Grocery shopping trial at Gatwick airport

These days, a considerable number of people make use of London airport transfers, including services from Gatwick to Heathrow. Some of these individuals may now also be taking advantage of a new web-based shopping service when they are in the departure lounge at Gatwick.

Supermarket giant Tesco has launched a trial in the hub involving ten screens. Consumers waiting for their flights in the airport’s north terminal can peruse a range of staple products and if they wish to buy them, they simply scan the barcodes using their smartphones.

They create a virtual shopping list by adding items and then they can choose a delivery date for just after they are due to arrive back at home following their holidays or business trips.

Tesco already operates similar technology in a number of train and bus stations in South Korea and according to the firm’s internet retailing director Ken Towle, the interactive displays have proved a hit.

He said: “We got a lot of interest in our Korean sites and it went viral, so we wanted to see if customers would use this, with a view to launching at more airports.”

However, the company might have more trouble winning over UK consumers, including those who take advantage of London airport transfers from Gatwick to Heathrow and so on.

For example, Mike Cameron, a 50-year-old travelling to Edinburgh, remarked: “The last thing you want to do when you’re going on holiday is start thinking about coming back.”

Meanwhile, fellow traveller Lisa McDougall, who was flying to Spain with her young family, stated: “I do a lot of online shopping but wouldn’t do it at the airport. I couldn’t see myself doing the shopping when I’m in holiday mode.”

The success of the trial will determine whether or not similar schemes are rolled out elsewhere.

For more information please visit – www.airportcars-uk.com/airports/gatwick-airport-taxis.php