Supermarket giants Asda, Sainsbury’s and M&S are making changes to ensure that some shoppers will no longer need to queue outside stores.
Social distancing rules mean limited numbers are allowed in store at any one time and queues are likely again in the run up to Christmas as stores get busier.
But now, Sainsbury’s, Asda, M&S and John Lewis are trialling virtual queues via apps on your phone, reports The Mirror.
With the winter drawing in and the weather getting colder by the day, supermarkets are attempting to reduce outside queues.
A total of 55 Sainsbury’s stores will now use a queuing app, allowing customers to virtually add themselves to the queue for their local shop.
Shoppers get a notification when they are at the front of the line, meaning they can turn up and head straight in.
Customers without a smartphone can ask a member of staff to be added to the virtual queue, and will be alerted when it's their turn.
The app, which is provided by Ufirst, was piloted in July and is now being tried in more stores.
Supermarket giant Asda is running a similar app in around 50 of its stores, where customers can log using an app, scanning a QR code or sending a text.
The QR code shows a countdown to let shoppers know where in the queue they are, while the text system sends an alert when it is their turn.
Similar technology is being used in three John Lewis stores.
M&S’s version allows customers to book a 30-minute slot to shop at one of 566 standalone Food Halls and branches.
