Grocery Chains Lidl UK and Costco US Introduce New Service Changes

Lidl GB has expanded its self‑scanning pilot, "Lidl & Go", to seven additional stores in Airdrie, Cardiff, Epsom, Glenrothes, Kingston, Guilford and Eastleigh. Shoppers can scan items as they shop and monitor spending in real time through the Lidl Plus app, giving them more flexibility before checkout.

Costco announced several updates to its food‑court offerings. The long‑standing $1.50 hot‑dog combo now lets customers choose between the 20‑ounce fountain drink or a 16.9‑ounce bottle of water. Access to the food court will be limited to members only, requiring a membership card at purchase, and the company is cracking down on shared memberships.

Both retailers are adjusting in‑store experiences—Lidl with digital self‑checkout tools and Costco with product options and stricter membership controls—reflecting a broader push to enhance customer service and operational efficiency.