Lidl trialling new 'VAR-style' self-service checkouts in UK
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".
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".
.@LidlGB trialling 'non-scan detection' tech at self-checkouts https://t.co/nBnDgUyeXw
Lidl has been contacted for further comment.
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.
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.
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."
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:
How to claim free items at Lidl with little-known trick discovered by shoppers
Aldi confirms 'addictive' discontinued crisps labelled 'best ever' will return
Tesco scraps '5-star' Clubcard offer leaving customers 'disappointed'
Sainsbury's discontinues coffee described by shoppers as 'the best'
"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.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Record
6 hours ago
- Daily Record
Major supermarket selling one shopping essential for 17% more than almost every retailer
The most expensive supermarket in the UK has been revealed based off a weekly price comparison between the top six most popular retailers One supermarket is selling an essential food item for 17 per cent more than almost every other retailer. The Manchester Evening News carried out a price comparison which looked at the cost of a basket of eight items across the six main supermarkets -Sainsburys, Lidl, Aldi, Tesco, Asda and Morrisons - every week. One of the products they price analysed was a 500g pack of the cheapest supermarket mince (either 20 per cent or 25 per cent fat) which has been rising in cost for quite some time. However, now the cost of mince at Sainsburys is 17 per cent more than at Aldi, Lidl, Asda and Morrisons and 13 per cent more than at Tesco. Most supermarkets sell their cheapest pack for £2.99, which is a staggering 77 per cent more than the cheapest price of £1.69 that it was being sold at in Aldi when the M.E.N first started tracking prices over three years ago. At the time, Sainsbury's was still charging 50% less than it is now, with a price of £2. However, it is now charging an eye watering £3.50, the highest price it's been throughout the publication's comparison. The overall eight item shopping bill in Sainsburys came to £13.90, making it the most expensive supermarket for a third consecutive week. Aldi remains the cheapest for a fifth week, with a bill of £13.09, just a penny less than Lidl's £13.10. Asda is now third cheapest at £13.33, followed by Tesco at £13.46 and Morrisons at £13.55. Join the Daily Record's WhatsApp community here an d get the latest news sent straight to your messages However, despite working out the cheapest, Aldi has disagreed with the M.E.N's comparison, arguing that the list doesn't take into account the difference in quality, citing its own Diplomat Red Label tea bags and its coffee are 'higher quality' than the comparative products used as an example. The supermarket insists its tins of beans are also heavier than some of the others. When it comes to meat however, Aldi and Lidl, along with Morrisons offer a 25% fat pack, whereas the others sell 20% fat, which is seen as better quality. An Aldi spokesperson added: 'Our promise to customers is that they will make significant savings every time they shop with Aldi, which is why we've been named Which? Cheapest Supermarket of the Year for four years running.' Asda also disagreed and insisted that the small sample of products does not represent the fuller picture of prices and does not account for its deals. The supermarket argued that, across the board, its Just Essentials range is the largest and cheapest available, alongside Aldi's. Sainsburys also commented that there have been industry-wide factors that have influenced the price of beef. A spokesperson for the supermarket said: "This review of a limited number of products does not reflect the fantastic value our customers will find at Sainsbury's. "We are committed to offering the best possible value across a wide variety of products – whether that's through our value Stamford Street range, Low Everyday Prices, Aldi Price Match or Nectar Prices."
