German retailer REWE Group has announced the opening of a Pick&Go store in Hamburg, Germany following a phase of testing.

Launched in partnership with Trigo technology, REWE claims the 1,200 square metre store is Europe’s largest computer vision-based supermarket with over 20,000 items available in the store.

Shoppers have a choice of four ways to pay for their purchases. They can pay through the Pick&Go app, by scanning and paying at a self-checkout terminal, by using the computer-vision technology or the usual method of paying with a cashier.

The supermarket said that all purchases are recorded securely using minimal data, and that cameras and sensors determine what items a customer has selected whcih allows customers to their bill automatically without going through the usual checkout process.

REWE claims the technology speeds up the shopping experience and makes it more convenient for the customer. It added that for the first time, the technology also covered produce at service counters allowing customers to receive personal advice on their items without the need to wait in line for checkout.

A separate store in Hamburg is currently testing the technology and REWE said it aims to roll out the technology to more users in due course.

“Today marks a milestone for our customers, for whom we are making shopping easier than ever before,” said Jochen Vogel, chairman of the management board at REWE Nord. “Thanks to the cross-departmental cooperation with all players, partners and especially the committed team in the store, we have successfully mastered the complexity of the project.”

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