Self-service checkout lanes are becoming more and more popular in supermarkets and grocers.
They can be seen in all kinds of stores — from large supermarkets and grocery chains like Walmart and its sibling company Sam’s Club, all the way down to small and independent grocery or convenience stores.
Self-checkout machines became even more popular during the pandemic, as customers could pay for their groceries without coming into close contact with staff or other shoppers.
But how can grocery store self-checkout machines work for your retail store? And what are the pros and cons of self-service machines in a retail setting?
We’re here to answer those questions and teach you everything you need to know about self-checkout in a grocery store setting.
The self-checkout systems market was worth $1.4 billion in the U.S. alone in 2021, and this is estimated to reach an enormous global worth of $5.9 billion by 2026. From this, it’s clear that self-checkouts are becoming more popular every year.
But how exactly do self-checkout kiosks work?
It’s simple.
Self-service machines are only really different from traditional checkout tills in that they aren’t staffed; customers themselves perform the checkout process.
Customers in a grocery store or other retail business use a barcode scanner to scan the items they want to buy at a point of sale (or POS). Once the self-checkout device has scanned the item, the customer places it into the bagging area.
When they’ve scanned all items, the customer completes the checkout process by paying for their goods. Most self-service machines accept multiple payment methods, meaning there are several checkout options available. The devices can process debit or credit card payments, contactless payments, and cash payments — depending on the hardware and software available.
There are also more high-tech options on the market. The Amazon Go store (a grocery store chain owned and operated by Amazon) has introduced “just walk out technology.”
Amazon Go Grocery Stores and Amazon Fresh Grocery Stores (the British version of the same stores) have no cash registers whatsoever. Customers use their smartphones and a QR code to scan their way through the entry turnstiles. They can then simply pick up the products they want to buy and walk right out of the store.
Amazon uses sensors, cameras, and machine learning (ML) to track and add up exactly what each customer takes. This is then charged to their Amazon account.
The multinational conglomerate is revolutionizing the grocery industry by implementing the same technology in Whole Foods, which it purchased in 2017.
The highly technical automation that Amazon has introduced to the retail world might seem daunting if you run your own retail business. Let’s be honest; you almost certainly don’t have the same resources available to you as supermarket chains.
But implementing a self-service POS system can be an easy and cost-effective way to ease the checkout process for your customers.
Tablet-based kiosk apps like KioskBuddy, for example, are even easier to set up than larger self-checkout machines, and they’re also simple for customers to use.
Customers take their items to the kiosk device — the tablet can be mounted for easy access with a Square Kiosk mount.
Customers select or scan the products they want to purchase using the kiosk app’s interface. KioskBuddy supports self-checkout through barcode scanning using the front-facing iPad camera.
Customers tap through on the tablet to see the available payment options.
Customers use the Square payment hardware to pay with a credit card or contactless payment.
That’s it!
Self-service kiosks are an easy way to bring retail automation into your store.
Implementing self-checkout stations in your grocery store or other retail business provides an easy checkout solution for your customers. Self-checkout systems can elevate the customer experience and benefit you as a business owner.
For one thing, installing self-service kiosks alongside your staffed cash registers can lead to a quicker checkout experience for your customers and reduce long lines.
Customers can choose whether to wait for a traditional cash register with a member of the staff (which is ideal for answering questions or solving problems they may have) or simply to visit a self-checkout machine.
Lengthy checkout lines mean long wait times, which could cause your customers to go elsewhere. But by installing self-service machines, you’ll have more points of sale available to customers, meaning faster service in your store.
If your retail business or grocery store has a small area as its premises, you’ll likely be a bit short on space. By installing a tablet-based self-service kiosk, you can reduce the amount of room taken up by your POS and dedicate more floor space to your goods or customer service desk.
Another great benefit to business owners is that grocery store self-checkouts can help you reduce your labor costs.
With self-service machines in operation, you won’t need as many cashiers to scan items or process payments. This means your business can operate with fewer store employees, or you can transfer your team to another department (such as customer service or merchandising).
Using POS software (such as a self-checkout app or program) instead of a traditional cash register, you can get real-time updates straight to your smartphone or email address.
Good POS systems can give you live updates on your inventory levels as well as sales reports and customer profiles. These reports can save you time in the long run, as you won’t have to produce them manually.
Grocery store self-checkout devices also allow customers to keep a safe distance from other people. Social distancing became important at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, but it looks set to continue as the world returns to normal.
In fact, a survey has suggested that up to 75% of shoppers who increased their use of self-service machines during the pandemic intend to continue using them.
If your customers prefer to keep a safe distance from staff and other customers while they shop, grocery store self-checkout machines provide an easy way for them to do so.
As is the case with most new technologies, there are one or two downsides to grocery store self-checkout machines.
Some customers prefer the customer experience of a staffed cash register when they go grocery shopping. Self-checkout lanes don’t allow for the personal touch of a conversation with a staff member.
If you think this might be a problem in your store, don’t worry — there’s an easy solution. You can simply install some cashier-less checkouts but keep some staffed tills. Offering multiple checkout options is a great way to reap the benefits of self-checkouts but also keep your customers happy.
Grocery store self-checkout units can be a fantastic way to improve the overall retail experience in your business. It doesn’t matter whether you run a convenience store, a grocery store, or any other kind of retail establishment — self-service kiosks and self-checkout options could save you time and money.
And the good news is that you don’t need large or bulky hardware to set up a self-checkout station. With nothing more than a tablet and a stand, you can have your self-checkout kiosk up and running.
So what are you waiting for? Sign up to KioskBuddy today and reap the rewards of a self-checkout system in your store.