A checkout feature introduced to make supermarket trips easier for Aussies is about to be axed from Woolworths stores nationwide.
As of Monday, the majority of stores offering Scan & Go Mobile payment feature will be discontinued, and by early July, it will be gone from all stores nationwide.
“While we are committed to trialling new ways to shop, we have made the decision to transition away from Scan & Go Mobile due to low customer uptake,” Woolworths announced.
“We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.”
The feature allowed Everyday Rewards customers to scan each item with their phone and then pay with their device when they were finished.
No waiting in line at the checkout or awkward run-ins with staff if something didn’t scan properly.
It’s not all bad news, however, with the supermarket giant announcing a new plan for shoppers to scan products.
More Woolworths stores getting Scan & Go Trolleys
With the new payment method Woolworths is introducing, shoppers won’t have to pull out their phones.
The feature is called Scan & Go Trolleys.
“Simply scan your grocery items directly from your trolley and pack as you shop,” a statement reads.
Woolworths is replacing Scan & Go Mobile with Scan & Go Trolleys around Australia. Source: Supplied
A Woolworths spokesperson previously told Yahoo Finance the Scan&Go feature was reviewed after receiving feedback from some customers who said they found it difficult to scan groceries with their phone while holding a basket of items.
Which is why the chain had looked into providing a hands-free option.
“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,” the spokesperson said.
The Scan & Go trolleys have already been introduced at some Woolies supermarkets for Everyday Rewards customers.
Scan&Go Trolleys will be available to use at more locations in NSW soon. And there are plans to roll out the feature at a few Queensland, Western Australia and South Australia stores.
RELATED:Customers say changes are ‘disappointing’
News of Woolies moving away from the Scan & Go mobile payment option hasn’t gone down well with some shoppers.
One shopper online said it was “disappointing” to learn of the changes, as they use the mobile feature weekly.
“[I] find it a massive time saver,” they said.
“So sad about this, was a lifesaver while shopping with a toddler,” another shopper said.
Do you have a story about a new supermarket feature? Contact newsroomau@yahoonews.com
Some shoppers expressed their disappointment at Woolies replacing the Scan & Go Mobile feature. Source: Woolworths Group.
Woolies has been slowly axing Scan & Go Mobile for months now.
Last year when the removal of the payment feature hit dozens of locations consumer advocate Simon Berry said he was shocked to discover he was no longer able to use his phone to scan all his groceries while he was shopping and pay for them.
He told Yahoo Finance it beggars belief why Woolies would get rid of the feature.
“There was no double handling with Scan & Go Mobile,” he said. “You just put it straight in your bag and it meant I saved so much time during my shop.”
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