The retailer has partnered with tech firm Qudini for a month-long trial of its virtual queueing system at three John Lewis stores and six Waitrose supermarkets across the UK. 

If there is a physical queue at any of the stores during the trial, customers will be invited to scan a QR code or text a number displayed outside to join a virtual queue or book a fixed time slot for getting into the shop.

The Quidini app will then be used by staff at the stores to track the number of customers inside a shop at any one time and ensure it doesn’t become too busy.