Shoppers in Airdrie and Glenrothes can now use the new digital feature as part of a broader rollout
Category: Business
Lidl GB has announced the expansion of its ‘Lidl & Go’ customer trial to two Scottish stores, marking a notable step in its digital transformation strategy. The new service will be available at the Airdrie and Glenrothes locations, allowing shoppers to scan items using the Lidl Plus app as they shop, making the process faster and more convenient.
This latest initiative is part of a broader rollout that includes seven additional stores across the UK. The expansion follows a successful pilot program that began last year, which was limited to three stores and included a ‘friends and family’ trial. The trial aims to gather insights that will help optimize and improve the customer shopping experience ahead of any potential wider rollout.
According to Louise Weise, Chief Customer Officer at Lidl GB, the trial signifies a forward leap in the company’s digital evolution. “This trial is another step forward in our digital evolution, giving shoppers a smarter, faster, and more flexible way to shop,” she stated. She emphasized that the focus remains on providing customers with various shopping options, whether they prefer traditional checkouts, self-service, or self-scanning.
The ‘scan and go’ feature allows customers to register their purchases in real-time as they place items in their baskets, enabling them to monitor their spending and track any savings. Transactions can be finalized at any self-service checkout point, streamlining the payment process. This approach enhances the shopping experience and aligns with the growing consumer demand for convenience in grocery shopping.
The expansion of the Lidl & Go pilot coincides with recent changes to the Lidl Plus loyalty program, which was updated on May 5, 2026. Customers who are members of the Lidl Plus scheme can now accumulate points for every pound spent in-store, with one point awarded for each £1 spent. These points can be redeemed for coupons that offer discounts on future purchases, providing shoppers with more flexibility in how they choose to save.
Under the new rewards system, points are valid for two years and replace the previous method that rewarded customers based on monthly spending thresholds. For example, under the old scheme, customers received a free sweet bakery treat after spending £10, a free fresh vegetable after spending £50, and 10% off their next shop after spending £250. Now, customers can redeem points for various products, with 100 points translating to a free cucumber or tortilla wraps, and 300 points yielding £3 off the next purchase.
Some customers have expressed concerns about the new system, feeling it requires higher spending to achieve certain rewards compared to the previous structure. For example, a free brownie now costs 90 points, necessitating a £90 spend to earn it. Nonetheless, Lidl representatives have indicated that users often earn additional points through promotions such as ‘Rewards of the Week’ and double or triple points on selected products.
Lidl's introduction of the ‘scan and go’ service aligns with a broader trend among supermarket chains in the UK. As consumer preferences shift toward more convenient shopping experiences, many retailers, including Sainsbury's, Tesco, and Waitrose, have adopted similar self-service scanning technologies. This move is part of Lidl's commitment to enhancing customer experience through digital innovation.
The initial trial of the ‘scan and go’ feature was conducted last year in three stores, which provided valuable feedback for the current expansion. The successful pilot demonstrated the technology's potential to streamline shopping, prompting Lidl to extend the service to additional locations. The decision to include Scottish stores in this expansion reflects Lidl's strategy to cater to diverse regional markets.
In addition to the digital shopping enhancements, Lidl is also pursuing a physical expansion strategy, identifying 52 new locations throughout Scotland for potential store openings. The retailer has confirmed plans to launch over 50 new branches this year, reinforcing its commitment to growth in the competitive grocery market.
As Lidl continues to roll out its ‘scan and go’ service, the company will closely monitor customer feedback to refine the system and improve user experience. The insights gained from the current trial in Airdrie and Glenrothes, along with the other six locations, will inform future decisions about the wider implementation of the technology.
Looking ahead, Lidl's expanded loyalty program and the introduction of the ‘Lidl Pay’ function, which allows for a fast and secure checkout experience, are set to play a key role in enhancing customer satisfaction. The ‘Lidl Pay’ feature facilitates easy coupon redemption, making the shopping process more efficient for users of the Lidl Plus app.
The upcoming weeks will be telling as Lidl gauges the response to its new initiatives. With the company actively investing in digital services and customer engagement strategies, shoppers can expect continued enhancements to their grocery shopping experience. As of now, the success of the ‘scan and go’ trial will be closely watched, particularly as Lidl evaluates its potential for broader rollout in Scotland and beyond.