Contactless shopping was once a workaround during the pandemic. But once customers experienced it, they have not looked back.
And why should they? Contact-free shopping in retail is all that a modern consumer wants: speed, convenience, safety, and ease.
The irony is that many retailers are still focused on optimizing the front end, while the biggest friction point, the in-store checkout, remains unchanged.
That’s where mobile self-checkout steps in. But how does it enable contactless shopping?
Well, that’s exactly what this blog is about. Here’s what it will cover:
- What contactless shopping really means for in-store retail
- How mobile self-checkout makes it possible
- Five reasons customers actually prefer it over the old way
Without wasting any time, let’s begin.
What is contactless shopping?
Contactless shopping refers to a shopping experience where your customer can browse, purchase, and pay with minimal or no physical interaction inside your store.
That means no cash, no touching any shared surfaces, and no unnecessary interaction with cashiers.
This shift was accelerated by the pandemic, but it hasn’t slowed since.
It’s how modern retail is adapting to a world where convenience, hygiene, and control drive customer decisions.
Technologies like digital wallets, mobile apps, self-service systems, QR codes, and mobile self-checkout have become quite common in use.
They help your customers shop with minimal contact.
There’s actually a simple idea behind contactless shopping: it’s to give your customers more control over how they shop and pay.
How mobile self-checkout enables contactless shopping
Let’s look at how mobile self-checkout technology fits into this broader shift, and why it can be the most effective entry point into contactless retail:
No shared surfaces
No kiosk. No POS terminal. No keypad.
With mobile self-checkout systems, your customers don’t need to touch shared surfaces or stand in line.
They use their own device (smartphones) to scan, manage, and pay for their purchases on their terms. It’s like putting the checkout counter in their pocket.
Built-in compatibility with contactless payments
The best mobile self-checkout solutions support wallets like Apple Pay, Google Pay, UPI, or any other digital/online payment methods. Some even allow loyalty and rewards balances or stored value systems.
This is super convenient because most customers use their smartphones for making payments.
As a retailer, accepting multiple contactless payment methods means you’re making it easier for more customers to say yes to your business.
Convenience from start to finish
Mobile-based self-checkout apps allow everything to happen in one place: scanning items, reviewing the cart, redeeming points, and paying.
No switching between screens. No waiting for a receipt. No wondering whether a discount applied or not.
Your customers simply walk in, shop for what they want, and check out. That’s it.
And that brings us to…
5 reasons why customers love mobile self-checkout
Contactless retail is all about speed, safety, and simplicity. And mobile self-checkout systems help you deliver all of it, so you can deliver a smooth customer experience.
Here’s why your shoppers will love it:
Speed and convenience
Mobile self-checkout apps let shoppers scan as they go. When they’re ready to leave, they’re done. No waiting. No bottlenecks. Just a smooth flow from browsing to discovery to purchase.
Nobody walks into a store hoping to stand in line. Long waits kill momentum. They frustrate customers. And—it should not be a surprise—they are among the top reasons behind cart abandonment.
Just put yourself in your customers' shoes for a moment. Would you wait for 5-10 minutes if you’re just picking up a few snacks for the evening?
Speed doesn’t just make the shopping experience better; it makes it likable as well. Besides, consumers remember the brands that respect their time, and they come back.
Safety and hygiene
With mobile self-checkout, you can let your customers use their own smartphones for the entire shopping process.
This eliminates shared devices and contact-heavy counters. That small shift carries a lot of emotional weight. It matters to a lot of customers because it signals care.
Even five years after the pandemic, customers haven’t forgotten how important hygiene is. Touchless has become synonymous with trust.
Plus, clean and contactless in-store experiences build loyalty in quiet ways. They tell customers: "We see you. We value your health."
Enhanced security
Mobile self-checkout systems use payment methods that have built-in security features like tokenization, encryption, and secure cloud environments.
That means every transaction is protected and safe. Many apps even allow real-time fraud monitoring to catch anything unusual before it becomes a problem.
Security isn’t negotiable, especially when it’s about payments. And today’s customers are more aware than ever of scams, data leaks, and suspicious payment flows.
Hence, when they feel safe, they don’t just buy more; they trust more too. And that trust will bring you repeat business.
Personalized shopping experiences
Mobile-based self-checkout apps can surface personalized offers, apply rewards automatically, and suggest relevant products, all based on real behavior.
That turns a routine task into something more valuable for the customer
It matters because shoppers now don’t want a one-size-fits-all journey. And they’re used to personalized shopping journeys when they shop online.
So, they want a shopping experience that they know. One that feels relevant.
Besides, providing personalized in-store shopping experiences means that your customers are likely to complete more purchases and remain loyal.
Read more: How Scan and Go Redefines Retail Shopping Experience
Familiarity and ease of use
The average person spends over 4 hours a day on their smartphone. They can easily operate apps like cameras, digital wallet, browser, etc.
That means the learning curve is nearly zero for most of your customers. Swipe, tap, scan. It’s all muscle memory at this point. Mobile self-checkout is primed for higher adoption and less hand-holding from staff.
The best retail technology feels invisible. It works like people already think. And that’s exactly why mobile self-checkout fits right in.
Conclusion
Mobile self-checkout technology makes contactless shopping so much easier and practical in brick-and-mortar retail stores like yours.
It redefines what the in-store checkout experience can be: faster, safer, more personalized, and built around the devices your customers already carry.
82% of consumers say they actively avoid businesses with lines.
You wouldn’t want to be among those businesses.
If you want to eliminate or reduce lines in your store, then Scan ‘N’ Thru is the solution you need.
Our mobile self-checkout solution eliminates lines, supports contactless payments, integrates with loyalty systems, and gives your customers full control over how they shop.
It is designed for retailers like you who want to stay ahead without overhauling their entire store.
If you're thinking about upgrading your in-store checkout experience or introducing contactless shopping, let us help you.
