logo
Lidl trialling new 'VAR-style' self-service checkouts in UK

Lidl trialling new 'VAR-style' self-service checkouts in UK

The new self-service checkout systems feature "non-scan technology", which detects when a shopper fails to scan an item.
Playback clips, recorded by cameras at the till, will then be shown to shoppers on a screen if they scan items incorrectly.
If the error is not rectified, an assistant will need to step in before customers can pay, according to The Grocer.
The new checkout system is said to be Lidl's "latest bid to tackle theft".
Five ways to save money on your weekly food shop
Lidl's customer privacy notice, according to The Grocer, says: "Some of our cameras may also use non-scan detection technologies as part of the checkout process.
"Any cameras using non-scan detection technologies are only active at our store checkouts and self-checkouts.'
It adds: "Any non-scan technologies used on our checkouts and self-checkouts cameras are only used to identify non-scanned items, prevent inventory loss and will always involve human intervention.
"All facial images collected as part of our non-scan detection cameras are pixelated and no facial recognition technologies are used.'
Currently, the new checkout systems are being trialled at two stores in London, and Lidl said "it has no current plans to roll out the non-scan detection technology more widely".
Lidl has been contacted for further comment.
Tesco and Sainsbury's among other supermarkets using "VAR-style" checkouts
Lidl is not the only major supermarket in the UK using what shoppers have labelled the "VAR-style" checkouts.
Tesco rolled out the new technology back in May, just a few weeks after Sainsbury's.
Home Bargains also uses similar technology to tackle so-called "skip-scanning", The Grocer reported.
UK supermarket rankings 2025
The new self-service checkout systems have not gone down well with shoppers, with some taking to social media to share their thoughts.
One Tesco customer, posting on X (formerly Twitter), commented: "Shouldn't have to do these sort of things today in society."
While another added: "Just bring back staffed tills - simple option."
just bring back staffed tills - simple option. — HHUK (@Hosieryhangeruk) May 25, 2025
While this Sainsbury's customer said: "What a 's**t' way to treat customers. I won't use a self checkout again!"
Another posted: "This is the most ridiculous thing they have ever done they never learn people don't want to use self checkouts and it discriminates against the elderly and vulnerable when we they learn."
More changes coming to Lidl
The new self-service checkouts are not the only change coming to Lidl, with the supermarket giant also launching a new self-scanning feature integrated into the Lidl Plus app.
From September, the new feature will be tested across four UK stores, ahead of a phased rollout next year.
This will enable customers to scan products as they shop, track their spending and savings in real-time, and complete their purchases quickly at a self-checkout terminal—all through the existing Lidl Plus app.
Chief Executive Officer at Lidl GB, Ryan McDonnell, said: 'This marks a significant leap forward in our digital evolution.
"Integrated into Lidl Plus, it's designed to offer customers a smarter, faster, and more flexible way to shop.
RECOMMENDED READING:
"We're investing heavily in technologies that simplify everyday life, while always offering our customers different options to suit their shopping preferences.
"Whether customers prefer the traditional checkout, self-service or self scanning, at Lidl, they are always in control of how they shop.'
This latest innovation follows the successful pilot of Lidl GB's Click, Reserve & Collect service through Lidl Plus earlier this year, along with the rollout of self-checkouts across its stores.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Lidl wants to build new store on Pontllanfraith bus depot
Lidl wants to build new store on Pontllanfraith bus depot

South Wales Argus

time15 hours ago

  • South Wales Argus

Lidl wants to build new store on Pontllanfraith bus depot

The German retailer has submitted planning permission to knock down the former Stagecoach depot building in Penmaen Industrial Estate and replace it with a new supermarket. Proposals under consideration by Caerphilly County Borough Council show the new Lidl would also include customer parking for 112 cars, and new access from the B4254. Planning agents at Carney Sweeney argue Lidl has a 'well-established and growing customer base' and requires a new store in the Blackwood area 'to cater to local customer demand'. The proposed new store could also create around 40 full-time equivalent jobs, they added. Stagecoach closed the site in 2023 following the opening of the firm's new depot in Cwmbran. In a market appraisal for the future of the depot, company Knight Frank judged there is a 'significant supply' of employment sites within the borough. The application is currently out for consultation, and can be viewed on the Caerphilly County Borough Council website under reference 25/0494/FULL.

