Tesco takes on Amazon with checkout-free ‘GetGo’ store

Tesco today opened its first checkout-free store in central London, giving customers the opportunity to shop and pay without scanning a product or using a checkout.

This new store trial, GetGo, at Tesco Express High Holborn follows a successful trial at Tesco’s colleague store in Welwyn Garden City, which has been in place since 2019.

Tesco Express High Holborn has been a cashless store since it first opened in 2018.

The technology, similar to Amazon Fresh convenience stores in London, allows customers with the Tesco.com app choose groceries and simply walk out, while a combination of cameras and weight-sensors will establish what customers have picked up and charge them for products directly through the app when they leave the store. Tesco has partnered technology company Trigo for the launch of this store.

There will be a section in the store specifically for age-restricted products, with a separate exit where colleagues will manually check ID verification.

“This is a really exciting moment for Tesco as we launch GetGo with customers,” Kevin Tindall, managing director at Tesco Convenience, said.

“We are constantly looking for ways to improve the shopping experience and our latest innovation offers a seamless checkout for customers on the go, helping them to save a bit more time. This is currently just a one-store trial but we’re looking forward to seeing how our customers respond”.