Aldi opens its first till-free supermarket

Aldi has opened its first checkout-free supermarket where people can shop without having to scan a product.

The grocer is operating a "trial" store in Greenwich, London, which allows customers to complete their shop and pay without going to a till.

Instead, customers can download the Aldi Shop&Go app, and will then be automatically charged for their purchases once they leave the store.

Aldi's new store follows similar moves by Tesco, Sainsbury's and Amazon.

The supermarket's new site will also allow customers to buy alcohol, using facial-age estimation technology, to check whether they appear to be over the age of 25.

People who cannot or choose not to use this system can have their age verified by a member of staff.

A series of hi-tech cameras will track customers as they do their shopping, and then bill them when they leave.

Giles Hurley, chief executive of Aldi UK and Ireland, said he was "looking forward to seeing how customers react" to the trial, which he said used the "very latest in retail technology".

Lewis Esparon, Greenwich store manager, added: "We have been working towards this day for several months now so it will be great to see how our customers react to the new technology.

"For us, steps like this are always about improving the customer experience and the whole team are looking forward to being on-hand and ready to help to ensure that experience is as smooth as ever."

Before the service was launched, Aldi trialled the format with employees.

Aldi is Britain's fifth largest supermarket with more than 950 stores and about 38,000 staff.