California Fresh Market Ditches Checklanes

A new grocery store moving into San Luis Obispo, Calif., has adopted technology said to make it the first store that lets patrons skip the wait in checkout lines.

California Fresh Market, which opened Nov. 9 in an old Haggen store, offers customers the ability to scan barcodes on products, via its mobile app, to add goods to their purchase. Through the app, shoppers can keep track of their running total, as well as check specials and other information. When ready for checkout, app users scan a QR code in the app at the front of the store, with payment made via credit card or Apple Pay.

The technology comes from New York-based mobile developer FutureProof Retail. Although similar self-scanning mobile technology has appeared in various tests and forms elsewhere, the California Fresh Market location will be the first store in the world to incorporate it from opening day.

Independent grocer California Fresh Market operates three California stores: California Fresh Market in Solvang and San Luis Obispo, and El Rancho Market in Pismo, all of which are members of Chicago-based IGA.