A new contactless Click & Collect trial is being launched at a Medway shopping centre.

The M&S store at Hempstead Valley near Gillingham will be one of three of the company's shops trying it out.

It says there will be a number of benefits for customers including eliminating queues and avoiding unnecessary contact.

M&S will use technology company Doddle's system to help "understand customer demand and measure data" through customer feedback.

Head of digital operations, Neil Phillips, said: “Great digital technology in our stores is really important for offering our customers a great experience and for connecting the online and in-store journey.

"These trials with Doddle offer market leading solutions for Click & Collect, a proposition which will only grow over the coming years as the trend towards online shopping continues to accelerate. We’ll be listening carefully to our customers’ feedback.”

Doddle's chief technology officer, Gary O’Connor, said: “We are delighted to be working with M&S to trial new click & collect technology in selected stores.

"Online shopping has rapidly accelerated, and we’re confident that digital in-store collections and drive-up solution will benefit M&S and their customers – with an even more convenient way to receive their purchases.”

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