I’m a little bit suspicious of the “U-Scan” trend at grocery stores, as it seems like a ploy to get customers like me to do—unpaid—the job of cashiers. So you might think that there would be even more reason to object to the new “easySHOP” system that just appeared at my local Stop & Shop. Actually, I think it’s a big improvement.

As you can see from my photos, “easySHOP” lets customers with store cards check out hand-held scanners from a kiosk at the front of the store. Then, as you shop you can ring up and bag each item, and you just pay on your way out. There are a number of advantages: you can compare the rung-up price with the price listed on the shelf; you can keep a running total as you go; and of course you can largely avoid the long checkout lines.

You do have to agree to a possible “random audit” of your order, so we’ll see if that occurs enough to be annoying. Otherwise, I think this could be a great system.