Rolling out new features and technology to select markets for a bit of in-the-wild testing has been all the rage lately for location-based businesses in the US – Metro-North Rail, Burger King and Walmart have all done it lately. Now that trend is spreading across the pond as UK grocery chain Sainsbury starts some in-the-wild testing of their own.

Sainsbury is testing a new scan-and-go app for iOS and Android that will allow shoppers to scan items as they shop and quickly pay at the register (or till if you will) without unloading their carts. The process uses a combination of QR and barcode scanning (which in my opinion might prove to be a bit burdensome – but that’s what testing is for!). Here are some details from The Next Web:

The trial is taking place in three stores with a limited number of customers at the moment and these shoppers can download the app from the App Store or Google play and register using their Nectar loyalty card.

In stores, customers need to scan the ‘Check In’ QR code at the location and then use the phone’s camera to scan bar codes on products as they shop. As items are added, a running total shows how much a customer is spending and possible savings along the way. Customers then pay scan the ‘Check Out’ QR code at a till and pay as usual with cash or card. …

Sainsbury is running the trial with 800 shoppers spread across three locations – interesterd customers can even volunteer to be part of the trial.

Read the full story at The Next Web >>>