Convenience store chain 7-Eleven is letting customers in Utah skip the checkout queue by shopping and paying for items using their mobile phones.
 
The contactless way to shop in stores is accessible through the 7-Eleven app and provides a safer shopping environment during the Covid-19 crisis.
 
“Now, more than ever, customers are looking for an even greater level of convenience, one that includes minimising contact with others,” said 7-Eleven chief digital officer Tarang Sethia. “We want to meet that need during this uncertain time and mobile checkout is one of the innovative ways we can do that.”
 
Customers can shop, scan and pay with their smartphones, facilitating social distancing and reducing time in stores. The frictionless shopping experience is integrated with the company’s national 7Rewards loyalty programme, the 33 million members of which can earn and redeem points on product purchases and receive coupons and promotions.
 
When using mobile checkout, customers can also take advantage of 7-Eleven’s latest beverage deals. The company is offering seven free any size hot beverages or any size fountain drinks per loyalty member through the mobile app. After redeeming all seven free cups, loyalty members can continue to purchase any size hot coffee for $1 or Big Gulp drinks for 49 cents for the rest of the summer.
 
To use mobile checkout through the 7-Eleven app, shoppers need to:

• Update to the latest version of the app or download it from the App Store or Google Play.
• Register for or log into the 7Rewards loyalty programme.
• Open the app in a participating store and tap “start scanning” on the home page.
• Scan the barcode on the desired products to add it to the basket. Discounts and promotions are applied automatically.
• Pay for purchases using Apple Pay, Google Pay or a debit or credit card in the app, which users can set up ahead of time.
• Confirm the purchase by scanning the QR code on the confirmation screen once the payment is authorised.

“Not only does mobile checkout offer frictionless shopping and tremendous value, it also empowers customers to be in control of their entire end-to-end in-store experience,” said Sethia. “Last but certainly not least, it helps store associates reallocate their time to keeping the store clean and in stock for customers.”

The convenience store chain says it was the first to develop proprietary technology for a full frictionless shopping experience from start to finish. Mobile checkout works on Android and iOS devices and is available for most 7-Eleven merchandise that has a bar code. Some items still require store associate assistance, such as hot foods, financial services and age-verified products such as alcohol, tobacco and lottery tickets.

The company has also enhanced its standards and procedures for hygiene, hand washing, sanitation, food handling and preparation in stores, including increased frequency of cleaning high-touch surfaces. It is encouraging its staff to wear masks and gloves when serving customers and asking independent franchise owners to do the same in their stores.

Customers have access to disposable gloves, tissues and sanitiser stations while shopping in stores. As an extra precaution to help reinforce physical distancing and safer transactions, 7-Eleven has installed sneeze guards and visual floor markers at the front sales counter.

Mobile checkout is already available in participating Dallas, Manhattan and Long Island stores. Those who can’t make it to the store can get their essentials delivered to their homes via the 7Now delivery app, within which they can opt in for contact-free deliveries.