Tesco Opens Interactive Virtual Store at Gatwick

Tesco has opened the UK’s first interactive virtual grocery store in Gatwick Airport’s North Terminal.

Customers are able to view a range of everyday products by scrolling through the moving screens on large virtual fridges. By scanning the barcodes with their smartphones (and via the Tesco app) they can add their chosen products to their online baskets, book a home delivery slot and checkout. Their shopping will then be delivered when they return from holiday.



There are 4 interactive fridges in the virtual store pilot and 6 digital sites positioned around the departure lounge. They use EYE’s digital displays and interactive screen technology from Monster Media.

Around 30,000 people depart from Gatwick’s North Terminal each day and each has an average of 70 minutes of downtime while waiting for flights. The virtual store will be open for business during the two busiest weeks of the year, from 6th August – 19th August. Staff will be on hand to help customers with the scanning and ordering process on their smartphones.

Tesco is the first retailer to offer passengers a service of this kind in the UK. It builds on its launch of the world’s first virtual store in South Korea last year, which allowed commuters to shop in subways and at bus stops by pointing their mobile phones at billboards.