BWG Foods, has become the first retail and FMCG business in Ireland to launch an innovative Scan, Pay & Go checkout technology, as part of a new pilot scheme taking place across its retail network.
The retail and wholesale group said that it has started to trial the technology in two stores, Spar Cherrywood in Dublin and Londis Newcastle in Galway since last week.
On successful completion of the pilot scheme, BWG Foods said that it will look to provide the solution to independent retailers across its network of more than 1,000 Spar, Eurospar, Mace, Londis, and XL stores, representing the largest rollout of the mobile technology globally.
Commenting on the launch of the pioneering technology, Chris Donnelly, IT Director, BWG Foods said: “The current pandemic has accelerated the need for consumer facing businesses to embrace new technologies that make shopping experiences safer, quicker and altogether more convenient."
"We’ve been exploring a number of different advanced solutions to enhance the convenience of our retailers’ offerings and we believe this innovation represents the next great evolution of grocery retailing in Ireland," he added.
'In-Store Social Distancing'
BWG explained that the new Scan, Pay & Go technology is entirely contactless and frictionless.
This means that it will facilitate greater in-store social distancing by allowing customers to scan and pay for items using their own mobile phone and is unique to the FMCG market.
'In addition, the software allows retailers to place limits on the quantity of goods purchased by each user, thereby helping to ensure better stock management,' it added.
Other benefits of the technology include greater convenience for customers, with less time queuing at checkouts, while also allowing customers to scan products remotely from home for Click & Collect or Home Delivery services reducing time spent in-store.
'First Foray Into Grocery'
The checkout-out payment technology was developed by London-based MishiPay.
Founded in 2015, the technology company already serves its scan, pay, go technology to some of the largest retailers in the world, such as fashion brand Mango and DIY retailer Leroy Merlin.
However, the recent move in conjunction with BWG marks MishiPay’s first foray into the grocery and convenience retail industry.
The group said that the new technology will integrate with retailers’ existing IT systems without requiring any additional hardware.
“BWG Foods are well known for their food retailing innovation and their high footfall stores are a perfect environment for our technology," said Mustafa Khanwala, founder and CEO, MishiPay.
"In the face of the pandemic, we are honoured to be able to play a part in keeping shops safer for both staff and shoppers and have worked hard to develop a solution that is practical and scalable across all stores," he added.
© 2020 Checkout – your source for the latest Irish retail news. Article by Donna Ahern. Click sign-up to subscribe to Checkout.
