be able to scan produce that needs to be weighed. Despite this limitation, Woolworths plans to expand the program to nine more Sydney supermarkets in the coming weeks. The technology was developed in-house, with close collaboration from their supermarket operations team.
The original Scan&Go app, launched in 2018, allowed customers to scan items with their smartphones and pay through the app. The new trolley system builds on that concept, making the experience even easier for shoppers.
Ilhan noted that the system could also help budget-conscious customers keep track of their spending, helping them stay within their limits and monitor savings.
Similar technology has already proven successful overseas, including in the U.S., where it’s been dubbed a “self-checkout on wheels.”
To ensure honesty, Woolworths will have staff conduct random checks, and the company assures that this system won’t negatively impact jobs.
One elderly shopper who tried the new trolley described the experience as “scary at first,” but acknowledged that it’s part of adapting to new ways of shopping.
If the trial goes well, Woolworths plans to expand the smart carts to all its stores across Australia.
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