Tesco is trialling a significant change at some of its checkout points with the introduction of push-on scales attached to shopping trolleys. This new system is designed to help reduce theft and make the checkout process easier for shoppers using the Scan as You Shop service.
The scales allow customers to weigh the contents of their trolley and check whether the total weight matches the scanned items as they shop. By doing so, Tesco hopes to cut down on manual checks and shorten queues.
However, some customers have expressed frustration with the new system’s reliability and impact on their shopping experience. One shopper shared, “Myself and my partner have tried it a couple of times, but it never worked properly. Staff end up rescanning every item, so it doesn’t save any time.”
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Others have reported feelings of embarrassment and added pressure from increased checks. One individual noted that despite assurances that stops for checking were random, they were repeatedly targeted, which caused significant discomfort. This experience led them to return to online shopping or visit other stores.
Some shoppers are concerned the measures — which also include security arches with cameras — are excessive. Comments have appeared online questioning whether Tesco has introduced weighbridges similar to those at vehicle checkpoints, expressing worries about privacy and the potential effect on shopping costs.
A Tesco spokesperson explained, “We’re running a trial in a very small number of stores to help our Scan as You Shop customers ensure they haven’t missed any items while scanning. This will reduce the number of manual checks by colleagues, reduce queuing times, and streamline the checkout experience for customers.”
Despite the retailer’s intentions, some customers remain skeptical. One remarked, “I won’t scan my own shopping because it just eliminates jobs and increases profits for the store. Prices don’t go down; they keep rising every week.”
Tesco’s new approach highlights the balancing act between improving security and efficiency while maintaining customer trust and satisfaction at the checkout.