Woolworths just ditched this feature—Will your next shopping trip be ruined?
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If you’re a fan of zipping through Woolies with your phone in hand, scanning as you go and skipping the checkout queue, we’ve got some news that might just put a dent in your next shopping trip.
Woolworths has announced a major shake-up to its popular Scan&Go feature, and let’s just say, not everyone is thrilled.
Aussie supermarket-goers have expressed disappointment after a popular in-store feature that made shopping easier was scrapped.
Customers using Woolworths’ Scan&Go app were recently notified via email about 'changes' to the way the in-store technology works.
The main drawcard of Scan&Go was that it let users bypass the checkout altogether. Shoppers who had signed up simply scanned their groceries using their phone, then popped them straight into their trolley, basket, or reusable bag.
Once everything was scanned, customers could pay through the app, which generated a barcode to be scanned at the Scan&Go exit—no need for the usual checkout process.
However, on June 24, Woolies sent an email advising that the Scan&Go mobile feature would 'no longer be available at some of our previously enabled stores'.
The email listed affected locations, including Glenorie NSW, Balwyn VIC, Toowong QLD, Walkerville SA, Charnwood ACT, and Highgate WA.
What’s more, even in 'remaining stores' where the tech remains active, new 'changes' mean customers can’t use in-app payments anymore.
'[T]he option to pay directly within the Scan&Go feature of the Woolworths app will no longer be supported,' the email stated.
Customers were told they could still enjoy the 'convenience of scanning your groceries as you shop' but now must head to a dedicated Scan&Go kiosk at the end to 'easily' pay using the PIN pad.
'We apologise for the inconvenience and appreciate your understanding.'
In-store signage has also flagged the update. A notice in a Sydney Woolies store read: 'From Thursday 3 July, 2025, customers will no longer be able to pay using the Scan&Go features on the Woolworths App. Customers will need to finalise payment at the Scan & Go kiosk pinpad. We appreciate your understanding.'
A Woolworths spokesperson told FEMAIL that Scan&Go was being 'phased out', with plans to roll out new Scan&Go trolleys equipped with tablet-style screens that scan items as you go.
'We launched "Scan&Go mobile" in 2018 to help provide customers with the ability to scan items as they shop and pay on their mobile phone,' the spokesperson said.
'We've received feedback from some of our customers that using a mobile device to scan products whilst holding a basket and other items can be challenging.'
'As a result we have looked to streamline the process by incorporating the Scan&Go mobile technology into our new "Scan&Go" trolleys, to provide a hands free "Scan&Go" option.'
'As a result we will be phasing out "Scan&Go mobile" in some stores while launching more "Scan&Go trolleys". Feedback from customers who have tried our "Scan&Go trolleys" has been overwhelmingly positive, with customers enjoying being able to scan and bag as they shop, and track their spend in real-time.'
'Scan&Go mobile will continue to be available for customers in limited stores, however from July 3, customers will need to continue to visit the Scan&Go check out to complete their transaction,' they added.
Woolies shopper Simon Berry didn’t hold back in a social media clip that’s racked up over 20,000 views, saying he now had 'beef with Woolworths' over the changes.
He reckoned the app was 'hands down the best thing that's ever happened to grocery shopping in Australia', especially since it saved time and cut out 'double handling'.
't's actually so archaic that the norm is to fill up your trolley with groceries, then go to the checkout, empty your trolley completely, scan all the items, and then load up your trolley again,' he said.
'Scan&Go completely eliminated that double handling, and there was no additional hardware needed, because you just used your phone.'
Simon also argued Woolworths hadn’t done enough to promote the feature, saying there was low shopper 'awareness' and 'adoption'.
He acknowledged the new trolley-mounted tablets but said they were an 'unnecessary investment' given the mobile app already did the job.
Source: ABC News (Australia) / Youtube.
'They both pretty much do the same thing and let you track your shop as you go,' he said.
Many viewers in the comments agreed, saying they were gutted the feature had disappeared.
'I loved the Scan&Go. No double handling, no talking to anyone… went to go shopping yesterday and it was gone,' one shopper wrote.
'It also helped me stay within budget. They removed it from my store. I hate going back to the normal way,' another shared.
'I stopped going to Coles because of Scan&Go. Back to Coles I go!' added a third.
Some users admitted they had never even heard of the feature – supporting Simon’s theory it was poorly advertised.
'I have not heard about this and would love to use it. I hate the checkouts,' one said.
'This is the first time I have ever heard of it and go to Woolies almost every day!' said another.
Others said they gave it a crack but found it fiddly.
'I didn't like it–[there] was no where to put your phone while in scan mode,' one shopper commented. 'Then I bought 5 items and at checkout it needed verification by [a] staff member, which I had to hunt down. Then she had to scan five items-was three times longer than usual checkout.'
Some speculated the reason behind scrapping in-app payments might be tied to 'stock loss' and theft.
'Woolies is tackling a lot of issues with stock loss through Scan&Go,' one wrote.
'The theft from it is probably a consideration in some areas,' said another.
'I was wondering if it's because there was huge stock loss, but if they are replacing it with a tablet solution they now have that and stolen tablets to deal with!' another chimed in.
For now, we want to hear from you! Did you use Scan&Go? Are you sad to see it go, or are you happy to stick with the old-fashioned checkout? Have you tried the new trolley tablets? And what’s your dream shopping experience—more tech, or less? Share your thoughts in the comments below and let’s get the conversation rolling!
Woolworths has announced a major shake-up to its popular Scan&Go feature, and let’s just say, not everyone is thrilled.
