The scan-as-you-go concept is widely used in Europe and is just now beginning to catch on in markets in this country.
Using hand scanners, shoppers record their purchases and bag their groceries as they shop
Shoppers say the scanners are easy to use and can save 15 to 20 minutes per shopping trip.
The handheld scanner lets customers keep a running tally as they work their way through the aisles, allowing them to spend more time shopping and less time waiting to check out.
In Maryland, scanners are available at Bloom stores in Scaggsville and Rockville and a Martin's Food Market in Eldersburg.
Scales with printers let customers create bar-coded tags for fruits, vegetables and other produce that isn't priced. Bloom stores also have computerized kiosks that print out recipes and a map showing where the ingredients can be found.
