Tesco debuts first checkout-free store

The U.K.’s largest supermarket chain, Tesco, this week launched its first checkout-free store to the public in High Holborn, Central London.

Named GetGo, the grocery giant’s move follows the debut of an Amazon Fresh payment-free store in Ealing, west London, just over six months ago and heralds an increasingly intense battle to remove the biggest point of friction for U.K. supermarket shoppers – payment.

Visitors to the 2,000-sqft Tesco Express convenience shop in High Holborn need to download and use the Tesco App in order to check in to the branch, select groceries, and leave without using a physical cash-till. Instead, they will be charged to the card linked with their Tesco grocery App and will receive a receipt after leaving the store.

Forbes