Lidl, a popular European supermarket chain, has introduced a new shopping feature called "Scan & Go" that allows customers to scan products using their smartphones and track their total spending in real time. This service is part of the Lidl Plus app and was first launched in several European countries, including Germany, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and Belgium. Now, it is being rolled out in 40 stores in France, with plans to expand further as the company opens new locations. To use the service, customers can either scan a QR code or use their phone's geolocation to activate the scanning feature when entering the store. Once activated, shoppers can use their smartphones to scan product barcodes, add items to their virtual shopping basket, and view promotions and total costs as they go. For items like fruits and vegetables, which are often sold by weight, Lidl has introduced automatic recognition scales that identify the product type once placed on the scale. Customers must confirm the product, print a label, and then scan it just like other items. After finishing their shopping, customers can pay using automatic checkouts. They simply click the "Pay" button in the app, scan their loyalty card, and choose a payment method such as a credit card or mobile payment. Discounts and coupons must be activated in advance to apply automatically to the digital basket. The company plans to expand the service to all new stores, with 31 new locations expected to open by February 4, 2027. However, it has not yet provided a timeline for rolling out the service to its entire network of 1,630 stores. John Paul Scally, former president of Lidl France, explained that the system is designed to save customers time and help them manage their budgets more effectively. The transition from scanning items to paying at checkout is intended to be smooth and not interfere with the usual shopping experience. While Lidl has not detailed how it will handle potential scanning errors or basket checks, the company says the system will free up staff to focus on restocking, maintenance, and customer service, ultimately enhancing the overall shopping experience.