UK: Waitrose to trial “cashless” store

Supermarket chain Waitrose is set to become the first major chain in the UK to open a retail outlet where cash payments will not be accepted.

The new outlet in Sky’s flagship head office building at its campus in Osterley will be 1,400 square feet in size and is set to be complete by the summer.  Sky employees will only be able to pay by card or their mobile devices at one of the five self-service checkouts in the store. In relation to the product range, there will be a focus on evening meals and food to go, including fresh sandwiches, wraps and sushi, the company said.

Commenting on the move, Waitrose director, Convenience, Jackie Wharton said: “Opening on the Sky campus is an exciting opportunity for us to respond to how customers wish to shop in this flagship workplace setting.  Our convenience model is now more flexible than ever, especially as payment methods and ranges continue to evolve, so we’ll look forward to exploring other opportunities like this in the future”.

Source: Waitrose