John Lewis to trial customer tracking software to speed up collections

Phone app developed by firm with grant from retailer's JLab programme could reduce waiting times for picking up purchases from stores

Groundbreaking technology that would use sensors to track customers in and around stores is being trialled by John Lewis in an attempt to help shoppers avoid queues to pick up click & collect parcels.

The system - developed by micro-location specialist Localz - uses smartphones to identify customers' exact location. As well as automatically triggering a customer's click & collect order to be picked up as they enter a shop or a carpark - to speed up the process - it can also help them navigate their way around a store based on their own online shopping wish list.