Co-op is set to implement innovative “flexi checkouts” in its stores to reduce waiting times for customers. These smart tills are capable of switching between self-service and cashier-operated modes based on customer preference. By introducing this technology, Co-op aims to enhance convenience and efficiency for shoppers.
Supplied by American financial and retail tech company Diebold Nixdorf, these new checkouts will be installed in 150 Co-op stores by April. In addition to offering flexibility in checkout options, the screens on these tills will display price discounts, promotions, and potential future services such as parcel collections. Co-op asserts its position as the first UK supermarket to adopt this advanced technology.
David Tyas, Co-op’s head of operations, support center, and innovation, emphasized the company’s dedication to creating local stores that cater to community needs. By replacing traditional tills with this adaptable checkout technology, Co-op seeks to balance personalized customer engagement with swift and seamless transactions, thereby enhancing the overall shopping experience.
Simultaneously, Co-op has announced plans to open or revamp 18 stores in the first quarter of 2026. The inaugural store of the year, situated in Willowbrook Park, Didcot in Oxfordshire, symbolizes the company’s commitment to expanding its presence in various communities. Kate McCrae, Co-op’s Operations Director, highlighted the stores’ role as community hubs offering quality products, attractive deals, and promotions tailored to meet customer demands.
Moreover, Co-op aims to introduce thousands of new apprenticeships in the coming years, with a £70 million investment allocated to creating 7,000 apprenticeships by 2030 through its Levy Share service. This initiative underscores the company’s commitment to investing in workforce development and fostering talent within the retail sector.