Ikea has abandoned a pre-scanning trial designed to eliminate the infamous queues that tarnish the customer experience in UK stores.
The Swedish furniture giant tested the scheme, which involved staff using hand-held scanners to check items in waiting customers' trolleys, at its Bristol store.
Ikea admitted preliminary trials had not been positive.
'The concept is now being re-planned,' said a spokeswoman. 'It is not being used at Bristol at present and there are no immediate plans to use it in other stores.'
Ikea has become a victim of its own stellar success, with about 20 per cent of customers driving more than two hours to visit stores, and expansion plans stymied by planning constraints.
- Next month sees the launch of the 2004 Ikea catalogue, entitled Living with Kids. The theme highlights the relaunch of the children's furniture offer and 33-piece interactive furniture range.
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