Up-to-date coverage of the latest events in UK retail.

Co-op extends till-less trial

The Co-op is extending a pilot of its pay-in-aisle smartphone technology to 30 stores across the UK.

The c-store specialist has been testing the app, which allows customers to scan items and pay for them using Apple Pay or Google Pay without visiting a checkout, since early 2018.

Customers at selected stores in London, Manchester, Edinburgh and Cardiff will be able to use the app to pay for their basket, as the Co-op seeks ways to speed up and simplify shopping trips.

Co-op director of retail support Mark Pettigrew said: “Retailers need to adapt and be agile, and this app builds added choice and convenience into the retail experience for our members and customers while appealing to new shoppers.”

Just Eat profits plummet

Just Eat’s half-year profits were almost entirely wiped out as it ramped up investment in its delivery proposition and Brazilian partner iFood.

The online food delivery specialist said pre-tax profit dived 98% to £800,000 in the six months to June 30.

However, sales spiked 30% £464.5m during the period, as management insisted the business was “executing at pace”. 

Just Eat is battling to compete with the likes of Deliveroo and Uber Eats, but said it managed to secure 2 million new customers during the half, while order numbers rose 21% to 123.8 million.