Lidl plans huge change at checkouts in UK stores | UK | News
A budget supermarket is planning a big change when you pay at the checkout. Lidl is ready to launch a new browsing and shopping service.
The chain said it will be branded “Lidl Pay” and operate under the supermarket’s rewards app Lidl Plus. The service will act as a digital wallet and mobile payment service, and the supermarket said it will allow shoppers to scan items and pay securely at Lidl via their phone.
A trial began in four stores in September, ahead of a planned rollout next year. The same system is used in other supermarkets such as Asda, Tesco, Waitrose and Sainsbury’s, where customers can use their phones or electronic terminals to shop.
Morrisons joined the fray last year with trials in six stores.
Lidl will be the first discount supermarket to offer this service, as Aldi does not currently have this service.
Lidl GB customer relations director Shyam Unarket said: “The integration of payment functionality into the Lidl Plus app represents a further step in our digital evolution.
“We are committed to investing in technologies that simplify the customer journey and offer greater flexibility in how people shop with us.
“Whether customers choose traditional checkouts or self-checkout, we want to ensure that every customer can choose the experience that suits them best.”
This comes as Lidl overtakes Aldi to take the title of Britain’s cheapest supermarket, according to Which?, claiming the top spot for the second time in recent months.
The average price of a 70-item basket at Lidl was £120.46 in October, dropping to £120.38 for Lidl Plus loyalty program members. The same shopping list at Aldi totaled an average of £121.
Despite this, Aldi maintained its leadership in the rankings by being chosen as the cheapest supermarket 22 times in the last 24 months. Which one? analysis shows. The basket of 70 items included a mix of branded and own-label items such as Birds Eye Peas, Hovis bread, milk and butter.
By comparison, Tesco customers spent £134.89 last month, down to £133.38 with the Clubcard, while Sainsbury’s shoppers faced a bill of £139.68 or £136.79 with the Nectar card.
