Tesco and Asda could install a facial recognition system at their checkouts which would check a customer's age when they buy alcohol and other restricted items. The'Fastlane' software would take a picture of the customer and approve the purchase if they are clearly old enough, meaning a staff member would not need to come and intervene. Shoppers will not have to register in advance, although regular customers can sign up to an app by linking a selfie to a passport or ID document, manufacturers said. Asda, Morrisons and Tesco are the most likely to trial the software although Sainsbury's has said it will not, the Daily Telegraph reported. If the photo does not prove a customer was old enough then supermarket staff would have to check their ID in person.

Ocado has become the first British supermarket to launch an app on Amazon Alexa meaning customers can add items to their shopping basket using their smart assistant. The service, which launched yesterday, allows customers to order food to be delivered to their homes simply by issuing a voice command. Ocado is the only British supermarket in the UK to offer an app on Alexa, the personal assistant device owned by rival Amazon, as it moves away from traditional supermarket shopping. The service, which launched yesterday, allows customers to order food to be delivered to their homes simply by issuing a voice command. As well as ordering food from the device customers will be able to add a product to an existing order or basket, find out which products are in season and receive inspiration for the best ways to include them in recipes.