Sainsbury’s set to make major change in all UK stores – but shoppers left unsure

Sainsbury’s is trialling larger self-checkout tills as a replacement for human cashiers to boost store efficiency.

Rather than the familiar tills designed for a few items, or a basket of goods, the new style features a conveyor belt for customers.

This enables those with a trolley shop to be able to use self-checkouts rather than have a member of staff do the work instead.

In the middle, shoppers have to scan all the items themselves, and then they pack them on the other side.

The trials, first unveiled by The Grocer, are taking place at just two of its superstores, Cobham in Surrey and Witney in Oxfordshire.

The supermarket is also experimenting with new digital touchscreens that allow shoppers to search for items to see what aisle they are in.

Shoppers will then be able to find items easier which in turn could help to speed up their shop.

A spokesperson for Sainsbury’s said: “We are always exploring new ways to offer our customers the best possible choice and convenience.

“Our trial in Cobham and Witney is the latest example of that and we are listening to colleague and customer feedback.”

However, Sainsbury’s isn’t the first supermarket to implement this, with stores including Morrisons already offering this for customers.

Taking to social media to share their thoughts on the potential change, there were mixed reviews among customers who already dislike normal self-checkout tills.

@shabbyouma said: “I dislike self-service checkouts, most are out of order all the time.”

@elliedroplet noted: “What is going on with Sainsbury’s? Mostly self-checkouts now. Self-checkouts are only usable by fully sighted people.”