Co-op trials mobile payment app to cut down queues

The grocer will trial its new mobile app at a branch located in its customer support centre, with a wider roll-out of the initiative – which will include the retailer’s branch at Microsoft’s UK headquarters – potentially kicking off this summer.

The retailer has teamed up with Mastercard to enable shoppers to scan and pay for an item directly with their mobile phone without needing to queue at a till.

Payments made via the app will also be linked to shoppers’ Co-op membership accounts and will tell them how much they have saved.

Shoppers that use the grocer’s membership scheme receive a 5% reward when they buy own-brand products, with the retailer dedicating a further 1% to charitable causes.

Co-op has launched the trial after recording a 20% decrease in in-store cash payment across its branches over the last five years.

‘Choices and convenience’

The grocer’s director of retail support Matthew Speight said: “Our ambition is to harness technology to deliver the shopping experience that our diverse customer-base requires – when, where and how they need it.

“It is all about consumer choices and convenience. We listen to our members and customers and we are investing in our stores, people, prices, products and technology.

“We recognise there are many communities where customers pop into their local Co-op and enjoy a friendly chat – it is all part of the service. Whereas for others, perhaps with a train to catch or on a school run, every second can count as consumers seek increased convenience.”

Mastercard UK’s head of digital payments Elliott Goldenberg added: ”Technology is bringing unprecedented change to retailing right before our eyes, however the challenge for all of us who play a part in the retail experience is meeting the needs of all consumers who are moving at different speeds in the adoption of technology.

“With the Co-op we are bringing our online and mobile capability – Masterpass – into the physical store, and offering consumers who want a fast and frictionless buying experience, a secure and reliable way to pay.”