Sainsbury’s has updated its SmartShop app with a new payment option, allowing customers to scan items and pay for them with their phones.
Payments made through the SmartShop app receive a digital proof of purchase which can be “shared with a Sainsbury’s colleague in store as needed” the big 4 grocer said.
Previously, shoppers using the app to scan barcodes in the aisles would need to stop at a self-scanning machine at the end of their shop to make the payment. But now, customers have the option to purchase groceries without using Sainsbury’s checkouts.
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It is understood the option is available at the majority of Sainsbury’s locations offering SmartShop, and is planned to be further rolled out to Argos and Habitat stores in the coming months.
For age-restricted items, the app will stop further activity until a Sainsbury’s colleague verifies the purchase on the customers’ mobile phone. Once verified, the customer can continue using the SmartShop app as normal.
“The advantages of this are that shoppers won’t have to visit a till, which makes shopping quicker and more convenient,” a Sainsbury’s spokeswoman added.
The moves come after Sainsbury’s entered a “long-term innovation partnership that specifically targets the simplification and modernisation of Sainsbury’s payments infrastructure” with tech provider Checkout.com.
“This includes all consumer-facing payment infrastructure as well as all the behind-the-scenes payment processes and systems,” a Checkout.com spokesman explained.
As well as the convenience factor, SmartShop is being pitched as a way to help customers keep track of their spend in the cost-of-living crisis.
“Our priority is providing our customers with a smooth and frictionless shopping experience,” said Helen Hunter, chief technology officer, customer & data at Sainsbury’s.
“We’re excited to roll out this new capability, made possible by Checkout.com’s technology, as we redefine an omnichannel checkout experience for customers with SmartShop.
“Our strategic partnership with Checkout.com is an important part of our plan to simplify and modernise our payments infrastructure across Sainsbury’s,” Hunter added.
The news comes as Sainsbury’s opens a new café inspired by Christmas pudding, as it looks to boost popularity for the classic festive dessert.
