Sainsbury's testing a new set-up to shop faster

Apparently, when it comes to grocery shopping, we increasingly tend to buy less, but more often. Therefore, we need it to be quick and we especially don't want to waste time at checkout. Many improvements have already been developed, such as self-checkouts to name but one. Sainsbury's is even more drastic and is currently testing a full reorganization in six of its stores in the UK.

As Sainsbury's explains, their project includes different elements. First, some "layout changes to cater for specific shopping missions": for example, all fresh products, bakery and 'food to go' are installed together in one place. There's also "changes to space and range": 30% more clothing, kitchen and homeware items, more space for fresh food, simplified ranges. "Faster checkout options" are proposed as well, with two new features: the trolley self-checkouts and the SmartShop checkouts. And finally, the "convenience store format trial", a smaller store adapted to the location and the neighbourhood.

Different elements are being experimented in the six following stores involved: Alperton in London, Devizes in Wiltshire, Emersons Green in Bristol, Harpenden in Hertfordshire, Morecambe in Lancashire and Tamworth in Staffordshire. "This trial is about seeing how far we can go in catering for every shopping mission, whether someone wants to pop in quickly to buy a sandwich for lunch, or whether they have more time and want inspiration for the home, or advice on tech and gadgets (…)" said Mike Coupe, Chief Executive Officer, concluding: "this is very much a trial and we know that not everything will work, but certain elements are already proving very popular and we would hope to roll those out more widely where feedback is consistently positive."

*Photo: Sainsbury's