Sainsbury’s is to trial a mobile phone charging service in its stores.

It will be the first grocer to trial such a scheme, which allows customers to charge a mobile phone, iPod or games console in a secure locker.

Sainsbury’s manager of concessions Yvette Farmer said: “We’re always looking for ways we can make the lives of our customers easier. The roll out of ChargeBox will give people that lifeline to make a call when they’ve run out of battery power.”

Customers are provided with a secure locker to charge their device. All major manufacturers are covered.

Users pay by inserting money or via text, then lock the door and take the key with them.

The service costs from£1 for 30 minutes. The maximum charge is£2 for 90 minutes.

The trial begins next week and will run for three months.

Farmer added: “This is a service that will really make a positive difference to our customers and we expect it to be a successful feature in our in-store customer service.”


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