Tesco Tests Avocado Ripeness Scanners – Game-Changing Grocery Tech or Just a Gimmick?
Tesco has begun trialing high-tech avocado ripeness scanners in five of its UK stores, sparking debate among shoppers. Some see it as a smart shopping hack, while others believe a simple squeeze test is more than enough.
Avocado toast may be a millennial favorite, but it depends on one key factor – the fruit being perfectly soft and ripe. The new scanner allows customers to quickly check ripeness levels, helping them choose the ideal avocado for their needs.
Tom Allingham, money expert at Save the Student, says it’s “only fair that people know exactly what they’re paying for.” But not everyone is convinced. James Herring, CEO of brand consultancy Taylor Herring, dismissed the idea as a “tech gimmick”, insisting that “a quick squeeze works just as well.”
Whether this trial becomes a grocery innovation or fades as a novelty, Tesco’s move highlights the growing role of food technology in improving the shopping experience and reducing food waste.
#1Tesco’s Avocado Ripeness Scanners Spark Debate: Smart Innovation or Marketing Gimmick?
Britain’s supermarkets are locked in a constant battle for shopper attention, often relying on new gimmicks to grab headlines. Tesco’s latest trial — avocado ripeness scanners — has done exactly that, sparking nationwide conversations about food waste, grocery innovation, and social media buzz.
Brand expert James Herring argues the scanner is less about convenience and more about visibility: “Tesco’s avocado scanner has done its job. It’s started conversations about food waste and reinforced the brand’s innovation credentials. Sure, faster checkouts or better store upgrades matter, but they don’t make viral TikTok content.”
#2Social Media Fueling the Hype
Tesco’s avocado buyer, Lisa Lawrence, explained that social media trends inspired the soft launch: “Smashed avocado on sourdough remains one of the trendiest snacks, with millions of recipe views online. We expect the scanner to be really popular with shoppers.”
Tesco revealed it sold nearly 15 million more avocados this year compared to the previous 12 months. Lawrence added that the scanner will help customers choose the right avocado for their needs, whether they want to eat it immediately or extend shelf life at home.
The scanners are being trialed in five stores: Cheshunt Extra (Hertfordshire), Colchester Superstore (Essex), Stratford upon Avon Superstore (Warwickshire), Wokingham Superstore (Berkshire), and Salisbury Extra (Wiltshire)
#3Tackling Food Waste with Grocery Tech
This isn’t Tesco’s first foray into retail tech — earlier trials included giant trolley scales in Gateshead, which some shoppers jokingly compared to airport security.
Georgia Rose, senior consultant at Kantar, believes the scanner could succeed: “Quality and value assurance strongly influence shopping behavior. Innovations like this need testing to see if they reduce waste while improving customer satisfaction, before any nationwide rollout.”
Still, cost remains a concern. Tom Allingham from Save the Student cautioned: “I don’t buy into the myth that young people buy too many avocados. But with the cost-of-living crisis, affordability matters. If the scanners increase prices, cheaper food should take priority.”
