Woolworths brings in queue-monitoring technology for shoppers looking to escape the crowds

Supermarket giant Woolworths has implemented new technology that allows shoppers to view real-time queue lengths and avoid peak-hour shopping windows.

Known as Q-Tracker, the new tool monitors the approximate wait time of queues for stores that have heavily restricted capacity in the wake of COVID-19 restrictions.

Where there is no queue, the tool will tell shoppers there is a "0 min wait to enter store" and will show traditional busy periods based on past transaction data.

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The tool also displays opening hours, distance and directions from a nominated address.

Woolworths Director of Stores Robert Moffat says that while many stores don't currently have queues in place, the tool will help guide those wishing to shop when as few people are in store as possible.

"By helping customers plan when and where they shop before they leave home, Q-Tracker makes it easier to avoid busy periods, save time and shop with health and safety in mind," said Mr Moffat.

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"Even though most of our stores do not need to implement queuing at the moment, this tool has been developed as another measure to support the safety of our team and customers."

Queue data is updated every five minutes during opening hours and is available for all Woolworths supermarkets and Metro stores.

While queues are largely non-existent, Woolworths is also trialling a booking functionality on some stores which will allow shoppers to effectively choose a window in which they wish to do their grocery shop.

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"Woolworths is also trialing a booking functionality within the Q-Tracker tool at its Taylors Lakes, Hampton Park, South Melbourne and St Helena stores, where customers are able to book a time to do their shop," Mr Moffat said.

"This means they will be able to head straight into the store without needing to stand in a queue and be able to safely practice social distancing."

The Q-tracker technology is currently live on Woolworths' website, and includes functionality that allows users to rank stores closest to them based on queue length.

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