Glasgow Times
15 hours ago
- Glasgow Times
3-bedroom solar panelled Glasgow home selling for £230k
The property, which is located in the Dalmarnock area of the city, is said to have an "incredibly spacious" interior and boasts an excellent back garden. It also enjoys high-quality floor coverings, ample storage and a contemporary design throughout. 'Impressive' and 'attractive' three-bedroom home selling for £230k Lounge (Image: Zoopla) Keepmoat Homes said the Glasgow property, which is situated in a newly developed community, is an "impressive" and "attractive" proposition for those looking to buy. Lounge from another angle (Image: Zoopla) Discussing the home, which was completed in 2023, the sellers said on Zoopla that it offers "an incredibly spacious interior and a good-sized, westerly facing garden that is not directly overlooked at the rear." Modern kitchen (Image: Zoopla) Highlighting the home in greater detail, they added: "Presented in immaculate, show-home condition, the property boasts high-quality floor coverings, tasteful neutral décor, and a stylish, well-proportioned dining kitchen with an adjacent utility room." The agents added: "Upon entry, a welcoming hallway leads to the upper level. Bathroom (Image: Zoopla) "The lounge is bright and inviting, featuring a full-height French window to the front and a useful under-stair storage cupboard. "The beautifully designed kitchen offers ample storage with base and wall-mounted units, contrasting work surfaces, and integrated appliances, including a fridge freezer, dishwasher, oven, and hob." Master bedroom (Image: Zoopla) A separate utility room and guest W.C. are said to complete the ground floor of the home. Spare bedroom (Image: Zoopla) Upstairs, a "spacious" landing provides access to a fitted linen cupboard, a loft storage area via a ceiling hatch, three well-proportioned bedrooms, and a "stylish" three-piece bathroom. Back garden (Image: Zoopla) There is an enclosed rear garden, bordered by full-height fencing. This space also features a laid lawn and a small patio seating area, providing a private outdoor retreat. Recommended Reading: The Dalmarnock area is also convenient thanks to its handy public transport links, which take residents directly into the city centre. The property is also close to the M74, a 24-hour Tesco, a Home Bargains and various eateries. Nearby Rutherglen Main Street provides a wider range of day-to-day shops, and the surrounding areas of Burnside and East Kilbride further offer a diverse range of amenities.
North Wales Live
18 hours ago
- North Wales Live
How site in quiet village was transformed into biggest retail park in North Wales
Three decades ago the land that now houses North Wales's biggest retail park was farmland and a former train line. The site in Flintshire had once had Mold Railway running across it. That was built in the 1840s to link Mold and Chester, with a station at Broughton. The passenger service closed in 1962 and the total closure of the line followed in 1983. This left a large empty space where a developer saw the potential for a very different future for this part of Broughton, a village on the border with England. Up to then regional shopping traffic had been mainly one way - with people from North Wales travelling across to Chester or Cheshire Oaks to shop. But they saw the potential for keep shoppers this side of the border and even tempt out people in Cheshire as a convenient alternative to Cheshire Oaks. This dream was realised in October 1999 when actor Malandra Burrows, then Kathy Glover on Emmerdale, cut the ribbon to announce a new dawn. It started with 16 occupiers covering approx. 300,000sq ft, with names like Tesco, WH Smith, Clarks and Next part of that first cohort. At that point there were 1,000 staff across all the stores. It was a gamble that paid off for owner British Land, with the park working as intended by drawing in shoppers from North Wales and Chester. Major names have been added to the park over the years like Primark and M&S - while the most recent arrival is fashion brand Mango. In addition there have been a number of revamps to keep the site looking up to date. The biggest change came in 2015 when a leisure development was opened to complement the retail offer. This saw an 11 screen Cineworld IMAX cinema arrive alongside five chain restaurants - including Nando's and Pizza Express. Fast forward to today and there are almost 50 occupiers covering over 360,000sq ft. They employ just under 2,000 workers and it attracts more than 10m visits a year. Lisa Craig, Regional Facilities Manager at Broughton, said: 'Broughton has been part of the community for decades and in that time, it's grown into one of North Wales' leading shopping and leisure destinations. "We're incredibly proud of the role we've played in the area's economic and social development - supporting hundreds of local jobs, working closely with local partners, and creating a place that brings together top retail brands, great dining options, and family entertainment all in one location. 'But more than that, Broughton has become a real hub for the community. It's a place where people don't just come to shop, but to meet friends, enjoy a meal, take the kids to the cinema, or simply spend time together. That sense of connection and local pride is something we value deeply. 'As we look ahead, we're committed to building on everything that's been achieved here - continuing to invest in the centre, enhance the experience for our visitors, and make sure Broughton remains a vibrant, welcoming destination for years to come.'
