Self-Checkout Changes: Woolworths quietly changes digital check out option | Supermarket Sleuths

When Woolworths launched Scan&Go trolleys in August 2024, I was one of the first to try the technology out.

It was a revolution in grocery shopping, an elevation of self-check out options.

Scan&Go technology allows customers to scan their items before placing them in their trolleys and then pay for them quickly at a “dedicated kiosk”.

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The trolleys track customers’ purchases to ensure each is scanned and paid for.

The original Scan&Go was a mobile app, launched in 2018, which allowed customers to use their smart devices to scan their products as they navigated the aisles.

It wasn’t until August 2024 that Woolworths launched the trolleys, which would allow shoppers to attach devices provided by the supermarket to the trolleys.

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When I trialed Scan&Go at my nearest store, I found it to be a strange feeling to scan my grocery items, place them in bags, and then pay for them without anyone personally checking my bags for accuracy.

Thus is the trust and efficiency in this latest technology.

Customers can unlock a Scan&Go device using their Everyday Rewards card, attach them to their trolleys, complete their purchases and then simply leave their devices in a Scan&Go bay at the checkout before pushing their trolleys to their chars.

Woolworths has reported positive feedback from customers using the trolley technology, which remains in store, with plans to roll out even more.

The supermarket has, however, stopped use of the Scan&Go mobile app at Scan&Go kiosks and informed customers of such, which many wrongly assumed it was the end of Scan&Go all together.

“Scan&Go being discontinued in a bunch of stores,” one alarmed customer said on Reddit.

“I got the email announcing the closure at my local Woolies a few days ago too. It was so damn handy,” another customer reported.

I quickly contacted Woolworths to find out about the ‘closure’ and was told Scan&Go is here to stay – it was only the Scan&Go mobile app that will change.

“We’ve received feedback from some of our customers that using a mobile device to scan products whilst holding a basket and other items can be challenging,” a Woolworths spokesperson told 9honey.

“As a result we have looked to streamline the process by incorporating the Scan&Go mobile technology into our new Scan&Go trolleys, to provide a hands free Scan&Go option.

“As a result we will be phasing out Scan&Go mobile while launching Scan&Go trolleys in an additional 25 stores in the coming months.

“Feedback from customers who have trialed our Scan&Go trolleys has been overwhelmingly positive, with customers enjoying being able to scan and bag as they shop, and track their spend in real-time.

“Scan&Go mobile will continue to be available for customers in some stores, however from July 3, customers will need to visit a check out to complete their transaction.”

Their explanation trigged an immediate flashback to my own initial Scan&Go experience.

I usually keep my shopping list on my phone but had written it out with pen and paper so I could use the Scan&Go option on my phone on it instead.

Using a Scan&Go device on a Scan&Go trolley was so much easier.

“We’re getting it in our store (Sunshine Coast) and it’s starting next week,” one Redditer reported, although they added they “don’t honestly think it won’t get used AT ALL, we have such a high amount of elderly customers so it’s a shame, they’re gonna complain about it for sure”.

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“I swear by it,” another said of Scan&Go.

“Such a time saving approach. No double it triple handling of what I want to buy.”

Following the success of Woolworths’ new technology, Coles announced a trial of digital Smart Trolleys to “help shoppers save time, manage their budgets and checkout faster” in partnership with Instacart.

“Coles is bringing a new level of convenience to in-store grocery shopping as it becomes the first retailer in Australia to trial an all-in-one AI-powered Smart Trolley,” they announced in November 2024.

A Coles spokesperson told 9honey Money this week: “Our customers have responded positively to the Smart Trolley shopping experience, praising its real-time spend tracking to manage their budget, the convenience of packing as they shop, and the ability to streamline the checkout process so they can pay on the trolley and go.”

Smart Trolleys are currently being trialed at Coles Richmond Traders, Melbourne. 

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