M&S adds self checkouts to changing rooms

Marks and Spencer is set to add self checkouts to its changing rooms across 180 clothing stores in order to prevent customers from having to queue twice, The Telegraph reported.

The retailer reportedly already installed the new technology in 28 stores and it’s now planning to complete the roll out to 100 stores by 2028. 

M&S operations director Sacha Berendji told the paper: “We’d like customers to be able to walk straight into the fitting room with no queue, try on what they’ve chosen, then pay there and just walk out.”

The news comes despite concerns that failure in self checkouts might be facilitating shoplifting across the middle classes. 

Last year, M&S chairman Archie Norman told The Telegraph: “With the reduction of service you get in a lot of shops, a lot of people think: ‘This didn’t scan properly, or it’s very difficult to scan these things through and I shop here all the time. It’s not my fault, I’m owed it’.”

However, Berendji said that there will be staff members in the changing room areas to ensure that customers pay for their items. 

He added: “This is all about choice. If you want to be served by a colleague, that’s absolutely OK and you always can be. But if people want to serve themselves, they can do that instead.”