Self-scanning in stores

In some stores of, for example, Jumbo and Albert Heijn, it is already possible: self-scanning. This means that the customer himself, instead of a cashier, scans the barcode of their shopping and then pays. This self-scanning can be done with a portable hand scanner, a mobile app or via the self-service checkout.

In short: self-scanning saves time. While shopping, you immediately pack the scanned groceries. You no longer have to put this on the cash register during checkout. There are no longer any long queues at the checkout. During the scan you can already see how much the groceries cost in total. If it becomes too expensive, you can possibly put some back. Please note that staff in all stores will be happy to assist you if you have any questions during the self-scan.

One of the ways of self-scanning is via a special hand scanner. Jumbo and Albert Heijn both use this. How such a device works differs per supermarket chain.

Using a hand scanner at Jumbo

• At the entrance of the supermarket there is a rack with hand scanners and a screen. Tap on the screen Start.
• You will be asked if you agree with the self-scan rules. Tap on Yes.
• There is a white/yellow light on one of the handheld scanners. Take this handheld scanner.
• Grab the product you want to buy.
• Look up the barcode printed on the product. This is sometimes also on a sign with the product. Certain fruits and vegetables should be weighed first. Then you have to print a receipt.
• Scan the barcode.
• Scanned too much? Use the arrows on the hand scanner to select the product and then tap the minus sign.
• All products scanned? Time to pay! Walk to the cash register where a cashier is standing and pay with him/her.

Using a hand scanner at Albert Heijn

• At the entrance of the supermarket is a rack with hand scanners. Next to it is a screen with the text ‘Please scan your bonus card’ and a scanning device with a red light. Hold the barcode on the bonus card in front of the red light of the scanning device.
• A green light lights up on one of the handheld scanners. Get this scanner.
• On the scanner display, tap Agree.
• Now you can shop. Grab the product you want to buy and find the barcode. This is sometimes also on a sign with the product. Certain fruits and vegetables should be weighed first. Then you must print a receipt with the code.
• Scan the barcode. To do this, press the button below the display of the handheld scanner. A red light comes out of the scanner. Point this light directly at the barcode.
• If the scan was successful, the name of the scanned product will appear on the display.
• Wrong product scanned? Then remove it. To do this, tap the name of the respective product on the display of the hand scanner and then tap the minus sign.
• When all products have been scanned, walk to a self-service checkout. This is located at the exit and can be recognized by a screen, scanning device and pin device that you have to operate yourself.
• On the self-service checkout screen, tap Checkout hand scanner.
• Return the handheld scanner to the rack.
• Scan your bonus card. To do this, hold the barcode on the bonus card in front of the red light coming out of the scanning device.
• Then pay with your debit card via the ATM.
• The receipt is printed. Some stores require you to bring the receipt with you. Scan the code on the receipt at the scanning pole in front of the exit. Do this by holding the code on the receipt in front of the red light of the scanning pole.

Also use the smartphone as a scanner in Albert Heijn. With the camera on the phone, you scan the barcode of each product in the Appie app from Albert Heijn. Do this like this:

• Install the Appie app from Albert Heijn on your smartphone in advance.
  • App App for iPhone
  • App Appie for the Android smartphone
• Connect to the free WiFi network of the Albert Heijn. For Android devices, note that you will see a separate login screen in which you must agree to the terms and conditions. Only then is the Wi-Fi network active. The next time you visit the store, it will automatically connect to the network. But each time you have to agree to the terms before the network becomes active.
• Open the Appie app from Albert Heijn.
• Tap at the bottom right More.
• Tap on self-scanning.
• Optionally tap To connect.
• The message to scan your bonus card appears. Tap on Scan. You only do this the first time you use the app.
• The app may ask for access to the phone’s camera. Tap on OK.
• The camera on the phone opens. Point the camera at the barcode of the bonus card. No idea how? Then pretend to take a picture of the barcode.
• The bonus card is set. Grab the product you want to buy and find the barcode. Sometimes this is on the sign with the product. Certain fruits and vegetables should be weighed first. Then you must print a receipt with the code.
• In the app, tap the blue icon with a white barcode .
• The phone’s camera opens. Point the camera at the barcode.
• All products scanned? Walk to a self-service cash register at the exit. Here you see a scanning device, a screen and an ATM. Tap on the screen Checkout smartphone.
• In the app on your mobile, tap in the top right corner Pay.
• A large barcode will appear in the app. Hold this code in front of the scanner’s red light.
• Pay the groceries with your debit card and tap in the app on Close self-scanning.
• The receipt is printed. Some stores require you to bring the receipt with you. Scan the code on the receipt at the scanning pole in front of the exit. Do this by holding the code on the receipt in front of the red light of the scanning pole.

If you find self-scanning via the app or hand scanner difficult, you can use the self-scan checkout. This way is especially convenient and fast when you buy few products. Use the self-scan checkouts in Albert Heijn and Albert Heijn To Go like this:

• On the self-service checkout screen, tap Scan messages.
• Find the barcode on the product and hold it in front of the red light of the scanning device. Some products do not have a barcode. In that case, search for the product via the screen.
• The name of the product appears on the screen of the self-scan checkout. The product has been scanned.
• Scanned too much? Tap the product name on the screen and then the minus sign. If you tap the plus sign, you indicate that, for example, you have bought several bottles of water. Tap the trash can if you don’t want to buy the product anyway.
• When everything is scanned, tap pay.
• Pay for your groceries via the ATM.
• Some stores will ask if you want to print the receipt. In that case, tap Pay a receipt or Pay no receipt. Will the receipt be printed automatically? Then you have to scan the code on the receipt at the scanning pole in front of the exit. Do this by holding the code on the receipt in front of the red light of the scanning pole.