I tried Primark’s self-service checkouts – shoppers will love it but not taking your receipt could catch you out
WE’RE all guilty of leaving our receipt behind – but doing this at Primark’s new self-service checkouts could catch you out.
As a regular Primark shopper, I was excited to try the new self-checkouts at the brand’s store in Sheffield city centre.
The retail giant introduced self-service checkouts in select stores earlier this year as a way to reduce queuing times.
So far, self-checkouts are up and running in Sheffield, Northampton, West Bromwich and Kingston.
They are also set to launch soon in the Coventry store.
But I’m told Primark is looking at extending this to more stores nationwide as the service has proved to be pretty popular.
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It comes as the fashion brand also prepares to launch a click and collect service at 25 stores – including its Sheffield branch.
The new self-checkouts are right by the regular tills on the ground floor among the women’s clothing.
There are two separate queues for each service to make sure shoppers get through quickly.
The self-checkouts are placed in their own designated area, and are protected by a security door that only opens once a receipt has been scanned.
But is it easier and faster than using the regular tills? I’ve come along to check it out.
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Beat the queues
Like most Primark stores, the Sheffield branch was packed with shoppers.
So I was surprised when I found that I didn’t have to queue at all to get to the self-checkout.
It was pretty easy to find, and there were signs clearly showing where to queue for the different checkouts.
It’s important to note though, that if you want to pay with cash, you’ll have to use a regular checkout as the self-service machines only accept card payments.
The checkouts themselves are very spacious, with plenty of room to put your brimming basket of bargains.
You can also put clothes hangers through a designated gap in the checkout if you don’t fancy taking them home with you.
There’s also a big screen that displays each item as you scan, so you can keep an eye on what you’re spending.
And if you get stuck, there’s a dedicated team of staff on hand to help you with any problems you might have while using the machines.
I found the whole process to be pretty straightforward, and similar to most other self-checkouts in stores like Zara.
But there is one key difference – you have to keep hold of your receipt.
This is because you have to scan a barcode on the receipt on a scanner by the exit.
At this point, a pair of security doors open to let you out of the self-checkout area.
But don’t worry, as soon as you pay, you’ll get a reminder to take your receipt with you.
Staff are also on hand to help you if you get stuck and retrieve confirmation of your purchase if you misplace it.
When you scan the barcode, the security doors open and you can leave with your bag of goodies.
Our verdict
When your Primark basket is filled to the brim, the last thing you want to be doing is standing in a big queue.
And from what I saw, the self-service checkouts are helping to keep queues down and keep shoppers happy.
They were quick and easy to use, and I didn’t find having to remember your receipt to be too much of a hassle either.
Shoppers are likely to see more self-checkouts pop up across more of Primark’s 191 stores in the UK in the near future.
Apart from rivals Zara and Uniqlo, self-checkouts are otherwise most commonly found in supermarkets and not fashion retailers.
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Primark hinted to shoppers back in March that they could soon enjoy a click and collect service.
It comes as Primark launched a new website earlier this year.