M&S rolls out mobile self-checkout to 49 stores across London ⋆

M&S rolls out mobile self-checkout to 49 stores across London

M&S has expanded its popular Mobile Pay Go technology to 50 stores, of which 49 are in London. The useful service offers a checkout-free payment experience, meaning busy Londoners can purchase their lunch in under 40 seconds.

The extensive rollout follows a rigorous trial across a selection of London stores. In the six original trial stores (Edgware Road, Bankside, Waterside Paddington, West Hampstead, Canary Wharf and Stratford Westfield) – there’s a Mobile Pay Go transaction every three seconds over lunchtime.

The new stores to benefit from the technology have been selected based on their huge popularity at peak times. For example, at New Change Food store, 45% of Food to Go transactions take place between midday and 2pm. Mobile Pay Go helps to reduce queueing times and frees up colleagues so they can offer great service in other areas of the store.

M&S Clapham Junction SW11 has been using the technology since it reopened as the retailer’s second renewal store. Renewal stores are about creating a fantastic store experience supported by industry leading operations and great tech. Customers at this store have embraced the technology.

Joe Erskine, Store Manager at the branch said:

“We all know how fast-paced London life is and how busy our customers are, so the great response we’ve had to Mobile Pay Go has been no surprise to us here at Clapham Junction. Making it as easy as possible for customers to come in, purchase our products and be on their way is hugely important to us.”

The technology has been popular with busy lunchtime shoppers – ideal as M&S sells over 2 million sandwiches a week and is focused on continuing to grow its Food to Go market share (currently 20%).

Thomas Allard, 26, who works as a Marketing Manager in St Pauls, uses Mobile Pay Go when he shops at M&S New Change Food store. He said:

“I visit M&S every day to buy my lunch and use the app every time. It’s great, I don’t understand why more people don’t use it. Why queue when you can be in and out in seconds?”

M&S will continue to roll this technology out where it’s right to do so as part of the retailer’s wider plans to improve the in-store customer experience.

Sacha Berendji Director of Retail, Operations and Property at M&S said:

“M&S is changing to become a Digital First retailer with industry-leading store operations – and Mobile Pay Go is a really exciting part of that.

Today’s rollout means more of our customers will be able to benefit from this popular technology and enjoy a seamless shopping experience – which we know is especially important at lunchtime.”

How to use Mobile Pay Go:

Customers open their M&S app on iPhone or Android (customers must be signed up to Sparks)
They scan products as they shop or once they’ve shopped (up to the value of £30)
Customers click checkout to pay using their card that’s saved in the app
Customers can then leave the store without visiting a till

Full List of 50 stores to offer Mobile Pay Go (including those that have already been trialing it):

49 stores in London; one in Manchester.