Aussie supermarket-goers have expressed disappointment after a popular in-store feature that made shopping easier was scrapped.
Customers using Woolworths’ Scan&Go app were recently notified via email about 'changes' to the way the in-store technology works.
The main drawcard of Scan&Go was that it let users bypass the checkout altogether. Shoppers who had signed up simply scanned their groceries using their phone, then popped them straight into their trolley, basket, or reusable bag.
Once everything was scanned, customers could pay through the app, which generated a barcode to be scanned at the Scan&Go exit—no need for the usual checkout process.
Woolworths is discontinuing the popular Scan&Go mobile app in some stores, meaning shoppers can no longer pay for groceries directly through the app and must now finalise payments at a Scan&Go kiosk PIN pad instead. Image source: Tiliter / Youtube.
However, on June 24, Woolies sent an email advising that the Scan&Go mobile feature would 'no longer be available at some of our previously enabled stores'.
The email listed affected locations, including Glenorie NSW, Balwyn VIC, Toowong QLD, Walkerville SA, Charnwood ACT, and Highgate WA.
What’s more, even in 'remaining stores' where the tech remains active, new 'changes' mean customers can’t use in-app payments anymore.
'[T]he option to pay directly within the Scan&Go feature of the Woolworths app will no longer be supported,' the email stated.
Customers were told they could still enjoy the 'convenience of scanning your groceries as you shop' but now must head to a dedicated Scan&Go kiosk at the end to 'easily' pay using the PIN pad.
'We apologise for the inconvenience and appreciate your understanding.'
In-store signage has also flagged the update. A notice in a Sydney Woolies store read: 'From Thursday 3 July, 2025, customers will no longer be able to pay using the Scan&Go features on the Woolworths App. Customers will need to finalise payment at the Scan & Go kiosk pinpad. We appreciate your understanding.'
A Woolworths spokesperson told FEMAIL that Scan&Go was being 'phased out', with plans to roll out new Scan&Go trolleys equipped with tablet-style screens that scan items as you go.
'We launched "Scan&Go mobile" in 2018 to help provide customers with the ability to scan items as they shop and pay on their mobile phone,' the spokesperson said.
'We've received feedback from some of our customers that using a mobile device to scan products whilst holding a basket and other items can be challenging.'
The supermarket is replacing the original app with new Scan&Go trolleys equipped with tablets that scan products as you shop, aiming to make the process more hands-free and streamlined. Image source: ABC News (Australia) / Youtube.
'As a result we have looked to streamline the process by incorporating the Scan&Go mobile technology into our new "Scan&Go" trolleys, to provide a hands free "Scan&Go" option.'
'As a result we will be phasing out "Scan&Go mobile" in some stores while launching more "Scan&Go trolleys". Feedback from customers who have tried our "Scan&Go trolleys" has been overwhelmingly positive, with customers enjoying being able to scan and bag as they shop, and track their spend in real-time.'
'Scan&Go mobile will continue to be available for customers in limited stores, however from July 3, customers will need to continue to visit the Scan&Go check out to complete their transaction,' they added.
Woolies shopper Simon Berry didn’t hold back in a social media clip that’s racked up over 20,000 views, saying he now had 'beef with Woolworths' over the changes.
He reckoned the app was 'hands down the best thing that's ever happened to grocery shopping in Australia', especially since it saved time and cut out 'double handling'.
't's actually so archaic that the norm is to fill up your trolley with groceries, then go to the checkout, empty your trolley completely, scan all the items, and then load up your trolley again,' he said.
'Scan&Go completely eliminated that double handling, and there was no additional hardware needed, because you just used your phone.'
Simon also argued Woolworths hadn’t done enough to promote the feature, saying there was low shopper 'awareness' and 'adoption'.
He acknowledged the new trolley-mounted tablets but said they were an 'unnecessary investment' given the mobile app already did the job.
Source: ABC News (Australia) / Youtube.
'They both pretty much do the same thing and let you track your shop as you go,' he said.
Many viewers in the comments agreed, saying they were gutted the feature had disappeared.
'I loved the Scan&Go. No double handling, no talking to anyone… went to go shopping yesterday and it was gone,' one shopper wrote.
'It also helped me stay within budget. They removed it from my store. I hate going back to the normal way,' another shared.
'I stopped going to Coles because of Scan&Go. Back to Coles I go!' added a third.
Some users admitted they had never even heard of the feature – supporting Simon’s theory it was poorly advertised.
'I have not heard about this and would love to use it. I hate the checkouts,' one said.
'This is the first time I have ever heard of it and go to Woolies almost every day!' said another.
Others said they gave it a crack but found it fiddly.
'I didn't like it–[there] was no where to put your phone while in scan mode,' one shopper commented. 'Then I bought 5 items and at checkout it needed verification by [a] staff member, which I had to hunt down. Then she had to scan five items-was three times longer than usual checkout.'
Some speculated the reason behind scrapping in-app payments might be tied to 'stock loss' and theft.
'Woolies is tackling a lot of issues with stock loss through Scan&Go,' one wrote.
'The theft from it is probably a consideration in some areas,' said another.
'I was wondering if it's because there was huge stock loss, but if they are replacing it with a tablet solution they now have that and stolen tablets to deal with!' another chimed in.
For now, we want to hear from you! Did you use Scan&Go? Are you sad to see it go, or are you happy to stick with the old-fashioned checkout? Have you tried the new trolley tablets? And what’s your dream shopping experience—more tech, or less? Share your thoughts in the comments below and let’s get the conversation rolling!
