Supermarket chain Lidl this month started testing its scan-and-go technology at three stores in Hungary.

The company is integrating its self-service payment method directly into the Lidl Plus app, with the goal of making shopping faster and more convenient.

Shoppers can scan the barcode of the products they want to buy themselves, using their own smartphone, while walking among the shelves. The goods are then immediately added to a virtual basket, and they can put them directly into their own shopping bag. Once the purchase is complete, there is no need to queue at a traditional checkout or place the product on the checkout belt. Instead, they go directly to the self-service checkouts, where they can settle their bill by scanning the QR code generated in the app. The exit gate then automatically opens and they can leave the store.

“Our main goal is to make shopping even faster and more convenient for our customers,” said Tibor Kovács, marketing director of Lidl Hungary (vallalat.lidl.hu). “With scan and go, customers can not only save time, but also use the app to track the current value of their basket in real time. The app shows the price of the products, the currently available special prices, the discounts available with Lidl Plus coupons, and even warns if they can take advantage of a better offer by purchasing an additional product. This makes shopping faster, more transparent and more conscious at the same time.”

Traditional cash registers are still available so shoppers can choose the payment method that is most convenient for them.

The service was launched on a trial basis in three stores in Budapest on Huszti út, in Budaörs on Károly király út, and in Monor on Gém utca. During the test period, Lidl employees will help customers in the self-service zones at the affected stores. The system may apply automatic, random checks and store staff will carry out mandatory age checks when purchasing age-restricted products such as alcoholic beverages.

To use the service, shoppers need to download the free Lidl Plus app and complete a quick registration. They will receive a 5% discount on their first scan-and-go purchase.

Based on the experiences of the test phase and customer feedback, the chain will decide whether to expand the function nationwide.