Working for Tesco saved my football career – I've gone from doing click and collect at 5am to League Two stalwart
Working for Tesco saved my football career – I've gone from doing click and collect at 5am to League Two stalwart

Scottish Sun

time16 hours ago

  • Scottish Sun

Working for Tesco saved my football career – I've gone from doing click and collect at 5am to League Two stalwart

The help of a former Premier League star inspired his epic rise EVERY LITTLE HELPS Working for Tesco saved my football career – I've gone from doing click and collect at 5am to League Two stalwart LUKE HANNANT returns to the EFL today at the age of 31 with Oldham — admitting: Working for Tesco saved my football career.' The ex-Port Vale, Cambridge and Colchester midfielder has been playing non-league with Gateshead for the past two years — while the Latics have been out of the League for three seasons. 5 Luke Hannant owes his career to Tesco Credit: Getty 5 Tesco superstore near Dunstan Hall, Norwich, where Luke Hannant worked 5 Luke Hannant is back in the EFL this season with newly-promoted Oldham Athletic Credit: OLDHAM ATHLETIC FC Play Dream Team now! Play The Sun Dream Team ahead of the 2025/26 season Free to play Over £100,000 in total prize money Play in Mini Leagues against your mates Submit a team for Gameweek 1 to enter £5,000 prize draw Play via Dream Team's app or website today! But today he is set to pull on an Oldham jersey as they travel to big-spending MK Dons for their League Two opener. Yet Hannant had no concerns about dropping out of the EFL after not being offered a new deal at Colchester — having done the same when he was released by Cambridge as an 18-year-old. Rather than feeling sorry for himself he rolled up his sleeves, enrolled to do a three-year Sport, Exercise and Science degree at Northumbria University while working in a superstore and playing part-time for Dereham Town. And his story can give a lot of comfort to the several hundred young footballers who are released by Premier League and EFL academies each year. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL STAR'S TRAGIC LOSS Bayern star Sven Ulreich announces tragic death of his six-year-old son He told SunSport: 'I was working at Tesco in Norwich and loved it. 'It was a shock for me at the time. I had to drop my ego because I didn't have any income. 'So I thought, 'I'm just going to work at Tesco and play semi-professional football on the side. 'At Tesco I did everything and anything. Honestly, I was on the tills, I was doing click and collect. I used to get up at five in the morning and then finish at two or three. BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK 'I'd be doing people shopping in the morning and then going to train twice a week. 'At that age, I was earning more money working at Tesco than I was on my scholarship at Cambridge. So I was saving more money and was able to fund my university fees. Former Premier League club closing in on return to EFL despite finishing 23 POINTS behind play-off opponents 5 Luke Hannant celebrates scoring during his time with Cambridge United Credit: PA 'It was a good fun time of my life. I'm not embarrassed to tell people what I was doing in the early part of my football career, 'I was working at Tesco mate!' 'That ended up giving me the football career I had because I enjoyed those years of my life without having a ridiculous amount of pressure that a lot of academy players have to deal with.' Hannant ended up spending two years with Gateshead before Port Vale snapped him up in 2018 when he was aged 24 and made 68 appearances for the then League Two club. He moved to Cambridge and featured in 77 games, winning promotion from League Two in 2021. But, with the benefit of hindsight, he made a mistake by not signing a new deal and playing League One football in favour of a bigger pay cheque with Colchester in the fourth tier. He said: 'Because I'd come from working at Tesco and earning a modest income, I was waiting for a deal that I deserved and had worked hard for. 'If I look back, do I regret it? Maybe there's a little part of me that does because I'd have wanted to try and play in League One and play against some of them big clubs. But you can't live in regret.' Hannant had initially come through the youth ranks at Norwich where he was from the ages of nine to almost 15. And during that time he struck up a good friendship with former Norwich and Nottingham Forest midfielder Gary Holt, who played in the Premier League for the Canaries, making 168 appearances during his time with the club. 5 Norwich star Gary Holt tries to stop Arsenal's Freddie Ljungberg in his tracks Hannant said: 'Gary lived in my village. We shared lifts so he'd take me into training if he ever had to go in. 'He'd be out going on a run and he'd be knocking on my door saying, 'Do you want to come?' But I said, 'I can't keep up with you Gary.' 'And he was like, 'Get on your bike, mate.' So I used to bike next to him as he ran around the village. I had to chase him on my bike too! He was so fast. So today Hannant is grateful he gets another shot at the EFL while Oldham fans are finally happy after three decades of misery since they were founder members of the Premier League. Hannant, who was born in 1993 during Oldham's last season in the top flight, said: 'Last time I checked we'd sold almost 2,000 tickets to go to Milton Keynes. That is massive. There's a lot of confidence in the camp and if we can be consistent then we can have a strong season.'

Working for Tesco saved my football career – I've gone from doing click and collect at 5am to League Two stalwart
Working for Tesco saved my football career – I've gone from doing click and collect at 5am to League Two stalwart

The Sun

time16 hours ago

  • The Sun

Working for Tesco saved my football career – I've gone from doing click and collect at 5am to League Two stalwart

LUKE HANNANT returns to the EFL today at the age of 31 with Oldham — admitting: Working for Tesco saved my football career.' The ex-Port Vale, Cambridge and Colchester midfielder has been playing non-league with Gateshead for the past two years — while the Latics have been out of the League for three seasons. 5 5 5 But today he is set to pull on an Oldham jersey as they travel to big-spending MK Dons for their League Two opener. Yet Hannant had no concerns about dropping out of the EFL after not being offered a new deal at Colchester — having done the same when he was released by Cambridge as an 18-year-old. Rather than feeling sorry for himself he rolled up his sleeves, enrolled to do a three-year Sport, Exercise and Science degree at Northumbria University while working in a superstore and playing part-time for Dereham Town. And his story can give a lot of comfort to the several hundred young footballers who are released by Premier League and EFL academies each year. He told SunSport: 'I was working at Tesco in Norwich and loved it. 'It was a shock for me at the time. I had to drop my ego because I didn't have any income. 'So I thought, 'I'm just going to work at Tesco and play semi-professional football on the side. 'At Tesco I did everything and anything. Honestly, I was on the tills, I was doing click and collect. I used to get up at five in the morning and then finish at two or three. 'I'd be doing people shopping in the morning and then going to train twice a week. 'At that age, I was earning more money working at Tesco than I was on my scholarship at Cambridge. So I was saving more money and was able to fund my university fees. Former Premier League club closing in on return to EFL despite finishing 23 POINTS behind play-off opponents 5 'It was a good fun time of my life. I'm not embarrassed to tell people what I was doing in the early part of my football career, 'I was working at Tesco mate!' 'That ended up giving me the football career I had because I enjoyed those years of my life without having a ridiculous amount of pressure that a lot of academy players have to deal with.' Hannant ended up spending two years with Gateshead before Port Vale snapped him up in 2018 when he was aged 24 and made 68 appearances for the then League Two club. He moved to Cambridge and featured in 77 games, winning promotion from League Two in 2021. But, with the benefit of hindsight, he made a mistake by not signing a new deal and playing League One football in favour of a bigger pay cheque with Colchester in the fourth tier. He said: 'Because I'd come from working at Tesco and earning a modest income, I was waiting for a deal that I deserved and had worked hard for. 'If I look back, do I regret it? Maybe there's a little part of me that does because I'd have wanted to try and play in League One and play against some of them big clubs. But you can't live in regret.' Hannant had initially come through the youth ranks at Norwich where he was from the ages of nine to almost 15. And during that time he struck up a good friendship with former Norwich and Nottingham Forest midfielder Gary Holt, who played in the Premier League for the Canaries, making 168 appearances during his time with the club. 5 Hannant said: 'Gary lived in my village. We shared lifts so he'd take me into training if he ever had to go in. 'He'd be out going on a run and he'd be knocking on my door saying, 'Do you want to come?' But I said, 'I can't keep up with you Gary.' 'And he was like, 'Get on your bike, mate.' So I used to bike next to him as he ran around the village. I had to chase him on my bike too! He was so fast. So today Hannant is grateful he gets another shot at the EFL while Oldham fans are finally happy after three decades of misery since they were founder members of the Premier League. Hannant, who was born in 1993 during Oldham's last season in the top flight, said: 'Last time I checked we'd sold almost 2,000 tickets to go to Milton Keynes. That is massive. There's a lot of confidence in the camp and if we can be consistent then we can have a strong season.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store